Tyranny of the Heart

Chapter 5: Complete Bliss

Hello!

I am soooo sorry that I haven't updated in a while. Life sometimes gets in the way. However, I think I can start updating more regularily now, but I'm still unsure. 

A special thanks to those who have commented/voted for this story, and to those who are sticking with me even as I'm dragging you through torment. I promise it's going to start to get good and pick up a bit. Keep up your support!!

“Caspian?” I cleared my throat and grabbed his arm. “I think I recall that we are supposed to be meeting with Professor at the moment.” I said, looking him in the eye, trying to convey a secret message.

He nodded in understanding. “Ah, yes. Please excuse us, Uncle Miraz and Auntie Pruna.”

We made our escape calmly and quickly. I dragged Caspian down the corridors of the castle and headed towards the play room. Since we were younger, the play room was mine and Caspian's place of meeting. Where we, and sometimes the Professor, would talk about our thoughts and doubts. And since it was located in a rather unpopulated part of the castle, it eliminated the chances of anyone eavesdropping. We reached the room and I closed the door behind me.

“What is going on, Aurina?” Caspian asked.

“Caspian, I think you are in danger.” I stated bluntly.

He blinked a couple of times to process what he had just heard and pushed his eyebrows together. “And what gives you that idea?”

“Pruna is pregnant.”

“Yes, I know. They just announced that to us. Is that a bad thing?”

I grunted in frustration. “Think about it, Caspian. Why would Miraz ever want children?”

He shrugged. “Because he is getting older and wishes to have children with his wife, like a normal husband.”

My patience with Caspian surprises me, even today. And this time, it was no exception. “Miraz is a selfish man, Caspian. He cares about nothing, only what benefits himself.”

He rolled his eyes. “Aurina, we have talked about this.”

“No, you have talked about this. I have kept my mouth shut until now.” I began to ring my hands nervously. “There is no use denying the facts, Caspian. Miraz is greedy and selfish and I think he may be out to harm you. Maybe even kill you.”

I explained to the slightly stunned Caspian about my theory. I could tell he was listening, but his mind seemed to be thinking very hard. He hesitated before saying, “Aurina, please forgive me for this, but do you think... maybe your opinion of Miraz has... clouding your judgement?”

My mouth dropped and my eyebrows disappeared into my hairline. Was he really questioning me? Me?! “I beg your pardon?” I asked, venom seeping into my tone.

Instinctively, he backed up a couple of steps, holding up his hands. “I do not mean to offend, but you have never liked Miraz. You two fight every time you lay eyes on each other. It is a miracle that you have not slain each other yet.” He spoke quickly. “So maybe... do you think that you want to believe that he would do something so despicable?”

“Yes. Absolutely.” I answered, a fire kindling within my bones. “Because I know Miraz. You know Miraz. When has he ever shown a shred of kindness or gentility to any living thing? When has he ever been a father-figure to anyone?”

“He is like a father to me.” Caspian defended him.

Chuckling darkly, I said, “Probably because he has not had an heir of his own and you are the closest to the throne. And do you not think it is a coincidence that he and Auntie Pruna have a child just as you are about to become King?” He remained silent. “He is planning something, Caspian. And I do not like it. The fact that you are choosing not to see the obvious is very naïve.” I knew as I said those words that they were harmful, and I saw Caspian physically react to it, but I could not help myself.

“Please, Aurina.” Caspian sighed, rubbing his temples. “I cannot deal with this right now.”

“Then when?” I challenged. Under normal circumstances, I would have let it go, but I felt it was too important to ignore the threat of his life. “When he has burned down the whole castle and carved his name into the hills? Caspian, this is happening whether you accept it or not.”

“What do you expect me to do, Aurina? Go to the Council and tell them that Miraz might be planning something, even though I have absolutely no proof? Go in hiding?” For once, I found myself speechless. He was actually right, for once. “We have to assume that he is innocent until we have evidence that suggests otherwise. I am sorry.”

He turned to leave the room, leaving me in angered shock. “Caspian?” I finally asked before he went out the door. “What if I am right? What will we do?”

He paused in consideration and we both stood there in silence. “I am not sure.” He finally said quietly. “Perhaps we should start believing in miracles.” Caspian then walked out gently shutting the door behind him.

The months dragged on. I kept a sharp eye on Miraz. The one thing that I will admit was that Miraz was as smart as he was cold. He knew how to cover his tracks and do it well.

The day came when Auntie Pruna went into labor, about a day or two away from Caspian's coronation. It was towards the evening, and the whole castle grew uneasy in preparation for the new arrival. Professor thought it would be best to take both me and Caspian away from it all, and so we went to our favorite spot in the whole castle, Our Tower. It was in the wing connected to the play room, in the same place where rarely anyone walked through. It was especially empty that day due to Auntie Pruna in labor.

We sat up on that tower and watched the evening sky turn to night. We counted the stars and tried to quiz each other on their names. It was something that we had not done in quite some time, probably since I was a very young girl. But I look back on that evening as one of the most happiest moments of my life. Because for a moment, everything was perfect.

“Why did you bring us up here, Professor?” I asked him, after a while of star gazing.

The old man stroked his long white beard and sighed. “I thought that it had been too long since you both were up here. And with so many changes occurring all at once, I suppose that I just wanted to remind you that no matter how old or wise you get, you will never surpass the stars.” He glanced up at the sky, as Caspian and I lent back on the slope of the tower. “The stars are the ever encompassing wise men of the skies. No matter how far you go, they are always above you, watching and guiding.”

I wondered if my father was somewhere up there, looking down on me. I hoped he was. “What do you think they would say if they could speak?” Caspian speculated.

“Probably that you are a simpleton.” I joked, nudging him in the side.

“They always speak to you.” Professor explained, ignoring my insult all together. “Some call the voice in your head that dictates right and wrong your instincts, but I choose to believe that it is the stars, guiding me down the right path. Trust your stars, my children. With all the troubles you will face in your future, the stars are a great consult.”

I had the feeling that he was trying to tell us something, but it was rather cryptic. Glancing over at Caspian, he seemed to be thinking the same. We both shrugged our shoulders, not really wanting to think about whatever he was speaking about. All that mattered at that moment was the beauty of the night sky and my best friend was at my side.

“Are you still having your doubts?” I whispered over to him, so that Professor did not hear.

He hesitated for a moment, deliberating on what to say. “With you to help me, I think I shall be fine.” Caspian said, looking over at me, grinning.

I smiled back, and grabbed a hold of his hand, giving it a friendly squeeze. We then turned our attention back to the stars until Professor instructed us to go to bed.

Even as I fell asleep, I felt as though I was still up on the roof with Caspian and Professor, only the stars were coming down towards us and making us fly like birds.

It was a night of complete bliss. Before a lifetime of terror and pain. The night I was awoken by metal and soldiers.