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𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑪𝑶𝑼𝑹𝑨𝑮𝑬 𝑻𝑶 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬 𝑨𝑮𝑨𝑰𝑵
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𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐏 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐄❜𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐒. When she felt the arm wrapped around her bare waist though, and the warm chest pressed against her back, she needed a few moments to remember it wasn't Peter lying behind her. It was Seren. Her head throbbed slightly from all the drinks she had consumed last night, but she still remembered everything, every detail, and all that had happened.

Slowly, she rolled over to her other side until she laid nose to nose with Seren and she tucked her right hand under her pillow just as he had rested his left hand under his head. She stroked some hairs out of her face with her other hand while she let her eyes wander over him.

Seren was still asleep, his chest rose and fell with his calm breathing and his eyes moved slightly behind his closed eyelids. The points of his usual dark blond hair coloured to a shade of copper in the light of the upcoming sun that wrapped around his lying silhouette from behind. The rays of sunshine fell in a diffusing manner through the partly see-through curtains that hung in front of the open balcony doors and the white fabric danced with the warm breeze coming from outside.

Rosaleen hesitated half a heartbeat but then she moved her left hand towards his face and her fingers traced the small scar that ran through his eyebrow. It was barely visible, just like the scar on his jawline, but the hairs didn't grow there and the pulled tight skin refused to darken in the sun, unlike the rest of his suntanned face that displayed many healthy freckles as well. As light like feathers, Rosaleen trickled her fingers from his eyebrow to his jaw, but Seren's calm breathing faltered for a second and he woke up, his hazel coloured eyes meeting hers.

'That tickles,' he muttered, closing his eyelids halfway again but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

'I'm sorry,' she apologised softly, retreating her hand and laying it on the mattress instead. 'I didn't mean to wake you up.'

Seren shrugged as if he wanted to say something, but his breathing deepened again as his eyes fell completely shut.

Rosaleen though, couldn't push away the nagging feeling that rose up in the back of her mind. With a suppressed sigh, she rolled on her back, pulling the sheets a bit further over her chest as she stared at the sculpted roses and daffodils on the ceiling.

Seren was instantly awake again and he pushed himself half up, leaning on his elbow as he scooted even closer towards her, his face hovering above hers.

'Rose. . ? What's wrong?' he wondered, the worry evident in his voice that was still hoarse from sleep as well.

She pressed the palm of her hands against her closed eyes and she took a quivering breath. 'Did I now just completely ruin our friendship?'

'What? No,' he immediately answered. He lifted his hand from her waist and moved it towards one of her wrists, gently pulling her hand away from her face.

'No,' Seren said again, almost sternly, when their eyes locked and Rosaleen dropped her other hand as well, the sad blue in her eyes even more evident due to her emotions.

'First off,' he began, stroking a strand of her wavy hair behind her ear as he softened his voice, 'there is no "I" in "we", and I'm fairly sure tonight was an act between two people. I don't think we ruined our friendship, no,' he said with a smile that made Rosaleen's heart flutter with hope.

'Really?' she asked and he nodded, caressing her cheek with his thumb.

'Really. If anything, I think this only strengthens our friendship. There are no more barriers between us now. I can finally show you how much I truly care for you, how much you deserve to be loved.'

Rosaleen's mind wandered to the events of last night, remembering with a slight blush how his hands and lips had travelled over her body, how he had sent all kinds of pleasant shivers through her. It had felt so right at that moment, when her lonely mind had needed someone, but maybe it would still feel right now.

'Let me show you,' Seren whispered, inching closer towards her lips but he still held her gaze. 'May I show you?'

Rosaleen's breath had caught in her throat by his sweet words so she simply nodded, unable to speak. She sneaked her arms around his neck while he closed the last remaining distance between them, capturing her lips with his own and his hand left the side of her face again to explore her body, travelling farther and farther down. . .

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𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 as she made her way to the library of Cair Paravel. The bright daylight filled the northside of the castle and the happy clacking of her high heels bounced off against the walls, the banners and tapestries unable to swallow the sound.

While Seren and Alexander had taken a small boat to catch some fresh fish for the festive dinner tonight, Rosaleen had decided to find Susan in the busy castle.

The guests for the celebrations were almost everywhere and the hallways buzzed with energy as they enjoyed their stay at Cair Paravel to the fullest; Estrella held a tea party with the Ladies in the citadel's blooming garden, Lucy entertained the younger ones by having set up a scavenger hunt throughout and around the castle, and Edmund had organised a small tournament at the courtyard for the Lords who were ready to test their skills against the Narnians.

