Chapter 6; not a Lady, and most definitely not yours
It was already decided though Aline detested the very idea of it. They were going to reveal her presence- at the Ball of all places.
She was a lady from Archenland. King Lune's distant niece, from a cousin twice removed. Raven's were sent and recieved as the old King who'd held a certain affinity to the young royals agreed to corroborate this fact if the need ever arose but Aline had little faith in the plan. Whoever knew, already knew she wasn't from around Narnia and if anything her mannerisms and utter lack of grace, poise- anything to do with being a lady really, would give it away.
"Lady Carissa would help us if the need arises," Susan proclaimed. "Don't worry, Edmund assures she's on our side, a loyal one." Aline had heard all about the infamous Lady Carissa of Archenland and for some reason this was not something she was looking forward to.
"Besides, you will have to attend court, receive lessons- Archenland politics, culture, geography- the Elleswood Manor right on the Narnian border where you'd spent most of your childhood at upon your parents passing under the wing of Lady Carissa's older brother Duke Desmond- oh Aline!" Susan sighed. "I hope we aren't overwhelming you."
She simply shrugged. Suddenly the weight of everything happening seemed to hit her. She was in some strange land where beasts talked and the trees turned into pretty women who danced around in petalled garbs. And now she seemed to be smack dab in the middle of some controversy she had no clue about. Was any of this even real?
"Does this mean I will have to refer to you all by your titles?"
"Only when we are in the company of anyone. And never otherwise! Don't you even dare." Susan glared, "We are friends, Aline. I surely consider you so."
"That means a lot to me Susan," her words caught. "It really does."
Aline turned to the side sipping the tea she'd held in her hand not quite knowing why the statement brought her to almost tears. But whatever it was, she was grateful. To Susan and the Pevensies. All of them.
The lovely castle of Cair Paravel was a bustle, most of its denizens blissfully unaware of the commotion that had happened a few night ago. In fact, everyone occupied in his or her work, assigned to themselves by the High Queen herself. Even the Royals themselves, not an exception. Flowers and various other decor from all over the country and beyond, brought in for the special eve- it was the Spring Ball after all.
As much as she hated it that she had to, or rather was compelled to, attend the event, Aline couldn't help but feel excited as she helped the fauns arrange the roses that now covered the entry arch, transforming the barren, cold stones into a flurry of life. Dryads floated by spreading the breath of life with each step as she saw the vines twisting themselves around the stones finding grip, and the flowers visibly brightened asif brought back to life.
How could she not feel excited when an ecstastic began to play a lively tune on that enchanted reed-pipe of his, that made the castle folk stop what they were doing and join in a livening sing along, which quickly turned into a competition within the fauns, as to who played the best, or rather as Aline suspected, who woo-ed the most dryads.
She couldn't help but smile to herself as she spied Eilea, a dryad who'd caught the attention of Raegnor, a faun she'd gotten to know, smile flirtatiously at the faun before disappearing in a spoof of green flowers just as he neared her.
"Aline!" she heard a half whine which she instantly recognised as Corin. "I can't hear you, Corin" she called back with a smirk.
"You surely answered back because you couldn't hear me." the young Prince shot back.
"Or maybe I am ignoring you."
He anxiously waved away her reply, "listen Aline, I'd give you anything, and I mean anything." he stressed the word. "A whole room filled with the best delicacies in all of Narnia and Archenland? Or if that isn't enough, a..a whole closet filled with the best dresses you've ever seen. I'd give you a whole palace made of gold!" the boy looked dead serious that it was all she could do to maintain a straight face. "All I ask of you, please don't pen down that invitation to King Lune."
The older girl pretended to take it into consideration finally deciding it wasn't enough. "I don't think you could buy me so cheap, Corin." she said with a small shake of head, barely concealing the smile that played on her lips, but the little Prince didn't seem to notice, already his thoughts moving on to how he could convince her not to invite his father to the Narnian ball.
"I know!" the Prince said finally, a contagious smile splaying his lips, "I'd make you a Queen! I mean, Aline, what more could you ask for than to be the Queen?!"
"And how do you propose you do that, young sir?"
