Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Sorry it took a bit longer than normal to update, but I can't promise I'll do it everyday

Chapter Four-Stay Beautiful

"You want to what?"

"I told you Shain, I want to borrow your blue dress."

"Who are you, and what have you done with Lucy?"

"I swear it's me, I just want to…look a little nicer."

"But why?"

"Because I do! Is that so bad?"

"No I'm just…you're just…I can't believe this day has finally come!"

"So you don't approve of me wearing tunics either?"

"Lucy, you know I never have, but I love you anyway."

"I know but…do you think I'll end up alone if I keep acting like I do?"

"Um…no?"

"You do, don't you."

"Well I think that if Caspian finally gets the courage to court you, then no. Or if Damien, or Drinian or one of Glenstorm's sons or someone…"

"So pretty much anyone who lives in the castle I could have a chance with?"

"Basically. And I wish I could say that it isn't true, but Lucy, you know how most men work! They want to be the 'protector' of the family, while the woman stays home and takes care of the children. And no man is going to be able to fulfill that role with you, because you wouldn't let him go off to war alone. You wouldn't let him leave you to stay with the children when there is danger. You need to be the defender as well, and not many men like that in a woman."

"Why does society have to be so narrow minded?" Lucy groaned, flopping down on the sofa in the drawing room. "How are you content?"

"Lucy, you know your brother, and he's one of a kind. He lets me do what I want, and he doesn't keep me holed up in the castle. You know that, and that's why I love him."

"I know, I just…I want to have a chance for a family."

"You do!"

"I don't know anymore. I haven't said anything since I figured everyone else could tell, but Araminta's finally getting to him."

"She isn't."

"Yes, she is. You see last month we went around introducing her to everyone in the castle, and though I could tell she was freaking out everytime one of the animals came near, she put on this act of being kind and lovely to all of them. Caspian was completely fooled, and now he thinks her to be very compassionate."

"Did he tell you that?"

"No, but I know him well enough by now to tell."

"I see. And that's why you've been avoiding him? So that he doesn't tell you how wonderful that brat is?" Lucy nodded. "So basically because of this, you want to change who you are."

"Kind of…"

"You're sure you want to?"

"Positive." The door to the sitting room burst open.

"YOU CAN'T."

"Caspian, what in Aslan's name are you doing here?" Lucy cried, completely mortified.

"Well you aren't exactly in a private room and I couldn't help but overhear…"

"How much did you hear?" Shaina asked.

"Only the last bit. You said so basically you want to change who you are and I had to hear the rest…Lucy, don't you dare!"

"Why?"

"Because you're completely perfect the way you are! I don't want you to change, and I know no one else does. I don't care how narrow minded society is, you're one of a kind and that's what I love about you." Caspian paused, and realized what he had just said. "I mean-I didn't mean I-"

"I guess you're right."

"Thank Aslan…and what in his name even made you think about acting like the rest of the world?"

"Nothing…"

"It was Araminta, wasn't it?" Caspian didn't bother waiting for an answer. "Look Lucy, I'm sure she didn't mean it. She's probably just jealous we're so close. So don't worry about her, and I'll talk to her about it. You two should really get to be friends, though. I know I was annoyed by her as well, but in the past few weeks I've seen a completely different side of her and she's actually a really interesting person."

"Mm."

"Anyway, we were going to go take a horse back ride…would you care to join us?"

"We would love to," Shaina said before Lucy could protest.

"Excellent! I'll just go find Peter and Ed and we'll all go."

"What about Damien?" Lucy asked.

"He's already down at the stables."

"No doubt waiting on Araminta hand and foot," Lucy muttered under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. We'll meet you down at the stables." As soon as he left, Lucy rounded on Shaina. "Shain!"

"What? You have to talk to him sometime. He's your best friend!"

"I know, but…he's going to figure it out. And then everything will be so awkward!"

"He hasn't figured anything out yet, so I doubt he will. Don't worry about it. Now come on, I'm sure it'll be fun."

"I guess…"

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"Woah horsey!"

"Araminta, you're only trotting, you aren't going that fast."

"Well it's fast for me!" Araminta pouted.

'Please don't offer to let her ride with you…' Lucy thought to herself. Luckily her wish came true and Caspian didn't reply.

"Are you okay?" Edmund said softly to her once he got Taber near enough.

"I guess so…I can't believe how easily he was fooled, though."

"To tell the truth, either can I. But don't worry, I'm sure he doesn't feel the same way about her as he does about you."

"I doubt he ever felt anything for me at this rate."

"What are we whispering about over here?"

"Nothing, Damien."

"Sure, leave me out of the loop."

