Sorry for those who already read this chapter, but I realized a rather important mistake I made. I said Rama instead of Valdis in one of the sentences, and I didn't want to confuse anyone. But other than that little mistake it's the same.

Chapter Fourteen-No Good Deed

"How in Aslan's name can you be so cruel?" Vera spun around to face a very angry looking Edmund, and her face lit up. It had been nearly two weeks since she had the chance to see him because she had been so busy planning the ball, and she missed him terribly. However, she didn't know that nearly two weeks ago Rose had told him the truth about their family, and was therefore unprepared for the livid Edmund she was facing.

"Hello Ed," she beamed.

"Only my friends call me that," he scowled.

"Whatever is the matter, dear?" If Edmund wasn't the great king he was at the time and was just Edmund of Finchley, his temper would have exploded right then and there. As it was, he was able to control himself. Barely.

"Rose is what's the problem." Vera wrinkled her nose.

"Yes, she does tend to be one."

"You disgust me. How can you be so vile to her? She's your sister!" Vera paled and she scowled.

"So she told you."

"Yes, two weeks ago. She had to."

"Well then, you know why I despise her. First she killed my mother, and even after my father and I got past it and let her stay in the castle, she became a whore, and disgraced the family. How Rama is so kind to her is beyond me."

"Do not call her a whore," Edmund snarled.

"But that's what she is. Don't tell me you haven't noticed. It's her nature—she loves men. She loves the wild sensation of being with a man who practically worships her. She's been all around the castle. They flock to her like moths to a flame, though I don't know why. Afterall, she isn't very attractive, and she has a rather dreary and strange personality. But she loves the attention, and she doesn't care about what anyone else thinks of her."

"You lie."

"I'm her sister, I know all about her. You've known her for what, less than a month?"

"Yes, but she's dear to all of us."

"But you don't know her. You haven't seen her grow up. You haven't seen what she's become."

"If she's become anything bad, it's due to you." Edmund turned on his heel and stalked off, ignoring her cries after him.

"Stupid little slut," Vera finally vented. "She can't have him, he's mine."

"Having trouble?" Vera whirled around, and found herself face to face with Jacinda.

"What do you want?" she glared.

"I have a proposition. I know we hate each other, and I know you requested the help of the Narnians. But I also know you're in love with the King Edmund and want the little brat you're forced to call your sister out of your way." Vera's eyes narrowed, but she said,

"Go on."

"So what's more important? Having King Edmund for yourself, or keeping my beloved Rama from marrying me?" Vera was silent, so Jacinda continued. "Look, if you keep off my tail, and keep the Narnians off it too, I will help you get rid of Rose, and I guarantee within the month you'll find yourself in a courtship with King Edmund." Vera struggled with her conscious for a few minutes, but selfishness finally won.

012345678901234567890

"I quit." All eyes turned to Caspian as he slammed a dusty volume shut. Rose and Lucy jumped a bit at the noise, but Peter remained seated. "I am tired of trying to find this awful potion."

"Me too. You know, we can always make sure Rama just doesn't drink anything at the ball on Wednesday," Rose suggested.

"I don't think we'll have to." This time all eyes turned to Lucy. "Caspian dear, the potion was a very clear, crystal blue, was it not?" He nodded. "And it had lily petals in it?" He nodded again, and Lucy smiled. "I think I've found it."

"Really? Let me see." Peter stood up to look over his sister's shoulder. "I can't believe it…it's taken us nearly two weeks to find this. Finally!"

"What exactly does the potion do?" Caspian asked curiously.

"It actually isn't what we thought…it causes a person to be easily persuaded, so if Jacinda even mentions marriage, he'll offer."

"How long does it last?" Rose asked no one in particular, and looked at the page. "Three months!"

"They could be on their honeymoon when he comes to his senses. And Rama's too much of a gentleman to back down," Peter said, frowning. "How are we going to stop it?"

"We get Jacinda to put the potion in a glass of wine. Rama doesn't drink," Rose said.

"How do you know?" asked Caspian.

"I know him fairly well," she answered, just in time for Edmund to hear her as he walked into the room. He gave her a look that said 'you should tell them' and sat down between her and Lucy. They all explained the last few minutes to him, and he asked,

"How long does the antidote take to make? You know, just incase our plan fails."

"Two months," said Lucy. "They could be married by the time we could give it to him."

"Then we can't fail," Peter said simply.

"You found it?" Everyone looked to Vera, who was standing in the doorway. Edmund scowled—she had obviously followed him to the sitting room. The others, who still thought Vera to be very kind, explained the entire situation to her. "I'll tell her to put the potion in the wine if you'd like."

"But she hates you too," Lucy pointed out. "I don't think she'd buy it."

"I can just tell her I've switched sides. Afterall, it would be more believable if I did than if one of you did, and anyone else wouldn't want to do it."

"I could do it," Rose suggested.

