A/N: Fiuh. Long time no see. Helloooowww, and may the odds be in our favor this November. HAHAHA

Hope you guys like this one. REVIEW REVIEW.


CHAPTER 12

I had somehow escaped from Edmund and Chris so easily. I didn't understand at all about what they were talking and I stood there in an awkward body gesture and was companied by silence. I found Mr. Tumnus, Kate, and my mother together just talking about how awesome the event was going when suddenly a hand grabbed my arm and turned me around. My body was pressed with the figure who pulled me. It was Edmund again.

"Manage to escape now then?" he smirked.

I blushed and said, "I didn't know what to say there."

"Come up with a better excuse can't you?"

"Alright my king, don't corner me," I gave up and I could feel his slow breath, "you keep on making me feel so… nervous." I whispered at him.

He knew how close we were, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he pulled me closer and I looked up at his face. His soft lips. I stared at it. I kissed those pair of lips the other day. The thought kept on haunting me.

"I'm not going to apologize then." He whispered back.

I shivered. I bit my lower lip. I didn't know what to do. But somehow, I felt like I didn't want him to let me go. What kind of a feeling is this?

He smiled and let me go, "Alright, that's it," he said and turned around.

"Where are you going?" I asked. But he didn't reply. He shrugged and just walked away. I was scared that I said something wrong to him. I didn't want to hurt him by hanging his feeling towards me around and just didn't give any clarification about mine.

I wandered around the field, pushing the crowd in front of me and found he wasn't there. Everyone I pushed looked at me in such a confused look and I couldn't explain to them why. But then I spotted him, sitting under a large tree, far away from the crowd. Alone.

I walked to him and just stared at his figure for a while. "If you're asking about whether the seat is taken or not, then it's not. You may sit." He spoke up but his eyes were not on me, but the crowd far away in front of us.

I sat next to him and for a moment just watching the crowd who were so cheerful and busy on every spot of the field. "Edmund, I'm really sorry-"

"For what?" he cut off.

I sighed, and thought once more. Is it right to say it out loud now? Even so, is that my real feelings towards him? I couldn't doubt my heart, could I?

"I like you," I started, "I just didn't know how to express it. I guess."

"Liar." He said. For a moment, he shocked me.

"Sorry?"

"You're such a good liar," he said such in a bitter tone, "you don't like me. Ever. You're saying that because I've been acting so weird around you since yesterday and you can't help it anymore."

"No. Why would you think that way?"

"Come on," he turned his face to me, "do I look like a piece of cake to you? I want honesty Ev."

"I'm giving you honesty right now Ed," I told him eagerly, "stop doubting what everyone says to you. Have a little bit of trust in everyone will you?"

He didn't say a word. He sighed, and focused his eyes at the crowd again. "I saw you with Chris earlier," he started, "I was jealous."

"So…" I said unconvincing.

He sighed, "So," he started in annoyance, "I was approaching. I want you all to myself. I know I'm that egoistic."

"No you're not." I said.

"Yes I am. Please, don't cover up the fact to make me feel good." He begged.

"Ed, look at me," I said and placed my hand at his face. And then I kissed him. As passionate as I could, feeling all the shiver throughout my body. But I had that feeling.

I was happy.

"You're not, okay." I said. He nodded and I managed to rest my head on his shoulder.

"This event is going so smoothly." I said as we watched the crowd.

"Better than the previous ones, if you want my opinion on that." Edmund said.

I chuckled, "The grass was too slippery last year. I fell on my butt more than three times in the center of the field!" I said.

Edmund laughed, "Oh really, how could I miss that one?"

"Shut up," I smacked him, "it hurt okay."

"How bad it was?" he grinned.

I scoffed, "Really, do you want to discuss that any further and embarrass me even more?"

"If you say so." Edmund joked.

"No, Ed!" I smacked him again and we both laughed.

It had been like that for such a long time that night. It was such a beautiful night. There were stars on every spot in the sky, plus the moon with it's bright light flashing down at us. It was night, yet we didn't feel concealed with darkness.

Edmund and I somehow managed to have fun. We rejoined the crowd and were being crazy by dancing like a pair of lunatics getting drunk, but everyone felt amused. They were not aloofing by seeing us in such a foolish behavior, but get glued to us even more. I loved the fact that Edmund and I had solved our problems and would just take a few notes of what would happen to us for the next days of our lives.

