Whew! I'm on a roll; I told you I'll upload soon ;)

But sadly I don't know when I would be able to update next week maybe Thursday if I get a lot of reviews they all make me smile.

PurpleFanMagic: you're an angel you just gave me great ideas, you'll see peter POV in the upcoming chapters as for Susan I didn't write it yet :s but well it will come.

Lot of love, now good reading. Oh and it's the longest chapter I ever wrote YAY!

Sorry I ate too much chocolate and it gets me excited.

Chapter XIII

Annabelle was eating her meal with both remaining royals. She never grew tired of their long bickering. She used to be like that with her five year older brother; they used to be pretty close. Lucy interrupted her thoughts:

"So, Anne, are you coping well without our dear brother? You used to always be together, you must miss him greatly." She was about to respond but Caspian cut her:

"How can she miss him when such a handsome man is standing right beside her?"

The youngest queen's wit never failed to bring Caspian down to earth.

"Did you say handsome man? Where is he? Narnia is really lacking good looks without my brothers here."

"HAHAHA, very funny, well you certainly didn't think that yesterday." Lucy shrugged:

"Need can be really peril."

"Come on Lucy, at least you think I'm good looking."

"Maybe." He just rolled his eyes.

Annabelle was very curious about their conversation. They were hiding something but she couldn't help but smile at how Lucy can put Caspian in his place.

"Excuse the interruption guys, but weren't we talking about Edmund? And to answer your question Lu, yes I long to see him safe. I wish I could have gone with him."

Caspian's expression grew serious as he took her hand.

"I'm still here, if you need to talk don't hesitate to come to me."

Annabelle felt uncomfortable but nodded anyway.

"Uhm, sorry to interrupt lover boy, but you would like to let go her hand now. We have a council meeting remember?"

"Oh yes, dammit." He pouted.

"I'm younger here. I'm supposed to be the one pouting not you."

"Technically, you're 1300 years older than me. Such an old maiden"

"First of all that's Susan's line."

"One can admit that she's very influencing."

"Yes she is, and secondly, when you see wrinkles and gray hair then call me old and that will surely happen to you sooner so suck it up."

"Are we seriously arguing about age?"

"Well you said I was old."

"Never mind, let's get this meeting done. Annabelle we'll see you soon and stop laughing already."

She was biting her lips to do as she was told but a few giggles escaped her mouth. She finally took a deep breath and calmed down.

"Okay guys, I'll be with Alexis in the stables."

Lucy pulled Caspian out the room and only then did the dark haired beauty realize how quiet it was without these two around. She prayed for Edmund, Peter and Susan's safety before heading to where her mare was.

The valiant queen was rubbing her temples. As soon as she and Caspian entered the council room, they were showered with questions and issues that soon became very annoying. Even the simplest facts were turned into problems but the most intriguing subject was the upcoming war.

"Your majesties," lord Beltran, a middle aged telmarine man spoke "this war only reminds us of the dangers threatening the royal family."

Lucy sighed knowing exactly what was next. So trying to calm herself, she took a goblet of water and began drinking slowly.

"Ensuring a bearer of the future crown, an heir, is peril. So a marriage is needed, of course not before this battle is over."

Caspian could see a hidden meaning behind the lord's word so he ushered him to continue:

"Please my lord, speak more clearly, you certainly have something in mind."

"Actually, I was thinking of your wedding, my king, with a woman more than worthy of such a union as she is already one of our rulers." Caspian quickly interrupted:

"Any relationship with Susan is out of the question."

"I wasn't thinking about Queen Susan your majesty, but our valiant queen."

Lucy chocked on the water she was sipping. The young king went to aid her, an amused expression on his face. He then turned to Beltran.

"And what leads you to think in such a way?"

"We certainly noticed your attraction towards each other at the spring ball, even a blind man could see it."

"We do not love each other." The telmarine king said firmly.

"But such feelings can certainly change."

Lucy composed herself and spoke loudly.

"We are not even courting, and all feelings aside, I'm sure you would prefer for king Caspian to keep his head and such will not be the case if the high king finds out."

"My Queen, even High King Peter cannot ignore his duties. And where would he find a more trusted husband for his sister? He'll certainly agree." All the council nodded.

