''Flying''

A New Arrival

It's been two days since Bella spoke with Henry and she is starting to get worried. She knows he's still in the Castle, having seen him a few times over the course of the last few days, but they have yet to talk. It almost seems like he is avoiding her.

She thought she could find him this morning, but the visit they have been expecting has arrived and she is now stuck in the Throne Room having to greet him alongside the rest of the Royal Family.

Bella just spent the last two days organizing a Ball for Lord Alexander Roberts, one of Josh's oldest friends. According to Mackenzie, they have known Alexander since they were children and, according to some of the Ladies in Court, he is one of the more eligible bachelors in the Kingdom.

Josh welcomes Alexander in the Throne Room and Bella's attention in brought back to the man standing before them bowing. Josh speaks with the man for a few minutes before turning to Mackenzie and asking if everything's ready for the Ball that night.

Mackenzie tells him that it is before excusing herself and Bella to attend to a few last minute details, leaving the room with Donna following them out. Once they're far enough away, Bella hears Mackenzie saying that she never liked Alexander, before looking over her shoulder and seeing the man looking at Bella, making a shiver run down Bella's spine.

***

-"So, how long are you planning on staying?" - Josh asks Alexander.

-"As long as it will take me to find a wife."

-"Have someone in mind?" - Josh saw the way he looked at Bella.

-"Perhaps. But I rather not say who just yet."

-"Fair enough. We'll have plenty of time to talk about who your future wife will be."

Josh leads Alexander out of the room and to his study, already not liking the way he looked at Bella, but thinking that maybe once he finds out about Bella and Henry, Alexander might change his mind.

They enter Josh's study and sit across from each other, Josh's desk firmly in between them.

-"So, tell me. Are the rumors true?"

-"What rumors?"

-"The rumors that claim the Devil is wanting to court Lady Arabella."

-"Yes, they're true."

-"Now why would you agree to that? Specially considering his reputation."

-"For a few reasons that aren't mine to tell, this is a decision that isn't mine to make."

-"And whose was it, then?"

-"Bella's." - Josh doesn't like the way Alexander is questioning this decision.

-"How serious do you think this courtship is?"

-"Don't know. That is entirely up to Bella, not me."

-"Maybe there's still hope for saving her from the Devil."

-"If there's one thing Bella doesn't need, is to be saved. She is more than capable of saving herself." - Josh smirks.

-"Even so, Lady Arabella shouldn't have to deal with the Devil. And considering what happened with the Devil's first wife, she is probably not very safe with him anyways."

-"What happened to Queen Sloane was tragic, but in no way a reflection of Henry as a man or a King." - Josh says sternly.

-"Of course not. But Lady Arabella would be a lot safer with someone who doesn't make enemies everywhere they go."

-"Bella will be fine. And what news do you have from your neck of the woods?"

It takes everything in Josh not to tell his friend off. He needs to warn Bella about Alexander, since it just became clear to Josh that Alexander has his eyes on Bella and is going to try and pursue her. He almost feels sorry for the man. Almost.