hey guys! here's the next chapter, i just wanted to thank you all for your reviews

special thanks to Daughter of the Lion, i really appreciate your help

love you all good reading

Chapter XXIV

The next day, Edmund was standing in his study listening to guard's report.

"Your majesty," Roop, one of the knight mice began "As you predicted, sire, the traitor did indeed come out last night, an hour after midnight, we spotted a cloaked figure exciting the eastern gates, we followed the suspect, but couldn't determinate the gender, another person was waiting for him in the woods, a woman by her voice, only the other didn't speak. They'll meet today by the caves bellow Cair Paravel, at midnight to be exact. What are your orders, sire?"

"Nothing for now, you may leave, and please fetch my sister queen Lucy, tell her to come to me at this very moment and that it is a matter of urgency."

"Aye, your Majesty." Roop bowed to his king before leaving the study.

Edmund paced the room, awaiting his sister. The latest knocked on the door not long after and entered the room after he granted her permission.

"Ed, what is the matter?"

"I believe we have a golden chance to end this betrayal once and for all." He recounted all the information he received and asked for her opinion.

"I believe we can ambush them inside the caves, but that would be danger for us also, so the only option left is luring them outside, or wait on them."

"I prefer the second option, better be safe than sorry. How about our escort?"

"Two men, and both of us, no more. Do not breathe a word to the rest, they'll want caution and order more guards than necessary, you know how our brother can be, and god, Susan is even worse when it comes to our safety."

"Don't worry Lucy, I wasn't planning on it, Trumpkin and Sir Roop will accompany us."

"Guess we have our plan."

"No, actually, we don't, we're going in blindfolded, but I guess we'll have to take our chances."

"We'll make it, don't worry. Have faith."

"I don't know Lu, I have a really bad feeling"

"I'm scared too, but we have to know who betrayed us, I will not let this go"

"Nor I"

"Now come dear brother, let us spend our day in peace, shall we?"

"Of course dear sister."

They found the rest of the company seated in a pavilion, situated in the middle of Lucy's garden (Caspian's gift), enjoying the good air of early summer. The just king and his younger sister joined them around the small table where biscuits, tea, and a variety of pastries were displayed. Edmund sat himself beside Annabelle, and Lucy, seeing no chairs were left, made of Caspian's lap a seat. He instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist while the other handed her a cup of tea.

"Really, you two, can you get any more obvious?" Peter asked irritated.

"What? Does our display of affection displease, oh your magnificence?" Caspian teased.

"And you stop gripping my sister."

"She'll fall off."

"Then make her get up."

"Don't want to."

"Fetch her a chair."

"Too far."

"Call for a servant."

"They have better to do."

"Give her your seat."

"Okay, stop talking like I'm not here." Lucy interrupted "and I'm very comfortable where I am, thank you."

Peter gave up, and tried to ignore the snickers coming from around the table while his sister drank from her cup after whispering something like 'stop teasing my brother' to Caspian. He only responded by a cocky smile and a kiss on her cheek.

"So what are your plans for today?" Edmund asked the company.

"No idea." Susan responded.

"Why not the beach? The weather is so hot, a little swim would be perfect." Anne suggested.

"The beach it is then." Peter affirmed. They all dispersed to change into their swimming garments. Nothing special, just some clothes that they didn't mind wetting and that are easy to dry off.

The women wore simple creamy or white dresses, while the men chose simple breeches and white tunics. They made their way down the staircase that was built for these occasions and in no less than ten minutes, they were already spreading the blankets on the soft golden sand. While his lady was busy talking to his younger sister, Edmund took the opportunity to sneak behind and before Anne could react she was thrown on his shoulder and thrown in the cool water. She screamed in outrage and began chasing him while he laughed so loud that a few curious court ladies came down to see what was happening. Of course they grabbed the opportunity and joined their sovereigns, especially the men, for a swim. Lucy grabbed her oldest siblings and Caspian, leading them to a small cliff perfect for diving. Poor Susan, afraid of heights, turned every shade of green, before closing her eyes and diving soon followed by Peter, who performed a perfect dive. With her attention on her brother, Lucy almost forgot it was her turn. Caspian grew impatient, and picked her bridal style like she weighted nothing, earning admiring sighs from the ladies watching. While still surprised, she wrapped her arms around his neck and smirked at him:

"You always have to put on a show."

"Of course, you better hold your breath gorgeous."

And just like that they found themselves diving from the cliff, while the court women were glaring at Lucy. Yes jealous is not pretty.

Half an hour later, a fuss was raking high on the beach. It all started when Adam threw wet sand at Lucy, who of course returned it, until it turned into a full sand fight. The men's tunics clang to their bodies and felt uncomfortable due to all the amount of sand that managed to get stuck. So without any other choice, they took off their upper clothing to reveal impeccable muscled torsos. Edmund, Peter, Adam and Caspian had the bodies of Greek gods, so of course any woman in her right mind would be ogling them. But sadly for court ladies, their reverie ended too soon, right when the other royals remarked the dark red almost blue mark on Caspian's chest, just above his heart. Then like it was told earlier, the fuss began.

Susan and Annabelle jumped on Lucy checking her mark, which was similar to Caspian's.

"Oh my god!" the gentle queen exclaimed.

"I thought you knew yesterday."

"I thought you were joking."

"Oh please." She rolled her eyes and turned around to give Caspian a look which he responded to by smirking at her, while her brothers were still gaping at their youngest sister. Peter, much to everyone's joy, didn't utter a word and shuddered, not wanting to talk about it, think about it and absolutely not argue about it, while Edmund just shook his head, not in the least affected. It's ridiculous how could he just their actions while he did the same. The other ladies looked scandalized, and after huffing and throwing their noses in the air, they left, thank God.

"At least now they know who you belong to." The valiant queen whispered in Caspian's ear.

"I may have forgotten, care to remind me?" she leaned by kissing him deeply but before he even had time to respond she pulled back, smirking.

"You're mine." She said while tabbing the mark and then left him feeling more than irritated.

"You're such a tease." He shouted so she could hear over the sound of waves.

"I KNOW!"

The night came and Edmund dreaded his task, longing for their fun time in the morning, but duty called. Donned by his armor, he led the way to the caverns, closely followed by Lucy, Roop and Trumpkin. At midnight straight, the same cloaked figure went inside the cave, while they were hiding behind rocks. Whispers soon followed, proving that the other party was there as well, and that was their cue. Trumpkin and Lucy went for the woman while Edmund wanted to handle the traitor himself.

Before even having time to respond to the threat, the two suspects were surrounded. The valiant queen, not having the patience, knocked her opponent out cold by hit on the head while Edmund faced his own, realizing it was a woman, one that he knew very well, too well. Feeling a stab of pain, he wished it wasn't her but after carefully turning her around, he had no doubt, fearing the outcome, and hoping it was a mistake, he gently whispered her name in a shaking voice:

"A-Annabelle?"

Don't kill me! i know a cliff hanger but i promise i'll update as soon as possible

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