A grin splayed his face, "Why, by marrying you."
"Hmm, but don't you think that I'm perhaps a bit too old for you Corin?"
"Who cares? As long as Papa does not come to Narnia!"
"Who is marrying whom?" Aline almost jumped, at the voice that came from behind, her cheeks turning a shade of rouge as she recognised the person whom it belonged.
"Nothing," she chorused just as Corin blabbed, "Well, Aline just agreed to not send the invitation to Papa, if only I married her."
"No! I most certainly did not." the girl in question protested, her cheeks flaming red, that the Just King could not help but feel amused.
"Oh, yes you did too! " the Prince stated obstinately as she frowned pointedly at him, her arms crossed across her chest. "Anyways what do you think you were you doing, eavesdropping on our conversation?"
"So," he said with an infuriating smirk that she wanted no more than to smack off his face, "it is true then."
Aline groaned with frustration. "For the last time, no its not! And you," she glared at the Archen Prince, staring back at her innocently through his mischief, "be assured that the invitation to King Lune would be the first to leave the castle." She turned away from the snickering monarchs, cutting her way through the masses.
"Come in," she called expecting to see Lucy or worse, Susan herself but was instead met with someone she'd seen in passing in Lucy's chambers. It was Nyla, a dryad, one of Lucy's ladies in waiting.
"Queen Lucy instructed I should help you with getting ready, Lady Aline." she said in a curtesy.
"That will not be necessary Nyla, and it's just Aline."
Nyla smiled sweetly, "The Queen did mention you'd reject my help but insisted I persist." she walked towards Aline taking a look at the gown in her hands.
"A bold choice, all black. Elegant however and I think it suits you well. Definitely brings out your eyes. Let me help you into it, my lady."
"Only if you stop called me a Lady," Aline smirked.
"Well then, just Aline."
Aline tried it on with Nyla's help over the strings in the bodice, the silk fabric flowing easily over her skin as it tumbled down her body. It seemed much more comfortable than it looked on the outside. And dispelling the myths, she found that she could actually breathe without labour.
Spying her reflection on the mirror she turned her gaze towards it. A girl stared back at her, the black silk gown she had on gently caressing her slender upper figure to reveal a cinched up waist. Her bodice revealed a bit too much cleavage than she'd have preffered, but for now it didn't matter for it was well under the terms of what was appropriate. From waist down, ran long lengths of netted material over the black fabric reaching upto her ankles, not so flared as what she'd seen in those medieval movies but yet not clinging to her body like their modern counterparts people used to wear in her time. It seemed the perfect compromise between the past and the present. Exactly what she'd needed.
"Aline?" she heard her name being called from the other side of the door.
"Come in, Lucy." the girl called.
The younger girl who then entered stared at her, her mouth agape. "Aline.. why..you look so, beautiful. Is that not so, Nyla?"
"I agree your Majesty,"
Aline had to roll her eyes, "Cut it out, Lucy, or you'll make me change my mind."
The Valient Queen smirked, ignoring her comment, "Just wait until Susan sees you in this! You're going to have everyone and their mother's eye on you and I bet you'll be the most sought after girl at the dance!"
Seeing the horrified expression on her friends face the Queen turned away laughing, "Though trust me, stick close enough to my brothers and no man would even dare give you a second glance." she said the last part with a certain bitterness creeping into her usually honeyed voice that Aline couldn't help but feel sorry for Lucy Pevensie.
Being the last of the four siblings, Lucy was the darling of the family and highly sheltered mainly by her older brothers, who saw her as just the baby sister she was to them years ago. Aline could only imagine the pressures the girl was under. What with having the burden to run a country on her tender shoulders? No wonder Lucy seemed to be so mature but yet had an air or childishness in her at the same time.
With another smile that wiped away any traces of the previous bitterness, Lucy exclaimed, "I have to go now. And remember, just walk in, curtesy, and then you're done. I'll see you out there!"
He hated balls. No hate was too small a word to describe his intense distaste for the events his sisters so dearly loved. Detest. Now, that comes a bit closer.
