Someone Else's Heart

Chapter 6

Edmund's siblings were anything but surprised at his grand revelation. Peter couldn't help but feel sorry that it took his brother so long to realize his feelings for Rosa. Perhaps she wouldn't be betrothed to a Calormen if Edmund had recognized his feelings earlier. Of course he would never voice that thought to his brother. Edmund was already stressing out enough as it was, staying up in the study pouring over political papers and Narnia's alliances even after everyone had gone to bed.

Frustrated and getting practically nowhere the night before Edmund spent the morning in the barracks practicing different sword fighting maneuvers. It was snowing outside and the cold air crept into the barracks but Edmund was keeping warm from his exercises. The door creaked open but he simply figured it was Peter as his back was to the door so he continued on with practicing his jabs and slashes.

"Good morning," a voice that was decidedly not Peter called out, startling Edmund. Turning around he found Rose standing ten feet away in an old winter dress holding two mugs of hot chocolate. "Do you have time for a break?"

Quickly setting his weapon down Edmund approached Rose with a smile, reaching for his hot chocolate. "Of course."

"You're up early, something on your mind?" Rosalyn studied the Just King curiously. Edmund had never been an extremely early riser unless something was bothering him. Like the week Narnia was negotiating a treaty with Archenland.

"Nothing to worry about," he mumbled into his mug, taking a quick gulp to avoid elaborating and ended up burning his tongue. Refraining from spitting the hot liquid back into his cup Edmund simply made a face as he swallowed.

Rosalyn knew it wasn't just 'nothing', but she also knew better than to push Edmund to talk when he didn't want to. It wouldn't do any good.

"Well then, since we're both up and Robert is miraculously not looking for me at the moment, are you up for your first dance lesson?"

"Without any music?" Edmund asked hesitantly. Dancing had never quite been his forte. But as soon as Rose slipped her hand in his to pull him out to the open floor where he had been practicing earlier he momentarily forgot about his self consciousness.

Rosalyn stopped in the center of the room, turning to face Edmund and placed his right hand on her waist. Setting her own hand on his shoulder she raised their other conjoined hands up before them. For a second she got caught in Edmund's brown eyes as they stood close together. She felt warmth flood her cheeks and forced herself to look away to collect herself.

"Dancing isn't much different than sword fighting actually." Rosalyn looked back to Edmund to find him looking disbelievingly at her. "You simply lead with your left foot instead of your right and then just make a square with your steps."

Nodding slightly Edmund squeezed Rose's hand slightly tighter, looking down at their feet and moving as Rose had instructed him. Rosa followed his lead, stepping back as he stepped forward before moving to the right as he led to complete the square. He was squeezing her hand rather tightly but she didn't mention anything as he was concentrating so hard on the steps. She couldn't help but smile at how hard he seemed to be trying.

"You're doing very well, but," reaching with the hand that rested on his shoulder Rosa tilted his face. "I'm up here."

At her touch Edmund fumbled the step, treading lightly on Rose's toes. He immediately apologized but she simply waved him off. Trying to do as Rose had instructed and not look to their feet again Edmund focused on Rose's face and her blue eyes. Even though he had his doubts he found Rose was right: dancing wasn't very different from the footwork that went with sparring.

Rosa was pleasantly surprised at the progress Edmund seemed to be making. Now he only stumbled on her toes sporadically between much longer time increments than when they had started. He also kept his eyes on hers. She couldn't remember a time when Edmund and here were this close, face to face, and—though she wasn't quite sure why—her heart beat irregularly as they moved together.

The two royals lost track of time as they continued moving around the barracks together. Edmund's confidence was growing and his grip on Rose's hand started to ease up into a gentler embrace. Even though there was a chill in the air Rosa's hands were not cold despite being bare. Her whole body was warm. The growling of both of their stomachs was what finally drew the two back to the castle.

Instead of eating in the dining room Rosa and Edmund headed for the kitchen mostly because Rosa wanted to avoid her cousin. Although Edmund didn't quite relish the idea of the knowing looks his siblings would send them if they walked into the dining hall late together. They were laughing over Rose dropping several eggs on the floor when Rose's ring blinked in the sunlight filtering through the tall windows in the kitchen quickly drying up Edmund's laughter.

Robert found Rosalyn as she was trying to sneak back to her room and sent her directly to what she often referred to as the torture chamber. It was a small room filled with flowers, lace, and lots of white and pale purple. She was just thankful she had gotten to eat first because Rosa knew Robert wouldn't allow her to leave that room anytime soon since it took him forever to find her and place her in it.

After what seemed like eternity of being prodded and poked with pins in that room the door creaked open as Lucy entered. Rosa was once again in her wedding dress staring absently at the wall while the seamstress was pinning the material.

"Robby finally found you then?" Lucy asked coming to sit on the chair before her friend.

