The King's Bride

A Grand Gesture

Everleigh follows Jensen through the corridors, their steps filling the silence around them. She can't help but wonder why he had asked her to walk with him, if he isn't going to say anything to her, but refrains from commenting on it.

They reach the garden, a cool breeze making her dress flow behind her, Jensen leading her through the path illuminated by the moonlight, before stopping at a turn of the path and turning back to her.

-"I know I haven't done anything to earn your trust, My Lady, but will you trust me for just a few moments?" - He can see the hesitation in her eyes, his own hesitation making his hands sweat.

-"Yes."

-"Close your eyes."

Everleigh closes her eyes, feeling one of his hands holding hers while the other comes to rest on her lower back, leading her forward. She wants to see where he is taking her, but instead chooses to trust him, thinking that if there was ever a moment for her to take a leap of faith, this is that moment.

After walking for a few more minutes, the sound of crunching pebbles under their feet the only sound surrounding them, she feels Jensen come to a stop next to her, softly dropping her hand and stepping behind her.

-"You can open your eyes now."

Everleigh opens her eyes and in front of her, in a small corner of the garden, there are orchids everywhere, their perfume hitting her as a breeze can be felt. She takes a short step forward, completely surprised, and wherever her eyes land there are orchids of all different colors.

-"How did you know?" - She turns back at him, surprise still on her face.

-"A little bird told me." - Jensen smirks at her, his hesitation now long gone.

Everleigh chuckles, knowing exactly who that little bird is, having only told one person about her favorite flower.

-"Lady Everleigh, I know I haven't been the best future husband to you. I have allowed my anger towards my father and our circumstances to cloud my judgment when it comes to you. However, I am hoping that we can change what we have now and try and build a relationship, no matter what that looks like. I am sorry for the way I treated you, it wasn't fair to you. I'm sorry."

-"Please, don't, Your Majesty. I know our circumstances aren't what either of us wanted, but if you're willing to try, then so am I. And... Thank you for the flowers."

Everleigh looks back at the orchids and wonders what had made him change his mind, somehow deep down knowing that Mackenzie probably has something to do with it. Despite how they got there, she was being honest when she said that she's willing to try and she would be lying if she said that it didn't make her happy to know that he is too.

She wonders what kind of relationship they will be able to build, as she walks down the path through the orchids she is certain are meant to be seen as a grand gesture, Jensen following her close behind. No matter what kind of relationship they end up having, Everleigh knows she will make sure to give it a proper try, for both their sake and the Kingdom's.