The King

AFTERMATH

She woke up lost and confused. She blinks...what time is it? When did she fall asleep? Her heart jolts.

Where's Arthur? 

She stands up from the chair she was sitting on and walks to the beds. They're empty. She turns around but its very clear she's the only one here. He must have left while she slept. She hears the knocking again and opens the door. It's Maggie.

"you're finally awake" she says and walks in

Bell blinks at her "what time is it?"

"5 in the afternoon" she says and Bell's jaw drops "5?!"

she stars at Maggie "but why-"

"The king told me to let you sleep" she says and Bell says "...oh"

She fidgets "when did he leave?"

"Early mornin- Bell" she says and Bell focuses on her again "yea?"

"you're making all the wrong choices" she says "the king leaving your room at dawn doesn't do any good for your reputation"

she blinks and remembers the fact that they've seen them. The compromising position they were in. She looks down.

"I'm ruined aren't I?" she says softly

"Yes you are" Maggie says honestly

"what was I supposed to do?" she asks, exasperated "kick him out?"

she sighs "no I suppose not"

"he was a patient...he was sick"

"When people tell this story, they won't say that the sick King slept in the court physicians medical rooms. They will say King Arthur slept over in Bluebell's rooms for the night" she says "Katia is meant to be his betrothed..."

"nothing happened" she says "he just slept"

"at least tell me you slept inside your room and away from him"

They haven't told anyone. She should say yes, she should jump to the opportunity but she can't for the life of her lie to her face so coldly.

"I was next to him" she says "In case he needed anything"

she nods and says "Anyways that's not why I'm here" she walks further into the room and sits down on a chair "Arthur has guests today. Friends and important people"

"like a ball?"

"no no no" she says "nothing so formal. It's a friends' gathering. Very closed off and private. You might be called if they needed anything, be ready"

"why would they need me?" she asks

Maggie stops to think then says "they're a rowdy bunch" she leaves and Bell goes to wash up and change her clothes for the day. After Luke came in last night she didn't sleep a wink for the rest of the night. She stayed watching over him until the sun came out and she decided to finish some work at her library. Dusting and preparing some requested herbs and teas ordered by residents in the castle. She must have slept while preparing the last herbal mixture... that means Arthur left while she was working. Why didn't he say anything...how come she didn't notice or hear him go out.

She grabs the bottles she's made and she hurries out the door to the people that have ordered the herbs. A male worker escorts her to these rooms and she knocks the door, gives them the bootle and a line of instructions and leaves. They the same thing repeatedly until she's done with the orders.

"I think you can find your way back to your rooms from here" he says and Bell nods "yes thank you"

He walks away and Bell heads back towards her rooms. Walking down a corridor she spots Luke walking towards her and she contemplates turning around and walking away to not pass by him but it's too late because he has already spotted her. She feels the embarrassment of last night color her face as she looks down and tries to pass by him.