Author Note: Hello everyone having a good night? Well I hope you are because I have a special surprise for you...Chapter 6 is up! And I am telling you that when I read it several times before I even posted it then it's good! I am just praying and hoping that other people (readers!) will like it too because that would just make my day! So please do me a favor and be so kind as to leave a review for me after you read? I will give you brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and cheesecake if you like it! And for those who have been with my story from the start, Thank you and I love you! So be prepared and sit back and buckle up because you got a good story coming your way! Enjoy!!
Disclaimer: Please If I owned Narnia you think I would be here right now? No I would be off making my own version of Narnia or adding a new book ...well that's if C.S Lewis gave me permission.
Why are you still reading? Get on with the story and review pronto!
P.S: And thanks to my good friend VampiresWizardsCliquesOhmy because if it wasnt for her help I wouldn't have written such a great chapter. Give her most of the credit okay!
An Interview with a King: The Dinner pt.2
Everyone began to take their seats when Caspian nodded his head and Veronica turned around to see a couple of men dressed up pushing small tables covered with white cloths with round silver trays on top. One man came beside Veronica and pulled the silver cover off of the round tray to reveal a fancy bowl of salad. The man placed the bowl on Veronica's plate as did the other men to the other guests.
"Um…thank you," Veronica said when she looked at her plate covered with green leafy vegetables, sliced carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli, and some celery. The salad was covered in a creamy salad dressing that closely resembled blue cheese.
"Sweet! I got my own male servant who serves me food," David replied as he snickered quietly
"Everyone eat up," Caspian said to everyone and they obeyed as they ate and talked with another.
"Hey Veronica do you know which fork to use for the salad?" David asked when Veronica turned to him and gave him a dumb stare.
"Please don't tell me mom forgot to teach you that," Veronica sighed when she rolled her eyes
"Very funny but I don't want to look stupid in front of everyone by eating with the wrong fork," David replied
"Trust me they wont be the only ones you look stupid in front of," Veronica answered when David rolled his eyes
"Okay whatever I am just confused here, there is a big fork and a medium sized fork," David said
"Well what fork is everyone else and I using?" Veronica asked when David looked around
"Okay I get it now you can go back to eating," David replied when he realized it was the the smaller fork
Veronica took her first taste of salad and began to chew slowly when she noticed the crunchiness of the salad. She tasted several different flavors both sweet and sour.
Hm not bad….
In the middle of eating the salad Veronica began to play around with the salad as David forked down the salad quickly. She rolled her eyes quickly at David when she slowly looked around at everyone else at the table and noticed they were all enjoying the salad and talking with another.
"So my lady, the king has told me a lot about you," asked a heavily set bearded man who sat next to Veronica. He wore glasses and looked middle age and spoke very wise. Veronica was caught off guard when the man smiled at her.
Who is he again?
"Oh…he has?" Veronica asked unsure of how to start a conversation with a stranger.
"Yes of course," said the man
"Oh," Veronica said
"Oh please forgive me, I haven't introduced myself to you… I am Professor Cornelius," He replied
"Oh, hi it's alright…my name is…" Veronica answered
"I already know your name, Veronica am I right?" said Professor Cornelius when Veronica nodded shocked
"Yes…and you are a professor?" asked Veronica curious
"Oh yes I have mentored King Caspian before he became king and he is like a son to me," replied Cornelius when Veronica smiled
"Oh that's nice," Veronica said
"Pardon me my lady, not to seem too nosey but I have learned that you come from the same world as the kings and queens of old do," Cornelius replied
"Well…yes," Veronica said when she noticed a servant man beside her take the half empty bowl from the table and then poured some kind of juice into her silver drinking glass. The professor's eyes brightened with curiosity and interest as Veronica spoke.
"Yes and you are from this country King Caspian had told me the name but I forgot it," Professor Cornelius replied
"Its called The United States of America," Veronica said
"Pardon me… the what?" asked Professor Cornelius
"Um…well we just call it America though," Veronica replied
"And this America it is united like Narnia is?" Professor Cornelius asked
"Well…you could say that," Veronica said
But not that united anymore….
"Wow, interesting, do they have kings and queens up there?" Professor Cornelius asked
"Well…yes, but in America...no, mostly in England," Veronica answered
"Really?" Cornelius asked excited, " How many do they have?"
