A/N: I actually started writing this chapter early last month then promptly forgot about it! Sorry!
Cor was relieved to see that Aravis was well enough to attend the banquet that evening.
Cor and Corin sat on the dais, on either side of their father. Lady Amberjill and her father, as the guests of honor, were seated beside the crown prince. Aravis was next to Corin.
King Lune, after giving thanks, raised a glass to toast their guests.
"To Lord Ackley and his daughter Lady Amberjill, a toast to our continued friendship. May our bonds strengthen with the passing of time. To the future!"
The guests echoed their king and drank deeply of the fine Archenlandish wine.
The tables bubbled with animated conversation. Everyone was chattering about the upcoming tournament: favorites-to-win, new comers, past champions, the weather.
Lord Ackley regaled the royal table with the history and legends of Terebinthia. On any other occasion, Cor would have been fascinated, but he could not concentrate. He was concerned about Aravis. Yes, she was at the banquet—but at the same time she was not. Everyone but Aravis appeared spellbound by the Duke's stories. She hardly touched her food and she was not speaking with anyone except for when asked a direct question.
Usually Aravis would feign interest toward uninteresting guests. She was very good at it and one could never tell when she was pretending and when she was sincere. It was a testament to her good breeding. One of the many things that Cor admired about Aravis was she could be having a heated argument with him, fuming for an hour, but never, ever, would she ever bring her mood into the presence of a guest.
Thus, the fact that she was forgetting her manners immediately alerted Cor that something was very wrong. The presence of dark circles under her eyes bothered him, too.
Cor saw Corin whisper something in Aravis' ear. Aravis straightened and gave Corin her full attention. Aside from feeling irritated, a sudden sensation, akin to loneliness, gnawed at Cor.
" . . . agree, Prince Cor?" Apparently Lady Amberjill had been speaking to him.
" . . . Yes?"
Amberjill turned to her father. "You see, even the Crown Prince thinks my hair does better here."
The Duke chuckled. "I do not see how he can, my dear, if he has not even seen what your hair looks like in Terebinthia . . ."
"Well, it's settled then. Prince Cor, you must come and visit us at Terebinthia very soon, so you can make a proper judgment." Amberjill's eyes glittered with humor as she gazed at Cor.
Cor gave an indulgent smile. "Of course."
A smirk appeared on Amberjill's face and she glanced in Corin's direction. She raised her voice. "But, do not bring your brother along; he is not invited."
Corin leaned around Aravis to glare at Amberjill. "I wouldn't go even if you begged me!"
"I would not invite you even if you begged me."
Everything was said with a taunting humor but an edge was clearly there, right below the surface and everyone could feel it.
. . . . . .
After bidding Lady Amberjill and her father a good night, Cor made his way to his chambers. He was tired and needed to get plenty of rest, for there would be training in preparation for the tournament early tomorrow morning.
Cor was about to open his chamber door when:
"Shasta!"
Cor winced. Aravis only called him that was when she thought he was acting particularly stupid.
"Yes, Aravis?" Cor did not turn around and kept his hand on the chamber door.
"What is this I hear about you participating in the tournament? King Lune forbade it, as I recall. Are you going in disguise, then?" Her last question had the mocking ring that always raised Cor's ire.
"I'm the crown prince, I'll do as I please!" Cor snapped, "For once in your life, Aravis, mind your own business and stay out of mine!" The prince swallowed back the bitter taste the words left in his mouth. Cor winced, bracing himself for the impact of Aravis' fury. He was only met with an oppressive silence. He took a breath and turned around.
On Aravis' face was a mixture of shock, profound hurt and deep disappointment. Cor had only seen that expression once before. Not long ago Kidrash Tarkaan had sent a letter thanking Archenland for taking such a willful and disobedient daughter off his hands. He hoped Tash would curse her for the shame she caused him and if she dared try to return Calormen, her life would be forfeit.
"For the exact reason that you are the crown prince, you may not do as you please," Aravis said quietly, looking straight into Cor's eyes. "I'm disappointed in you, Shasta. What kind of king will you make if you are so easily swayed to foolishness by a mere pretty face?"
Cor clenched his fists. To hear her say she was disappointed in him was a crushing blow that he was not expecting. At the same time he realized he was less angry at Aravis and more at himself.
She was right, as usual.
Cor normally prided himself on being a cautious, level-headed person, but one glance from Amberjill's bright, beseeching eyes, and he wanted to live up to whatever expectations she seemed to have, which seemed to run more along the lines of Corin's personality. Odd.
"I fear that if I don't participate, I'll look like a coward."
"No one doubts your courage."
Cor looked up at his friend with a doubtful expression. A grin tugged at Aravis' lips.
"I must have told the account of you facing a lion in order to save me more than a hundred times."
"It was Aslan, though. He wasn't going to eat us."
"You didn't know that at the time." Aravis stepped up to Cor and gently squeezed his hand. "That was the first time I really respected you." She looked up into his eyes. "I still do."
A surge of warmth filled Cor and flooded his stomach as he gazed down at Aravis' golden eyes. As a woman needs love, so a man needs respect.
"I'm sorry, Aravis—."
Aravis put a finger to his lips. "It's all right, Cor. I forgive you." Aravis got up on the tips of her toes and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Good night, Cor."
"Good night . . .Aravis."
The tarkheena left his side and went toward her own chambers, leaving Cor standing there, dazed and confused.