"Unfortunately, yes he did. And the morning had been going so well." Rosa sighed absently.

"I saw you heading out towards the barracks with two cups of hot chocolate. Wasn't Edmund training there this morning?" Lucy's smile was sly as she studied her friend. She was happy last night when her brother finally admitted his feelings for Rosa and now she was determined to have Rosa realize her own feelings for Edmund.

"He was," Rose answered shortly, biting her lip in the process. "I promised him I'd give him some dancing lessons for the ball."

"I see. I was wondering why you two weren't at lunch. Edmund was never one to forget meals." Rosa didn't particularly catch the gleam in the youngest queen's eyes. She was too busy thinking about the Just King and how he was spending his time today. Probably horseback riding or playing chess: something a right side better than what she was being forced to do.

It turned out Edmund was actually doing some Christmas shopping of his own, dragging his brother along for the adventure. Edmund and Peter found themselves in a small jewelry shop. Peter was across the way looking at necklaces while Edmund couldn't help but look at the rings. Even though he knew it was impossible now, he couldn't help but pick the one he would have gotten Rose had the circumstances been different.

Forcing himself away Edmund went to join Peter to see some gifts that were actually a possibility. Faster than he imagined possible he saw exactly what he wanted to get Rose. It was perfect, beautiful but understated just like her. Peter couldn't help but smirk at his brother's choice.

"Giving her your heart Ed?" Edmund muttered a 'shut up' before asking the faun that made the jewelry if he could engrave something inside the pure silver heart shaped locket.

"Honestly, Edmund, I think it's a great present. She'll love it," Peter supplied once they were back at Cair Paravel and were returning their steeds to the stables. Edmund nodded as he patted Phillip's neck, feeding him a carrot, not wanting to go deep into a conversation about Rose or her gift right then when all he wanted was to be giving her that ring instead of the locket.

The two kings parted ways as Peter headed towards the library and Edmund headed to his bedchambers to store the present he bought. It seemed that no sooner than Edmund had closed the door Lucy was barging through it.

"Lu I could have been indecent!" He shouted at her. It didn't seem to bother her in the least as she jumped onto his bed, sitting up on her knees while studying her brother.

"I heard Rosa is teaching you how to dance properly." Rolling his eyes at his sister Edmund nodded as he slid the drawer to his bedside table shut. "I can't help but recall how you turned down both Susan's and my offers to teach you to dance in the past."

"Luce, dancing with you and Susan would have been horrible. Susan would constantly be correcting me and you would be laughing the whole time." Lucy couldn't deny the truthfulness of that statement, smiling at the mere thought of watching Edmund attempting to dance.

"And Rosa doesn't do either?" She found it hard to believe Rosa could refrain from correcting or laughing. It would be nearly impossible.

"She doesn't correct me in a 'know it all' way and she hasn't laughed at me yet, so no." Rosalyn must love him then. That was the only explanation. Besides, she smiled almost anytime Lucy brought her brother up, which was a little gross to the young queen, but on the other hand it was a complete give away.

"Have you given any more thought to my earlier suggestion?" Lucy asked raising her eyebrows suggestively.

"Lu it would be completely inappropriate for me to ask Rose to the ball. She's betrothed. Besides, she might not even want to go with me." Running his hand across his face Edmund fell down on the bed beside his sister.

"Who cares if she's betrothed, she doesn't even like the man. And there is no worries about her declining. Trust me." The way she said that last part had Edmund peeking up at her through his fingers.

"Did she say something to you about this?" He asked suspiciously. She seemed fairly confident as to what Rose's answer would be.

"I'm not saying anything more. She's my best friend and so she should feel safe in talking to me in the strictest confidence." Edmund stared at her dumbfounded.

"But I'm your brother. We're blood." Lucy smiled brightly, eyes twinkling mischievously as she jumped up to leave before he could question her anymore.

"Just ask her you big dummy," she stuck her tongue out before shutting the door behind her.

Try as he might Edmund couldn't sleep after that conversation. Instead he laid awake staring at the ceiling and going over all the possible scenarios, good and bad, of him asking Rose to the ball. She could laugh at him. Although that seemed unlikely for she had never been cruel like that. She could politely decline because she knew her cousin would disapprove. Then again she never really cared what Robert thought. She could accept because they were friends which would be horrible if she really did only think of him as a friend. Or she could accept readily fling her arms around Edmund and claim her undying love. Edmund let himself drift off at that highly improbable but very satisfying thought.

The Just King awoke the next day from a very satisfying dream to find he was hugging the spare pillow rather tightly. It had to do with dancing and Rose and engagement rings and awakening to find none of it was real was more than slightly disappointing. The only thought that made him feel better was that he had another dance lesson with Rose today. Pulling on an old tunic Edmund grabbed a slice of toast from the kitchen before heading out to meet Rose in the stables.

