So so so sorry for the delay, I'll give no excuses but I'll try to go back to the original schedule.

Hope you enjoy this chapter and good reading ;)

Chapter XIX

Susan was wondering where Lucy and Caspian were. They were both late and everyone was getting impatient. She was about to send a servant to call on them when the double doors burst open revealing a laughing valiant queen holding Caspian's arm.

"We apologize for being late, we had some matters to attend to" said Caspian.

"Obviously" Peter muttered with raised eyebrows, much more relaxed about this whole thing.

Susan, Edmund and Annabelle were biting their lips trying not to laugh but failed miserably, ignoring the other lords who, from the knowing looks, seemed very satisfied about the recent outcome. The young lady in question was blushing furiously while her man was amused: Was she the same woman who kissed him in front of the whole castle?

He pulled out her chair then sat himself next to her. Peter gestured to the servants and soon all the plates on the dining table were filled with food. Chatter began and of course bickering from the youngsters.

"So Lu, what were you doing with Caspian, in your room, this whole time?" Edmund teased in a low voice.

"What about you Ed? We didn't see you and Anne after practice."

"We were in the library."

"Uh-huh, I know exactly what you've been doing there." Edmund gave her a confused look before she pointed to Annabelle's neck. A small red spot was barely visible with her hair, a hickey obviously. Caspian laughed with Lucy, Susan and Peter.

"Well done brother." The oldest brother whispered.

"Shut up Pete."

Suddenly someone cleared their throat, Lord Beltran looked at Caspian and politely asked:

"Your majesty, with all respect, did you think of our proposition?"

"Oh yes, the babies." Caspian muttered. Again, Lucy chocked on her drink and Caspian helped her by patting her back. When she could finally breathe, she shot him an exasperated look.

"What? I didn't say marriage, just babies."

"Oh thank you very much for your consideration." She retorted sarcastically.

Caspian grinned at her before turning to lord Beltran.

"No, not yet, we don't think about it at the moment, Narnia is living war, now's not the time for festivities."

"With all due respect your majesty, everyone in the castle saw you this morning and we'll be very glad to see such a union as marriage and hopefully children in the future."

Lucy cleared her throat feeling very uncomfortable with the subject especially around her siblings. Susan was looking rather amused by the conversation while Peter pretended not hearing anything. Irritated, the youngest queen said:

"My lord, I don't think high king Peter is ready to be an uncle."

Now was Peter's turn chock on his drink. He was horrified by the idea of his little sister having kids and mostly…making them. Lucy didn't stop; she noticed Anne and Ed laughing at her.

"And what about king Edmund and his lady. Their relationship looks more… active."

Caspian was roaring with laughter at the young couple's reaction. Their smiles faded giving place to furious blushing. The others soon joined the laughter while the poor lords were perplexed. Caspian pitied them and decided to finally answer their request:

"Anyway, we'll wait until this war ends before mentioning any weddings."

Lucy felt happy; at least he wasn't denying the possibility.

After the official meal came the council meeting. All the people present were ruminating the battle plans for the upcoming war. Annabelle tagged along and found herself not as useless as she thought. All the history classes back in France paid after all.

"Calormen troops will come by sea. There's no way they could cross the great desert in a week, and let's not forget the Archenland mountains." Peter voiced, getting nods at his logic.

"And now Cair Paravel is partially an island so the other way would be the woods, in case they could crossed our borders" added Lucy.

"Then we'll surprise them by attacking their ships, they wouldn't be prepared for it, and the other narnians would help too."

"You're right Edmund, as for the telmarine they will try to come discretely, my guess, they'll use the tunnels." Now was Caspian's turn to voice his thoughts.

"We'll use the builders to cover the secret doors and close the access." Susan suggested.

"Then the Archenland troops will ambush them."

"Clever indeed Adam." Lucy praised.

