Hey guys, sorry for the long wait almost two weeks , but you will not be disappointed. Thank for the amazing reviews I got last time, acompletenerd thankyou for pointing the mistakes I'm checking all the chapters and correcting. Oh and this chapter is THE longest.

Enjoy reading ;)

Chapter XVIII

Peter was shocked; he also felt sad. He couldn't even see the love that his little sister felt. She was breaking and he didn't even know a thing about it. He couldn't believe his density. But that wasn't all. When she kissed Caspian in front of the whole castle, not caring about others or rejection, she voiced her feelings with no fear. Loud and clear she confessed loving him. Caspian of course didn't know what to do, his own feelings were a maze, his mind a puzzle, but it didn't stop Lucy at all. She was now a woman, strong and firm, independent in her life. That was what made him feel nostalgic. His youngest sister didn't need him anymore.

As for the telmarine king, he wasn't angry at him after thinking it through. He pitied him; the young man must have been a complete mess. He hated himself for hurting Lucy and Peter saw it in his eyes. But his protective side loathed Caspian. He wanted to yell at him, to stop him from approaching his sister, to hit him for his foolishness but reason won the fight. Lucy would despise him if he did.

He made his way to her room, after knocking he came in. She was drying her hair with a towel before smiling softly at him. She really didn't realize how beautiful she was; to him no one could deserve her. He was also glad she wasn't angry anymore.

"Hey." Without meaning his voice came out as whisper as he sat on her bed. She followed him and did the same. Both stayed silent before he spoke again:

"I'm sorry Lu; I always tend to forget how much you've grown."

"It's okay, I forgive you."

"No hear me out please." She nodded for him to continue and he took a deep breath.

"I still remember the day you were born, I was only five but it's engraved in my memory like in stone. I looked at your tiny figure for the first time, sleeping peacefully, and you already had me wrapped around your little finger. I swore to myself to always protect you no matter what, and not let anything or anyone harm you, but now you're not a baby anymore, you're a woman, a true lady. I just feel sad that you don't depend on me anymore." His youngest sister's eyes were already glassy with tears. She hugged him tightly while chocking out words:

"Oh, Pete, I'll always turn to you. After dad went to war, you were the father figure to me. Everything you did was to protect me, you held me close when I had nightmares, you calmed my fears with your soothing presence, and that won't ever change no matter how old I'll be, you'll forever be my protector."

"I love you little Lucy." He whispered while kissing her forehead.

"I love you too Peter, you'll always be my big brother, the one I respect." Both cried silently in each other's arms, going back to old times.

"Get ready for lunch, and stay strong sister."

"Thank you Peter." She kissed his cheek before he left her get prepared.

He just closed the door before finding Susan staring proudly at him.

"Su, it's no good eavesdropping."

"Oh shut up and give me a hug."

He chuckled and gladly did as she ordered. He heard her taking a deep breath.

"Okay now's my moment."

"Not now Susan, wait until evening please, she needs to be alone."

The gentle queen hesitantly agreed and went to the dining room.

As she entered the doors, she found Caspian, arms crossed, leaning on the table, obviously deep in thought.

"Caspian." he snapped out of his trance and looked at her.

"Susan."

"Need to talk?"

"No, not really."

"Too bad because you'll tell me everything that happened."

He sighed before answering:

"Before I always thought of Lucy as a cute and pretty little sister, I loved teasing her, but over the last months I began noticing her as beautiful, and that night at the ball, it was like something trigged inside me, it began with anger but it soon was buried under the desire I felt towards her, it was so weird, all I could think of was her, she made me go crazy, but it wasn't love, not for me anyway, our relationship was playful, we flirted, kissed and all, this was hidden from you, but now I feel like a jerk. Lucy would never do anything like that to anyone, I was too blind to see her feelings, I didn't want to see it, how much she cared for me, I was scared, Susan, I didn't want any tension between us, but guess I did the exact opposite."

"Stupid."

"W-what?"

"I said you're stupid."

"Yes, I know."

"No you don't" she snorted in a very un-ladylike manner. "Please, of course you have feelings for her, it might not be love but there's something there I'm sure of it. Lucy is a wonderful woman; I can admit that you'll be fool if you didn't notice her at all."

"But-"

"No buts, Caspian I'll ask you questions but you need to be totally honest with me." He nodded doubtlessly.

"When you were courting me did you ever feel that same attraction?"

"Yes, but not near as strong, my feelings for you were innocent, I loved you like a first crush nothing more." She smiled softly at him before continuing:

"And Annabelle, do you still think you love her?"

