Chapter 6: Male Rivalry
The next morning I couldn't help but wake up with a smile on my face, pulling on my dress I quickly brushed my hair out. Maria knocked before stepping in, a grin crossing her face. "Well Princess, someone is very well rested" she commented before stepping behind me and swatting at my hands till I moved them out of the way as her talented fingers quickly fixed the mess and braided my hair even adding wild flowers that she had picked. "Wild flowers?" I questioned her and she nodded, "There's no reason for you not to look your best Aria" she informed me. I smiled watching her reflection in the mirror.
Maria had been my wet nurse since I was a baby but we were never that closely bonded. Mother was often sick making it unable for her to take care of me in that department myself. But Maria and I didn't grow close till the twins were born. Maria was also their wet nurse as well, and once we lost mother she immediately filled that role for us. She made it clear that she couldn't and wouldn't replace our mother, but she was the closest thing we had now and there was no way that was going to change.
"What is it Princess?" Maria questioned concern filling her voice as she gently squeezed my shoulder. I smiled up at her, "nothing Maria" I told her giving her a sad smile. She understood, she hugged me from behind kissing the top of my head softly before she gently laid my crown in the brown curls. "Don't worry Princess, you will give your children everything your mother couldn't give to you" she assured me. I turned around and hugged her gently. "But you gave me everything Maria" I told her, she smiled and quickly dabbed at her eyes before we exited the room and made our way to the dining hall for breakfast.
"Good morning Father" I cooed kissing his cheek before sitting down next to Susan as usual. Glancing around the table everyone was present except for High King Peter. Prince Rabadash was bragging to King Edmund, no doubt trying to get into his head to throw his game off. "Will you two be participating?" Queen Lucy questioned the twins. "No, we're not allowed to for another two years" they pouted pushing food around on their plate. "Oh that's too bad, no doubt you two would be the scariest swordsman on that field" Susan assured them. Cor absolutely beamed at them. "Don't worry fair Queen Susan two years from now I will be fighting for your honor!" He informed her before kissing the top of her hand.
I immediately burst into laughter as Susan looked at me not knowing what to say at my younger brother's declaration. Father was also chuckling, "I'd be careful Queen Susan, he's quite an admirer!" King Lune advised her, "is he serious?" Susan whispered to me and I nodded. "Oh yes you see they've already planned it. Cor will fight for your honor while Corin will fight for Lucy's" I whispered to her, "that one makes more sense at least they're the same size!" Susan whispered and sent the both of us into fits of laughter.
Hearing a clatter we looked over to see that Prince Rabadash was the culprit. His goblet was now on the ground, it's contest spilled across the floor. I furrowed my eyebrows only to see the furious look on his face before his eyes turned towards me. His jaw was clenched, fingers curled into fists and looked like he was about to strike out. What was he so pissed off about? "Oh High King Peter, wonderful for you to join us…..that's a nice sash you have their" King Lune said before looking at me. I looked at the King in question. Oh that might do it. There on his right arm, above his bicep and below his deltoid rested the dark blue sash I had worn for the past two days.
I couldn't fight the grin on my face, or the light blush that colored my cheeks. Father gave me a curious look before shaking his head, "this should make today's events interesting" he commented as the High King took his seat and started eating. "Sleep well Peter?" Edmund questioned him, not being able to resist it. "Quite well actually" He answered before winking at me softly. I smiled into my drink while Susan nudged me with her elbow demanding and explanation. The twins as well were also staring at me shocked that Peter was wearing the sash.
"What?" I questioned Susan. "When did this happen?" She demanded, hurt lacing her voice at not being told beforehand. "Last night at the end of the ball" I told her, "oh when you suddenly ran out?" She questioned me and I nodded as we whispered so the boys or my father next to us wouldn't hear us. "Yes, he asked me the other night to meet him in the gardens and it turned out he wanted to ask for a favor but was pretty nervous too." I told her and she giggled. "That's so like Peter, he loves flirting with girls but when he meets one he likes he becomes a complete stumbling dolt" she snickered. I nodded glancing over to look at Peter. He was smiling as he was in a heated conversation with my father about politics. Looking further down the table Edmund was getting into Lucy's and the twins conversation and seeing the expression on Prince Rabadash's face I couldn't blame him in the slightest.
