Lucy was a godsend, her familiar presence the next day helped soothe Alessandra's nerves immensely. It was all too easy to forget that the young girl had lived through this kind of thing before, so she knew all the best tips and tricks.

Those tips and tricks did almost nothing to help air get back into her lungs when Odette stuffed her into her gown, a lovely green shade that hung off her frame more than a typical dress would, the corset that bound around her waist helping it conform to her shape, the corset that was being tied considerably tighter than she was used to.

"I really don't think this is necessary," she gasped out.

"Hush girl, a proper Telmarine lady and future Queen needs to be presented as such."

"Do Telmarine ladies not breathe?"

Lucy giggled and inserted herself near Alessandra's side looking at her through the mirror, "Breathe in your chest not your stomach," she instructed gently, demonstrating for her, "It helps until you'll get used to it."

"Thank you," she said appreciatively, grunting when Odette pulled tight once more before securing the ties.

At least the tightness of the corset took her mind off the discomfort in her feet from the heels strapped to them.

"You're in luck this morning girl," Odette said as she began pulling pieces of her hair out of her face to pin behind her head, "Queen Lucy has requested that you join her for breakfast, might be best for you to learn first hand how a queen should conduct herself."

Alessandra shared a look with Lucy that asked if that was really what breakfast was going to be, and to her great relief Lucy shook her head ever so slightly, "Susan will be there as well," the young queen said reassuringly.

Silently Alessandra thanked the Gods, she needed some normalcy after the past few days. What she really wanted was to spend the day with her sisters downstairs but that was no longer an option, especially if Odette had anything to say about it. Spending the morning with Lucy and Susan would at least remind her of the friendship they shared back at the How.

Lucy held her hand as they made their way through the castle, things were ever so different then the last time she'd walked through, the windows were opened and light was streaming in. The banners on the wall that held the Telmarine crests were either down or in the process of being taken down, replaced with the red and gold of the Narnian crest.

"Please tell me things were this bad for you," Alessandra said to Lucy some time after they'd started their walk.

"Fortunately not, I was eight at the time," the younger girl joked, "Didn't wear my first pair of heels until I was eighteen."

"Well, we've got that in common."

"I did have more practice than you though, you're doing well for your first time," she said with a smile, "Susan nearly twisted an ankle the first time she wore heels," she added in that teasing way that Alessandra has come to appreciate very much.

They made it to the hall where Susan was already waiting, with a very familiar face, "Maliah!" Alessandra greeted happily, taking the fauns hands when she approached.

"My Lady," Maliah smiled, squeezing her hands, "I'm sorry I didn't visit you sooner, the tiles in the castle don't agree with my hooves."

"No apologies necessary, I'm happy to see you," she said stroking her arm before moving to hug Susan.

"How are you?" She asked, rubbing her arms when they pulled away.

"Better now."

"Good, breakfast?"

"Please."

They all moved to the table that was already set up with various foods, "I wasn't sure what you'd like," Susan explained almost bashfully.

"Neither do I," Alessandra answered while taking a seat, "I'm used to stale bread and cold soup."

"We'll start with the basics then," Susan suggested gently.

Eggs. Hard cheese. Fresh bread. Meat. Squeezed juice. For a moment Alessandra was almost overwhelmed by the amount of food in front of them. It seemed like far too much for just the few of them, seemed like a waste. It was rare she saw the aftermath of what was created in the kitchens.

"Eggs and meat are probably the best choice, my Lady," Iris whispered to her. Alessandra , sighed, the best for putting on weight no doubt, "But I think you might enjoy the fruit more," she added, making Alessandra look at her in shock, Iris merely nodded then helped herself to a small plate of the food at Susan's prodding.

"Iris," Alessandra called before her handmaiden made her way to the back of the room, "Sit with us," she asked, requested, not demanded.

The handmaiden paused glancing at her then at the two queens who both nodded with encouraging smiles, after a moment's hesitation she did, taking a seat on Alessandra's other side.

"Les', how are you enjoying your new position?" Susan asked politely.

"I'm not," she answered instantly to be met with Lucy's giggles, "It's quite the change,"

"I know," Susan said, nodding like she understood which she did on her own way, she and Lucy, "At least you grew up here, for Lu and I it was a completely different world than what we grew up with."

