Days passed and I spent more time with Luc, avoiding Edmund at all costs, even missing dinner the night before the ball. But, it had been very dull and boring days. Luc was nice, and every bit a gentleman of Archenland: brave, smart, proper, but as I spent more time with him my decision that we weren't the right pair became more resolute. He wasn't daring or funny, he would never skip on a council meeting just to go for ride through the forest. In fact I doubt he would ever just go on a ride through the forest without a proper reason.
"You're dress is very beautiful this year, My Lady," Soli spoke, knocking me out of my thoughts.
"Thank you," I murmured looking at the hairstyle that she had put up, pinning a styled mass of hair at the nape of my neck. Then along with curls hanging down on the side of my face there was a decoration of crystals strung across my forehead. Smiling slightly, I walked over to the dressing screen looking over the white beaded dress. Silver beads were laid all over it, a solid shine laid over the light fabric, but in different patterns so it always reflected the light in different ways. The sheer sleeves came down to my wrist in the front and then the back portion flowed down to just below my knees, just about where the patterned beads faded into strategically placed trios. The whole dress had a structured but flowing feeling, especially at the bottom where the beads faded off into layers of flowing fabric that seemed to float around for a few seconds when you spun around.
As I moved out from behind the dressing curtain I straightened out the small frill that ran long the neckline, before looking to Soli. She acted as my mirror, walking around and tweaking this and that before become pleased with her work and placing my silver high heeled shoes in front of me. I lifted up my skirts and stepped into them with her help, my outfit now complete.
"Soli, what do you think of Luc?" I murmured as I walked over to the window, opening it and walking out onto the balcony to look down at the candlelit garden. I could hear the music starting up in the hall, and some couples moved through the area, the girl's jewels sparkling with the light.
"I believe that he is a very nice man. He's very gracious with his servants, which is a good way to tell their true selves."
"But?" I questioned looking back at her, sensing the exception there.
"But," she sighed, "I don't believe that you are the best match. He is much too dull for you. And you," She moved out and gave me a soft almost motherly look as she readjusted of the curls on the side of my face, "deserve much more than just settling for the first knight to come along."
"Thank you," I smiled, leaning over and hugging her just as there was a knock on the door. She nodded and started towards the door as I moved in, closing the doors behind me.
"I'm here to escort Lady Eres to the ball," Luc spoke formally to her and I started towards the door. She moved the door open a little more as I moved into the doorway spotting him wearing a simple dark blue tunic with black edging, along with black boots and trousers. "Oh my," He murmured out and I watched his eyes go wide along with color tinting his cheeks.
"Thank you," I giggled softly and walked out. He gave a visible swallow before holding out his arm to me and I took it as we started down to the ball room.
As we moved in, my eyes scanned over all the colorful bejeweled dresses and the men alongside them as a smile spread over my lips. Picking up the hem of my dress slightly we moved down the stairs into the room as we were announced. This ball had a more original/traditional feel than the last one I went to and I had a feeling Susan had something to do with that. So, as we got to the end of the stairs all the royals were standing there unfortunately. Moving my eyes over I saw Peter in a tunic of Narnia colors, the Susan in a green extravagant silk dress that had gold embroidery and a bejeweled belt. My eyes skipped over a certain male and landed on Lucy in her dress that she had described which now that I saw it was even more beautiful.
As we passed, just like everyone else, Luc gave a bow as I moved into a curtsy, my eyes trying to avoid the male in a grey tunic with silver edging and black leather vest over top. But, as I moved back up my eyes connected with his for a couple seconds as I felt an arm take mine. In a blink of an eye it was broke as Luc pulled me out onto the dance floor. With an air of perfection he spun me around to the beat of the music while I just moved through the motions of smiling, laughing and spinning to the music until all the guests had arrived and it was time for the Pevensies to officially start the ball. All guests moved to the side forming a circle in the middle of the room as they filled in, Peter and Lucy together, along with Edmund and Susan.
The slow calming music started and I could see the displeasure on Susan's face as she began dancing with Edmund and he didn't look anymore pleased. Looking over to my side I felt the crowd shift as someone moved forward and almost ironically Illia walked forward in a black dress that had elegant golden scroll work all over it. Keeping my eyes forward I watched with an emotionless face as Peter and Edmund exchanged partners, Lucy having more fun with her brother's less than fantastic dancing every once in awhile letting out a laugh and entering into a whispered conversation which she nodded enthusiastically at.
The music shifted and the dance partners moved apart spreading out across the floor, the ball having officially been started. Both Peter and Susan moved over to find other partners from the guests as Lucy surprisingly skipped towards me, but didn't do what I expected and held out her hand to Luc.
"Would you like to dance, Sir Luc? I have a sort of obligation to test you on Eres being her best friend after all." She gave a brilliant smile that even one of the coldest hearts couldn't deny and he graciously bowed his head.
"Of course Your Majesty," He took her hand and I just shook my head giving a little smile as they moved out onto the floor.
"Finally," I heard Illia mumble and glanced over at her as she cast me a sort of victorious smirk before my eyes followed her eye line towards the last Pevensie. His eyes were trained on her and not wanting to see it I turned and started moving back through the crowd when I felt a hand take mine. Turning back I saw him smiling softly.
"Would you care to dance, Lady Eres?" He asked and unable to stop myself I answered with a small nod as I followed him out onto the floor. "You look magnificent tonight," He spoke as we began dancing, again, a little off beat to the music.
"Thank you, King Edmund," I spoke avoiding eye contact and looking everywhere but him.
"This is our third dance together," He whispered, "are you really going to act like that. I mean think of all those people judging us right now. What would they think?"
