The Games Begin
"I thought I might find you here!" Lucy exclaimed, looking down at Saedra. Saedra had been sitting beneath a tree in the garden, hunched over her thick novel.
Saedra snapped her head up in surprise. Seeing the Queen before her, she stood up and curtseyed.
"Your Majesty!"
Lucy's eyes twinkled happily. "I apologize for startling you, good Lady. My duties this afternoon have been slow, so I was looking for you."
"Looking for me, your Majesty?" Saedra asked, putting her hand on her chest.
"Yes, looking for you," Lucy smiled. "We haven't gotten to know each other that well. There's always someone around to distract us."
Saedra blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected the Queen to even think about her. Saedra had been flattered that the Queen would invite her to dine with her as often as she had!
"No, we haven't, your Majesty."
"Come," Lucy said, holding out her elbow. "Let's walk."
Saedra linked her elbow through the petite Queen's, and they began to stroll on the stone path that weaved among the bushes.
"I'm flattered that your Majesty would think of me," Saedra said, saying the first thing that came to mind to make conversation. "My stay has been more than pleasant."
Indeed, it had become pleasant. Ever since Peter had come, her stay had become infinitely more enjoyable. Peter made no issue of their bad history, and Susan had started taking his lead, starting to accept Saedra as well. Each day became more enjoyable than the one preceding it.
"I'm glad to hear that, truly," Lucy replied. "But I was hoping to get to know you better. It's not often that we see another human woman here."
"No?" Saedra asked, raising her eyebrows. "I would think that many women would come up here to meet your brothers. They're awfully handsome and eligible."
Lucy giggled. "Oh, that's certainly true. We always have women seeking the hand of my noble brothers. And they always leave disappointed. That's not what I meant, though. I meant it wasn't often to see another human woman here who didn't have an ulterior motive. You're simply here as Prince Corin's guardian, not to woo my brothers." Lucy looked at her sideways, looking comically suspicious. "Or are you?"
Saedra felt a pang of guilt. Oh, I do have an ulterior motive, she thought. But it has nothing to do with your brothers.
She simply chuckled. "No, I'm not. I have no intention for your Majesty's brothers whatsoever."
"Good," the Queen said, satisfied. "Then we can be friends."
That declaration seemed strange to Saedra, but it was amazing how those few words changed so much between her and Lucy. They continued to talk, about everything and nothing at the same time, and the more they talked, the more Saedra felt like Lucy was her friend. In fact, it felt as if Lucy had always been her friend. Saedra felt like she could tell Lucy anything, and that it would be held in the strictest confidence. The five-year age gap between them meant nothing, as Lucy had seen more of the world than Saedra ever did.
As the sun began to set, Lucy said, "Shall we go prepare for dinner?"
"Yes, lets," Saedra agreed.
They entered the cool castle and made their way to the royal chambers. Saedra didn't know where they were headed, but she allowed Lucy to leaf her. On the second floor, in an area Saedra had never been to or noticed, Lucy stopped before an ornately decorated door.
"This is my room. Would you care to come in?"
Such a simple question, but it made Saedra feel so accepted. "Why—yes, your Majesty!"
As Lucy guided her in, she said, "Oh, and I know Ed has already requested that you call him by his first name, so I must ask you to do the same with me."
Saedra felt like doing a happy dance.
The room was gorgeous, with luscious space rugs and pillows, a large four-poster bed, and beautiful art on the walls.
Lucy walked to the center of the room and gestured around. "This is it! That courtyard over there connects to my siblings' rooms as well."
Saedra went to the entry to the courtyard curiously. The stone yard was square, with one doorway on each side. In the middle was a fountain with the bronze figure of a leaping lion on top.
"This is so beautiful!" Saedra breathed, turning back around to face Lucy, who had gone over to the mirror and was brushing her long hair.
"If you need to use anything of mine, go ahead," Lucy offered, cheeks pink with pleasure. She seemed to be enjoying having a new friend as much as Saedra was.
