A/n: Thank you LOVEM, PeterCaspianRlz, EC, Nicky, Daisy, Lillian, RedRose, Candy, BlueSky, Crown, Royal, thefourpevensies, katines4ever, Anon, Guest, Emily, Narniafan, QueenElenaofnarnia, Eleni Archibald, InesS, CairParavel, Emma, Bella, CorinQueen, Sue, GoldenAgeNarnia, QueenLucyfan, Aslanmane, Connors, optymalna, and all the other guests. :DD

(Tinley Manor, Narnia)

~Xavier's POV~

It was a couple of days later when in the morning, right before breakfast, I discovered a letter placed on my plate. I noticed that the royal sigil was stamped onto the envelope. Opening the letter and reading it, a quick glance the first time followed by a scan more attentive to the details the second time, I was notified of the news that a dukedom was going to be bestowed upon me. The dukedom of Tinley. Meaning I was going to be known as 'Xavier Holloway-Ridgeway of Millville, 1st Duke of Tinley'. I was elated and so were my family members.

I knew this was Lucy's doing. I was reminded of the significance that this place had for us. Tinley was where Darrell's Kitchen was located, and we had been there for a date. It rained when we were about to leave, but Lucy did a reverse rain dance and it had actually worked. Perhaps she had wanted to show me that she still wanted to be with me, that I still ranked number one in her heart. But I did not want to be number one, as that would suggest there was a number two in her heart, and I did not much appreciate that. I wanted to be the only one in her heart, just as she was the only one in my heart, not number one.

A few days later, the investiture ceremony was held. Instead of taking place at Court, it was organized in Tinley Manor. Although we were expecting all the members of the Narnian Royal Family to be present at the ceremony, it appeared this time was an exception, as Queen Gilda had claimed that she was not feeling well due to her pregnancy. Given her current condition, she is therefore indisposed and unable to make it to my investiture ceremony. Though of course, I would not be surprised if that was merely a lie, since she had every reason to dislike me and to not want to show up at my investiture ceremony.

Still, her absence did nothing to dampen my mood. I still felt important and respected with my new ducal coronet on my head. Alike my father's, mine was a silver-gilt circlet, with eight strawberry leaves of which five could be seen in a frontal view.

I was very honored; there were only three Dukes in Narnia and I was one of them, the other two being my lord father himself as well as Julian Bulloch of Kinross.

Inevitably, I tensed up when Lucy approached me during the after party.

"Hey," she said softly, nudging me a little. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," I said, smiling a little. "For the dukedom." I knew she had come to understand that I was pleased and relieved to be on equal footing with my archenemy, at least socially. And now, he would have to call me 'Your Grace' instead of just the other way round.

"I wanted you to feel valued," she explained apologetically. "Besides, if and when we have children," she grinned. "He or she can be the next Duke or Duchess of Tinley."

"Wouldn't that be nice," I beamed. As long as Lucy could still see a future with me, I was gratified.

"I've missed you, Xavier. I'm so sorry for my past transgressions. Really, I am. But I don't want them to hinder our relationship any further. I hate being away from you," she admitted, stroking my arm in a manner both tender and titillating. She looked up at me and smiled. "You look pretty regal wearing a ducal coronet already. I just...I can't wait to see how you look with a proper crown once you are King."

I grinned. "Well, I've missed you too. I know, I got angry at you and I kicked you out, but that doesn't mean I love you any less."

"When you and I are together, every single part of me tells me that it is the right thing. That we are the perfect fit," she replied lovingly. "Goodness, how could I ever choose anybody over you?" She mumbled. "Xavier, come with me." Taking my hand, she let me out of the hall.

"Where are we going?" I inquired. "Don't I need to be around? Won't the people miss their new Duke?"

She guffawed. "We can be back in time, love. A grand entrance to kick things off, then a big finish at the end. And that is all that they care about. Tops and tails."

"And won't the people miss their Queen?"

"Hmm, perhaps. But I don't want to be their Queen right now," she smiled mysteriously. "I just want to be yours. Only yours," she whispered, making me smile too. "We should explore the place."

Nodding, we slipped out of the hall and took a look around. "In fact, why don't we hold our engagement party and wedding here?" She suggested jovially. "In Tinley Manor. Caspian and Katrina had theirs in Norwalk Manor, and they're going to get married in Norwalk Palace. We can even turn this place into Tinley Palace too, if you want."

"If that is what my bride wants, I will not say no to it," I beamed, liking the idea a lot too. This place was definitely spacious enough for a royal wedding to be held. It would be perfect. I had expected my wedding to take place in many possible places: Millville Manor, Ridgeway Manor, Cair Paravel, the Telmarine Castle, et cetera. Tinley Manor – or Tinley Palace – was never on that list, but I was more than willing to get married here, in my own chief residence.

"Then it's decided," she replied, smiling. "The master bedroom is this way."

"You mean our future, shared bedchambers?" I winked at her playfully.

"Exactly that, Your Grace," she chortled. "Here it is," she announced grandly and proudly. Pushing the door open, we entered the room. It was very capacious yet still felt cozy. I went to the balcony first, and was delighted to see that Ridgeway Manor was in my view.

