"Oh my dear King Edmund, you must tell your sister what a delightful party she's organized."
"She does everything so well, doesn't she?"
"Oh yes, my dear King, you really must give her our compliments."
"We've searched absolutely everywhere for her but the poor darling is always so busy."
And yet it becomes her so well, doesn't it?"
"Oh yes, and her gown is just radiant."
Edmund smoothly excused himself from the group of ladies who had surrounded him and hurried towards Ronas, who was entertaining a number of younger women who were hanging onto his every word. Seeing his friend, he hurriedly excused himself and joined Edmund near the wall, behind one of the crimson drapes emblazoned with the Narnian crest.
"Remind me again, Ronas," said Edmund forcefully. "Why is this just a brilliant idea?"
"Because you need to get back into Liana's good graces and the best way to do so is to get these rich nobles to donate some of their hard-inherited money towards the Houses of Healing," answered Ronas, in a tone which suggested this wasn't the first time during the evening that Edmund had asked him that question.
"Surely I can collect money for her without all this ridiculousness."
"You need to learn to keep everyone happy. Susan and Lucy love these events."
"Peter gets to miss it," said Edmund sulkily.
"Because it wasn't Peter's idea."
"Am I being punished for being charitable?"
"Your reasons were far from generous," Ronas rolled his eyes. "Go have fun, Edmund. You've got half the women in the room dying for you to look at them. Ask someone to dance."
"I'd rather not."
"Well, then ask Lucy to dance," Ronas pointed towards the younger girl, who was obviously dissatisfied with her present company; three women in bright dresses and jewels. "She looks like she could use some saving." Edmund closed his eyes and massaged his temples with the tips of his index fingers, sighing in exasperation.
He would never admit that he had orchestrated this whole event just to force Liana to talk to him. Even in the safe confines of his mind, it sounded ridiculous; she could easily reject the invitation, she could avoid him all night, she could throw mead on him again… a million details could mean he wouldn't see her or, if he did see her, the evening would end horribly. He refused to acknowledge the nagging voice in the back of his mind that kept asking him why he was so interested in her and focused on what he liked best; work.
So far, every noble invited had come and every one of them had made a more than generous donation to his cause, particularly the women. Edmund wasn't slow; he knew exactly why they were so eager for him to see them drop large pouches of gold into the collection sphere. He had avoided that area, choosing to stick to large crowds where he wouldn't be noticeable. But Peter's absence obviously meant that the women needed entertainment, so he had found himself smiling and kissing overly-perfumed hands for most of the evening.
"Signal her over here, I refuse to interact with anyone of the female species whom I am not directly related to," he said finally, not opening his eyes.
"That's unfortunate. I was hoping to have a quick word."
Ronas and Edmund both jumped and Edmund's hand automatically went to his sword, which he had worn despite Susan's insistence that he forgo it. When he saw who had startled them, he removed his hand, but not before Liana saw it.
"Really, if I wanted to kill either of you I'd poison your wine, it's much more my style," she rolled her eyes and leaned her shoulder against the wall next to him. "King Edmund, a word? Unless saving your life does not exclude me from the coquettes you so obviously despise. "
Edmund bit back the retort and signalled to Ronas that he could leave. When they were alone, Edmund mimicked her stance and raised an eyebrow, feigning annoyance. Inside, he was thrilled, but displaying it would show her she had won. What they were fighting over, he still wasn't sure. "What is it, Liana? I have things to do."
"Sulking doesn't become anyone, least of all you," said Liana, ignoring his comment. Mentally, he counted that as a good sign. She rarely listened to him. "Does your to-do list include hiding, Your Grace?"
Edmudn resisted the urge to retort to her taunts and maintained peace. "The point, please."
"I owe you an apology."
Edmund blinked, completely taken aback. "Excuse me?"
"I was very crude last time we spoke, and I feel terrible," she admitted. Her eyes were clear and frank, but her hands were balled into fists as she folded her arms across her chest. "And now you're doing a wonderful thing for the Houses of Healing and I don't want my rude behaviour to dampen any festivities."
Edmund was shaking his head before she had even finished speaking. "Liana, it is I who should-"
"Oh, King Edmund? Is that you?" the shrill voice interrupted him and he looked away from Liana's blue eyes to meet a pair of dull brown ones, heavily accented with blue powder that clashed horribly with the rouge on the woman's cheeks. Lady Ivanna was everything but good company, and Edmund had more than once reduced her to tears (through no fault of his own), but she never left him alone.
He winced as she, without a glance towards Liana, immediately began chattering about something and tugged at his arm. He was obliged to walk away with her, but managed to sneak a glance at Liana before his attention was completely monopolized. She was still leaning against the wall, watching them walk away. She raised her eyebrows when their eyes met and discreetly jerked her head towards the middle of the hall. A nobleman approached her at that moment and she allowed herself to be led out onto the dance-floor as the fawns struck up a lively tune.