Everything had changed.

I hadn't figured out how to tell the others yet, about me and Edmund. It was strange, that the other day we were trying to bite each other's head off and the next day, we were glued into each others' arms.

"Isn't it strange that we are turning into something we never thought of before?" I asked.

"Nope," he replied smirking, "Nothing's impossible Ev. Bet you've never heard about love at first sight?"

"No," I said in disbelief, "Are we talking about you landed your first love on me?"

"I haven't figured it out yet." Edmund joked.

"Okay," my hands on my hips, "so who was your first love then?"

"Philip." He replied simply and I stepped on his foot so hard.

"Ouch!" Edmund groaned, "what was that for?"

"For not admitting that I am your first love." I said sarcastically.

"You wish Ev, don't flatter yourself." He grinned.

I knew he was joking around by not wanting to admit a single thing about what I said, because honestly, his facial expression told otherwise.

"Honestly Ev, how come your family can manage to be around you for more than five seconds." Edmund said.

"Why is that?"

"You're torturing everyone near you. You could have led me to my death earlier." Edmund said and I smacked his shoulder.

"Hey hey you both," Caspian came over, "how is it going?"

"Oh, we both are good. Just the fact that you just came is not good." Edmund said.

"Funny how I can laugh at every single of your jokes." Caspian said and high fived Edmund.

"Well, it's not that common not to laugh at me."Edmund said.

"Because, you somehow, making yourself look like a clown?" I commented.

"No," Edmund being all defensive of himself, "Because I'm that funny to be laughed at. Not because of my face, but my jokes."

"No need to hear your jokes, we can laugh by the first time you show up." Caspian said and got himself a glare from Edmund and we laughed.

"Do I look like that much of a clown to you both?" Edmund whined.

"Not really. But you act like one." I replied.

"Come on, hug me for that one statement." Edmund said and spread his arms widely to hug me but I stepped back immediately and chuckled.

"Please, not tonight. I'm running out of oxygen myself already." I said.

"What is going on with you both?" Caspian said grinning, "getting better with the relationship?"

I blushed with Caspian's statement and Edmund spoke up, "Not like you want to know."

"Well, I want to know." Caspian said, sounded like he got suspicious about Edmund and my behavior tonight.

"What about Susan, have you danced with her tonight? You know, try to get her eyes on you-"

"Oh shut up," Caspian cut him off, "I'm looking for her already. She is out of sight from her stunning, lovable, black dress tonight! I swear I could have ruined it myself the first time I saw her get out of her bedroom earlier. What kind of a dress that is?"

"Her dress was fine." I spoke up.

"But the color isn't. Now I have to look more carefully at the crowd. Her figure is not blending with the crowd's, but the othes' shadows!" he whined and we laughed.

"What a taste for fashion." Edmund said.

As I was still laughing and tripping over on the field, Peter came up onto the stage with such a bright smile on his face. By the time, I knew he was about to announce something.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he started, "first of all, thank you so much for the lovely evening. It's such a pleasure for us, that we can have so much fun and excitement together tonight. Of course, every year this event has improved to be better and better," he said and everyone gave an applause and cheered, "second of all, I'm going to announce another big event we are holding. In a week, there will be held this amazing games for you all throughout Narnia to enjoy. There will include horse riding, sword fighting, and capability of using bows and arrows right in Cair Paravel. We are so pleased to invite you all to come, as this event is held to celebrate Aslan's arrival from his long journey!" Everyone, from all over the place whispered, cheered, and talked so happy to the others beside them about it, "we are pleased to tell you that you can sign up for your name starting tomorrow morning and start preparing for the big games! The gifts are beyond your thoughts, so get involved before you regret it!" Peter had reached his final word and took off the stage.

It was amazing to know that the big announcement was such a talk for everyone.

I repeat, everyone.

####

My eyes flutter open. A glimpse of light unconvinced me to wake up. I knew morning had came, yet my body was attached to the mattress I laid my body on. I cracked a smile as I rolled over. I saw Edmund's figure, sleeping peacefully beside me. Clothes still on with his pair of boots, and even though he was asleep, his face looked tired from the activity last night.

