A/N : Am not even gonna apologise for not updating, honestly am sure you guys are tired of of my lousy excuses, but if you insist just go read my authors note, in the before chapter :)

Oh, and I originally planned the whole Spring Ball as one chapter but there are just too many elements so I decided to split it up into THREE chapters! (Yes, three!) And I'd love to know your opinions because this chapter was hard to come by and my hand really hurts, bad..

Forgive me for rambling, I tend to do this a lot, now without further ado..

Chapter 12

He hated balls. No hate was too small a word to describe his intense distaste for the events his sisters so dearly loved. Detest. Now, that comes a bit closer.

King Edmund, stood in a somewhat obscure part of the Main Hall. He could hear the lively Narnian melody drift in, but felt no inclination to join in the festivities. Instead his eyes passed over the crowd in an assesive glance, though careful not to linger on anyone in particular for too long.

Edmund was obviously not blind. Though he seldom showed it, he was indeed aware of every head turned his way whenever he passed the simpering ladies at court, or the not-so-discreet whispers and the blushes and giggles beneath covered hands. Infact if truth be said, at times he rather did enjoy the attention discreetly, though chose to look right through them. But unfortunately not everyone got the hint.

Many a time he was known to reduce ladies to tears, rejecting their advances and not too subtle at that, unlike his High King brother. And Edmund did not regret it. He knew they wouldn't care a dime if he were half the size of a dwarf, had squint eyes and all the grace of a hag as long as the silver circlet remained intact on his head.

"More wine, my King?" he heard as a dryad drifted by holding in her hands a tray on which were silver goblets brimming to the neck with the trademark red sparkle of Narnian wine.

"Sure," the King replied helping himself to it, inwardly smirking at what Susan would have to say, if she knew about his alcohol consumption. He was nineteen not nine, for Aslan's sake!

"King Edmund," he heard a reprimanding voice call from behind. Edmund turned, knowing full well whom it did belong to. "I don't think the High Queen would quite approve of your alcohol consumption tonight, my King."

"Well, then the High Queen has no reason to know of my.. alcohol consumption tonight." the King decided, but the Leopard just continued to stare at him in a disapproving manner. "Lighten up, Lora. It's not like I get to drink like this everyday." Other than his siblings, Lora alone could dare disapprove with him on anything. Or at least without cowering on their knees.

The leopard was more than just the King's Sworn Shield. She was a friend, and perhaps the only genuine friend he'd ever known. She'd known him since he was the mere little boy he was when he was crowned, seen him grow into the just and regal ruler he is now, and been with him through everything in between.

She knew of the nightmares that kept him awake as a kid and the insecurites that he'd never speak about. She used to be the one who'd be there to comfort him after he woke up frightened, alone and sweating, a helpless boy with a burden on his shoulder he was too young to bear. Yet he'd lived through it all, and now stood before her regal, proud and just. A King in every way.

Lora had never known and would never know the joy of being a parent, but if there was one thing, the love and pride she felt towards Edmund Pevensie was no less than any she would have spared her own child, if she had one. Though she was sure the Just King would hate this comparison, he was indeed like a cub to her.

Lora smiled to herself before answering, "That I agree my liege, but it is indeed my duty to ensure no harm befalls you nor," the leopard paused and Edmund waited for her to continue, "that any would come to anyone else." Lora finished with a pointed look.

Edmund knew of exactly what she was referring to, when drunken Lord Rynlf dared challenge the Sword of Narnia for a duel. And of course, the King had only readily obliged. The outcome however turned out just as expected. The King held his sword against the Lord's neck within just minutes into the duel.

Needless to say though, the affair did not sit well with the other guests and his royal siblings, and made a gaping hole of Lord Rynlf's ego.

Edmund allowed himself a smie, "I can assure you, it wouldn't come to that Lora." he said to which the leopard gave him a funny look.

"Well then, I do hope you know what you want, my King."