"Thank you," Saedra said, and went over to look in a different mirror to see what needed to be fixed.
Just then, Susan burst out of the doors directly across the courtyard from Lucy's room, screeching, "He's here!"
Lucy whipped around, her hands still holding her hair and the brush. "Who? Rabadash?"
"Yes!" Susan darted into Lucy's room. "How do I look? Do I need some face powder? Lip balm? Should I wear another dress?"
Saedra had never seen Susan so wound up before; Susan had always been the picture of cool composure near her. She stood watching them, worried Susan might be angry that she was in Lucy's room. But her mind was also racing, taking in this new information: Susan might also be vying for Rabadash's heart!
"By Aslan, what's gotten you so excited?" Lucy exclaimed. "I'd no idea that you were looking forward to their visit so much!"
Susan paused in her analysis of herself in the mirror and looked at her sister. "That was until I looked out the window and saw Peter and Ed entering the castle with him. Lu, I've never seen a more handsome man in my life!"
Lucy's eyebrows rose. "Indeed? What does he look like?"
"His coloring is no different from his attendants, for they are all tan-skinned with dark hair and eyes. But it is his facial structure and the way he carries himself that I find so…so…" Susan had started waltzing around the room, using her body to accentuate her description of the Prince. As she did so, she spotted Saedra standing in front of the other mirror.
"Alluring?" Saedra finished hesitantly, including herself in Susan's excitement about Rabadash.
"Exactly!" Susan said, releasing her breath. "All of Calormenes are terribly good-looking. They make me feel utterly plain."
Lucy laughed incredulously. "Susan, seriously! Who is famed as the most beautiful woman in the entire world? It surely isn't one of them."
Susan looked sheepish. "I know, I know. I'm just so nervous!"
"Would you feel better if we go help you find them now? I can see you're itching to meet the Prince," Lucy offered.
"Would you? That would make me feel loads better. I want to see him face to face!" said Susan, her eyes glazing over.
"Why in the world would I not want to meet a dashing, charming Prince from a foreign land?" Lucy laughed. "Would you like to come too, Saedra?"
"Of course!" Saedra said, happy to be included.
After Susan was finally pried from the mirror, the three of them went to find the Calormenes. The first person they ran into was Corin in the south corridor on the first floor, and he was looking very happy.
"Have you seen High King Peter or King Edmund today, my Prince?" Saedra asked.
"Yes! They are giving the Calormenes a tour of the castle as we speak. They were walking through the west hall on this floor when last I saw them."
Saedra was surprised that Corin wasn't tagging along and being a nuisance around the newcomers. "Why are you not with them? I would've thought you'd be interested in the guests."
"Oh, I am, my Lady!" Corin replied gleefully. "But King Peter promised that if I was good, he may make me a Knight of Cair Paravel someday! So I'm trying to stay away as much as possible so I don't anger him in any way."
Susan had spent enough patience on Corin and moved on, walking at a fast clip. Lucy and Saedra rushed to keep up.
"What was Peter thinking?" Susan exclaimed, dismayed at the thought of Corin being a Knight.
"Why are you displeased?" Saedra laughed, feeling more bold around Susan. "I'd have thought that your Majesty would be happy that Prince Corin will not scare away your Prince Rabadash. Besides, he won't be good long enough to earn that title anyway!"
"That's true…but Corin even possibly a Knight? The thought!" Susan said just as they rounded a corner. In the middle of the hallway in front of them stood Peter and Edmund, along with four Calormenes.
Edmund was the first to spot them. "Susan, Lucy, Saedra! Come meet our guests."
The women went over, and Peter said to the tall, dark, and handsome man next to him, "Prince Rabadash, please meet my sisters, Queen Susan and Queen Lucy, and Duchess Saedra of Archenland." The three women curtsied, and Rabadash bowed with a flourish.
Saedra eyed the Prince. He held himself aloft with great dignity, and he had tan skin that complemented his white teeth.
