For the rest of the week I had not only spent a lot of time with Lucy and Susan but also Edmund. Actually by the end I was almost spending more time with him than with the girls, though mostly competing at either swordsmanship or chess. He gradually got over the fact that I was not only a girl but also a younger girl and soon I was losing at both events. It wasn't that bad though because I was losing by less at chess and I at least got a few knocks in with the fighting. Now it was the end of the week and while I was excited for the ball, it was bittersweet since I was leaving in a few days.

Letting out a small sigh I examined my mostly natural makeup, except my eyes which were sure to stand out behind the delicate, black, metal cutout, mask. It was sort of a joining thing between Susan, Lucy and I since they had the same masks, though in silver and gold, almost like a replacement for their crown which they wouldn't be wearing. My hair had been curled and piled up on the back of my head with a few small tendrils hanging down and bright white pearls scattered throughout. Soli made her way into the room with a covered hanger and a pair of black shoes.

"I've got your dress," she smiled, having loosened up a lot since our first interaction. I had even gotten out of her that she and Mr. Tumnus were an item. Excitedly I turned on the stool in front of the vanity. "Queen Susan said that she hoped you wouldn't mind too much but she changed the fabric slightly." she smiled and pulled back the cover revealing a magnificent dress.

The main color was the ice blue that I wanted but now it had a silvery jacquard print on it, changing the color from blue to a silver tone in the light. Right under the bust was a jeweled section only a couple fingers wide that angled up into a point mimicking the v-neck. The jeweled section was a mostly silver beads but also had black accents on the edges. There was also edging in a similar fashion on the sleeves, right about my elbow, then a sheer chiffon started. And again when it moved in the light a silver tint came off. It was the most beautiful dress I had, ever, actually gotten the chance to wear and as it slid over my skin it felt just as amazing.

Soli moved around, expertly tying the mask so the ribbon didn't obstruct her masterpiece hair arrangement. Before, I slipped into my shoes which were basically useless since they were hidden by the floor length dress, only then did I looked into the full length mirror.

The charcoal colored eye makeup and black mask made my eye color pop, along with the matching blue of my dress. The dress hung over my mostly developed curves, not showing everything, but a moderate amount so as not to appear like a middle aged woman. The pearls popped out of my dark brown hair, giving all the extra accessories I would possibly need to the outfit.

"You look beautiful, Milady," Soli smiled and I brushed at a single tendril beside the right side of my face, letting out a smile of my own.

"Thank you Soli, for more than the compliment, for helping me all this week also."

"You are very welcome," she bowed her head slightly as horns blew the celebrations beginning.

oOo

As per Lucy's orders for her birthday everyone was to arrive alone, and take a seat at the table and have a tie on mask that covers only their eyes, so that we could eat dinner and there was no seat assignments. This excited a lot of the girls because then they could potentially sit beside one of the Kings without having to be escorted. Though, they would have to be able to tell them apart from the other men at the party since no royal seals were to be worn.

I didn't even know what they were going to wear, though I'm sure I would be able to tell since I'm figuring they would hang out with Susan and Lucy and they would be easy to pick out since I knew their masks and the colors of their dresses.

As I walked into the room music was already playing though none were dancing and just milling around the area, talking and enjoying the festivities. I arrived just in time as the dinner horn blew and everyone started milling into the formal dining room. The only seat that would be reserved was the head but otherwise it was a free for all. I saw a group of girls start to the head as I moved to the other end not wanting to be part of the group.

Looking down the table I easily picked out two of my best friends, Lucy sitting right in the middle in her beautiful shiny satin dress with a sheer chiffon overcoat in a color similar to my sleeves. A couple seats up from her was Susan in her off the shoulder purple dress that had intricate light gold embroidery along the top and form fitting sleeves. It was quite easy to spot Peter also with his shaggy golden hair as he took the seat opposite of Lucy, in a white tunic with dark red designs, and black pants and boots. His simple mask had a black back ground with white scroll designs over it. The one person I couldn't spot was the one sibling who had quickly become my best friend.

Just then the seat beside me pulled out and I glanced up my blue eyes locking onto the warm brown ones. They were surrounded by a simple black mask. As I took in his tunic I now understood Lucy and Susan's look when I had picked out my color because he had an identically colored tunic with silver accents and black pants. They had matched us identically.

"You're quite the copy cat," he remarked with a smirk sitting down beside me.

"No, your sisters are," I sighed looking down the table to see both looking at us with amused smiled.

"Awe, those nosey girls," he remarked and suddenly two girls sat down on the other side of us, focusing in on Edmund. "I think I've been found out," he leaned over whispering on my ear.

I smiled and gave a small nod as I looked over at the girls. One was in a very bright orange dress and matching mask, which looked odd against her pale skin and blonde hair. Then there was the other in a girl and my eyes instantly locked on the long back wavy hair which matched her flowing black dress and mask. She was the merchant's daughter from Doorn; the richest one and the head of the four. They had formed a sort of group, and she was obviously the leader.

