After hearing the story Eustace had left Jill and Rilian to get settled into his rooms. Finding himself free until dinner, he went for a stroll through the castle courtyard. So, he thought, Jill's queen now. He smiled. He'd always liked Jill and was happy to see her so well settled, and Rilian obviously adored her.

Why then was he so bothered by seeing the two of them together? He couldn't explain it. They were both his friends, seeing them married should make him happy. He kicked a rock. He was happy for them... and he wasn't. He couldn't explain it.

"Good afternoon, My Lord," Eustace looked up to see a very pretty girl with long dark hair approach. She was obviously a courtier of some sort – addressing him by a title he didn't know he had.

"My Lady," he answered. He wasn't happy to have been interrupted.

"I am Lady Adelaide of the Lone Islands," she introduced herself. Eustace bowed. "And you are the Lord Eustace?"

"I am."

"I thought so. I very much wanted to meet you. I believe you once knew my grandfather, Lord Bern?"

"Yes!" Eustace's eyes lit up at the memory. "Indeed, when we sailed the Dawn Treader to the world's end. He's your grandfather?"

"Was my grandfather. He passed away quite a few years ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"Well, he had a good long life. My father's now the Duke. I came to Narnia as his messenger." Eustace nodded. "Did I interrupt you?"

"No, no," he lied. "I was just taking a stroll."

"May I join you?" he really didn't want her company, but he knew he couldn't refuse, so he accepted and they walked on.

"So you have returned to Narnia again," she observed.

"Yes. I didn't expect to see it so different."

"Oh surely it hasn't changed that much. When you were last here, wasn't Rilian still king?"

"Yes, but he hadn't been crowned yet. And Jill..."

"Oh yes, the Queen! She was from your world – a friend of yours before she came back and married the king!"

Eustace groaned. So this is now a folktale? "Yes she was." He couldn't hide the sharpness from his voice.

"Oh dear," Adelaide picked up on his tone. "I suppose since you have just returned, it must be quite unexpected."

"I'd rather not discuss it if you don't mind," he didn't feel ready or patient enough to talk to this strange girl about Jill. Adelaide blushed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

"It's alright," he shouldn't have snapped at her and he knew it. "So, tell me, how are the Islands? And how in the world could you bear to leave them at this time of year?" she laughed.

"I've lived there all my life. They're beautiful, especially Bernstead – my grandfather's estate – but I love to travel. I always wanted to see Narnia, I remember Grandad telling me stories about it. Beaversdam and Aslan's How, and the Fords of Beruna!" Eustace couldn't keep from laughing at the girl's excitement. "I suppose it sounds rather silly."

"No, not at all. I didn't mean to laugh – you just remind me so of – "

"Who?"

"Jill." She smiled. He instantly changed the subject. "So your father sent you as his messenger?"

"Yes," she said staring at the ground. "I'm afraid political relations are a little strenuous right now."

"What do you mean?" Eustace's head snapped up worriedly.

"You see, Narnia has – do you really want me to go into all this? It's rather complicated."

"Please tell me, I love the islands. I'm very interested."

"Well the islands have been ruled by Narnia for centuries, and it's done the best it could, but the laws haven't been reviewed in seventy years – not since Caspian X made my grandfather the first Duke. The islanders feel the crown doesn't care about their concerns, just their tax money. We're asking for a voice in the court, so we have a say –"

"A representative? You mean you don't have one?!" Eustace was shocked.

"Well, no. It's a rather new idea – some might say unheard of – we've never asked for one before."

"But that's taxation without representation! We lost a whole country doing that!" Adelaide looked confused but nodded.

"Well the king may not share your opinion. It is rather presumptuous I suppose –"

"Of course Rilian will agree! It's pure evil to just govern people without a say, it's... tyranny!" Eustace was finally grateful he had found some use for his political philosophy classes at uni.

Adelaide lowered her eyes. "I could never speak so of our king," she said quietly. "The crown of Narnia has been more than kind over the years and does deserve our respect. I'm afraid my proposals will seem ungrateful."

"Your proposals? I thought you said you were here as your father's messenger."

"Oh – yes. That's what I meant," she said a little too quickly. "My father's proposals."

"Alright," said Eustace sitting down. "Suppose you tell me the truth."