King Edmund now sat on his silver throne, his crown sitting askew on his head as their guests milled in one by one, their names announced accompanied with their varying- and quite frankly boorishly long titles he almost found himself wishing for the party to start already.
Until when came a name that made him sit straight with rapt attention all of a sudden.
"Lady Aline, of Elleswood Manor, Archenland." the page announced. As titles go it wasn't anything impressive. She could be one of his sisters' ladies in waiting for anyone who cared- that was the plan. As she walked in he found himself almost smirking, that surely was not any dress Susan had chosen for her. For she was clad in the simplest of black fabric, in comparison to everyone else present at least. Her hair for a change however tumbled down in graceful waves onto her shoulders and she was adorned in no jewelry save for the emerald necklace she always had on her. Yet in all of her simplicity he could see all eyes go onto her men and women alike. The women no doubt questioning the wits of anyone who dared grace the Narnian Spring Ball in such demure fashions and the men- he rolled his eyes- of course ogling at the low cut of her dress and the curves that stirred with each of her steps as she made her way closer towards the royal dias. He caught himself wondering if he should adjust the crown that had slipped further off his head.
Aline surely noticed the attention she'd garnered and her gaze downcast at that. If one were to observe her carefully, as King Edmund did they would notice the hesitation in her step, the ever so slight frown that marred her features and the tremble of her gloved hands as she grabbed onto the sides of her dress. You can do it Aline, he wanted to tell her, just a few steps more, a curtesy and then it is done. You got this.
But instead he could only watch on as her steps faltered and her heaving breaths deepened. She looked around her the nervousness now too glaring to hide and up front at them as if she were contemplating turning around and running away. He knew exactly how she felt, a burst of anger shot through him at the gossiping courtiers, some of the ladies unabashedly whispering into each other's ears. Edmund stood up too abruptly for Susan to stop him and before he knew it he was at her side- the relived look in her clear green eyes enough to let him know he didn't really care of any of the repercussions this hasty decision of his would bring.
"Dance with me, my lady." she only nodded enthusiastically as she put her hand in his the other finding it's grip on his shoulders. If the courtiers gossip was a quiet din, now it had surely grown into a chatter.
There was no music for a solid moment where they simply stood staring at each other before he moved as if they were in a waltz and she moved with him before one of the fauns finally took a hint and struck a tune on a flute.
"Aline," he called at her still nervously looking around. "Look at me. Just look at me. None of them matter. They don't exist. It's just us now."
"Everyone's staring," she breathed.
"They always are."
But it did nothing to ease her. "Here," he whispered, "Al-" the nickname seemed to catch her attention as her grip on his shoulders tightened. "Breathe."
"I'm scared," she finally managed, her voice coming out smaller than he'd ever heard her and it made him want to make this all go away and keep her safe in his arms. He pulled Aline closer to him. "What if I trip and fall on my face?"
"Then I will go down with you, so let's work on not letting that happen."
She smiled at that, tentatively at first her green eyes meeting his and for the first time Edmund felt something stir within him, a warmth that spread from his chest to the tips of his fingers.
"What are you waiting for, let's all dance and be merry," Peters voice rose over the clang, "For the bountiful harvest ahead!"
And at that they weren't the only couple on the dance floor. The High King and High Queen joined, and so did Queen Lucy dragging along little Prince Corin. And slowly came in the other couples, Lords and Ladies, dryads and fauns. And by the time the last chords of the music played, he almost found himself wishing they'd kept playing forever. Her part was done and by the way she was eyeing the exit- he had to say something, so he told her- "Stay. Dance another dance with me."
She gave him an almost rueful smile. "I quite like being alive," she said. "And I don't think I'd last through a week if any of these.. quite charming ladies think I'm stealing you away from them."
He scoffed. "Like any of them stand a chance to begin with."
"Thank you for this."
"I owed you one Aline. Consider us even now."
Aline nodded and as much as he wanted the opposite, Edmund did nothing, instead he only stared at her retreating form.
It wasn't long before one by one the women descended on him like hungry vultures that spotted an injured rabbit. The minute she'd left, he'd only gone through the motions, one by one- just for diplomacy (and Susan's) sake.
