Author's note: I apologize profusely for the long waits in between chapters. I will do my best to do better. Hopefully you all had a wonderful Holiday, and are looking forward to a new year. Here's the next installment!

Still don't own Narnia. I'm not as cool as C.S. Lewis, i wish...

The next month I spent holed up in the library, reading various histories about the Calormen people in order to be more aware of who were coming to visit and how likely a negotiation of peace would be reached.

With everything I had read, it seemed more than unlikely.

Now, sitting in the King's chambers with another huge, dusty library book draped over my lap, I re-read the story of King Edmund the Just and the Queens Susan the Gentle and Lucy the Valiant narrowly escaping the clutches of Prince Rabadash, and the almost-war that broke out because of it.

It was so hard to believe that, at one time, Edmund had been a wise and noble king for YEARS. He had grown into adulthood here, and then was sent back to be a child. The Edmund I had known was vastly different than the Edmund who had ruled the Golden Age of Narnia.

And yet, he was the same person, the wisdom and nobility was there, right below the surface, it just took me too long to notice it.

"Christina!"

"I'm right here, Caspian, no need to shout," I snapped.

His eyes were wide with anxiety and the frown on his face seemed almost permanent. His hair was disheveled and the clothes he wore were completely mismatched and un-Caspian-like.

"The Calormenes will be here in only a few hours and look at me! I'm a mess!"

"Caspian-"

"The servants are on a mad dash to finish the feast and prepare the welcoming ball, the Lords are preparing the meetings we are going to have," he rambled, pacing around the room.

"Cas?"

"the only person I have to talk to is you, and you're so bloody calm. It's infuriating!"

He ran a hand through his hair and put his face in his hands. "I'm not cut out for this, Christina. Can't we call Aslan and tell him to bring Peter back to rule?"

"CASPIAN!"

He stopped pacing and looked up at me, surprised.

"Calm. Down. Take a deep breath."

Glaring at me for a moment, he did as I instructed, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. Then he let it out and looked at me again, waiting for my next instruction.

"Now, everything is in order. The Calormenes are on schedule, the feast and ball are almost prepared, and the entire castle is spotless. The ONLY issue right now is how you look. Honestly, man, do you really need your servants to pick out your clothes for you?"

He crossed his arms angrily, but stayed silent.

I stood up from the bed and crossed the room, opening his wardrobe and looking through all the clothes he owned. Finally I decided on a simple blue tunic with dark green designs on it. Then I handed him some brown pants and his usual dark brown boots.

"You need to change, now, so we can fix that hair."

Nodding, he pulled the current, gaudy, red tunic over his head, followed by the scratchy looking undershirt. I blushed as he faced me, hand outstretched, completely shirtless.

His stomach was smooth and tan; also very well toned. A shiver of pleasure ran through me as I stared at him, wishing I could touch his chiseled abdomen, and run my hands along the finely shaped surface.

He cleared his throat and I looked up, blushing even more, knowing he had caught me staring.

"Like what you see?"

"Cocky, aren't you?"

"Well, tell me I don't have a reason to be," he answered smugly.

"Fine, you're ripped, I'll give you that."

Then I turned my back and waited for him to put his clothes on. When he finally told me I could turn around he was sitting on one of the couches by the fireplace, pulling his boots on and tucking the bottom of his pants into them.

I went to the vanity and grabbed a comb.

When he tried to stand up I placed my hands on his shoulder and gently pushed him back down.

"Stay," I ordered, beginning to brush his wonderful hair.

After I had tamed the knotted mess I set the comb down and stepped back to admire my handiwork. He stood tall and proud, looking much more relaxed now that he was cleaned up and ready to meet the Calormene nobles.

I daintily picked up his crown from the pillow it sat on and placed it on his head.

"There, now you're ready, your majesty," I smiled.

"Thank you, Chris," he whispered, kissing my cheek.

"Your majesty?"

I stepped away, folded my hands, and bowed my head a bit, hoping to show respect to the Lord that was currently speaking to the king. "The Calormenes have just arrived. They are at the entrance to the castle now."

Caspian nodded and dismissed him, turning back to me.

I lifted up my dress so I wouldn't trip on the train and followed him out of the room and down the stairs. My heart beat faster as I thought about the guests that had just arrived.

"Christina, I want you to be careful this week."

"Why?" I asked, turning to him as we walked at a brisk pace.

"The Calormenes do not have the same respect for women as Narnians do."

His jaw was set firmly and I could tell that this fact upset him quite a bit. I gritted my teeth and tried not to let my mind run rampant, thinking about all the bad things that could happen to me, because I was a woman.

Finally we arrived in the great hall and met the Calormene nobles.

"Your majesty, I introduce to you, Haidar Tarkaan, Fahd Tarkaan, Kashif Tarkaan, and Ra'eesah Tarkheena," one of the servants announced, indicating a group of olive-skinned, lavishly dressed people. They wore bright reds, oranges, and golds. The men were all bearded and decked head-to-toe in gaudy rings.

