Ava didn’t understand the amount of damage, she had caused by saying those words in my defense.

King Teta moved on impulse on what he felt. He didn’t give a damn about what anyone thought was right or not.

I knew I had to fix the impact of what she had done.

To avoid war amongst districts.

He knew the right tabs to press. Once he attacked a part of our neighboring Kingdom, they’d immediately think it came from me.

Thus, I set out men to prepare the ship. I would be sailing to the middle of the sea. Right where his Kingdom was positioned, to make immediate peace.

I made sure no crew was around, when I went to him. Setting boats aside in case anything went wrong.

He was as wild as that.

“Father.”

I summoned him, by calling out his name. Not that he couldn’t feel that a ship was right on top. He could. But I said it anyway, due to some formalities.

So, he knew I came in peace.

“Thought you conspired with your so-called mate to bring me down. Why are you here?”

He snarled at my words, landing on the ship with his staff. His light blue garment, coated in some sea shells.

“To apologize for my mate’s approach to things.”

I said, going on my knees in my peasant’s clothing. To take off attraction, I came in this disguise so no one knew they came in contact with a King.

I left Jaskier back at the castle to watch Ava and keep her out of harm’s way.

If this was the only way, then I didn’t mind doing this a million times. At his damned mercy.

He gave a dismissive expression, walking away from me with some sea water splattering from his clothing.

“And to beg for your forgiveness.” I added.

“Then beg,” he spat at me.

“With all due respects, I apologize. I should have stopped her earlier when she tried to defend me. My sins are far too dark, and I deserve that amount of punishment.”

I said, with a bow. It seemed he was being convinced, because he walked back to me.

“Get up.”

I did as he said immediately, standing to face him. Even though I was far taller, we both knew who was stronger. After taking the power of the sea, he grew undefeatable overtime.

“To prove your worthiness son, you must do something to prove your words. And seal them.”

He stated, with a stern expression on his features.

“What is it? Tell me. I’m willing to do anything you ask for the sake of my Kingdom.”

And to prevent war.

Anything…

“An arranged marriage with your original betrothed, Princess Evealah. The marriage will be in one week.”

“An arranged marriage?”

“You heard me. I knew you would be back, thus; I already contacted her father.” he swiftly answered.

“He said she is still untouched, and has been waiting for your call. Very much fertile as a Nymph should be.”

All these years… Evealah has been betrothed to me. She was quite forgotten until now.

“I know you like them to be virgins.”

My beast growled, taunting me instantly, at the thought of Ava.

“There would be no such thing! I won’t betray my mate!” I seethed hastily, fuming at his words.

“Do not raise your voice at me!!” he exclaimed.

“It seems you’ve forgotten something. Let me remind you, son…”

“That so-called mate, failed to produce an heir. Even after the consummation.” he added.

He fumed more…

Wanting to end this man in front of him.

“We only consummated once. Because of your damned chaos you set in her world. She even refused help from me; you know. She’s as sweet and daring as that.”

“It shows. Judging from the way she disrespected the father to her mate.” he mindlessly stated.

I could tell he already didn’t like her. Thus, I aimed to convince him more.

Bad…this was getting bad.

“Ava needs time--”

“Time? There is no time. No room for time. You have to take an action now, Caspian. Right now.”

“I did the same thing by marrying your mum. She wasn’t my fated but we had you--”

“You weren’t happy!” I suddenly growled at him.

Tears coated my eyes, remembering what mum had to face in his hands.

The nights I saw her crying and her claiming that something got into her eyes. Her words to me, that I should treat my future woman, right.

“You were never happy, so don’t you dare bring that into my life! I’m not a saint, but I would never like my love life to be like yours.”

Goose bumps reacted on my skin from how brutal he could me. I was indeed disgusted by him. And it pained me I could do nothing about it.

“It’s not something I should be proud of. Something I can hold on to. It’s not…” I added in a trail this time, heaving with brokenness at my past.

“It’s not…”

“How dare you?!” he thundered, cutting me off.

“Your mum was comfortable with being the Queen. Having all that respect and power. And with me? She wanted to be with me cause I gave her all she needed.”

“You’re sure she didn’t do it as a duty? Just what did you give her? Humiliation? Treating her like an outcast and not your wife? Looking down on her ideas because she wasn’t a man?” I spat at him, asking.

“Or bedding her beastly, to satisfy your grotesque desires?”

“I heard her screams every night, you know.” I confessed, for the first time in my life. “Her screams of agony and torture, from your darkness whenever you made love.”

Didn’t even know if I should call it that.

He really put her through a lot…

“I was lucky to be with her when she died. Do you know what I saw in her eyes? Relief.”

“Relief of being released from a monster like you.”

“Arrgh!!” He hit my face angrily. From the impact, my body went opposite direction, losing balance till I dropped in the water.

I quickly swarm back to the ship, climbing in with my beast. Water dripped over my body which I shook off. While the mark that grazed me, instantly healed.

“Hitting me only means one thing. You’re guilty.” My lips informed him.

“Y-You won’t dare go against me!” he suddenly said.

“I made you into who you are! I hid your dark past so no one called you a monster. I can end you right now!”

Hitting his mighty staff on the ground, he echoed.

A force of sea water, sprung widely on the ship’s shore. Slipping past me, and forming a high tide at his command. I realized people were here who would perish with me, if I didn’t agree.

I couldn’t think of what Ava, would go through after my death.

“Fine…” I weakly trailed.

Having a war now…would be detrimental.

Let him have it his way, he was far too powerful.

The men I sent, found nothing. Not a single chest. I had to summon Nynaeve later, to find more.

“Let’s get this over with anyway.”

It was just a marriage nonetheless. My heart was with her always. Hoped she understood this.

***

Quite a lot happened in this chapter. Let me know your thoughts on Caspian's decision...