king's temptation | narnia

chapter 5: bad people

Kate slept peacefully but was abruptly woken up before the sun had even risen. Susan was shaking her roughly and yelling at her to get up.

"Katelyn Armstrong, get up. We don't have a lot of time to get you ready!" Susan screeched. Kate groaned.

"We have plenty of time, Susan. It's not even bright outside yet, and the ball starts at sundown!" Kate said into her pillow. She felt the covers being slipped off, causing goosebumps to pop up on her skin.

Susan grabbed her legs and yanked her out of bed. "Susan, no, stop!" Kate yelled.

She pulled her to her feet and marched her out of her room and straight down the hall to the bathroom. Susan ran a bath and got a new dressing gown out of the cupboard.

Kate was groaning as she undressed, but as soon as she stepped into the hot water, she felt relaxed. Susan put an infusion of wildflowers and sea berries into the water, so the entire room smelled absolutely divine. Kate let out a deep breath as she sunk down, putting her head under.

"See, Katelyn? It's wonderful to feel clean," she said in a told-you-so smile. "I'll have someone bring your breakfast up," she stated as she turned out of the room.

At breakfast time, the Pevensie siblings sat around their table with Prince Rabadash as their guest. They were eating in the breakfast lounge this morning because people were still decorating the throne room to Susan's liking.

"So sister, how is Kate this morning? You dragged her out of bed before I had even gotten up," Lucy asked.

"Yes Susan, how is she? We all heard her screaming for her life this morning," Edmund said with a chuckle.

Susan spread some butter on her toast. "Oh yes, she sure is a screamer," Susan paused and Peter slightly smirked. "She's fine. She's upstairs taking a bath. Speaking of which, I need someone to take her breakfast upstairs," she said as she looked amongst her siblings.

"I'll take it upstairs for her-" Rabadash started, but was soon cut off by Peter.

"No, I will, thank you Rabadash," he took his last bite of eggs and stood up. Rabadash stood and bowed, as it was accustomed to when the High King left the table.

"She should be in her room by now, Peter," Susan said.

On his way to Kate's room, Peter stopped by the kitchens and got a plate topped with all of her favorite breakfast foods. There were chocolate and blueberry croissants, buttered toast, and fresh berries gathered by the streams in which she played.

He walked upstairs and to her room. He knocked three times on the door to no response, so he knocked again. Peter tentatively turned the door handle and pushed it open.

"Katelyn? Are you in here? I brought your food," Peter said while looking around the room. It looked the exact same as it did the other night, but Peter still drank in the youth of it all. He sat on her green canopy bed, hands folded on his legs, and closed his eyes.

He heard light footsteps coming into the room and shot up. He saw Katelyn standing there in nothing but her thin dressing gown, which left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Peter stood there in awe of her, his eyes running over her curves, landing on her round breasts and perky nipples. He felt his pants tightening just seeing her this way.

Finally, Katelyn cleared her throat and Peter's eyes met hers. The High King slightly blushed and gestured to the plate of food on her side table to which Kate awkwardly smiled.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Katelyn. I just- Susan just wanted me to bring you your breakfast," Peter stuttered out while walking past her.

"Thank you, Peter," the young queen said as she turned towards the doorway that the king was already walking out of. As soon as he passed the doorway, Peter doubled back and looked Kate in the eyes. She looked startled, as she had just picked up a chocolate croissant.