The one female of the bunch had long, jet black hair, with a tall and slender figure. Her skirt was a bright turquoise with gold jewels covering it and had a long slit up her leg, stopping mid thigh. Her top was the same color of her skirt and was practically skin tight It stopped mid-abdomen, revealing her flat stomach, and showed, in my opinion, too much cleavage.

Caspian approached her first, bowing and placing a swift kiss to her hand.

Of course he would flirt with her. She was leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination.

He shook hands with the Lords, called Tarkaans, and greeted each of their slaves as well. They then approached me, looking confused. Despite their haughty arrogance and obvious sexism, I curtsied politely and tried to smile.

"And who, King Caspian, is this lovely creature?"

The only man without a beard stepped forward with an unnerving smile on his face. He wore dark brown pants and a golden shirt that was lavishly decorated. His shoes were wooden with a point at the toe; they looked almost like elf shoes.

"This, good Fahd, is my most trusted advisor, Lady Christina Montgomery of Cair Paravel."

"Your most trusted advisor?"

"But she's a woman!" another Lord piped up, looking at me.

"Yes?"

I flashed Caspian a grateful smile for the light undertone of sarcasm in his voice. Anger flashed through me as the Lords exchanged a look that I could not decipher. Then the man named Fahd took my hand and kissed it.

I tried not to screw my face up in disgust.

I did not like these people, I decided. I would be glad when they left.

"Come, noble Tarkaans. I shall show you to your rooms myself. Lady Christina, will you be so kind as to show the Tarkheena to her room?"

I nodded my head and outstretched my hand towards her. She smiled an obviously rehearsed smile and took my hand with fake civility. As we walked by Caspian I stopped for a moment, leaned close to his ear and whispered "Where exactly is it that I'm showing her?"

"the guest wing in the western part of the castle. Last door on the left," he muttered.

Nodding, I lead the lady through the halls and up the stairs.

She asked many questions about the castle and the city that I could not answer. At one point she became suspicious and asked me how long I had been here. I told the truth, saying less than a year, but I had come from the Noble land of Narnia, Cair Paravel to be exact, beforehand, which wasn't exactly the most honest statement. Nevertheless, we managed to make it to her room with no accidents.

I opened the door and allowed her to enter first, then followed behind.

"I hope this will suit you," I said genuinely.

"It is decent. Not nearly as lovely as my chambers back in Tashbaan, but it will do."

I nodded and went to leave when she sat down on the bed and called out to me. I turned back around and gave her the most encouraging smile I could muster, hoping that if I got her to ask her questions faster I could answer and leave sooner.

"That King Caspian is quite handsome, is he not?"

"I daresay he is," I answered through gritted teeth.

"But he is unmarried?"

"Indeed."

"Why?"

"I do not know the answer to that, milady."

She got up from her perch and began walking around the room, inspecting the furniture and the fabric. She looked very pretentious. Of course, being a lady of the over-indulgent, Calormene court had to be the reason why. She was not used to simple beauty. Only greedy showings of wealth.

"And you, Lady Christina, you have not a marriage proposal yet?"

"I have," I told her.

She rose her eyebrows and looked at me, waiting for further explanation.

I gave her none.

"And who was this gentleman caller, may I ask?"

"You may. It was King Edmund the Just, a king of old from the Golden Age of Narnia, Aslan brought him back to our world to help fight a civil war between Telmar and Narnia and unite the two nations together."

"I have heard many stories of King Edmund the Just."

The tone she said that in made me weary, what did the stories about him say?

"I have heard of his encounter with one of your princes, Rabadaash, many years ago," I said.

She nodded her head and looked away again, continuing her inspection of the room. This time I stood still, I did not know whether she wanted to talk more or if she wanted me to leave.

"Tell me, Lady Christina, has King Caspian expressed an interest in any ladies?"

"That I do not know, milady."

"Very Well, you may go now."

I nodded, very eager to leave but extremely angered by the way she dismissed me as if I was nothing more than a servant in her eyes. I walked to the door and right as I was about to close it I said: "A servant will be coming in just a while to help you prepare for the ball this evening."

As soon as I heard the door click shut I broke into an all-out sprint away from the western part of the castle. As soon as I made it to the familiar hallway I proceeded until the very end and knocked on the door. After a few moments Caspian answered, looking tired and worried.

"I don't like them," I huffed, pushing past him into the room.

"Nor do I, but we must play the gracious hosts while they are here."

"That vile woman, can you believe her, dismissed me! She actually dismissed me. She said "Very well, you can go now." As if I'm some kind of lowly slave girl!" I yelled, throwing a pillow to the ground angrily.

"Christina-"

"And the nerve of those men! why are they surprised that I'm your advisor? They have a woman in their court! They brought her with and yet they have the audacity to gasp when they see me?"

