''Flying''

''The Truth, Please.''

The ride was exactly what Bella needed. The quiet of the woods cleared her head and gave her the strength she needed to face the busy day she had ahead of her. Dealing with Ladies and Lords that all wanted something wasn't easy, but between her and Mackenzie, they made it work.

As she enters the courtyard, she finds Jared there waiting for her. The look on his face tells her that something's wrong.

-"'Morning, Jared. Everything alright?"

-"'Morning. Josh sent me to make sure you made it back okay." - There was a hint of anger in his voice that didn't go unnoticed by Bella.

-"Okay. What's wrong? I can already tell that something's wrong."

-"Nothing's wrong."

-"Jared. This is me you're talking to. Start talking." - The man in front of her takes a deep breath.

-"Fine. Lord Roberts told Josh that you made it sound as if you're not happy to have to be escorted by guards on your ride and that it is too dangerous for you to go out without them. He made it sound as if the guards weren't doing their job in protecting you."

-"Jared, I would never dismiss any guards responsible for my safety. You know that."

-"Bella... Have you ever been displeased by the protection by men give you? Or with any of them individually?"

-"Every man that you placed to protect me has done so exemplary. Plus, I enjoy their company. If at any point I were to dislike any of them, I would come to you personally and tell you about it."

-"I'm sorry. You know your safety is important to me because of..."

-"Because of Jensen. I know. And I appreciate all you do to keep me and Alexis safe." - She smiles at him.

-"Thank you, Bella. Can I escort you back to the Castle?"

-"Of course."

They walk side by side in silence for a few minutes, Jared still struggling with having let his emotions take over the way they did. Bella and Alexis are important to him, specially after Jensen died.

When Alexis was almost taken by the Rogues, it took a lot longer for Jared to forgive himself than he would probably admit. He still feels as if he has let his best friend and Commander down, by not being there to protect her.

And now, Jared has to contend with the fact that there's a high possibility that their protection will no longer be his job to ensure, but King Cavill's. He breaks the silence first.

-"Have you made a decision? About King Cavill's request?"

-"Not yet. What do you think about him?"

-"It isn't my place."

-"You were Jensen's best friend. Your opinion matters to me, Jared."

Jared stops walking and turns to her.

-"Do you want the truth or what I'm supposed to say?"

-"The truth, please." - She smiles softly at him.

-"If you had asked me when he first arrived, I would've told you not to accept, that he is the Devil and that nothing good could come of it."

-"And now?" - He sighs at her question.

-"He has shown that maybe he isn't as bad as everyone thinks. He didn't have to go after Alexis when she was attacked by the Rogues. He could've waited for me and my men to get her back, but didn't. Maybe it was a ploy to get you to accept his request, but..."

-"But?"

-"But... I have watched him more closely since that day and I truly believe that he wants what's best for both you and Alexis."

-"Henry has been open about his true intentions regarding his request, and he has asked if we could be friends, no matter what my decision is."

-"For what it's worth, I think he is a much better suitor than any other Lord that is currently in Court."

-"I think so too."

Bella starts walking again, Jared falling in step next to her with ease. He meant what he said. Out of all the Lords in Court, King Cavill is the better suitor and Jared truly believes that he will take good care of Bella and Alexis, something that Jared knows it's something Jensen would want.

Now, only time will tell if he is right or not.