I've been updating so regularly that I didn't want to leave you guys with absolutely nothing for so long, so here's a little heart-to-heart I know everyone will enjoy!

"Do you blame him?" Susan's voice was a quiet murmur, but it sounded incredibly loud in the silence of Liana's room.

"Who?" Liana sat up from where she had been laying on the settee at the foot of the bed.

"Edmund," Susan bit her lip. "If he hadn't called Rinas back, perhaps he wouldn't have…" she trailed off and gestured to Liana's face.

"Oh," Liana frowned. "I hadn't actually thought of that, to be honest," seeing Susan's horrified expression, she quickly continued, "Of course that doesn't mean I would blame him. He was trying to help me, and in a way I suppose he did."

"How so?"

"At least now I know what Rinas really thinks. He'd never have said anything to me through a letter."

Susan bit her lip and nodded returning to her needlework. Liana continued to stare at the blank ceiling of her room. A soft knock at the door made her move to get up, but Susan beat her to it.

"I don't think it would be wise for you to open the door," she smiled, a little grimly, as she peered outside. When she had shut the door with her foot, Liana immediately got up and took the tray from her hands.

"You don't need to serve me," she reminded Susan.

"I really don't know why you think I'd mind," sighed her friend.

"Because it is improper."

"I've never met someone quite as obedient to the rules as you, Liana," smiled Susan. "And yet you don't care about them half the time when they apply to you. I can't understand it."

"Of course. I don't care for rules when they apply to me, but I do think that you should follow them," she grinned up at Susan and picked up an apple that lay in a fruit bowl on the tray. "I can't imagine what a fuss this is creating for everyone. I really didn't want to be a bother."

"You're not," assured Susan. "The fawns don't mind and I'm happy to be here; Aslan knows you've been there for my family every step of the way during their problems."

"I never did any of that because I wanted you to reciprocate it, Susan."

"Which is exactly why I'm here right now," Susan smiled and picked up another apple from the tray. "Now, let's eat and then I'll leave you to sleep. When do you think your marks will get better?"

Liana shrugged. "I bruise easily, but I'm going to make a salve and put it on overnight. I did it yesterday and that stemmed most of the bleeding but-"

"What bleeding?"

Liana hesitated. Susan's eyes widened in horror. Liana quickly rested a hand on her shoulder. "I had cut my lip, though honestly that was due to my bad balance more than anything else. I tripped on my way to my room. Don't worry, it went away immediately. If I apply the same salve for a few hours tomorrow, I should be fit to be seen by the evening. Never fear, I won't take up much more of your time," she tried to make her voice cheery.

"Its not that," Susan shook her head immediately. "Lucy or I will only be too happy to stay with you tomorrow if you want. Its just that once Edmund gets wind that you're in the castle, he'll want to see you."

Liana snorted. "You overestimate my charms."

"No. You underestimate them. My brother likes you, Liana. I do not know the true nature of his feelings, but I know that there are feelings."

"That's very flattering."

"Even you know its true."

"I won't say I'm as perceptive as you in that respect."

"Of course you are, that's why you're not leaving the room. You know as soon as he finds out what's happened he'll want to maim whoever harmed you."

"If what you say is true, then I am grateful for such strong feelings directed towards me."

"You won't tell me if you reciprocate those feelings?"

Liana sighed. "Susan, as a friend, I love you. As my queen, I admire you. But as Edmund's sister, I cannot betray the nature of my feelings for him to you or to anyone, mostly because I do not know them myself. You understand my situation, don't you?"

"I understand your financial situation but I can't comprehend-"

"I won't have anyone saying that I'm after King Edmund to get security," said Liana bluntly. "You know the court will talk, Susan. I may not be a royal but I lived at court once. I know how people think. I care too much about you and your family to let any ill-feelings exist between us."

"Oh no, Liana, you can't think that we'd listen to such nonsense!" protested Susan. "I know you, and Peter knows you, and Lucy absolutely adores you! Edmund will be the first to say that your character is spotless, your words to me just now prove it. I do wish you'd consider it."

"Consider what?" Liana raised her eyebrows. "Consider courting King Edmund or letting him court me before he's even made his intentions clear? He may just like me as a friend, Susan. Do not let your desire to see him happy cloud your judgment. Besides," she shrugged and leaned back against the headboard of the bed. "I highly doubt I would make him happy."

Susan shook her head sorrowfully. "You both could make each other so happy if you weren't so stubborn," she sighed.