Narnia: The Royal Advisor (Side Stories)

King Edmund's Birthday (1.3)

I hated this time of the year, in fact I hated birthdays in general. I hated how the castle was packed from top to bottom with foreign leaders coming to pay tribute to whatever king or queen was turning one year older. 

It was four weeks a year; one week of celebrations for each of the kings and queens when their birthday rolled around. I had tried to get out of all celebrations after the first five years, but Susan always managed to find me and dress me up, just so that I could stand with my back against the wall and watch as everyone else had fun.

Now Edmund was turning eighteen and that meant that he would have girls from all over the world hanging off of him and trying to seduce him. 

My squire, Sir Kastor, always noticed my discomfort and would keep me company during the celebrations unless he was asked to dance by a lovely lady.

At the ball, the night of Edmund's birthday I watched the whole room from my spot on the wall. Susan had men clawing at her for a chance to dance with her and try to charm her. It was the same with Lucy, but she at least had my Sly Fox to protect her and I knew very well that Susan could take care of herself.

At the front of the room Peter and Edmund sat on their thrones surrounded by tall and short woman alike, hoping for their chance to charm Narnia's strong and chivalrous kings. As I stared in anger a familiar voice broke through my hateful thoughts, "Here, my lady, I can tell you need a drink."

I turned to see Sir Kastor and took the goblet he was holding out for me, "My savior as always, Kastor. I plan on making you a knight on my eighteenth birthday two weeks from now. And I have already chosen a squire for you."

"Whom might that be, may I ask?"

"The young, Sir Hektor. Is he suitable?"

"He doesn't seem like a very good choice, my lady."

I turned to look at him after downing my goblet of fruity Archenland wine, "Well he is still a boy, but I expect you to train him to be a courageous knight of Narnia. Can I entrust you with this task?"

He turned to me and bowed, crossing a arm across his chest, "Do not worry, my lady, I shall make Sir Hektor a knight as fearsome as you, my lady."

I chuckled, "Maybe not quite like me. If he was like me than he would never catch the eye of any woman."

I turned my gaze back to the dance floor, where both kings were dancing with their chosen partners. Sir Kastor took my goblet, "I'll refill this for you, my lady. But before I do I will tell you that if you truly love his highness, King Edmund, then you should tell him before it's too late."

"I'll think about it," I retorted back, sighing at my squire's retreating back.

I made my way over to the balcony and stared out along the beach, debating on whether or not to tell him and if I did, when would be the appropriate time?

This time, a voice I did not recognize, with a thick accent interrupted my thoughts, "Are you lonely, my lady?"

I turned to the man and straightened my back, lowering my gaze to meet his, "No, sir, I just don't very much enjoy parties and am always dragged to them anyway."

He reached to grab my hand, "There are other ways to keep entertained at these kind of events, you know."

I snapped my hand out of his grip and took a few steps back in my golden dress to put some distance between us, "I would ask that you not take that tone with me sir. I am not your average lady." I raised my chin in defiance, putting force behind my words, "I am Lady Emmaline the Noble, of Narnia. Royal Advisor to the kings and queens. And the Red Lady. If you know what's good for you then I insist that you leave me alone."

He smirked, but bowed, "I sincerely apologize, my lady. I am Lord Sabinus of Telmar, please allow me a dance to truly offer my sincerest apologies."

I knew it was a trap, but it was also a challenge and there was no way I was going to back down. "Of course, my lord, please lead the way."

I threaded my arm through his as we made our way to the dance floor. As we started to dance I glared at him as he began speaking, "I was hoping to meet you, my lady. Rumors of the Red Lady have spread all throughout Telmar and even as far Calormen. The stories speak of a ferocious woman with flaring red hair and a monster lurking just behind a fiery gaze. I expected a giant devil woman with horns and a forked tongue, not a small feisty child."

I subtly kicked him in the shin and smirked as he winced in pain, whispering, "Do not underestimate me, Lord Sabinus. There is always truth behind any story or myth."

Before things could escalate any further, Sir Kastor came to my rescue, "Pardon me, my lord, but I would like very much to dance with Lady Emmaline."

Lord Sabinus nodded, "Of course, sir, although I should warn you she is more demon than woman."

Sir Kastor retorted, "She is only that way to those whom insult her. However I will recommend that my lord ice his shin before it bruises."

As Lord Sabinus huffed away, Sir Kastor turned to scold me, "What were you thinking? You should have called me or one of the other knights under your command to come to your aid. By the Lion's Mane even Oreius would have been better than taking on a man like that alone."

I smirked, allowing Kastor to twirl me around, "You know very well, Kastor, that I can take care of myself."

He sighed and continued, "I know you can on the battlefield, my lady, but in this setting, men like him will not think twice about violating a woman because he has some immunities coming from another country and knows that Narnia wishes to keep the peace."

Edmund then came up to us, "Sir Kastor, might I take over from here? I wish to dance with the Lady Emmaline at least once before the night is through."

Kastor bowed and stepped away as Edmund took his place, "So, my lady, you aren't making threats against the Telmarines, are you?"

I scoffed spinning out and then back in so my back was pressed against Edmund's front, "He challenged me first. I did not need to disrupt your party or call on anyone for assistance if I can handle the man myself."

After a few more spins I was back to staring into Edmund's eyes, as he responded chuckling, "I understand that, but you still are a woman. And it is a natural thing that men wish to protect the women. I know you don't like playing damsel in distress, but you can use that to your advantage too."

I nodded and danced with Edmund until the party ended and Susan led me back to my room, "Did you have a good time, Emma?"

"Surprisingly, Susan, I did. But do not expect me to behave any differently once Lucy's birthday rolls around."

She smirked, but held herself in perfect woman-like grace, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. Have you thought about what you want for your birthday?"

I thought about it for a moment before stating, "I want a small, simple picnic on the beach, just the five of us."

She looked at me as we arrived at my room, "I believe that can be arranged, Goodnight Emma."

"Goodnight and sweet dreams, Susan."