1Sorry that it's been so long. I really expected to have this out sooner, but I rewrote it about a million times. Also, school has started up, (I'm a big bad junior!) and my load of extracurriculars is surprisingly overwhelming. I actually added another because I thought I would be bored–Oops! Haha, anyways that's really no excuse, and I'm truly sorry, but this chapter contains some key information, and I had a very hard time deciding how to bring it out. (Plus I've kind of fallen in love with Lucy, and wanted to make sure she was included, and not focus too much on our girl, Addi.) Blah, I'm babbling. Sorry. On with it!

Disclaimer: You seriously think I own anything other than these socks? Your wack.

Suggested Listening:

"X&Y"–Coldplay

"Satellite"–Dave Matthews Band

"The Moment I Said It"–Imogen Heap

"Reasons Why" Nickel Creek

"World Spins Madly On"–The Weepies

"Calm Down"–Psapp

"Unlike Me"–Kate Havnevik

He chose to ignore the knots in his stomach and pounding in his ears as he watched her sip some dark red wine. Tonight was no night for mangled emotions. It was his birthday and he would be happy. Dinner was steaming and proclaimed by some guests as splendid, but as always the food was bland on Edmunds tongue. He didn't blame the cooks, or his often raw emotions, he just didn't enjoy eating anymore. Tonight, he tried to make an exception. He ate until he felt like he may not be able to stand, but it actually made him enjoy it less. He made a point to avoid the wine. Still, a silly smile was plastered to his face. He was eighteen. An adult in the 'Other World', or the 'true world' as he often thought of it.

"The past, the present, and the future

are all side by side, hand in hand"

Guests began to filter into another chamber, the music grew and atmosphere changed from formal to joyous and carefree. Edmund wobbled to his feet, glad that the shift in weight made his stomach feel less like it might burst. Entering the great hall, with Lucy on his arm, of course, he headed for his throne. The music was changing, slowing, into a familiar rhythm. Suddenly, as if on impulse, Lucy ran to the dance floor, pulling Ed behind her. She gazed up at him, flushed and beaming, before pulling him closer, and beginning an endearing waltz. He could feel her rushed pulse against his palms, chuckling at how she had slight stage fright. She had no reason to be nervous, she looked beautiful, acted perfect, danced like she was Susan's age, treated everyone just as she should, and loved everyone like she shouldn't.

"I love the way you live so intensely

Enjoy every minute of life"

She let go of him as the music once again began to build, moving on to some spritely creature. He stood still for a moment, then moved to the side of the floor, where some older male guests waited to tease him about the dance and congratulate him on his birthday. They patted his back, and joked endlessly. There was only so much of this odd way of acting that he could take, and he broke away not long after arriving, taking a few steps backward until he felt a cool marble pillar pressed against his back. Letting out a sigh, he relaxed, letting himself slide down against the smooth stone a little.

Not far away, but in a seemingly opposite atmosphere, girls swirled about Addi, as she stared half-unaware at Edmund. "You think I should?" A beautiful red head asked to her left, tugging at her arm.

"I'm sorry, what?" Addi snapped back to reality, looking at the expectant girl, who rolled her eyes before repeating:

"Do you think I should go ask King Edmund to dance?" Her eyes sparkled.

"Why ask me?" Addi blushed a little. She knew why, she just wanted to hear it.

"Oh, come on. We all know that you spent more than your fair share of time with him at the last ball." The other girls giggled.

"Well-"

"Of course you should. Why do you need Addi's approval?" A rather undignified volcano of words interrupted Addi's response. The red-head looked shocked and somehow relieved, but she once again gazed at Addi.

"He doesn't like dancing much." The blonde stated simply, before walking away.

"She just wants him all to herself." The one who interrupted before tried to explain, nudging the other on. But just as she was nearing him, he stood and passed her, completely unaware of her intentions. She turned, flabbergasted, to watch him go in the direction Addi went. Her mouth gaped open as she locked eyes with the other girl.

"The room it keeps a constant tone,

while I'm on a roller coaster"

Addi now sat on a marble bench, on the other side of the dancing. She couldn't be around those girls too much. The way they talked about men constantly and fussed over details, and now fawning over Edmund. It was a little too much. So, she sat, rather unlady like, hands gripping the edge of the bench, and regarding the floor with newfound interest.

