With reference to Liana's bruises:

Guys, Edmund's not abusive.

I refuse to let the Count do anything significant before I even introduce him.

I'm pretty sure Lias is harmless.

Who does that leave?

...

Sorry, SweetSunnyRose, your bad feelings turned out to be correct!

"Rinas wants me to marry the Count," Liana's voice was quiet as she stared into the fire.

Peter sat at his desk, at an angle from Liana so that he could only see one side of her face. He had given strict instructions not to be disturbed and had even posted two guards outside his solar. If Edmund were to walk in and see her… he shuddered at the thought. His brother's temper was not something he wanted to ignite.

Liana hadn't told him who had hit her. She seemed to want to avoid the topic for as long as possible; she had even refused to answer his questions. This was the first sentence she had spoken in over half an hour, and Peter wasn't going to let her get away with divulging such less information.

He asked her a question that had been plaguing him for months. "You don't love Count Jadev, do you?"

Liana didn't look up. "I do not. Perhaps he is a good man to his people and to his servants, but that has nothing to do with me. He treats me as if I am a prize to be won. He takes offence if he hears that I have other suitors and makes it a point to drive them away," she sighed. "Rinas said I was being ridiculous and childish and that I should be honored by his attentions. I disagreed."

"Is that a reason to cause you bodily harm?" demanded Peter.

Liana looked at him. The fire-light illumined her bruises, making her face seem eerie. "It's complicated, King Peter. The Count visited yesterday and we never spoke about it until last night. When we did, Rinas was drunk; I don't think he realized what he was doing half the time. I'm to blame as well, I slapped him first. If I had just let it go-"

Peter interrupted her. "Are you saying your brother did this to you?"

Her jaw tightened. "Do not twist my words, High King. I risk a great deal by telling you this. I hope I am speaking to a friend, not a king."

Peter held eye contact with her for a long while. Finally, he sighed and averted his gaze. "You should not be forced to marry someone you do not love, Liana," he said wearily. "Whether I am your king or your friend, I don't understand why you would even consider it. All you have to do is say the word and we can ensure he never bothers you again."

"You will not understand," Liana leaned her chin on her palm and looked at him thoughtfully, all trace of sharpness gone. "King Peter, you have been very kind to me. Probably kinder than my own brother, though Aslan knows there is not a soul alive that I love more than him. Nevertheless, I believe you have a right to know something about me," she took a deep breath. "I am not proud of what I am, but I have no false ideals. I was to be married when I was sixteen in Archenland, while my father was alive and wealthy. I was not wed, because he died. I have no aspirations to fall in love. I only wish to be comfortable in my choice of a husband. If I had even the smallest degree of affection for the Count, I should have married him when he first proposed."

Peter blinked. "You have money, Liana, and you know we will help you in case of any difficulty."

"I know," she smiled a little. "I am grateful, truly, for all that you do. But Rinas is different. In marrying Dayna, his wife, he forced me to give up a great share of my inheritance so he could live as he chose. As a soldier in Archenland and the eldest son of a dead noble, he was better off than me, but only by enough to sustain himself after his military career was over," she flicked her hair out of her eyes and threaded her fingers together. "He wanted a family, and at that time it looked as if I would have a husband to care for me. So he needed my money. I did not want to stop him," she looked away, back into the fire. "I honestly wanted what was best for the only living relative I had. My mother died many years ago; my father and Rinas were my whole world. I was young and foolish, under the impression that I would be married within the year. Circumstances altered and forced us to move here, to Narnia. Here, things became different. He really only wants me to marry well to secure my future, truly," her voice broke. "I was being difficult and he has been through so much after Dayna passed."

Peter sighed forcefully. "He has an honourable sister, and I understand his position. I, too, have sisters that I must care for. But, Liana, I cannot let this go unpunished."

"You must," Liana's eyes snapped up to meet his. "This is my quarrel; I do not need anyone to fight my battles for me. If Rinas forces my hand in marriage, you are not to blame."

"You cannot think that after you have told me all this I will let it pass?" asked Peter incredulously.

Liana stood up, her eyes glinting. Suddenly, her shoulders slumped and she sighed. "No. I do not think you will."

"Please try to understand Liana," Peter fought to keep his voice gentle. "Forcing your hand is not the way, and in doing so he has forced mine," he stood up from behind his desk and sat down opposite her, near the fire. She sank back into her chair and covered her face with her hand. "You will move back into your apartments here, in the palace, in the same wing as my family. You will live here as long as you wish to. I want no more talk of marriage to secure your future. If the need arises, your future will be here, as an honorary member of the royal family."

She removed her hand slowly to stare up at him in astonishment. "High King, that is very kind of you but-"

"Liana, trust me, I am being generous to your brother in my conditions," Peter closed his eyes and massaged his temples. "If Edmund were to find out, Rinas would pay tenfold for every bruise he has given you. My brother has a temper, and added to that, you know he has a fondness for you. I will ask Orius to send your brother on another expedition immediately. It is for his own safety."

Her eyes widened. "You mustn't! He will know I told you. He doesn't appreciate any interference, High King, and he has no respect for authority."

"Rather like you, I suppose?" asked Peter, lips twitching unwillingly.

Liana failed to see the joke. "He is not as polite as I am!"

"Be that as it may," Peter shrugged. "You know he can't stay here. If Edmund were to ask you how you got those bruises, or even if Susan asked for that matter, what would you say?" Liana dropped her eyes. Peter rested a hand on her shoulder kindly. "This will be better, Liana, for both of you."

"He has children," she protested, but it was a feeble attempt. Peter knew his logic was winning her over, though he suspected Liana was more interested in keeping Rinas safe from Edmund's wrath than her own well-being.

"There's enough room in the palace for any number of children," Peter dismissed her worries with a wave of his hand. "Susan had already approached me with the idea that she wanted your niece to be a lady-in-waiting to her one day. It will be better for her to have first-hand experience of how the palace works."

"I can live in the village with them. I don't want to be a burden."

"And who do you think will keep the Count away from you?" shot back Peter. "I can't keep every noblewoman in Narnia safe from unwanted suitors, but while it is in my power, I will do my utmost. My mind is made up, and I assure you I am every bit as stubborn as all my siblings, if not more. You will move back here tonight. Orius will send your brother a message regarding his new post in the morning and you can summon the children here as soon as he is gone," he got up and poked his head out of the door, calling to one of the guards. "Would you prefer Susan or Lucy to spend the night with you?" he asked.

Liana blinked. "Really, that is not-"

"Liana!"

"Alright!" Liana shrugged helplessly. "Susan?"

"Very good," Peter nodded approvingly. "I'll have some food sent up to your rooms as well. I think it would be best that Edmund not see you tonight. Though I must say you're very pretty despite it all, those marks make you look like a corpse."

Liana rolled her eyes. "Clearly, King Peter, you have a gift for eloquence."

"I try," Peter grinned, glad to see that she wasn't too upset. "Here, follow, Mr. Tumnus," he opened the door wider to admit the fawn, who smiled gently at Liana. "He'll guard you from prying eyes."

Liana smiled and stood up. As she passed by, she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Peter. "High King?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you. For everything." The smile she gave him was brilliant. At that moment, Peter truly appreciated Edmund's taste in women. Liana was something else.