Two weeks before your estimated arrival back at Cair Paravel, you sent off a letter to your parents. The plan would be to coronate you the day after your return and it was something you didn't want your family to miss.
"You are aware that the council will suggest sleeping separately until the law sees you as queen, yes?" Caspian asked after Drinian left the cabin.
"It's silly since we were married by Aslan Himself, but we won't have a choice, will we?"
"Most likely not. The lords might have some say. It's doubtful since they have been missing for so long. It's just one night."
"Yes. Only a night."
"Have you sent a letter to your family?"
"Mmhmm. They should be there if it reaches them in time."
"If not, I'll send a carriage to them immediately."
"Do you think the castle will be finished by the time we arrive?" You leaned over the opposite side of the desk and stared at the map.
Caspian watched you with a smile. "If it's not, it will be close to completion. Trumpkin made good progress the weeks before we sailed."
"I look forward to seeing it in the way you envisioned. I'm sure it's beautiful."
"It still can't compare to you."
You met his eyes, feeling the honesty in his words. He tried to remind you daily how beautiful he found you. "Thank you."
He stood to give you a kiss over the desk.
The day the Dawn Treader arrived in port, hundreds of people were gathered to welcome the king and crew back home. It became a flurry of accepting gifts, speaking to the public, and meeting with the council. You were dead on your feet by the end, but more confident being a queen after the positive response from so many. And as Caspian predicted, his council recommended you and the king sleep separately for the sake of law.
It was unusual sleeping alone again.
In the morning, you met your parents in the courtyard as they arrived at Cair Paravel. Your mother was in awe of the castle.
"It's beautiful!"
"And almost finished," you said.
Your father hugged you. "I'm so proud of you. I couldn't be happier having Caspian as a son."
"He's been telling everyone about it since your little wedding on the beach," your mother said. "If it had been anyone else, I doubt your father would be so joyful."
"I'm glad you're happy with it."
"I'm happy because you are happy with King Caspian," he said. "From friends to this! It's like the tales your mother told you."
Caspian finally made his way into the courtyard. "Welcome!"
Both of your parents quickly surrounded the king, giving him hugs and complimenting him on the castle. You couldn't help but smile at the three of them.
"We plan on the coronation to commence just before supper," Caspian told them. "Then we will feast and celebrate!"
"Are the preparations complete?" your father asked.
"They will be by tonight. I am blessed with many helping hands."
You stepped into the conversation. "Until then, let me show you where you'll stay. I'd love to show you around the finished parts of the castle."
"You know it already?"
Glancing at Caspian, you chuckled. "We may have had a little time to play a game of hide-and-seek yesterday."
Your father sighed, smiling. "You two never change. I suppose your playful habits will always stick around."
"It makes for an exciting marriage," your mother added.
Caspian took your hand in his. "Yes, it does."
The following hours were a blur to you. You managed to enjoy a little time with your parents before you were whisked away to be made up for your coronation. You were dressed by maids. Your hair was left down with thick braids mingled throughout. Makeup was painted on your lips and around your eyes. You felt like a doll.
Before you knew it, you were led to the throne room to be crowned Queen of Narnia and publicly made the wife of King Caspian X. Your mind was on overload from all the unfamiliar and familiar faces watching. Half-way through, you wished you were back on the little plot of sand with the few witnesses you had available and Aslan. Oh, how you missed that day… how you missed the Pevensies and Eustace.
"Y/N," Caspian whispered as he squeezed your hand.
You focused on his face, hardly hearing the words coming from the priest the council suggested for the ceremony. "What?" you mouthed.
"You look stunning."
"How do you think I'll look with a crown?"
"Heavenly."
You fought back a laugh, sucking in your lips. "Pay attention."
He grinned but did just that.
Eventually, a crown was put on your head, producing loud applause. To end the coronation, Caspian planted a sweet kiss to your lips before you were announced Queen Y/N of Narnia, wife of King Caspian X. You were officially a queen and a wife in the sight of the law.
After a rather rambunctious banquet, you were dead on your feet. Caspian noticed you nod off with a glass of wine in hand. With a chuckle, he politely excused you both to allow you some rest. No one dared to tease the king about losing sleep. Being around Drinian and his crew for so long caused you to miss their company, their teasing. They weren't afraid of Caspian's title.
You paused to stare at your new quarters with Caspian for the hundredth time since returning. It was stunning and the perfect size for two people. There was a separate room just for the bath. The wall opposite the door was only windows that opened up to a balcony with an incredible view of the sea. You fell in love with it each time you entered your bedroom.
"Come to bed, Y/N," Caspian said in your ear as he walked by you. "You're barely conscious."
"This room has the best view."
"It does when you're here."
You rolled your eyes and collapsed on your bed. It was as if the mattress was hugging you. Sighing, you snuggled into the bed.
"Will I have to help you undress again?"
"I won't complain if you do."
"Give me your foot then."
You raised your right one and he caught it.
Caspian pushed up your skirts just enough to undo the laces of your shoes, giving you goosebumps when his fingers grazed your skin. He quietly removed your shoes and socks before requesting you to stand. He had to hold you steady as you wobbled on your feet. All day on your feet took more of a toll than you expected.
