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Here is the next chapter - And I hate it! Writers block is even worse, I tell you!

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DEFINITELY DESTINY

– – CHAPTER 9 – –

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~ Three Months Later ~

"Happy birthday, Caspian!" Susan sang, walking into their room and hugging her husband tightly.

"Thank you, dear," Caspian smiled.

"Twenty four," Susan said, pulling away. "You're old!"

He laughed. "Am I?"

"Yes!" she said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Am I?" he asked, now getting serious.

Susan laughed. "No, I was only teasing you."

"How very mean of you."

"I am mean, aren't I?"

"More than you can imagine."

"Well," Susan said, leaning forward. "I hope this makes it up for my mean behavior."

With that, she kissed him deeply, her hands buried in his hair.

He kissed her back, his hands on her waist, pulling her close to him, when –

"Party," Susan said, pulling away.

Caspian groaned.

"It's your birthday party," she told him.

"I told you I just wanted a nice dinner with just the two of us."

"Maybe next time."

"Maybe?" he asked.

"Yes, maybe," she said, pulling him with her towards the door. "Let's go now!"

And the two walked down the hallway, talking about pointless things.

"Here is the birthday boy!" Edmund's voice reached them from behind.

Caspian smiled. "Here I am."

"You're growing old." Edmund told him seriously.

"Just because my age is greater than all of you don't make me old," Caspian said.

Edmund looked at him for a moment. "It does," A pause, "Happy birthday, anyway. I wish you all the best in life."

"Thank you," Caspian mumbled and the three started walking towards the hall.

"Speaking of wishes," Susan spoke up. "I got a letter from Estella this morning. She wished you a happy birthday too."

Edmund grew quiet, staring ahead.

"She remembered my birthday?" Caspian seemed surprised.

"Yes she did. And she said she really wanted to be here tonight."

"That is really sweet of her," Caspian said. "So, how is she? I, unlike you, haven't been in touch with her."

"Oh she is very happy," Susan replied. "She goes on and on about how amazing Alfred is and how good it feels to be married to him. The girl is madly in love, I tell you!"

Edmund coughed. "You two are going to spend the entire night walking slowly and talking," he said. "But since I'm in a hurry to reach the food table, I guess I will go faster. See you later."

And the Just King quickly walked away.

Susan frowned. "Is it me or did Edmund sound disturbed due to our talk?"

"He probably was making fun of our lovey-dovey talk as he puts it, in his own way."

"Yes," Susan nodded slightly. "Probably."

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"Well your parents are occupied tonight and you don't have anyone else to be with," Edmund said to the girl before him in his most manly voice. "And I, well, I'm kind of alone too."

She just looked at him with her big eyes.

"And I was wondering if you want to dance with me," he held out his hand.

She took it without a second choice.

He smiled. "Great then, it will just be you and me tonight."

"Eda dance!" Irene cheered.

Edmund chuckled as he picked up the little girl in his arms. "Yes, sweetie, you and I are going to dance."

And they did. Uncle and niece, laughed, talked and danced on the dance floor for a while before they were disturbed by the High King.

"My turn," Peter walked over to them, taking Irene in his arms.

"But Irene and I were having so much fun," Peter pouted.

"My turn."

"Weren't you dancing with Isabel?"

"I was, but some of her friends called her over."

"Oh."

"You find somebody else to dance with, Ed," Peter told him.

"No thanks."

"No seriously, dance with a woman – any woman, just like you used to before…" the High King trailed off, remembering the morning after Estella's departure.

"Better?"

That was what Peter asked Edmund when he saw his younger brother in the dining room for breakfast the next morning.

"Not the best I have been," Edmund glanced at Peter. "But, yes, better."

"Good."

"My head hurts like hell," Edmund groaned, his hand on his head.

"Your fault."

"I guess so."

The two sat in silence, waiting for the others to join them.

"Pete?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry for how I acted last night."

"It's alright, Ed. I understand."

"Thanks."

"No problem," Peter smiled and then frowned when Edmund got up, the jug of juice in his hand. "Where are you going?"

"No where," Edmund replied with an evil grin and walked over to Susan's seat.

"Ed," Peter warned, realizing what Edmund was going to do. "She'll kill you."

"C'mon Pete, it will be worth it!"

"No more pranks!"

"Just because 'someone' left doesn't mean I will not joke around anymore," Edmund said. "I wasn't lying when I said I had a few people in mind."

Peter rolled his eyes while Edmund poured the juice on Susan's seat.

Edmund had been fine, normal, after that. Sure, he would have minor depression spells once in a while that only Peter would notice, but the Just King was pretty much like what he used to be… except for the Casanova part of him. He rarely talked to women, didn't flirt at all – and while a part of Peter was glad, the other was worried as well.

But Peter had thought that maybe the pain really was too raw, maybe Edmund will move on after some time…

One mustn't abandon hope.

"… Before her?" Edmund asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Who?" Peter asked, trying his best to not mention Estella. Edmund hadn't in the past three months.

Edmund smirked.

