Disclaimer: I only own the plot and the bizarre idea of pairing Hermione Granger with Edmund Pevensie :) Oh, and other characters that aren't in both series.

A/N: So, chapter twenty-three is here and, like what I've said in the previous chapter, this one will be quite interesting.

Review afterwards and do enjoy reading!

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Proposal

A frenzied knock from Edmund's door roused him up from his sleep.

"Go away!" he groggily hollered, but the knocking seemed to become more persistent.

With a tired, annoyed sigh, he forced himself to stand up from his bed. His bare feet touched the cold, stone floor and he involuntarily shivered. He grabbed his robe hanging on the back of his chair and wore it around his shoulders.

He then opened the door and frowned. Caspian, looking so unlike himself, stood in front of his door. An unfathomable, almost crazed look shown clearly on the face of the Telmarine king. "What is it?" Edmund asked, now feeling highly curious.

"I… err… blast," Caspian uttered, running a shaky hand through his dark hair. "It's Susan…"

The name of his sister caught his interest. He straightened his back, worry written all over his face. "Susan? What about her?" he asked, a million possibilities running through his mind. Was she hurt? Was her baby all right? Or maybe… Edmund's jaw dropped, the most possible conclusion sticking into his mind. "Is it time?"

A strange look appeared on Caspian's face. A combination of hysteria, panic, horror, and absolute euphoria flashed across his face. "Y-yes," he blubbered out, his words strangely strangled due to the bursting of his feelings.

"All right, all right," Edmund said, trying to calm him down. "I'm going to call the Narnian Healer. Go alert Peter and Lucy as soon as possible. Be quick!"

Caspian did not need to be told twice. He took off even before Edmund could utter the word 'Narnia'. As soon as his brother-in-law was gone, a huge beam appeared on Edmund's face. He then swivelled around and ran to the opposite direction, meaning to find Langolly to proclaim the good news.

Hermione, with an amused smile on her face, watched as the other three Pevensies moved restlessly around. Lucy was fumbling furiously at the hem of her dress, her eyes wide and bright with anticipation and worry. Peter was, as usual, pacing. His hands were linked together at his back as he walked the small width of the corridor to and fro. Edmund seemed to be the most erratic of the three. His actions would just spontaneously change; one minute he'd be sitting down, the next he'd be standing up.

Caspian seemed to be the calmest of all, or pretended to be. 'Stoic, perhaps,' she thought, shooting an amused, fond smile at the father-to-be. The Telmarine king was sitting stock-still, his eyes staring directly that the door that was separating him from his wife in labour. His face was pale with beads of sweat forming on his forehead and upper lip. Hermione thought he almost looked like a statue. The only indication that he was alive was his deep breathing.

"Calm down," she exclaimed, but no one seemed to hear her words. Hermione decided not to say anything anymore and chose to stay silent and observe the Narnian royalties instead.

The thought that Susan was already delivering her very first child sent pleasant feelings in Hermione's heart. It had been years ever since she had seen a baby and to see a whole family fretting over this made her fondly smile. It made her remember Fleur's delivery of her first baby. A lot of people crowded the waiting area, with the Weasleys being the most distinguishable of all. Bill was an utter mess, and yet, nobody could deny the anticipation in his eyes. Fleur had been in labour for almost half a day but it was very much worth the wait when they finally heard the sound of their daughter's first cry.

The door suddenly burst open and out came a dishevelled Babbity. Her fur seemed to be in a messy display, although the bright smile on her face was unmistakable. "The head of the baby just came out," she proclaimed. "The baby will be out any minute now."

Babbity had left the door ajar, although she refused to let anyone peek inside. "Strict orders from the Healer," she said, amused how Caspian almost fought his way inside. "I think it is best if we followed him, don't you - "

Her words had died down as a shrill cry from the inside filled the whole castle. Caspian stopped moving all at once and he stared at the door, dumbstruck. "I'm a father," he said, almost breathlessly.

Hermione swore, on that very day, that she was able to see a small tear trail down from King Caspian's eye.

