Essence of Narnia

Chapter 30

Days had passed since the kiss and Edmund and I continue to regard each other as if nothing had happened. Which not only frustrates me, but it makes me grumpy as well. To make matters worse is the fact that Julie continues to follow him around like a helpless puppy.

"That bracelet looks lovely on you Julie." complimented Caspian. 

"Really?" she gushed, "thank you so much. Edmund got it for me. Where'd you get it from again?" she smiled looking at him beside her.

The sight of it made me want to gag, but I settled with stabbing at the chicken left on my plate.

"Just from one of those gypsy caravans. I figured she liked blue especially with her growing collection."

"Yes! and it brings out my eyes," she said lifting the bracelet to her face.

"Settle down, Princess we don't want your food to get cold," commented Lucy as she took a bite of her food. From the corner of my eye I could see her looking at me and slipped a discreet wink. Oh Lucy.

Julie turned to look at me from across the table. "Charlotte why don't we go and plant some flowers in that lovely garden you always visit?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but Caspian's tutting cut me off. "Julie I believe you have an arrangment with Lady Sierra on ballroom dancing."

Julie pouted, "That's right I had almost forgotten, but madam says I need to have a partner!"

Caspian smiled at her. "Why don't you ask one of our fellow men here? I'm sure at least one of them would gladly like to accompany you."

"I don't know..." Julie said quietly.

"Why don't you take one of my brothers?" suggested Susan to which I simply quirked an eyebrow. 

"No, no Peter will be out with me settling some land boundaries between the water nymphs." answered Caspian. "Edmund would you care to take my cousin to her lessons?"

Edmund raised an eyebrow looking almost confused. "Of course, but I don't think I'm much of a dancer." 

At this Julie smiled and lightly hit his shoulder. "You were just fine dancing with me at the coronation." she purred practically batting her eyelashes at him.

"I think I'll head to the training grounds. Thank you for the lovely breakfast King Caspian." I smiled hiding the dark annoyance in them. I brusquely stood up hearing the harsh scrape of the chair against the floor and walked out to the stables. 

****

Once I reached the stables I found the familiar shining brown coat of my horse that I had journeyed with.

"Hello Sria." I cooed gently. She neighed bobbing her head in response. I grabbed her brush hanging on the side of the wall and gently combed through her mane. "Men are such annoying and toyable creatures." I sighed and buried my face in her neck knowing that it would soothe me.