The next day, Ruby watched as Peter got ready for the day. They originally were going to go into the nearest town to go to a market place, just to look. The Narnians love seeing the High King and his High Queen Consort taking a stroll in public, but something came up. Peter told her that it was a sudden meeting that he had to attend but also for Ruby to watch over Lucy. Ruby didn't mind but the whole situation just seemed a tad bit off.
Normally, Peter wouldn't have asked this sort of favor unless it is something very stressful. Something like a new threat to Narnia, in which case, concerns Ruby as well. When she tried asking her husband what was the issue, Peter simply states that it's nothing to worry about. But his actions speak differently as she noticed that he doesn't want to look at her.
"Do I not need to be there? After all, I can help"
Peter turned, "Oreius says it's nothing to worry about, just a routine military tactic. You know those things bore Lucy to death"
"Yes, but she usually likes the company of Mr. Tumnus" Ruby slowly folded her arms over her chest, "But Mr. Tumnus is also involved in this meeting as well"
"Ruby…" Peter sighed and walked over to her, "There is nothing to worry about, I just want you to have a bit of company because I truly don't know how long this meeting will last. Do you remember the last time there was a surprisingly long meeting?"
Ruby glared and twitched her mouth, "That was the hormones, Peter, I could not control the tears"
"You were a bleeding mess" Peter chuckled, "This is why I came prepared"
Ruby sighed, "So there is nothing to worry about?"
Peter gently smiled at his wife, cupped her face, and kissed her lips gently. He moved in as close as her pregnant belly could let him as he hoped the baby would kick him. His lips parted but his forehead didn't as he placed it on top of hers.
"Nothing for you to worry about" Peter whispered, "I just don't want you to be alone on a day that we made plans on"
Ruby let out a breath, "Fine"
A knock came at the door as the pair parted, Peter took a hold of her hand and guided her across the room, "That just might be her"
Peter opened the door as the youngest, Lucy Pevensie looked up and smiled at the pair. Whatever worry melted away at the youthful and innocent face of the youngest Queen.
"Hello, Ruby, are you ready?" Lucy asked, "Peter told me that you don't like to be cooped up inside so I chose for us to have a picnic"
Ruby smiled, "I would love that, Lucy"
"Perfect!" Lucy wrapped her arms around Ruby's as the three made their way down the hall, "You can also hover a little bit off the ground, I'll make sure to send Mrs. Beaver away so you can enjoy at least a couple of moments in the air"
"You are too kind" Ruby couldn't help but laugh as she imagined herself flying through the wind once more.
"I honestly don't know how long this meeting will last but I hope it will be all day" Lucy beamed, "I have so many things planned"
"I really hope it doesn't" Peter chimed in, "But it is all up to who Orieus invited"
"He invited people?" Ruby turned to her husband.
"Just a military tactic meeting" Peter tapped her nose, "Nothing to worry about"
He then leaned in and kissed her on the lips before he went down a different hallway than Lucy and Ruby.
"Come now, don't be worried, Ruby" Lucy said, "I tried getting Susan out of the meeting too but she wanted to bring up her marriage proposal"
Ruby furrowed her eyebrows, "To a military meeting?"
"She is obsessed with finding a marriage that will please the crowd" Lucy sighed, "I was really hoping that she would marry out of love"
"You sound just like Peter," Ruby giggled.
"Well, Peter is right," Lucy stated.
They went to Lucy's favorite spot which was at the mouth of the maze. Mrs. Beaver was already there giving last minute touches to the table with breakfast already prepared. Ruby smiled as this day gave off a little bit more warmth in the morning, promising for a nice afternoon. Ruby couldn't deny herself but she already knew she was hungry just by looking at the delicious food. Mrs. Beaver looked up and smiled at the Queen's as she patted down her own fur to make it look decent.
"You both look so lovely" Mrs. Beaver complimented.
"I would've dressed accordingly but I did not know of this until a little while ago" Ruby confessed.
"Oh, hush now" Lucy waved off, "You don't have to change your dress for every hour of the day, you know"
"Still" Ruby sighed, "It is not everyday that I get to spend time with both Lucy and Mrs. Beaver"
"I honestly believe we should've moved this indoors" Mrs. Beaver said, "In case, you wanted to lie down, or be closer to the doctor's office-"
"Mrs. Beaver, she is not at that stage just yet" Lucy reminded her, "When she is close to giving birth, she will lie down"
"It was only just a suggestion" Mrs. Beaver said, "I just do not want Ruby to be too stressed out-"
"Shall we begin?" Lucy spoke up.
This surprised Ruby as she knew Lucy long enough to know that the Queen would never cut off another from speaking. Ruby opened her mouth but then noticed that the table had baked blueberry oatmeal, yogurt parfait, and even her favorite blend of tea. She noticed that even the side dishes were her favorite meals as suspicion came over her. She glanced over to Mrs. Beaver and Lucy who were either sipping on something or nibbling to keep from speaking.
Ruby straightened herself up, "You are quite right, Mrs. Beaver, these are stressful times, especially what is going on recently"
Lucy and Mrs. Beaver glanced to each other as Mrs. Beaver cleared her throat, "H-How do you mean that, my dear?"
"Well, with the sudden meeting and all" Ruby sighed, "One must have to hope we are prepared for such things"
"Of course we will be prepared, it is after all, just rumors-"
Lucy cleared her throat as Mrs. Beaver slightly jumped, signaling that she was tapped unexpectedly. Ruby turned and looked to Lucy who was sipping her tea more than normal, or more than what she was trained to do. She avoided Ruby's gaze but the secret was getting closer and closer to her lips.
"Lucy…" Ruby slowly said, "What is the meaning of all this?"
"Nothing" Lucy smiled, "I just wanted to be with my sister-in-law"
"When I could have been by Peter's side at a meeting that I am allowed to attend" Ruby pieced together, "Something that could be stressful…"
"Peter is only just looking out for you" Ruby said, "He just wants to see if these rumors were true"
"What rumors?" Ruby asked, "Peter told me to keep an eye on you today because this meeting will be stressful for you, was it supposed to be the other way around?"
"Now, I really think we should switch this tea to chamomile" Mrs. Beaver said, politely.
"No!" Ruby let out, "What is going on? What is it that everyone is afraid of telling me?"
Lucy and Mrs. Beaver both looked at each other but in a more defeated tone, Ruby knew she was getting closer to the truth. The youngest sibling reached out and took a hold of Ruby's hand.
"Please, Ruby" she pleaded, "It is not in our place to tell you but Peters. When he gets out of the meeting, I will let him know that you figured it out and need to know the truth. But just know this, as your sister, he was only doing this to protect you, nothing more. He didn't want to upset you further if these… things weren't true"
Ruby thought for a moment before she sighed, "Alright, Lucy, I will wait until Peter is done with his meeting and then I want to know what my husband is keeping from me"
Lucy smiled gently and nodded in understanding as the three went back to a more quiet and awkward morning meal.