A/n: To all the Peter/Ines shippers out there, this one's for you! But of course also dedicated to EC, Anon, GoldenAgeNarnian, Anonymous, Emma, PeterCaspianRlz, QueenLucyfan, QueenElenaofnarnia, Connors, Emily, Narniafan, Lea97, Aquafin, elomeno, and all the other guest reviewers!
(Telmarine Castle, Narnia)
~Chronicler's POV~
At the infirmary, not only did King Peter and Ines find the healers. They also bumped into Doctor Cornelius. Medicine was given to Ines to drink, and then she was given some food because she couldn't possibly have an empty stomach all day long.
"If she wanted to recover sooner, she must eat," Professor Cornelius insisted.
"Ines, I do believe that your fever would have put you in a condition unfit for an assessment," Cornelius said, seriousness evident in his tone. "It would have been more advisable for you to in your room and rested rather than take the assessment. This isn't just for your health, but for others' as well, because your cold could be infectious and it wouldn't be good to have other trainees get infected as well."
"Well, let me to talk to Viscountess Beryl so that she'll arrange for you to retake the assessment," Peter said, then thanked the nurses and Cornelius before turning back to Ines. "But for now, Ines, I insist that you stop worrying and rest. I want you to get well sooner."
"Thank you, King Peter. However, before I fall asleep, I need to send for a page to deliver a message to my sister that I'm here, in the hospital wing. Otherwise, she'd be the one worried sick," Ines beamed a little weakly in gratitude.
"Right. We wouldn't want her to get sick either. I'll go tell Katrina myself. It's simpler that way anyway, without having to explain to the page all over again," Peter smiled, kissed Ines's hand then exited the hospital wing and made his way to the dormitories of the ladies in waiting. Once he found Katrina's room, he knocked.
Katrina opened the door. "Oh, King Peter," she curtsied. "How may I help you?"
"I was just going to tell you that I brought your sister to the hospital wing just now. She needed a healer. I'm sure you're aware that she's ill," Peter said candidly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Though when I asked her if she wanted to go see a healer just now, she said that she'd rather take a nap. I didn't know she went out though. I wonder why she didn't tell me," Katrina said.
"Well, there was a lot on her mind. She's told me why she's distraught, and she got quite emotional. I mean, I'm sure she would have confided in you as well, but I insisted that I bring her to the infirmary," Peter explained.
"I understand, Your Majesty. I'll also notify Viscountess Beryl of this so that she'll know why one of her trainees is absent," Katrina nodded.
"Actually I don't think you'll have to. I'm going to have a word with her later so I can tell her that," Peter beamed.
"Thank you, King Peter. Both Ines and I appreciate it greatly," Katrina said.
Ines was going to stay in the hospital wing for at least three days, counting from the day she got there.
On the first day, she ate a little bit of food and then slept.
On the second day, she ate more, but not as much as she normally would. Though she felt more energized and read a few books to spend her time. Katrina visited her sister a few times each day, sometimes with Lavinia and Sonya and some other friends as well.
However, things were only going well in the morning. In the afternoon, Ines had some unexpected visitors in the afternoon, and it made Ines feel a bit uneasy, really.
"You have two visitors, Ines," a nurse smiled at Ines and then went to attend to other patients, while two nobles went into Ines' ward.
Ines immediately felt chills down her back when she saw Lady Carissa, with an older man who did not look friendly at all. Instead, he looked really patronizing. He possessed a cane, and he had a distinct scar on his left cheek.
"Oh, good afternoon, dear Ines. Meet my father, Claudius, Lord Atherton, 9th Baron of Selby," Carissa jeered at Ines.
"My Lord, my Lady," Ines said cautiously and tried to keep her cool. It would be like letting them win if she showed that she was scared.
"I am very, very concerned about your health, Ines," Claudius said dramatically.
"Really? I find that hard to believe. We're strangers," Ines scoffed.
"Ouch, that hurt," Claudius feigned disappointment. "My daughter is a lady in training just as you are, and she, too, wants you to get better sooner."
"And anything that concerns me, concerns my father too," Carissa said smugly.
Ines said nothing in reply.
"Although you don't have a title, you are the High King's…well, let's say you're a 'special friend' of his, aren't you?" Claudius said mockingly.
"She is. I suppose we'd better behave more civilly towards her, Father," Carissa said, rolling her eyes.
"Shouldn't we behave civilly to everyone, titled or not?" Ines challenged. "I was raised to be a polite person, and I intend to stay that way. So that means I won't try to put on a show and be fake to people, only to backstab them, betray them, or take advantage of them."
"Hmm," Claudius pursed his lips. "A feisty girl you are. I wonder where you got that attitude from. Is it from your father's side or from your mother's side? Pity we'll never get to find out, since both of them are dead and gone."
"But your confidence won't last long. I'm surprised you have a shred of dignity left after the assessment a few days ago. I bet you failed it, didn't you? Everyone placed their napkin on their serving plate, but you didn't. It really doesn't take a genius to figure out that you made a fatal mistake," Carissa scowled. "You know why they're keeping you in this clinic? It's just because you're ill, and they don't want to place you anywhere else, so that you won't go spreading the disease everywhere and infecting innocent people, like myself, and my father. And wow – it would be unimaginable even, if the High King as infected with you," she rolled her eyes. "I'm sure it's just a matter of time that the Viscountess realizes that you are unfit to be a lady in waiting, and she'll have every reason to expel you. Then, I guess, you'll really go back to being good old Ines, selling flowers in a shabby tatty florist shop in the small town where King Caspian's former mistress came from."
