King Henry

"The pleasure is mine, gentlemen." I nod and exit the meeting with the noblemen. If there is one thing about this job that drives me absolutely crazy, it is kissing the asses of the men in the country who hold the most money in their wallets.

Being twenty now, I see the world a little differently than I did when I was first crowned king.

"Your majesty." A woman walks towards me, curtsying before walking right past me without looking back at all.

The brief moment we spent with our eyes locked captivated me. Her piercing brown eyes glowed in the morning sun shining through the windows.

"Wait!" I call out for her. She laughs and picks up her pace, changing her walk to a run.

I follow her. She smiles, her angelic laugh echoes through the castle. She turns a corner.

I have run down these halls countless times since I was a child but something feels different this time. I have not had fun like this in years.

She turns another corner; I have gained significant ground on her this time. I am close enough to smell her perfume. I round the same corner and slam into her. I can tell she was not expecting me to be so close. I was not expecting to collide with her.

"My sincerest apologies, your highness. I-I was only trying to have a little fun. This castle can be quite dull, no offense." she apologizes, my body on top of hers.

"Oh no, please." I shake my head, helping her to her feet once I have risen to mine. "I am the sorry one. I did not mean to slam into you. I lost track of how close I was." She smiles. "What is your name?"

"Lady Serena." She curtsies. "King James sent me here as a candidate to be one of Princess Victoria's Ladies in Waiting-"

"I will have to put a good word in with my sister then."

"You didn't quite let me finish." She smirks.

"Oh?"

"I plan on intentionally flunking the exam that way I can continue my life the way it is."

"You don't want to be the Princess' Lady?"

"It is not the princess I am interested in." Her curly brown hair bounces in her face as she adjusts her stance, looking me up and down. "I must be going. It is almost time for my meeting."

"W-Wait! At least let me treat you to dinner tonight. It is the least I can do after bulldozing you to the ground." I smile, hoping she accepts my request.

"Are you asking me on a date, your highness?" She asks. I can not tell if she is offended or flattered. I hope it is the latter.

"Well, I suppose I am." I shrug. "Is, is that alright?"

"Well then I suppose I shall say yes." She smiles. "I will see you tonight, your highness."

I blink and she is gone.

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