"Rose I know you have a history with the royal Calormen family, but not with the women, so stay out of it." Rose's eyes flashed at Vera and she jumped up.

"Say that again to my face and I swear I will-"

"Enough!" Peter sighed, getting up and stepping inbetween the two girls. "Vera, stop making false accusations toward Rose. Rose, don't get all riled up because they aren't true." Edmund bit his lip and looked to Rose, who's face gave her away. "It is true?" Rose didn't say anything and Vera just smiled a sickly sweet grin.

"So it's set then? I'll tell Jacinda?" the Narnians nodded absentmindedly and Vera left the room.

"Hold on." Rose ran out after her. "Vera wait!"

"What do you want?"

"Why do you have to be so horrible?"

"Why do you have to be such a slut?"

"I'm a slut?" Rose snorted. "Look in the mirror, Miss 'all of Narnia come look down my dress.'

"Atleast Edmund likes me for who I am." Rose began to laugh.

"What the hell? What does that have to do with anything?"

"It's obvious you like him."

"Ok, just because you have a gigantic, completely obvious lust for Edmund doesn't mean I do."

"Then why do you never leave his side? Why did you only tell him the truth about our family?"

"Because I trust him."

"Trust? Since when have you been able to trust?"

"Since now. Wait…what do you mean?"

"Well after the whole incident with Valdis I figured you wouldn't trust anyone again."

"You knew?" Rose whispered. "You knew what was really happening and you still sold me out?"

"Of course I did," Vera laughed. "You've always been so naïve. I guess it comes from being six years younger."

"I can't believe you," Rose said lowly. "And on another note, you really did have a change of heart, didn't you?"

"No I didn't," Vera lied. "I love Rama more than you, why would I want him to marry someone like Jacinda?"

"To get your way?"

"How does this have anything to do with me?"

"Hm…maybe you made a deal with Jacinda or something to the sort. Since you think I like Edmund, maybe you wanted me 'out of the way.'" Rose paused to look at Vera's face in the dimly lit hallway. "Ah, so I guessed correctly."

"No you did not," Vera spluttered. "How can you even say such a thing? Edmund would never choose you over me, so you aren't in my way at all."

"I wouldn't want to be in your way," Rose snorted. "I only think of him as another brother." When she said the words, Rose knew she was lying to herself, but she didn't dare say anything that would imply her true feelings for the Narnian King.

"Sure you do. You want to be with him just like every other man in the castle."

"I haven't been with every man in the castle," Rose snapped. "I'm still a virgin for Aslan's sake. Unlike you."

"Valdis didn't get through?"

"The one thing I can thank you for—getting there before he did."

"I wish he had."

"I knew you would, which was why I let you think he did."

"But you've still been with way too many men to not be considered a whore."

"Shut up!" Rose cried, and she turned red. Vera just smiled.

"So I'm right."

"You're so unbelievably wrong it's not even funny." Rose looked like she was about to lunge, but she held herself back. She stared at Vera, breathing hard, and if looks could kill Vera would have died three times by now. Vera finally got the hint and decided to walk away, since she knew how dangerous her sister could be. Afterall, she was very skilled with a sword. But she wouldn't let her have the last word, no matter how frightening she was.

"Well I should be off. I need to help father with the decorations for the ball on Friday," Vera sneered, emphasizing the word father. "And just for the record, Valdis is coming to the ball. I thought I would tell you so you know to bring protection." Vera stalked off, leaving Rose in the middle of the hall to vent to herself.

"That isn't very pretty language."

"How much did you hear?"

"All of it." Edmund put his arms around Rose and continued. "I didn't want to leave the two of you alone."

"I could have taken her."

"That's what I was afraid of," he chuckled. "Come on, we're supposed to meet Caspian and Lucy in the sewing room to get measured for the thing on Friday."

"You can call it a ball, Ed. It won't deflate your masculinity."

"It's so high it can't even be deflated."

"Actually, so low. You're rather on the feminine side."

"Hey! I am not!" Edmund pouted.

"Very Queenly…I mean, Kingly."

"You're one to talk. You're just as boyish as Lucy, if not more so."

"Why thankyou."

"Wasn't meant to be a compliment."

"That doesn't mean I can't take it as one."

"You're very strange, you know that?"

"Why thankyou."

"Wasn't meant…let me guess, you just took it as one?"

"Yep."

"I figured." He opened the door to the sewing room and ushered Rose in before him. They found Caspian and Lucy already there.

"I don't see why we can't just wear the dresses we already have," Lucy grumbled. "And two days before the ball, we're forced to get measured? It makes no sense."

"Calm down, Lu," Caspian laughed, and rubbed her back. "But Ed and I are scramming before you two are done."

"Why?"

"Because we don't care about color."

"Have you met us?" Rose snorted.

"You can try as hard as you want to not care about the overall look of the dress, but in the end, you will want a say."

