The Two of Us

Unaware

Alice was frowning with her arms crossed in the library, unaware that Edmund was watching her with his eyebrows raised.

"Is everything alright?"

Alice had persuaded herself to get rid of the butterflies she felt when she was with Peter. Now knowing that there was another girl, she wanted to prepare herself well before she gets hurt.

"I'm fine, Edmund."

She picked up the book on the table, leaving the library, slightly stomping. She went to look for Susan, who may be able to answer her lurking questions. She made her way to the textiles room, where Susan spent most of her time for the past few weeks.

She entered the room, where Susan had been sitting with the dressing ladies. "Oh, Alice! Where were you yesterday? Everyone was so worried you had gotten lost..."

"I just went out for a ride," she let out an awkward giggle, before closing the door behind her. "Susan, there's something I want to ask you."

Susan dismissed the servants, allowing there to be privacy between the two girls. "Is anything the matter?"

".....Who's Olivia?"

Susan's eyes widened, almost dropping the fabric in her hands. "Alice, how... Did anyone tell you about her?"

Alice shook her head, not impressed with the response. "Who is she?"

Susan looked down, hands slightly shaking. "Alice, I can't tell you that, I'm sorry. It's better off for Peter to tell you when he comes back."

"Yes, and when is that going to be?! Why can't you tell me anything, Susan? Have you been hiding this from me this whole time?!"

Susan shook her head, apologetically. "Alice, please..."

"I thought we were best friends, Susan."

And with that, she left Susan silent and dumbfounded.

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

Honestly, Alice felt like everything was crashing down on her. She felt like everyone here had been lying to her, manipulating her.

Susan and the others would tell her how much Peter worried and cared about her, but now it all seemed like a lie. She shook her head in embarrassment, feeling like everything she had been told was just to keep her here for the sake of the riches that her land could offer Cair Paravel.

She looked down, avoiding the stares of the servants walking by. She felt like crying, and did not want to be seen. She felt a tear fall from her eye, causing her to walk faster.

Looking around, she found difficulty finding a destination. She hadn't been around this area of the castle too often, and was not used to all the turns and different doors.

A hand grabbed onto her wrist, surprising her. It gently tugged on her wrist, taking her somewhere. It was Edmund. "Come with me."

Alice was curious to where Edmund had intended to take her, but she did not dare to speak up. She was patient enough to wait for an explanation later.

Alice was shocked to find herself in Peter's study. She had never been in his study without him there, it had felt extremely illegal.

"What are we doing here, Edmund?"

Edmund sat comfortably in Peter's chair, looking up at Alice. "I overheard your interest in finding out about Olivia. I'd like to enlighten you."

Alice scoffed, "Edmund. If it was Susan who sent you after me to cover up her mess, I have no intentions of listening. I have enough of all the lies."

Edmund frowned. "Trust me, Alice. I'm doing this for you. I think it's important for you to know."

Alice sighed, nodding her head. "Then, Edmund, who is she?"

"Olivia is..." Edmund breathed uneasily, avoiding eye-contact with Alice. "Olvia is Peter's late lover. She died three years ago."

"Oh, so she was a lover? I've never heard of a Queen namedㅡ"

"She was a peasant."

Alice's eyes grew in surprise. "A peasant?"

She had never heard of a King having a romance with a peasant. No one has. Until now, that is. Everything was so unreal to Alice, she was speechless.

"H-How did she die?"

"Our Aunt ordered her for poision.. Although, Peter does not know that."

"Y-Your Aunt?!"

She had seemed like such a nice lady, it was hard for her to believe.

Edmund nodded, still not looking up. "Well, who wants a peasant ruling over Cair Paravel? Obviously our Aunt didn't. She had told Peter that Olivia had died in her sleep. Although, she kind of did."

Alice, still in shock, could not hold herself back from asking so many questions. "Who else knows about this? Edmund, this isㅡ"

"Only me. Well, now just you and I. Alice, you have to keep this all to yourself. My Aunt would kill me if she found out about this." he pleaded, looking up at her.

Alice nodded reassuringly. "O-Of course, Edmund. I won't tell a soul."

Although Alice was hurt by the fact that Peter had a previous lover, she had felt sorry for Peter and Olivia. They were unable to live their lives together because of their differences.

Alice headed back to her room, ready to sleep. That night, however, she had not slept at all. She tossed and turned in bed, curiously picturing Peter with another girl.

She had felt so selfish thinking that she was always the only girl in Peter's life. But it also crushed her knowing that she was not the only girl he'd ever be thinking of.

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

The next day, Alice woke up to find a bouquet of roses by her bedside. It was an apology gift from Susan. Smiling, Alice exited her room, looking for Susan with the roses in her hand.

"Susan, Iㅡ"

Alice dropped the flowers onto the floor when she had seen Susan on her knees, crying her eyes out. Edmund, Lucy, Peter, and a few other men were surrounding her as she sobbed.

Susan's sobs filled the silence in the room, but Alice had figured out the tragedy. Phillip had died in battle.

Now that everyone was back from battle, the castle was supposed to be filled with happiness and cheer. For the past few hours, there had been crying from Susan and apologetic comfort being displayed amongst others.

"Aren't you glad Peter's back?" Lucy asked, looking up at Alice. She just nodded, pursing her lips. She had also found out that a large number of her men had died in battle, too.

Fortunately, the battle was a success, disregarding the large numbers of casualties on the battlefield.

"Did you even try to save him?!" Susan screamed, tears pouring out of her eyes. She was going insane, but Alice understood. She knew that what Susan was going through was what it would feel like when you lose someone you love.