A/N.I would like you to welcome my new reader and reviewer- Niphuria. She's a very good friend of mine and a great writer herself. This chapter gets a bit tense, hope you like it!)

Chapter 11.

For long moments they just stood in front of each other, holding hands and smiling dreamily. Edelle felt light-headed and her thoughts were minimal: "Wow…he sure can dance…well ,no wonder-he's a King, he must have been through hundreds of balls...what have I done to deserve him?...And Eustace can hardly waltz…OH MY GOSH! Eustace!" Her eyes suddenly grew wide and Edmund asked, concerned at the sudden change in her expression.

"Edelle? What's wrong?"

"Edmund, I need to tell you something."

He furrowed his eyebrows "What is it?"

She took a deep breath and looked down, not wanting to look him in the eyes "It's Eustace. He came up to me today and confessed. He said he likes me, a lot. We talked and…you probably wouldn't believe it…but inside he's actually a nice guy. He just doesn't want to show it, he wants to appear formal and he just doesn't like you guys, that's the main reason why he is acting the way he does. The real him is very different and if you get to know him…if he ever let you get to know him, you will find it too. The way he spoke to me…so unsure, so gentle, so kind…it's like I was talking to a totally different guy."

Edmund listened in astound and slight disbelief. And he couldn't be blamed- after all, the Eustace he knew was completely different from the one Edelle discovered. That Eustace was mean, wimpy, greedy, sneaky and an obnoxious snob! He could hardly imagine there was another side of him, a nice side. But he knew Edelle didn't like Eustace before either, and if she said he has good in him, there's a damn good chance he does.

Edelle looked at his confused, serious and slightly astonished expression and could tell he was having a hard time bringing himself to believe her. She sighed

"I don't want to hurt him. I didn't before and I now I just can't." she looked up at him with sad eyes "Edmund...I don't know what to do, I feel so cornered..."

He looked at her, understanding and feeling sorry for her. He knew she loved him, and he also knew that now she cared for Eustace, he was her friend and, of course, she didn't want to hurt him. He hated what she had to deal with, but the one thing he hated even more than that, was that he could do nothing about it. He could comfort her, he could soothe her, he will be with her through it all, but about the whole situation-he could do nothing. They belonged to each other, Edelle will never marry Eustace, he had to know, they had to hurt him. They had no choice.

He brought his hands to the either side of her neck and gently made her look at him "Edelle, I'm sorry for all of this…I didn't want you to go through that for me, I know it's dreadful. But you know what we have to do."

She eyes him, and then slowly, sadly nodded her head, lowering her eyes.

Edmund leaned in and kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes and hugged him tightly, as he wrapped his arms securely around her. After a minute they parted and Edelle knew it was time.

"He should be in his room…"

Edmund nodded "Yeah." He took a breath "Come on, we have to get this over with."

She nodded and, with heavy hearts, they went to Eustace's room. As they reached their destination Edelle raised her fist and paused for a moment. She knew that it was not too late to turn around and Edmund would understand, but if she now knocked, there was no going back. She glanced up at Edmund and he gave her an encouraging look and half-smile. She breathed in deeply and finally knocked the door.

"Who's there?" came the usual annoyed voice from the other side.

"Um, it's me…and Edmund. We need to talk to you."

He grunted at the mention of Edmund's name, hardly-audibly, but she could make it out.

"It's open." He muttered and Edelle turned the doorknob and they walked in.

Eustace was sitting on the bed, reading a book, his back leaning against the side wall. They walked closer and sat on the two chairs next to each other. Eustace glanced at them, put the book aside and folded his arms on his chest. "Well, what is it?"

Edelle's heart was beating rapidly from the nervousness she felt and decided to first try and prepare him for what's he's about to hear. Clearly, whatever he was thinking right now, it was far away from the truth.

"Eustace, we're here for something serious. Really serious. And quite…personal" she looked up at him and saw Eustace's expression stiffen and could catch a glimpse of anxiety in his eyes.

She paused for a moment, in case he says something, and when he didn't she continued

"You obviously already taken note of the fact that I came not alone and…Edmund's here for a reason. There's something the both of us need to tell you. Something you wouldn't like…wouldn't like at all…"her voice became slightly quieter "But you need to know."

Eustace furrowed his eyebrows and eyed her and him, nervously. He already didn't like where this was going. And the way Edelle was speaking, he knew she was trying to prepare him for something.

Edelle took one last deep breath "You said you like me. That was really surprising and flattering. I know it must have cost you a lot to say that and after you did…I figured that I care for you too, I know, inside you're a very nice guy with a good heart. There is nothing I would want less than to hurt you like that. But…"

She gathered up all her mental strength and finally forced the words past her lips "Edmund and I are together. We love each other more than anything and I hope, with all I got, that you would ever bring yourself to forgive me."

She felt tears of sorrow for him making their way to her eyes. "I'm sorry, Eustace, I can't marry you."

At that moment Eustace felt something he never felt before. Something so strong, it almost hurt even physically. He felt as if something inside him tore into shreds, and he instantly knew what that reaction was- the sense of a broken heart. He looked in Edelle's tear-filled, pleading eyes and felt like crying too. But no, he couldn't, not in front of…him. That minute, he felt his heartbreak grow into rage and fury. He looked at Edmund, shooting daggers from his eyes. Him. It was all his fault.

Edmund looked back at him, never averting his gaze. He understood his reaction, he expected it. Edmund knew that if Eustace didn't like him before, now he hated him more than anything. He could see the fury in his eyes, but kept a straight face through it all. His eyes grew wider only when Eustace suddenly sprang to his feet, with clenched fists. Edmund instantly got up too and here they stood, face-to-face. Edelle also shot from her chair, in worry that Eustace might try to hit Edmund, and force him to fight back. And when he does, Eustace will lose.

But, luckily, no strike came. They just stood there, burning holes in each other until Eustace could take it no longer

"Out." He uttered through clenched teeth.

"Eustace…" Edelle started

"Out! Both of you, get out! Now!" he yelled in pure rage.

Edelle and Edmund shot each other alert glances, and knew it was better to leave him alone for now. They quickly walked to the door and swiftly brisked through. As soon as they were out, the door was loudly and sharply slammed behind them.

They looked at each other with grief and sorrow. The felt so blameworthy, but they knew it had to be done. Right now, all they could was wait and hope he'll get over it…someday.

Ouch. There we go, pretty angsty, huh? Hope you liked it, and please tell me what you think. *loves*