A/N: Thanks so much for 100 reviews, you guys! I was so happy when I checked my reviews a week or so ago and saw that I had over 100. I love y'all! Also, thank you for the prayers for my cousin. It means so much to me that not only do you support me through writing, but also through my life. So thanks again! Also, I'm so sorry I haven't been posting at all lately. I've had to start a new school, so that's taking a lot out of my day. Another thing is that my computer is being crappy and for the past six months, it won't save documents or ANYTHING. So I'm having a major issue with being able to write. I'm so, so, SO sorry!

I'm going through a huge writer's block, so any ideas? Enjoy!

-Chapter 20-

"So, what's on the schedule for today?" Morgana asked.

"I don't know," Edmund replied. "Maybe we can take a walk together. It's a pretty day out."

"Ed, it's raining and pitch black out there," Morgana informed him worriedly. "Is your idea of a pretty day a huge, raging thunderstorm?"

"Since when is it raining?" the Just King asked.

"Since breakfast."

"No, it wasn't! I woke up and got ready five minutes before I went downstairs for breakfast and when I passed by the window, is was bright as anything out there!" Edmund protested.

Morgana chuckled nervously. "Uh, are you sure?"

"Positive!" the dark-haired king exclaimed.

"Okay, okay, I believe you!"

"You do?" he asked, confused.

"Yes, I believe that you think you saw a sunny day out. I didn't say I thought you were right."

Edmund laughed. "You really know how to play with words, don't you?"

"Always," she said with a smile. Then, grabbing her companion's hand, she led him to the library.

"What are we doing here?" the youngest Pevensie boy asked when they reached their destination.

"We're going to enjoy a nice, quiet, peaceful day on our own," she replied.

"Doing what?"

"Talking."

Edmund raised his eyebrows. "Can't we just do that in my room?"

"Of course, but that would ruin the fun!"

"Fun of what?"

"Of getting out and going somewhere different, you know? You don't want to stay locked up in your room on a day like this, so you? Dark, depressing blackness, the rain pounding against the windows, and then there's the-"

"Okay, okay!" he interrupted with a laugh. "I get the point! So let's sit down and we'll talk."

Morgana smiled and walked over to an armchair, where she sat. She pointed to the one across from her and watched as Edmund sat down across from her, resting his elbows on the small wooden table that separated them.

"So," Morgana began. "How's Avaline?"

"Fine," Edmund replied.

"Good." There was a silent pause for a few moments, though it wasn't awkward. "She's gained a bit of weight," Morgana commented casually.

Edmund's eyes widened. Avaline was six months pregnant. It wasn't supposed to be showing so soon, was it? He had always heard that during the first pregnancy, it wasn't as noticeable as a second, third, or even fourth.

He had watched secretly as she slowly expanded over the past few months, but had told himself that the only reason he was noticing was because he was in on the secret. But now, others were starting to notice, too? This wasn't good.

Morgana, noticing the uncomfortable silence between them and the slightly shocked look on her friend's face, spoke again to lighten the mood. "I also noticed that, because of the weight gain, her clothes are getting awfully tight around the waist and hips. If she wants, I'll lend her some of my old clothes."

Edmund looked at her with a surprised expression, but quickly composed it. He had thought that Morgana didn't like Avaline. They hadn't exactly hit it off too well in the beginning, what with Avaline's being hogged by Morgana and John, and he had observed that they weren't necessarily fond of each other.

"Uh, no, that won't be necessary," the Just King said quickly.

Morgana raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, because I have plenty that she could use."

"Yes, I'm absolutely positive," Edmund reassured her. "But thank you."

"Anytime," she said with a smile. "Let me know if you change your mind."

"I will," he promised, returning her smile with a grin of his own.

"Now," Morgana continued, but Edmund wasn't listening. He was too nervous to listen to anything but his now jumbled thoughts.

If Morgana had noticed, who else had? John? Trumpkin? Biff? The servants? The Narnians. Or even worse... the neighboring countries.

These people weren't stupid. Some old woman somewhere with twenty kids, who would spot a pregnant woman from thirty miles away, would probably notice and start a rumor that would soon make its away all around Narnia and even into the surrounding countries.

This proved that the plan that Edmund had had in the back of his mind the whole time was necessary, even if Avaline thought it wasn't.

'After dinner,' Edmund vowed, 'I'll let her know that people have begun catching on. Then I'll ban her from going anywhere in public anymore until this is over.'

And with one last, satisfied nod of his head, he thought to himself, 'And that is a promise.'

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That night at dinner, Lucy was feeling very talkative, which was effecting everyone else at the table, too.

"So, guess what happened today?" Lucy said, a smile on her face.

"What?" Susan asked with a slightly less-hyperactive attitude about her.

"Well, I went out to town to get something for the baby, and-"

"What baby?" John asked, walking into the dining room and taking a seat across from Avaline.

Peter shot a warning glare at Lucy from the head of the table, and thanked Aslan when her eyes widened. He knew that she had caught on.

"Oh, just the baby bluebird that I found a few days ago outside the palace. It had a hurt wing, but it's healed now, thanks to Peter!" Lucy replied.

Of course, there wasn't really a baby bluebird. Lucy had been talking about Avaline and Edmund's baby, but had forgotten that it was not to be spoken about in front of the guests.

"What did you get for the bird?" John asked.