It didn't take long for Princess Arland appeared as well. She sat next to her cousin and was also staring in shock at seeing the sash on Peter's arm. I noticed that Peter always made sure to move his right arm, even if he didn't need to the sash moved catching Prince Rabadash's attention. He really shouldn't be baiting the bull like this. Prince Rabadash would make sure to return the favor on the battle field. I had to make sure to warn him before hand just to make sure he understood.
Together we made our way down to the battle field. They had their armor already there, Susan made sure to stay with me while I talked to the High King. Rumors flying around was the very last thing we needed right now. "Peter!" Susan called when the group broke up. He looked over at her and smiled at seeing me. Edmund also hung back to talk to Susan so it wasn't obvious that they were listening in on my conversation. "Your majesty I wish you wouldn't toy with Prince Rabadash like that!" I scolded him. He snickered, "it'll be just fine Princess, though I must say it feels good know that you're worried about me" he winked down at me. I blushed, "that's because I know what Prince Rabadash is capable of! Please watch out for him Peter he won't hesitate to take a fatal shot if you leave one open and if Lucy can't get to you in time…" I started ranting only for him to catch my cheeks, his callused thumbs resting on my lips.
"You just called me Peter" he stated. I blushed a bright red adverting my eyes from him. He crained my head up higher so my eyes met his light blue ones. They were so beautiful, crystal clear waters fooling you into thinking that you can go deeper only to find yourself suddenly drowning in them unable to escape for air. "I like hearing it" he whispered only for gong to resound calling for the contestants. Edmund managed to already have his armor on while he held Peter's. "Peter, please" I begged him letting my hands fall on his wrists. His skin was so warm to the touch.
A smile tugged on the corner of his lips. "Don't worry, no harm will come to me that a dance with you tonight can't fix" he assured me letting my face go to kiss the tops of my hands. "Please be safe Peter" I whispered he smiled and nodded. "I will, promise" he kissed my fingers one more time before making his way towards Edmund. The two pulling his armor on as he made his way to the field. Susan wrapped her arm around me. "Well I never thought I'd see another woman besides Lucy wrap him around their finger" she commented, I gave her a look before we quickly made our way to our seats.
"He'll be all right, right?" I questioned Susan for the millionth time. "He'll be just fine! You'll see, besides he probably won't be fighting against Prince Rabadash in the first round anyway" Susan comforted me. I hoped that she was right. There were so many participants this particular activity that the tournament was spread out over three days. I was thankful to see Peter could hold his own in a fight. After his match he looked up towards me and grinned before inclining his head respectfully before walking over towards Edmund.
After the tournament I stood up to congratulate Peter on making it to the semi finals but father caught my arm. "I would like to speak to you first" he told me before looking towards Susan. She nodded standing up, "come on Lucy, let's go congratulate Peter" she told her before they quickly left. The twins as well as Princess Arland also left as well. I sat back down in my chair.
I knew this was going to come, especially when he saw the sash on the High King's arm. "You seem to have taken a liking towards this High King" Father started, "Yes father" I said meakly. "More of a fondness if you could say." He kept fishing waiting for me to burst and tell him everything. "Father just say it" I told him smiling at him. He smiled back at me. "Does this new friendship have anything to do with staying at Cair Paravel this summer?" He questioned, "it might. Besides father Susan and I are becoming fast friends as well and the twins have taken a strong liking to Lucy, especially Corin!" I told him. "Yes and Cor seems to be equally smitten with Queen Susan as well." He concluded and I nodded. "That doesn't change the fact about your fondness for the High King. It must be something serious to be letting him wear your mother's sash." He told me. "I'm sorry father, should I have asked you first since it was mother's?" I questioned him, he squeezed my hand. "No Aria it was a pleasant surprise. Though I can't say the same for Prince Rabadash" he told me with a chuckle. I smiled nodding my head, "yes that was quite entertaining." I agreed and father nodded.
"Should I except a courting request sometime soon?" Father questioned me, I looked up at him in alarm. "Father I wouldn't necessarily say that" I told him. "Really?" He questioned as he stared at me. I don't know how he did it, but he was always able to just stare at me till I told the truth. "I would enjoy it very much if he spoke to you about courting but I wouldn't expect it till near the end of summer" I told him honestly. He smiled, "well hopefully the end of summer will come quickly then. You may go, maybe his majesty would enjoy a relaxing horseback ride?" Father suggested. That was a good idea. "He just might" I agreed standing up giving father a kiss before quickly making my way to find the High King.