The whole country rejoiced upon the birth of Prince Caspian the Eleventh. It had been a hundred years now ever since there had been a birth of a noble in Narnia; thus, the happiness that the countrymen were feeling was very much understandable.

Caspian and Susan's son was a healthy child. He had his mother's eyes, although everything else was a spitting image of his father. As tradition in Caspian's family, both parents agreed to name him after his father, bestowing him the title of the XI.

Hermione found it amusing to watch how everybody seemed to soften around the baby. Lucy was the most adorable of the lot, always carrying the baby in her arms and cooing soft words to the little tyke. Both Peter and Edmund were amusing uncles, not really knowing how to interact with a baby boy. Nevertheless, though, Hermione could see the blatant adoration in their eyes.

Little Caspie, which Lucy had started to fondly called him, seemed to lighten the now, tensed mood in Cair Paravel. The looming, possible war with Jadis seemed to leave the mind of the royalties. The three kings momentarily stopped their discussions and planning regarding the threat of rebellion of the giants.

Most of all, Edmund's indifference towards Hermione seemed to… lessen.

There were times when Hermione would carry baby Caspie in her arms and she would catch his eyes, on her, and he did not seem to be embarrassed to be caught. In fact, he even gave her a polite smile and looked away. Too bad, he was not able to see how her cheeks instantly flared.

Now, due to the birth of a noble, King Caspian and Queen Susan decided to throw a birthday ball for their son. Even Edmund, who strongly opposed such social gatherings, did not complain this time.

Thus, Hermione now found herself in Queen Lucy's bedroom, sitting sullenly on top of the said queen's bed. Lucy had been a flurry of bathrobes, dresses, and make-ups and it had made the brunette increasingly dizzy. Her scent hung lightly in the room as once again, she disappeared behind her closet to retrieve another dress.

"Does this look good?" Lucy asked for the umpteenth time, placing a light blue dress in front of her. "Or does it make me look, I don't know… awkward?" She threw the dress on the floor and grabbed another one, this time showing a beige dress to Hermione. "How about this?"

The brunette released a humongous sigh and stood up, grabbing the dress into her hands. She was afraid she'd throw it away again if she deemed it unsatisfactory. "Good Merlin, why are you suddenly fretting over this, your highness?" she asked, shaking her head.

Hermione placed the beige dress on top of Lucy's bed and collected the other neglected ones in her arms. One-by-one, she placed them neatly back into her wardrobe. At the corner of her eyes, she saw as a disgruntled Lucy sat atop her bed and smoothed the creases on the latest dress she chose.

"Hold on…" the older of the two said, slowly turning around as she shot Lucy an astonished look. "Correct me if I am wrong, Lucy, but are you trying to please someone… in the coming… ball?"

Her words slowly faded, seeing that Lucy's reaction was instant. The queen suddenly sat straighter on her bed. Her cheeks reddened and her jaw slacked, her eyes darting nervously all over the room except from Hermione.

A large beam appeared on Hermione's face as she hastily finished her task and walked towards Lucy's bed, opting to sit down beside her. "I'm right, aren't I?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with disbelief and amusement. "I cannot believe it."

"Don't," Lucy admonished hotly, her cheeks growing redder as she shot Hermione a desperate look, "tell any of my siblings. At all. Especially Peter and Edmund. Oh, Aslan knows how those blokes would go ballistic if they discovered their sister's seeing another person."

A soft chuckle escaped from Hermione's lips. She imagined how her brothers would react over Lucy's current love life and predicted that it would be pandemonium. "So, who's the lucky guy?" she asked, absentmindedly grabbing the beige dress on the bed and passing it over to Lucy. "By the way, this dress would look great on you. I'm sure he will like it."

The valiant queen prettily blushed and smiled. "His name is Ardon," she said. "He was the son of the previous general of the Telmarine soldiers under Miraz' reign. Err… he's currently training to become one of the Supreme Generals of the Narnian soldiers. And he… he has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen." Lucy hid her face behind her hands and nervously chuckled. "Goodness, I cannot believe I am being ridiculous over a boy."