"Thanks for your permission." Edmund looked behind him and frowned. "Where did Peter and Shaina go?"

"They probably wanted to be by themselves," Lucy said. "I don't blame them, they've hardly had any time together lately."

"Sounds like you and me."

"Caspian, what are you talking about? We see each other." Lucy bit her lip; she hated lying.

"I know, but I haven't really talked to you in a long time." Araminta's eyes narrowed and she cleared her throat loudly. Damien instantly trotted over to her side, and engaged her in conversation to his delight. "I've missed you."

"Missed me? Caspian, I'm right here, all the time."

"I guess since Araminta came I haven't really talked to much of anyone. And she's been here now what, a month?"

"Yes, it's October now." 'How do I know?' she thought to herself. 'Oh yes, it's because I haven't been able to stop thinking about you for the past month…'

"What I want to know is why, even though I have made an effort to talk to you, you avoid me."

"I'm going to go back, I just remember I promised Trufflehunter…um…a game of chess," Edmund made up, and turned his horse around. Caspian rolled his eyes and said,

"I wonder why he'd make that up." He looked at her skeptically.

"I don't know," Lucy stammered, coloring a bit. Caspian halted so Lucy did too, but Araminta and Damien kept going to Caspian's delight.

"You've been acting very strange lately. I don't think I've ever heard you say you want to act like everyone else, and like I said I've tried talking to you, but everytime I do you suddenly have somewhere to be."

"I…I uh…"

"Lu, do you like me?"

"N-no!" He grinned and dismounted.

"You do, don't you?"

"I don't, I swear-"

"Lucy, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you for almost half a year now, I'm completely head over heels for you…there isn't anything I'd want more right now than you to tell me you feel the same way. Do you?" Lucy nodded slowly, biting her lip to keep from crying. Caspian's face lit up, and he laughed. "I have waited so long for you to admit it…ever since your birthday!"

"But I thought you liked Araminta now."

"Araminta? Lu, I only think of her as a friend. You honestly thought I liked-oh…"

"What?"

"That's why you wanted to change." Caspian laughed and lifted Lucy off of her horse, Yuri. "Lu, would you-"

"We can't."

"Why not? There isn't anything I'd want more."

"Even if you don't like Araminta, she's here. Can you imagine her reaction?"

"We cans send her home."

"Not so soon, we don't want any rows with Calormen."

"I suppose you're right…but I don't want to wait!"

"We can keep it a secret," Lucy said, smiling a little. Caspian took her hand.

"I like the sound of that."

"Oi! What happened to you two?" Damien asked as he and Araminta came trotting back over. Lucy instantly let go of Caspian's hand, because Araminta looked positively livid.

"My horse stumbled," Caspian lied. "So Lucy staid behind to help me."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Araminta pouted.

"I didn't want to interrupt your conversation. But it's getting late, I think we should all get back."

"I suppose you're right."

The entire ride back Lucy couldn't bring herself to believe what had just happened. That had to be the most amazing, weirdest, un-predictable moment of her life, and though she was thrilled Caspian felt the same way, she was disappointed they had to keep it a secret until Araminta had staid long enough to make Calormen think she had an impact on Caspian.

At around nine, she had finally gotten into her night gown and was sitting on her bed reading when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Hello." Lucy grinned, and patted the spot next to her. Caspian came over and sat down. "So…I guess we're courting now."

"I guess we are. And all this time I thought you liked Araminta…"

"How could you even think that? You're the only woman I've ever felt this way about. I figured Edmund or Peter would have told you."

"They did, I just didn't believe them. Afterall, why would you want me when you could have someone as perfect as her?"

"That's just it, she isn't perfect…she isn't you." Lucy blushed and Caspian reached for her hand. "And just think…for the next few months, it will just be you and me. No one else has to know."

"I like the sound of that," she said, repeating Caspian from earlier. "No drama, no gossip, no lectures from my brothers…" Caspian laughed.

"I think they'd be lecturing me, not you."

"I suppose. So tell me…what's been going on in the past few weeks? Afterall, I was trying to avoid you." Caspian laughed again and said,

"Well, I got a letter from the Lord Bern saying…"

Five hours passed from that sentence until Lucy even realized what time it was, which was when Caspian went back to bed. They both slept soundly that night, dreaming of each other. Infact, only one soul in the castle couldn't sleep. Instead she was forming plans and traps in her head of how to break Lucy and Caspian apart. She could tell how Caspian felt, and there was no way she would let him get away with it.

Sorry it's short, but I didn't want to over do it...afterall it's pretty sudden. But I hope you liked it, and please review!!