Now, King Edmund stood in a somewhat obscure part of the Main Hall. He could hear the lively Narnian melody drift in, but felt no inclination to join in the festivities. Instead his eyes passed over the crowd in an assesive glance, though careful not to linger on anyone in particular for too long.
Though he seldom showed it, he was indeed aware of every head turned his way whenever he passed the simpering ladies at court, or the not-so-discreet whispers and the blushes and giggles beneath covered hands. Infact if truth be said, at times he rather did enjoy the attention discreetly. But unfortunately not everyone got the hint.
Many a time he was known to reduce ladies to tears, rejecting their advances and not too subtle at that, unlike his older brother. And Edmund did not regret it. He knew they wouldn't care a dime if he were half the size of a dwarf, had squint eyes and all the grace of a hag as long as the silver circlet remained intact on his head.
"More wine, my King?" he heard as a dryad drifted by holding in her hands a tray on which were silver goblets brimming to the neck with the trademark red sparkle of Narnian wine.
"Sure," the King replied helping himself to it, inwardly smirking at what Susan would have to say, if she knew about his alcohol consumption. He was nineteen not nine, for Aslan's sake!
"King Edmund," he heard a reprimanding voice call from behind. Edmund turned, knowing full well whom it did belong to. "I don't think the High Queen would quite approve of your alcohol consumption tonight, my King."
"Well, then the High Queen has no reason to know of the finer details of my.. alcohol consumption tonight." the King decided, but the Leopard just continued to stare at him in a disapproving manner. "Lighten up, Lora." Other than his siblings, Lora alone could dare disapprove with him on anything. Or at least without cowering on their knees.
The leopard was more than just the King's Sworn Shield. She was a friend, and perhaps the only genuine friend he'd ever known. She'd known him since he was the mere little boy he was when he was crowned, seen him grow into the just and regal ruler he is now, and been with him through everything in between. She knew of the nightmares that kept him awake as a kid and the insecurites that he'd never speak about. Lora was the one who'd be there to comfort him after he woke up frightened, alone and sweating, a helpless boy with a burden on his shoulder he was too young to bear. Yet he'd lived through it all, and now stood before her regal, proud and just. A King in every way.
Lora smiled to herself before answering, "That I agree my liege, but it is my duty to ensure no harm befalls you nor," the leopard paused and Edmund waited for her to continue, "that any would come to anyone else." Lora finished with a pointed look.
Edmund knew of exactly what she was referring to, when drunken Lord Rynlf dared challenge the Sword of Narnia for a duel. And of course, the King had only readily obliged. The outcome however turned out just as expected. He'd held his sword against the Lord's neck within just minutes into the duel.
Needless to say though, the affair did not sit well with the other guests and his royal siblings, and made a gaping hole of Lord Rynlf's ego.
Edmund allowed himself a smile, "I can assure you, it wouldn't come to that Lora." he said to which the leopard gave him a funny look.
"Well then, I do hope you know what you want, my King."
Edmund looked towards her for clarification of her words that seemed to hold a double meaning, but she offered him none instead turned away taking her leave, disappearing into the crowded hall. Though Edmund knew, she was somewhere out there looking out for him as she always did. As her duty bound her to.
In a distance he could see Lucy dancing with Corin, a big smile on her face apparently enjoying herself, while a distance away stood Peter, glaring over the shoulders of the lady in his arms. Edmund followed his gaze, wondering who it was that dared risk the wrath of tbe High King though not quite surprised to find it rest on the man dancing with the Gentle Queen.
Somethings would never change, the King thought taking a deep swing from the goblet.
Edmund felt himself scan the Hall for something- or perhaps was it somebody?- he sighed. She was not here he knew it yet each time he looked around he couldn't help the surge of hope that he'd find her again tonight.
"So what was that about?" a voice quipped from beside him.
"What was what about?"
"Your little stunt today. That night you locked down the Cair. You know exactly what I'm talking about Edmund."
"I don't believe I do, brother."
"Your Majesties," interrupted a sweet voice to which the brothers turned in unison to a lady bowed deep in a courtesy. She wore blood red woven with gold thread, her gown only second in grandeur and intricacies to the Queens' themselves.