"But the fact is, he's not just a boy," Hermione pointed out, tucking a stray strand behind Lucy's ear. "He had caught your interest and I honestly want to see him already."

"He's eighteen," Lucy added, standing up from her bed and grabbing her dress. She walked to her bathroom but left it ajar so that Hermione could still hear her. "The same age of Edmund. He's a perfect gentleman, I tell you. I am sure you will soon be fond of him once you meet him, Hermione."

Soon, the queen emerged from the loo, looking very beautiful, as usual. "How do I look?" she asked, giving a small twirl.

Hermione beamed. "I am sure Ardon will be speechless," she pointed out, making Lucy blush once again.

"All right, all right, let's stop this," the valiant queen said, although the huge beam on her face almost reached her ears. "Now, let's fix you up so that we can both be ready for baby Caspie's birthday!"

The brunette sighed and shook her head. "And here I thought I was able to divert your attention away from myself," she said.

Lucy immaturely stuck out her tongue. "Tough luck, love," she said. "First, we must do something about that mane of yours…"

The ball – surprise, surprise – was starting to bore him.

Edmund took another swig from his glass of wine and sighed. Susan and Caspian were roaming around the Great Hall, boasting about their newborn baby. Of course he adored baby Caspie. It had been a while ever since someone arrived in Cair Paravel that tremendously lifted the mood. It was just annoying how his parents would all go starry-eyed. Although, he must admit, it was amusing to watch Caspian baby talk to his son.

A small headache was starting to form in his head and he chose to sit on one of the chairs. His throne felt more comfortable but it was too far from where he was right now. Truthfully, he felt too tired to cross through a massive throng of guests.

A lot of ladies had been shooting him suggestive looks ever since he came into the room and Edmund, with a small scowl, would ignore them. He made it very obvious that he'd rather be alone tonight and somehow, it was starting to irritate him that most were pestering him. It was like Thalia all over again, except that it was slightly milder. 'Goodness, nobody can beat Thalia when it came to being the epitome of irritation,' he mused, a small smile appearing on his face.

The doors of the Great Hall had burst open and in came his sister and her lady-in-waiting. Lucy, as usual, looked as beautiful as always. It was starting to alarm him, seeing that his sixteen-year-old sister was growing up into a lovely lady. He was starting to dread the future, conjuring the image of a long line of nobles and non-nobles alike, waiting patiently to ask Lucy for her hand. Marrying Susan off with Caspian had been enough. Even though Caspian was a good person, Edmund still felt a little wary of entrusting Susan to the Telmarine King.

His eyes then lingered on Hermione, once again clothed with one of Susan's old dresses. This time, she was wearing a white dress, with golden laces embellishing the hems. A gold belt was wrapped around her waist, putting emphasis on her womanly curves. The straps of her dress were held by two, gold brooches. Her hair was tied and placed on top of her shoulder. The only make-up that she had was eyeliner and a small hint of lipstick on her lips.

As he continued to stare at her, Edmund couldn't help but liken her to a Greek goddess. With a sullen scowl, he thought that the only thing that was left was some light shining upon her to make him believe that she was, without any serious doubt, some fallen goddess from above.

Once again, that familiar dull pang throbbed in his chest; to be exact, on the left side of his chest. Blindly, he grabbed the wine in front of him and poured himself another glass, drinking its contents in just one gulp. He hated how he was drinking just to kill that feeling in his heart. He hated drinking; it always made him unfocused and uncomfortable. But now, just because of a girl, he was welcoming the familiar taste of wine as if it was the best friend he never had.

Due to the arrival of Caspian the XI, he knew that the tension between them had lessened. Sometimes, he would catch himself staring at her, with the baby in her arms, and thought that she would be a wonderful mother someday. One time, she had caught him staring at her. The beating of his heart increased as he, to his utter surprise, gave her a small smile and left.

As days passed by, it was becoming harder and harder to ignore her. Her pleading looks grew frequent and he, with his sheer will of power, had always managed to keep his feet firm on the ground. As days passed by also, it was starting to become more difficult not to grab her out of nowhere and just feel her lips on his. It was horrifying, just thinking that among all of the things that he had always wished for, the one thing he wanted, coveted the most was her kiss.