"Um…well there is one queen in England called Queen Elizabeth," Veronica replied
"England…I have heard of that place before….that is where the kings and queen's are from I remember!" Replied Professor Cornelius
"Yes I think so," Veronica said
"That must mean you don't live too far away from them," Cornelius replied
"Well England is kind of an ocean away," Veronica said
"Pardon me?" Professor Cornelius asked
"Oh nothing its just that England is across the ocean from America where I live," Veronica answered
"Really....So that must mean you travel by boat?" Cornelius asked
"Well you don't have to now there are airplanes," Veronica replied
"What...Airplanes?" Professor Cornelius asked
Remember…airplanes don't exist in their world yet….
"Um, well they are these amazing inventions that can fly anywhere you want it to go, they are very long objects with big wings like an eagles but it isn't exactly like an eagle because it has no beak but it soars into the sky like a bird and it can goes very high in the sky way above the clouds," Veronica explained to a very concerned and excited Cornelius
"Please go on," Professor Cornelius replied fascinated by Veronica said
" I ride planes all the time because I have to travel from place to place and it makes me feel like I am flying in the sky all on my own," Veronica explained
"Wow, what a fascinating invention your world has made!" Professor Cornelius replied.
"Seems like they are getting along well," Caspian said to David as he nodded to Veronica and his professor
"Uh yeah, looks like it, I'm glad that she is opening up now and by the way the salad is delicious!" David replied eating the salad
"Oh thank you but I didn't make it," Caspian said laughing, " I just tell them what to make,"
"Well will the second course be as nice if you don't mind me asking?" David asked
"You'll just have to wait and see, but I guarantee you will like it," Caspian replied smiling then looked back to Veronica and Professor Cornelius.
"You know I actually added my own special herbal ingredients in the salad?" Truffle Hunter asked
"Oh yea tastes…very herbal-like," said Trumpkin chewing the vegetables awkwardly.
"So why do you think King Caspian likes about them so much?" asked a former Telmarine soldier to another
"I don't know, maybe he is trying to be nice to the odd foreigners," said another former soldier as he stared at the Veronica and David at the other end of the table.
As Veronica continued talking to Professor Cornelius Reepicheep interrupted their conversation.
"So lady Veronica I see you have enjoyed your salad which is a good thing," said Reepicheep
"Yes I have enjoyed it thank you," Veronica replied smiling
"Have I forgot to mention that those colors suit you very well especially with your fair skin?" said Reepicheep
"Thank you and you do look very noble and dashing yourself," Veronica replied giggling
"Thank you my lady!" Reepicheep replied as he stood up on his chair and bowed about five times which made Veronica laugh even more. Just before Veronica could say another word Caspian clapped his hands loudly.
"Everyone, everyone!" Caspian shouted over the room, " Can I have your attention!"
"Now right before the second course will be served I have organized a special dish that Truffle Hunter himself created and I hope you all will love it," Caspian replied when he waved his hand and the servant men returned holding silver trays. When one of the men came over to Veronica he lifted the silver tray to reveal a small fancy bowl and carefully placed it on Veronica's plate.
"Oh nice, soup one of my favorite foods," David said. When Veronica looked down on the bowl there was brown looking juice with carrots, celery, and beans with some spices.
"This is what I call Vegetable Stew, a delicacy of badgers everywhere in Narnia!" Truffle Hunter replied happily as he encouraged everyone to take a sip. Caspian was the first one to sip the soup when his face brightened and he nodded his head and everyone else decided to take a try.
"Come on drink up sis, Mama always said it was good," David replied
"I thought you didn't like soup," Veronica said looking at David curiously
"Yea I just don't like it when mom doesn't cook it," David replied
"Sure…that's before you spit it out," Veronica said rolling her eyes when she looked at her soup uninterested.
"Lady Veronica whats the matter, you haven't touched your soup?" asked Reepicheep from across the table which made almost everyone looked at Veronica.
So much for embarrassment!
