The Two of Us

Caspian

I didn't know if Peter was being serious or notㅡ I just smiled, hiding the fact that my heart was beating rapidly because of what he had just said. Lucy and Edmund's smiles were reaching their ears, however. Oh god, were they ever going to stop teasing me?

"All of those Kings are here to impress Susan, not Alice. They should know that well." Peter slightly growled, eyeing Caspian, who could not keep his eyes off of us. What was his problem? And what did he want, exactly?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Half-way through the night, Caspian the King of the Lone Islands, had decided to approach Alice once again. He tapped her on the shoulder lightly, hoping to get her attention. "Ahem, if you would please dance with me, Your Highness?"

Alice's eye twitched, but it was barely noticeable. After listening to what Edmund had suggested to her, she couldn't help but fear him. Edmund had said for her to be careful around him, as he had also noticed Caspian's strange interest in Alice.

Alice had not spoken a single word even when he took her to the ballroom to dance with her. Alice was very beautiful in her dress, and all eyes were on the two of them as they stepped onto the ballroom floor. It would have been completely silent if the music had not been playing.

Alice had hated the silence, even more as she had told herself that tonight was all about Susan. Susan was the one looking for a husband. Besides, Alice already had one in mind.

"You look so beautiful, Queen Alice." Caspian had whispered as they begun dancing. Alice smiled nervously. Peter had told her this many times, but it did not feel the same in any way. "Thank you, Your Highness. I'm flattered." Alice did not dare herself to compliment him back. She did not want to be mistaken for flirting.

After a while, more pairs of royals joined in on the dance floor, including Susan and a King she had been talking to. Susan smiled at her, and Alice returned the smile. Where was Peter? Alice had been looking around for a while now, and could not find Peter wherever she looked.

"You seem lost, Your Highness." Caspian had noticed her awkward behavior. "Are you looking for someone?" Alice had been dancing with Caspian the whole time, not even switching partners with anyone. You could easily say that they almost looked like sweethearts.

"O-Oh, I'm sorry, King Caspian. But I think I should leave now." Alice said in a quiet voice, as Caspian's smile had disappeared. His grip on her wrist had tightened. "What are you doing?"

"You don't want to make a scene in front of all these people, do you?" His kind expression had completely disappeared now. "Thought so. You are not going anywhere, and I will not allow you to leave so easily."

"Excuse me, King Caspian, I do not like repeating myself. But I'm leaving." Alice strongly pulled her wrist out of his grasp, quickly moving away from him. Unfortunately, he was following her. "Must you follow me even here?"

Although quite enraged, she did not drop her polite manner of speech. They reached the back garden where no one was. Caspian grabbed her wrist tightly and dragged her to the darkest part of the garden where no one could see them.

"Let go of me! What are you doing?!"

Caspian grabbed her by the shoulders and roughly shoved her against the wall behind her. Her back hurt, and she was frustrated. No one had ever treated her this way.

"How dare you treat me in such a manner?! There are guards around and if I mustㅡ"

Caspian smirked. "There is no one around us. If you scream, no one will hear. Actually, if you scream...." He leant in closer to her ear. "I'll be rough with you."

Alice gasped, attempting to push him away. "Get away from me!" But it was too late, he was far too strong for a girl like her. "What do you waㅡ?!"

Before Alice could say any more, he aggressively crashed his lips onto hers. Alice did not kiss back, and continued to fight him. This did not affect him, however. He bit her lower lip, forcing her to open her mouth for entrance. She refused, so he squeezed her collarbone until she opened her mouth. Tears were rolling down her cheeks, as he grabbed the sleeves of her dress, slipping the golden material off her shoulders. His dirty tongue came into contact with hers.

She was furious. Just then she had remembered the knives she had hidden in her dress pocket. She quickly grabbed one while they were still in reach. She placed it on Caspian's neck, forcing him to move his face away from hers. "You don't want me to do this."

"If you do kill me, you must know that Valhalla will be in jeopardy. Actually, it already is."

Alice's hand was shaking.

"Only my kingdom can save you. Besides, the Lone Islands is only three hours away from Valhalla. In fact, I can actually send you a defense force from Pennsylvania if you must."

"What...What do you mean? Valhalla is currently in safeㅡ"

"Valhalla has been attacked by Pennsylvania."

Alice's eyes widened in shock.

"You can save your country if you marry me tomorrow."

"Cair Paravel is sending their defense forces to Valhalla. I do not need your help." Alice lied. She knew that she needed his help. Her country was in trouble. But she couldn't bear to marry such a wicked man. She would rather wait.

"You'd let your people die like that? You're being unwise."

"My people are not so weak. I trust that they are able to hold them off until then." Alice stormed off, back into the castle heading straight for her room. She couldn't bare to stay awake for the rest of the night, and forced her eyes shut even before the fireworks occured.

Alice could actually barely get any sleep that night. Her face was stained with tears, as they continued to pour out. It had never left her headㅡ she had been kissed by a vulgar king in the most disgraceful way. She had never been kissed before, and this was her first kiss stolen from her.

She buried her face in her pillow, letting out a sob. It was now around 2:00 in the morning, and she had not slept a wink. It was 3:30 in the morning when she had finally fallen asleep. She was now far too exhausted to cry anymore tears.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was one of the servants who had woken Alice up in the morning. Beams of sunlight broke through the curtains as the servant pushed them apart. "Oh my, Your Highness! Are you alright? You're looking pale!"

Alice smiled, tossing the silky quilt to her side. "I'm fine, thank you. I was up very late last night, that's all."

She helped the servant make the bed. "King Peter has been looking for you all night, Your Highness!" Alice looked up at her in surprise.

"Is that so? I also have been looking for him all night, although I couldn't seem to find him..."

"Your Highness, if I may... I think it's best to look for the King now, since he seemed to search for you in desperation yesterday evening. I can finish the rest." Alice nodded politely before making her way out towards the dining hall, where she and the Pevensies often dine together.

The dining hall was almost empty, only Peter was standing there, his back facing her. Alice closed the large door behind her gently, just as Peter turned to face her. "Alice!"

Before Alice could utter a single world, he immediately wrapped his arms around her. "Oh, Alice, I was so worried about you... Where were you last night?"

Alice tried to blink back her tears, but that had ended in failure. She threw her arms around him, and sobbed on his chest. Peter was confused, but rubbed her back gently. "What's wrong?" When Alice finally stopped sobbing, she managed to explain everything to him. "Peter, I was so scared..."

Before she could break into tears again, Peter pulled her into a tighter hug. "It's alright, Alice. If you stay by my side, I promise I could protect you." Peter kissed her forehead gently, and Alice knew. In Caspian's arms, she had felt disgraced and disrespected. But in Peter's, she felt protectedㅡ like she was the most precious thing in the world. And she did not want to leave.