''Flying''

Why Did I Come?

Walking into the Grand Hall that night, Henry can feel all eyes on him. Striding straight to Josh, grabbing a glass of wine on the way and downing it in one swift movement, he greets the man and thanks him for the Ball in his honor.

Josh greets him back and halts the musicians, wanting to publicly make a toast to Henry and thank him for his presence and friendship. Everyone raises their glasses and cheers in agreement, even if some don't agree at all.

Henry raises his empty glass and looks around, spotting Lady Arabella standing next to Mackenzie raising her own glass. He locks eyes with her and tilts his head at her. She nods back at him in acknowledgment but quickly looks away. Henry can't help but smirk at her reaction.

He turns to Josh.

-"Thank you again for the Ball, Josh, although it wasn't needed."

-"I just figured it would be a good way for you to meet some of the Lords in my Court. I know you hate these things, but some of them were really keen on meeting you." - Josh sees Henry nodding, but his eyes aren't on him. They are on Bella. -"Be patient. This isn't an easy decision for her and she needs time."

-"For her, I'll wait for as long as she needs me to."

Henry smiles at Josh, before walking away to refill his glass. He wasn't lying, he will wait for as long as she needs him to. She is the priority here, she is in charge here, all he can do is wait for her and he will, for as long as it will take her to make a decision.

He grabs a fresh glass off the table and walks over to where Mackenzie and Lady Arabella are.

-"Mackenzie. Lady Arabella." - Henry bows his head at both women.

-"Your Majesty."

-"Henry. Enjoying the Ball?"

-"It's been a minute since I've truly enjoyed something like this, Mackenzie. But I will do my best to enjoy this one, even if I don't see the point of parading around a room filled with Lords and Ladies that want nothing more that to see me as far away from them as possible."

-"When someone goes to great lengths to put together a Ball for you, Your Majesty, the least you can do is pretend to enjoy it." - Bella's jaw tightens.

-"It seems I've touched a nerve."

-"If you don't enjoy them, why attend?"

-"I'm not completely out of manners, My Lady. I wouldn't want to offend my hosts by skipping the Ball they are so generously throwing in my honor."

-"That would be better, than you sneering at it."

-"I wonder if perhaps it was you, Lady Arabella, who organized it?" - Henry gives her a mischievous grin.

-"As a matter of fact, yes, I did." - Pride drips from every word. -"And I expected better from the man who supposedly wishes to court me."

-"I don't see what one thing has to do with the other. I wish to court you as a person, not as an event planner."

-"You're as thick as our cook's custard!"

Lady Arabella storms away, Mackenzie following close behind with an entertained smile on her face, and Henry can't help but think that this could've gone a whole lot better.

-"That is not the way to convince her to agreeing to be courted by you."

-"Lady Alexis." - Henry bows his head as he turns and sees the young lady standing behind him with a shy smile on her lips. -"It seems Lady Arabella has already spoken to you."

-"She has, but I'm leaving that conversation to the two of you. However, I wonder if I can give you a piece of unsolicited advise."

-"Sure." - He smiles amused.

-"My mother has been through enough in her life that would make a weaker person fall onto their knees and beg for mercy. Instead, she took all the pain, suffering and rage, and made herself stronger. The last thing she needs is someone coming along and tell her that all of that was for nothing and that she isn't good enough."

"All my mother wants is to help those around her and if that help looks like organizing a Ball in your honor, then you should really be honored that she has organized one of the best Balls in recent years, at least according to some Ladies present."

-"Is that so?" - Henry feels the regret starting to sink in, seeing Lady Alexis nod.

-"If you can't see my mother for who and all that she is, then you should seriously reconsider your request to court her, Your Majesty."

Lady Alexis bows and leaves. Henry's eyes are locked on the young Lady's back, while he wonders how in the world did he just got a life lesson from a fourteen year old and it actually made sense.

Henry downs his wine and thinks that maybe he should've done as Lady Arabella said and not attend this Ball altogether.