the truest of loves // Timothee Chalamet The King fanfic

Scene Seven

"hello Thomas," i smiled looking at the young orphan before me, "this is is my friend Jack, i brought him to meet you and your friends," i moved to the side so Jack could greet the young boy. they shook hands and i saw that they were both nervous. "come, we shall go play some of the others," i grabbed Thomas' hand and walked further into the orphanage, Jack close behind. we played with the children all day, it was nice to grow closer to the man whom Catherine was madly in love with. i could understand her feelings completely, he was so kind hearted it was so precious. he got to know all of the children and they all adored him after only hours of being there. "Maria? where is Henry?" Thomas and i sat inside while Jack continued to entertain the other children, "he is very busy now that he is king, i promise he will come see you as soon as he is not busy," he frowned, "i have missed him very much," he used his small arms to pull me into a hug. he really did love Henry, just as Henry loved him. then it came to me. Henry did know what love was. Thomas gave Henry love. soon after we had to leave and return to the castle, saying goodbye was hard on my heart, like always, but it had to be done.

"i have really enjoyed today, i can not thank you enough for sharing this special day with me," Jack smiled as we sat inside the carriage, i could not help myself but to return a smile to him. "i am beyond happy that you liked today, the children really seemed to like you," he blushed. "thank you for helping me be here, i know it was you whom had the idea. i had missed Catherine too much, i was beginning to lose hope yet your idea brought the love back into my life," his words brought small tears of joy to my eyes. he was the kindest soul i had ever met, he deserved to be with the love of his life, alike Catherine. "i feel that love should never be hard, the pair of you seem to have something special and i would have hated to see that be destroyed," Jack placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled to me again. i could see his love for Catherine it was as clear as day.

once we had returned to the palace i had to get ready to spend the rest of the evening with Alexander. i saw that Henry's carriage was back and i sighed. i could not take another argument with him. they hurt me so much. i only ever wanted to protect him, not to argue endlessly. i made my way to his room to slip into my own, he was sat at his writing desk and barely realised i entered. he gave me a weak smile and i entered to smaller room. i changed to a red gown with gold detailing, it was beautiful and always reminded me of the one in which my mother had made. my hair rested upon my shoulders and down my back in loose curls. i finally felt ready to meet the man and walked out of the room. Henry's eyes darted to me. he stared for minuets without speaking.

"i have not seen this gown before," he stated, i nodded and began to move. "i looks just like the one your mother had made," he whispered and walked over to me. "it does my friend, it is most beautiful," i smiled admiring the gown. "alike the wearer," he looked to me and smiled. "Lord Alexander Humphries is a lucky man, i hope someone dresses like this for me some day," he gave me a kiss on the cheek and i felt the butterflies return. little did he know i had this gown made due to the story he remembered of the dress. i knew he'd like it. it was for him. "i must go," i barely croaked out still trying to make my butterflies disappear. "i know, go find him," his whispered and watched me leave. i could not wrap my head around these new feeling which rose as Hal touched my skin. it confused me greatly.

there he was, i couldn't help but admire his eyes as i made my way to the wall in which he sat. "hello Alexander," i smiled seeing his bright reaction when he saw me. "Maria- i- you look beautiful," his eyes studied me. "thank you kind sir," i took his hand he held out for me and walked alongside him. "i have a change to our prior plans, i have arranged a small trip for us. if that is fine with you?" i could see his nerves, they only brought more excitement to me. "i would love to," he took me to his carriage and the horseman took us away. we stopped at the sight of a near wood, however i never really came to this area. "come," he whispered and took my hand again, he ran and we laughed as the wind ran through our hair. "just here," i looked down and he had set up a picnic. there were velvet cushions and a large blanket, he lifted candles from a basket and lit them with matches from his pocket. "this is perfect," my words quiet, he looked up to me, "you are perfect."

our night was spent drinking fine wine and eating small snacks. we laughed at each other's childhood stories. i couldn't help but think of Henry. i tried to distract myself with Alexander yet i couldn't seem to completely remove him from my mind. i had the sweetest of evenings with Alexander and we stayed until nightfall came around. "i guess we must make our way back to the palace," i sighed, he nodded, "just wait for a second, i have something," i could see his cheeky smirk which brought happiness to me. "i know we have not known each other the longest yet i can not help but a great connection between us. i know that both of us must get married soon in our lives, however much we might not want to. i feel that it would be best to spend the rest of my life with someone i truly enjoy spending time with, and now i feel that that is you. please do not give me an answer now my sweet Maria, but just know. if you would like to, i would be honoured to take your hand in marriage," my heart exploded. he pulled a ring from the box, it had a great stone, it was truly beautiful. "please take this, if you decide against my proposal keep it, as a reminder of our great bond made this week. i know i do not want to forget it."

i returned to Hal's door alike a happy school child. my heart was filled with joy, maybe i could have the happiness of love. i entered the room and say Hal awake. "hello," i smiled widely. "why are you so happy?" he joked, a small grin appeared on his face, i had missed his smile. "Lord Humphries asked for my hand in marriage. i have not given him an answer however now i know that i won't have to marry a man whom i hate," he faked a smile. "i am happy for you," he walked to me and gave me a tight hug. my butterflies returned. i held him close to me. "Maria," he whispered into my ear. "yes Hal," he nestled his head into the crook of my neck, "you look so beautiful tonight, i can't take my eyes from you," my cheeks heated and i moved to look at him. our eyes met and i found myself lost in the green orbs in front of me. His hands gripped my waist and pulled my body closer to his. our foreheads rested against each other. "he is a lucky man, Maria, many men would do anything to have a woman alike you," he whispered. "yet the man whom i now believe i love does not know what love even is," i now knew. it was Henry. it always had been Henry. i left our embrace and rushed to my small room. "Maria, wait," i turned to him, i could see the shock. i closed the door and instantly prepared for bed. within minuets my head was resting upon the pillow with small tears running from my eyes. his room was silent. not a single sound.