I remembered as we got back, I flung myself onto the bed and a few moments later, Edmund burst into the room and wished to sleep beside me. I allowed him and we got swept into the land of dreams with me around his arms. I moaned and straighten up. My stomach was growling for food because last night I didn't eat much. I was too busy having fun with the others, especially Edmund. No one knew about our relationship yet, and I was still thinking about how am I going to tell the others about it.

Then, my thoughts landed to the Games Peter announced last night. I wanted to join for the bows and arrows category. I got excited about it and I planned to sign my name for it today. I knew Kate would be the one who would get freak out about me signing up. She knew how passionate I was about my capability and talent, and I knew she would support me until I win.

Because I confidently thought I would win.

Edmund groaned in his sleep, snapping me back to reality. His eyes opened slowly and flinched when he saw me already woke up. "Have a nice sleep last night?" he asked. "Beyond nice." I smiled.

"I'm sorry for falling asleep here." He said.

"No! It was fine. I loved your presence here. I didn't have any nightmares coming."

"You get nightmares?" he raised his eyebrow.

"Not really," I hesitated for a moment, "I-I used to. Mostly about my dad but it was fine. You swept it all away in one night." I smiled.

"I'm really sorry about that Ev," he said and getting me into his arms and I put my head on his shoulder, "Better with me around then."

"As you wish my king." I grinned.

"Come on! I'm your lucky charm."

I sighed and chuckled, "I'm going to haunt you in your sleep tonight if you're being like this again, trust me."

"Wew, should I get scared?"

"Oh yes, you should my king. For the life of your people."

"Are you blackmailing me sweetheart?" he flirted.

"Sweetheart?" I asked in disbelief and laughed out loud, "You call me sweetheart?"

"Yes sweetheart, is there any problem you'd glad to say?"

"No sweetheart, but the next time you're calling me with that again, don't ask me to take down my aim at you." I said grinning.

"Sometimes I wish you were not good at using any weapons at all." He said and rolled his eyes.

We were talking for a while on my bed and then Edmund wanted to have his breakfast. I told him to clean up first and meet up in the kitchen and we both did so.

Mrs. Beaver was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for everyone in the castle. Some maids helped her sorting things out, she just really looked like the head chef in the kitchen if you could see it yourself.

"Mrs. Beaver!" Edmund shocked her from behind as she put every plate that was served with two slices of bacons, scrambled eggs, sausages, and salad on each of the plates.

"Oh dear!" Mrs. Beaver startled, "You gave me afraid!"

"Don't worry Mrs. Beaver, he is still normal." I said.

"And that is should be said because?" Edmund looked at me.

"A clarification for your sanity Ed." I tapped him on the shoulder and took a seat in the kitchen. There was a square table for anyone who wants to eat in the kitchen there.

"I'm glad that we both have the same way of thinking anything and everything." Edmund said.

"No we are not. We argue a lot." I said.

"That's how you show your love for me." Edmund whispered and grinned.

I chuckled and shook my head over his humorous personality. A maid put two plates on the table and we had our breakfast with so much laugh and spoiling Mrs. Beaver's work.

"You, get out of the kitchen right now!" Mrs. Beaver groaned to Edmund who was tasting and putting anything that was near his reach into the soup Mrs. Beaver was waiting to be cooked.

"Alright alright! Geez!" Edmund said and laughed as he went out of the kitchen with me.

####

Last night..

The crowds didn't bother for their noisy voices that broke through the dark. The ground seemed like it was vibrating as everyone was jumping up and down in excitement.

A middle-aged man, with a moustache and beard that covered most of his face stood out very carefully assembled behind a tree, blocking his figure for being seen. Swearing in the darkness of the woods, away from the crowd in front of him, he smiled mischievously. Paying attention to any rising motion of the Kings and Queens who were celebrating the happiness along with their people.

His eyes roamed across the crowd. One by one he saw carefully. Wrinkled, narrowing his eyes ahead, and aching hands against the wood of the tree that covered his body and his shadow. Then, he spotted the girl. Long time for a search. Long time of waiting, and now she showed up from her hiding place. Pleasure coursing through his body. He would get her. Of course with a strategy that he and the others had likewise made, so they would not leave any taint of failure. He was going to catch her. If possible, kill her on the spot. He had found the child.

The daughter of the substitute fate.


REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW