Bella always hated pacing the corridor outside of Josh's study, memories of the last two times she did flooding back and a small, sad smile makes its way to her lips. Josh is still in his meeting with the Private Council, but had summoned her nonetheless, so all she can do now is wait for it to be over.
She has no idea why he would send for her, usually he would either talk to or send a message to Mackenzie, and then Mackenzie would tell her, but today he had send for her directly, which is odd in itself.
Bella tries to distract herself by thinking about the past week, noticing that the overall mood of the Castle had improved the moment Alexander left. Mackenzie had told her that he hadn't been that happy with Josh sending him home and had told anyone that was willing to listen that Bella had poisoned Josh against him.
She had been outraged at the accusation, willing to clear her name from such accusations, but Mackenzie had reassured her that it wouldn't be necessary, since, somehow, everyone in the Castle had found out what his men did to the two women. And if that wasn't enough, they still remembered what she had done to try and prevent a war between her father and Josh.
Bella wonders how people found out about Alexander and Henry, knowing that they had kept everything very quiet, but somehow people still found out. She hears the door to Josh's study open and quickly pushes those thoughts aside, as the Lords begin to leave, greeting her as they pass.
Once the last Lord walks out of the study, Bella makes her way inside, the doors closing behind her.
-"You wanted to see me?"
-"Yes. I need a favor."
-"If it's something I can do, of course."
-"I need you to go to Eldanesh and personally deliver the first of the agreed upon set of supplies."
-"Why me? There are much more qualified people to do that."
-"Amongst those supplies, I will be sending something that's unique to our Kingdom and I don't trust anyone else to deliver it."
-"What can possibly be that important that you need me, of all people, to deliver?"
-"A flower that only grows in our Kingdom." - He smiles softly at her.
-"Are you really sending me because of a flower?"
-"I am. Henry had mentioned it and, as a confirmation of our alliance, I promised I would send one. I know you are aware of its importance and, honestly, I don't trust any of my envoys to care about it as much as I know you will, given your love for flowers. If you want, you can take Alexis with you. I'm sure she will love to see Henry's gardens."
-"Josh… Are you sending me because you're trying to make things right between me and Henry?"
-"No. This is about the alliance and not what happened between you and Henry. But I'll understand if you don't feel comfortable going. I just figured you were the right person for this, since you love flowers and would make sure that the flower would get there alive and in one piece."
-"When am I supposed to leave?" - Bella sighs.
-"Does this mean you'll do it?"
-"Do I have any other choice? You're right about me making sure the flower gets there alive."
-"Thank you, Bella. You'll leave in two days."
-"Alright then. I'll make sure everything is delivered."
-"I have no doubts about it. And, again, if you want to take Alexis with you, that's fine."
-"I'll talk to Alexis and go from there. Now, if you'll excuse me, apparently I have to plan for a trip."
Bella leaves the study and heads straight to Mackenzie's room, sure that the woman is behind this. Sending her on a diplomatic mission, and not just any diplomatic mission but one to Henry's Kingdom, has to have a finger of Princess Mackenzie in it, Bella is sure of it.