Rosaleen knew however, that Susan didn't thrive all too well in the busy atmosphere and the naiad Saffira had told Rosaleen that the Queen could indeed be found in the library.

The way to the library led past Peter's studies as well and Rosaleen glanced inside before she could stop herself since the oaken door stood wide open.

The High King sat behind the sturdy mahogany desk, the deep colour of the tabletop barely noticeable as it was buried underneath rolls of parchment, thick books, an ink pot and a chaotic collection of quills pointing out of a black marble chalice. Even with the celebrations going on, the High King of Narnia worked further.

Peter looked up just when Rosaleen glanced inside, as he had heard the approaching footsteps and their eyes crossed.

Rosaleen quickly averted her gaze with the intention of speeding past his study but he called her back before she could do so.

'Rose, wait.'

She halted in her steps, almost frozen as she tried to decide what to do but she glanced over her shoulder back at the door opening when she sensed his presence in it.

'Please wait,' he added softly and despite their fallout last evening, concern bubbled up in her chest when she noticed how tired and stressed he looked. She hadn't spotted the dark bags under his eyes yesterday or maybe she had refused to see it at that moment, but with the bright daylight falling on the sharp features of his face now, there was no denying it.

'Can we talk, in private?' Peter asked. Rosaleen bit her lip but then she nodded, walking past him as he turned a bit sideways to let her through and he closed the door behind her.

Near his desk in the middle of the oval-shaped room, she turned around to face him, the skirt of her lavender coloured dress whirling around her legs as well and the soft fabric landed on her skin again as gentle as flowing water.

Peter took a few steps closer towards her but she crossed her arms in a warning before he could get too close and he stopped at an arm-lengths distance.

'I want to apologise for all the things I said last night,' he began, his blue eyes swimming with guilt. 'I didn't mean them.'

She looked up to meet his gaze. 'They really did hurt, Peter,' she said, struggling to keep the tears out of her voice.

'I know, I'm so sorry.' The apology tumbled from his lips and a short silence fell until he added, 'It frustrated me to see you showing off to all the nobles in that dress. Clearly you have already moved past us.'

Rosaleen let out a humourless laugh in disbelief, uncrossing her arms to put her hands in her side although she wanted to jab an accusing finger at him. 'By the mane, Peter. You're the one who's already engaged.'

'Not by free will.'

'What?' she breathed out, his words ringing between her ears and her anger wavered for a moment. 'What does that mean?'

Peter shook his head, as if he regretted saying it in the first place, and then he set his jaw, preparing to turn away from her until he felt Rosaleen's slender fingers wrapping around his wrist. She pleaded him to tell her the truth with just a touch and her eyes, like she had done many times before in their years together and he gave in, like he had done many times before as well.

'Telmar is a colony of Calormene Empire, Rose. It's what I had to do, for the good of the kingdom.'

Rosaleen's mind connected the dots and she strengthened her grip on his wrist; Peter had ended their relationship just when the truce between Calormen and Narnia was being negotiated.

'Oh Peter,' she whispered. 'What did you do?'

'What I had to,' Peter repeated, but his posture broke and he laced his fingers between hers. He rested both of their hands against his chest, his eyes fixated on their intertwined fingers as he finally explained why he had broken up with her. 'I talked it over with Oreius and Tumnus, but a royal marriage was one of the Tisroc's demands, he wouldn't consider peace without it. One of us had to marry either Prince Rabadash of Calormen or Princess Estrella of Telmar. I couldn't force Susan or Lucy nor Edmund into a marriage with a stranger. I am the High King, it was my sacrifice to make.'

Rosaleen's anger washed back over her by those last words. 'And mine apparently. You sacrificed us, Peter, our love. But please, don't pretend as if you're too upset about it. Estrella is beautiful, the perfect princess. The whole court loves her, I've seen it. She's so much more than I could ever be. I understand it now, you couldn't wait to get rid of me.' Her voice grew higher and louder by every word until she was screaming at him and the pain flashed visible over his face when she withdrew her hand with a jolt out of his.

She breathed heavily and her balled hands shook next to her side, her muscles trembling. She expected Peter to scream back at her as well, but he desperately shook his head.

'I don't love her,' he said. 'I still love you. It has always been you.'

'Don't say that.'

'But it's the truth.' Peter stepped closer towards her and laid her hands on her upper arms, softly rubbing them up and down, and although Rosaleen relaxed under his touch, she snapped out of it and slipped out of his grip.