Yes, he will do. Definitely husband-worthy. A bit flamboyant with the fancy jewels and robes, but that's nothing. An accent would be positively charming! The question is, will he have me?
She made a mental note of how she had prepared herself that day: grey velvet dress; hair in a high, loose bun; and some make-up around her eyes. Suitable, but not nearly the first impression she had been hoping to give him.
"It is an honor to meet all of you," Rabadash said in a voice that was neither too deep nor too high. "I have heard much of you all."
Saedra knew that he was being polite about including her in the praise. She was well-known in Archenland, but she doubted that she was known elsewhere. Susan and Lucy were, of course, famous worldwide.
"I have heard much of you," Susan said. "It's a great pleasure to have met your Highness. And who are your companions?"
Standing next to Rabadash was a young woman of exquisite beauty. She was voluptuous and tall—even taller than Saedra and Susan—and had a long, graceful neck. Her face was breathtaking, and instead of having the normal brown eyes of the Calormenes, she had grey eyes. She wore a red top that bared her stomach and had a form-fitting skirt that trailed on the ground. She had the power to make any woman feel inadequate, and Saedra was no exception. Saedra was dismayed to see that she had linked her arm through Rabadash's and clung to him.
More competition, Saedra thought. Curse Lune for putting me in a situation to win a Prince's heart against two of the most beautiful women I've ever seen!
"My companion is my cousin, Rahai Tarkheena, daughter of Cradish Tarkaan and direct descendant of Tash. She has come because of her curiosity about your great country here and to keep me company."
Rahai curtsied in the Calormene fashion, and Saedra could not help but get disgruntled.
She purposely bent forward like that so we could see down her shirt! she fumed.
"It is an honor to meet such great women," Rahai said in her accented, melodic voice. Saedra was convinced that she heard sarcasm.
Standing behind Rabadash and Rahai was a young man and a young woman in fine but plain clothes. Saedra gestured towards them, trying to take the attention away from Rahai.
"And who are the others, oh Prince?"
"Oh!" Rabadash said, taken aback. "These are our personal slaves."
Saedra was embarrassed that she had asked.
Susan changed the subject and asked, "Has the High King told you that we are holding a party tomorrow to celebrate your arrival? I hope you aren't too weary from your journey. If so, we can postpone it—"
"Do not fret, my dear Queen. Our journey was not strenuous, and I had been looking forward to experiencing a Narnian party," Rabadash graciously assured her.
"I do love parties," Rahai said. "I'm fascinated with dancing. Do you dance here?"
"Why, Tarkheena!" Peter said. "Dancing is our favorite thing to do at our parties."
"Then I hope you will find time to dance with me tomorrow, High King," Rahai said, locking eyes with Peter. "I don't doubt you are the best dancer in the kingdom."
Saedra and Edmund looked at each other; they both knew that Peter was a great swordsman, but he was no exceptional dancer. Saedra bit her lip to keep herself from snickering when Edmund rolled his eyes behind Peter's back.
"I shall reserve the very first dance for you, Tarkheena," Peter promised, oblivious to his brother and the Duchess.
Peter was true to his word, and the first dance the next night was reserved for the two guests. The High King danced with Rahai Tarkheena, and Rabadash, who to Saedra's dismay was instantly infatuated with Susan just as she had been with him, asked Susan to dance.
"Everyone seems to like the Tarkheena," Corin innocently observed from next to Saedra. They were sitting on the sofas along the wall, waiting for their turn to dance. Corin stared at the Calormenes who were silently watching the dance with solemn expressions.
Saedra was gnawing on her lip, trying to decide whether she should cut her losses and tell Lune that Rabadash was a lost cause. Why would Rabadash think of Saedra when there was Queen Susan to be had?
She vaguely heard Corin's comment and said, "Huh?"
"I said, the Tarkheena seems to be likeable," Corin repeated in a slightly annoyed tone. He wasn't used to people not listening to him fully.
