A table for two was ready in the castle's gazebo by the garden grounds. Historically, this gazebo used to be Lucy's favorite place to spend time after the end of the White Witch. Today it was used for a lunch date. Edmund sat there, waiting. He was glad Annabelle hadn't arrived yet. He felt nervous and he had been thinking a lot about what would become of them. If their feelings were mutual and the problem in Narnia had finished, he would have to go back to his own world and leave her. He didn't want to play this feelings, it is not his personality to woo someone and leave them just like that.

Then he saw her walk to the gazebo. His unsureness had to be put in the back for now. He wished for her to have a good time as she had to recuperate her health. He stood up to help sit in her chair. Annabelle shyly giggled, thanking him as she sat down, whilst Edmund pushed the chair for her.

"How are you, Annabelle?" he asked as he sat down with a thumping heart.

"Very well, My King, I have started running in the courtyard... Pardon, please do not see me during my therapy... I look very silly."

He smiled. "Just call me Edmund, if you please, while we're on a date, you don't have to see me as a King. I have been calling you Annabelle all this time, it's only fair."

"O-oh," she blushed. "A- a date, of course... Um... This is... This is lovely, My Ki- Pardon... Edmund." Her flusteredness was cute and Edmund laughed. She smiled sheepishly. "Perhaps I need time to get used to calling you by name... I highly respect you, you see. I don't want to be rude."

"You are far from that, you're very lovely Annabelle, don't worry," Edmund spoke and perhaps it impressed her as Annabelle's eyes widened in delight.

They spent some time there with a servant arriving with a trolley tray filled with appetizer, main course, and dessert. Edmund could see that despite Annabelle's cheery speech, her posture was still unrelaxed. She was unsure how casual she should be. Edmund couldn't force her how to act and didn't want to be too casual as well to her in worry she might feel uncomfortable. Despite that, their conversation progressed to talk about their childhood past. Of course Edmund would tell her more about the White Witch, the Telmarines, and the Dawn Treaders. Annabelle was completely invested in his version of the history. He slipped in to joke against Eustace, then she laughed. He was glad she found him funny. He wanted to talk about London, but it confused her, so he didn't ring too much about it. Then it was her turn to tell her past.

"I was a rebel, actually. I like to climb trees or hop on my father's donkey to see the Valley of Flowers. I was a big fan of Queen Susan, I have wanted to learn how to use a bow and arrow so I made it my own and practice when I could. My father wanted me to stay in school and be at home to learn glass making, but all I wanted was to play and shoot arrows," she laughed remembering the old times. "It was simple really... We lived humbly yet rich with resources. King Caspian is a lovely ruler and I'm sure his son will follow his footsteps to keep us living this way. I was happy back then..."

"Are you not happy now?"

"Oh, I am happy still, I am happy right now that I get to spend time with you, of course. It's just..." she looked down and contemplated for a moment. "I'm still angered of my mother. What she had done to me. She put a curse on me when I was 16 and I wake up to find myself living 3 years later. I remember her like it was a couple of days ago. Unlike my father who had accepted this fate for three years since then, my anger is still ever present."

Edmund had to give a moment of silence and see her clearly. Annabelle was frowning deeply and deep in thought. "If I am allowed to ask, why did your mother put a curse on you?"

After her third breaths, she confessed. "I should have died three years ago... My mother was a wizardess. Not a brilliant one like Barnaby, but she knows decent spells and she has seer ability. She saw my future one day, somehow... I was supposed to die of illness three years ago... Then she puts the necklace on me..."

The silence went on so long that it felt like a hundred years had passed. "Then... your mother exchanged her life for your stead?"

"Yes... She did so. I tried to reason with her, but she didn't want to understand it."

"That is... terrible."

"I know... I would need time to forgive the act of her own fault. But overall I am doing fine now. I'm slowly regaining my strength."

"That's good then... Maybe I can take you horse riding some day... When you're strong enough, I hope."

Her smile was back. "I would love that very much, Edmund."