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Chapter XX

The first sight that greeted Adam as he went out of his room was a red blur. He just stood there for a minute before the blur came back and finally realized it was nothing but Lucy running down the corridors at dawn. The woman never failed to surprise, of that he was sure. He called out for her at last:

"Lucy, where are you running off to at this early hour?"

"Oh god, Adam! You're still not ready?"

"Ready for what?"

"Hunting of course, don't tell me you didn't know." He shook his head confirming her suspicions.

"Hunting? In the middle of war, you people really have the weirdest ideas."

"Everyone needs relaxing."

"And by massacring animals you're doing just that."

"Not any animals, just the dumb ones, and they'll end up in the kitchens, so we're doing the hunters a favor by releasing them from that task, now enough with the talk and put on some riding clothes, everyone's already in the stables."

"I'll pass."

"No you won't."

"I've got other obligations."

"So do we but damn it all, leisure comes first."

"Your priorities are very ill listed."

"I know, one of my various qualities."

"Add vanity."

" And stubbornness, so you'll come."

"I won't."

"I have all day to convince you."

"You just said you're late."

"doesn't matter."

"I'm still not coming."

Fifteen minutes later, Adam was frowning riding his horse, now he understood why no one ever lost an argument with Lucy; she was really a devil in disguise. Someone patted his shoulder, when he turned, he saw Caspian grinning at him:

"Now, now mate, you'll get used to it, piece of advice, try to smile or else you'll be confronted by angry Lucy, and that is far far worse than stubborn Lucy."

"I heard that." The young lady who was leading the party yelled over her shoulder "and yes Adam you better at least pretend you're happy."

The whole party present, which consisted of Peter, Edmund, Susan, Annabelle, Caspian, Adam and Trumpkin, laughed at the youngest queen.

"Deer in sight." The dwarf called out, and soon only dust could be seen from the rushing horses. Susan took out her bow and took one down, aiming for his heart to save the poor animal from any pain.

Half an hour later, the game was already skinned and wrapped tightly with a cloth.

They decided on a spot by the edge of the river rush for lunch, the water cooling them from the heat of summer. They laid the blankets and pulled out food from the baskets their horses carried.

"Here let me help you" Lucy smiled at Caspian's gentlemanly manners.

"Thank you" she pecked his lips before joining Adam and Trumpkin, who were filling water from the river. The prince smiled at her teasingly and she shoved him hard, he found himself soaking wet before he could even blink.

"You're really strong for a woman, hell even for a man"

"Glad you know me." She retorted

By the horses, Caspian was also getting his fair share of teasing:

"Getting all romantic aren't we?"

"Shut up Ed"

"No he's right you act like a puppy around her, get yourself together mate." Peter advised.

"Well she has very kissable lips"

Peter groaned at his statement: "Please, she's my sister."

"You started, not me"

After not long, everyone was comfortably installed. Peter and Susan were lying on their backs, Adam and Trumpkin deep in discussion, but they were very discreet and could not be over heard, but by the looks of it seemed quite important. Edmund's arms were thrown over Annabelle's shoulder as she leaned her head on his chest, and found herself drowsing to sleep, he smiled tenderly at her. Caspian and Lucy surely looked like they were an item all their lives. His head rested on her lap while he smiled at her and she absentmindedly stroked his soft hair.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly.

"Can you guess?"

"Uhm, how long all this peaceful days would last?"

She chuckled "You know me too well"

He watched as her rosy lips moved while she was speaking, her long auburn hair which framed her beautiful face with perfect waves, her blue green eyes who seemed to be dancing, twinkling as she smiled lovingly at him. She really was an angel, and he really was blind, and now this jewel belonged to him, He grinned at the idea.

"I bet you can't guess what I'm thinking about."

Her pretty eyes looked curiously at him and he continued: "How beautiful you are."

She blushed softly and he couldn't resist anymore, damn her brothers. He lowered her head to him and kissed her gently, pouring all the tenderness he felt for this amazing woman. She responded eagerly and he pulled out before he lost his control. They continued speaking lowly not aware that the high king was watching them with a small smile tucking at the corners of his mouth, he was glad she chose Caspian, he finally admitted to himself, he wouldn't have trusted her to anyone else. After catching his younger brother's teasing look, he composed himself and frowned. Edmund rolled with laughter while his brother's glare grew deeper. Their staring competition was interrupted by their sister's scream:

"Caspian put me down." The young man had her perched on his shoulder like a sack of potato; her frame seemed so small compared to his broad chest. He was edging towards the river while he responded:

"Let me think, no." Lucy panicked at his mischievous voice "No, no, no don't you dare-"

Before she could even finish her sentence she was tossed into the cool water and gasped, then yelled at the top of her lungs.

"Youu, Caspian come here."

"Again No." And then the courageous king who battled so many wars with refined skill ran for his dear life.

Their audience, who was long forgotten by Lucy's fury and Caspian's panic, laughed at the young couple until tears came to their eyes and gasped for breath.

"Lucy, I'm sorry okay?"

"I know you are I won't harm you, I just want to give a big, tigh hug." The valiant queen responded Caspian's plead through clenched teeth. After so many struggles, the telmarine king was finally as soaked as his lady. He cleared his throat:

"Lucy, it may be late but will accept to court me?" she stood there, shocked and irritated at the same time, couldn't he find a more romantic moment? She thought like when he was laying on my lap, not when they were drenched with missed clothes and hair and a background of snorting and laughing which grew even louder after Caspian's demand. But as soon as she saw the beautiful bracelet he offered her (its design was of butterflies incrusted with rubies and diamonds, joy soon made its way in her heart and she found herself jumping up and down, eagerly accepting him, she kissed him tensely, while Trumpkin and the other ladies whistled and the men stood awkwardly avoiding looking at the kissing. One thing was for sure: THAT WAS THE WEIRDEST PROPOSAL EVER.

Edmund escorted Annabelle back to her chambers, bidding her goodnight with a sweet kiss. He waited until the doors closed before leaving to his room. As he turned around he heard a muffled scream. The just king felt panic building inside him as he entered his lady's chambers, it was empty like no one ever entered. He looked at every corner of the room even the bathroom. He kicked something and heard a clucking sound of metal, he bent down and found Annabelle's dagger, leaning down he picked it with trembling hands. Annabelle was missing.

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