The Golden Age - Narnia fanfiction (Edmund x oc)

20. The proposal

The next morning Diana woke up really early, having slept most of the previous day. She got changed and went to open the door to the balcony to get some fresh air. She took in a deep breath, catching a waft of sweet flower pollen from the garden. It was almost enough to make her forget everything that had happened.

"How are you this morning your highness?" Diana smiled recognizing the familiar purring voice of Ava. "I'm feeling a lot better today, thank you Ava." Diana petted Ava's head on the way back in from the balcony. The feline closed her eyes and leaned into the touch of the young princess while purring.

When she had first come to Narnia, Diana would have never thought of ever doing such a thing, she was afraid she might offend the majestic creature by treating it like a dumb animal. But she had seen the kings and queens doing it to other talking animals so when she had gotten to know Ava she had gathered up the courage to ask about it. It turned out that the animals would gladly let their friends pet them, so Diana felt honored to be one of those people.

"King Edmund wants to spend the day with you, if you are up for it, but he didn't want to pressure you in case you were still not feeling well, so he sent me as a messenger." Ava said, making Diana's heart flutter at the mention of the king.

Diana felt her cheeks burning and she stuttered when she spoke. "I... I mean yeah, I would love to spend the day with the king." Ava lifted a teasing eyebrow at the princess' reaction. "I'm sure you would." She said smirking. Diana crossed her arms and acted offended. "Don't tease me Ava." They both laughed and nudged each other  as they walked towards the dining room for breakfast.

"Morning Dina!" Lucy's cheerful voice boomed down the corridor from behind. "Morning Lu." Diana turned just in time to catch the queen as she jumped at her, arms spread wide for a hug. "How are you feeling?" Susan asked, walking calmly behind her sister. "Much better now thank you Su." Diana smiled at the two beautiful queens and just took a moment to feel grateful for her friends.

The two kings were already in the dining room when the queens entered with Diana. Edmund finally felt like he could relax again now that he could see her.

"Your family said they would eat by themselves this morning." Peter said, and Diana's shoulders visibly relaxed at his words. She smiled at the two kings, making Edmund's heart skip a beat. "How... how are you feeing?" Edmund asked, trying regain his ability to speak. "Much better, thank you." She said, smiling a genuine smile. He smiled as well, extending a hand to help her sit down for breakfast. "I am glad to hear that." He said, unable to hide the excitement in his voice.

The four of them sat eating their breakfast in lively conversation for a while, and when they were done, Edmund escorted Diana out to the gardens for a walk, the others leaving them with various excuses. Once they were alone, a comfortable silence fell over them. Diana was holding on to Edmund's arm as he was leading them through the vast gardens of Cair Paravel.

"Let's sit here for a bit." Edmund pointed to a lovely bench with the finest detailing that Diana had only seen the skilled Narnians produce. It was surrounded with bushes, and was bathed in sunshine. They both sat down and Diana closed her eyes just soaking in all the sounds, smells and feeling the sun's warming light on her skin.

They had been sitting in silence for a while before Diana finally opened her eyes and was surprised to find Edmund staring at her. She blushed. "What?" She asked, looking away pretending to be brushing something off her dress, just to keep her hands busy. He chuckled, sending Diana's heart racing. She looked up at him in shock and with bright red cheeks. "What?" She shouted this time sounding annoyed, playfully hitting Edmunds arm.

"Nothing, sorry" he said still chuckling and grinning from ear to ear. "You just look so beautiful, i couldn't stop staring at you." He said, looking her straight in the eyes. She immediately turned so red, that Edmund could almost see it glowing through her hands as she covered her face.

"Stop it! You can't just say things like that!" She shouted from her hiding place. "Why not? It's true." He said teasingly trying to pull her hands away from her face. "It should be a crime to cover up such beauty!" He laughed as she pulled away, stood up and started to walk away.

"Dina wait!" He shouted and got up to follow her. "Wait for me! I'm sorry, come back please." She stopped and turned towards him so suddenly that Edmund did not have time to stop, instead he tried to dodge her, but tripped on a rock that was outlining the flowerbed where a bush was growing, and he fell straight into the bush.

Diana covered her mouth with a gasp. "Ow!" Edmund exclaimed, trying to get back up. Diana burst out laughing. "Hey what's so funny?" He said still struggling. "Sorry." She managed to say in between her laughter. She reached out her hand to help him up. He took it and looked at her with a mischievous smirk. Before she could react, he had pulled her down with him, so she landed on top of him.

She shrieked and was struggling to get back up again while they were both laughing uncontrollably. Diana lifted herself up on her hands, and looked up and was face to face with Edmund, and the laughter slowly died down. They were quiet for what felt like years, before Edmund said just four words, "will you marry me?" He whispered almost as if he was scared she might hear him.

She was speechless. Her face gradually turning more and more red. All she could do was nod her head. And when she did, Edmund let out a big sigh of relief. "I must be the luckiest man to have ever lived." He exclaimed while embracing her, making her fall down again. They both laughed, and giggled like two silly school kids.

"We should probably get up from here though." Said Edmund finally. Diana agreed, and with some more struggling they finally managed to get out of the bush. Once they were standing again, they came face to face with each other, and Edmund couldn't help but reach out to touch her cheek. She leaned in to his touch and Edmund slowly leaned closer.

"Can I...?" He asked, before she leaned in the rest of the way and kissed him lightly. Now it was Edmund's turn to be speechless as she pulled away slowly, waiting for his reaction. He would not have it though, he pulled her back, and kissed her, not lightly as she had done it, but he kissed her as though that was the moment he had been waiting for his whole life, and as if he would never have the chance to do it again.