As soon as he pulled her panties down, she instantly regretted letting things go this far. Thankfully she didn't have to take any initiation to stop; Caspian slumped over her and snored loudly. If the situation wasn't so embarrassing she could have laughed.
She sat up and scanned the floor; she let out a breath of relief as she spotted her bra. As she slid off the bed she caught sight of herself in the dusty small mirror. Her hair was stringy and plastered to her neck and shoulders, her lips were red and swollen and tender to the touch, and her body was covered with purple/brown spots. Her lips quivered as she bent down to pick up her undergarments, she quickly dressed herself and sat at Caspian's desk with her hands clasped in front of her.
Hours went by as she watched him sleep, since she was young there was no denying she had an attraction towards him but he only had eyes for her beautiful sister. Even now with Susan engaged to be married he could not get over her. Lucy was not in love with him though she could easily see it happening. He was a handsome man who had a heart full of love to give and Lucy liked him to a certain degree though he truly needed to stop drinking, it was painful to see him go through this.
Lucy was not sure if she should tell him what had happened, chances were he would not remember, he was drunk than before. Lucy slowly yet quietly exited the room and onto the decks. It was empty save for the few men. It was a beautiful night; these types of nights were hardly ever seen in London. The stars contrasted greatly against the dark skies and Lucy hurt neck while turning side to side to take in the sight.
"I take it you do not see stars like these?"
She whipped around to Caspian's uncle. He had his hands around his back and he stared intently at the stars. There was only a small resemblance to him and Caspian, it was the hair. She blushed as the memories from earlier that night came rushing back to her. She turned her face as he suddenly looked down at her. He was calculating her face before his eyes fell to her neck.
"Ah. I see," was all he said.
"Don't judge me," she warned.
"My dear, quite the opposite. I see you have fallen victim to one of his drunken stupors. I would not put it past Caspian to take advantage of a young beautiful lady as you."
"He didn't- beautiful?" softly she asked.
"Of course, any man would be blind not to notice. Why do you think all the men were staring at you?" He grinned as she shyly smiled up at him.
Lucy pushed back her hair as the wind attacked it, "I didn't catch your name?"
"That's because I never said it but you may call me Charles, I take it Caspian has told you of our relation?"
Lucy nodded and he didn't pursue the topic. She took the time to look at his features. He was only a couple of inches shorter than Caspian though he still towered over her. He was more built than Caspian; Lucy wondered how a physician had such a physique. He was cleanly shaven despite a small patch under his lips; it looked rather good on him. His eyes were a light blue adorned by dark curly lashes and it made her jealous that a man had such fine eyes. Subconsciously her hand rose to her eyes as she brushed her lashes.
"Should you not go back to bed?" He inquired.
"I'd rather not."
"Would you like to sleep in my room?" He asked kindly, Lucy gasped as he searched his face. There was no humor there, it out of pure politeness.
"That depends…do you drink?"
He laughed, it was such a masculine laugh that it sent sparks up her spine. "No need to fear dear, I'm a doctor, remember? I would like to keep my liver intact not like my darling nephews'."
Lucy smiled and took the arm he offered. Her tiny arm was engulfed by his large ones and oddly, Lucy found herself blushing at their close proximity. He had a pleasant smell to him much like sandalwood; it was a better smell than she was used to with Caspian. She spared a glance back to his doors and frowned, how would the events fold out tomorrow?
Days had gone by since that night and Lucy was grateful he did not remember. How could he when he was so drunk? However, Lucy went to his cabinets and threw all of the alcohol overboard that morning. She was completely satisfied with her actions thought a twinge of fear was still there, how would he react? To not acquire any question to where she slept, she had returned back to his room after her little sleepover with Charles. He had, like Caspian, given her his bed while sleeping on one of the patient cots in the adjoining room.
Still upset with Caspian, Lucy found solace in Charles's company. He was an intelligent fellow with many theories and Lucy couldn't be more fascinated by his approach on certain areas. He made her laugh so hard once that she had squirted her drink through her nose, the embarrassment was overwhelming to the point where she was in tears but Charles only laughed and wiped her nose for her. She felt like a child as he did that but did not protest. She liked the way he would find any excuse to touch her or to compliment her on the choice of dress.
"Would you like my cloak? I know it gets chilly at this time," he went to remove his cloak but stopped when a dark shadow came over them.
"Uncle Charles, there you- Lucy? What are you doing out here?" Caspian was frowning as he approached them; his eyes suspiciously went back and forth between her and Charles.
"We were only talking," she quickly replied.