"That you're a huge jerk," I murmured.
"And why am I a jerk?" He scoffed, "I've tried to talk to you the past couple days but you've been avoiding me. Right now I could be safely standing over to the side, but to get a bit of alone time with you I'm still making a fool of myself."
Quickly, I stopped the avoiding and glared straight at him. "I don't want to talk to you."
"Fine, then just dance with me," He spoke with a smile and spun me out and back in pretty smoothly. My eyes focused in on his chest but I glanced up at him through my eyelashes. Slowly, I felt myself looking up at him more and more as he just continued to smile at me. "I didn't want to kiss her, Eres," He whispered. "She saw you and tried to make you react. I even have a battle wound," He said and reached up pulling at his lip slightly to reveal a cut before putting the hand back on the middle of my back. "I don't like her in anyway, even as a friend."
"Why are you telling me this?" I whispered stubbornly, "it doesn't matter to me."
"Then why were you crying?" He asked dropping the smile and getting a serious expression.
"I wasn't crying," I huffed.
"Then why did you run out of here?" He prodded wanting the truth but I wasn't going to give it to him, I wouldn't do that.
"I just wanted to go for a ride it was as simple as that," I looked back over his shoulder to see a swish of black and gold retreating up the stairs.
Just then I felt the curls on the right side of my face move. "I'm sorry for not cherishing your time here more," He whispered into my ear and relishing the feeling I closed my eyes taking in a breath as my heartbeat picked up. I felt his hand press to my back tighter and my own, on his shoulder gripped tighter to keep myself upright as I felt his head move back upright.
"Edmund," I whispered as I fluttered open my eyes and looked up into his dark brown ones. "I think I might…" I paused as the words caught in my throat, "I think I-" Suddenly I was cut off as the music cut off. Pulling back I jolted back to reality and dropping my hands. "I have to go," I rushed out and took a couple steps back before turning and quickly moving through the guests as they moved forward to listen to Peter who was starting a speech.
I moved up the stairs and down the corridor before taking a left to head outside and immediately took a deep breath of fresh air; breathing the smells of the ocean in front of me, and the flowers that surrounded me. Tomorrow I was leaving and right now I felt further from Edmund than I had when I was in Archenland. I loved him, I knew I did but the problem was is that even if he did happen to have a fraction of the feelings I had for him I was leaving and it was useless to act on them.
"Are you alright Milady?" I heard someone as and turned back to see Luc standing there with a concerned look.
"Yes," I nodded then looked down at the ground guiltily as I realized that I had just left him there. "Sir Luc, I'm sorry," I spoke simply hoping that he would understand. "I believe that your feelings for me exceed those that I have towards you," I frowned and opened my mouth to try and explain further as he held up a hand, smiling.
"I understand," He nodded, but I could see the disappointment on his face.
"You are a wonderful person, it's just I don't think that we really are compatible," I bit my lip.
"And there's the fact that you love someone else," His smile softened as I nodded slowly. "If you don't mind I think I might just move onto my next destination tonight. I was planning on visiting my family after the festivities but now would seem to be good time."
"Of course, I have guards to escort me home," I nodded and with a simple bow he moved away, disappearing into Cair Paravel.
oOo
The next morning I got up early and changed into my crimson riding dress and said goodbye to Soli, making her promise to write with all the details of the baby. The guards had taken everything, and packed it for the trip back. I wanted to get out of here before the large gaggle of girls started moving about along with another person so as I walked down to the courtyard only a couple were moving around and saying their goodbyes to Peter, Lucy and Susan, Susan most likely getting Lucy up to say goodbye to her guests.
"Are you sure that you can't stay one more day?" Lucy frowned.
"No, I've got to get back," I smiled, "someone has to keep Corin in line."
"He is a handful," Peter laughed as I moved forward hugging him goodbye.
"That he is," I giggled and hugged Susan. "And, this time I'm positive that the time apart won't be so long."
"I'll drag you back if I must," She giggled and pulled me into a tight hug then as we pulled away she looked back at the main door letting out a sigh. Both Susan and Peter anxiously did the same thing, Susan a bit angrily and I let out a small laugh.
"It's alright," I shrugged. Though, as I got on Elian and started riding out of the large North gate I gave a look back hoping that he would be running to up give me a hug. I didn't see that though, instead I saw him riding towards me on a Phillip.
"Leaving without me?" He spoke with a look of disbelief as he got off his horse.
"What are you talking about?" I looked down at him in confusion.
"Well I thought I might escort you back seeing as how King Lune has invited me to stay for a couple weeks. It was supposed to be Peter but I thought I might go in his place, possibly explain my feelings for his ward," He smirked.
"Wait…what?" I shook my head slightly trying to process what he just said.
"I messed up last time by being satisfied with letters, and I messed up all this week by being around with someone I don't even like so I'm coming with you. I've already discussed it will Peter, Susan and Lucy and they said it's fine. So, I'm coming to spend a little time with you." Looking around I saw the guards watching and narrowed my eyes at them before moving to get off of Elian. He reached up and took my waist, helping me down.
"Why are you doing this?" I whispered feeling a bubble of hope stir in my stomach as I felt his hands stay on my waist.
He took a deep breath as he looked down at me. "I have feelings for you Eres," He whispered so the guards wouldn't hear, "and I don't want to be away from you for months at a time unless absolutely necessary."
"You have feelings for me?" I smiled, teasing him slightly.
"Yes," He laughed and then did something I wouldn't have expected in a million years. He took my chin, steadying my movements then leaned down, placing a soft kiss on my lips. "Very strong feelings."