THE ARRANGEMENT | P. PEVENSIE

i. three

When Susan found out about Peter's engagement, she wanted the castle to look as presentable as ever. Even though the house and ground keepers did an exceptional job, she wanted the place to be spotless, and everyone to be on their best behavior. And of course, she insisted that the Princess stay in Cair Paravel till the wedding.

Lucy stuck to Mallory's side like glue, telling her everything she knew about the Princess of Archenland. "Apparently, she has this guard that's coming with her, and she requested that they have a room next to each other."

Mallory descended the stairs towards the dining hall, "Well, I guess that's to be expected, her life is constantly in danger."

"True," Lucy giggled, but Mallory hushed her, holding her hand in front of Lucy's mouth.

Halfway down the steps, hunched down and peaking over the banister, was Whickett. He caught the two girls eye and waved them over, motioning for them to be quiet. Lucy and Mallory crouched down, tiptoeing in Whickett's direction. It didn't take long to find out what he was looking at. There, in the main hall, stood Peter and Ariana of Archenland. A few feet behind them stood a curly-haired man, her guard. Mallory felt a pang in her chest, Peter was smiling at her, showing her around the castle.

"He didn't tell me she was coming today, that rat!" She whispered. She was angry, though he didn't tell her much these days. The air in the room always got awkward when they were alone together.

Lucy scowled down at the two, "He didn't tell me either."

They heard the set of doors to the dining hall open and Susan stepped out, greeting the princess. She ushered them all inside for dinner and followed suit.

"Oh, what do we do?" Lucy asked Mallory.

"Nothing, for now," the Irish girl began, "If he's happy..."

"But you're not happy," Whickett interjected looking her in the eye before turning his head back toward the dining hall, "and you should be."

Mallory stood from her crouched position, "Well, we should probably meet her. She might not be as bad as we think." She went down the remaining stairs and went into the dining room. Whickett followed behind her, heading towards the kitchen.

Lucy lingered a moment, pondering what to do. Suddenly her eyes lit up, she looked from where Whickett was to where Mallory went. Slowly, a smile spread to her face.
_

They had just finished their hourderves and the maids and butlers were bringing out the main course. "Thank you," Mallory said to one of the maids as she set down a plate in front of her.

Ariana scoffed, "You don't have to thank them, it's their job," She had been making snide side comments throughout the meal, and it had barely just begun.

"So, Ariana," Susan begun, trying to make the situation less awkward, "What do you think of the palace?"

Ariana looked down to her plate, "Yeah, it's great." She glanced to her guard, a small smile grew on his face.

"The natural landscape around here is incredible," Mallory piped in, she hadn't spoke much the entire meal, "the beach is lovely if you haven't seen it."

"I don't quite like the beach, or outside in general," Ariana said as she picked at her food, "Too many bugs."

Mallory furrowed her eyebrows, how could you not like the outdoors? "Well if you don't like the outdoors than we have plenty to do inside. Our library is huge, we have-"

"I'm not that much into reading either," Ariana smiled too sweetly, "Who are you again?"

Mallory was taken aback by this woman's clearly fake nice behavior, "My name's Lady Mallory Gardner, I watch over the grounds and I-"

"So you're the groundskeeper?" She asked, but continued on before Mallory could answer, "Great, those white carnations outside are hideous. You have to remove them before the wedding."

Mallory couldn't do that, those were her favorite. Peter always gave them to her, said he'd put them in her hair when she was still stone.

Peter cleared his throat, looking back and forth between the two women, "I quite like those carnations."

"Mallory isn't just a groundskeeper, she protects us and our home," Lucy said, almost glaring at the pair from Archenland, "She's a friend, no, she's family."

Edmund nodded, "She's just as important as the rest of us."

Susan frowned, Mallory could tell she agreed with her siblings, but wanted to stay out of conflict. Ariana scowled at Mallory before purposely knocking over her goblet, sending the contents of the cup all over Mallory, "Oh my," she said in a sickeningly apologetic tone, "I'm so sorry," she pouted before looking to the servers, who immediately went about cleaning up the mess.

Mallory rolled her eyes, the dark wine had stained her gold and white gown. She stood quickly, walking out of the room in a dignified manner. She would not stoop as low as this woman, she was better than that. She slouched as soon as she exited the dining hall, sighing.

Peter couldn't marry her, Mallory could see right through her kind façade. She wasn't the right girl for Peter, not even close.

"Mallory, wait!" Lucy followed the teen up the stairs, grabbing her arm lightly, "Are you alright?"

Mallory smiled bittersweetly, "I'm okay Lucy, thank you."

"I don't like her, something's off about the way she acts," Lucy frowned, "like she's keeping a secret."

"Glad I'm not the only one that noticed that," Mallory shook her head, the two walking to her room, "But, there's nothing we can do about that now, Lucy. It's been decided, they're going to get married," she frowned, "It's for the good of the people."

"No, it's not too late," Lucy shook her head in defiance, "I have a plan, Mal."