The two kisses he had given her before served as his gateway to heaven. But then, coupled with that was the truth that he had also opened the doors of hell for him. He detested the fact that he was starting to have some withdrawal effects, having not kissed her. It was like an addiction, something he must keep on doing just to satisfy his hunger.

His dreams of her were starting to become frequent. Sometimes, he would wake up at night with a jolt and just stare at the ceiling, trying to calm his racing heart. Every time he dreamed of her, he dreamed of her kiss and the need started to grow.

He was still angered by the idea that she thought he mistaken his feelings as something petty, something fleeting.

If she were right, how come the feelings grew every day?

"Edmund?"

The sound of Lucy's voice had snapped him off his reverie. He turned around and froze, his eyes landing immediately on the person standing behind his sister.

Hermione had her eyes on him, calculating and unreadable. Edmund immediately looked away, his eyes determinedly landing on his sister. The faint smell of vanilla reached his nose and he involuntarily gulped. And blushed.

Blast.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice cracking. He abruptly cleared his throat and frowned.

Lucy stared at him strangely. He narrowed his eyes, already knowing that Lucy was starting to observe things she was not supposed to analyze. Something sparked in her eyes and she gave a quick glance over her shoulder, and then back to him, her lips now pressed into a thin line. "Well, I saw you all alone here so I thought I could accompany you but then…"

Her words died in her lips, her face scrunching in an odd manner.

Edmund raised an eyebrow. "But then what?" he asked.

Lucy was not able to answer him anymore when a familiar figure came into his sight.

"Well, here we are," Lucy proclaimed, eyes roaming around the Great Hall in awe. "Look how lively everybody is!"

In spite of herself, Hermione smiled. She tucked a stubborn strand of hair behind her ear and also looked around, marvelling at the beauty of the Great Hall.

Once again, Susan had proven herself to be good in decorating rooms. She honestly thought that if she were not a Narnian queen, she'd excel in the field of designing; perhaps, interior designing.

The room was not designed too formally, unlike the previous balls she had attended to in Cair Paravel. There was a hint of lightness, of childishness, making it appropriate for the celebration they were having.

Her eyes were able to land on the new parents, their pride and joy curled against Susan's chest. Hermione smiled in amusement, watching as the couple walked all over the room, as if boasting for everyone to see that they have a son and that they loved him very much. It was equally amusing to see Caspian acting so unlike himself. In a good way, of course.

"Ardon has not yet arrived," Lucy said with a disappointed sigh, catching Hermione's attention again. The valiant queen looked at her and frowned. "I suppose we can spend some time together."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "I apologize for not being as good a company as Ardon, your majesty," she jested, prompting the queen to smile.

"Oh, you know that's not true," the queen said, looping her arm around Hermione's. "It will be such a waste, though, if I had dolled myself up if I am not with the reason why I even bothered to do so."

"Point taken," the brunette chuckled, shaking her head.

Lucy then pulled away from Hermione and once again started to look around. Her eyes landed on a specific corner in the Great Hall and then, she started to walk. Without a choice, Hermione trailed behind the youngest Pevensie, her eyes constantly roaming around the hall.

There were once again various Talking Animals in the room and it made Hermione's heart swell how much justice was in the room. Although they were of different race from the royalties, they were still here all because they are part of Narnia. Once again, Hermione felt gratitude to the Narnian monarchs, all having the sense of equally that some of the people in her world, namely the Purebloods, seemed to lack.

Hermione was starting to get a little curious as to where Lucy was bringing her. She opened her mouth, about to ask, but then froze. Her eyes caught a glimpse of King Edmund, sitting alone on one of the tables in the room. Instantly, her mouth became dry.

"Err…" she started, unsure of what to say. The growing panic in her chest made her restless and she looked away, her cheeks now an awful shade of red.

The one person that she was trying to avoid was the same person Hermione was sure Lucy was approaching. She wanted to turn around and run away, but the queen gave her wrist a firm grip.

"Lucy, I think…"

"Yes?" the queen asked, looking behind at her. There was this mysterious glint in her eyes, which strangely scared Hermione.

