"Falling"

The New Envoy

Jensen is sitting in his office, two days later, when he receives word that the envoy is on their way to the Castle. Dismissing the messenger, he makes his way to his brother's study to inform him and find out what the next steps will be, after sending word to his mother and sister to meet them in the throne room.

For the last two days, Jensen has been wondering who this new envoy could be. If the last one is any indication for this one, then he will have his hands full with him. The last envoy had gone as far as get himself in a deeply compromising situation and it took everything in both Jensen and Josh not to kill him on the spot, specially because it had involved Mackenzie.

But this had been before Josh's refusal to marry Williams' eldest daughter, as well as her death. Now, months later, Jensen wondered if Williams had truly moved past his anger or if this was just a ploy to hurt them at a later point. Either way, Jensen is going to make sure he keeps an eye on this new envoy, just in case.

After telling Josh that the envoy is arriving, Jensen follows his brother into the throne room, knowing Mackenzie and their mother are already there waiting. They will greet the envoy there, showing them they are a tight knit family and there's nothing Williams can do to change that.

Jensen stands near the bottom step of the dais, where Josh sits in the throne, with Mackenzie and their mother standing on either side, his hand laying on the pommel of his sword, ready for whatever is coming.

The doors to the throne room open and to say everyone is surprised is putting it mildly. Behind the soldiers that are escorting them in, is Williams' youngest daughter, Arabella. "Why would he send his only living daughter?", Jensen thought, his hand now relaxing on his sword.

-"Princess Arabella, welcome. We weren't expecting you. Are you the new envoy?" - Josh asks, just as surprised as everyone else, while she bows to him.

-"Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, thank you. Yes, I'm the new envoy. My father believed that by sending me it would show how true his intentions are and that there is no ill will from his part."

-"I see." - Josh nods. -"I just wished King Williams would've told me he was sending you, Your Highness."

-"Why's that, Your Majesty?"

-"Well, to be honest with you, we were expecting a male envoy, not a princess, and all preparations were made with that in mind."

-"Ah, I see. I assure you I don't require much, Your Majesty, just a room to sleep in and some food to get me through the days." - Arabella says, smiling.

-"That can certainly be arranged." - Josh smiles back. -"Mackenzie, will you please escort Princess Arabella to her room. I'm sure you'll want to rest and change before dinner."

-"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Arabella smiles and bows at Josh once more, before following Mackenzie out of the throne room. Josh stands up and takes the few steps down the dais, coming to stand next to Jensen, their mother close behind.

-"That was not what I was expecting." - Jensen says, still surprised with Arabella's presence there.

-"It is highly unusual to send a princess to do an envoy's work, specially since she is now Williams' only daughter." - Donna states, looking back at both her sons.

-"You're right, but maybe we can use that to our advantage." - Josh claims.

-"How?" - Jensen asks, not sure he wants to know.

-"Well, the princess will certainly be looking for a husband while she's here. We can use that to secure a more stable alliance with Williams."

-"We will need to make sure she is introduced to the right people while she is here, then."

-"I'll leave that to you and Mackenzie, mother. After all, she will need some female friends here in Court, and who better that the both of you." - Josh states before seeing Donna nodding and leaving to inform Mackenzie of their plan.

-"Josh, are you sure about this?" - Jensen asks, unsure if he wants to put an innocent woman in the middle of their issues with Williams, if she is truly innocent.

-"I have no idea why Williams sent his daughter instead of someone else, but knowing the old man, I'm sure he is planning something. We need to get ahead of him, and make sure that, if push comes to shove, we have an ace up our sleeve."

Josh walks away after that, leaving Jensen behind. As much as he hates to admit, he has to agree with Josh, it will be better to have something to use against Williams than to be caught completely unaware.

However, Jensen can't help but wonder if maybe the Princess is innocent in all of this. Maybe Williams truly wants to reestablish their relations and has sent the Princess instead because of that. Or maybe he is up to something, and she might not even know about it. Or maybe she does know.

Jensen shakes his head, trying to clear it. Too many what ifs are already flooding his mind and he can't afford to get distracted by them. He has a King and Court to protect, and the last thing he needs is to be caught off guard.

Whatever the Princess knows, or doesn't know, only time will tell. Until then he will deal with things on a daily basis. Hopefully, nothing bad will happen and life can resume its peaceful pace.