A/n: I would like to thank Narniafan, EC, Emily, GoldenAgeNarnian, elomeno, QueenLucyfan, Anon, Anonymous, Connors, PeterCaspianRlz, Guest1, sarahwood, Lea97, QueenElenaofnarnia, and the other guest reviewers for your continual support. You guys have been amazing; HighQueenP and I are so lucky to have you as our loyal readers. But watch out, because Lady Carissa is about to get on your nerves, once again, in this chapter!

(Telmarine Castle, Narnia)

~Chronicler's POV~

King Caspian found Katrina amidst a sea of people. She showed up in a beautiful ball gown with a natural waistline and she looked at ease, as opposed to other ladies who preferred corsets that knocked the air of out of their chests. Cornflower was a great color on her.

"A beautiful girl as you should be dancing through the night rather than standing by herself all alone," Caspian said with a chuckle as he approached Katrina. She smiled, and they began dancing.

"Well, I was…waiting for Your Majesty to invite me to dance," Katrina replied humorously.

Caspian chuckled. "Then I guess I did the right thing."

"Yes, indeed. And by the way, my King, thank you so much for guiding me through the tango the other day," Katrina mentioned.

"Oh, that wasn't a problem," Caspian smiled good-naturedly. "I see you're doing better now."

"With thanks to Your Majesty's efforts, yes. I feel more confident now," Katrina replied. "May I ask, my King, why did you choose to dance with me back then?"

"To be honest with you, I don't know either. When I set my eyes on you for the very first time I felt there was something special about you. Your presence. Something about you stood out to me. Something about you had me drawn to you," he described. "You came across as slightly shy, but because you weren't too desperate like some other ladies, I keep going back to you for more, and I have no qualms about it. I'll say you're not a particularly skilled dancer, but when I dance with you, I feel most at ease. I move effortlessly, like it's the most natural thing in the world to do."

"Well, I am very honored, my King," Katrina grinned. "And I do heartily wish you all the best with the Princess Gilda of Archenland."

"Thank you. I hope you all will like her. It's important that my people like my future Queen," Caspian replied, although the truth was that the Telmarines did not particularly fancy the idea of having an Archenlander as their 'Throne Queen', since they reckoned she'd be more loyal to Archenland than to Narnia, as her allegiance lied with the Archenlanders, not with the Narnians or the Telmarines.

"And what do you look for in a consort, my King?" Katrina queried.

"Err," Caspian thought hard. "I'll need a lot of emotional, spiritual support from a spouse," he mused. "What I mean is that I have to mentally respect a person, be physically attracted, and have a comfort level. I might be a bit obsessed with that person – if I can say that – somewhat addicted, yet I know that she's going to stay in my life, no matter what happens, and no matter what we're going through. And of course," he chuckled. "Passion."

"That sounds reasonable. And that's what I would look for in a partner as well," Katrina nodded in understanding as well as in agreement.

"Well, then I'm glad we have that in common because I think it could be a good place to start, since I want to make friends with you, Katrina," Caspian remarked.

"Friends, Your Majesty? But I've no title," Katrina said.

"Who needs a title when you have a friend?" Caspian replied. "Kings are lonelier than they seem, I tell you, even though they're the ones who are constantly surrounded by courtiers."

"Well then I am glad to be the King's friend," said Katrina. "Have you ever spoken to the Princess about what you just told me, about what, to you, makes an ideal partner, Your Majesty?"

"Well, no. Or at least not yet. I don't know how to put it. I'm not sure if I should speak to her about it, since I don't want to put too much pressure on her. And I don't want her to feel like she has to live up to a set of expectations or requirements in order to actually qualify or be fit to be my consort," Caspian said. "I'd be happy to accept her for who she is."

"I see," Katrina replied, as their dance neared an end. "Well, I do sincerely wish Your Majesty a long life of happiness."

Caspian was about to reply with requited feelings but a lady had briskly strode towards him, catching his attention.

"King Caspian! How wonderful it is to see you! My ankle has recovered from the injury now and I fully intend to dance with Your Majesty. So, my King, shall we?"

It was Lady Carissa who cut in, paying no attention to Katrina's presence. Carissa's attire had made many others in the room stop and stare, and Caspian was no exception, and even Katrina liked the dress Carissa was wearing. Carissa was wearing a lot of jewels, and some might consider that amount of accessories superfluous and over the top, but clearly she did not think so.

"Oh, of course," Caspian nodded obligingly as the two danced.

Katrina smiled anyway, not minding the interruption, and went to find Queen Lucy. Meanwhile, in a balcony a few stories high, Baron Claudius smirked satisfactorily as his daughter and the Telmarine King danced a sensuous tango.