"The bed is so comfortable!" I could hear Lucy exclaim in joy as she leapt onto the bed. It was a very large bed. "Oh, I could lay here forever. My goodness, just the material..."

I went back inside from the balcony, and saw her beckoning me over to join her. Smiling and willingly, I approached her. But instead of laying on her side, which the bed was, no doubt, large enough for, I climbed atop her, eliciting a soft giggle from her.

"I suppose you're right, love," I said while she pressed her palms to my cheeks, gazing at me affectionately. "It is very comfortable indeed." Supporting my weight with my arms, I leaned down to kiss her. But it did not take long for a few gentle kisses to turn into a passionate make-out session. Our breathing became quicker. I began to kiss her jaw and neck, causing her to shudder in pleasure.

"Why are we not doing this more often?" she whispered, and I smirked, nipping my way down to her clavicle. She arched her back a little as I delivered more kisses on her smooth skin. When I kissed her shoulder, she nibbled on my earlobe fervently. Eager to feel my body even closer to hers, she wrapped her legs around my hips. "Xavier, I want it," she hummed pertly. "I want it bad. Give it to me."

For a moment I was really considering that. But I knew that there would be no going back if I had given her what she wanted. Not that I wanted to kill the moment, of course, but I — we — needed to remember that she was still underage. So even though she had lifted her dress to expose her thighs, and her hands were undoing my belt buckle already, I had to lift myself off her and pull away.

~Lucy's POV~

"What's wrong?" I sat up, propping myself up with my arms, panting slightly. "We've no reason to stop. And I thought you wanted it too." I just wanted to give myself to him unreservedly.

"I do want it, but we should wait till you're of age," Xavier explained awkwardly, ruffling his hair.

I sighed. If it were up to Chester, he would have gone all the way with me, no doubt. "1300 years ago it was perfectly legal," I mumbled disgruntledly and defiantly. Still, fixing my hair, I hopped off the bed. "Let's go back to the after party then."

"Lucy," he said with a gentle sigh before I could walk out the door. He stood up and approached me, taking my hands, and said, "how about I promise you that the day you turn 16, we will consummate our relationship?"

"Neither a day earlier nor a day later?" I was eager, but I still feigned aloofness.

"On your 16th birthday, I promise," he replied confidently and resolutely.

"Alright then," I cooed. "I can't wait."

(Norwalk Palace, Narnia)

~Caspian's POV~

Today was the nineteenth day of the first month of the two thousand three hundred and fifth year. My big day. 19th January, 2305. As I prepared myself for the wedding ceremony, I tried to get rid of the sweat on my palms by unceremoniously wiping my hands on my sleeves, but it did not help. I was very nervous. It was a very different kind of nervousness from any other kind I had ever experienced. Not like the kind when I was about to go to battle, or the kind when I had to answer to Miraz. It was a...nervous kind of nervous. A good kind of nervous, I supposed, compared to other kinds of nervous. I was also very excited and very eager to be married to Kat. I had wanted it for so long and in less than an hour's time that was about to come true. Kat would be mine and I would be hers, just like we always wanted. I just hoped that I would be the best husband there was, one that she deserved.

"And you will, Son of Adam." A deep voice behind me caused me to whirl, startled. I thought I was alone in this room, but apparently a lion had found its way in, so naturally it could not be any ordinary lion. It was the Great Lion.

"Oh, Aslan," I said, sounding astounded yet delighted. "I...I thought Your Eminence would be at the altar already."

"I simply wanted to calm your nerves before the ceremony commences," Aslan chuckled. "I have seen many a nervous groom."

I nodded. "You're right. Your presence does calm me, for some reason." I then noticed that I could not see Aslan's reflection in the mirror I was standing in front of. Then I recalled that Kat had told me that mirrors only reflected mortal beings and inanimate objects, and the Great Lion did not fit those criteria. "But, Aslan, how can you be so sure that I will not turn out to be like…"

"Like your uncle Miraz?" He replied. "I know, because I have faith in you. You have proven to be different even from the beginning of your reign. As a King you will leave your mark upon history. The first generation of peaceful coexistence between Telmarines and Narnians, the two nations twinned together. The royal bloodlines will be extended through you and your offspring, and also through the children that Peter and Susan shall have with their spouses."

Although what He said felt reassuring initially, I did notice that He did not mention Lucy. Did that mean that she would not have royal descendants? I could fathom why Edmund was not mentioned because his descendants would be carrying on the Archenlander royal bloodline more so than the Narnian one. But Lucy…

Anyway, I decided to pay that no more attention. "I really have been striving to be the kind of man he is not, but his blood still runs in my veins," I said.

"That does not mean you will be the kind of husband he is. Considering your love for Katrina, I have no doubt you shall be a faithful husband. You will not stray as your uncle did. You will do well as a husband," He said firmly, instilling confidence in me.

I nodded. "I feel much readier to be a husband now, Aslan."

"Then we shall meet again at the altar, dear one," said the Great Lion proudly, and then He vanished.