Happily Ever After

Falling

Louis asked Harry to go for a walk with him the next day and they headed outside. He showed him all his favorite places and told him stories from his childhood. They spent the whole day outside and even shared a kiss of two down by the creek.

They joined Louis's family for dinner and Harry was the perfect guest, talking and entertaining them all with stories from his kingdom. Louis laughed and smiled throughout dinner.

After Queen Johannah had seen the two of them head outside four days straight she had finally caught up. She cornered Charlotte.
"It seems like Prince Harry isn't here to court one of my daughters. Instead, he's spending all his time with my son, isn't that interesting?"

Charlotte looked taken back for a second but then she rolled her eyes at her mother.
"So what?"

"Oh nothing, I'm happy if Louis is happy and I have never seen him so full of joy before. Prince Harry has really managed to bring him out of his shell." Queen Johannah smiled.

"I hope you'll still think of it like that in the future." Charlotte answered carefully, her eyes staring intensely at her mother as she was challenging her.

"Of course dear, I don't mind at all." Queen Johannah reassured her and Charlotte looked relieved and hugged her.

"Thanks, mum. Harry's father didn't exactly have the same response."

That made Queen Johannah upset.
"What happened?"

"I promised Louis I wouldn't say anything." Charlotte hesitated.

"Oh, now you definitely have to tell me." Queen Johannah demanded.

Charlotte caved and told her mother everything. She told her how Harry and Louis had spotted each other at the ball and how Harry had walked up to him and asked him for a dance. She told her how upset Louis had been and how he ran off and how Harry went after him. She told her how brave Louis had been and how he and Harry had danced and laughed the whole night and how beautiful it had been to witness. Then she told her about the day after, his the King had asked Louis to leave, making him feel humiliated. Queen Johannah wiped away a tear that broke loose.
"My sweet boy. No one should treat him like that. I'm glad that you invited Harry here."

Later at dinner, she turned directly to Harry.
"I just want you to know that you are welcome to stay as long as you want and that you will always be welcomed in this household, no matter what."

Harry looked emotional and so did Louis.
"Thank you, Queen Johannah. I appreciate it deeply. You have a wonderful family."

Louis smiled at his mother and mouthed a "thank you".  He knew that he had to talk to her and he embraced himself, scared to be rejected.

He found her later that evening, after he had followed Harry to his door and kissed him good night. She was sitting by the fireplace knitting some socks.
"Mum? Can we talk?" He asked nervously.

"Of course, love. Come here." Queen Johannah smiled and put away her knitting to give her son her full attention. She had a feeling that he was about to tell her something personal, something important.

"Thank you for being so kind to Harry." Louis started off as he took a seat.

"He's a wonderful young man." Queen Johannah said with a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, he's great." Louis said and took a deep breath before he continued.
"Mom, what would you say if I told you that I like him?"

Queen Johannah saw how scared her son was and pulled him in for a hug.
"I would say that's wonderful."

"Mum, I like him." Louis breathed out.

"I'm happy to hear that." Queen Johannah smiled and hugged him harder.