After her family had joined Ruby at Cair Paravel, she did have to admit that she was a little bit relieved. For a brief moment, she almost forgot why they really were there.
"I really wish you were there for the festival" Violet was saying, "It was truly amazing, I even got to float up with the lantern kites"
"She looked like one as well" Dawn put in.
"Oh, I wish I was there but we had a council around that time" Ruby sighed, "At that point, we were trying to make peace with the Minotaurs"
"Do not worry about missing just one festival, darling" her mother patted her knee, "There will be others"
Ruby nodded to her mother, "Still, I do miss the high winds of the Golden Mountains and hearing the chiming bells from nearly every home… I could not sleep here for a moment, everything was all so still and quiet"
"If you return now, you will think it is too noisy" Violet smirked, "Little Ruby lost out of touch of her native ways-"
Stop it, Violet" her mother turned to her.
Violet only giggled at her remark but even Ruby felt as if her sister was speaking the truth.
She turned to Dawn, "So? Has any Harpy caught your wings in a net yet?"
"Oh, please, I am far to ahead of them" Dawn flipped her hair, "The right one will come"
"Kit settled for Rosie instead of Dawn" Violet informed her sister, "They are expecting a hatchling as well"
Ruby quickly turned to her best friend, "How come you never told me?"
"And what would you have done, High Queen Consort?" Dawn asked, "Forced him to marry me by decree? Absolutely not! You found your soulmate for being who you are and I shall find mine the same way. Kit was too soft anyways, he deserves that… pigeon"
Dawn and Violet shared a laugh together as only Ruby could attempt to smile for her friend. Dawn had always had a crush on Kit and she remembered how excited Dawn was when she told Ruby about him courting her. Ruby felt like screaming her ears off when she suddenly hadn't heard much about their courting. She looked down and rubbed her womb as she could only imagine the devastating news that Rosie was betrothed to Kit and not Dawn. She turned to her friend as she tried to see if Dawn really was okay with this or not.
"We will be single forever!" Violet announced, "Two old hags pretending to cast spells just to collect money from the town"
Ruby's mother eyed Dawn, "See what you started?"
"I am sorry, Willow" Dawn giggled, "If it makes you feel any better, we will move to the edge of the town"
"Or maybe it is not a Harpy after all" Ruby said, "Maybe another being is meant to hold your hand?"
Dawn looked to her best friend with a quizzical look, "We will see, Ruby, but for now, I am happy… honestly"
Ruby seemed to like that answer as she smiled to her friend, "Where is father?"
"With King Edmund playing chess" her mother responded, "He could not possibly say no to the King"
"Of course not," Ruby smiled.
Ruby looked down the hallway as she could see Peter at a distance, her heart fluttered at the sight of him. But as soon as it had fluttered, it sank as he only glanced up and then went down another hallway. Ruby's eyebrows furrowed as she slowly brought herself to her talons. Her mother helped her up, she turned to her and thanked her.
"I will only be a moment" Ruby said, "Please, help yourself to whatever you wish"
"Oh, do not worry, High Queen Consort" Dawn winked as she popped a grape in her mouth, "We most certainly will"
Violet turned to her, "We will be right here"
Ruby nodded to her family as she turned and rushed down the hallway. It was not like Peter to avoid her which only made her worry about him more. She found him in one of his private study pouring himself a glass of wine.
"My love" Ruby closed the door, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Peter responded, curtly.
"Well, it was just that we were going to go on our walk-"
"You can go with your family" Peter looked up to her, "You need to be with them"
Ruby was a little bit shocked at this response as she said, "What is the matter, Peter?"
"The attacks are getting worse" Peter sighed, "Two families were injured last night. Their wings were shattered"
Ruby gasped, "Oh, my! That is terrible"
"Isn't it?" Peter responded, "Isn't it terrible? I have been told since the moment we met that a Harpy's wings were everything to them and now, two families' wings are destroyed! And I am sitting here with no leads!"
Ruby has never seen Peter this upset before and she had to admit, she was a bit frightened as of this point. She struggled to find words of comfort but her own mind was scrambling for words for herself.
Ruby took a step closer, "You must not blame yourself-"
"Oh, I do not blame myself, I blame that whole betrothal event" Peter unloaded, "Everyone was urging me and Susan to get married when we weren't ready and look what happened. Innocent Narnians are getting hurt now over my own decision. I'm sick of this! I never sho-"
Peter suddenly stopped as he not only realized what he was saying but who he was saying it to.
"Ruby… I am so sorry" he apologized, "I am just so stressed from all of this"
Tears were in Ruby's eyes as she asked in a small voice, "Y- You regret us getting married?"
"No!" Peter placed the goblet down as he rushed to Ruby, "Being married to you is the best thing that has ever happened to me"
"That is not what you were saying a moment ago" Ruby answered.
Peter reached out to take her hands but Ruby moved hers away and backed away from him. The motion pained him as he wished he could turn back time and take back what he had just said. The look of Ruby's heartbroken face shattered her as he finally realized how loud he was shouting from the ringing of his own ears. Not only did everyone within hearing range had heard his rant but he also embarrassed Ruby as well. He swallowed as he tried to take a step closer to her.
"Stay away" Ruby whispered, "I am sorry out chance meeting has caused you so much pain, High King"
"Ruby-"
But she was gone, out the door and sobbing loudly as it echoed off the walls of the hall until he couldn't hear her anymore.