"We are young my lord, we've known each other since I was physically twelve and Caspian seventeen, such matters could not be rushed in."

"But my ladyship" Caspian had enough.

"We will certainly not marry, end of the story. It's true that Queen Lucy is more than attractive but I cannot view her as a wife and bearer of my children."

Lucy felt a wave of anger and hurt pride. She knew he spoke only the truth but it stung really hard. She ordered:

"Everyone is dismissed. NOW."

All the council members hasted to flee out of the room; their queen was clearly in no mood for delay.

The young king ran a hand through his hair before noticing Lucy glaring daggers at him.

"What?"

"I just want to tell you Caspian, that I too don't ever want a husband like you, I don't want your children and this will be the last time you'll ever hurt my pride."

"Lucy, that wasn't what I meant."

"Am I not good enough? Because that's what I understood from your words, but it's a lesser burden because I don't want to marry you either."

Caspian did the only thing that could keep her quiet and that was kissing her, he held her by the wrists and kissed her roughly. Lucy struggled to get out of his iron grip. She certainly didn't respond; she wasn't that weak. As soon as he pulled back she slapped him hard in the face.

"Don't think of me as those lowly women that you always get in your bed. I cherish myself and I deserve much better than being treated like that. Forget everything that happened between us this last week, every kiss, every look. I will do the same too." She was crying and screaming at the same time.

Caspian tried to apologize but she fled out of the room. He got out to chase her but found Annabelle at the other side of the door.

"How long have you been here?"

"From the beginning of the fight." She answered coldly and did the last thing that Caspian expected from her. She slapped him in his other cheek.

"That's my treat."

"Why did you do that?"

"Why are you so blind? Lucy is everything one could possibly desire. Why can't you accept her for who she really is?"

"Because I love you Anne and you know it. Lucy doesn't love me; if she did she'd only break."

"You don't love me!"

"Why can't you accept my feelings for you?"

"Because they ARE NOT REAL!" Annabelle was growing frustrated. Caspian leaned down to kiss her but she stopped him.

"Respect me, or at least respect Edmund. And are you some kissing machine?" she muttered the last part very irritated. "Think things through Caspian. Oh and grow up."

The young king was dumbfounded; he wasn't just hit twice, but reprimanded by the girl he confessed to. Lunch wasn't such a good idea anymore.

As she made her way out of the door, Lucy broke into a run. As soon as she was in her room, she collapsed on her bed, angry tears blurring her vision.

"Caspian, you jerk!" she sobbed; her cries were muffled by the pillows.

Every sentence, every word he spoke deepened her wounds. She was so tired, couldn't lie to herself anymore. She didn't want to be a substitute, she wanted to be cherished, loved and adored by the one she loved and sadly it was Caspian. Done with the plays and heartaches. She decided to let her first love go unless a miracle happened but that wasn't a possibility anymore. She knew it would be hard but time can heal. She quickly wiped reason for her pain walked in.

"Lucy, I'm so- "

"Don't, I'm done with the games Caspian and we both know that's what it was between us all along. You claim to be in love with Annabelle, fine. I don't want to be burden anymore."

"But you're not a burden."

"You said it yourself, I was playing with fire and I clearly burned myself and my only deduction, forgive the language, that it hurts like a bitch. Now leave me alone please, I need to take a bath."

Caspian did as he was asked, but as soon as he was out of the room she cried and cried her eyes out, all evening. Just this once she stopped being strong, the cheerful and carefree Lucy. She let the sorrow claim her only for one day.

Caspian returned few hours later with a tray of food. He wanted to personally give it to her as she missed dinner. But he found her asleep, her pillow was wet, her cheeks tear stained. He felt so guilty; he despised himself. Why didn't he respect her, care for her more? Lucy was right, she deserved much better. He kissed her forehead and stroked her hair gently. From now on it will be just little Lucy for him, his sister, and he wasn't going to allow anyone to hurt her even if it was him.

Annabelle watched the interaction with sympathy. She wished for Lucy's happiness. Such an innocent and selfless person deserved love not sadness and pain. She could also see how fondly Caspian watched her sleep. He must have feelings for her as a woman and not as a sibing. He just didn't realize it.

I know you must hate me but it needed to happen. And press the little button down here and review thank you.