The Royal Entanglement - Not A Fairytale

CH 10: THE REVEAL

It was the day of the jousting event. Everybody gathered at the jousting ground. The sisters reached the jousting ground. They made their way to the crowd to find Henry sitting in the front row. The sisters quickly greeted Henry before sitting next to him.
“You look upset”, said Mary.
“Of course, I am upset, I wanted to joust but the physician strictly prohibited me to do so”, said Henry.
“It’s alright, we can still bet on which house wins”, said Laura as she tried to cheer Henry up.
“Well I suppose I have no choice”, said Henry.
“Do you always have to sound so disappointed “, said Mary.
“What is the bet? “, said Henry.
“ If I win, you will have to reveal the person you are planning to court “, said Mary
“You seem so sure that I have someone on mind”, said Henry.
“I know you very well Henry. It is obvious you have someone on mind “, said Mary.
“Very well. I will. What if I win?”, said Henry.
Mary’s stomach twisted into a knot. It was confirmed that Henry did have someone on mind
“I will reveal who I am planning to court”, said Mary as she gathered up her courage.
Henry raised an eyebrow. He smiled accepting the challenge.
“ I bet House Aster is going to win”, said Henry.
“You seem so sure about it”, said Mary.
“Of course, I used to joust with Lord Aster. I don’t usually complement my competitors, but he was really good at jousting. ”, said Henry.
“ I bet House Campton is going to win”, said Mary.
“ Ah Lord Campton, just because he won the last time, it does not mean he is going to win again.”, said Henry.
“We will just have to watch the game to find that out “, said Mary.
Soon the jousting started. First it was House Amber against House Aster followed by House Ashwood against House Campton.
Lord Amber and Lord Aster took their positions. The first round of jousting began. Both the riders galloped in the opposite directions towards one another. The crowd kept cheering. Both Mary and Henry were on the edge of their seats. As soon as they approached one another, Lord Aster aimed his lance at Lord Amber. It was too late for Lord Amber to defend the lance with the shield. Lord Amber was knocked off of his horse. The crowd broke into cheers. Henry smirked  at Mary celebrating the victory.
Soon the second round began as Lord Ashwood and Lord Campton took their positions. As soon as the game began, Lord Campton sent Lord Ashwood toppling down with expertise.
The final round was held between Lord Aster and Lord Campton. As the horns blew, both the riders galloped towards each other. Both their lances struck the others’ shield. They went back to their positions and galloped towards one another again. Mary could feel her hands shaking. The jousting bet would decide her fate. She leaned forward as she anxiously waited. Lord Campton quickly lunged his lance at Lord Aster and seconds later Lord Aster fell off of his horse. The crowd erupted into cheers chanting Lord Campton’s name. Mary sat back before glancing at Henry. She could feel her heart thumping hard .
“You owe me the answer “ , she said as she turned towards Henry.
“ I will answer your questions at supper”, said Henry as he left.
It was finally supper time. Mary has been waiting all day for Henry’s arrival. Those couple of hours seemed like an eternity. As soon as Henry arrived she rushed towards him.
“ Let me remind you that you owe me an answer”, said Mary trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.
“I remember”, said Henry as he took a seat.
All the nobles were gathered at the dinner table. Lord Balmont gave a short speech congratulating Lord Campton on his victory as he raised a toast.
“To Lord Campton!”, said Lord Balmont.
“To Lord Campton”, repeated the nobles as they lifted their glasses of wine.
Mary was completely focused on her thoughts, although she was present at the dinner table , her mind was occupied with thoughts about Henry.
“Are you planning on answering or no”, whispered Mary.
“Good Lord, you seem so invested in it”, Henry whispered back.
“Answer my question”, said Mary.
“Do I have to?”, said Henry.
“Do not test my patience Henry. You owe me an answer right here and right now”, said Mary as she started to lose her temper.
“Alright, I do not seem to have any choice. I am planning on courting-“
The next word Henry was going to utter would completely change her life. Mary’s palms were drowned in sweat, her heart thumping loud enough that she could hear her own heartbeat. Her stomach twisted with sour.
“ - Lady Laura”, said Henry.
For a second the whole world stopped. The loud chattering of nobles, the sound of the festivities and fire crackers, the sound of the spoons and plates clattering, were both deafeningly loud and scarily quiet at the same time. It felt as if the whole world crashed down. Mary could immediately feel tears rushing from her eyes. It took all the strength in her to hold them back .She stopped all the emotions that were flooding inside her as she looked at Henry. Mary quickly glanced at her sister who was sitting far across from her.
“MY GOODNESS” YOU HAVE BEEN PLANNING TO COURT MY SIST- “, Mary was cut off with Henry shushing her.
All the nobles stopped to look at them.
“Is everything alright?”, asked Lord Balmont.
“Yes Lord Balmont. Lady Mary was just sharing her favourite line in the poem she has been reading lately”, said Henry.
“Ye-Yes My Lords, I apologize for being so loud.”, said Mary.
The nobles resumed their conversations.
“YOU WERE PLANNING TO COURT MY SISTER????”, whispered Mary.
“Yes, but you didn’t have to be so loud”, said Henry.
“My apologies, I was just surprised.”, said Mary.
All the emotions inside her welled up. She could feel herself holding back her tears with all her strength.
“Do-Does she know?”, asked Mary , her voice shaking.
“No and Mary please do not speak of this with anyone. I cannot afford to have scandals or rumours about me at court”, said Henry.
“You needn’t worry. You’re secret is safe with me”, said Mary.
Thankfully the supper ended. Mary quickly headed to her chambers as she slammed the doors closed. She broke down crying. She cried so hard that she barely breathed. Her cheeks red, her hands cold with her palms held tight in a fist with frustration and anger. She could feel her head spinning, her whole world shaking and collapsing as she lay on the cold hard floor, crying herself to sleep.

A/N : Welp the story just took a turn. What do you guys think will happen next? Thanks for your support. Please share your views in the comments 😊