"So not true. And if you do leave, we will persuade the seamstress to make your clothes in lime green fabric," Lucy threatened.

"I didn't think they made lime green tunics."

"Oh they can. And they will."

"Alright it's settled. We're staying here."

"Shocking," Lucy laughed.

Two hours later the four finally left the room. Caspian and Edmund's predictions had been correct, and it had taken the girls nearly an hour and a half to pick the style and the color of their dresses.

"Told you so," Edmund sang, and Lucy hit him upside the head for the umpteenth time. "Ow!"

"Pansy."

"Where have you been?" Peter asked as they entered the sitting room again.

"We were getting fitted this entire time," said Rose.

"You're kidding."

"Nope."

"I'm glad I went earlier."

"I wish I had gone with you," Caspian whined.

"Oh suck it up," Rose laughed, and retied the cloth belt around her middle that gave the tunic she wore a shape. "Hey Lu, do you want to go spar for a bit?"

"Would I ever! I haven't had the chance since we left Narnia."

"I'll go easy on you."

"Oh no, don't. I'm up for a challenge." The two girls sprang up from the couch they had just sat on and ran down to the grounds.

"I will never understand women," Edmund said, shaking his head. "One minute they want to sword fight when the minute before they spend half an hour debating whether or not a light red would go alright with Rose's hair."

012345678901234567890

"Hello darling." Lucy smiled and looked up at the big, green eyes of her boyfriend as she entered his room.

"I like it when you call me that."

"I know you do. I haven't been able to talk to you alone for forever."

"Talk?" Lucy joked, and Caspian laughed.

"Nah, you're right." He leaned down and kissed her, and when they finally broke away he said, "So I'm assuming we're going to the ball together?"

"No, I thought I'd go with Valdis."

"You're kidding."

"Of course!"

"Thank Aslan. You had me worried there for a second."

"Why? Did you want to go with someone else?"

"Not at all. I wouldn't go if I had to go with someone else."

"You're sweet."

"It comes naturally."

"That wasn't."

"Eh well, a guy can't do everything." Caspian shrugged and kissed her again.

"I should be off to bed. It's late."

"Stay with me?" Caspian asked, and she smiled.

"If you insist." She lay down next to him, and after he wrapped his arms around her waist and she had her head against his chest, they soon fell asleep.

012345678901234567890

"Promise me something."

"Anything."

"Promise me you'll never leave me."

"How could I Belle, I love you."

"Good." The blonde haired girl sighed in content and laid her head on Edmund's shoulder. "I love you too. There isn't anyone I'd rather be with."

"I feel the exact same way."

Edmund shook himself out of his thoughts and continued getting ready for bed. He had tried his best not to think of Rose in a way other than friendship, but he was failing miserably. And as he thought of her more, the more he thought of Isabelle, and the guiltier he felt.

"Come in," he replied to the knock on the door. To his surprise Rose came into the room, a towel wrapped around her body, and her hair hanging wet over her shoulder. He gulped. Why couldn't she have come dressed?

"Hey, I left my nightgown in here earlier…do you have any idea where it is?"

"Not at all."

"Not surprising," Rose laughed, looking around the mess of his room. She then caught sight of his face. "Are you alright? You look kind of like a…I dunno, a constipated bat." Edmund just stared at her in surprise. "What?"

"A constipated bat?"

"I couldn't think of anything!"

"Yes, I'm fine," he lied, but laughed anyway. "And I'm glad to know you find me so attractive."

"Oh very gorgeous," she said slyly, and walked closer to him.

"Oh no, not you too."

"What? I was just joking."

"Okay good."

"Why, is everything alright?"

"Yes, Vera was just trying to flirt with me earlier and it was atrocious."

"Oh," Rose laughed. "Is that all? Let me guess, she used the 'let's go to the gardens, we can put our 'two lips' together."

"Yes! How did you know?"

"She thinks it's a brilliant line."

"I didn't know girls had lines."

"Oh definitely. For example, do your lips taste as good as they look?" Edmund's mouth dropped open a little.

"You actually say that to men?"

"Only one," she smirked. "I've also used, is there something wrong with my eyes because I can't take them off of you." She laughed at Edmund's face. "Obviously they work."

"Hey, they do not."

"Sure." Rose looked sideways at him. "If I kissed you right now, what would you do?"

"Is that another one?"

"No," she said, and walked out of the room before he could say anything else.

"Why did I say that?" she groaned. "Oh I'm so stupid." She flopped down on Lucy's bed and hit herself repeatedly in the head until there was a knock on the door.

"Lucy?"

"No, it's me. You forgot your nightgown." She felt the cloth hit the spot next to her, but Edmund didn't leave. "And to answer you're question…" He lifted her off the bed and kissed Rose hard on the mouth. "Goodnight." Edmund left the room, both of them feeling both happier and more terrified than they had ever felt in their lives.

Tell me what you think!! (AKA:Review)