Edmund looked towards her for clarification of her words that seemed to hold a double meaning, but she offered him none instead turned away taking her leave, disappearing into the crowded hall. Though Edmund knew, she was somewhere out there looking out for him as she always did. As her duty bound her to.

Edmund felt his gaze wonder back to the dance hall, searching for some familiarity in the sea of unfamiliar faces. Not that he did not know anyone, In fact he'd met everyone at the ball during one point or another, it was just that he did not care to get to know them to become familiar enough nor did he wish to.

In a distance he could see Lucy dancing with Corin, a big smile on her face apparently enjoying herself, while a distance away stood Peter, glaring over the shoulders of the lady in his arms. Edmund followed his gaze, wondering who it was that dared risk the wrath of the High King though not quite surprised to find it rest on the man dancing with the Gentle Queen.

Somethings would never change, the King thought taking a deep swing from the goblet.

Edmund felt himself scan the Hall for something-or perhaps was it somebody?- though he knew not what it was that his eyes sought after.

His eyes settled on Lady Carissa of Archenland. Some deemed the Lady the fairest in all of Archenland. She wore a blood red gown, that clung onto her slender frame showing off highly feminine curves. Waist long blonde hair gracefully tumbled down her waist in its usual wavy curls. He supposed she was indeed beautiful, but when she turned around he found himself to be rather disappointed.

It was her eyes. Lady Carissa's eyes were a soothing shade of blue. But it wasn't the calm blue he was in need of but rather the wild green. The vibrant green of Spring's first meadow grass. The green that made him want to grab her into his arms and tilt her head upwards just so he could bask in te emerald shade of her eyes.

Green as the pools of Eletia, the bards have sung and though he'd never know to whom was it attributed to and he'd never been to Eletia, if it did exist. Edmund could imagine what the bard must've been thinking as he sang it.

Even as he looked on, Lady Carissa's beauty seemed to fade away as another face begun to replace hers in his mind. Her blonde hair seemed less appealing by the minute, instead preferring the brunette of someone else he knew. Edmund took yet another swing of wine, draining the glass.

As the haze settled in, his mind began to stray towards the one topic he'd avoided since the prior night. Her. Aline.

He couldn't help it as last night made an unwelcome comeback before his eyes. The sparks that ignited under his skin as her fingers slid over it. The pressure of her delicate fingers pressed on his chest. The way she bit her lip in concentration as she dressed his cut. How close her face had been to his, so close that they dominated his whole vision. And her eyes. Damn those eyes, that shone like emeralds embedded into her pale, flawless face. And what was it that shone in them? Was it want?

No, that couldn't be. He must've imagined it.

"If you fancy a girl, the least you could do is ask her for a dance, Ed." Lucy's voice quipped up beside him, as his heart skipped a beat. There was no way his little sister could be aware of his highly inappropriate thoughts.

But unfortunately that did not seem to be the case, infact quite far from it. With a start Edmund realized that all the time he was lost in his thoughts about Aline, he'd been inadvertly still staring at Lady Carissa. Now when he looked at her, Lady Carissa flashed him a flirtatious smile and Lucy smirked beside him, "Especially since she seems to like you too."

Before he could say anything, his sister drifted off in the direction of the Archen lady.

Edmund could only imagine what it was that his sister thought.

Damn this, the King thought frustrated. Why, oh why did everything have to go exactly the way he wanted it not to go?

Oh Aline, what have you done to me?

A/N : Mwahaha. Yes, I can be evil when I want to. And am sure we all know of how highly effective Lucy's match making skills could get huh? Poor, poor Edmund.. Well, now anyways it's clear that they're both (Aline and Ed, I mean) definitely attracted to each other, but how long until they confront their feelings?!

Anyways, about this Chapter, the Spring Ball is far, far away from over. And I've got something super special (and romantic) cooked up in the next two chapters. And I just cant wait to pen them down! So updates could be expected soon so please REVIEW!

How many of you ready for a dark, dark Edmund?!