The stables were always one of Alexis' favorite places and Bella knew that's where she would find her daughter. After checking the library, where she was supposed to be having one of her lessons, and finding it empty, she knew there was only one of two places where her daughter could be. And she already ruled out the lake.

Bella walks in the stables where she knows Alexis' horse is kept and quickly finds the young woman brushing her horse.

-"Shouldn't you be in one of your lessons, young lady?"

-"Mother! Lady Parrish wasn't feeling well, so I figured I would come down and brush Spot."

-"I thought you might when I found the library empty." - Bella smiles at her, but turns serious a second later. -"Lexi, there's something I need to talk to you about."

-"Is everything alright?" - Alexis turns fully towards her, the brush now forgotten on a little stool nearby.

-"Everything's fine, but I will be going on a diplomatic mission in two days and I was thinking that maybe you would like to come."

-"Really?" - She gives Bella a wide smile, seeing her mother nod in response.

-"It won't be an easy ride, though, since we aren't taking a carriage, and it will be a three days ride before we get to where we are going. Which means we will be sleeping in tents in the middle of the woods and washing up in creeks."

-"That's fine. I don't mind. Where are we going?"

-"We're going to deliver the first installment of supplies to the Eldanesh Kingdom."

-"We're going to see King Henry?" - Alexis is surprised.

-"We might, considering this is the first delivery, plus I also have something else for him that needs to be hand delivered."

-"What is it?"

-"A flower."

-"Right. I should've guessed." - Alexis smiles, a memory slipping into her mind.

-"What'd you mean?"

-"Don't you remember? King Henry told us during that first lunch together that he has a flower from every Kingdom he has alliances with. It's logical that he would've asked for one from Uncle Josh's as well."

-"Well, don't get your hopes up. He might be too busy and might send someone to receive the supplies and the flower in his stead."

-"He won't. He'll be there. He's always the one who receives the flowers, to continue with his mother's tradition of always having a member of the Royal Family receiving the flower."

-"And how do you know that?"

-"King Henry told us. Don't you remember?"

-"I… I forgot. Anyway, if you want to go, you will need to pack light. We'll be leaving in two days." - Bella wonders why she doesn't remember that.

-"Thank you for letting me go with you, Mother."

-"Lexi, look, I know it wasn't easy for you when Henry left and I probably should've done a better job at talking to you and explaining what happened, and I'm sorry about that. I figured you would like to go with me, so you can see Henry again." - Bella sees Alexis lower her head in shame at her words. -"Lexi? What's wrong?"

-"There's something I need to tell you."

-"Okay?"

-"I… I've been writing to King Henry almost every week, telling him about all that has been happening in Court and with us, but he never answered. I think is because he was worried about your reaction if, or when, you found out."

-"Why didn't you tell me?" - Bella rubs a hand down her face.

-"I was worried you would tell me to stop writing to him."

-"Lexi…" - Bella lets out a sigh. -"I wouldn't. I know how important Henry is to you. If you wanna write to him, I'm okay with that. Just don't hide anything again from me, alright?"

-"I promise. Thank you for not being mad."

-"I can't be mad at you for wanting to write to a friend."

Bella pulls Alexis close, hugging her tight and feeling her hugging back. She decides then that, even if Henry won't wish to make things right between them, she will be telling him that he can write Alexis back, specially because Alexis has nothing to do with what happened between them.