*3 Months Later*

I was returning to Cair Paravel for the first time since I dreamt about "The Cold One". I wanted to be home so bad but I didn't think anyone would be happy to see me.

During my extended vacation, I meet with Gylin again,slayed a sea serpent,and fought a small army of White Witch followers.

I decided to make my presence unknown. I wanted to see how everyone was doing.

The castle was busy preparing for the Summer Ball. "Autumn?" I turned to see Chrismo. "Chrismo!". I knelt down to hug him a he gave my a few wet lips. "It's been so long" he said. "Well at least someone is happy to see me".

Chrismo was the only one who believed me about Jennifer. Being an intelligent creature, he could he I wasn't making this up.

"You would be surprised" he said with a smile. I tilted my head to show I was confused and wanted him to continue. "King Edmund didn't come out of his room for a whole week. He blames himself for your sudden depart". "How and why did he come out?".

His ears suddenly dropped. This couldn't be good news. "Jennifer coxed him into..." I lifted my hand for him to stop. Jennifer. She was now Edmund's best friend. I made up my mind to treat Edmund like a king and not a friend.

"I'm sorry" he said.

"It's okay" I said. "You're lying through your teeth" Chrismo said.

I glared at him;that shut him up.

I started working on the paper work that tripled while I was gone. Susan had made me a Summer Ball dress in case I showed up and it was tonight.

A knock sounded and Chrismo went to answer it. "Hello Chrismo. Is Autumn back?" it was Susan. "Why don't you see for yourself?" I said without looking up from my paper work.

"Oh Autumn you're back! We were so worried when Edmund told us you left. We thought you left because of us". Susan hugged me from behind but I still worked on writing. Lucy was behind her with a smile on.

"It's okay". I've said that all day.

"Well I hope you're joining us for the Summer Ball". "Do I have a choice?".

"No" Susan said,picking out a pair of green flats from my wardrobe.

*Later that Night*

I put on the grass green dress Susan got for me. It was sleeveless except for two dark green straps on either side of my shoulders. I had a v-shaped belt and the dress reached the floor. The chest of my dress had a dark green vine pattern that mimicked the bottom of my dress. My hair was loose with my golden crown on top.

"NOW INTRODUCING: FOX CHRISMO AND PROTECTOR AND QUEEN AUTUMN!".

I got some surprised looks when I walked towards my throne. Peter,Susan,and Lucy knew of my return but others not so much.

Edmund and Jennifer were introduced next. Edmund had a wide smile on and so did Jennifer. They looked so happy. I wasn't going to be a pouter. I was going to keep my head high.

Edmund kissed Jennifer's hand and she walked into the crowd as Edmund walked towards his throne. I made no action to show I was there. I acted like I was the only person in the room.

Peter started the ball once again and dancing,music,and everything else started.

"You're back" I heard Edmund say behind me. "Is there a reason why I shouldn't be?".

"No,no it's just I didn't know when you'd be back and...". I rolled my eyes and said "And what?". "Well when you left, you said somethings I didn't understand".

"Oh really? Because they made perfect sense to me" I said folding my arms over my chest.

"Sir" a faun came over and tapped Edmund on the shoulder. "What is it?" he growled. "Lady Jennifer wishes your presence".

"All right I'll see to it". He turned back to me. "But first I need to finish my conversation with Autumn".

"This conversation is over" I said walking away.

I say Edmund dancing with Jennifer for the 5th time. They looked so happy together. I had been asked to dance by various suitors and I tried to enjoy it but I couldn't.

I was in a corner watching the dancers dance. I mostly watched Jennifer and Edmund glide together on the dance floor. I felt envious and a burning feeling in my heart.

"I know that look" I looked to my speaker.

It was Amberylla.

"Hello" I said.

"I know that last time we didn't start off on the right foot but I hoped that we could start over". "I would like that". We shook hands and we formally greeted each other.

"What did you mean by you knew that look?" I asked.

"It's the look of grief and envy. For I too, have been there".

"I don't know what you're talking about".

"I think I do. Edmund was your best friend and almost something more but then suddenly someone makes him fall head over heels for her and he leaves you".

I looked at her. "I was like that when I wanted Edmund as my own. I took me a little while to get that I was ment for someone else. Maybe the reason it's hard to get the person you want, it because it's preventing you from choosing the wrong person".

I looked at her,so much wisdom was in her bluey green eyes. "So you're saying that Edmund and I were never ment for each other?".

"No one knows the future for sure".

"By the way, who was the person that you were ment for?".

She blushed and said "He's a knight of Archenland. Sir Dilon".

"I'm so happy for you! He's a good friend of mine".

"That's..." she was cut off when we saw Chrismo running towards me.

"Autumn! Code 34!" he said. "Oh no. Um Amberylla I have to tend to some matters".

"That's okay. I promised someone this next dance".

When she left, I turned to Chrismo. "Are you sure?".

Code 43 stood for: His royal idiotness, King Edmund is headed your way. "Positive. He's walking this way as we speak".

Great. I hoped to spare any unneeded contact or talking with Edmund until "The Cold One" was caught but so much for that plan!

"What do I do?" I whispered to him.

"Run?". "He's Edmund. He could catch me if he wanted".

"Magic". "That would give the wrong thoughts towards people who are unsure about magic".

"Well I don't know! Punch him in the face?!". "Where would that get me?!" I glared at him. He gave a foxy shrug and I sighed.

Moments later, Edmund came up to me. "May I have this next dance?" he asked. "Fine" I said. Very queen like.

As we danced, I focused on the symbol of Edmund's shirt. In my head, I said no contact, but you're already doing that. Then no eye contact.

"You've been quite" he said.

"Any thing wrong with that?". "No. It's just not you".

"Maybe that's because I'm not the angel you guys want".

"I don't care that you're not an angel".

"Stop" I said.

"Stop what?" he said with a confused look.

"Stop playing two hearts at one time. You don't have to make the choice of who it is. I've accepted that you've moved on,so stop hanging back here and go forward".

"Wha..".

Thankfully the song ended and I left from Edmund's arms.

Was I really happy about Edmund and Jennifer together? Maybe. Edmund was my best friend and I wanted him to be happy but another part of me wanted to be with Edmund. This was ripping my heart out.