"Nothing," she abruptly said.

Lucy raised an eyebrow and then stared straight ahead.

Hermione slightly scowled and once again looked at her mistress' brother. It was undeniable how he was exuding regal-ness. With his usual royal clothes and the silver crown on his head, Edmund stuck out like a sore thumb amidst the sea of Talking Animals, Telmarines, and other creatures alike. He had this certain commanding authority and even Hermione felt humbled by his presence.

He looked so good, for lack of a better word. 'Handsome,' a little voice inside her head hissed. 'Handsome, you dolt. Say it. Handsome.'

She bit her bottom lip and looked away, her cheeks once again flaring up. Horrifyingly, such thoughts seemed to become frequent in her mind. That same little voice inside her head seemed to permanently reside in it and strangely, it always contradicted the words she said and the words she came up. Mostly about Edmund Pevensie.

They were nearing him now and Hermione schooled her features. She was starting to feel a little annoyed that Edmund kept on ignoring her apologetic looks and for a while now, she swore not to grovel anymore if he would be continue being insufferable and impossible.

"Edmund?" Lucy asked, and her brother immediately looked behind him. His eyes instantly landed on her and he froze. Hermione gave him a calculating gaze, not wanting him to know that her heart was thudding loudly inside her chest.

Slowly, he looked back at his sister and asked, "What is it?"

Lucy, to her surprise, grew confused before looking at Hermione and then to Edmund. Was it her imagination or did the queen looked like she was acting? "Well, I saw you all alone here so I thought I could accompany you but then…"

Hermione inconspicuously grabbed Lucy's wrist. 'Don't,' she exclaimed, her fingers tightening her hold.

An odd expression came into Lucy's face and she sighed, relieved that she did not continue her words. Of course she knew what Lucy wanted to say. It just made her feel uncomfortable that the queen almost voiced it aloud.

"But then what?" King Edmund slowly asked.

"Edmund?"

A voice, this time a different yet excruciatingly familiar, had stopped Lucy from answering back his brother.

With a small glare, Hermione turned her head and her eyes landed squarely on Princess Thalia's figure. She looked as gorgeous as ever, with her exotic Caloremene beauty, which Hermione had never seen before. A handsome man stood beside the princess, probably in his mid-twenties, and wore a very expensive robe. Judging from the crown on top of his black hair, Hermione assumed that he was royalty, too.

Her eyes then strayed on his hands and they instantly widened. He was holding Thalia's hand.

Wordlessly, she looked at Edmund and saw that he, too, mirrored her expression.

"Thalia," he said, sounding pleasantly surprised. The malice that he truly felt for the princess standing in front of them was absent. "It's been a while."

The Calormene Princess raised an eyebrow. "Yes, it has been," she said, her voice sounding strangely bitter. Thalia then looked at the man beside her and sweetly smiled before looking back at Edmund. Her eyes landed on Lucy, and then to her, and her mouth slightly twisted in disdain.

"Everyone, this is Duke Crimgeour of Galma [1]," she said, proudly pointing at the man beside her. "My husband."

Hermione's jaw dropped. "Y-you're married?" she asked even before she could stop herself.

Thalia coolly regarded her. "Yes, and I believe it is none of your business, Miss Hermione," she said.

Despite the obvious disdain in her voice, Hermione couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at how she addressed her. Thalia almost sounded as if she accepted that Hermione was not mere filth but a human being, too. 'Odd,' Hermione said, looking at the princess in amusement. 'But not bad, really.'

"Love, can you leave us for a moment?" Thalia sweetly asked her spouse. The duke, after shooting furtive looks at the others, most especially Edmund, finally nodded his head and left, disappearing among the guests of Caspie's birthday.

"A lot of things had happened ever since I left," Thalia stated.

Edmund frowned and carefully observed the princess. "Yes, and apparently a lot of things had happened to you, too, after you left Cair Paravel," the king pointed out.

Thalia looked at the space where her husband had once stood and gently smiled. Hermione almost snorted in laughter as she saw how Lucy stared at the new facial expression on Thalia's face as if the princess had grown another limb or something.