"Well I am waiting for it to cool down some more, you know," Veronica replied nervously
"Do you not drink soup my lady?" asked Truffle Hunter who looked up to Veronica
"Yeah I do…I like soup," Veronica replied
"Yeah right," David said as he sipped a spoon
"Well I recommend you try this delicious soup you will love it and it is very healthy for you," said Truffle Hunter
"Well alright then," Veronica replied when she sipped a small spoon into her mouth to take away the attention
"So…how is it?" Professor Cornelius asked
"….good, it's good," Veronica replied nodding her head. A few minutes passed after everyone was finished with their soup and starting conversing with one another again.
"So what kind of foods do you eat in your world?" asked one of the men looking at David and Veronica
"Yes tell us some of your amazing foods!" Reepicheep replied
"Yes I would rather like to know what your countries foods are like," said Professor Cornelius. David looked at Veronica unsurely when Veronica turned away allowing him to speak.
"Um well…first off there is this food called "Pizza" it is this large round shaped pie covered with all kinds of toppings like tomato sauce, onions, peppers, chicken, pepperonis…" David said as Caspian and others listened to him in amazement and Veronica only shook her head.
"Wow…what an interesting food…how do you eat it?" asked Truffle Hunter
"Oh, you just take your hands and grab it from the bottom and bite it," David replied when there were oohs and aahs in the room.
Yes very entertaining…
"So this world where you come from is it like Narnia or Telmar?" asked one of the men who was tan and dark haired like Caspian
"Well…it is pretty huge if you know what I mean," David replied, " But I like it,"
"Very interesting and do they have talking animals and centaurs there?" Asked one of the centaurs curious. Just then Veronica and David exchanged looks at one another before looking back.
"Well…not exactly our world is very different from here," Veronica said
"You mean you have no dancing trees?"
"No dwarfs?" Asked Trumpkin
"What about centaurs?" asked another
"Well…no we don't have any of that," said Veronica, " But we do have some dwarfs,"
"That explains why they gave us such weird looks when they walked in," whispered one guests to another
"Not to be rude but have you ever seen a talking animal or anything from our world before you came here?" asked one of the men
"Um…well we do have kings and queens," replied Veronica as some of the guests gasped
"You do and what are they like?" asked Truffle Hunter
"Well we haven't really met them but I guess they are cool people," Veronica replied
"Their world sounds very boring, no wonder why they decided to come here," whispered Trumpkin to Truffle Hunter
"But it is not all that bad I mean we have good schools, televisions, cars and-" Veronica said
"What?" asked a few guests
"Oh…we have these inventions called "Television" and "Cars" in our world like you have horses and…chess," Veronica replied when some of the guests looked at her even more confused
"You mean that your inventions are like horses and chess?" asked one guest
"Yes well cars are more like horses in that they carry us around but only faster and you put gas in them," Veronica said when more gasps evolved in the room.
"You mean there are inventions in your world faster than horses?" asked Reepicheep in shock, " What a fascinating world you live in!"
"Trust me you haven't seen nothing yet!" David said as everyone listened intently and excited to what they were saying
"But I have to ask why did you leave there if there is so many fascinating inventions in your world?" asked one of the men
"um…well…" Veronica replied
"Now everyone I don't want my guests to feel uncomfortable with so many questions I think we should give them some space," Caspian replied
"But please King Caspian we want to know so much about this world they come from," said one of the centaurs
"Yes what they say is so interesting and quite different from this world," said one squirrel bouncing up and down.
"And what is that odd looking object that you are holding up like that?" asked Truffle Hunter when he looked at David and everyone turned to him to find him holding a camera in his hand. Caspian then looked at David.
"Sorry I hope you don't mind," David replied as he held the camera
"Oh no problem, this here everyone is one of the inventions that they use from their world in America," Caspian said as more gasps enveloped the room.
"You mean that is a "Car"?" asked one guests
"No…no this is a Camera," David replied when everyone gasped again, " This is what we use to film people?"
"Film?" asked Professor Cornelius
" Yes that is what they use to capture the essence and moments of life," Caspian replied dramatically
"Rather extraordinary box it is," said Reepicheep, " I got to speak into it,"
"Yes I can see that," Professor Cornelius replied as he looked at the camera amazed, " Do you mind If I take a look at it?"
"Um…sure you can just hold on a second," David replied as he pressed a few buttons and took it down. He then turned the camera off and carefully passed to Cornelius over Veronica who gave him a knowing look then Cornelius took it gratefully.
