the truest of loves // Timothee Chalamet The King fanfic

Scene Six

Henry and i greeted the villagers as we walked through the streets. we gave some gold coins to local businesses to thank them for the support they give to the community, they thanked us profusely. as we travelled further into the area i saw so many familiar faces, it brought so much joy to me when they smiled in my direction. before Hal and i returned to living in the castle, before his kingship, we had so many friends down here, it was almost alike a family. "Henry, Maria, i can not believe my eyes," a girl said from behind us, we turned to the voice and both smiled brightly, 'twas our old friend Lillian. she had spent the last few months with us before we left, i had missed my times with her. "you two look- royal" she chuckled lightly, Lillian had hardly ever seen us in formal attire since when living down here we felt it was unneeded. "that's the point Lil," Henry laughed, i had once thought the two of them had something for each other however i pushed it to the back of my mind to avoid awkwardness. or maybe it was because i was jealous. the two stared at me while i was zoned out and lost in my thoughts, "Maria, you look so beautiful," she said sweetly, her eyes focused on me, "thank you Lil, i must say i have missed you." we all caught up for a while and spoke about how life had changed. she informed us she must leave and then it became just the two of us. we retreated to our old home alike most times we visited.

"it was so very lovely to see Lilian again," i smiled as we sat down at our shared table. "i must agree," i couldn't help but feel a small pain in my chest. was this jealously? it could not be, i did not have a silly crush on my best friend. "you know, i have to agree with Lil, you do look extremely beautiful today Maria," i blushed at his comment and looked to the ground, "thank you Hal, i must say, you are a very handsome man. no wonder you have all of the ladies in this kingdom swooning over you," my eyes turned back to him, he was smiling, his bright eyes looking deeply into me. "let us return home, the people will be wondering of our whereabouts," he sighed and took my hand in his. i could not help but feel butterflies in my stomach.

"look at them," Henry whispered to me pointing to Catherine and Jack at the dinner table. they hadn't took their eyes from each other, it was a heartwarming sight. "Catherine, we have to attend an event together upon the evening of tomorrow," she nodded and whispered something to Jack whom still looked extremely nervous around the king. "Jack, i have some plans to visit a near by orphanage tomorrow, you may come if you would like?" i asked, i did not want him to spend tomorrow alone in this large palace. i knew from first hand experience how lonely these stone wall can get. "i would love to assist you," he smiled. Henry looked down to his feet with a frown, he usually assisted me on these visits yet he could not this time. i knew how dearly he loved the children. my father and mother used to visit and after they passed i made it my obligation to continue their support. i grew to love the children and cherish my time watching them grow. "i wish i could have came Maria, make sure to send the children my greeting. Say hello to Thomas for me please," Thomas and Henry has a special relationship, as a he baby was left upon the steps of the orphanage, Hal had just lost his brother to war. He asked the orphanage to name the baby after his late younger brother. he loved the child dearly. "of course i will, i am sure that you can make up the time when you are no longer busy my friend," i couldn't help but see the disheartened emotion he tried so hard to hide.

"i am meeting with Lord Humphries tomorrow," Henry looked at me with a fake smile, i could not tell if he was stressed with his responsibilities or if he did not want me to see the lord. "what about your plans with Jack?" i couldn't help but feel he was hiding something from me. "i am seeing Jack after meeting with Alexander," his eyes widened, "Alexander hey, first name? i didn't know you two grew that close," his words bitter. "Hal i did not know if his lordship until you told me of him," a small laugh left my lips, "seems humble," he mumbled under his breath. "why are you in such a bitter mood? have i done something to turn your emotions sour?" i could not deal with his underlying rudeness any longer although he was my king he was still my best friend. "is that any way to talk to your king?" he became angry, "my king? i thought we were friends Hal. i guess i was wrong, i apologise your highness. now please excuse me, or am i no longer allowed to leave, my king?" my voice filled with my aggravation. he stared at me, his eyes did not look like those of my best friend. they looked like a man whom had lost control. not a word left his lips as his eyes pierced me. i turned around and left the room, slamming the door upon my exit.

i walked through the hallways far to angered to notice i that someone was behind me. "Maria? is that you?" i turned at the familiar voice and smiled. "hello Alexander, may i ask what you are doing up at this time?" i walked closer to the tall man. "i could not sleep, i heard a loud bang and wanted to ensure everyone was safe," i could see he was truthful in his words. "i find myself in the same position," i lied, i had not even tried to sleep, i was too busy arguing with my now prior best friend. we walked out to the grounds and i told him of my day in the village. we sat on a stone wall near the archery targets, i felt myself shiver at the cold wind. "please, take this," he handed me his large jacket lined with wool. "thank you, my lord" he looked shocked at my use of his title, "i assume you now know more of me, and my title?" i nodded and he looked to the floor. "please may we not use these formalities? i can not help but feel alike people's ways change once they bring status into things. i hope we can just look past status and truly get to know the person behind the title?" i couldn't help but smile at his words. i pulled his jacket tighter around me and he placed his arm around my shoulders. "i would love nothing more, Alexander," he looked down to me, "and i, Maria."

after growing closer to Alexander i decided it was my time to settle for the night. i made my way back to the kings room and opened the door slowly to avoid waking him. to my surprise he was still awake, bottle in hand. i sighed and just tried to make my way to the small room attached to his own. "Maria? please wait," i looked at his sad eyes and couldn't help but feel bad despite his actions from the earlier hours of the night. "yes my king," my face was blank, yet i wanted to do nothing more than comfort him. he snapped at me, not the other way around. i should not have felt this deep sadness. "please, forgive me. you are my best friend. you are the only person i have left and now i am losing you. i am sorry," he placed the empty bottle on the table and walked to me. i froze in my position. i could smell the alcohol on his breath. "you are not losing me your majesty, i am truly tired. may i rest?" i saw his eyes glaze with more tears. "your majesty? you say i am not losing you yet with this names i feel i already have. i have ruined my only true relationship. i was the cause of the loss of our friend Falstaff and now i am the cause of the loss of you. the only person i had left," he placed his head in his hands and sunk to the floor. "it was not your fault Falstaff is gone, it is no ones fault but the Dauphins. he is gone now," i sat beside him. he rested his head on my shoulder. "is this his?" he asked referring to the jacket, "it belongs to Alexander, he has comforted me tonight," i stated. "i am glad you find comfort in him," Henry weakly smiled through his tears. "let us rest," i pulled him from the floor and brought him to his best.

"can you stay with me again?" he whispered, i knew that i would regret saying no however i knew i could not say yes. "i am sorry Hal but i must rest alone." with that i entered the small room and fell onto the bed. "fuck," i heard him angrily shout. i did not want to disturb his thoughts so i just allowed myself to sleep.