"Look, I don't know," Peter shrugged. "But it is my turn to have fun with Irene. See you later."

"Alright," Edmund nodded, stepping aside as Peter walked away with his daughter.

The Just King sighed, looking around. He was standing in the middle of the dance floor with all the lovey-dovey couples surrounding him.

A pang of loneliness.

A memory:

Estella and him dancing on Susan's wedding.

And then on Estella's.

He shook his head slightly, smiling to himself.

He was so pitiful!

"Excuse me, King Edmund."

Edmund turned around at the voice to find himself face-to-face with a young woman whom he knew to be some noble's daughter. Garbed in a floor length gown of scarlet color and her hair tied in a loose bun, the woman looked at him with a small smile on her beautiful face. (A/N: the link to her picture and to her gown are in the profile.)

"Ah, my lady…" he trailed off. "I'm sorry, but what was your name?"

"It's Adeline, my king."

"Lady Adeline."

"You seem not to have a dance partner, milord," she said, holding out her hand. "So, I was wondering if you would dance with me."

"I was about to move off the dance floor actually," he said, trying to be polite.

"Oh," she said, her gray eyes her moving from his face to her hand in the air, and back. Slowly, she moved her hand, bringing it to her side, disappointment clear on her face.

"But," he said before she could turn away. "I guess one dance will not be so bad."

"Oh." She smiled.

"So," he held out her hand. "May I?"

"You may," she placed her hand in his.

"Adeline," he said, once they had started moving to the music. "I've never heard this name before."

"It is not very common."

"What does it mean?"

"It means 'noble'."

"Ah."

"What does 'Edmund' mean, your highness?" she asked.

He blinked. "No one has ever asked me that before."

"There is always a first time."

"True. Edmund means…" he frowned. "I don't know what my name means."

"That won't do."

He looked at her. "It won't?"

She shook her head. "But don't worry, I can help you there."

"You can?"

"I can," She smiled. "Edmund means 'blessed guardian.' It is a beautiful name."

"How do you know?"

"I read it somewhere."

"Well then thank you, Adeline, for enlightening me with the meaning of my name."

"You're most welcome, my king."

"Call me Edmund."

"Edmund."

He smiled.

[][][][][][][][]

Lucy was standing next to Caspian, looking around at the decorations and talking to him.

"You're old now," she told him.

"What is with everyone declaring me old today?" the king seemed frustrated.

"Probably because we all love your reaction," the queen laughed.

Caspian shook his head, smiling.

"Did Susan tell you about Estella's letter?" Lucy asked.

"Yes, she did."

Lucy seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Caspian," she began, unsure. "Forget it."

"What is it, Lucy?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

He looked at her, curiously. "… Alright."

"There is a boy and I keep on thinking about him and –"

Caspian's eyes went wide. "Lucy!" he whispered urgently. "Do you know that Peter would be really angry if he finds out about this?"

The Valiant queen rolled her eyes. "Would you please listen to me?" she asked, almost laughing. "It is not like that."

Caspian looked at her, waiting for more.

"Look, I think there is something wrong in his life and he won't tell me."

"Who is he?"

She paused. "You will not tell anyone about this."

"I won't," he promised.

"His name is Chad," Lucy told him. "And I met him about three months ago. He was one of the servants of Alfred."

"The young grave-looking boy?" Caspian asked.

"You know him?" Lucy asked in surprise.

"Not really," the king replied. "Alfred called him for some minor work once in my study."

"Oh."

"What makes you think there is something wrong?"

"The way he talked, the way he acted and the way he looked: alone and sad," Lucy said. "And he has these huge scars on his back that he refused to talk about."

"How do you know that he has scars on his back?"

Lucy blushed a little and then hesitantly recalled the day she had went to the servants chambers with Chad, being careful not to tell him about the part where she was about to fall down and he held her. It was just an accident, but she doubted that Caspian would understand.

"How close did you say the two of you were?" Caspian questioned.

Lucy rolled her eyes again. "We just talked, Caspian. I know my limits, so you can stop being overprotective too."

"Oh," he seemed to be in thought for a moment. "Well, I think that the boy was simply homesick. Maybe he had his family back in Daelhr and he was missing them. One usually feels depressed when they are lonely."

"I don't know about his family; I never asked him." Lucy said. "But you're probably right."

"You don't sound too sure."

"I just don't want anyone to be sad. I mean, look around Caspian," Lucy waved her hands. "Narnia is in peace and everything is just like it should be."

"That is very noble," the king commented. "But I think you are worrying over just a little thing. Still, if you want to know, I can send someone to Daelhr who can tell us more about Chad and his family."

"You mean like spying?"

"In a way, yes."

Lucy was quiet for a while. "That doesn't sound right."

"Or you could write to Estella and she could answer your queries," Caspian suggested. "She is a good friend of yours and Chad works for him, so it won't be hard."

"That sounds better," Lucy said. "But I will see what I will do… I might even drop the matter. Perhaps I am worrying over a silly thing."