Over the week I had only talked to her a couple times and that was only because she had come to talk to Ed. It had been observed by the five of us one night as we sat in their study that they had pretty much split up their affections. Two going after Ed and the other two Peter and as I looked down the table I saw that there certainly were the other two; the second richest in a dress of white, with her dark red hair and then the other blonde in a bright teal dress.

This was already turning out to be a fun night.

oOo

Once the large multiple course meal was done we headed into the decorated ball room when classic Narnian music was playing. Normally the Kings and Queens would open the dancing but this time since they all were supposed to be anonymous it was open to whoever wanted to dance.

Edmund and I moved around the floor, just looking at the people when a male with a golden mask, brown tunic and light brown colored pants came up beside. I looked up examining his green eyes and light brown hair as he spoke. "I was hoping to get a dance with Milady this evening." He bowed slightly extending his hand like a gentleman. I nodded slightly and took his hand.

As the mystery man led me out onto the floor I glanced back at Edmund to see a sour look. I sent him a smile before turning back to the partner. "It's a pleasure to be dancing with royalty," the guy spoke in an unnaturally high voice, like he was overly nervous, after a couple minutes.

"Royalty?" I questioned.

"Yes, Queen Susan," the poor boy spoke and I had no clue how to respond. Did I correct him or let him have his dance with a queen. I mean now that I thought about it Susan and I did have some similarities like brown hair and blue eyes, but she was a couple inches taller than me, the same height as Edmund and the blue in her eyes was softer almost a periwinkle.

"Umm..." I trailed off just as a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"May I cut in?" Edmund spoke and I let out a small relieved sigh. The man bowed out, Edmund taking his spot.

"Thank you, I was just about to have a very awkward conversation," I giggled softly.

"About what?" he spoke a little stiffly; his eyes focusing in on something behind me.

"He thought I was Susan," I glanced back to see the guy watching us.

"But you look nothing like Su," he scoffed, giving an amused short laugh.

"I kind of do especially with this mask on," I shrugged as my eyes moved back to him but I just then noticed that we were moving a bit off the beat and moving slower than everyone else. "I don't remember you being as bad of a dancer our first time dancing together."

Instantly red rushed to his cheeks, contrasting greatly with his black mask. "Yeah, I think I might have gotten worse," he murmured.

"Well, that lets me catch up," I smiled.

"You don't need to catch up, you were even good when you were 8, and you were perfectly fine with that other guy."

"You just need to relate it to your swordsmanship," I offered, "fluid movements. You have this natural ability to find the rhythm on the battlefield. You just need to tap into that here."

"I still don't know if that is possible," he smiled slightly this time.

I decided to change the subject, sensing that he wanted to. "You know I have this theory that you can tell two people's relationship of what they have or will have by their third dance."

"Why the third?" he asked not with a full amused smile.

"Well it just gives a full view of the relationship, could you imagine what people would think if they only observed our first dance together. They would have thought we hated each other," I giggled.

"And what would they think now?" He asked with a mischievous glint.

"That were friends," I raised an eyebrow, "what do you think that they would think."

"In all honesty probably more, if they didn't make the same mistake as that dunce. I mean we are in basically matching clothing, and we are being friendly to each other."

"And you were a bit jealous when that guy asked me to dance..."

He broke eye contact and licked over his lips, glancing around. "Yes, I was. I've gotten a bit used to having you pretty much all to myself."

"But they would be wrong?" I questioned not quite sure what I wanted the answer to be. Though as the thought of him saying no came to my mind I felt a stirring in my stomach. Then with one word it disappeared.

"Correct," he nodded.

The music changed and Edmund must have had enough dancing because we moved off the dance floor. "I'm going to go talk with Susan, tell her about the mystery admirer."

"Right, she'll surely love that," he chuckled walking backwards away from me.

"Wait," I called just as he was about to turn around, "how did you know it was me?"

"How did you know it was me?" he questioned back with a smile and disappeared.

I didn't see the King for the rest of the evening and mostly spent my time dancing with those that came up to me including Peter who was the best partner in both conversation and skills. Then joking around with the Valiant Queen, drinking wine and eating rich tasting food. Though, my mind stayed on the Just King. I was a bit confused by most of our interaction, especially the last question and how he didn't answer mine.

By the end of the night I was worn and glad that while the others were leaving tomorrow morning I would be leaving the next day. However, the thought of leaving just seemed even more abhorrent than before, even if I would get to see Uncle Lune and Corin.

Just like every night I had since getting here I went to my window and just enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. Though this night instead of just paying attention to the view I looked up at what would be the royals quarters. What my eyes locked onto was a sight more wonderful than the view, because there he was looking right at me and even though we were however far apart I felt my heart rate increase.

Denying it I pulled back into the room and swiftly blew out the light, climbing into the bed I had begun to love. Now, I was beginning to realize that I was beginning to love more than just that.