Dhruvika leaving the castle left everyone heartbroken. It was hard for her to leave the only home that she could think of having, but what she had learnt from life was to not get attached to anyone or anything. She promised Sophie that she would stay in touch through letters and also that she would take Lady Mirza' help if she needed it.

The day of Caspian's birthday arrived fair too soon, and it was one way of focusing on things other than the past. Sophie wanted to be the first to wish him, and so, she took him to the astronomy tower and wished him exactly at midnight. "Happy birthday, Cas." She turned to him as both of them lay gazing at the stars.

He smiled, but his eyes looked sad. "Thank you, my love." He placed a soft kiss on her lips, not wanting to spend this moment with anyone else.

"Is everything okay?"

He sighed. "It is strange that I am twenty-two years old now. I never thought that I would cross eighteen really." He shook his head. "But that is not what I want to think about now." Caspian wrapped his hands around Sophie and she placed her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "This is where I want to be - in the present, with you."

Sophie smiled faintly. "Well, you cannot escape this present even if you want to."

He started to brush her hair and Sophie had to keep myself from falling asleep. His arms were the best place to be and she didn't want to be anywhere else. "Glad that I don't have to."

In the morning, she accompanied Caspian to the dining room, trying not to look excited or act suspiciously. When they reached the doors to the room, she stopped him from walking, making his eyebrows knit together in confusion about her intentions. "What happened?"

Sophie looked into his eyes and couldn't hold back a smile. She looked at the ground, feeling totally nervous suddenly. What if Caspian didn't like what was waiting on the other side of the doors? He moved closer to her and whispered near her ear, "Have I mentioned before that you look absolutely adorable when you blush?"

Hearing his voice with that accent only made her blush more. She closed her ears to hide their redness that usually followed when she blushed. She looked at him and tilted her head in awe. "I love you."

His eyes melted and he sighed heartily. "I love it when you say that."

"I love it when I say it as well." She never told people that she loved them, but she did show it to them. Caspian changed that for Sophie. She loved him more than life itself. He was the King and she was his Lionheart in a way.

He smirked. "Shall we?" He looked at the double doors.

Sophie took a deep breath and was aware of the black and white woollen bracelet that she was wearing on my left hand. "We shall." The answer to her worry lay ahead. Sophie opened the doors and everyone shouted "Surprise!" at once. Caspian's mouth fell open as he realised what I had done. 

"You didn't...." He turned to face her.

"I most certainly did." Caspian pulled her into a hug but didn't spin her around because they were surrounded by people who were already restricting them from spending time together. 

"Happy birthday, my love." Caspian went numb and emotional, but he was getting a hold of them by hiding his face on her shoulder while they hugged for a few seconds. He kissed her cheek and even though they had been together for a while, she was surprised.

Everyone that the two of them cared about was present in the room, wishing Caspian one by one, but the greatest part about that day was that he was truly happy. He was smiling the entire time and he never let go of Sophie's hand. She finally understood what it was to be a part of Caspian's life. They had been together for a few years, yes. But to really understand him in those years and for their wavelengths to match each other was everything that she could have only dreamt about.

And it was worth it.

Nina and the Professor let the two rulers enjoy that day in each other's company, not wanting to ruin their special day. Caspian and Sophie took a walk around the castle grounds after all of them finished eating. Trumpkin was going to complain and suggest that they go in the morning, but was stopped by Nina.

Sophie and Caspian meeting each other after nightfall for a walk was still a secret. They were glad for those moments because otherwise, the separation that they were forced to face in the last few weeks would have been more of an agony than it was already. She held his arm as they walked slowly, devouring each other's presence completely, stealing glances at each other and enjoying the moment as it was. 

"You know? I received a gift from everyone, I suppose, but I don't think I saw yours."

Sophie gaped at him playfully. "Don't you mean that I'm the gift?" They smiled at each other. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Your gift is waiting for you, but I will give it to you tomorrow."

"And I cannot wait to see what it is." She smiled at the ground. "Are you unhappy?" Her head jerked up at that unexpected sudden question. "Robin has left and you haven't talked much."

"That's because we get rare moments like this to talk."

"That's true," he nodded. "But are you though? Unhappy?"

Sophie shook her head. "Nope." She rested her head on his shoulder. "Definitely not now. And it will never be, because you're here."

Sophie felt his lips brush against the top of her head. "Thank you for today. I will always carry it in my heart."

"I'm glad you had a good time, Cas." She lifted her head and looked at him with a smile on her face.

"I can't believe that you managed to fool me. I'm supposed to be the King of Narnia!"

Sophie laughed. "That's probably because I'm going to be tied in marriage soon. Two royals - a King and a Queen getting married to each other. You should get used to me surprising you like this. You'll get my hyperventilating speech of what you need to expect after we get married soon. Expect that letter."

Caspian stopped walking and placed his arms around her. Sophie rested her head against his chest and both of their breathing synced with each other. "I love you, Sophie. So so much."

She closed her eyes as she let herself think about nothing in that situation. "I love you too, Cas. More than myself and more than the world." 

But a certain fear started to creep its way into her mind. What would happen at their wedding?