"But you managed."

"And so will you," Susan said evenly, "It won't all happen in a day, no matter how much your Governess wants it to," she added with a tease in her voice, "But it will."

"I hope so," she muttered hoping to prompt herself with some of the hope that Susan had in her voice.

"Susan and I will be here to help you the entire time," Lucy interjected happily, not noticing the pinched look that crossed Susan's face at her proclamation, Alessandra did but didn't comment on it, "You're not alone in this."

"You're not," Susan added instead of commenting on her odd twist in expression Alessandra gave her, her full attention, "I don't suppose you've given any thought to your campaign?"

Alessandra gave her a look that said that the young queen should know full well that she hadn't, "Can't say that I have."

"I'm not saying that you're obligated," Susan at least looked sheepish, "But it might be useful to be sure that the Telmarine's accept you, it's always good to have people that actually care about you. Caspian's claim to the throne is his name, the people have always known and I suspect respected that. You can be much more than just his wife."

"What do you suggest?"

"Something you care about," it was Lucy who answered, and it wasn't very often that Alessandra thought of the young queen as that. But practically seeing the gears turning in her head, she could almost envision her hundreds of years ago, older than she was now, ruling with confidence, "Not just a political move."

"Give it some thought," Susan said after Alessandra was silent for a long moment, "You don't have to decide on a cause right now," to which she nodded.

"If it's any consolation my Lady," Maliah added after they'd all lapse into a silence eating their breakfast, "We Narnians already support you, with all our hearts, we believe in you, and his majesty."

"Thank you."

Thinking of a cause she cared about was harder than she anticipated, her first thought was to make some changes to the maids quarters. It was cramped at best and unhygienic at worst, it could do with some expansion, but that didn't feel like enough.

She looked at her handmaiden, her newest companion currently turning down her bedsheets Alessandra insisted she could do it herself but the other woman wouldn't hear of it. Instead she was instructed to sit at her vanity and wait for her to be finished.

"Iris," she called and the handmaiden immediately gave her attention, "Where are you from?"

"South my Lady, across the sea. We travelled here when I was young."

"Do you have a family?"

"A mother, she works at one of the Inns in the city. My father, is quite an unremarkable man."

Alessandra nodded and turned in her seat pretending to be interested in the trinkets that lined her vanity top, "Why aren't you working with her?"

"I was given an opportunity to work in the castle when I was thirteen, my mother would have been a fool not to accept. I get to help my mother pay for her home."

"Do you go into the city often?"

"As often as I can."

"What have you seen?" she asked at least an Iris came up behind her hand picked up a brush to begin running it through Alessandra's hair.

"I've seen people," she paused thinking about it, "I like to watch them, I've seen people steal, beg, cry all mere steps away from this castle under Miraz's rule. I've seen children starving. But I've also seen good people sharing without being asked, just because they've got something to spare. People dancing in the street when it rains," her voice took on a hint of nostalgia and Alessandra smiled, she'd seen those things too.

"What would you do? If you could do for them?"

"My best," the handmaiden answered vaguely.

Alessandra mulled the thought over in her head wondering where to even begin with something like that, "There's an orphanage, on the corner of Ivy and Flint," she recalled suddenly and Iris nodded.

"I know the one."

"Can you find out who owns it?"

"Of course my Lady, anything you need. Would you like an audience with them?"

"Perhaps we just start with a visit?"

Iris nodded and was gone within seconds. The rest of the day passed in a blur, Odette came and sat with her at lunch, instructing her to sit with her back nearly ramrod straight, threatening to tie a pole between her shoulder blades to help her maintain her posture. Once she was satisfied with that she showed her how to properly cross her legs at the ankle, that thankfully took less time and once she was satisfied they could eat.

Alessandra had seen more food in the last few days than she had in a week prior to this change. It all seemed like such a waste to her, having so much food for so few of them for three meals a day. She also kept trying to get Alessandra to eat the meat and bread that was brought in, no doubt to deal with the weight that she deemed to low, just like at breakfast Iris steered her towards the fruits and the warm vegetables. And the desserts. The strawberry tarts were her favourite by far.