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"I'm sorry I stepped over your foot," Adeline apologized.

"Four times according to the pain in my toes," Edmund told her.

"Sorry," she mumbled, "Let's just say that dance and I have a very strained relationship."

"Well, I hope the two of you make it work out somehow," Edmund said, "It would be sad to not have a lady such as yourself on the dance floor."

"It seems unlikely that this relationship will blossom, but I thank you for your good wishes." She smiled, humor in her eyes. "It is a beautiful night, isn't it?"

He looked around. He was standing in the gardens. Before him was a huge marble fountain, water coming out of the pots and falling down into the small pond. Adeline sat on the small marble wall of the fountain, her hands folded in her lap and her eyes on the twinkling stars that lightened up the dark sky.

"You're beautiful," Edmund murmured.

She moved her eyes from the sky to his face. "Am I?"

He nodded slightly.

"And to how many women have you said it, Edmund?"

"Not many," he replied, honestly, coming over to sit beside her. "That is, however, not the question you should ask."

"Then what is?"

"How many times I have said it and meant it."

"I see," she said, fingering her long beaded necklace. "Well then, how many times have you told a woman that she is beautiful and meant it too?"

He smiled. "Quite few. Most of the times it was to my sisters or to Isabel." He counted, "And Irene of course, which no doubt she is."

"Agreed," She said, "What about the other times?"

"I once said it to a woman I courted for a while. Then I said it to E-Estella on her wedding," he said, leaning forward such that their faces were inches apart. "And now I am saying it to you."

"I'm honored."

"You should be."

She smiled.

"I like your perfume," he told her, slowly taking her hand in his.

"Thank you."

"What smell is it?"

She played with his fingers. "White flowers and vanilla."

"Vanilla," he murmured. "I like that."

"Not many people do."

He remained quiet, taking in the scent. It was different and attractive, yes, but it reminded him of her. Vanilla was her favorite perfume too…

He sighed.

"What?" she asked.

"Don't you find it annoying that you can't bring yourself to forget certain things that you so want to forget?"

She was silent for a moment. "No."

He looked at her. "Never?"

"What good forgetting does?"

"What good remembering does?

"Remembering makes you remember – it gives you memories, it makes up life." A pause, "And I'm actually giving you a lecture."

He laughed. "It's good. Go on."

"I don't usually do this," she said, making an abstract gesture with her free hand, "Talk."

"You should," he told her. "You're pretty good at it."

She smiled and looked away, placing her free hand in the water. "It's cold."

He touched it with a finger. "No, it isn't," he lied.

"Oh, really?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm."

Adeline splashed the water all over Edmund and he looked at her surprised, his face dripping wet.

"It is not very cold," she stated, her voice an almost perfect imitation of his. "Is it?"

"Why don't you tell me?" he asked, splashing the water over her.

"Don't, Edmund!" she shrieked, running away.

He chased her, his own laughter meeting hers.

Edmund took hold of her wrist and pulled her close to him. "You can't run away after committing such a sin!" He teased her, smiling.

"What if I don't want to?"

He blinked, his smile faltering.

Adeline slowly brought her free hand and brushed his hair away from his forehead.

Edmund leaned forward as her hand came to rest on his neck.

Adeline closed her eyes.

He did too.

He could feel her breath on his lips.

And then –

"King Edmund!"

He opened his eyes and stepped back.

Adeline's head snapped in the direction of the voice that was coming from far away, and then she looked back at him, her cheeks pink.

"I-I guess they are looking for y-you," she said in a low voice.

Edmund nodded before saying in a loud voice, "Yes, I'm here!"

About a minute later, a maid walked over to them. "My king," she bowed. "Queen Susan is looking for you. It is time to cut the cake."

"Very well," he said. "I'm coming."

The maid bowed and walked away.

Edmund glanced at Adeline. "So," he said, pointing back towards the palace, "Shall we?"

"Sure."

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Dear Estella,

I hope you are well. Everyone here is. Caspian's birthday party was fun and we all missed you a lot.

Es, I have a small favor to ask from you – and I hope you will not talk to anyone about this. It is crazy really, why I wish to hide it all from everyone, but anyways… there is this servant of yours named Chad. He is a young boy, around my age with green eyes. Do you know him? Can you please tell me all that you know about him? Does he still seem sad?

I know you're probably wondering why I am asking you this, but trust me that it is a long story. I will have to tell you whenever we meet next.

Love,
Lucy.

The Valiant Queen put down the quill and stared at the letter.

Sighing, she picked it up and shoved the letter beneath the pile of books on her table.

The letter sounded stupid, even to her.

Besides, what was the point of it all?

If Chad would be in some problem, he would contact her.

They were friends… kind of… especially after their last meeting.

Right?

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So, liked it? Hated it?

Anyways, I know that many of you are wondering that what is up with Edmund and what is actually going on in his head and what is the reason behind his actions... so I say that all will be clear in due time!

I'm almost done with the next chapter that I will post soon and I hope it will answer some of your questions, and raise some new ones ;)

Until next time,

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