Then, out of nowhere, a hand stuck out in front of her face. She gazed as it for a moment before looking up for the attached body and face. Unfortunately it was who she thought it would be. Edmund. He smiled at her widely, looking endearing and ridiculous all at once.

"Would you care to dance with me?" He inquired, tilting his head to the side. She didn't respond, but accepted his hand, and he led her out onto the dance floor and into the middle of a slow waltz. Two pairs of jealous eyes gawked from the side as the two dancing simply looked on each others blank faces.

"No." She suddenly stated.

"I beg your pardon?" He laughed a little, moving his face closer to hers.

"No I do not want to dance with you."

"Oh," His smile fell and he began to slow, but she forced them on. "Then why are you?"

"Because it is your birthday." She responded, as formally as possible. "And because that is what is proper to do when asked, whether or not you want to."

"Listen , I'm sorry–" He was going on to explain, but she cut him off.

"Ed!" She suddenly burst out into hushed laughs, frightening him a little. "You know I'm only teasing. I love dancing, and may I say, you are quite good at it."

"With space to swing your arms around,

Laughing loudly"

He blushed a little at the compliment, "Thank you."

His bashfulness made her smile widen. "You're welcome." she whispered.

When the song was over, he kept her hand clasped in his, leading her away from the crowds and discreetly into an abandoned hallway. They both immediately sat on the floor on opposite sides, sighing.

"Who are you here with?" He asked.

"Oh, um just the people I live with." She replied, looking down at her skirts, immediately interested in the deep shade of green that brought out her eyes.

"The ones you sat with?"

"Yes." It was so soft that he wondered if it had been a breath or a word.

"Why are you with him?" Ed had noticed that she had been with two other girls at dinner, along with an older man from a neighboring country. It was well known that in that country having more than one wife, or even mistresses was not against the law and seeing her with them ignited something in the pit of his stomach, making him squirm.

"I work for him." Looking back up at Ed, she managed a weak smile.

"Please tell me it's not what I'm thinking." His words were heavy, and he shut his eyes.

"It's not what your thinking." Hers seemed weak and didn't comfort him much. "Can we talk about something else?" She got no response.

"You stare at me and ask me questions,

Makes me nervous"

"Addi!" A gruff voice called, becoming louder with the unsteady approach of footsteps. The man Edmund had seen her sitting with earlier appeared in the doorway. Both of the youths nearly jumped to their feet. "Your highness," He stated as best he could, but his words were obviously slurred. Edmund nodded.

"And you are?"

"Sir Scott Wyatt, Your Highness." The alcohol threatened to spill out of his heavily ornamented glass.

"Pleasure." Edmund spat, and Addi gave him a sharp look.

"Yeah...I see you've met my girl, Addison, mind if I borrow her for a second?" Scott threw his arm around Addi's waist territorially, and Edmund shifted uncomfortably.

"Yes, but do be quick, we were right in the middle of a very nice conversation." Ed lied smoothly.

Scott nodded drunkly before dragging Addi around the corner. Out of curiosity, Ed followed peering around the corner slightly. He could see Scott grab Addi by her upper arm, pushing her up against the wall, and Ed's heart tightened. Her face twisted in pain and disgust as he drew close to her, whispering sharp, harsh words, that echoed in the hallways and lost sense by the time they reached Edmund's ears. Growling rather loudly, Scott turned from her and stormed back, past Edmund and into the great hall. He didn't even notice the King standing at the corner, watching him.

Stepping around the bend, Ed saw Addi, once again seated on the floor, either fuming or hysterical, he couldn't tell by the way her golden hair hung around her face. He sat down directly in front of her, and she began furiously straightening her appearance.

"It's what I think it is, isn't it." It made it easier to say if the question was vague.

"Yes." She choked back. She understood, and that was just about as horrible as anything.

"Unlike you, unlike you,

I am not pretending"

Eh, I'm not completely satisfied with it. It feels pretty wordy to me, but hey, it got the story moving, right? That's all I really wanted. I promise, once I get into the right schedule my writing will be back on par.

Please review!

-Tugging at Sunbeams-