Chapter 39: Thoughts

**Amelia**

My head swirled with the warning of the witch. "She is in danger because of what she is," were the words that rung in my head, a grim reminder of all that was set into motion. 

Then, of course, the second part- "There is trouble because of the people that are coming for her." The memory of the witch's words had me clenching my fists with worry.

My thoughts shifted to Caelan and his relentless efforts to make sure Lysandra comes back to him.

A slow, soft smile stretched my lips. Lysa must be really lucky to have a man like that in her life. The fights he put up to get her back-seemed real. 

However, something inside me doubts his intentions. On the day Lysa was kidnapped by the dragon, he didn't seem too worried about her disappearance. He kept repeating that he was humiliated.

If he didn't have pure intentions, then what could be his driving force? Had he known of the mark? Did he know what that really means?

I shook my head, the thought pushed further. This was not a time for doubt, certainly not when there was just so much at stake.

But then my mind returned to when I had the conversation with my mother. The vase breaking was way too random, and I could've sworn that I saw someone run away.

It was odd, but I wanted to trust my gut, and it was telling me that someone was eavesdropping that day. Call it paranoia, but I know something was wrong.

And even now. Things seemed terribly wrong.

I was having trouble sleeping, and the anxiety coiled in my stomach. The restless energy wouldn't let her be, so I got out of bed and decided to drink some water and walk around.

This Estate seemed unfamiliar now. Like the memories we'd formed here were too scared to show themselves in my head.

The heavy silence of the estate weighed upon her as she walked down the hallways, the soft tapping of my boots against the marble floors the only sound.

Just as she reached the far end of the hall, a faint murmur broke the silence: two guards speaking in hushed tones.

"Did you hear about the dragon?" one whispered. His voice was trembling, but an undercurrent betrayed his interest in gossip.

“I mean who hasn't? The dragon claimed the heiress and then just left. I find it suspicious that she didn't even fight back," the second guard said with a snort.

"True. But I'm telling you, Lady Lysandra is pure. She wouldn't betray her mother like that," the first guard said, growing more and more defensive.

The second snorted darkly. "You believe that? I know her. She's no saint. The dragon had probably claimed her long before this mess. Why else would he call her his?"

“You know, I've secretly had a crush for her since I started working on the palace.”

“You're a fool. You could never end up with her. Not even in your dreams!”

The first guard laughed. “I do end up with her in my dreams, and unlike in real life, no one steals her from me. Not the young master Aldridge, and not even the dragon.

My breath caught in my throat, and I was sure that if I looked in the mirror at that time, my face was red with anger. 

"Enough," I snapped, stepping within their view. The guards turned, frozen, paling in expression.

"You both will hold your tongues, or I'll make sure you wish you never spoke a work in your pathetic lives," I said, my voice cold, carrying a weight of authority. 

My gaze was fierce, locking them into place. "If I hear even the slightest whisper of a rumour against my sister again, I promise you, you'll regret it. Do I make myself clear?"

The guards exchanged uneasy glances, their mouths opening but quickly shutting when they saw the icy resolve in my eyes.

"Yes, Lady Amelia," they muttered in unison.

I gave them one last glare before turning on my heel, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. 

‘They know something,’ I thought, the suspicion settling in my chest like a stone.

I lost the will to walk around after hearing the guards’ talk, so I decided to head back to my room and go to bed. 

I stumbled back to my room in a daze, my mind trying to make some sort of sense of the rumours and half-truths I'd overheard. 

It was bad enough, the mention of my sister being claimed by the dragon, but it was the talk between the guards about Lysandra's betrayal that unsettled me. 

I entered my room, and then tucked myself to sleep. As soon as my vision turned black, it felt like I was watching myself. 

It was weird seeing myself have a conversation with Caelan. It was just a dream, but it felt real.

"Caelan," I said. My voice was colder than  I had meant it to be. "What are you doing here?"

He turned slowly, his dark eyes meeting hers with an unreadable expression. "I was waiting for you."

My arms folded across my chest; this version of me did not even bother to veil her suspicion. "Why?"

Caelan took another step closer. His unwavering gaze fixed on me. "You don't trust me," he replied with a quiet, cutting edge to his voice. "I can see that in your eyes."

I didn't say a word. I was tired of games, tired of uncertainty tagging along with every word ever spoken between them.

Everyone had their secrets, but when it came to my sister, I wanted all the tea. 

"I need you to be honest with me," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "What exactly is going on? Why are you going above and beyond to get my sister back? Is it true love? Or like the others, you have something to gain.”

His eyes flickered, and for an instant, a shadow crossed his face before he schooled his features again. "It's complicated, Amelia," he said softly.

I took another step closer, my voice laced with frustration. "I'm not a fool, Caelan. Don't play games with me. You've known about the mark, haven't you? You knew all along."

He said nothing, his silence speaking volumes that words never could. Then he opened his mouth as if to say something, but he vanished before he could get anything out.

I woke up abruptly, my head snapping towards the place we were standing. But there was no one there.

Nor were they signs that he came to the house. 

Was the dream trying to tell me anything?