"Pardon my interruption, but-" she moved graciously her skirts gathered and a smile on her lips as she neared the Just King her arm wrapping around his at that, "King Edmund had promised me a dance before the night is done."
"That I sure did," he said though he recalled no such proposition he had made, a smile on his face simply eager to lose his brother. "Great talk, Pete. Now lighten up and go have some fun. Oh and, please leave Susan to whatever poor bloke she's dancing with she will scare him away on her own soon enough."
He downed the rest of his wine before placing it in Peters hand, letting Carissa drag him out onto the dance floor.
His wandering gaze addled by all the wine now settled on Lady Carissa of Archenland in front of him as she tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ears. Some deemed the Lady the fairest in all of Archenland and in the exquisite gown, that clung onto her slender frame showing off highly feminine curves and her long blonde hair gracefully tumbling down her waist in its usual wavy curls, Edmund supposed she did indeed look beautiful, but when she looked into his eyes, the young King found himself to be rather disappointed.
It was her eyes. Lady Carissa's eyes were a soothing shade of blue. The colour of the sky on a calm summers day. But it wasn't the calm blue he was in need of, but rather a wild, unruly green. The vibrant green of Spring's first meadow grass. The green that made him want to grab her into his arms and tilt her head upwards just so he could bask in the emerald shade of her eyes.
Green as the pools of Eletia, the bards have sung and though he'd never been to Eletia, if it did infact exist. Edmund could almost imagine what the bard must've been thinking even as he sang it.
Even as he looked on, Lady Carissa's beauty seemed to fade away as another face begun to replace hers in his mind. Her perfect blonde hair seemed less appealing by the minute, instead preferring the brunette of someone else he knew. And the blood red dress of hers darkened into a shade so dark that it seemed black.
As the music started yet again, his mind began to stray towards the one topic he'd avoided thinking much of since that night. Her. Aline.
He couldn't help it as it made an unwelcome comeback before his eyes. The sparks that ignited under his skin as her fingers slid over it. The pressure of her delicate fingers pressed on his chest. The way she bit her lip in concentration as she dressed his cut. How close her face had been to his, so close that they dominated his whole vision. And her eyes. Damn those eyes, that shone like emerals embedded into her pale, flawless face. And what was it that shone in them? Was it want?
Edmund shook his head. Whatever would she want from him? Everything he's ever been to her since they'd met was a moron.
"You seem to be quite lost in your thoughts, my King," a voice quipped up from near him. "Does it happen to be about whatever happened during that midnight the Cair was put into a complete lockdown?"
"That was nothing but a false alarm," he coolly corrected her.
"In that case," Lady Carissa drew closer, her big blue eyes staring into his, "I may know something that you'd definitely want to hear of."
He swirled her once and their outreached arms caught each other at their elbows as he felt her come close, closer than the dance required. Carissa smiled and Edmund's breath hitched at that, "Meet me in my chambers," she whispered into his ear just as the song ended.
One would've easily spotted the silhouette of a lonely girl seated on the stone bench if they'd bothered to step away from the ball room bustling with an assortment of both humans and mythical creatures alike. But alas, no-one had, and she seemed to be quite fine with that.
She'd somehow managed to evade involvement in any of the festivities, since her oh-so-kind hosts attention being mainly focused on entertaining their guests and not the girl who was trying to sneak outdoors.
Aline stared at the twinkling fairy lights fluttering around the bushes, in a trail of gold that followed their wake. She'd long given up trying to examine the tiny fluttering creatures who stood no more than her handspan, up close. For no sooner she neared one of them, they scattered away further from her than before. So she'd given up resigning back to her place on the stone bench.
The calm Narnian breeze that blew through the courtyard fluttered the folds of her gown as her hair flew in an unruly halo around her face. The sweet melody of Narnian music drifting in from the Ball Room reached her ears. It was faint, almost like a calm lullaby soothing her to sleep. She smiled fleetingly, wondering when was the last time she'd felt this peaceful. Oh, the irony, since she was expecting this to be the single worst day since entering the magical land.
