King Henry

A soft knock at my door startles me. I do not want anyone seeing me in this vulnerable state. A head pokes in and the door opens slowly.

"Ah, Lady Serena, please come in." I smile, adjusting the blankets on my legs.

"I heard you were not feeling well. I brought you some flowers I picked this morning." She hands them to me. "I also wanted to explain why I ran off the other night."

I nod. "You do not need to explain yourself. I understand. My sister can be a lot."

"It has nothing to do with the princess. It has everything to do with you actually."

"Oh, me?" I ask. "I never meant to make you feel uncomfortable."

"Well, maybe not you specifically but your role." She clarifies. "I am absolutely keen on the idea of going on a second date with you but I keep getting tripped up on thinking of what that means."

"Forgive me for coming off as dumb, but I am confused." I laugh. "Perhaps it is the medication."

"Being seen with you means more than being seen with another boy." She sits on a chair beside me. "Let me try to explain." She thinks. "I don't want to be Queen. How's that?"

I nod. "You are afraid being seen with me is a life long deal."

"I really like you I just don't like the glitz and the glamor of the royal life."

I laugh. "Royal life is anything but glitz and glamor, Serena." I shake my head. "It is the worst! I wouldn't wish it on anyone at all."

"You do not make a very good salesman, your highness." She laughs, hiding her face for a moment.

"I am not trying to sell you on this life. In fact, I am trying to turn you off of it! It is rubbish. People die around here all the time. I just wanted to spend some quality time with a quality girl."

"Well, I'd like to spend some quality time with a quality boy as well." She smiles. "If I could have the honor?"

"I would very much like that as well."

"Great." Her face lights up.

"And for what it's worth, I think you would truly get along very well with my sister. These are her favorite flowers. And she loves being outdoors, just like you. I think you should reconsider being one of her ladies." I grab her hand. "She's the best royal of us all."

*
Don't forget to vote and comment!!