"Meeting you was fate; becoming your friend was a choice; but falling in love with you was beyond my control."

Chapter 25

Corin was just plain tired of this game these two love birds are playing. And he just told Edmund two days ago that he'd better make his move! And what was he doing? King Edmund was spending his time more with Hashreen and less with Tawny. Edmund has lost it. Tawny, who was now desperately trying to take a good view at Edmund behind a pillar, was whispering under her breath furiously. Malric lay lazily behind the young prince, and Corin himself was looking back and forth at Tawny beside him and Edmund a few feet away.

"You should go talk to him," said Corin.

"And ruin the perfect moment between him and Mashreen?" she said sarcastically.

"Hashreen," he corrected.

"That's what I said,"

"No you didn't,"

"I think I know what I said,"

"You said Mash—"

"Would you just go ahead?" Malric said. "Instead of hiding behind this pillar and spying on his Majesty."

"We're not hiding," Tawny turned to Malric behind them. "We're being inconspicuous. And I'm observing not spying."

"Yeah sure," the coyote said.

"You're jealous, aren't you?" said Corin.

"How could you say that?" Tawny said.

"Don't deny, Tawny. I know it all started the day before yesterday, you know, when we saw Hashreen take those fruits to Ed."

"That's not it,"

"Yeah it is."

"All I'm fussing about is Edmund ignoring us! He's too busy with his…new friend! Haven't you noticed?" Tawny explained.

And indeed, Corin had to agree. Edmund seemed a little distant to them, especially towards Tawny. The young king had been with Hashreen all the time. It's pretty strange.

"Then talk to him about it!" said Corin.

"No! Why me?"

"Because I said so. I'm the prince here, not you! Go on!" He was trying to push his friend outside the refuge of the pillar. "There he is, look! Now's your chance!"

Tawny was resisting, "No! If you want talking, you do it, not me!"

Malric stood up. He had enough of this nonsense.

"This is the courtyard, your Majesty," Hashreen said sweetly. "The Tisroc, may he live forever, really loves holding events here."

"Really?" Edmund said. Hashreen thought that Edmund was falling in her trap all too quickly, thanks to her charms.

"No!" they heard someone say. Edmund spun around to see Tawny almost dropping on the floor.

"What the--?"

Tawny regained her balance. Truth was, Malric nudged her in the shin forcefully that she finally came out from behind the pillar. Malric and Corin both ran away as quickly as they can before Edmund can even notice them, leaving Tawny.

"I keep finding you in the unexpected places," Edmund greeted.

"Yes, well…" Tawny mumbled. Edmund walked closer to her while Hashreen followed.

"Where are the other two?"

"Er…"

"Tawny, this is Hashreen," Edmund said, gesturing towards the gypsy. "Hashreen, this is my good friend Tawny."

Both shook hands but Hashreen squeezed Tawny's hand rather tightly, and not in a good way. Tawny tried to smile, but she can't really force herself.

"Hashreen!" someone called sternly. It was Levina. She walked on to the three and when she reached them, "Your Majesty, apologies for my niece. She might've been a bother." When she said the word bother, she looked to Tawny and gave a supposed-to-be-polite nod. Tawny noticed this, and whether Levina did this on purpose or not, she did not care.

"She's not a bother," Edmund said. "She was just showing me around."

It's been weeks since we've been here and this is the only time someone shows you around? Tawny thought.

"Pardon us, but I need to take her now," Levina said. "Rehearsal for the next performance."

"That is no problem," Edmund said. "Thank you Hashreen for giving me a part of your time to tour me."

Hashreen had a sour look on her face which Tawny was thoughtlessly enjoying. "Yes, sire. How about some other time?"

"Yes, maybe," Edmund said. Levina and Hashreen bowed and left, with the latter glancing back and smiling at Edmund as her aunt half-dragged her away.

"So," Edmund said. "What we're you doing back there?"

"Nothing," she frowned.

"Well, I'd really like to do nothing some time with you," he laughed.

"That joke is not even funny," Tawny said bitterly. Edmund's laugh faltered and somehow, he was able to hide it as a cough.