"It's because she's beautiful," Saedra said dully. She had decided that Rahai Tarkheena was probably the least of her worries. Though she was only Rabadash's cousin and could still marry him, it was probable that he saw her only as a relative and nothing more; at least, that was the way he treated her. Susan was the one that Saedra was watching.
"She's not prettier than you or Queen Susan," Corin said, looking at Saedra and back over at Rahai.
"You're sweet, Prince," Saedra sighed, talking just to keep Corin happy. "She is definitely prettier than me."
It wasn't for a lack of trying on Saedra's part, however. She had put on a midnight blue dress that made her look slimmer, had her hair in braids all day so it was wavy and loose, and had applied stronger make-up to bring out her brown eyes. She had been pleased with the final result, but so far it hadn't made much of an impact on anyone besides Corin.
Corin sat up. "You know it's strange, but I think you and her look alike!"
Saedra doubted that, but didn't say anything.
Corin continued, "Anyway, I would much rather be with you than her any day. She's positively stuffy."
The music ended, and the rulers bowed to each other and the applauding onlookers.
A thought entered Saedra's head: if she couldn't win Prince Rabadash over because of her looks, she could sure try by using her personality. She could make him see how fun-loving and sweet she was. Besides, she wasn't that plain compared to Susan. The dress she wore amplified her good features and bared her shoulders; she had turned the heads of the other Calormenes there, so why not the Prince? She could still win this battle!
She suddenly stood up. "Let's dance, my Prince!"
Corin's face lit up. "Okay!"
She led the boy onto the dance floor, casually looking around to spot her prey. Peter was walking Rahai off of the dance floor. At the moment that her eyes were sweeping over him, he happened to look away from the Tarkheena and lock eyes with her. Saedra looked away instantly, hoping that he didn't think she had been watching him.
Saedra and Corin started dancing to the music along with the new couples. Rabadash and Susan were again partnered for the new song.
Blast! she thought, smiling down at Corin and pretending to not have a care in the world. They're not even trying to hide their interest in each other.
Surprisingly, Saedra felt relieved.
Do I even care that Rabadash likes Susan?
She didn't, not really. She had no special feelings for Rabadash one way or the other. She could just tell Lune the truth about Susan and Rabadash; he would understand.
It was rather freeing to realize this, and Saedra laughed aloud.
"Yes, I thought it was rather funny, too!" Corin said. He had been talking the whole time that she had been puzzling over Rabadash and thought she was laughing at his stories.
As the song ended, Saedra said breathlessly, "Come, let's rest. You're too energetic for me!"
He beamed with pride at that statement and said, "Anything for you, my Lady."
They went over to the nearest table and sat down.
"Would you like me to fetch you anything to drink?" Corin asked.
Saedra looked at him in surprise at his courteousness. "Why, yes, thank you!"
He stood up, saying heavily, "Father's always telling me I need to be more chivalrous. You think that getting you a drink is chivalrous, my Lady?"
"Yes, I do," she smiled. "You'll be a fine King someday."
He groaned in agony as he walked away. "Don't remind me!"
Saedra laughed as he dramatically slumped his shoulders. She loved to tease him about becoming King, for she knew how he hated the idea of it.
Foolish boy, she thought. How many of the impoverished children of Harden would give anything to be in his position?
The province that she governed over had been decimated by Calormenes when she was ten years old, and had been fighting to regain its status ever since. Corin had no idea how good he had it.
She looked around, this time without searching for Rabadash. The well-decorated Great Hall was twinkling with candles, and many pairs or groups were dancing happily to the lively music. Edmund was dancing with Rahai, Peter was dancing with a nymph, and Susan, Lucy, and Tumnus were dancing together.
But if Susan was with them, then—
"O gracious Lady, may I claim your next dance?" an accented voice asked.
Saedra looked up into the very dark eyes of Prince Rabadash. His turban glistened, and his grand clothes swished as he bowed and held up his palm.
Had the stars just granted her a second chance with him? Had he noticed her even when she thought he hadn't?
I will have to find out, she decided.
"You may, oh Prince," she smiled flirtatiously, placing her hand in his.