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

(Norwalk Palace, Narnia)

~Madeleine's POV~

The groom was exceedingly busy this evening as everybody wanted to dance with him and offer him their blessings and congratulations. As Caspian was occupied the whole time, it was not easy for me to get this opportunity to get close to him. Finally I could tap on his shoulder and say, "would the groom care to dance with me? Or should I beware for the bride might assail me if I were to step into a ten-mile radius of wherever you're standing?"

He guffawed. "Never change, Madeleine. Never change. I think I like your harmless humor just like that."

He did, of course, agree to dance with me. "So, Caspian Trastamara of Telmar is off the market now," I began lightheartedly, deciding that if I did not take this chance to make conversation with him, I probably would never get to do that tonight.

"So is Madeleine Wakelin of Bleckley," he replied breezily. "You're engaged now and when are you going to get married? Have you and Mitchell chosen a date yet?"

"We're thinking about a summer wedding. We think July sounds good," I answered.

"Surreal," he commented with a chuckle.

"Why?" I chortled. "Is it so hard to believe?"

"Oui," he said mischievously. "You just didn't feel like the type to settle down with anybody. You're more like the type to sleep around, and be friends with benefits."

I giggled. "I didn't expect to be settling down so soon either, but when you find the right one, you just don't want to wait much longer to get married. But if I had never met Mitchell, I would have been willing to give up a lifestyle of casual relationships and settle down with you. Though of course, it's nice too to just be good friends with you."

"I haven't seen you in more than a decade ever since my parents passed away. Have you had a lot of special friends?" He asked boldly yet playfully. "And who made you feel the most satisfied?"

I raised my eyebrows but I didn't mind answering that. "Physically, Peter. Emotionally, Mitch."

"So you have quite an impressive history of casual relationships. But now you won't be getting into any of those anymore. You'll be married and quite possibly a mother too, right? Bleckley needs its next Duke or Duchess."

I laughed. "Yes, indeed. Molly has been begging to be an aunt."

"Molly...Sutton?"

"Oui. Mitch's youngest sister," I nodded. I smiled to myself. When I first came to Narnia, I only saw a future with Caspian, whom I was not even in love with, but was determined to marry or at least court. Instead of going the way I had expected things to, I had a fling with the High King, a lot of sex, and in the blink of an eye I had fallen in love with Mitchell. Fuck all that shit about social status; Mitchell could be the poorest slave or the most powerful emperor ever, and I'd still love him as much as I did now.

"By the way," I added. "You'll make it to my wedding, right? I mean, I know of your voyage and all that."

"Oh, I'll be there. I've always thought that I'll be there when you get married, but only if I don't have to be the groom," he joked. "But is that invitation only meant for me? Or is my wife allowed to go too?" He asked.

"If she promises not to crash my wedding, then sure, she can go as your plus-one. And even if I say no, I'm pretty sure Ines will plead with me and I'm pretty sure I'm going to relent."

"Ah, Kat will behave herself. Trust me. I know she spells trouble for you, but don't forget what my puppy eyes can do. She'll be on her best behavior. You can leave that to me," he said, grinning smugly.

I beamed. "Never change, Caspian. Never change. I think I like your harmless humor just like that."

~Lucy's POV~

As soon as Caspian and Katrina had left the party to spend their wedding night in the privacy of their bedchambers, I decided it was time for me to retire for the night as well. Greta had attended me, helping me get out of my fancy gown so that I could take a bath.

"It was such a lovely wedding, wasn't it, Queen Lucy?" Greta, still giddy and elated, spoke.

I smiled staidly as she stowed my dress away into my closet. "It was indeed," I nodded. I was pretty happy that my great friend and my former lady in waiting were married now. Of course it was great to have yet another co-ruler, unlike what most regnant rulers would say.

"I can't wait for your wedding now, Queen Lucy. His Grace of Tinley is a lucky man," said Greta sweetly, smiling.

"I can't wait either," I replied calmly, keeping the smile on my face even though my heart sank. "Thank you, Greta. It's late and we've both had a long day. You may go. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Queen Lucy," she curtsied and left. I proceeded to have my bath.