"Yeah, it isn't. I was trying too hard,"

"Alright, I have to leave," Tawny started walking away when Edmund blocked her.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"I don't know,"

"Can we at least walk?"

Tawny thought about it. This is what she wanted right? For Edmund to notice her again? "Fine."

"Something in your mind?" Edmund asked her. "You seem…different."

"You seem different yourself," Tawny fired back.

"I didn't mean it negatively,"

Silence… and more walking.

"She's a new friend," Tawny stated out of the blue.

"About her, have I told you," Edmund said. "She's Levina's niece."

"What?"

"Yes!"

"That's why," Tawny breathed. That's why she's such a--

"That's why what?"

"Nothing,"

This time, Edmund got frustrated, "Why don't you tell me anything now? You used to talk a lot before."

"Well, you never were around a lot. You were too busy with her."

"So this is what it's about, huh?" Edmund smiled. "You're jealous!"

"If you're going on like that I'd leave now,"

Edmund laughed, "Would you smile? Come on, play nice. Tell you what, meet me here at sunset."

Tawny stopped on her tracks, "What?"

"Later, at sunset. Meet me here. Alright? Please? And don't bring anyone with you."

"Sure," Tawny said skeptically.

Edmund decided it was finally the time to act. He smiled enthusiastically to Tawny, "Alright, I'll see you." And he left.

On the other hand, Hashreen and Levina were discussing rather heatedly.

"What were you doing?" Levina asked.

"You sound as if I was doing something wrong!" Hashreen told her. "I was only showing him around!"

"Oh you were, weren't you? Stop making a fool of yourself! He'll never—"

"Would you quit telling me that he'll never take interest on someone like me? Haven't you noticed how often we've been together now? And it was only in two days' time! Haven't you seen the girl's face? This might actually work," Hashreen said as she pulled her arm out of her aunt's grip. "And besides, what have you got against Edmund and me? Don't you see the advantage you'll get?"

Levina listened. Hashreen is talking about her advantage now, "What do you mean advantage?"

"If Edmund and I got much closer…closer than friends should be, I would very much be glad to share some with you," she said.

"You two?" Levina scoffed. "Closer than friends should be? Get your head out of the clouds! And share some with me? Some what? Unbelievable!"

"Gold, gold is what you want, right?"

"He wouldn't be interested in you!"

Hashreen raised her voice, "Why won't you just trust me with this?"

Levina clicked her tongue, "You want me to trust you? Alright, not only will I trust you with this but I will also leave you alone. And if you ever get hurt, don't go to me because I will not care about you when that time comes. You do whatever you want!"

"Lord Peridan," said Edmund. The young king found the Narnia courtier having a stroll inside the Tisroc's palace. "I've got a question to ask you?"

"Your Majesty," greeted Peridan.

"Er…how do the opposite gender…?

"How do they what?" said Peridan curiously.

"You know…"

"Ah," he said as he understood. "Are you pertaining to Miss Tawny--?"

"Shh! Shh! Someone might hear you!"

"Oh," Peridan lowered his voice. "Sorry sire! What is it about the feminine mind you wanted to know?"

"You know…" Edmund shifted uncomfortably.

"Oh dear, you should've gone to see Queen Susan. She's a female you know."

"But I don't want to talk to a girl!"

Peridan scratched his chin knowingly, "Yes, but you've been seeing that gypsy girl a lot lately. How about that, eh?"

"That was for research," the young king reasoned. "I tried if I can divulge how a girl's mind works. But the research failed. Hashreen seemed so different to…you know who."

"By you know who, you meant Miss Tawny, right your Majesty?"

"Not so loud, Peridan!"

"Right, right…" Lord Peridan nodded his head. "Well, what was it that you needed to know? You've known her for, how long is it… two years?"

"You know what kind of girl she is right?" Edmund started. "What do you think is the best approach: subtle and sensitive or straight to the point? What do you think she wouldn't take so awkwardly?"

"She would not take your approach awkwardly if you yourself are not awkward," Peridan said, trying to sound wise. "Why are you asking about an approach anyway?"

"Nothing, Peridan," he said uneasily as he started to leave. The courtier was asking too much questions! "And thank you!" After three seconds, Edmund went back to Peridan and asked, "Is my cape too much for a walk outside?" He said, holding up his wrap to show Peridan.

