lunam et stellas

chapter ten

the year 1002...

Peter stalked across the ballroom, determined to talk to Alexandra.

On the other side of the ballroom stood Alexandra, who was determined to ignore Peter until hell had frozen over.

Susan rolled her eyes at the predicament. It was obvious neither of them was going to let it go, and so she decided to take the reigns of the situation and manipulate their minds. Just a little bit. So that they would stop this nonsense, and so Susan, Edmund, and poor sweet confused Lucy could finally live in peace.

"You have to dance with him."

Alex scoffed. "I don't have to do anything."

Susan nodded. "You're right, you don't have to do anything. I just thought the High Queen and King should have the last dance instead of the High King and Duchess Mian, but it is no matter. I'll go get her-"

Alex shook her head. "No it's-"

Peter approached his siblings, still looking only at Alexandra. He extended his hand hesitantly. "May I have this last waltz?"

Alex sighed, putting her hand in his quickly. "If you must."

They walked away, and Edmund laughed at his older sister. "Remind me to never be on your wrong side Su."

Lucy looked up at Susan, puzzled. "But Duchess Mian was done dancing hours ago. She twisted her ankle."

Susan nodded. "She doesn't need to know that."

Peter put his hand around Alexandra's waist, and she scoffed. "You don't have to be this close for the waltz, Your Majesty."

"Don't call me that."

"Why not?"

He glared at her. "Stop behaving like a child."

She laughed. "I'm behaving like a child? Interesting."

He sighed. "Alex, I'm sorry."

She smirked, murmuring. "Well, this is new."

He continued. "I'm sorry that I haven't made you feel loved, and I'm sorry that you feel like I don't pay attention to you, but I do."

Alex just stared at him as he kept talking.

"I know that your favorite color is deep blue like the sea, I know that you prefer blueberries above all other fruit, I know that you are fiercely loyal, that you want two children because you're scared the first one will get lonely. I know that you treat my siblings like your own, and I know that you are the love of my life."

Somewhere along the line of his speech, Alex had looked down and was staring at his chest. Peter cleared his throat, nerves overtaking his adrenaline. "Say anything, please."

"I can't believe you." They twirled around again, and Peter became confused. Why was she still upset with him? "Alex I-"

"Don't Alex me. I just told you that I didn't want you to confess your love like this because it would feel rushed. And here you are, saying some beautiful heartfelt speech, and you expect me to fall into your arms? Is that it?"

"I didn't think that would happen exactly, but I did think it would go a little better than this-" He stopped, and his smile returned quickly. "You thought it was beautiful?"

"Peter-"

The waltz ended, and Alexandra thanked Aslan. Perfect timing. Susan walked out into the middle of the dance floor, grinning. "Thank you all for such a wonderful evening. Safe travels home, and a Happy Christmas!"