Speaking of Xavier, I had chosen him over Chester when faced with his ultimatum. As far as our upcoming wedding was concerned, of course he was the one I had wanted to marry, but I must also confess that right now, in this very moment, it was, regrettably, not Xavier that I wanted to be with.

Even though on the outside I had appeared to be meek and demure as I had agreed to Xavier's terms, the truth was that I had quite hated it when I was told what to do. He had no right to ban me from ever seeing Chester again. Not even my siblings, not even Peter whose administrative authority was supposed to be above mine as he was the High King, dared to tell me what to do. Of course I accepted Xavier's conditions, but I had never truly meant to follow through with it. No way. I was determined to continue seeing Chester. Just in secret. And I supposed I was just going to have to be more cautious than ever. Nobody could stop me.

Sighing and shrugging, while I waited for the water in my tub to be readied, I slipped into my robes and removed my makeup, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and proceeded to take my bath. After that, I dried my body and put on my skincare lotion. Once that too was done, I washed my hands clean. Randomly leaving the towels in the bathroom, I lied down on my bed in exhaustion, too tired to care that I had yet to put some clothes on.

This whole time, I could not stop thinking about New Year's Day, the morning in which I had nearly gone all the way with Chester. If only Gilda had not interrupted us. Naturally, I began to think about Chester's body, how fit he was and the heat radiating from his flesh. Soon, my thoughts darted to the lewd words he had spoken to me at Ed's birthday party. Damn; dirty talking was his talent.

At this point, my hands had decided that the wetness between my thighs was business that needed to be taken care of. This was not the first time I was touching myself. All the other times (at least in this lifetime) I was thinking about making love to Xavier, but tonight was an exception. This time I was thinking about Chester. I did not just want him on my mind; I wanted him in my bed, beneath my hot body, and most importantly inside of me, filling me up with his every inch. I craved his kisses so much I thought I could go insane. People could die from being so horny. What was Chester doing now? Was he thinking of me?

When I came undone to the thought of him, I had called out his name, exactly the way he described it, as my whole body convulsed, and my back was arched in an angle that looked as if a demon was being exorcised from my body.

I withdrew my fingers slowly and got up, still heady from the sensations. I washed my hands clean once more and put my night clothes on. Suddenly sleepier than ever, I blew out the candles and slid under the covers.

Honestly, there was no way I was going to stop seeing Chester. Xavier was naive enough to think that he could control my actions. The most he could do was influence my actions. When it came to my thoughts, he was even more powerless.

I would not stop until I could claim Chester's body. I did not ask for much; just one night together, bottom line, would be pretty good. Gratified, I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

(Kinross Woods, Narnia)

~Darren's POV~

Pursuant to 3 months of hard work, the new trade route linking Millville and Kinross could finally be in use. Of course, celebrations were in order. Julian had decided to organize a feast in his residence, Kinross Woods. All our friends were invited, which meant that plenty of courtiers were there, as well as merchants who would surely benefit from the new trade route and the convenience that it had brought. The royal family, however, could not make it as they were all in Anvard awaiting the birth of a royal baby. Even Caspian and Katrina would be there right after their honeymoon.

Right now it was early February, and from what I heard, Archenland would have an heir apparent (and Narnia an heir presumptive) in about a fortnight's time as the baby should be due halfway through the month. And frankly, I still got secondhand embarrassment when I thought about the time I tried to hook up with the Queen.

Still, Duchess Lavinia, Sonya and Chelsea would be staying in Narnia and attending plus co-hosting this party, albeit being ladies in waiting to the new Queens. I supposed the Archenlander Court would just arrange for some maids to attend Their Majesties.

Normally, I liked throwing parties and attending them. Yet the only thing I did not much appreciate about this banquet was that Everett, Lord Courtenay, was here. Julian was confident that there was an altruist in Everett, but that did nothing to lessen the scorn I had for him once he had exposed the selfish side to his abhorrent personality.

"Good evening, my Lord," said a woman who was approaching me. If I were not previously acquainted with her, I would have thought that she was a noblewoman. But she was not fooling me, because I knew who she was. And she was no aristocrat; she was a courtesan.

"Mistress Diane," I said, pleasantly surprised. "I didn't expect to see you here."