The next morning, Sophie used the last of my Scotch Tape No. 1 to wrap the gift that she had made for Caspian. It was strange that he hadn't figured it out, but she was glad in a way. She wanted to see the look on his face when she gave it to him. She slipped it under the door of his chambers the last time, but she was actually going to give it to him this time.

Sophie had a tingling sensation in her fingers and saw the water in the jug in her room forming mini waves. She held her hands with her neck. "Oh, stop it, you." Her training had activated the stealth part of her brain. Whenever she was anxious, it acted out. The naiads did not know how to help her there because she was still learning. They told her to find her anchor, but she already knew who that was.

Sophie walked down to breakfast and waved at Rumira and Evelyn, who were helping Nina with the shifting. It took forever to transfer the furniture to their new home and Sophie was glad for everyone's help, and the fact that she would have gone absolutely crazy without them. She entered the dining room and sat down beside Caspian. 

"Good morning, Sophie." He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles, which left a tingling sensation.

Sophie looked around to make sure that her powers didn't act out. "Good morning, Caspian."

She set the gift on the table and pushed it towards him. "I can finally see it?" She rested her elbows on the table, using the fingers as a support to rest her neck. He tore open the wrapping paper, very neatly, I might add.

"I made you a proper one this time. No shortcuts with the paints because I used the ones that you gave me for my birthday."

He pulled the portrait out and looked at her, his eyes having tears in them. It was so lifelike that he could have sworn she must have used her magic somehow. The strokes were exquisite and the colours were vibrant. "Oh this is the greatest gift I could have ever asked for!"

They were going to lean forward for a kiss when her eyes fell upon the company that they had and the fact that we should be keeping their distance from each other. Sophie rested her head on his shoulder instead. "We are not alone."

He kissed her cheek and pulled back. "You have accomplished the impossible, love. You have helped me overcome my fear of portraits. This is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you very much!"

"Now, we don't have to run away from the royal painter."

"I guess we don't."

The two of them were alone in the hall but not really. Every pair of eyes were on them. Privacy invasion? Check. The two of them had breakfast while talking about the changes that were going to take place. "They need us to check the outdoor location for the wedding."

"I thought that since I am the groom, I'm not allowed."

"You are also the King. Obviously they need your approval for the decorations."

He sighed as he looked at her, as if he was trying to read her. "We have put off the wedding for too long, haven't we?"

Sophie rested her spoon on the plate. "We were too young....we still are! But...."

"We cannot put it off any longer."

Sophie nodded, pursing her lips together. They both knew what came with a wedding and had managed to gather a few years' time, but they couldn't wait any longer. Most marriages happened for an alliance, for power. But Caspian knew that Sophie had nothing to offer him but her love. Sometimes Sophie wondered why he decided to settle for someone like her. He hadn't known about her true identity when he realised that he fell in love with her because he loved her for who she was. After seeing certain marriages in the Other World, Sophie wondered if their love was strong enough for our marriage to....

She shook her head. God, Sophie. You aren't married yet. Stop thinking about the negatives. 

He took her resting hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You look lovely when you blush."

She held her cheeks. "Why, thank you!"

It was his turn to blush. "What else do people need our approval on, my lionheart?"

Sophie noticed Caspian's usage of 'our', and not to mention that he called her a lionheart, which she most definitely was not. "Well, there is the painting, the cake and the location."

"Not to forget our outfits."

She clicked her fingers at him. "That too. Claire wants our immediate attention on the final touches that she needs to make on our outfits. Plus, with all the shifting," she reduced her voice to a whisper. "We haven't had time to go stargazing properly."

He leaned forward so that the conversation was between them. "I could open the tower, love, but we won't be able to be discreet about it, I'm afraid."

"We were never going to get to spend time together like before until the wedding, are we? It will only be the guided walks that we get to take."

He shook his head. "I miss you."

She smiled. "I miss you too."

Someone cleared their throat, drawing the two of their attentions to them. Nina stood there with her hands on her hips. "I hope you remember that we still have to follow traditions, Your Majesties. Your porridge is going cold."

She walked away and Sophie rested her forehead on her hand that Caspian held. "I cannot do this, Cas. I am going crazy!"

He laughed. "We can keep the traditions for later." He kissed the top of her head. "Let's show everyone that we are united."

"I hope it gets easier." They let each other go and tried to concentrate on eating. "I have chosen my ladies-in-waiting."

"And may I ask who?"

"Yes, you may. I have asked Evelyn and Rumira for help."

He nodded, considering her choice. "I'm glad that you were able to find people that you could trust. You have been spending a lot of time with them."

"But I have told them about how it is just a supposed position. It is only a title to keep the council shut. They really need to get off my back."

"Think about the positive side. Once we get married, you will be able to manage their decisions."

Sophie was so glad that the spoon didn't fall on the ground when she lost her grip on it. "I....can take part in the meetings?"

"Why, of course! I don't see why not."

A huge smile spread across her face. Sophie always thought that the meetings would include only male members, but Caspian had pointed something out. She could influence decisions that would safeguard our nation, and if she could do that, she could make some changes in the Council itself. An invisible bulb sparked inside her brain.

"That is something that I'm looking forward to now. Thank you, Caspian."

He narrowed his eyes. "I think we are way past thank you's and sorry's, love."

She nodded, getting into the teasing mode myself. "I agree. We should come up with new words then."