The ties to your bodice were in the front rather than the back, so Caspian had full view of the blush rising up your neck to your cheeks as he undid them. He smiled, bending down to press his lips to yours. "Shall I let you finish on your own?"
You gazed up at him through your eyelashes and bits of hair that fell over your forehead. "No… you don't have to… please."
Suddenly, his cheeks reddened to match yours. "I thought you were tired."
"I am."
He studied your face and brushed your hair back. "Please rest… for me. You can hardly keep your eyes open."
Without warning, tears built up in your eyes. It was more from exhaustion than disappointment but frightened Caspian all the same. "Do you not want me?"
"Oh, Y/N," Caspian said, pulling you into his arms. "Of course, I want you. But I know you would rather have slept when morning comes. I want you to be well-rested."
"I don't want to sleep."
"You need to."
"I don't care… Why do you keep avoiding it? Are you repulsed? Embarrassed? Afraid?"
His eyebrows stitched together. "Repulsed? That's absurd. And I'm not embarrassed or afraid."
"Then lay with me. I want you to. Of all things I've secretly looked forward to as a wife… you keep denying me this."
Caspian had the nerve to smirk. "You were fearful to take a husband, but not to lay with him?"
"That's beside the point, Caspian."
Slowly, his smirk faded as he continued to look at you. "What would you have me do?" he finally asked.
You blinked. "Really?"
He nodded.
"Kiss me."
His lips crashed against yours as he pulled you closer. Your arms circled his neck to keep your body pressed up against his. The kiss deepened, Caspian giving you no mercy.
Caspian's hands went to the ties of your dress and continued pulling them loose all while keeping his mouth locked with yours. You attempted pushing his coat off his shoulders, but he wouldn't budge until your dress pooled at your feet, leaving you in your chemise. He squeezed your waist before letting you slip off his coat. As soon as it fell to the floor, you untucked his shirt and reached for his belt.
"Slow down," he said against your lips, taking your hands in his.
You felt him smile when you whined.
He stopped kissing you long enough to lay you back on the bed and hover over you. He gave you a quick kiss on your lips before migrating to your neck. "I love you," he said between kisses.
You tangled your fingers in his hair, sighing and whispering his name as his lips trailed a little lower.
Finally, Caspian stood on his knees over you, eyes glued to your form. Your hair fanned around your head, arms laying where they fell when he pulled away, and a beautiful rosy glow on every inch of skin he could see that darkened when he began working on his belt.
Watching him from where you laid made your heart race. You wanted so badly to reach out for him, to help him, but the look in his eyes left you rooted– not that you really wanted to move from that spot. Your eyes fell to his hands, loving how his shirt was bunched up in the front to allow him to remove his belt.
Caspian had to get off the bed to remove his pants but came back as quickly as he could. He put his hands on yours, intertwining your fingers together, and kissed your nose. "You look so beautiful like this. Flushed and waiting."
"How much longer are you going to make me wait, my king?" you asked, purposefully emphasizing his title.
"Not long," he replied, meeting your lips softly. "May I?"
You didn't know what he was asking permission for, but you nodded to allow him the freedom to do anything as long as he truly made you his wife.
Tentatively, he took his hand from yours and splayed it on your belly before sliding it to your waist. He didn't stay very long. Caspian took his time feeling every curve of your body. From your neck down to your feet he caressed and memorized. You tried so hard to keep quiet as he did, relishing in his touch. The last thing you wanted was to make a sound and cause him to pause.
Caspian's hands slid under your chemise, up your legs and to the top of your undergarments. With eyes steady on you, he tugged them down your legs and dropped them to the floor. He kissed through the remainder of your clothes just below your belly button. It was enough to make you bite your lower lip.
He came back up to your face and kissed you. "On or off?" he asked, tugging on your chemise.
"Off." You reached for his shirt. "This, too."
He smiled, standing on his knees again to pull off his shirt, revealing himself completely to you. Caspian adored the darkening of your cheeks and the way your eyes couldn't decide where to settle. The arousal in your eyes was the purest thing he'd ever seen. He made quick work to remove your last article of clothing, staring at how perfect you were. Despite the growing blush across your body, you made no movement to cover yourself.
"I am very blessed," Caspian said, planting a kiss to your lips.
The palms of your hands pressed against his chest, memorizing every plane, every muscle. You hummed and kissed him back. "I believe I am the blessed one, Caspian. I could not ask for a better king… a better husband."
He nuzzled your nose. "You, my wife, are perfect in every way."
Wrapping your arms around him, you pulled him into a long kiss. "I can't wait to bear our children… I'll have as many as you want."
"One step at a time," he chuckled. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, let me show you how much I love you."
"I love you, too," you breathed.
Just as many predicted, you had very little sleep that night. The first try was awkward and too quick, but by the third attempt in the early morning hours, a comfortable rhythm was found between you both. Even with a rocky start, it was the best night of your life.
The best part was no one dared bothering you and Caspian at all the next day, leaving you to sleep most of the day away in the arms of your caring husband.