Chapter 363: More like a chain
Amelie’s face lit up when she saw Carlos’ name flash across the screen. Without a moment’s hesitation, she answered.
"Carlos?" she said, her eyes brightening as though she could already see him.
"Hey, Mimi," Carlos greeted, his tone carrying a softness reserved only for her. He leaned back in the wooden chair near the window of his room, as the moonlight casting faint shadows across his face. "How are you doing?"
"I’m fine. You?"
"I’m doing alright," he replied. A small pause lingered before he added quickly, "Grandma’s doing fine too, before you ask." His fingers drummed absently against the armrest, a restless rhythm betraying the calm in his voice.
Amelie smiled knowingly. "Why did you call? Don’t tell me you’re already missing us." Her words were teasing, but her heart secretly hoped it was true.
"I do miss you all," Carlos admitted after a short silence. His voice dropped, carrying the weight of something unsaid. "And... it’s happening again. They want me to lead." He let out a humorless laugh. "But I have no intention of teaching anyone anything. Sometimes I just wish I’d been born into a normal family."
The smile slowly faded from Amelie’s face. A worry clouded her eyes as she listened. She could feel he was frustrated and exhausted by all of this.
"Mimi," he murmured, "you know how my parents died... because of all this witchcraft and magic. I can’t stand being tied to it. The farther I am from it, the more at peace I feel." His words laced with a complaint he could no longer hold back.
"Yet, you somehow got tied to it," Amelie said softly.
"Yes," Carlos admitted. "The visions started first, which I never wanted or asked for. They said it was a blessing from heaven, but to me it feels more like a chain. After that, I was expected to learn, to study, to wield what was given." His fingers clenched around the armrest. "But all of this... suffocates me. Makes me feel as though I can’t breathe." He hesitated, then asked with sudden uncertainty, "I’m not boring you, am I? With all these unnecessary talks?"
"No, you aren’t," Amelie said quickly. "I’m glad you called, Carlos. You can speak as much as you need. I’ll listen."
On the other end, she heard him release a heavy sigh, long and weary. "I want to run away, Mimi. If it weren’t for Grandmother... if it weren’t for her frail health, I would have gone long ago. She’s the only reason I’m still here. But one day, I’ll find a place far from this, a place where I can live in peace." His voice broke into a murmur, as though the words themselves were too fragile to bear.
Amelie’s heart ached for him. She recalled the moment his grandmother had quietly confessed that her time was running short.
’Carlos, your grandmother doesn’t want you bound to this life any more than you do.’
Instead, she spoke gently. "You’re always welcome here, Carlos. Whenever you want, for however long you need. I understand what it means to long for a simple moment of peace."
"Thank you, Mimi," he whispered, sincerity softening his voice. A small pause followed before he asked, "Where’s Gabriel?"
"He’s not in the room," Amelie replied. She shifted slightly, glancing around the palace chamber where she sat. "We’re in the palace. Brother Dominick is getting married the day after tomorrow."
"Oh," Carlos said with a faint chuckle, tinged with regret. "I almost forgot. The King’s invitation did reach us, but... I had to politely decline. With Grandmother’s health waning, I couldn’t leave her side. Hopefully, the King didn’t take it to heart."
"I’m sure he didn’t," Amelie said.
"Don’t you want to sleep?" Carlos asked after a pause.
"I already slept earlier," Amelie replied. She leaned back against the velvet cushions, her fingers absently tracing the edge of the book resting on her lap. "Now I’m wide awake. I was reading."
There was a moment of silence, then Carlos’s tone shifted, unexpectedly careful. "How’s your sister?"
Amelie blinked, momentarily caught off guard. His sudden inquiry left her bewildered. "Why are you asking about her? Did you... see something?" Her curiosity slipped into her words before she could rein it back. "If you did, you can tell me."
"I saw nothing," Carlos said firmly, though there was a weight beneath his words, as though he had thought longer on the matter than he admitted. "I only asked because... she looks troubled. Puzzled, almost. I hope you understand what I mean."
Amelie lowered her gaze, her voice quieting. "Yes... I understand. Flora has been lost ever since everything happened. She’s still carrying those shadows," Amelie replied.
"Hmm. I hope she finds her true purpose, and her happiness," Carlos said. "Anyway, I should hang up now. Thank you... and goodnight, Mimi."
"Goodnight," Amelie replied gently. "And don’t forget, you’re not alone. You can call me whenever you want."
A small chuckle warmed his tone. "Of course. I’ll keep bothering you." She could almost see the smile that reached his eyes before the line went quiet.
Amelie lowered the phone onto the mattress beside her. Suddenly, a knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she called softly.
The door creaked open, and a maid slipped inside, bowing her head low. "Your Highness," she said with politeness, "all the ladies have gathered in the hall. They request your presence. Allow me to guide you there."
"Sure," Amelie replied with a small nod. She closed the book resting at her side, placing it carefully on the table. She slowly swung her legs down from the bed while the maid quickly approached her.
"Are they gathered to have fun before the wedding?" Amelie asked.
"Yes, Your Highness. Princess Katelyn called everyone since the princes are also having fun with their friends," the maid informed.
"Oh. That sounds fun," Amelie said, still walking slowly. "How long have you been working here? You look young to me," she added.
"I joined not long ago, Your Highness," the maid answered. They were in the North corridor when they encountered Idris.
"Sister Amelie!" Idris exclaimed as his smile widened with joy.