𝙸𝚁𝚁𝙸𝚃𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴. ➪ 𝙴. 𝙿𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚎

𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚎

Two years had passed since that night, and Edmund had continued to return to her sleeping quarters. Though, nothing serious ever emitted from such encounters. Yes, the two had a deep admiration for the other, yet neither seemed to act on it. The kissing just seemed like a bit of harmless fun. Cobalt had grown used to falling asleep with Phillis in the bed, and waking up with Edmund by her side. It was most peculiar, he thought, that the two should share such a deep love, but never marry or consider calling each other any more than their friend.
Phillis, as usual, was late to breakfast. She pushed open the doors and dashed to her place on the dining table. "Late again?" Edmund questioned.
"Clearly," she muttered, neatening out her dress.
"Now we're all here, I have an announcement to make," Peter spoke up. "Tonight, there will be a ball. A Telmarine prince will be there, and he is looking to marry one of our Queens. Tomorrow, we will discuss a potential alliance and trade deals."
"Brilliant," Susan rolled her eyes.
"Why is it always us?" Lucy groaned.
"What happens if he decides to marry one of us?" Susan asked. "Do we have to marry him?"
"Unless you want a Telmarine invasion, then I suggest you go along with it," Peter replied.
"Even if he is the most horrible man in the kingdom?" Phillis sighed, sipping on some tea.
"Yes," Peter nodded.
"Well, come on then, we have a ball to prepare for," Lucy smirked, grabbing her sister and Phillis' hand.
Lucy tugged the girls towards her sleeping quarters. They all giggled as they tried to avoid knocking into any servants. "Lu, be careful!" Phillis laughed.
"Why did we really leave in such a hurry?" Susan asked as Lucy slammed her door closed.
Susan and Phillis flopped onto Lucy's bed, trying to catch their breath. "Did you notice the way Ed was staring at Phillis the entire way through breakfast?" Lucy asked.
"He's totally in love with you," Susan smirked.
"Well, I should hope so if he's sneaking into my room every night to kiss me," Phillis looked at the girls.
"Exactly," Lucy said dismissively, before turning to Phillis, wide-eyed.
"What?" Susan exclaimed. "And both of you failed to mention this?"
"Well, we did try to keep it a secret," Phillis shrugged.
"How long has he been doing this?" Lucy asked.
"Two years."
"Two years?!" the two sisters screamed.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Lucy yelled.
"I didn't think it was that important to you two," Phillis replied.
"Not that important?" Susan gasped.
"I knew there was something going on between you and Ed," Lucy added.
"He looked so jealous at the sound of a Telmarine prince interested in marrying one of us," Susan smirked, nudging Phillis.
"Do you think?" the middle of the three girls asked.
"Absolutely!" Lucy exclaimed. "Okay, we have to make sure you look lavishing for the ball."

The girls spent hours each trying to find the perfect dress. Susan opted for a lovely silver, whilst Lucy picked out a sweet little pink one. "Blue or green?" Phillis asked.
"Blue." both girls said simultaneously.
"Blue it is then," Phillis laughed.
When Phillis emerged in the flattering blue dress, Susan and Lucy couldn't help but let their jaws slacken. "You look perfect!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Ed is going to die," Susan laughed, as she got to work on Phillis' hair.
The sky outside had turned dark, and guests were beginning to arrive. When the girls were ready, they ran towards the ballroom. They pushed open the doors and their arrival was announced to the guests. "Queen Susan the Gentle, Queen Lucy the Valiant, and Queen Phillis the Zealous."
The contents of the room applauded the three girls. Each of the Queens were swept up in the arms of a dashing partner soon enough. Phillis didn't know the name of the man she was dancing with, and didn't care to learn it. She was really here for Edmund, but she noticed he was dancing with a blonde princess. "Mind if I dance with her?" a deep voice came.
"Not at all," her current partner handed her to a tall man, with black hair. His large, brown eyes engulfed hers in a world of wonder. "You must be Queen Phillis," he grinned down at her.
A thick accent, which she recognised to be that of a Telmarine leaked through his alluring voice.
"That I am," she nodded.
"I'm Prince Miguel of Telmar," he bowed his head as he moved her sweetly across the floor.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Prince Miguel," she smiled. "What brings you to a ball in Narnia?"
"I hoped to meet a woman to make my Queen," he said as Phillis forced out a laugh.
"It seems that is the only reason men come to balls these days," she sighed.
"Why, whatever other reason would they come for?" he questioned.
"Fun? It's okay to enjoy yourself every now and again," she smiled.
"You're very wise, Queen Phillis," he grinned.
"I'm not wise. I have wise friends, you see. They teach me all I know," she told him.
"But you're incredibly beautiful," he told her. "Perhaps the most beautiful Queen I have ever laid my eyes on."
"You flatter me," Phillis smiled, her eyes sliding to the ground before sweeping back up to meet Miguel's brown ones. "But I doubt you've met my dear friend, Susan, if that's case."
"I have. She wasn't what I desired in a wife," Miguel said.
Phillis couldn't help but roll her eyes internally at that. He can't have met her for that long, so if he's going off looks, then that would make no sense whatsoever. Phillis and Susan both had pale skin and brunette hair and they were similar heights. She felt herself growing gradually more infuriated with the man before her, but she decided against mentioning it.
"But a wonderful girl deserves to be flattered, wouldn't you agree?" he said.
"I suppose so. But I think everyone deserves to be flattered. Everyone needs to be shown some love every now and again," she shrugged, her eyes scanning the hall for any sight of Edmund.
"See? Wise," he laughed.
"Once again, not wise. Just... kind," she said.
"You're particularly humble, Your Majesty," he told her.
"Well, Prince Miguel, I've found that being overbearing can scare people away," she informed him.
"I see. Queen Phillis, would you care to accompany me on a walk through the gardens?" he asked.
"I best not. I have people to see and animals to speak to," she told him, pulling her hands away from his before speeding away as quick as she could, not wanting to associate with him any longer.