A/N: As I know a pathetic excuse for not updating will get me nowhere, I will now shut up and let you read the chapter. Thank you.

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After the trial, it was time for dinner. The four royals had theirs in a private chamber, with no one else except themselves. State dinners and dinners with visiting dignitaries were held in another, grander chamber, but the family had agreed to have a more private venue.

"Will that be all, my Queen?"

"Yes, Linea, thank you," answered Susan, smiling and nodding graciously at the female beaver who had served their dinner. Linea bowed and stepped out of the chamber, closing the heavy wooden door behind her.

Glancing back at the closed doors of the chambers, Linea shuddered. Speaking softly to the centaurs guarding the doors, she warned, "Don't go in until they summon you. Not all's right with them at present."

Shaking her head, she shuffled away.

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After Linea left, all was silent in the dining chamber. The only sound was the clacking of cutlery against plates, and the occasional swishing of drink. The four ate on a rectangular table, with the kings at the ends and the queens at the sides, so that Susan and Lucy sat opposite each other, and the same for Peter and Edmund.

After a few minutes, Susan couldn't take it anymore. Clearing her throat, she attempted to break the ice.

"So, Lucy…" Looking up and catching the eye of her older sister, Lucy easily caught the plan.

"Yes, Susan?"

"The weather was lovely today, don't you think?"

Rolling her eyes and inwardly sighing, Lucy replied, "Yes, my dear sister, that was very evident." Seeing as it was up to her to find a better topic, she quickly changed the flow of the conversation.

"Tumnus was just asking me about how we intend to celebrate the anniversary of our coronation."

"It's not meant to be celebrated."

Silenced, Lucy and Susan turned to face the head of the table. Peter had not really touched his food, and so far had only drunk his wine. At the sound of his brother's voice, Edmund put down his cutlery and looked at Peter.

Susan was at a loss of what to say. "Peter…"

He would not look at them. He only looked down at his plate of untouched food and swirled his wine.

"It's not meant to be celebrated."

"But Peter, it's our coronation…" Susan trailed off, unsure of where her king was going with this conversation.

"Your coronation." Peter's voice sounded thick and slurred, the product of an overflow of emotions and wine.

"It's yours too, Peter!" Lucy exclaimed.

"No." Here he finally raised his head to look at his siblings, who regarded him with fear.

"No. My coronation is not worth celebrating."

All were silent, waiting for him to continue. His eyes looked to each of his sisters in turn, who were beside themselves with confusion, and finally coming to rest on his brother-king, who returned his stare calmly, calculating the reason behind his brother's madness.

Then the High King spoke, his speech slurred and thick.

"I am not worth celebrating. I am not deserving of being King. I should not have been crowned!" With every sentence, his voice grew louder and more emotional, each syllable and word enunciated.

"Aslan crowned you, Peter…He does not make mistakes." Lucy said timidly.

When that received no reply from the High King, the Just intervened. Having kept quiet throughout the whole dinner, he now stood, pushing back his chair.

"Sisters, please…leave us."

Susan was more than happy to obey, confused as she was with her brother's behaviour. Taking Lucy by the hand, they left the chamber, each to retire for the night.

When the door closed behind the Queens, King Edmund still stood and gazed at this brother. His gaze intensified, his eyes cold with fire. His brother did not meet his gaze, only kept his eyes downcast.

"She's right, you know. Lucy was always right."

Silence.

"Aslan crowned us, Peter. We are kings, regardless of the mistakes we've made."

Here Peter raised his head to look at his brother.

Edmund added, "I should know."

Peter looked away again.

"Why…"

This time his voice was soft and trembling.

"Why did you say you'd fight him? Why did you defend me?"

Edmund was incredulous. "After all these years, Peter, you would doubt that? Why now, why after all the times I had your back in battle, after all the times I jumped in front of a sword? You know I'd die for you, Peter!"

Here Peter stood, the same former anger that he showed in front of his sisters radiating through.

"You shouldn't have to."

And here he slid his chair back and walked out, slamming the heavy doors and leaving the Just to stare at his retreat.

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A/N: Uhm…review?

Oh and I forgot to mention…the names Thales and Miletus are not mine, they are the names of two famous Greeks in the ancient times.

Up next: MORE brotherly fluff+angst = FLANGST! :D