"More bread, Liana?"
"No thank you, High King."
"Edmund, could you pass me the jam?"
"Its near your elbow, Lucy, honestly."
"Peter, did you get my message about the ball next week?"
"Yes, but I-"
"Susan, can you bloody well stop hosting so many parties?"
"The Summer Dance is almost here, Ed, I have to get all these engagements over with before the delegation from Calormen arrives!"
"Is Prince Rabadash coming?"
"Unfortunately."
"Don't hate him so much, Ed, just try to stick him with your sword this year."
"Thanks for the encouragement, Pete."
"Oh, Susan, I wish you'd forget to invite him one of these years."
"Lucy! That's rude!"
"But you said last week you wish people would stop reminding you to invite him!"
Susan huffed and Liana cracked her first smile of the morning at the antics of the two sisters. She felt Edmund squeeze her hand and snuck a look at him from the corner of her eye. He was not looking at her, but his thumb continued to make soothing circles on her palm. His shoulders were tense; she knew he was worried about her. She sighed quietly and squeezed his hand back. Dabbing her mouth with her napkin, she gently removed her hand from his grip and made to stand up from the table. Immediately, Lucy bounded up as well.
"Are you going to the Houses, Liana? May I come with you?"
Liana smiled a little more. "Of course." The young queen ran to fetch her sash and Susan followed her, rolling her eyes and giving Liana a quick smile. Peter stood up from the table, patted her shoulder and walked out of the hall. Edmund stood up and turned to face her. He gently held up her hand and pressed a kiss to it before straightening up and smiling. Liana bit her lip and brushed the tips of her fingers against the dark marks under his eyes. "You are exhausted."
"I can't imagine why, since I have never slept more soundly than I did last night," Edmund winked at her. Liana smiled, but it was never more than a twitch of her lips. Her hair was slightly out of place and there was a wrinkle in her sash. Edmund's grin faltered. He leaned in and softly pressed his lips against her forehead. "Are you alright?" he murmured.
Her eyes fluttered close. "I've been better, but considering the circumstances…" she trailed off.
Edmund gently tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. "When does your shift end? I have some work to catch up on but I can see you later, in the afternoon."
"You don't have to, if you're busy."
"I want to see you, Liana."
Liana sighed, but nodded. "I wanted to take some time off to go see the children, but I can stay."
"No, go. I'll walk with you."
"Edmund-"
"Arguing isn't an option, Liana," his voice was hard. Liana flinched. Immediately, his face fell. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound like that."
"No, I understand. You're worried," she forced herself to smile and touched his cheek. "But you don't need to be."
"All I need is for you to be with me. Please," his voice was raw. "I don't want you going anywhere alone."
"I can look after myself."
"I know you can. I just want to look after you for a few days," Liana sighed, but Edmund was persistent. "Please?"
Liana bit her lip, but nodded slightly. "If it makes you feel better."
Edmund smiled a little and Liana felt his hand curve around her neck. "I can hardly wait," he murmured. His lips were soft against hers. Liana gripped the font of his tunic, holding him as close to her as she could. His free arm wrapped around her waist, pressing her against his chest. He broke the kiss and nuzzled her cheek affectionately. "I'll see you in the afternoon."
Liana nodded, but didn't let go. Edmund made no move to pull away either. Her lips twitched. "Edmund."
He grinned and released her from his embrace. Liana's smile grew wider as she took a step back. On her way out of the hall, she glanced over her shoulder. He hadn't moved. She rolled her eyes and waved. He grinned and watched her go out. When the door shut behind her, his smile faltered.
!
"Edmund told us about what happened to you last night," said Lucy quietly.
Liana paused while opening the medicine cupboard. She blinked and continued with her actions mechanically, as she had been doing all morning. "Yes, he told me he would mention it."
"I know you've already talked to Susan about it, but you can talk to me as well," Liana glanced back over her shoulder to see Lucy looking up at her with large, shining eyes. "We are friends too."
Liana smiled and got down from the small ladder she had been standing on. She held open her arms and Lucy darted forward, almost knocking her over with the force of her embrace. Liana laughed softly. "Dear Lucy, you have such a soft heart that I almost don't want to worry you with my troubles."
"But you should!"
Liana smiled and turned away, back to the cupboard. "There is nothing to worry about. I will quite like spending the night in Susan's room for a while. She doesn't sleep much, does she?"
Lucy rolled her eyes; Liana was thankful that the young queen was so easily distracted. "I don't understand how she is so put together all day when she barely sleeps for five hours at a time at night. All she does is read books and plan balls and write letters to all those noblewomen."
"She is a good queen. She knows her duties. When she is married, you will do the same."
"Not if Peter or Edmund get married before she does," something about her tone made Liana drop the vial she was holding. She picked it up hurriedly. She could almost hear Lucy smirk as she continued speaking as if nothing was wrong. "Then Susan's old duties would go to their wives and I am quite willing for this law to stay that way."
Liana murmured in agreement and returned to her vials. Lucy bounded off to see to a patient and Liana groaned as soon as she was alone, softly hitting her head against the wooden door of the cabinet.
"Liana?" her eyes flew open when she heard Peter's voice. She hopped down from the ladder and bobbed a quick curtsey, resisting the urge to rub her sore forehead and absently wondering whether she was to be interrogated by every member of the royal family that day.
"Your Grace. May I help you?"
Peter grinned. "Lucy done questioning you yet?"
Liana cracked a smile. "For the time being. Is it your turn now?"
He laughed. "Spare me that duty. I don't want to get on your bad side. I'm just here to get my blood pressure checked, and to ask if you're alright."
"The first task is easier than the second," Liana reached into the cupboard and pulled out her equipment. "Why are you getting it checked so soon after breakfast?"
"It's the easiest way to come and talk to you without arousing suspicion," Liana's eyes narrowed at Peter's lowered voice. "I understand the workings of the court a little better than my brother, Liana."
"I tried to tell him."
"I know you did. It seems everyone is on the same page except him."
"I agree."
"So you understand what the best step should be now."
Liana's hands froze in the act of rolling up Peter's sleeve. "I don't follow."
"Since you've made it clear to Edmund that someone in this castle does not approve of your relationship, the logical step is to make it less informal so as to give people less of a reason to object to the impropriety of it, at least. I've discussed this with Susan, and she agrees that at the Summer Dance you and Edmund will make a formal appearance alongside us, together, and open the ball," Liana dropped the small metal tube she was holding. Peter caught it before it hit the ground, as if he had expected such a reaction. "I understand you didn't plan on this happening, Liana," his voice was gentler now as he put the tube down and grasped her hand in both of his own. "Please, at least think over the idea. If you could just tell us whom you think is responsible, I promise I will look into it myself. But we cannot compromise on your safety if you plan to keep the information to yourself."
Liana took a deep breath and met Peter's eyes. She bit her lip. "Have you talked to King Edmund about this, High King?"
Peter shook his head. "I was hoping you could do it. You must understand, Liana, this is not a compulsion. I just need to come up with a solution since I am responsible for your safety while you are in my home. Discuss the idea, both of you, and tell me your decision. The Summer Dance is at least two months away, according to the centaurs. You can change your mind later if you want. No one will know of this except my siblings and me."
Liana sighed, but nodded. "I will talk to King Edmund, and I will discuss this with you as well. I just…" she trailed off and leaned back against the wall, clutching her head with her free hand. Peter squeezed her other hand sympathetically. "I didn't count on all this happening."
"Love is never easy," Peter smiled sadly. "I'll leave you now, shall I?"
Liana didn't hear him leave. Her head was spinning. Love wasn't supposed to be this difficult… was it?