"Chris, I know-"

"I should've worn a different dress They probably think I'm some….i don't even know!"

"CHRIS!"

I looked at Caspian, who had a slight smile playing on his lips as he plopped onto the bed and wrapped his arms around me in a comforting side-hug.

"I'm sorry they treated you like that. They're only here for a week," he sighed.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," I grumbled, leaning my head on his shoulder.

After a few minutes I spoke up again. "She asked me about you, you know."

He looked at me with quirked eyebrows and pulled away. I stood up and began pacing the room slowly. How could I tell him this without sounding jealous?

"What did she say?"

"She asked why you weren't married and whether or not you showed interest in any of the ladies." I answered without looking at him.

"And what did you say?"

"I told her I didn't know. Because, honestly, I don't."

I stopped my pacing and looked up at him. Now it was his turn to look away. Obviously, he didn't want to talk to me about these things. But I came this far. All I had to do was ask him.

"So, Caspian, why aren't you married? And do you have an interest in any of the Ladies?"

He glared at me for a second before sighing and flopping onto his back. I laughed at his childish behavior and bounced on the bed next to him, tucking my legs underneath me as I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

"I am not talking about this with you," he mumbled.

"Oh, come on, Caspian! I am your most trusted advisor. You should tell me everything."

"There are still boundaries."

I bit my lip and squeezed his hand, kissing it with a smile. He looked at me irritantly and I puffed out my bottom lip, drawing my eyebrows together. I scooted closer and shook him a little, prepared to beg if I had to.

"Fine, then tell me as a friend. Not as a king to his advisor, but one friend to another. From Caspian to Christina. Please Caspian? I'll answer your questions if you answer mine."

He sat up and thought for a moment. Then with a surrendering huff, he nodded.

"Why haven't you gotten married yet? Is it because of Susan?"

"Susan is part of it. She was….the first girl I ever loved. But I've learned to get over her. You helped me do that," he reached over and patted my knee with a smile, "Honestly, I just haven't found the right girl. Well…..never mind," he answered.

I nodded and sat on my butt, crossing my legs in front of me.

"So, are you interested in any of the ladies of the court? Or maybe just a lady in general, like, from the city or something?"

He stared at me a moment, thinking about how to answer.

I tried not to look too desperate, but I really wanted…no, needed, to know.

"I am not sure what I am feeling. Call it interest, if you will, but there is most definitely something there. Whenever I look at her…I am so nervous and my stomach is always in knots. I'm usually confident around women, there are so many in the court that I just learn to deal with them. But there's something about this one…she's different."

"Who is she?"

"That, I'm afraid, is a question I will not answer. But now, it is my turn to ask you something."

"Fine."

"Why aren't you married yet? You came so close one time."

"Caspian, I'm going to give you the same answer I gave you a year ago. A year ago- oh my god! Caspian, it's been a year today; a full year since the Pevensies left." I gasped.

He nodded as if this was old news.

"Sorry, I thought you knew," he whispered at last. I nodded slowly.

"So why haven't you married yet?"

"Edmund and I were too young, Caspian. I was hardly an adult, and he was only 16. There was no way we could have had a successful marriage. Other than that, I have not received any proposals, so I don't know if it's honestly my choice to stay single, or the men just don't want me."

"You know that's not true."

"Just because a couple of guys fawn over you when they're drunk does NOT mean that any of them actually want you. They're just looking for a "good time."" I snapped.

"Some say that one's true secrets are revealed while under the influence of liquor."

I rolled my eyes and stood up, patting Caspian's knee. He furrowed his eyebrows, but then looked out the window and jumped up. The sun was beginning to set, the ball was due to begin in just a few hours.

"You don't need help picking out clothes again, right?"

"No, I can pick out my own wardrobe, thank you," he growled.

With a short laugh, I began walking towards the door. But Caspian followed me. As I left his room and entered my own, he was still behind me. After kicking off my boots and pulling off my vest/corset, I looked at him with my hands on my hips.

"You just gonna stay there while I get ready for the ball?"

"Well I thought, since you saw me earlier I'd- whoa, Christina, calm down, I'm only joking!"

I chucked a pillow at his head and laughed as he dodged it with a shocked look on his face. He picked it up and tossed it on the bed after a moment, chuckling.

"I need to help you pick out your dress."

"Excuse me?"

"We need to try to play into the Calormene's lifestyle," he explained.

"Uh uh. No way am I wearing one of those skimpy little get ups like the Tarkheena!"

"No, no, I know. I'm not asking you to put on one of those "skimpy little get ups." I'm just saying, your dress needs to be a combination of the two. Flattering, but modest. That shouldn't be too hard for you, right?"

"Is that you asking me to be sexy?"

He blushed a bit and I laughed, amused that I could get that reaction out of him with just a simple joke. Without another word, he bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him. Then I set to work.