"So, is today the day?" asked Susan with a smile.

Liana returned it tiredly. "Aslan willing, it is. I dearly hope so."

"You must give me details," excitedly, her friend clasped her hands together, eyes shining with mirth. "Was he a horrible patient?"

Liana laughed. "He was asleep most of the time."

"Did he snore?"

"Lightly, but because of the draughts."

"Does he speak to you about anything important?"

"He wanted his sword refitted for a new sheath so I gave orders for it and showed it to him just yesterday."

"Did he make your life miserable?"

"He was more miserable than me."

"Did he try to flirt with you again?"

"Susan!" Liana giggled and threw a flower at her friend. "I love you dearly but you are going to make me breach my confidentiality vow. Really, it wasn't a problem. I nursed Peter when he had that influenza attack, Lucy when she had the measles and even you when you had that migraine problem two years ago. I know why I was asked to look after Edmund, and its more flattering than annoying."

Susan smiled a little and picked at the grass. She had stolen her friend from the healing houses and taken her for a walk in the grounds. After hours of working, they had both been too tired for anything more formal. Exhausted, they had flopped down near the river and were enjoying a few rare moments when neither of them had to uphold the propriety that was expected of them.

"I know, but I feel terrible," she explained. "I know you two can rarely get along after what happened at the Spring Gala, and to ask you to care for him when he is far from pleasant must be difficult for you."

"It is my duty to look after anyone who is ill. And as for that event, it wasn't your fault. He had obviously had too much to drink and I was over-sensitive."

"I wonder at his low tolerance for alcohol. Peter is much more controlled."

"Because Peter drinks often but drinks less," said Liana. "Edmund never drinks, and when he does he goes overboard. I've seen it in many."

Susan nodded thoughtfully. "I think that one event is why he's so terrible to you. He feels guilty. He never did apologize, did he?"

"No," Liana shrugged. "He's my king, Susan. I would never even expect an apology."

"He mistook you for-"

Liana interrupted firmly. "I remember that evening quite clearly. Needless to say, I made it very obvious that the only time I would warm his bed was if I attempted to kill him and he was bleeding onto his silken sheets. And if I recall," Liana's eyes scrunched up as she recalled vague details and glared at her friend half-playfully. "You made me apologize for throwing mead on him!"

Susan laughed. "Oh my, that was awfully funny, wasn't it? Lucy annoyed him about it for months."

"And he avoided me for many more months to follow."

"You made it quite difficult."

"I enjoy laughing at another's expense, and Edmund makes it ridiculously easy."

"He hates to be mocked."

"That is true," agreed Liana. "And also unfortunate. King or not, my sense of humor shall not bend to his will."

"But you've gotten better now," smiled Susan. "When I visit, he talks as if he were fond of you."

"I still enjoy riling him up sometimes."

"He's ill, Liana."

"I haven't held a knife in his presence except during the surgery, I promise."

Susan sighed. "I do wish you hadn't started off on the wrong foot."

"Why is that?" Liana plucked a few blades of grass from the ground and absently rubbed them between her fingers.

Susan gave her a guarded look. "Well, I always did want Edmund to be settled before Peter. He works and trains and makes time for studying; he even treats the women at court as if talking to them is a royal duty. And honestly, Liana, you are a breath of fresh air for him. He's always talking about you."

"He doesn't always say nice things, Susan," Liana tried not to smile. "I infuriate him. But we are friends, I suppose, in one sense of the word."

"I just wish it was more than that," moodily, Susan began plucking the grass as well. "I would hate for my brother to marry one of the simpering ladies from Archenland."

Liana laughed. "I am also from Archenland."

"Well yes, but you're too much like me," said Susan stubbornly. "All the ladies are so…" she trailed off, unable to find words.

"I believe the word you are looking for, Your Grace, is that they are incredibly political and are in search of a suitable match. Its quite understandable."

Susan sighed and nodded. "I don't want him to be seen as a way to gain the throne, Liana. He deserves happiness just like any of us."

"He will receive his due, as Aslan wills."

"As Aslan wills," echoed Susan. Her voice was still sad.

Liana smiled and stood up, shaking her dress free of the grass. "I should be getting back to him now, Susan. He doesn't take his medicines willingly."

"Does he listen to you?" asked Susan, her eyes alight with curiosity. "I remember, as children, he was incredibly stubborn about taking any kind of medicine on time."

Liana frowned. "He doesn't take them without prompting, but then again this is manticore poisoning. He'll die if he doesn't."

"So he's compliant?"

"Like a lamb. I think he enjoys the attention."

Susan gave a very unlady-like snort. "Trust Edmund to take full advantage of a near-death experience."