'You can't say those things anymore. You made your choice for the both of us, you're engaged to Estrella now.' She wrapped her arms around her own body to refrain them from doing something stupid and she dodged his eyes, letting her gaze wander over the bookcases decorating most of the walls surrounding them. 'I suggest you try to make it work.'

Peter slowly backed away until he reached his desk and he leaned against it, rubbing his temples with his fingers. 'I tried to make it work, several times, but she's not you, Rose.'

'Yes, well, you should have thought about that when you swapped me to marry a stranger,' she snapped at him. Her own emotions tumbled around inside her; a part of her wanted to forgive him as she understood his love for his kingdom and how he would do everything for it, but another part of her couldn't forgive his decision for casting her aside as if their love had meant nothing, as if he hadn't valued it enough to be worth fighting for.

'At least Seren values me.' The words fell from her lips before she even knew why she said them, but the jealousy burning in Peter's eyes satisfied her and he took a few deep breaths to try and stay calm.

'I. . . I saw you kissing him last night, are you two. . ?'

Rosaleen shrugged, although her eyes sparkled with joy when she thought of Seren. 'I don't know what we are, but he makes me feel good, he makes me feel loved.'

Peter almost choked on the words as he said, 'I'm glad to hear that. You deserve to be loved.'

Rosaleen smiled at him, but it was a bittersweet one as all she had ever wanted was to be loved by him. It seemed however, that wasn't her fate. His love wasn't meant for her.

She nodded at him as a goodbye, feeling that everything that had to be said between them had been said and she walked back to the door. She lingered in front of it, her hand resting on the smooth wood but then she pushed it open and continued her way to find Susan in the library.

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐒𝐊𝐘 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐃 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 as Rosaleen and Seren walked hand in hand over the beach, the sand feeling cool under their bare feet but the breeze weaving through the fibers of their clothing still felt warm.

The calm sound of the waves washing ashore in the endless pushing and pulling of the tides filled the silent night, but Rosaleen chuckled when Seren strengthened his grip on her hand and pulled her closer to himself. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind her and they stopped walking as she leaned in against his chest, closing her eyes for a moment in a bliss.

The wind blew a strand of her hair right in front of her face and she tucked it behind her ear before turning around in his arms and she folded her hands together behind his neck.

Seren's breath tickled her cheek when he sighed happily and stared in her eyes that reflected the stars and moon, as if there was a whole universe trapped behind them.

'What are you thinking about?' she wondered curiously, tilting her head to the side and he smiled.

'Just how happy I am to finally hold you in my arms like this. I've wanted to do that since the day we met.' Even in the shadows of the towering cliff next to them, he could see the rosy blush appearing on her cheeks and his grin grew wider before he leaned forward to kiss her gently.

'He was a fool for letting you go,' he murmured against her lips, although he regretted it when she tensed up and he broke their kiss.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to─.' Seren's apology was cut off when Rosaleen initiated the kiss again, almost hungry for his love as she ran her fingers through his hair and pressed her body against his.

'I'm all yours now,' she said between heavy breaths, but Seren leaned back a bit before she could connect their lips again and she stared at him curiously.

'I don't have anything to offer you though,' he said, spilling his thoughts. It had been wandering through his mind since this afternoon when he had told her brother Alexander what had happened. He couldn't blame Alexander for wanting what was best for his younger sister.

'To offer me?' Rosaleen repeated, a frown appearing between her eyebrows.

Seren glanced around to make sure they were truly alone on the dark beach. 'I'm just a bastard-prince. I have no riches, no title, and I travel a lot.'

'I don't care about any of that,' Rosaleen said almost indignantly.

'Your brother does.'

She rolled her eyes skyward, but then she gave him a determined look. 'If he ever finds love, I'll talk to him again about that. All I want is your love, Seren, and I will give you all of mine in return. That's all we need to make this work, don't you think so?'

Seren observed her gaze for a while but then he strengthened his grip around her waist and nodded. 'My love is all I have to offer then.'

'It's all I need,' she assured him as a twinkle appeared in her unusually dark eyes due to them reflecting the night sky. 'Now, let's make the most of this night, before you're guiding the Tisroc and his company back to Tashbaan tomorrow.'

He grinned. 'Let's, and I promise I'll return as soon as my duties allow me to.'

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Author's Note:

This chapter has so much romance, lowkey drama, and dialogue, I don't even recognise it myself, lol.
Anyway, I hope you still liked it and the action shall return again in the next chapter, hehehe *smirking emoji*.

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