"My-my what an amazing invention indeed, only the most intelligent man would come up with this," Professor Cornelius added examining it with his glasses when Veronica looked warningly at David.
As Professor Cornelius stared at the camera in amazement all the attention went back to Veronica and David.
"So how did you manage to come here to Narnia if not by a horse or a carriage?" asked one soldier who stared curiously
"Um…well," David replied when Veronica gave him a warning stare as not to tell anything that really happened when David tried to play it smooth.
"You flied here by eagle?" asked one of the guests when Veronica stared at David wanting to know what he would say.
"Well…" David said looking at Veronica who waved her hands in defense and let him continue speaking. As Veronica sat there in deep thought she moved her head forward to try and sit up straight but when she did a part of her dress got stuck under the chair. She tried to shove the chair forward to try and free herself but the dress wouldn't budge.
"Is something the matter Veronica?" Caspian asked curious when he noticed Veronica
"Oh it's nothing…excuse me!" Veronica grumbled under her breath when she struggled to pull her dress out from underneath the chair when all of a sudden she turned around and her face and body hit something.
Ouch!!
Everybody's gasped and their eyes widened and David tried to hold back a snicker.
"Oh my lady please forgive me I am so sorry!" said the male servant who had a once full tray of food was all over the floor…and Veronica.
Oh no!!!
"OH! That's going to have to go to the dry cleaners!" David said trying hard not to burst out in laughter. There was also pieces of roast chicken and baked potatoes all over the floor and some food even sprinkled on David and Professor Cornelius as well. Veronica looked up to see food all over the floor and could even taste some food in her mouth.
Veronica's face and dress was all covered in what looked like gravy and tomato sauce and her face and hair was now styled with green peas, corn bread, and sweet potato.
EWW Look at me I'm filthy!!
"Oh my lady I am so sorry about that, let me help you!" Caspian replied worried as he stood up
"Don't worry my lady I shall save you with a napkin!" said Reepicheep as he jumped from his seat and stood on the table with a noble stance.
"No…no it's fine," Veronica said as she wiped some food from her face
"Are you sure my lady I will be glad to assist you," said Reepicheep
"No it's alright," Veronica replied feeling filthy and embarrassed to look like such a mess in front of Caspian and his guests and could not have felt more worse than this moment.
I know I should have gone with the other dress...
"Houston we have a problem," David said
"Um…is there anywhere I can go to clean myself up?" Veronica asked hurriedly
"Yes would you like me to-" Caspian asked
"No, that's okay I will go myself…excuse me," Veronica replied as she ran out of the room embarrassed and nearly slipped on the greasy floor leaving a worried Caspian, a snickering David and the whole room talking.
"Did you see how fast the food flew on the table?" asked one of the men
"Rather quickly I say," replied another
"Oh yes my lady must be upset at how ruined her dress is, and she looked so lovely in it," said Reepicheep
"Now this is something I could use for blackmailing," David said as he held the camera smiling
It didn't take long for Veronica to run and find a room down the hall that wasn't locked so she could clean herself up. Just then one maid happened to be walking down the hallway when she stopped and saw Veronica and noticed the mess.
"Oh I'm sorry my lady were you trying to get into that room?" the maid asked seeing Veronica's shame
"Yes,please," Veronica replied when she turned to see the maid
"Here let me help you," the maid said when she easily opened the door and Veronica ran inside.
"Thanks," Veronica replied when the maid nodded and noticed her discomfort and shut the door. Luckily nobody was in the room and the light was on and it looked like a plain room with a bed and dresser. She wondered who is belonged to but too worried about the food on her dress and in her hair. When she approached a mirror in the room she let a long sigh at the image of herself in the mirror.
"Oh look at me, I am a blob of chicken and sweet potato!" Veronica groaned as she looked at her herself. She first decided she would head to the bathroom and try to get the food off and then she would have to find some way to wash the dress and find something else to wear.
Ewe… What else flew into my hair!
She slowly tried to pick some food out of her hair when suddenly there was a knock on the door which startled her.
"Its me….Caspian," the voice answered, " I wanted to see if you were alright,"
Oh no!
Now Veronica felt even more embarrassed to know Caspian saw her like this and she wasn't even that confident to wear this dress and this just made it worse. She looked at the door cautiously and felt too nervous to open the door and looked back at herself in the mirror and only cringed.