Lost in her thoughts, Aline failed to notice the golden glimmer that followed the wake of a fairy until it flashed at her side. She suppressed the urge to turn her attention completely towards the mythical creature, which she knew would only scare her off. Holding her position for what she deemed a sufficient enough time, the girl turned her gaze hesitantly towards the fairy. This time, the tiny creature did not flutter away, instead she was met with glazed eyes set in a perfect face bathed in a golden halo, staring into her own dreamily. She was dressed in a green outfit which could not be mistaken for what it was. A leaf, twisting in an elaborate way around her small body. The fairy turned her face away in an embarrassed, shy manner almost as if she was ashamed to be caught staring. Aline smiled reassuringly, and the fairy turned her attention back to the girl's face. Hoping it wouldn't scare her off, Aline reached her fingers hesitantly at first. The tiny creature didn't seem to mind, settling her feet on Aline's outstretched fingers. She could now see the source of the fairy lights. It was her wings, shimmering a sheen of gold and whenever the fairy flapped them sparkles seemed to shoot forth.
Aline was so engrossed in her little victory that she did not notice someone watching the whole scene from behind. Neither did she feel it, when the said someone drew closer, until a whisper cut through, somewhere from above her shoulder.
"I've never seen one so friendly before."
Aline recognized to whom the voice did belong instantly and was almost going to reply before she sensed the change in the creatures expression, which quickly transformed from adoration into something akin to fear. The creature drew away quickly from her palm, her wings flapping wildly spewing golden sparks from her back as she stood suspended in the air for a while before fluttering away.
"Great, now you scared her away." she said in a disapproving manner crossing her arms. Turning behind to face the Just King, Aline did not realize the state of their close proximity until her head collided with something that she later realized was his.
"Ouch!" The girl exclaimed, just as Edmund complained the same his knuckles pressed on his forehead. The two paused for a moment, before breaking out into laughter. She moved further down the bench as he occupied the space she'd just vacated.
At most times, Aline would have avoided any form of circumstances she'd have to interact with the mysterious and scary Just King, but since that night, something had changed. Though she couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was, she could sense it, infinitesimal as it was. It was there, and she wasn't sure exactly how she felt about it.
"Tired of all the ladies clamoring for your attention already?" she laughed her voice ringing through the night's festivities.
"In fact I am. Especially since the lady I did wish to spend tonight with turned me down rather unceremoniously."
"Don't bother wasting your charms flirting with me, your Grace. You're not exactly my type."
He laughed incredulously, "You wound me with those assumptions my lady. But I'll indulge. What exactly is your type then?"
A blush stretched across her face at that. What exactly was her type? Jason came to mind at first- then Dan and then- she frowned, her teeth grit. "Tall, handsome, definitely not bald, is kind and someone who makes me feel-" she shrugged, "-good."
"Well now it sounds like you're simply describing me." he cut her off drawing closer and for some reason she did not move away. He tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear and at that moment Aline knew why he had the reputation he did with the women of the Cair. The way his eyes bore into hers- as if nothing else going on around them mattered to him. Only she did. Aline bit her lip. She recalled swaying in his arms today. He surely didn't have to do that, come to her rescue like that yet he did. Her breath hitched at that. "Besides.. I can make you feel good. Really good."
She rolled her eyes shaking her head at that, his rather crass words breaking her out of the stupor. It would do her good to remember exactly who she was dealing with. Unbelievable, this simply was unbelievable! "You know, you might actually be the worst person I know."
He turned to look at her at that and said in a voice that made it seem like it meant all the sense in the world- "That's only because you don't know me." Edmund smirked. He was flirting with her. There was no mistaking that. It was as clear as the blush that colored her pale cheeks an embarrassingly deep shade of red as she came to the same realization. "Get to know me. Maybe you'll change your mind about me."
"Does not flirt with half a castle." she finished instead, a winning smirk this time. "My type, I mean."
"Ah," he conceded, "But that's only because I've never found a reason to stop."
"No, it's because you enjoy the attention. And you're a man. You're all the same."
"If this is what you think of me then, why do you keep staring at me like that Aline?"
Her jaw dropped. There was no subtlety with this man. "I- do not stare at you. That's preposterous!" Aline protested indignantly.
