CHAPTER 23

**AMELIA**
As my mother's hand firmly holds mine, I feel the familiar warmth that has always brought me comfort. She looks at me deeply, with a genuine concern that only a mother can express.
"You are saving all of us, but what about you? And your heart, Amelia?"
"Mom..."
"He has no right to do this to you. You are his wife, but it’s not fair to hurt and break your heart once the curse is gone."
The pain in her voice cuts through my heart, and for a moment, I don't know how to respond. I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words.
"I will be fine; trust me."
"I trust you, but no mother wants to see her daughter suffering, Amelia."
I sigh, feeling the truth in her words as I take another sip of the hot tea she made. The comforting sensation of the tea goes down my throat, and for a brief moment, I feel like a child again, safe and protected in her presence.
Even though it has only been a few days away, I feel an immense longing for home and my mother.
"Sometimes, I wonder if he will really like me or if I will still be the queen after the curse is broken."
My mother looks at me with a tenderness that makes me question so many things.
"Is that what you want, dear?"
"I don’t know; he is...", I fall silent, trying to find the right word to define Aaron, but it escapes me. I sigh deeply, frustrated with my inability to articulate my feelings. She studied me for a moment before asking,
"Do you want children, Amelia?"
"What?"
"I'm asking because he is the king, and kings need heirs."
Her question catches me off guard, and I feel a discomfort growing inside me. I stand up quickly, the weight of responsibility and uncertainty overwhelming me.
"I don't know if I'm ready for that. I want children; I want to be a mother, but not this way."
My mother stands up too, approaching me carefully.
"Dear, I understand. You have so much weight on your shoulders, and it’s unfair that you have to face all of this alone."
She holds my face in her hands, and tears begin to form in my eyes again.
"I just want you to be happy, Amelia. Whatever decision you make, I will be by your side."
"I know, Mom. And that means the world to me."
She smiles, gently wiping away my tears.
"Remember, you are stronger than you think. And true love cannot be forced. If you are to fall in love with Aaron, let it be for the man he is, not for the king he needs to be."
I nod, feeling the weight of her words.
"You are right, mom. I need to find my own path, even if it's difficult."
She embraces me again, and I feel enveloped by her strength and love. I stay there for a few minutes, trying to absorb as much of this feeling of safety and support as possible.
We sit back down on the bed, side by side, as I observe every detail of the room. The worn walls, the simple furniture—everything carries memories of a life that, though hard, was full of love and simplicity.
"Mom, you have always been my rock. I don't know how I will face all of this without you near me."
She squeezes my hand.
"You will find a way, as you always have. And I will be here, waiting for you, proud of everything you have become."
I smile through my tears, feeling a renewed determination. I know the road ahead will be tough, but with my mother's love and support, I feel more prepared to face the challenges the future holds.
I stay at home with my mother, holding her tightly as emotions bubble inside me. I smile and cry at the same time, wishing this day would never end. But reality is relentless, and I know that when the sun sets, I will have to return to the castle and to Aaron. I try not to think about that now and focus on the present moment, absorbing every second I spend with my mother.
She tells stories about when I was just a little girl, and nostalgia fills the air between us. I remember running through this same space, playing with friends, climbing trees, and getting lost in childhood fantasies. I smiled at her recollections, laughing at some episodes I had forgotten. She talks about the nights I was afraid of the dark and would snuggle in her bed, and about the days we spent hours cooking together in the small kitchen.
When lunchtime comes, I decide I want to do something special. I grab my bow and some old arrows that were stored in the house. I feel the familiar weight of the bow in my hands, and for a moment, I am that girl who loved hunting in the forest again. I take off my cloak before leaving the house, determined to make this day as memorable as possible.
The guards, always vigilant, follow me.
"If you wish to hunt, we can do that, Your Majesty."
"No, I want to do this for the last time.", I reply, sighing as I feel the wind against my face. They respected my decision and let me go.
I enter the forest, the environment that has always brought me peace and comfort. The familiarity of the place calms me, and soon I find a deer. With precision and care, I place the arrow in the bow, aiming at the animal. A few seconds later, the arrow flew, hitting the deer cleanly and painlessly.
The guards recover the deer and take it back to my mother's house. When I arrive with them, I see the surprise and joy on her face.
"I thought this special day could be better with a lunch with you, Mom.", I say, smiling.
She smiles back, nodding in approval. The minutes pass quickly as I help prepare the deer meat. We work side by side, as we used to, and I feel a sense of normalcy that I haven't experienced in a long time. It's as if, for a moment, the weight of the world isn't on my shoulders.
As we cook, we continue to talk. I share a bit about my life at the castle, about the responsibilities and challenges I face. She listens attentively, offering words of wisdom and advice, as she always did. Talking to her makes me realize how much I miss her guidance and unconditional support.
We prepare a simple but delicious meal. The deer meat is succulent, and the aroma fills the house, bringing back memories of other times. We sit down to eat, and every bite is a celebration of our bond and the love we share.
"The king intends to improve the conditions of the villages, and he asked me to help him with that. Things here will be better, mom."
She holds my hand, her eyes shining with tears.
"That's very good, and I'm happy that you will help with such an important task, but don't trust too many people in that castle, Amelia."
"I know that, mom."