"Be subtle," Hermione whispered for only Lucy to hear.

The queen looked at her, wide-eyed, and mouthed the words "She's smiling."

"Duke Crimgeour is a lovely person," Thalia then said, the surprising smile still shown on her face. "And although I still love you, Edmund" – here, the king rolled his eyes – "I believe that I am starting to fall in love with my husband, too."

Lucy released a soft snort and rolled her eyes. Thalia's eyes narrowed as she stared at the youngest queen. Lucy only innocently smiled back and Hermione had to bite her bottom lip just so she would not laugh right there and then.

Thalia's eyes then shifted on Hermione and all thoughts of jesting left her mind. The princess' nose scrunched up, this time by curiosity, as she surveyed her from head to toe. "Crimgeour is a good influence to me," she said, her eyes intently staring at her. "And he taught me that those beneath me should not be viewed as filth."

Hermione raised an eyebrow, feeling genuinely impressed. She couldn't help but think that Thalia's marriage with the Duke of Galma would actually do the Calormene princess some good.

"You look… nice," Thalia said, struggling for words.

The smile she had flashed to her was very genuine it almost felt surreal. "Thank you," she earnestly said. "You absolutely look wonderful, Princess Thalia."

Her cheeks colored into a lovely shade of red, making the brunette's smile widen. She could not believe what her eyes were beholding. There was Thalia, the spoiled, rich brat that was very detestable, but now, after being married to a wonderful person, she was starting to turn into something… normal. Something human.

"When I first saw you, I knew I will never have a chance with Edmund," Thalia confessed.

The smile on Hermione's face fell, dreading where her words were leading. At the corner of her eyes, she saw how the king sat up straighter on his seat, his face immediately becoming tensed.

"Especially with the way he was looking at you, Miss Hermione," Thalia said. "When I saw him look at you, I just knew. And - "

A loud, scraping noise had cut Thalia off from her sentence. Wide-eyed, Hermione watched as Edmund regarded the princess with cold, dark eyes. "I believe I must leave now," he said, turning his back and striding away without even waiting for a response.

Hermione released a breath she was now aware she was holding and tore her gaze away from the spot where Edmund sat a while ago, suddenly feeling a little dreadful.

"I… believe you are still not together, yes?" Thalia asked, prompting Hermione to furiously blush and Lucy to glare.

"With all due respect, your highness, I think that it is best if we stop this conversation because this topic is not welcome in this castle, most especially if my brother or my lady-in-waiting are in the vicinity," Lucy sternly said, immediately grabbing Hermione's arm to calm her down.

Thalia looked fairly astonished. "I apologize," the princess said, inclining her head at Hermione's direction.

"It's fine, it's fine," she hastily said, willing her cheeks to go back to their normal color. "You do not need to apologize, your majesty."

The Caloremene princess, now Duchess of Galma, nervously cleared her throat and shifted. "Then, I must excuse myself," she said. "It's a pleasure to see you again." With that, she turned around and walked away, shooting one, curious look at Hermione's direction before completely disappearing.

"Insensitive lady," Lucy grumbled under her breath and looped her arm around Hermione's. "Are you okay?" she asked, looking at the brunette worriedly.

Hermione waved a dismissive hand, forcing a small chuckle to come out from her mouth. "I'm quite all right," she said, although that little voice inside her head hissed the otherwise.

Slowly, she pulled her arm away from Lucy's grip and smiled. "I think a breath of fresh air will be nice," Hermione said. "I'll be seeing you later, Lucy."

She turned around without waiting for Lucy's response, hastily retreating outside the castle.

Once she was outside, she released a monumental sigh. She massaged the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes, trying to calm her erratically beating heart. "Deep breaths," she whispered to herself. "Deep breaths, Hermione Granger."

She then opened her eyes and slowly walked into the garden, finally finding herself in the gazebo. Thankfully, it was empty. She walked inside and sat at her usual place and just rested. She pushed away anything that was stressful, mostly about King Edmund Pevensie, and was able to do so.