After lunch Odette brought in a seamstress, who came with armful after armful of dresses. Dresses that needed further alterations to fit her frame, then into the wardrobe they went, she held back her sneer when the seamstress brought in more heels. Everything was so excessive.

By the time that was done, it was apparently supper time, Alessandra declined Odette's declaration to have her food brought, she'd eaten more than enough for the day, anything else and she might burst and not be able to fit into the dresses hanging in her closet, though she suspected that that was apart of the Governess' plan. But this battle she apparently decided not to take on as she left Alessandra in the company of her handmaiden who helped her get dressed down for the evening, so she was surprised to hear a gentle knock at her door.

Iris helped make sure she was properly covered before going to answer, the way she immediately fell into a maid's curtesy told her who it was.

"Your majesty," Iris greeted as Caspian stepped into the room, with another flower in his hand.

He nodded politely in greeting, making his way over to Alessandra, "My love," he said as he handed her the flower, pressing a kiss to her cheek, "How are you?"

She refrained from rolling her eyes, she was getting sick of that question instead she smiled, "Getting better,"

"My Lady," Iris called from where she had yet to leave from the door, "Shall I fetch you, your tea for the evening?"

Alessandra's brow furrowed, she hadn't asked for any tea, she was preparing for bed before Caspian came, then Iris glanced at Caspian before meeting her eyes once again and Alessandra understood. She was offering an excuse to give them some privacy, "Yes please," she said after the moment of realization had passed.

"She seems nice," Caspian said, the tension releasing from his body as his hand rubbed her back.

"She is," Alessandra said leaning into his chest all but melting under his touch, "I think she likes me."

"She'd be a fool not to," Caspian teased, falling into the chair at her vanity and tugging her into his lap, "Have you eaten?"

Her eyes rolled so hard she swore she saw her brain, it made Caspian laugh, "You sound like Odette."

"You do need to eat."

"I do eat," she sighed, "I just can't eat the food she tries to make me, it's too different from what I'm used to."

"Tell her that," he said simply and she looked at him in confusion, he smiled and squeezed her hip, "Odette may be your Governess, for now, but she can only do what you'll allow. It's a game, a test, you'll have to set boundaries with her or she'll never respect you."

She blinked thinking about his words, he was right of course technically Odette was there to teach her to be a Lady, a Queen eventually if she and Caspian were to be believed. But she wasn't her keeper, "I still don't like the food," she relented and Caspian laughed again.

"It's an acquired taste I'll admit," he said, his hand trailing up and under her breast. When his fingers spread he could feel the outline of each one of her ribs beneath them, a fact he didn't like long before but had never brought up for fear of insulting or making her feel bad that she couldn't get much food. And that he couldn't help her, "Try, please."

"You've never had a problem with my weight before."

"I still don't," he responded immediately, "You're perfect just as you are, always have been," his voice turned teasing as he leaned into her ear whispering as if anyone was around to hear, his hand sliding back down to cup one of her cheeks, "Though personally I wouldn't mind a bit more to grab," she giggled as he bounced his leg beneath her jostling her slightly.

"I'll try," she relented, "For you."

"For yourself," he corrected, kissing her lips gently, she smiled cupping his jaw, deepening the kiss slightly.

"You're here early," she breathed when he moved his kisses down her neck.

He paused, "I have a council meeting in the morning."

"You've been in council meetings since we've gotten back," she mused, "What makes this one different?"

He sighed, pulling back, tilting his head to catch her eye, "This ones about you."

She took a breath, "What will they say?"

"Nothing you should worry yourself with," he said, taking her hand and kissing the back, "All you need to know is that after tomorrow they'll know my intentions, probably everyone will."

"And they'll talk?"

"They always talk, it's the nature of politics," he said simply, "But no matter what they say, my heart belongs to you, no one else. They can accept it or not but that does not change the fact that I love you, and I'm going to marry you."

"And be seen doing it," she said, understanding his meaning.

"Yes," he said simply, a pleased smile on his face, "Guards talk, even though they deny it, maids talk, you know that."

"Gossip," she corrected.

"All the same, they would have seen me on my way here bearing a gift for my intended."

"Who you're courting?"

He nodded again, "I know you don't like rules, politics, traditions, but it's a part of the nature of who we are, who you'll need to be."

"I think I'm starting to understand that."