"Not after what happened with Lucy, I found myself more worried about her than my rejection."

"I guess things are clear now, you like her if you didn't you would never kiss like you did back there on the training grounds, you always cared about other people watching, but this morning it's like you were pulled in another world, like you were captured, I notice things others don't, you don't love her yet, as such things need time, Edmund being the only exception," he chuckled at the last sentence " but what you feel for her is more than a crush or an attraction, you know it too, you just needed someone to push you into admitting it yourself, and know that Lucy will always be there for you, she'll welcome you, even if her love is stronger."

"Thank you Susan, I wish you would find someone that will deserve you."

"I have this feeling that it would be sooner than you think." She winked at him. He kissed her cheek before standing up and heading to the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To clean up the mess."

"What about lunch?"

"Don't worry I'll come back quick."

"Okay, but remember it's an official meal, all council members will be present."

"Joy!" Caspian knew very well that after what happened today, the meeting will not be amusing at all.

Lucy was struggling with the laces of her dress. She was about to call her maid Lydia when someone knocked, she answered with her back to the door:

"Oh Lydia, I need you to tie my laces please."

"It's not Lydia." Answered an all too familiar voice and it certainly wasn't her maid.

"Caspian!" she gasped trying to hide her bare back while blushing furiously.

"Turn around, I'll help you."

"B-but..."

"It's okay." She finally gave up and did as he asked. As the young king came behind her, strangled breaths came out of her mouth while he laced her dress; his long fingers brushed her skin which felt so pleasurable leaving tingles everywhere he touched. Caspian tried his best to stay composed but how could he when he was so close to Lucy? Her gorgeous lips were slightly parted as she breathed heavily. He swallowed hard; she was really making him go crazy.

After he was done, Lucy took another deep breath:

"Thank you, we probably should head to lunch." Before she could reach the exit, Caspian stopped by the wrist and turned her around. She shifted nervously and the ground suddenly became the most interesting thing at the moment. He made her look at him by raising her chin and locking gazes with her.

"Lucy, I'm sorry I didn't notice your feelings for me."

"It's oka-"

"Not it's not, I hurt you and I hate myself for it, I swore to protect you and I failed and it was my own doing."

"It's not your fault, you love Anne right?"

"No I don't."

"What?"

"I…" he sighed before continuing " I don't love her, I'm a fool for even thinking that, I see what's between her and Ed, that's love, I only loved her pretty face, and now I realize that I don't love her, not when I have another woman occupying all my mind."

Lucy frowned confused "What do you mean?"

"Susan made me realize something important, I want you Lucy, I desire you not just your looks everything, but I know it's not love yet."

"Caspian what are you saying."

"I like you, I like the smile reserved to only me, I like how you always win our arguments, I like when you get all clumsy, I like our duels and how you never fail to amaze me, I like how you try to hide your blush when I complement you, I like your clever eyes that always look brightly at the world, I like your gracefulness when necessary, I like how you sit proudly on your throne not intimidated in the least by others, and I'm thankful at how you love me so unconditionally, I hope it's not too late to accept me, these feelings are nowhere near yours but I want to learn how to love you, to cherish you."

Lucy was crying, again, she felt so emotional, what Caspian told her was the most romantic thing she ever heard, even if he didn't even love her a fraction like she loved him, it was more than enough, such things needed time and she knew it all too well. She nodded furiously. "Yes" she chocked "I accept you, thank you Caspian." He hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear "No thank you."

He cupped her cheek as she leaned into his touch. He brushed his lips with hers and when she didn't pull away, he kissed her gently and sweetly, it was all that Lucy's heart needed, to feel cherished and in heaven. They ended their kiss slowly, foreheads pressed, both smiling at each other.

"We should go to the dining room; we have a whole council to deal with thanks to you." He teased, she laughed. Caspian noticed for the first time how melodic it was.

"Sorry, I was angry and I hardly pay attention when it's the case."

"Well you surprised me."

"Of course, I beat you at sword fighting."

"I want a rematch."

"I'll win anyway."

"Don't think so."

They kissed once more but more passionately. They suddenly heard a gasp and quickly broke the kiss to see a red faced Lydia at the door.

"I-I'm sorry your majesties, I didn't mean to interrupt." she spoke shyly.

"No it's okay, we were heading off anyway." Assured Lucy.

"Would you do me the honor my Lady?" Caspian offered his arm which Lucy took not before rolling her eyes.

"Of course." They exited, laughing, leaving a grinning servant. Lydia made her way to the kitchens for a much needed gossip about the new royal couple.

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