"Queen Lucy," Katrina curtsied at the Queen who showed up in a ball gown with a beaded bodice and of a sharp color: vivid fuchsia. Yet in spite of her outfit, the smile that graced Lucy's features was the most pleasant.

"Katrina!" Lucy said happily. She had spent the last few days trying to remember the names of all the ladies in training. "Having a good time?"

"Yes!" Katrina gushed, still not over how excited she was that she danced with the Telmarine King again. "Are you enjoying yourself too, my Queen?"

"Oh, definitely," Lucy grinned. "By the way, Katrina, you have to try this," she handed a drink to the handmaiden.

"What is this, Your Majesty?" Katrina took the goblet and peered at its contents curiously.

"Well according to Trumpkin it's called a Banana Daiquiri," Lucy reported. "It just tastes really nice. You've got to taste it."

Katrina did as she was told and immediately beamed. "Very refreshing," she commented.

"See?" Lucy grinned. "Nice, isn't it? I have to tell Pete about it after this dance."

"I can't seem to find His Majesty," Katrina looked around. "I can't find my sister either, for that matter."

"Oh, there they are!" Lucy pointed.

"Smiling from ear to ear I see," Katrina beamed.

"Well I'm happy that everyone's happy," Lucy clasped her hands together in mirth, then grabbed another goblet of Banana Daiquiri and strode towards Peter. Katrina, from a distance, watched as the High King kissed her sister's hand, then Ines jogging to her side.

"I'm internally exclaiming in thrill!" Ines gushed, fanning herself, making Katrina giggle. "Dancing with High King Peter is a dream come true."

Katrina smiled, and handed a goblet to Ines. "Here. Try the Banana Daiquiri. Lucy would want you to."

"Sure," Ines smiled. "Is that what King Peter is drinking as well?"

"I would believe so," Katrina nodded. "Are you smitten with His Majesty?"

Ines giggled. "Can I help it?"

"Well, no, I don't suppose you can," Katrina agreed. "We're so incredibly lucky, it's unbelievable, I tell you. How in Narnia did we end up dancing with two Kings? We're just two common village girls."

"Magic," Ines winked. "It has to be."

~Caspian's POV~

"You look very dashing tonight, my Lord," Carissa commented.

"Why, thank you, my Lady," I grinned.

Lady Carissa was beautiful, yes, but not in the way Katrina was. At first glance, surely my gaze would linger on Carissa for a moment longer than it would on other ladies, but with Katrina it's like I couldn't stop thinking about her. Hmm. Feelings were a funny matter.

"I really like dancing with you, Your Majesty. You're an excellent dancer, I must say," Carissa remarked.

"Well, I was trained by the finest tutors," I smiled politely. "You're not bad either, Lady Carissa."

"Thank you, my King. Your compliment means a lot to me," she smiled. She flashed that smile to everyone, I'd noticed. A very polite smile that was sure to make everybody like her. "So how does it feel to be engaged, King Caspian?"

"It has its ups and downs I would say," I answered honestly. "I still can't really see Gilda as a lover yet, but we are good friends."

"Maybe we can be good friends too, Your Majesty," Carissa suggested boldly. "And maybe I can be something more than just a good friend."

"Like what?" I asked tentatively to test her reaction.

"Like…close friends, I guess," she drawled jokingly. "But you can have me any way you want, my King."

I chuckled. For a moment there it looked as if she was showing romantic interest in me. Well, seeing as I was engaged now, and she knew it very well as well, I wasn't about to open my heart to another lady.

"Say, even if things with Princess Gilda don't really work out…my King is well within his bounds to take mistresses," Carissa pointed out. "I'm not insinuating anything though. No implications here. We can be candid with one another."

I stopped for a moment and became slightly rigid in my dance moves. "Well, yes, I suppose it is traditionally common for powerful Telmarine men to take mistresses…but you see, I intend to remain faithful to my future wife."

"Intentions can shift," Carissa remarked skilfully. "As can alliances. And before they do, it looks as if the Archenlander Princess will have to win Your Majesty's heart before somebody else does."

"I guess that means I'll also have to win her heart before somebody else does," I chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"Hmm, the faithful, devoted King," Carissa commented. "Your people will love you, Your Majesty. And look up to you, because you're a true role model."

"It's what I strive to be," I replied, quickly regaining my composure, for a King should, as indeed all diplomats should, keep his cool at all times. I wanted to be a role model indeed, something my uncle was not.

"But why should you be the one entering a political marriage? Can't it be King Peter or King Edmund instead?" Carissa asked.

"Well, my heir will inherit the throne – two thrones actually: Telmar & Narnia – and the other monarchs' children won't, although they'd still be Princes and Princesses all the same. That's how the line of succession works. It's something the other sovereigns and I have discussed and agreed on," I explained.

"I see," Carissa nodded as our dance was concluded a few short moments after.