"Good," he said, kissing her again, "I'll be back tonight."

A moment later her door opened and Iris' back was seen as she came in carrying a tray, when she turned she didn't seem surprised or shocked to see Alessandra in Caspian's lap as she set the tray on the small table in the room.

"Will his Grace be staying for tea?" She asked politely.

"No thank you," he trailed off as he stood taking Alessandra with him, she barely held back her squeak of surprise as he placed her on her feet.

"Iris, your Grace."

"Iris," he repeated in acknowledgment, "There's still much work to be done," he turned to Alessandra, taking her hand and kissing the back, a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "Until tomorrow my Lady."

"Tomorrow."

He nodded to Iris and she bowed in return before he left, Iris began pouring the water into one of the cups she'd brought, "Pour a cup for yourself too Iris," just like that morning Iris paused before doing as asked.

"Sugar?"

"Two, please," Alessandra said as she sat in one of the chairs that were at the small table in the room and after a moment of hesitation Iris sat in the opposite. They sat in silence together for a moment before she broke it, "May I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"What's your job?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"What's your job?"

"I'm your handmaiden."

"I know," Alessandra responded, "But you're not like any handmaiden I've known of, Odette tells me what to wear, what to say, how to walk and talk like a lady. The girls that are with her follow her commands," she shrugged, "But you, you tell me things I should know, things that I'd actually like to eat, not need to eat. You leave me alone with Caspian, when I know you know you're not supposed to. So, what's your job?"

Iris took a deep breath and set down her mug, "I've worked under Lady Odette for many years, she's taught me a great many things. My official job is to be your handmaiden, go wherever you go, step where you step, three paces behind of course. Lady Odette will point you in the right direction and tell you where to go, what to do. How to present yourself as a proper Lady, to do only the things you're allowed," she paused and took a breath, "My unofficial job is to help you do the things you're not allowed, without getting caught."

Alessandra tilted her head, "Odette tell you that?"

"Of course not," Iris answered quickly, too quickly to be true, but Alessandra didn't point that out, "That wouldn't be right," she added, picking up her cup and taking a sip.

"So if I told you that I wanted to see that council meeting tomorrow?" she asked with a curious brow raised.

"Then I'd make it happen."

"How?"

"You know as well as I do my Lady, this castle holds a great many secrets," she answered conspiringly and Alessandra nodded.

"Good."

Iris nodded and placed her cup down before standing, "Will that be all my Lady?"

"Yes thank you."

Iris nodded again and picked up the tray, "I'll see you in the morning then my Lady."

"Iris?" Alessandra called before she made it out the door and the handmaiden paused, "Thank you."

She said nothing but gave a slight curtsey with a small smirk before leaving. When the door closed behind her Alessandra allowed herself to slump in her chair, the days felt like they were getting longer and longer. They also felt like they were starting to blend into one another, she sighed, rubbing the side of her head where a headache was steadily growing over time.

She thought about whether or not she actually wanted to see or hear the council's meetings tomorrow. She'd done fine up until now, but none of them affected her so directly, not that she knew of. She knew well of Caspian's intentions by now, so did the Narnians that they'd spent weeks at the How with. Telmarine's weren't Narnians, not even close, they had traditions to uphold, none of them involved a King marrying a maid. Though Caspian now had the power to change that, she didn't doubt that he would too. He was as headstrong as they came, but if what she was learning about politics was to be believed then it would be better to convince them all first.

Her thoughts raced even as she crawled into bed and started to settle down for the night. Tomorrow was going to change things for them once again, for better or for worse. Only when Caspian came back into her room through the wardrobe and crawled into bed with her did her thoughts begin to settle. They fell into the comfortable position that were now almost as easy as breathing, he kissed her head as he wrapped his arms around her.

Hey friends, hope everyone had a great summer! Sorry for the delay in posting, I spent basically the entire month of august travelling then straight into work upon my return.

Good news is I've either written or planned a good chunk of the next few chapters and I'm so excited to get more into Alessandra's journey. I think y'all are gonna really enjoy what I've got planned ;).

I've also narrowed down 2 face casts for Alessandra, but I still want to hear who you guys have been picturing. I've also casted Bruno and Stephanie if y'all are interested.

Leave a comment and let me know what you liked and what you want to see next.