And before she could say anything else, she suddenly felt the weight of a hand envelop her own despite her protests. She almost flinched away before she heard his whisper in her ear, her heart beat spiking up for an unknown reason- or maybe it was just the unexpected contact, she told herself. Yes it was just that.
"I am going to put my arm around you," he stated coolly much towards the astonishment on her face. "Try not to flinch." he added with a smug look. And that was what he did, his arm snaking around her shoulder.
At this her jaw dropped open as she pulled away. "What the-?"
He leaned closer, "Don't look now, but behind me, to your-" He didn't have to specify, for just then a shrill voice rang out into the still night air, "King Edmund, there you are!"
Aline did not need an introduction to recognize the person to whom the girly voice did belong to. Lady Carissa of Archenland.
The girl he had twirled away in his arms for almost half the night. She immediately disliked the snobbish Archen lady with her all too princessy attitude. Edmund closed his eyes as if in exasperation, choosing to ignore her. An amused smile flickered on Aline's lips. She couldn't blame him. One could stand an all too cheery presence only for so long. No matter how beautiful everyone seemed to think she was. Aline frowned inwardly. This was a girl she barely knew, why was she so quick to judge and dislike her?
In a moment of rashness, Aline scooted even closer to Edmund as she turned to face him her face dangerously close to his as she did so. She further brought her hand into him and the King didn't hesitate to intertwine their fingers together as he brought the other around her shoulders. What was she doing? This was stupid. So so stupid. But for all the warning bells that went off in her head she did not move, instead her eyes followed his the way he looked at their intertwined fingers in surprise before being drawn to her face. He did not shy away from her gaze, something she admired him for. He wasn't like all the other boys who'd tried to win her over. He was worse, the small voice at the back of her head kept reminding her. Yet Aline couldn't help but let herself be drawn to him. She bit her lip and she saw his gaze move down there. Was he picturing how it'd feel like if they simply leaned into a kiss right now? Was that what he wanted too?
A small voice in his head sounded that this wasn't right, that last thing he'd want to do is soil her reputation and knowing well Carissa was a bad gossip. Yet he did not remove his fingers from around hers nor did he move away from her.
"There you are! You had left quite abruptly after-"
"Lady Carissa," he turned abruptly cutting her off before she could complete whatever it was she was going to say.
"This is Lady Aline." Edmund instead turned to face her. Aline gave her a small smile. "I know, we've met." she smiled at the Lady. "Thank you, for all your help especially with today, Lady Carissa."
And for the first time Lady Carissa seemed to take notice of the girl who sat next to the Just King whose hands were wrapped around her shoulder as if in an intimate embrace. And at least the Archen lady had the decency to blush.
"You need not thank me, I did it for King Edmund." came her quite curt reply. "Anyways, you left this in my chambers before you left in quite a hurry, your Majesty." she pressed what seemed like a brooch in his hands.
"Ah right, thank you. Anything else, Lady Carissa?"
"Um," her eyes flitted in between the two of them, "no, my Lord. Nothing. I'd probably best take leave."
"That'd be best, you must be tired after the Ball." Edmund watched not at all unfazed as the Archen lady spun around her heels and made her way off. He knew he ought to feel a slight guilt in the least, but he knew he had nothing to be guilty of. Carissa knew exactly what she was doing after all.
"Well, that was impressive. No wonder they call you the Heartbreaker King," Aline was laughing now, and Edmund couldn't help but reflect how contagious her laughter was.
"Heartbreaker King?" he faked offense, "Might I ask who dared tell you such a blatant lie, my lady?"
She leaned towards him dangerously close once more, her voice a little more than a whisper, "Not a lady. And most definitely not yours."
Oh, don't fret sweetheart, he thought a smirk on his lips at her words that sounded more like a challenge, just not yet.
She smiled smugly standing up, taking his hand into hers from where it was resting; around her shoulder before moving it back to where it belonged at his side, away from her. "If you wanted to dance so bad, maybe you should've just asked me again."
A/N Friendly reminder to please leave a note of your thoughts on the chapter if you've enjoyed this. Thanks in advance!