Ines's heart sank and her face fell. They knew what upset her. They found out what her weakness was, and she knew for sure they were going to use this against her and make her feel worthless and useless. She bit her lip tensely. Those two unexpected and unwanted visitors were really making her feel very nervous. And she knew that they were just using their higher social standing over her. If King Peter was with her right now, she was sure they wouldn't dare utter a single word. Such despicable people.
"Oh, Ines, why are you upset? You needn't be. We all know what happened. You performed badly. It's no big news. No need to be all mournful about it. It's not like your parents died, right? We're here to visit the sick, not the bereaved. Come on," Carissa mocked.
"It's an infirmary here, not a mortuary. At least it won't turn into one, unless you die here, but I certainly wouldn't expect a cold to be so lethal," Claudius said sardonically, not knowing and not caring how much it hurt Ines because, well, who wouldn't be sad at the mention of their deceased parents, especially when Claudius was so rudely making fun of her?
"It's alright. I won't be upset. I have my friends, and I know that they will be nice to me," Ines said, and her boldness didn't falter.
"Oh, yes. How could I have forgotten? You've got special connections to King Peter, and just the thought of it makes me quiver in fear!" Carissa said in a sing-song voice.
"But your silly friendship – or whatever relationship you're sharing with His Majesty, be it intimate or not, is soon about to be terminated," Claudius said ominously.
"Lord Selby, I'm not sure if I like your tone. What is that supposed to mean? Perhaps you could clarify it for me? I am too…common…to comprehend how nobles' minds work," Ines said self-deprecatingly, sarcasm evident from every syllable she uttered.
Father and daughter exchanged a sly glance. Carissa smirked and answered spitefully. "Let's just say that if a box of cookies is all it takes for a relationship between you and the High King to begin, it sure will be enough for your relationship to end."
"So, if I were you, I'd be very careful with how I behave to those above me," Claudius warned. "Carissa, we'll leave now. We're nobles. We don't have time for commoners who presume so much on a notorious connection with a royal."
And with that, they swept out of the ward majestically, while Ines frowned and pondered upon what their threatening words could possibly mean.
On the third day, King Peter decided to go to the infirmary to visit Ines, but he spoke with Trufflehunter in advance so that the badger could make some chicken soup for Ines. So, Peter and Trufflehunter were now at the infirmary.
"Thank you so much, Trufflehunter. And King Peter, it's just so sweet of you," Ines smiled heartwarmingly. "How did you know it was my favorite soup?"
"Hmm, I just guessed, actually. I'll be we have a soul to soul connection. That's how I know," Peter joked. "I'm just kidding. Your sister told me that you like chicken soup the best."
Ines giggled. "Still, Your Majesty, it's pretty nice of you to visit me, seeing as you're King and you must have a lot of work at hand. Same goes to you, Trufflehunter."
"You're welcome, my Lady. I wish you a speedy recovery. But now I must prepare dinner for myself, so I'm going to take my leave of you," Trufflehunter bowed to Peter then left.
"Kings are busy, I'll say. But I have two other Kings and two other Queens – and perhaps a third, pretty soon – to share my workload with, so it isn't too bad," Peter chuckled. "By the way, I've spoken to Viscountess Beryl about rescheduling your assessment."
"You did, my King? Oh, I really can't thank you enough," Ines grinned.
"You don't have to thank me. It was the right thing to do, honestly," Peter beamed.
"I wasn't sure if I would be allowed to retake it, but now I'm assured," Ines explained.
"Of course you're allowed. It's stated right at the beginning of the training course, that if a handmaiden has to be absent for an assessment, or request for the assessment to be rescheduled, for medical reasons, it will be permitted with the trainer's approval. Professor Cornelius can even issue a medical certificate, if needed, but the Viscountess wouldn't doubt my word, of course," Peter explicated. "She reckons this coming Monday would be a good date for you to retake your assessment. By then, you should have fully recovered."
"Yes, Your Majesty. That's what Doctor Cornelius told me as well," Ines nodded in relief.
"And in case you're wondering, I offered to tell you myself what Lady Newport was going to tell you," Peter added.
"Oh? Why is that, may I ask, my King?" Ines inquired.
"Well…because I like to chat with you. It soothes me," Peter admitted, chuckling. Ines blushed, but Peter went on. "I know that I don't have to do things that I could have easily got a servant or a page to do, and I didn't have the obligation of caring for you either, but you see, you didn't have to bake those cookies for me, either."
"You still remember, Your Majesty?" Ines enquired, smiling.
"Yes, I do. It meant a lot to me," Peter said.
Indeed, she wasn't obliged to bake cookies for him so that he'd feel better after having an emotional breakdown, although it probably wasn't very becoming of a man, of a High King, but she did it for him anyway, because deep down, she cared about him. And he cared about her too. And they didn't realize how much they cared about each other until now.
On Monday, Ines was long discharged from the clinic, and now she ready and fully prepared to retake her assessment. Once she left her dormitory, and was in one of the hallways leading to the dining hall, she found King Peter walking her way.
"My King," she curtsied.
"Ines, good, I was just looking for you," Peter smiled.
"Oh. Was there something Your Majesty had wanted to tell me?" Ines queried.
"Well, yes, I just wanted to wish you good luck for your assessment," Peter grinned sheepishly.
"Oh, thank you," Ines beamed. "I'll do my best and I won't let you down, my King."
"I'm sure you won't," Peter smiled. Seeing as they couldn't talk for long, Ines curtsied once more and had to leave to go to the dining hall – she wouldn't want to be late again.
A/n: Once again we have to tolerate Claudius and Carissa the big bad bullies. But what do you guys think of the chapter? Tell us in the reviews please! I see that we are almost at 300 reviews; it would be AMAZING if we could get there with this chapter!