"Make way for the King!" fanfare of triumph resonated in the palace's ground then the clasped slowing down of the horses echoed through the cobbled streets until they were finally spotted in broad daylight.

It had at least been a week since the campaign had started they had not received letters of any sort, she began to think that they did not set up camp at all and instead pushed on to take full offensive and strike the enemies as soon as possible, but nevermind that.

The cheering crowd had crowded about showering the place with flowers and confetti, everyone rejoiced even Susan having spent her days skulking and taking her temper on the lady Izildrom, now looked hopeful as she stood by the stairs waiting for their bro- Peter rather, having noted by Lucy the last time they shared such an endearing affection in public.

When the host stepped down, the cheering of the crowd had turned from whistling to murmurs and confusion, they started to whisper to each other when The Magnificent King summon up court physicians.

Lucy was quick to her feet and eager to see what roused the crowed for it seem the campaign did not all just bear good news but rather bad news as well, Her heart began to beat rapidly fast out of worry she prayed that it weren't harm to any of her brothers, any at all.

When she and Susan had made their way pass the crowd, Lucy stood there in shock. and her worse fear becoming a nightmarish reality.

He wore his now tattered magnificent heraldic armor, the middle torn and drenched in blood as if to makeshift into some sort of tending. and he held on to Peter like he could not stand by himself then his face, his face was what made Lucy ached, He look terribly awful his pigment had left his classical lips, now it was cracked and dehydrated and his eyes heavy lidded with tiredness and a terrible ailment.

He looked so battered up he could just collapse any moment, she could tell that his breathing was labored as by a little movement of an inch would contort his face to agony and suffering.

"Goodness what has happened" Susan sounded, she quickly went to Peter's side to help the dark haired boy

"He took Rabadash's blow when he was going for me" Peter confessed guiltily. Susan did not seem to blame instead was really concerned with their brother Edmund.

Lucy stood unmoving, she wanted so bad to be by his side but instead tears had started to form from her eyes, even now she could not cast aside their differences as much as she wanted to care for him like his brother and his sister, she could not it was an unspoken rule but she felt that Edmund would really prefer if she just did not interfere.

And so she did not, she watched them tend to him from afar like a stranger, she could not bear the pain he goes through when she sees him. She of course tries to help, she would help the Lady Izildrom and the other chamber maids prepare his change of dressing, a warm water and what not but overall Susan and Peter would see to him most, Ironic that she was his sister and she could not even bring herself to be by his side.

Susan took notice of this, while they were tending to him inside she saw the fair haired girl skulking about the corner, clearly concerned about the dark haired boy but never actively helping herself and so she pegged on Lucy and made such an excuse that she will not be available for the next few weeks and that in her turn she should help Edmund.

"M-me! Why Me?!" She blurted, her nose turning into a pinkish hue

"As I've said I will be busy! and he is not as bad in condition like a week back! He is our brother after all he would be delighted to have your company" Susan sing sang, imposing on the younger girl who is now clearly hiding something from head to toe

"He will be mad!" Lucy interjected stubbornly

"Oh Luce mad of you? gracious no, do not be stubborn and help out little Ed " she added, "is there a good reason as to why he should be mad?" She raised her brow at the faired haired girl who is now even more lost for words

"B-because!" Lucy stammered, her fingers moving erratically between her others.

"Because?" Susan asked curiosity beaming up to her

"Remember.. he and I aren't as close..." she said in defeat, "and it's embarassing..." she shifted her blue grey eyes downcast.

"Oh?" Susan asked mouthed confused- Ah!

They had discussed this on her birthday as she recalled, Lucy had confided in her that Edmund does not speak to her as he did when they were younger now it seems Susan agrees it goes far beyond the distance these two created.

"Better yet, this should ease the relation between the two of you then" she smiled and made her way to the girl to hand her his next dressing.

"Susan!" She bellowed complainingly as the elder girl headed out to tend her own business. She really wanted this...