Disclaimer: The Chronicles of Narnia belong to C.S. Lewis, not me or am I making any profit with this story. I only own Alexandra and her friends/family or any other character you don't recognize.

Very different things were going through each of the monarch's heads after the news of Edmund's early return were delivered to the palace.

Lucy and Susan were worried sick, thinking that he had fell ill or was hurt and that's why he had to cancel the rest of the trip. On the other hand, Peter was anxious and concerned too, not really knowing what to think, as the messenger his brother had sent was fed with very little details of the king's return. Nevertheless, he had to admit that as a brother, he had felt a little bit of relief upon hearing the news, it felt so much safer when they were all together in the castle.

Last but not least, was Caspian, who of course shared the same amount of concern over his friend's homecoming, but was also very curious on the reason why he was returning. Knowing Edmund as well as he did, Caspian knew that very few things would actually drive the Just King to return home not only early, but that early in the middle of one of his diplomatic affairs. So whatever happened to be the motive for Edmund's return, it could only be very good or very bad. He hoped it wasn't the latest.

So it was natural to see them all on the main entrance of the Cair that evening, waiting not so patiently for their brother to come through the doors and finally explain what had happened, all praying to the Great Lion for him to be in perfect health.

Finally, the doors opened, making them all stand straighter, like the Kings and Queens that they were. Edmund was the first one to come through, his enormous party right behind him. But immediately after getting that breath of relief to see him alright, what caught their attention was how the entire guard accompanying Edmund in his quest divided in two, leaving a kind of aisle that led to where Ed's horse had stopped, right in front of them.

They were confused for just a second, as a majestic white tigress started walking through it and right by her side was a woman dressing strange clothes on top of a horse. Just then, the explanation they were to ask out of Edmund was standing in front of them, everything concerning his return made perfect sense, but they couldn't believe it.

It was the first time that none of them knew how to react, the four monarchs were frozen in their places with their mouths hanging open.

"Impossible." Susan whispered out of breath, squeezing Caspian's hand, expecting for him to reassure her that it was only a dream.

But it wasn't.

Alexandra Hayward was carefully getting off her horse with Edmund's help, and it was needless to say that she was blushing in the process.

After he helped Alex off the horse, Edmund turned toward his guard and dismissed them all, thanking them for their companionship and loyalty and also ordering them (in the most friendly way he could manage) to get some much needed rest. Knight Benjamin Rossendal couldn't help himself but to look back once as he was walking away from the front entrance of the palace. Wishing he could see how this reencounter developed. It was the first time he had the chance to see the sixth Queen upfront and spend some time around her, but he could already tell that she was quite the character. He smiled when Queen Lucy threw herself at the taller girl, giving her one of her infamous tight hugs.

"Alexandra?" The youngest queen had asked without wasting any more time and after getting a small nod from the girl standing next to her brother, she smiled and wasted no time in giving her a huge hug, in part to reassure herself that she was actually there, that it wasn't a twisted illusion.

Needless to say that Alex was panicking every second more, her brain listing the never ending possibilities in which they could find out about her secret and hate her, even if a little part of her heart yelled that they were too understanding and caring to ever come to hate her and that everything would be alright. It was impossible to win this fight with her reeling brain.

Lucy felt her fifth sibling wrap her arms around her lovingly, but only for a few seconds, because as soon as she felt Alexandra return the embrace, she could also feel her strength vanish and soon enough, Alex closed her eyes and fell backwards.

And right into Edmund's arms, who was watching her close enough to recognize all the signals and be prepared to catch her before she was too close to the ground, while Peter got a hold of Lucy.

"Are you okay Lu?" Peter asked and the queen slightly nodded without taking her eyes off Alex.

Susan gasped.

"Is she alright?" The Gentle Queen asked while Edmund re-accommodated Alex's body into his arms, so he could easily carry her. She was lighter than the last time he had done this, and that surely meant something to him, because back then, she was very light.

"She's fine your majesty. It seems that the exhaustion from the long trip and the mix of emotions she has lived through today finally caught up to her." Ninarika said calmly, reminding the monarchs of her presence.

"Of course! We've been terrible to have her standing here for so long, she must be exhausted…And so do you Ed." Susan continued to worry over her younger brother, because physically he was in perfect conditions, but now his emotional status was the one to concern her.

"I'm alright…" He said absentmindedly, his stare never leaving Alexandra.

"Not another word then, let's go inside." Said Caspian locking stares with Susan, he was kind of worried too.

"I'll get someone to arrange a room for her." Said Lucy and while the others nodded their approval, Edmund finally looked at them.

"She's staying with me." He stated simply as he started to walk up the stairs, but with a firmness in his voice that Lucy's previous idea fell down the drain immediately.

The rest of the Narnian monarchs looked at each other knowingly and followed behind the raven haired boy and the tigress who had moved immediately after him.

"You are the worst. Look at how worried they are now." Ninarika hissed at Alex mentally.

"I'm sorry, alright? I panicked."

"And your best option was to fake fainting?"

"What part of 'panicked' didn't you understand?"

"Alexandra!"

"I'm sorry! What am I supposed to do now?"

"As of right now, keep enjoying being in Edmund's arms."

"Out of line Ninarika."

"You asked."

If the queen could have rolled her eyes in that moment, she most definitely would have. Alexandra would never understand her guardian's feelings and thoughts about her husband.

Hello there! I hope you enjoy this chapter and if you can, please give me some feedback to know how you're liking the story or what would you change or add to it. It would mean a lot to me…

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