Once again he found himself running late as Rose was pacing the barracks slowly, looking at the different weapons lining the wall obviously having been waiting for a while. Once she realized he was there she met him with a smile, abandoning the line of swords she had been studying.

"Today we will be dancing a volta," she announced. The word meant nothing to Edmund as the only dance he knew by name was the waltz. "The steps are a little less formal than yesterday's but there is more to the dance than just moving in a square."

Less formal sounded good to Edmund's ears until he learned there were certain parts of the dance where he would have lift Rose up and twirl. The lifting wasn't what worried him but learning where in the music he was supposed to do so especially seeing they were practicing without any music. Rose explained it was usually whenever the horns swelled that the men lifted the women.

They practiced the twirl a couple of times, even though it really wasn't too complicated at all. Her weight was not difficult for the Just King to hold after hours upon hours of practicing with swords and hand to hand combat. Placing her hands on Edmund's shoulders Rose gave a little hop to help propel herself as Edmund lifted her high by her waist. Rosa allowed herself to giggle as he twirled her because no one was there to judge her as they would if she was at a formal ball. Not that she cared much about what others thought about her, but her family certainly did.

Setting her down Edmund fell into the next step of the dance, shoulder to shoulder with Rose facing in opposite directions they moved in a counter clockwise circle before turning back. Facing each other they held their right hands so they were barely touching and began circling the other direction. Edmund found himself catching onto the steps rather quickly which pleasantly surprised him.

Orius interrupted their session, as he needed to discuss something of importance with King Edmund, though what specifically Rosa did not know. When Edmund glanced back at Rosa to ensure she was alright with the interruption she simply waved him on claiming she would find Lucy to entertain her. The young queen was found choosing a gown for the ball, a maroon colored ensemble with gold embroidery. While Rosalyn was there Lucy insisted on her choosing a dress of her own.

It seemed Lucy had had a specific dress in mind before Rosa even agreed because no sooner had she nodded her head in approval Lucy was before her with a gown. It was a pale silvery blue, with a dark twilight blue border around the hem. Lucy knew it would look lovely on Rose and besides it would match Edmund's own tunic for the night. Together they would look ravishing if only Edmund would find the courage to ask her to the ball.

"Now that all that's out of the way how about we go riding?" Rosa suggested. She was dying to get away from the confines of the castle and out into the fresh air. Lucy readily agreed, telling Rosa to go ahead and get their steeds ready while she returned the dresses to the wardrobes.

At the stables Rosa bridled up Lucy's choice mare before moving to choose one of her own. She noticed Phillip, Edmund's horse, a couple stalls down and approached the steed. Normally Phillip didn't really bother with any other human besides Edmund, but at the Rosa's soft touch he quickly opened up mentioning for her to scratch just beyond his right ear and humming happily as she hit the spot.

"Phillip seems taken with you," Edmund interrupted with a smile, startling Rose slightly as she withdrew her hand from the horse. Phillip didn't particularly like the abrupt end to the pampering.

"It appears I'm not the only one." Phillip harrumphed as he took in the look Edmund and Rosalyn exchanged. However before he could say anymore Edmund was stuffing an apple in his mouth and sending him a look.

"I was wondering if I might take Phillip out today?" Rosalyn didn't really take notice to the meaning behind Phillip's statement as she looked to Edmund for his response.

"I don't mind in the least, but it's not up to me." Turning to Phillip who was still trying to get down the apple Edmund had shoved in his mouth he simply nodded his head in approval of Rosalyn's request.

With Edmund's help Rosa bridled Phillip and prepared him. Running her finger through Phillip's mane Rose smiled at the contented look on the horse's face. All the while she was oblivious to Edmund's stare. It did not go unnoticed by Phillip as he breathed out his nose to get Edmund's attention before urging him on with his eyes. The steed had heard Edmund talk enough about the girl petting him to know he cared for her. No one could talk that highly of one person and not love them.

"Rose?" Edmund eventually whispered softly. She hummed her response as she moved her eyes from Phillip, up to meet his. "I was, um, just wondering," Rose's eye implored him to continue as she silently waited for him to finish. "Would you do the honor of accompanying me the Christmas ball?"

Her smile was slow as Rosa processed what Edmund had asked her. It soon grew and she felt giddy inside that he had asked her at all. After a moment she realized Edmund was still looking at her hesitantly, awaiting her answer.

"It would be my pleasure," Edmund's returning smile was relieved. They continued smiling at one another until Lucy interrupted. Unbeknownst to Edmund and Rosa she had heard the entire exchange and was practically beaming. Edmund offered his hand to Rose, helping her mount her stead and watching her and his sister ride off with a smile still on his face. She had said yes.

A/N so this one is slightly longer than the last and it didn't take me months like last time to update. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you like, what you don't like, and what you would like to see come :) I might just use some of your suggestions ;)

Rach

xoxo