Trials of the Moon (book 3) Peter Pevensie Romance

Love Must be Tough

Layla's POV

"Father, please! How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want to come?" I protested.

"Enough with the excuses, Layla. You're going to be present at the family gathering tonight weather you like it or not. End of discussion!"

"I refuse to attend a family gathering with someone whom I do not share the same feelings for!" I thumped my hands on his desk in father's office room. "Asher and I are just friends, he may feel differently about me, but they are NOT reciprocated. Why can't you give Peter a shot?"

Father stared daggers at me but I didn't even flinch. I was used to things like this. "He's young, has no experience or knowledge of military or fighting, and he doesn't even have a solid job yet!"

I sighed. Father had done his research, as usual.

I put my hand over my face in exasperation. "Why, father? Why, must everything be about war and work? Don't you ever consider that that isn't all what life is about?!?"

"You already know this Layla, how is he going to support you much less protect you?" Father pointed out.

"You don't know Peter like I do! He's highly capable of all that and he's a good le- guy!" I have to admit, I almost said leader to father. Good thing I didn't, father would have gone down another pathway if I did.

"I don't need to know anything about him. I already told you that you cannot see him again. I won't allow it!" He reprimanded me, standing up.

I didn't back down, I wasn't the kind of person to do that. "You can't father! I love him!"

Father just raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Those are some very strong words you choose."

"And I intend to keep it that way. I'll go to this 'gathering' since you insisted, but I'm not going to settle for anything I don't think is right," with that, I turned and walked out the door but not before I heard father mutter something.

"Stupid girl."

****

The day couldn't have been even worse. After father instructed me get ready and father had welcomed Asher and his family into the house, we all gathered in the living room and made some small talk. I did join in, after all, I wasn't a stranger to small talk. Soon, however, the men started talking business and the kind I never wanted to hear.

"Layla's a stubborn one. Can't get her to act like the other women her age."

"I understand why, Mr. Crumé. Women like her are kind of like horses, sometimes they need to be broken."

I stood up at this and walked off.

"Hmm, yes, if she just gets her mind off that one boy, everything would be easier. Glad you're still up for all this work."

"Of course, Mr. Crumé."

The sweet aroma of backed goodies filled my nose as I walked into the kitchen. I loved this part of the house, it gave me a sense of familiarity and a longing for home, my Narnian home.

"So I heard you and Mr. Crumé arguing earlier, everything alright? Ma'am?" The household cook asked.

I grunted shortly, lifting a few plates out of the cabinet. "As far as I know, it's going just fine," I replied with a hint of dry sarcasm.

"Ms., I know things haven't been pleasant lately and father hasn't been easy on you but one must be strong in such times," she started stacking buns in the bread basket.

"Wish I had your confidence," I sighed, coming over to take the basket after setting the table.

"Hey, just because the road you're on is a little bumpy, doesn't mean it's over. Every road has it's obstacles, whether it's up or down. It just depends on how you navigate them," she set a salad bowl on the table.

I paused what I was doing and looked at her, "yeah, but- why do they decide what to do with my life? It's like they've planned out my whole life out for me!" I rubbed my thumb over the moon's shiny surface. "What if this path I've chosen isn't right even though it feels right? I'm going against the grain and all for the sake of love."

The middle-aged women placed more food on the table. "Love was never meant to be easy, Ms. Crumé, and neither was life. But if it was meant to be, it'd all work out, trust me."

I placed some napkins at each plate.

"You've got your heart in the right place, you just need to stop second guessing yourself. Just ask yourself, what path do you want to stay on." She patted my shoulder, "I'm sure everyone has their troubles just like yours sometimes. I know you have all you need to fight."