Sleep Well

"You really do not have to walk me back to my room, I can make it back myself," Maria said matter-of-factly to Arthur the second they were alone in the hall.

"I don't mind it," he replied while still holding onto her hand.

Maria's hand tingled where he touched her, and she had to admit that she did not mind him walking her back, either.

"I know I told your father that I would make sure you got to bed, but we have not had a chance to talk about what happened this morning. Or about the fact that we're now engaged to be married."

Maria felt her body tense and she struggled to remember to breathe. "We have a whole five days that we'll be locked away in a carriage together. Shouldn't we just end today on a better note and take the time to really discuss everything tomorrow after we've gotten some sleep? We've both had a long day, and I know it's because of my faults, but I promise to answer any questions or concerns you may have. I owe you that, at least."

"I'd rather we discuss it now. I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep well without knowing," he admitted.

She looked up at him, and his forehead was pinched with slight worry. It was such a different countenance from the confident or expressionless ones he usually wore.

Her heart ached, knowing that his pain was her doing, so she said, "Of course".

He let out a breath of relief, and they continued to walk in silence until they reached her room and Maria pushed the door open for them to enter.

"Oh goodness, please excuse me! I'll be on my way," Alexandria, who had been waiting to help the princess retire for the evening, exclaimed in surprise when she saw Maria enter her room hand-in-hand with her fiancé.

Maria jumped in shock and pulled her hand away from Arthur just as he said, "No, I'm sorry, you stay. I just wanted to see that she got to her room safely".

Maria was puzzled by his change of plans, so she looked to Alexandria and said, "Would you mind giving us a minute?"

"My Lady, of course! I'll wait outside," Alexandria replied as she blushed and closed the door behind her upon her exit.

Once they were alone, she turned to Arthur just as he said, "It's your last night here. You and your maid should spend time together and say your goodbyes. I'm sure you both will need it. Like you said, we will have five days alone together so we can discuss everything then".

"You're sure?" she asked him.

He nodded in response and gave her a smile that did not seem too convincing.

Feeling the need to comfort him, she reached for his hand and gave it a small squeeze. "Thank you, Arthur."

He tensed under her touch and Maria noticed him look at her in the way he tended to do right before he kissed her.

She froze too and waited for him to be the one to initiate since she felt like she lost that privilege after how she had broken his heart, but instead of leaning towards her, he simply said, "Sleep well".

He pulled his hand from hers and made his way out of the door.

Maria felt empty from his cold departure, but before she could dwell on it, Alexandria joined her. "Oh dear, I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

"Of course not, Alex," Maria said before she started to get lost in thought. "Can you believe it's my last night here? Doesn't seem real yet."

Maria was looking down at the ground but she heard Alexandria sigh and make her way over to the princess.

Alexandria engulfed the princess in a hug and stroked her hair. "We always knew this day would come. Not that it makes it any easier."

"Alex," Maria started in a small whisper, but she kept choking on the sobs that were threatening to make an appearance.

"I know, my child. I love you, too."

Maria felt the warm tears run down her face, and she held tightly onto the woman who helped raise her. "Everything that I am is because of you. Thank you for always being there for me. This life can be lonely, but you always made sure that mine wasn't."

Alexandria pulled away and cupped Maria's face in her hands while she looked right into the princess's eyes. "It has always been a pleasure. I would have had my life go no other way if it meant I would not have gotten to see you grow up into the beautiful lady that you have become. I am so incredibly proud of you, my dear child."

Maria pushed herself back into Alexandria's arms and the two women held each other as they both cried.

After a while, without a word being said, Alexandria started to get Maria prepared for bed.

Once Maria was tucked in for the night, the maid placed a kiss on her forehead and said, "Tomorrow is a new day filled with new adventures. Get some sleep and I'll be here right when you wake up."

Maria nodded and Alexandria got up and started to blow out all of the candles throughout the room.

She took one last look at the princess in her bed before she walked out of the bedroom to return to her own chambers.