"I promise I will not laugh if you are worried," Caspian replied from behind the door. Veronica had to admit that Caspian was a very nice person and always cared for people even if he didn't knew them. For some strange reason Veronica always thought that someone like Caspian would have been an uptight, self-centered jerk who only cared for himself like a typical king but instead Caspian turned out to be the exact opposite.
"Um…oh look at my hair," Veronica complained looking herself in the mirror, " I guess its alright to come in!"
Just then the door slowly opened to reveal Caspian peeking through the doorway to see Veronica.
"I apologize several times for this incident I know the servant didn't mean to do it," Caspian said with a sympathy look on his face as he walked towards Veronica, " The maid told me where you were,"
"It's alright, it was me who was clumsy," Veronica said when she tried wipe some food off of her dress.
"Here let me help you," Caspian said when ran into the closet and took out a towel. Veronica growled at herself again when the stains grew worse.
Why do I bother with dresses?
There Caspian returned with a small towel and tried to wipe some food off of Veronica's dress gently when the towel became stained also.
"Thank you but you don't have to do this," Veronica said, "You should be back in the dining room with your guests,"
Just then Caspian looked at her, " Nonsense, I must entertain all my guests including you and I want to help,"
Veronica couldn't debate with him because he wouldn't take no for an answer and continued to try and wipe the red and brown stains from her dress.
"Alright I think that the dress will have to be washed but the stains are starting to come off," replied Caspian
"Oh thanks," Veronica replied when she tried to remove some food from her hair when Caspian stared at it .
"Here let me," Caspian said as he eventually pulled out some pieces of crumbs and peas that was stuck in her bun and scalp and looked at it curiously before throwing it away.
"Thanks," Veronica replied quietly
"It seems as if your hair has stayed in place even with food," Caspian replied as he pulled out some bread crumbs, " Now you must be my official food taster from now on," he smiled and Veronica snickered.
"Did I hear someone laugh at my attempt of a joke?" Caspian asked when Veronica only giggled more and shook her head.
"Oh I look like a food monster or something," Veronica complained who looked down at herself
"Nonsense I have seen monsters and you are nothing of the sort…plus they are actually frightening," Caspian said which made Veronica burst out laughing as he joined in as well. They went for what seemed hours laughing and they almost forgot about the whole incident that happened before.
"I guess I should find something else to wear," Veronica said as her laughing calmed down,
"Alright I will go to the maid and ask her to bring you some clean clothes," Caspian replied
"Thanks, I don't know how to repay you," Veronica said smiling
"No need to thank me," Caspian replied, " Oh there is another piece of corn bread in your hair right in the back,"
"Oh there is?" Veronica asked when Caspian went to take the crumb out of her hair when he stopped and stared in Veronica's eyes. They stared at each other for a moment as their faces began to lean in to each other until they were only an inch apart. Veronica hadn't realized how wonderfully brown Caspian's eyes were until that moment. Caspian looked quickly from Veronica's hazel eyes to her lips when she did the same then they looked back into each other's eyes one more time before they moved in closer.
"Hey how is everything going in there?" a voice interrupted as it burst through the door without warning. Just then Veronica and Caspian turned away from each other to see David standing there with a curious look on his face.
"Um…I'm okay," Veronica replied nodding her head
"Hey Caspian how's everything?" David asked
"Im alright," Caspian said scratching his head awkwardly
"Oh and V I don't think you should come back to dinner looking like that, you may have to change into something else," David said as he eyed Veronica up and down.
"Yea I was about to do that," Veronica replied looking down. David could feel the awkward tension in the room right when he walked inside and noticed Caspian and Veronica's discomfort.
"Um…well... you're okay so Caspian see you back at dinner alright," David said when Caspian nodded to him and he walked out of the room silently.
There was utter silence in the room and Veronica didn't dare lift her eyes off of the floor to see Caspian awkwardly standing there as well.
A few seconds later Caspian cleared his throat and decided to break the silence, " I will get the situation taken care of and a maid will be here shortly to bring you clean clothes,"
"Alright," Veronica said quietly as Caspian walked out of the room and shut the door behind him leaving Veronica to think by herself.