"We can continue dancing if you want, my Lord," she continued vibrantly.

"Oh, wouldn't you be interested in dancing with other noblemen? The Duke of Kinross, for example, is very popular with the ladies, I hear," I counter-suggested.

"Well, it hardly matters what other ladies think of him. And it seems to me he is quite occupied anyway," she glanced at the Duke, who appeared to be conversing with one of the ladies in training. "I much prefer dancing with you, my Lord," Carissa said tactfully. "And no matter how popular he is, I find you more attractive than His Grace, Your Majesty."

"I can come back after a few dances, but I haven't danced with Lucy yet tonight and I do hope to dance with the Valiant Queen," I stated.

"Very well then. I send Her Majesty warm wishes," Carissa curtsied, then left to find her father.

I made my way to Lucy and we danced, chatting merrily the whole way through. This was going to be a fun feast. Truly.

~Susan's POV~

I was standing by one of the marble pillars, just watching the guests dance and make merry, while I observed the whole scene. I noticed that Caspian was dancing with the pretty lady in training. Peter was dancing with Ines again. He seemed to have taken a liking towards her, for some reason, I felt. But I had to admit – she did remind me of Helga, a little.

I also saw that Katrina and Lucy were chatting. I had expected Edmund to be uncontrollably stuffing food into his mouth, but much to my surprise, when I scanned the dinner tables I couldn't find my younger brother there. Instead, I found him on the dance floor with the Archenlander Princess. It seemed that those two were getting along pretty well, which was definitely good, since Caspian was like family to us Pevensies already, and so, when Gilda married Caspian then she would be treated as family as well.

"Queen Susan."

A voice from behind drew my attention. I spun around and found myself facing quite a fetching Baron Tyrone.

"Tyrone," I grinned immediately. "I've been looking for you." For some reason unbeknownst to me, Tyrone had pretty much always managed to make me smile. Sometimes, even just the thought of him could put me in a better mood. How come he had such an impact on me?

"Well, I am here now, at your service," Tyrone said as he kissed my hand. "Why is my Lady not having the time of her life on the dance floor? Surely many a nobleman would want to dance with Your Majesty…and I will admit that I am not an exception."

"Well, you see, Tyrone, sometimes I like to take a step back and view things from a different angle," I explained convivially and somewhat philosophically. "It opens up my mind to the many facets of life."

"Hmm," Tyrone beamed. "I am delighted that my Queen is enjoying the banquet anyway. I am having a great time as well, and of course, the best part of it is chatting with you."

"Good," I smiled, especially at the last part. How sweet of him to say so. "Oh, have you tried the Banana Daiquiri yet? Lucy's been trying to get everyone to try it, and I think it's pretty good."

"Ah, yes. The young Queen has already recommended the beverage to me and I have tasted it. It is, I have to say, quite exquisite," Tyrone commented. "I admire the Valiant Queen's energy and enthusiasm but more importantly…I admire the Gentle Queen's quiet kind of confidence and dignified presence that commands not only respect but even reverence…and I am entranced. And impressed by the power she has over me. Not so much because she is a Queen, I have to say, but because she is…herself. And Her Majesty does not try to be anyone else."

"You flatter me, Tyrone," I grinned appreciatively. He knew just how to make my day. I had had way too many wooers hand out unwarranted compliments to me, and more often than not they'd make me roll my eyes because their language was too flowery. Out of all of my suitors, Rabadash was the worst. His hyperboles were so irritating. There was a time when he would not shut up, and he got so annoying that I almost swung a punch at him since he got on my nerves, but I couldn't do that since that would probably cause Calormen to wage war on Narnia, so instead I made a sacrifice and kissed him. By hook or by crook I'd get him to shut up and I'd say I had quite succeeded.

"I was merely speaking my mind," he replied smoothly. "I guess I'm learning to appreciate the real Susan Pevensie from Finchley now."

"Thank you. I…I feel appreciated. Truly. I think that generates a kind of confidence and self-worth, and it's because of you," I said warmly.

"I shall endeavor to keep up the good work then," Tyrone beamed.

I was about to reply when one song had ended and another began, and the new song happened to be one of my favorites. It was an Old Narnian folk tune, and the melody was quite lively.

"I really like this song," I immediately broke into a smile. "I haven't listened to it in a long, long time."

"Shall we dance then?" Tyrone grasped this chance to make an invitation that I could not bring myself to turn down.

"Of course," I said, smiling as we danced.

A/n:

So now it seems Caspian has 3 potential love interests: Princess Gilda, Katrina, and Lady Carissa. Which one do you think he's gonna end up with? Which pairing are you rooting for?

In the next chapter we're going to introduce this Duke so many ladies seem to find attractive. Stay tuned, and please review! :)))))