Lord Peridan shook his head, chuckling softly. Edmund left. It was just a very different Edmund you'd see today, compared to a great brave warrior during wars and a fair and deep-thinking counsel at courts.

The young king had been standing on their meeting spot for several minutes now, and he was trying hard not to lose his patience. His eagerness and nerves were mixing up inside of him. Edmund wanted it to be over and at the same time to last longer. He soon heard footsteps and next thing he knew, the person he'd been waiting for was standing right in front of him with a curious frowning face.

"You came," Edmund said with a shy smile.

"If I didn't come, you'd hunt me down," Tawny said dryly.

"A little true," he said then laughed nervously.

"Why do you want me here?"

"Nothing, I just want to take you to er, places. Come on."

Edmund lead the way going outside the palace and to the Tashbaan streets. The orange grayish sky made everything look dustier but a little foreboding, but Tawny didn't mind. She was reluctant but happy with Edmund's company.

"Hashreen mentioned this once to me," Edmund said. Hashreen, Tawnt thought. What now? "I think you'll like it."

"What?" she asked as she tried to keep up with Edmund while busy and bustling Calormene peasants go through the streets with them. "What is it?"

He didn't answer her question. Finally, they stopped at a street corner where many kids are crowding at. On a raised platform where everyone's attention was, an old man was telling a story in a most grand way that Calormenes were famous for. Tawny can't help smiling. She wanted to hear Calormene story-telling years ago but Levina had forbidden her. Now, it would be her first time. She forgot about Edmund and just listened to the old man telling a fable. Edmund, meanwhile, stares at her happy face with a grin he's fighting so hard to hide. It was a good start. Seeing her happy like that. She really has a shallow standard for happiness. When the story was over and the crowd of children started to disperse, the sun already set. Edmund asked Tawny if she wanted to walk around for a bit. Tawny agreed.

"I told you you'd like it," he tried to break the silence.

"Thanks for taking me there," Tawny said. "Why did you do that?"

Edmund shrugged, "I thought…nothing."

"Nothing seems to be the word of the day, huh?"

"Yeah,"

"So, you must need something right? I mean, why else would you be so unusually…unusual to me?"

Edmund snorted, "Unusually unusual? Oh please. I just took you. Big deal."

Tawny wiped the sweat off her forehead. It was better than fidgeting your hands. This Edmund noticed, and he commented about it.

"It's really warm,"

"Rain is seldom here,"

Edmund agreed, "Yes, I don't think it ever rained here."

"No, it rained here for several times already," Tawny informed.

"Liar," the young king joked.

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"No,"

"What if it rained tonight?" asked Tawny. "Would you believe me it rains here?"

"Sure, but chances are, it wouldn't rain tonight?" Edmund teased.

Tawny puffed obstinately, "But seriously, if it rains tonight…?" She wasn't quite sure about what she just said but Tawny surely hoped that it rained that night to show Edmund.

"O mother, don't you think that the heavens look peculiar today?" They heard a Calormene boy asked his mother.

The boy's mother laughed merrily, "O my son and o the delight of my eyes, the heavens do look peculiar."

Tawny raised an eyebrow to Edmund, "Heard that? And see that?" she pointed to the sky. "Maybe it will rain after all."

"Sure it will," Edmund replied sarcastically. "But I know it won't."

They continued to walk on, just going around and around. The two were silent, but it wasn't really an awkward silence. It was now like a sensible silence. Suddenly, Edmund felt a soft shower; it was drizzling.

"What?!" he exclaimed.

"I told you so," Tawny said, laughing. "Didn't I tell you it might rain tonight?"

"Yeah, rub it in my face," Edmund said. People were scurrying to get under shelter as the drizzle was beginning to get stronger.

"I wouldn't, not now that your face is wet!" Tawny laughed.

Edmund sighed irritably, "Stupid. Get in here." He took off his cape and held it above his head and Tawny's to find refuge from the light rain. Edmund suggested they run going back to the Tisroc's palace. So they ran. Tawny can't help laughing along the way, especially when Edmund almost slipped for a few times. Edmund laughed too, but he was worried. What if it would not work out as he planned it? Finally, they reached the palace and got on a veranda.

