Peter steps out onto the North Terrace, breathing in the pleasant morning air. Down below, the waves gently lap against the shore, and a girl walked barefoot in the sand. Probably Susan or Lucy, he thinks absentmindedly. But no, it isn't. This girl has long, golden curls that billow down her back, accentuating her tall, full figure. When the girl turns, she throws Peter a dazzling smile, so bright that he can see it from where he stands on the balcony. Suddenly a little uncomfortable, he makes his way inside to prepare for a day at court. The Calormene ambassadors are expected today, and he will have his hands full.
In the South Tower, Susan is dressing, slipping on a full red gown, with gold embroidery spiraling from one shoulder to the other, framing her ivory collarbones. She pulls back the front strands of her hair, tying them with a clasp tooled into the shape of the Lion's face. Leaning forward, she carefully applies kohl around her eyes. She sighs with satisfaction, knowing that she will be the most beautiful woman at court.
Oh, how wrong the Gentle Queen is.
Lucy hurries down the hall. Her brothers and sister are in the Throne Room already, and Lucy is late! Quickly, her breath coming in gasps, she takes her place beside Queen Susan.
"Good morn, sister," she whispers. The older woman can only smile in return, because the courtiers are filing in, and already, the ambassadors are being announced. A young faun lifts his long trumpet, blowing into it and producing a lengthy blast of sound.
"Tarkaan Kildran!" he announces proudly. He has to scurry aside, because the door is flung open, and the lord is making his entrance. He is covered with finery, and his many soldiers are, too.
"Greeting, fair rulers, favored of the Northern gods, I give you my most subservient, pleasured greeting," he says grandly. He doesn't sound all that subservient, King Edmund notices. Just then, there is a disruption. The doors fly open, and the radiant woman Peter saw earlier flings herself into the room.
"My lords," she says dramatically, "I am Lady Mary-Sue."