king's temptation | narnia

chapter 16: the secret suitor

Katelyn had not moved an inch from her spot on the floor. She had heard the Pevensies and advisors knocking on the doors to come down for dinner, but she did not respond.

Downstairs at the dinner table, the royals ate their wild root salads in near silence. Susan was the only one who tried to keep up a conversation with Lucy, talking about the plans for her ball while the others pretended to listen. Though they didn't know why they all felt uneasy about Queen Katelyn's absence.

"I can't wait until you see what we have planned, Lu. You're going to love it!" smiled Susan. Lucy beamed at her sister.

"Can you give me any hints? It must be something amazing considering how much Katelyn has been helping," said Lucy. "We all know that she's the most creative amongst all of us." she finished, taking another bite.

It seemed as if everyone's heads perked up at the sound of Kate's name. Lucy looked around the table at everyone's confused and curious faces.

"What? By the lion's mane, we all know she's been dancing, and painting, and drawing, and singing, and sewing before any of us had ever learned. I'm sure she's come up with something wonderful and you all just don't want to tell me." said Lucy, wiping her mouth.

"Lucy, what are you talking about? Why ever would you think that Katelyn would wish to help me plan a ball?" said Susan with a little laugh. Lucy frowned, all eyes on her.

"But that's what she told me she was..." Lucy trailed off. "OH!" Lucy felt a wave of rage rush over her and in an instant she was on her feet and running out of the room, harboring very distrustful feelings towards her best friend.

Behind her, everyone stood from the table. Peter, who had been concerned about Katelyn all night, was feeling a bit nervous, while Edmund, who hadn't pieced everything together yet, was lost in confusion. Rabadash on the other hand, seemed to be relishing in the events that were unfolding. When Katelyn had not shown up for dinner he was marvelously happy because that meant he had gotten through to her. She would not defy him. And also, the others would not question her shaken appearance, so he would be able to keep his head.

"What is wrong with those two? How am I supposed to teach them to be respectable ladies if they can't even attend and make it through a simple dinner?" said Susan, sitting back down with her hand on her brow.

"Queen Susan, you shouldn't be too hard on the girls. I think they are just fine the way they are," said Rabadash. He placed his hand on Susan's shoulder and smiled, but his voice came off predatory, making her uncomfortable.

"Su, don't you think we should go after her? What if Kate is hurt or in trouble?" said Ed, still staring at the doorway.

Susan shook her head. "I don't know what Lu was talking about, but it seemed personal. We should just finish dinner and brace ourselves for the fight that is sure to occur."

Everyone around the table nodded, sitting down, eating from their plates once more.

Meanwhile, Lucy ran through the castle, taking three steps at a time, desperate to confront her friend about her lies. She didn't like confrontation, so she was trying to make sure she had all of her facts correct.

She had been thinking that Katelyn had a secret suitor, but Katelyn had told her she had been planning things for her ball. Now she knew that was a lie. Why would she lie unless she was hiding something... or someone from her?

Lucy finally reached Kate's door and tried to twist the knob. It didn't budge so, she started banging on the door.

"KATELYN? Hello, are you in there? Kate, it's me, Lucy! I need to talk to you!" yelled Lucy.