Again Caspian felt a tang of jealousy but ignored it. He was leaning on the council table deep in thought before pointing:

"The telmarines' machinery is very advanced; the rebels will use lances and catapults."

"We can use the giants as shields, from what you told me the rocks would fit in their hands and the lances would be no more than a needle, same thing with the arrows." Annabelle said and all present nodded at her idea with new found respect, but what warmed her heart was the proud look Edmund was giving her.

"Then the archers would take the towers, the griffins would aid the troops at sea. The cavalry will stand behind the giants followed by the rest. We'll only attack after the enemy is neutralized." Edmund had the last word before Peter dismissed the council.

All took a breath they didn't know they were holding. Mere days were left before the battle and everything needed to be prepared.

Annabelle snuggled in Edmund's side while he stroked her hair gently. Susan found it a very cute sight before she turned to see Lucy leaning on Caspian's shoulder as he held her protectively by the waist, her hands on his as she laughed at something he said. They were naturals, not even three hours and look how relaxed with each other. Then she noticed Adam who tried to hide his pain, but she was sure he'll find someone worthy of his love.

She made eye contact with Lucy giving her a look that probably meant 'we got to talk'. Lucy sighed.

"Sisterly duties, I have to go." She whispered to Caspian who looked at her questionably but she just shook her head and squeezed his hand. He didn't ask further and pecked her on the lips then she was gone followed by Susan. He turned around to notice Peter, with his eyes closed and taking deep breaths; he certainly wasn't ready with shows of affection, while Edmund rolled his eyes and smirked at Caspian.

Both sisters were arm in arm, walking in the castle's gardens. Susan didn't utter a word ever since they walked out of the meeting room. Soon they found themselves in Lucy's space.

"You know? When I was courting Caspian, I was sometimes jealous of you."

"Of me?" Lucy asked astonished while her sister nodded.

"Of his affection towards you, you always held a special place in his heart, this garden is proof enough."

"But he viewed me as a sister, nothing more."

"Yes, but the way he spoke with you, the way he confided in you, always telling you what he was thinking without any hesitation, I envied the trust he had in you. Want to know a secret?"

"What?"

"You were the reason we broke up."

"M-me?"

"Mhm, he always treated you way better, I know that he liked me, but when he gave you this garden, I faced the truth, I would never be that important in his heart, he planned it for weeks, giving every single corner deep thought, his gifts for me were pretty things but never held much importance as this."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize about that, but there's a question you need to answer. When did you plan on telling me you were in love with him all along?"

"Su, there are things better when they are hidden."

"Even from?"

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I get it, you've grown, but sometimes I miss my little sister, the one I helped raise." Lucy giggled. "What?"

"Peter just said the same thing, you two sound like parents giving up their daughter to marriage." The gentle queen rolled her eyes at the statement.

"Well it seems like it, but Lucy, it's me who needs to do some apologizing. You were in love with Caspian and I didn't even notice, it must have been hard on you. If I knew I swear I wouldn't have approached him."

"Same for me Susan. How can I rob you of your happiness? Simply because I harbor romantic feelings towards him doesn't mean I have to be selfish."

"I love you, my valiant sister, and I admire you, I may be called the gentle but no one has your heart, merciful, strong and compassionate. I'm proud of the woman I'm seeing in front of me."

"Woah, stop it, too many compliments to digest."

"Whatever."

"Susan, I will tell you the key to leaving the best life ever." The oldest sister looked at her curiously. "Forget the past, leave the present and think of the future. So no more regrets, I've been too emotional lately." Susan grinned wickedly at her.

"So what happened this morning?"

Lucy eagerly counted the earlier events, not forgetting to blush at the dressing part, and felt light headed just thinking of her kiss with Caspian.

"Oh Lu, one more question."

"Yes?"

"Where did you learn to kiss like that?" The valiant queen gave her a mysterious smile.

"I have my own secrets." Then winked at her "but as you know, Caspian is a very good kisser."

They laughed together for the rest of the walk.

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