Until suddenly, footsteps were heard and she immediately straightened up. Her eyes looked at the entrance of the gazebo, truthfully (and earnestly) wishing for Edmund's presence. Instead, the handsome High King appeared before her eyes.

Hermione tried her best not to show her disappointment as Peter sat down on the usual place where Edmund sat.

"I saw you talking to Thalia a while ago," Peter stated, observing the brunette. "Are you all right, Hermione?"

She offered him a small smile and a nod. "She was surprisingly pleasant, your highness," she said. "I think her marriage with the Duke of Galma did her some good."

Peter absentmindedly nodded. "It still surprises me that the Caloremene princess is married to one of the most respectable people I've ever met," he said with a smile. "I am sure Thalia will be able to learn a lot from Crimgeour." He then looked at her and playfully glared. "And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Peter?"

Hermione sheepishly smiled. "I'm sorry," she said. "You're the High King and I just can't help but be polite in your presence."

His eyes twinkled in mirth. "I am sure we are already past the polite stage," he stated. "Aren't we already on the casual stage?"

Her smile faltered, remembering a similar conversation she had with Edmund once. 'Not him again,' she groaned inside her mind, annoyed that once again, she was thinking of him. "Right," she absentmindedly stated.

Peter gave her a charming smile and nodded his head, directing his eyes outside the gazebo. An awkward, although comfortable silence settled inside. Hermione could see how the High King was fidgeting, his face scrunched up as if he was thinking of what to say.

Hermione almost smiled, thinking it was almost ridiculously adorable how Peter was struggling to start a conversation. As High King, Peter was a good conversationalist. It was mind-boggling that such a simple task of talking to her was making him tongue-tied.

'Because he likes you,' a voice inside her head reminded her, prompting her to sigh. 'He fancies you.'

"Have you seen Caspian?" Hermione suddenly asked.

Peter obviously released a sigh of relief and Hermione smiled. The oldest Pevensie did not really know how to be subtle at times like this. "Yes, I have been," he said, a small, amused smile now growing on his face. "I believe it has been my first time see Caspian act… so out of his character."

"I think having a son made him like that," she said, chuckling as she remembered Caspian's face whenever baby Caspie was in the vicinity. "And I do believe it is a wonderful thing."

He nodded, not really knowing what to say, and then returned back to looking outside the gazebo. Hermione nervously cleared her throat, once again feeling the awkward atmosphere between them.

What would Peter do if he discovered that Hermione knew of his affections to her? What would Peter do if he knew that Edmund liked her, too? What would Peter do if he discovered that she rejected his younger brother's affections? What would Peter do if he discovered that she, too, would reject his affections?

Being suddenly confronted with this predicament made her nauseous. She always knew 'love matters' had been very confusing. Just look at her and Ron; they had known each other for ages but it took Hermione years to finally surrender to the fact that she loved him more than a friend.

"You've been here for a few months already," Peter slowly said, looking back at Hermione. "Now that I've properly thought about it, you almost stayed here for almost a year."

"A year, eh?" she echoed, her gaze growing faraway. So it had almost been a year ever since she was whisked away from Hogwarts and brought to Narnia. It was a strange revelation, especially because she couldn't help but feel like everything had just happened like weeks ago.

"What do you feel about Narnia now?" he continued.

Hermione shifted her gaze and landed back at him. "Narnia?" she asked, a small crease forming on her forehead. All of her memories in Narnia rushed back into her mind. All these made her smile, but strangely sadden her. "It's wonderful here," she then continued. "I… feel as if I was always meant to be brought here."

A small chuckle escaped from her lips as she shook her head. "It's absurd, very absurd because now, I cannot imagine my future without Narnia," she said. "It used to be Hogwarts. My school had always been a very important place to me and I admit, I was devastated when I discovered I will not be able to go back to my world anymore. But now that I think about it, I am eternally grateful I was brought here in this magical place. I… if I were to be whisked away from this place, too, I don't know what will happen to me anymore."

Her confession had brought silence in Peter. He thoughtfully looked at her, an unreadable expression suddenly crossing his face. "Then, will you stay here in Cair Paravel with us?" he slowly asked. Blinking, he licked his lips and abashedly stared at his lap. "With me?"

