Of Blood and Fire

Chapter 12 - Henri

This chapter has not yet been edited nor finalized. I should really get on that.

Henri thought he'd have a constant headache for the rest of his life. After only two hours of tea and conversation, his skull felt like it was splitting open down the middle. He tried to slide out of the limelight but each time he shrank back, someone asked him a direct question, or asked his opinion on this or that, and what could he do but respond?

He was a little unsure of some of these girls. His father had once laughed about females' cutthroat attitudes, but now he knew it wasn't a joke. These ladies had a frightening killer instinct – he found himself hoping that they'd take themselves out of the competition.

Henri glanced up again as the raven-haired girl – Jemma – giggled lightly. The studio's unnatural bright light stabbed into his eyes but he forced himself not to flinch away or squint. This is too important.

"Well, of course, all of us are thrilled to be here in the palace," Jemma was saying, "And of course, we're all looking forward to – um – getting to know dear Prince Henri better."

He barely held back from rolling his eyes. Couldn't be a little more enthusiastic, could you? "Dear Henri". "I'm looking forward to getting to know you, too," he chipped in, with much more grace than what would be palace protocol per usual. When did we switch from that one girl Khani to this? "And to choosing the next Queen of Arehlia."

Jemma nodded, looking relieved. "Right."

"Queen Regina – Your Majesty – how did you meet King Ryan?" asked a girl with stunning emerald eyes that matched her gown. Sora. Only a quick glance at Jemma showed how she sympathized, and why she had changed the subject. "We've never really heard about it."

Queen Regina smiled and Henri let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He didn't think his mother would be so welcoming to these girls, and for some reason, he didn't want to Sora to be sent off first. Because only my parents and I know for sure there's an elimination after this. He wanted to get to know her. She seemed to be an interesting lady, especially with the experience of living poor under her belt.

"I was born in Nerali," Regina began. "Things are different there. The women don't compete. Princesses are married off to princes of other kingdoms."

Henri felt himself zoning out and focused on his mother, observing every detail of her face. She had laugh lines around her mouth, barely visible. Her elegant hairdo was set asymmetrical by two ringlets, one on each side of her cheeks, differentiating in lengths.

"Now, King Ryan –" She allowed herself a small blush. "He was born a year or so before I was. And from the moment of my birth, I was betrothed to him."

Margareta swooned. "How romantic!"

"Yes." Regina beamed. "I didn't actually meet him until I was fifteen years old and, being a stubborn teenager with a substantial amount of power, I insisted I meet the man I would someday marry. So I was allowed to go with the next Neralese delegation to the Arehlian royal palace..."

All of the girls were rapt with attention. "And?"

"And it was love at first sight," Queen Regina told them dreamily.

"CUT!" bellowed a cameraman. Henri glanced up, swamped with relief. I thought that would never end! He was up and out of his seat in half a heartbeat, but then he felt his mother's hand on his shoulder. He turned.

It wasn't his mother.

It was the green-eyed girl.

"I just wanted to say, thank you for not absolutely humiliating Jemma," she said. Her tone was light but her expression was serious. "I knew a lot of people who would, just to see her flounder."

Surprised, Henri stuttered, "T-thank you, um, uh..."

"I'm Sora," she said.

Henri nodded. "I know." He shook his head for half a second

She gazed at him for a long moment, opened her mouth as if to speak, then closed it again. Her grip on his shoulder slackened, then disappeared as her hand withdrew. "I know you have doubts," she said, glancing down and then looking him square in the face. "Any rational person would. But honestly...you're going to make a wonderful king. Even if the most horrible girl is your queen – although I'm positive you have better judgement than that – you're kind and caring and thoughtful." She stopped for a moment and tilted her head. "Arehlia will thrive under your rule."

Is she trying to get ahead of the competition by flattering me? Henri wondered. But her body language was so clear, so genuine... For a lady with her upbringing, I'd expect her to be a little more vicious.

When he looked up, Sora had disappeared.    

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GUYSGUYSGUYS DID YOU NOTICE???

I'M RANKED! OHH YES! OH MAN! 

*cough* ahem, anyways...They meet! Sora and Henri! Lordy lord I'm so excited. Big plans, big plans. Tell all of your friends to read me on Wattpad so they can join in the fun. Okay that sounds weird. But whatever. Tell everyone!

Well! It's Snowfall, and peace out!