Everyone in the room stood, as was customary when the King rose out of his chair and started to make his way out of the dining room.
Maria watched as Julien, who still held a slight grimace, gave his brother a reassuring pat on the shoulder before he watched him follow the King out of the room.
He let out a quick sigh before he turned his attention towards Maria; a smile that did not quite reach his eyes replaced the grimace, and he gave her a small bow of the head before he left the room himself.
Once he was gone, Maria slunk back into her chair and let out a big breath as she covered her face with her hands.
Jason sat back down beside her and rubbed reassuring circles on her back to help her soothe her worries.
Their mother watched her children and quickly took the seat next to Maria and grabbed her hand to give it a squeeze before she said, "I know you wanted to marry Henri, but Arthur is a good man, too, my child".