"Just a little powder blue dress that I had made for it. It's absolutely precious!"

"You dress up birds?"

"Yes, it makes them feel appreciated and welcome here at Cair Paravel," Lucy said cheerfully.

Analiese walked in then, followed by Susan and Caspian.

"Good evening, everyone," Analiese greeted as she sat in a seat next to Peter, who sat at the head of the long table. She then leaned over to kiss her husband on the cheek lovingly.

"Good evening, your Majesties," John said, standing up and giving the the three a polite bow.

"And to you," replied Caspian with a nod.

Once the king and had pulled out Susan's chair and sat next to her, John said, "Does anyone know where my dear sister is?"

"No, I haven't seen her since after breakfast," responded Edmund.

"Well, I'm sure she'll be here in a few minutes."

00000000

"So how long have you been Duke of Durham?" Lucy asked Duke Camden, who was visiting Narnia at the same time as Morgana and John were.

"I've always been called that simply because my father had resigned the role. Everyone was waiting until I was twelve years old to officially name me duke. But seeing as I was very mature for my age, I was crowned Duke of Durham when I was ten years old instead," the blonde-haired boy answered.

"You know, you don't have to speak so formally to me. I'm known as the casual queen in some areas of Narnia," Lucy informed her friend.

"Yes, I've heard this name in Durham, my Queen,"said Camden.

"There you go doing it again!" she laughed. "I'm serious Duke Camden, just call me Lucy. And you don't have to speak as if you were speaking to Aslan Himself!"

"In return, I must request you call me Camden. No titles will be used in our relationship."

"Done!" she eyed him suspiciously as if she were afraid he wouldn't fulfill her request. "Shall we shake on it?"

"Sounds reasonable."

And so the two fifteen-year-olds shook hands. Lucy felt a jolt of excitement run through her veins. "I think we're going to end up being good friends," she said with a smile. Never before had she felt a feeling like the one she just had, and she could tell it meant only good.

00000000

"Edmund!" Morgana called as she searched for her 'friend.'

"Gotcha!" Edmund shouted as he pulled the girl next to him.

To make a long story short, the Tarkaan and the king had been cooped up inside all day (Peter had requested they stay indoors but hadn't said why) and they were bored. So while Morgana went to the bathroom during their conversation, Edmund had quickly run away mischievously.

Morgana giggled and struggled to get loose. "Let go, Edmund!"

"Fine," he sighed disappointedly. "Hey, what do you say we go hang out in my room?"

"Sounds like fun!" Morgana said. And before either one could blink, almost as if their thoughts ran on the same wavelength, both of them were on their feet and racing to see who would reach the Just King's quarters first.

00000000

Caspian sat at his desk in the study, flipping through pages upon pages of paperwwork that had to be done. With a sigh, he put them down, throwing his head over the back of the chair and closing his eyes. Right now, his country wasn't the first thing on his mind.

What was he going to do? He hadn't been talking to Susan as much lately. And it wasn't like either of them was doing it intentionally. They had both just been busy.

The Dissentient King sighed again. When would he be able to relax? Lately, he hadn't gotten any time to himself. All Caspian wanted was some time alone.

No work.

No people.

No duties.

No country.

Just Caspian... and maybe Susan.

At that moment, he heard a knock on the study door. "Caspian? Are you in there?"

He didn't even have time to snap his fingers before he was on his feet and running to open the door. "Hello, Queen Susan," Caspian greeted her breathlessly.

"Hi..." Susan said. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Just a little out of breath."

"Mm hmm. I can tell," she laughed.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"Oh! Um, well, I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to take a walk with me. It's boring in here, and no one else wants to go with me."

"Oh, gosh..." Caspian began. "Susan, I honestly wish I could. But I just have so much to do-"

"Oh. Okay, I get it," Susan replied. The Telmarine king could tell she was trying to maintain her confident appearance, however his rejection had upset her a lot, and it was obvious.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. You kings... always busy."

"Susan, I'll take you up on your offer later. Just not now. Okay?"

The dark-haired queen's face lit up immediately. "Oh, thanks so much Caspian! You're the best!" she exclaimed, jumping up and throwing her arms around her crush's neck.

Caspian smiled as the Gentle Queen hugged him tightly and barely withheld a sigh of disappointment when she let go.

"I'll see you later," she said with a smile before leaving the office.

00000000

Edmund and Morgana laughed hysterically at each other.

"I have no idea why a stuffed turkey is making us laugh so hard!" he gasped out.

"Me neither!" Morgana said.

Their laughter slowly died down. They had both gone down for dinner over six hours ago, yet they were still being humored by their memories of the deformed-looking stuffe turkey that was their meal. It was almost 12:30 in the morning now.

It was when they stopped laughing and looked into each other's eyes that they realized how close their faces were. Edmund stared at Morgana intently, as if trying to figure her out.

"It's not too late to walk away," he whispered, his eyes moving down to her lips.

"I don't want to walk away," she murmured.

The Just King slowly began to lean in, closing the small amount of distance between them. As soon as his lips touched hers, he felt that spark again. He had never felt anything like it before, but he liked it.

The corners of Morgana's lips turned up slightly as she kissed him. She was finally getting what she wanted.

The perfect revenge.

And Avaline standing in the doorway watching at this very moment just made it even better.

-

A/N: I know, I'm evil. Hehe! ;)