"That was fun," Tawny snorted. "Now we're wet. And I win."

"Win what exactly?" Edmund said while checking the condition of his cape. It was wet all over. And so were they.

"It rained," she said. "I win self-righteousness and the all-good satisfaction because I proved that a highly confident and handsome king, such as yourself to be wrong in judgment."

"No, you win smugness, which is a bad thing. Hey, did you just call me handsome?"

Tawny bit her lip, Great. "You can prove no such thing."

Edmund stared at her for four very long seconds. "What?" Tawny said awkwardly.

He looked away, squeezing the water out of his drenched wrap. "Do you get those times when you have a chance to do or say something but you don't know exactly how to do it…or say it?"

Tawny laughed, "You're so serious all of a sudden."

"Well, yeah, because this is a serious moment."

"Why is this a serious moment?"

Edmund didn't look like he was going to answer her question. "I'm trying to tell you something."

"Then what is it?"

"Why do you think you came to live with us in Narnia?" Edmund asked.

"I don't know…because you're brother bought me?" She almost smirked at how stupid that sounded.

"But you agreed that he'd buy you, right? Why do you think that is?"

"Because you lot seemed nice?"

"And?" He pried.

"Where are we going with this?" she asked, confused. "I don't understand why we're talking like this."

"I don't know too," Edmund mumbled. He went silent for a while. But just before Tawny could say that she's going inside, he said, "Listen, maybe it was just a chance for you to experience a happy life that's why you came to Narnia."

"Yeah," Tawny replied, still confused. "It was a great deal of opportunity. Too big of a chance to let pass."

"Like this is a chance,"

"Huh?"

Edmund wore a frustrated how-can-I-say-this-the-right way expression and shook his head and shivered at the same time. Tawny laughed after seeing the way he acted. If only you have seen how he looked like, you would've also laughed like Tawny, who was now being hysterical and out of control. Edmund, after looking idiotic with all the shaking and the funny expression, stared at the guffawing Tawny incredulously. How can she laugh at a time like this? But he had to seize the moment. It was this chance or nothing at all.

"Tawny?" Edmund said softly and reluctantly.

"What?" she said, still laughing. All at once, Tawny stopped snickering. Their lips were too busy. So let us leave them peacefully to that. I have told you their moments but their first kiss seems a little bit too private to be narrated and described, right?

But somewhere standing on the stairs of the veranda, Hashreen was hiding in the shadows. She clutched her chest at how much it hurts. The two up there (who were, as said before, rather busy) didn't notice that Edmund's damp wrap fell down the veranda. Hashreen silently caught it and held it tightly. She buried her face wet with tears into it.

"I'll go now," someone whispered uncertainly. The gypsy heard light scurrying footsteps going away. She looked up and saw Edmund leaning on the ledge of the veranda. A gleeful exuberant smiled played on his lips. That smile belonged to someone else; someone named Tawny Harper. Hashreen went away as quiet as possible. A fresh new set of tears crawled down her cheeks.

But beyond a blooming couple's bliss and a secret lover's pained emotions, inside a spacious secluded room, a father and son were talking.

"O Father and O the delight of my eyes," Prince Rabadash said. His tone was of restricting anger. "I am losing my patience. The Barbarian Queen still has not deicided. Please provide me with your judicious counsel."

"O my Son and O the delight of my eyes," the Tisroc replied. "Patience. I want a marriage between you and the queen for because of that, I shall have control over the northern countries. But be patient." The Tisroc ordered the dumb slaves to open the door for him and he got out. Prince Rabadash was left alone in the dark. He clenched his fists. Ugly thoughts raced inside the prince's head again. I'd rather not tell you, as it might ruin the light romance mentioned earlier.

"Thought the chances to meet somebody like you were a million to one; I can't believe it..."

-- One in a Million; Sandy Molling

Apologies for wrong grammars and spellings.

The quote above reached my knowledge thanks to accioedwardtnp.

And cheers for my reviewers especially -stuck in my world- and the one with no name. It was a special mention because I couldn't email you with my thanks (=

Ah! Sorry about the wrong published chapter. I was so sleepy when I published this, dang it!