Chapter Eight-Green with Envy

It was five minutes until eight o'clock, which was the time Susan's ball was to start. At Susan's insistence, Melanie had allowed her scarlet tresses to be wound in a tight bun adorned with silver pins. She wore the ivory silk dress embroidered with the tiny pink roses Susan had sewn herself. Though Melanie thought it a bit extravagant, she could not help but admire Susan's skills at this moment, and secretly felt that Peter just might be jealous if she was seen with Rynal of the Lone Islands.

Melanie and Lucy were waiting outside Susan's chambers rather impatiently.

"Come on Susan," Lucy called through the heavy oak doors. "We'll be late, and we can't be late to your birthday celebration."

"I'll be right there," Susan replied. "Give me one second."

Lucy rolled her deep brown eyes, making Melanie smile slightly.

"Here I am!" an annoying voice called.

Melanie groaned, knowing it was Aleutia.

"Lucy, darling, you look lovely," Aleutia commented, bending to hug the youngest Queen. "Lady Melody…well, I'm sure you tried."

Susan's appearance made Melanie refrain from lighting the Archenland Princess's dress on fire.

"Come, everyone, we can't be late," Susan giggled happily.

The four girls walked through the magnificent castle, Susan and Aleutia chattering loudly about the social standings of various guests.

Edmund, Peter and two others Melanie didn't recognize greeted them in the entrance hall. Susan walked over to the darker-looking one and introduced him as Rabadash from Calormen. She took his arm and waited near one pair of doors. Edmund and Lucy queued up behind them. Smiling slightly, Peter walked over to Melanie, but she'd already taken Rynal's muscular arm.

His good mood rapidly ebbing, he scowled and allowed Aleutia to dig her claws into him.

Peter led Aleutia and the others into the ballroom, still mad that Rynal had actually took Melanie from him.

'No matter,' he thought. 'Melanie didn't really have anything to do with it. As soon as the dancing begins, I shall be the one who sweeps her off her feet.'

They sat down at the banquet table. Many toasts were proposed to the Queen's good health and happiness. To Peter, it dragged on for hours…and hours…Aleutia was painfully boring…who cared about her rose garden? It made him feel worse that Melanie was a few seats along from him, laughing loudly at Rynal's jokes.

Finally Susan announced she was finished and the Narnian orchestra began playing immediately.

Peter's face fell when he saw that Melanie was already dancing with Rynal.

"Dance with me, Peter," Aleutia said from behind him.

'If that's how Melanie's going to be, two can play this game,' Peter thought. "Of course, Princess," Peter agreed.

The fauns of the orchestra were playing a slow, rather mournful tune. This required a slower dance style, of course. Peter put one hand on Aleutia's waist and the other enveloped her smaller more delicate one.

Melanie glared in the direction of the princess until remembering she was trying to make Peter jealous. Turning back to Rynal, she rested her head against his chest.

Peter looked absolutely livid. 'Melanie is trying to make me jealous…it's her plan,' he reminded himself furiously. 'Don't play into it.'

The song ended after what seemed like ages. Releasing Aleutia, Peter looked around for Melanie, only to find that she and Rynal had vanished.

"Melanie's gone to the apple orchard with Rynal, if you're looking for her," Lucy said as if she was reading Peter's mind.

Peter frowned, told Lucy to tell anyone who looked for him he'd be outside, and stalked from the Grand Ballroom.

Indeed, Melanie and Rynal were in the orchard. The trees were still developing, but it was clear they'd be gigantic in a few years' time.

They were sitting on a small stone bench and appeared to be talking quietly.

Peter didn't know what to do as he watched the Governor's son pull Melanie into a tight hug, which she returned readily enough. He wanted to be the one holding her tonight, wanted it ten times more than Rynal did, but Peter knew deep down that he couldn't do anything. Melanie clearly just wanted to be friends with him and nothing else. It hurt.

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"Rynal," Melanie began.

"We can't talk here," he interrupted. "Let's go somewhere more private."

She followed him out of a side door through a maze of hallways, and out into the still-growing apple orchard.

"Aren't the stars lovely?" he asked pleasantly.

"Yes, I suppose," Melanie agreed. "Listen, I have to talk with you. It's important."

"If this is about making King Peter jealous, Queen Susan has already had me informed, Lady," Rynal said gently. "I have no qualms about helping you capture the High King's heart."

"I'm sorry," Melanie murmured.

"There is no reason to feel sorry, Lady Melanie. I am happy to help."

Grinning at Rynal's kindness, Melanie flung herself upon him, squeezing him tightly.

Twenty feet away, Peter's heart broke.

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Melanie and the Governor's son appeared in the ballroom right after Peter's reentrance. Acting as though nothing had happened, Melanie approached Peter where he sat in a corner, scowling at the ground.

"Peter?" she asked gently. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he said gruffly.

Melanie sank into the small chair next to him. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Want to dance?" she asked timidly.

"Not really," Peter spat.

"What's wrong, Aleutia wouldn't approve?" Melanie queried rather harshly. "You always seem to do whatever she wants."

"This has nothing to do with Aleutia," Peter hissed. "This is about you and Rynal."

"I didn't realize I needed your permission to dance with someone," Melanie snapped. "He's been really nice to me, and doesn't say he hates someone and then follow her around."

"I don't follow Aleutia around," Peter said.

"Then why did you leave the tower when she came in and said you should return to your chambers?" Melanie countered.

"That had nothing to do with her," Peter said quietly. "It just wasn't until she came in that I realized what I was doing."

Melanie's expression softened. "And what was it that you were intending to do?" she asked gently, finding his hand and placing hers on top of it.

"I was going to…kiss you."

Hee hee hee…evil cliff –hangers…

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Love,

Queenie