He looked as he didn't believe her but he turned his attention back on Charles, "Do you have any more aspirin? I have this splitting headache-"
"Of course, come, I have plenty in the storage. Good night to you Miss Lucy," he bowed slightly and Lucy caught a faint smirk before he left with Caspian at his heels.
"Stay away from her."
Charles sighed as he reached for the bottle of aspirin, "Why should I Caspian? She seems to enjoy my company and I hers."
"That does not matter uncle, she's too young for you," he tried to grab the bottle but Charles withheld it from his hands.
"You and I know age is not an issue, tell me nephew, have you procured feelings for Miss Lucy?"
"Your delusional, Lucy is like a sister to me. Besides, it's her sister I love." Caspian glared at him as he shook back his hair.
"Yet she left you?"
Caspian lunged at him. Charles stepped to the side while grasping his neck from behind and pushing him to the ground. Caspian struggled feebly as his uncle held him down, "I do not think it wise to attack an elder, Caspian."
"I don't give a damn how old you are, don't forget it was in my good graces to give you employment especially after that spectacle," Caspian spat.
Charles released his hold and stepped back to allow his nephew to adjust himself. "What has gotten into you Caspian? I did not think a mere infatuation would cause such tribulations…your turning into your father."
"Don't speak of him!"
"I loved my brother, Caspian, as I love you, but it was the alcohol that got him killed, I'd hate to see you falling down the same hole," he clasped his shoulder as he said this. Caspian threw him off and grabbed the aspirin.
"My father was murdered."
"Your father was a great king, a superior swordsman, and he was smart. If he had not drank so much that night then he would have been aware of the assassination attempt. There never was a stupid king, Caspian but he let himself become weak," his eyes sparkled as he spoke of his late brother but Caspian shook his head in anger.
"Liar."
Charles shrugged; it was no use to get through his nephew, "If you say so."
"I do," he retorted.
Charles glanced at him before smiling, "Do be kind to Miss Lucy from now on, she is a fine young lady, I would hate to see her get hurt."
With that, Charles pushed him out of his room and closed the door behind him. The aspirin lay forgotten in his hand as he stared at the door then a soft voice called out to him.
"Caspian, are you alright?"
Unsure, he replied, "I'm fine."
"Where are they Lucy?"
"What are you talking about?" Lucy acted innocent as he opened all of his cabinets and searched them. He was getting more and more agitated as he found them all empty.
"Don't act coy, Miss Lucy, where are my bottles? ANSWER ME!" Lucy jumped as he exploded. She had never seen him so livid, if it was possible, he would be foaming at the mouth.
"I …I…I threw them out," she said meekly.
His strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her up, he was enraged as he looked into her eyes, "What possessed you to do this? Give me one good reason to not throw you overboard?"
"Because Susan would hate you for that."
Caspian looked as if he wanted to say more but he spun and furiously yelled curses as he banged his fists onto the cabinets. One of them broke from its hinges and fell loudly on the floor.
Lucy cringed, "I'm doing this for your own good."
"I don't need you to care for me Lucy, I am doing perfectly fine on my own."
It was Lucy's turn to explode, "Are you absolutely sure, Prince Caspian?" She spat. She removed the small jacket that she had found in the back of the wardrobe, it was made to wear with dresses and with the marks Caspian left on her body; she had no choice to wear it no matter how old it made her look.
Caspian gasped as she exposed the faint marks on her neck and shoulders, "Is this what you call 'fine'?"
"I did this?" He asked softly as if not believing he could do such a thing.
"Yes," she pushed it further when she said, "but I wished it was Charles."
Whatever remorse Caspian felt disappeared as his eyes went back to her face, "I knew it, and you're just like your sister, leading unsuspecting men on."
Lucy was appalled at what the argument turned to, "Me? Me leading on men? You're crazy!"
"With the way you look so innocent with those big eyes of yours staring up at me and how you seductively wet your lips…and…and how you blush at my teases. You're even worse than your sister."
Tear stung her eyes as Caspian stood in front of her breathing heavily, she hated to cry especially in front of him but his cruel words crushed her. She would do anything to go back home this moment but she was helpless as she sunk down on his bed.
She didn't know what else to say as her eyes lingered on the ground. She wiped the tear and stood up fiercely, in a small voice she said the first thing that came into mind, "I hate you Prince Caspian and I am glad Susan left you."
She ran from the room and with the tears clouding her vision she bumped into a tall figure who grabbed her arms and held her in place. She looked up at Charles's irritated face, his attention was not on her but on Caspian.