King Henry was seated on his chair in a gazebo facing the beautiful garden in his palace. In his hand, he was holding a glass of wine while he pressed his temples lost deep in thought. He twirled the glass and took a sip before his mind became distant again. The image of Roselyn flashed across his mind making him bite his lips and curse. The whole situation had turned different from how he had expected. And never for once had he thought that his sheltered daughter would turn into a rebellious tigress. And his wife? 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Thinking of her alone brought an empty feeling in his heart. Two days without seeing her felt like torture to him. His bed was cold and he ate his meals alone. It was already late but he was not looking forward to eating supper nor going to sleep. It was better to spend some time alone than to be comforted by a large comfy bed. These were the times he cursed himself for doing such a stupid thing.

"Your Highness?" A voice called bringing him back from his train of thought. A knight was standing there with a concerned look on his face. He shifted in his seat and placed the glass of wine on the table before he gestured to the knight to talk. He seemed uninterested in what he was about to say as he poured more wine into his cup. But still, no words came from the knight. He paused halfway before he shot a questioning look at the knight. Wait! Was that fear on the knight’s face? Was he here to report about the war?

"What is it?" He asked irritated by the knight’s silence coupled with the look on his face.

"Your Majesty," he began in a shaky voice. "It’s Lord Richberry. He’s here to see you." Henry’s eyes widened in surprise. Lord Richberry was here to see him? If he was here, that meant his patience had grown thin. Why didn’t he think of this when he came? He slapped his forehead in frustration. Everything was turning out to be bad for him. But why?

"What should I tell him, Your Majesty?" The knight enquired. King Henry ran his fingers through his hair. If he sent the fat Lord away, that would only raise brows. He was not going to hide forever. He was going to make this square, today.

"Let him in," he said. The knight hesitated for a while before he nodded and left. Seconds later, the knight came in followed by another person. He was holding his hands below his belly. He was clothed in most of the smoothest silk there ever was in the continent while his face was laced with a smile that reached only half of his meaty face.

And now that King Henry had a clear look at the man, he wondered what had driven him to even think of marrying his daughter to him. The man was a perfect definition of the word fat. He wore gold chains on his fatty neck and Henry wondered if anyone ever told him that his neck looked like a crocodile’s head. Would Roselyn even spare him a glance? Money meant nothing to his rebellious daughter, nor did power. And the stupid him had gone further to accept money from this fatty.

"Your Majesty. I’m glad that I found you here. I hope I’m not disturbing your peace," Lord Richberry said bowing slightly and Henry could see how much effort it took him to do that simple action. Sometimes, money was not everything. He had learned that the hard way.

"Not at all Lord Richberry. It’s a pleasure to have you here. Have a seat, please," he added gesturing him to take a seat. Lord Richberry smiled meekly before he let his unmeasurable weight settle on the poor furniture. Henry was sure a few nails had bent, if not broken. He ordered a maid to bring some fresh wine. The knight from earlier was still standing guard inside the room.

"So, how have you been?" King Henry asked as the duo waited for the fresh wine.

"I’ve been busy with my new business Your Majesty. The sales are high this time and the silk I have produced this time is of high quality. I will send some here as a gift to His Majesty," the Lord said in a grumpy voice.

"No need my Lord." King Henry was quick to reply. Lord Richberry sent him a smile before a maid walked in holding a jug of wine. King Henry could see the way Lord Richberry peeked at the maid as she poured wine for him. The maid would blush occasionally before she almost ran out of the room embarrassed. Such a shameless brat.

"I’m glad to hear that your business is doing well," King Henry said. Lord Richberry watched the silhouette of the exiting maid before he turned to Henry with a grin.

"What did you say, Your Majesty?" He asked innocently as he took a sip of his wine. King Henry chuckled lightly. Was he expecting him to repeat himself? And though the fatty addressed him with respect, he could sense a slight tremor of arrogance in his voice whenever he talked about his business. When no reply came, Lord Richberry’s face turned serious before he placed the cup on the table.

"I presume you know why I’m here Your Majesty," he said in a flat tone. "I’ve waited for too long but you sent no reply. That’s why I came to enquire myself." He said and watched the king’s reaction. King Henry let out a silent breath before he faced the fatty. What was he going to tell him? Lying was the last thing on his wishlist nowadays, especially after the ordeal with his daughter.

"My daughter is getting married," he began and saw Lord Richberry’s face lit with excitement," to another man," he added and got the expression he was expecting all this time.