Hermione froze. His last two words held so much sincerity, so much earnest, so much meaning. It had terrified her.

Slowly, he reached for her hand and held it tightly secured. He gazed at her, so intense, and Hermione almost whimpered.

She wanted to get out of here.

"I… like you," Peter finally declared, his cheeks the envy of all the red roses in this garden. "Ever since you stepped foot in Narnia, I liked you. You have this certain charm, this certain beauty you exude, that made me so much attracted, so much drawn to you. Your eyes, your smile, your intelligence, your mystery… everything, and I mean everything is just so beautiful."

A small lump clogged her throat.

"It's been almost a year now, Hermione," he whispered. "Hermione. Do you know that your name always sent butterflies in my stomach? Always made my throat run dry and my knees week?" He paused and chuckled, shaking his head. "Do you know that your mere presence makes me act like a bumbling idiot who suddenly sounds so sappy and poetic at the same time?"

She tried her best to smile. She really did. But all she was able to produce was a desperate look in her eyes.

"It's been almost a year now," he repeated, his hand on her tightening. "And I believe, earnestly, ardently, that I'm falling in love with you, Hermione Granger."

She almost pulled her hand away, but his next words had frozen her on the spot.

"I…" He paused, swallowed, and continued. "I want you to marry me. I want you to be my Queen, to be my personal adviser, to always stay by my side."

Hermione gasped so loudly her voice resounded in the whole garden.

He shakily laughed and desperately held onto her hand. "I know it's too hasty. I know it's still too early. I frankly do not expect a direct answer from you today, or at least in the following weeks... months. I just want you to know how I feel because dear God above I have no idea what would happen to me if I keep my feelings bottled up inside me."

Peter regarded her, so much affection shining in his eyes. "And now, look at you. You, simply put, look breath-taking," he said. "I am bewitched by you and I am afraid that if I did not confess my true feelings sooner, someone would notice how wonderful you are and sweep you off your feet."

Slowly, he lifted her hand against his lips and kissed her knuckles, gently and sweetly. "I adore you," he whispered, his lips brushing against her hand. "So much so it's almost terrifying. Do know that this is the first time I have felt this way and I do not even know how to handle this?"

The High King then slowly released her hand and stood up from his seat. He smiled at the clear astonishment written on her face. "I… I guess I've dumbfounded you," he said with a nervous chuckle, running a hand through his hair. "I'll be leaving now, Miss Granger, so that I can give you time to let my words sink in."

He then bowed down and straightened up. "Good evening, Miss Hermione Granger," he said, slowly turning around and walking away from the gazebo.

For a full five minutes, Hermione stayed froze on her spot, Peter's words still hanging heavily in the atmosphere.

"Good Godric," she whispered, pressing a hand against her lips as sobs started to wrack her body. "Good Godric, what am I supposed to do?"

[1] So I've finally decided what country Thalia's husband would be from. Eh, according to research, Galma was a duchy of Narnia and the King of Narnia, probably Peter during the Golden Age, is said to be the Duke of Galma. Since I'm running out of places/countries here in this story, can we all just pretend that there's another Duke of Galma. Please? For me? :D

A/N: So, end of chapter! Good? Bad? Eh? Meh?

Surprised? Eh, well, the Magnificent king can have his moments, too.

There's nothing much to say today, really. Actually, I'm starting to run out of ideas on what to rant in my A/Ns. Perhaps I'm just a little tired to share some thoughts and just fan girl with some people today.

LOL, okay, I'll introduce a new character in the next chapter and oh, more secrets are to be revealed *evil smile*. The Ed/Mione "relationship" will come soon, don't worry. For now, let us all watch as denials and suffering happen between these two, impossible people.

That's all for now. Do review and maybe say random stuff about your life. I'm kinda bored and I would love to read some things about my reviewers. I do think it will be a little fair, seeing that I sometimes share a piece of me with you guys XD Nothing huge, just random things that speak volumes about you :)

With love,
WickedlyAwesomeMe :)