Chapter 6 The Price of Freedom

The days following Thorne's visit to the royal gardens passed in a blur. Isabella tried to focus on her duties, to immerse herself in the endless wedding preparations, but everything felt hollow, a mere distraction from the turmoil gnawing at her insides. Each time she saw Prince Caspian, her polite smiles and courteous words felt like a mask, hiding the conflict that raged within her. She couldn't stop thinking about Thorne, about the possibilities he had presented, and about the choices she had to make.

Prince Caspian had become increasingly impatient, though he did his best to hide it behind the façade of charm and diplomacy. Isabella had seen the subtle shifts in his behavior-the forced politeness, the terse replies when she had been distant, the way he lingered in her presence just a moment too long, as if waiting for her to return his affection. But the more he tried, the more distant she became. She could no longer pretend.

The royal palace had grown oppressive. The walls that had once seemed comforting now felt like a prison, and Isabella's heart longed for something more. She spent her evenings walking through the gardens, trying to clear her mind, but no matter how far she wandered, her thoughts always returned to Thorne. The rogue werewolf had offered her something she had never dared to dream of: the possibility of a life where she wasn't bound by duty, where her choices were her own. But the price of that freedom seemed steep, and Isabella wasn't sure she was ready to pay it.

One evening, after another exhausting day spent with Prince Caspian, Isabella found herself once again walking the familiar paths of the royal gardens. The air was crisp, and the last remnants of twilight hung in the sky, casting long shadows over the flower beds. She needed space, a moment of clarity. As she walked deeper into the garden, she heard a familiar rustle behind her. She turned, her heart skipping a beat.

Thorne stood there, emerging from the shadows like a phantom. His presence was as commanding as ever, and the instant their eyes met, something inside Isabella shifted. The ache in her chest that had lingered since their last meeting suddenly intensified, and the weight of her indecision felt heavier than ever.

"I thought you might be here," Thorne said, his voice low, almost a whisper in the stillness of the garden.

Isabella opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She was filled with so many emotions-confusion, desire, fear-that she didn't know where to begin. Instead, she simply nodded and motioned for him to walk beside her. They moved in silence for a while, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet.

After what felt like an eternity, Isabella finally spoke. "Why are you here, Thorne? After everything... I don't know if I can keep doing this. My duty is to my people, to my family. My marriage to Caspian is already arranged, and I'm expected to follow through with it."

Thorne's expression softened, and he matched her pace, staying close but not too close. "I know," he said quietly. "I understand the weight of your duty, Isabella. But you have to understand something else too. You don't have to give up everything to follow it. You can still make your own choices."

Isabella let out a shaky breath. "But I've never had the luxury of making my own choices, Thorne. Everything I do, everything I've done, has been for my kingdom. My father's kingdom. I've spent my entire life preparing for this. I'm not just a woman-I'm a symbol. A symbol of unity, of peace. If I don't fulfill my role, everything could unravel."

"You're not just a symbol, Isabella," Thorne replied, his voice firm. "You're a woman with dreams, with desires, with a heart that's just as real as anyone else's. And you don't have to lose that part of yourself to be a queen. I want you to know that you have a choice. I can't promise you an easy path, but I can promise that if you choose your heart, I'll be there."

Isabella felt the weight of his words settle over her like a heavy cloak. She stopped walking, her mind racing. Thorne's words had sparked something inside her-a flicker of hope, a glimmer of the life she had always longed for. But the path he offered her was filled with uncertainty and danger. If she followed him, she would have to abandon everything she had ever known-her family, her kingdom, her royal status.

"Do you understand what you're asking?" Isabella said softly, her voice tinged with disbelief. "I would have to leave my entire life behind. I would have to choose a life of uncertainty, of exile. My father would never forgive me. Caspian... he would never forgive me."

Thorne's gaze softened, and for a brief moment, there was a vulnerability in his eyes that mirrored her own. "I understand the consequences. But can you live with the consequences of staying in a life that isn't yours? Can you live knowing you sacrificed your own happiness for the sake of duty?"

The question hit Isabella harder than she had expected. Her entire life had been built on the premise of duty-the duty to her people, to her family, to her kingdom. She had always known that her personal desires would take a backseat to the greater good. But now, as she stood in the garden with Thorne, she wondered if that had been the right choice all along.

"I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I can give up everything. But I don't know if I can live without... something more either."

Thorne stepped closer, his presence overwhelming yet comforting. "You don't have to decide now, Isabella. I'm not asking you to choose today. But just know that I'm here, and I'll wait. You don't have to face this alone."

Isabella felt the weight of his words settle deep within her. For the first time, she didn't feel so alone. For the first time, she felt as though she had a choice. But the weight of that choice was enough to bring her to her knees.

"I'm scared, Thorne," she whispered. "I'm scared of what will happen if I leave everything behind. I don't know if I can do this."

Thorne's expression softened, and he reached out, gently cupping her chin in his hand. "I know you're scared. But sometimes, fear is the only thing standing between you and the life you're meant to have."

For a long moment, Isabella stood there, her heart torn between the life she knew and the unknown future Thorne was offering her. It felt as though everything she had ever known was slipping through her fingers, and yet, a part of her wanted to reach for the life she had always dreamed of-a life where she could be her own person, where she could choose love over duty.

"I don't know if I'm ready," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Thorne smiled softly. "You don't have to be ready. Just know that whenever you are, I'll be here."

Isabella closed her eyes, the weight of her indecision pressing down on her chest. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time, she felt as though she might have the courage to choose it.