As time went on, Haley found herself falling deeper in love with John. Their connection was unlike anything she had ever experienced before, and she couldn't imagine her life without him by her side. They were inseparable, always laughing and teasing one another like old friends. Even ben, her stalwart protector for so many years, seemed to take a liking to John.

The day finally came when Haley Davolan became Princess Consort of the Darran Kingdom; a title she shared equally with her beloved husband.

Ten years had passed since that fateful Mid-Year Festival, and much had changed in Haley's life. The engagement to Ashton was nothing more than a distant memory, as were the machinations of Cedric Sheridan and his family. Haley had found true love with John, and together they ruled their kingdom with wisdom and compassion.

As she looked out over her domain from atop the castle walls, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her.

The words struck her like a physical blow. She had never considered the fact that ben might not have found love or companionship for himself over the years. And now it was too late; he was resigned to his fate, believing there was no hope left for him. "Oh, Ben..." Her voice broke as she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly against her chest. "I'm so sorry. I never thought... I should have..."

He returned her embrace stiffly at first, but eventually relaxed into it.

"No, don't apologize." She sniffled, wiping away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. "We'll figure something out together. I promise." Even as she said the words, she wasn't entirely sure how she would keep that promise. But she couldn't give up on him now. Not when he needed her most.

They remained like that for a while longer, until finally ben pulled back and took a deep breath. His expression was more composed than it had been in days. "

"No, it hasn't," she said firmly, shaking her head. "It's been my honor to have you by my side." Her voice was soft and sincere, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You are truly irreplaceable, Ben. You know that, don't you?"

He looked away for a moment, unsure how to respond. The words she spoke meant so much more than he could ever express. But all he could say was, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Her smile was soft and genuine as she reached out to touch his cheek with the back of her fingers. "I mean it," she said quietly. "You are more than my bodyguard and friend; you're like a brother to me." Tears shimmered in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

For a moment, they sat there in silence, their connection as strong as ever despite the weight of their words. Then, Ben cleared his throat, breaking the tension between them. "Shall we return inside?"

"Oh?" Haley asked casually, not looking up from where she was pruning a delicate rose bush. "Someone special?" She couldn't help but tease him, their easy rapport making even the most mundane of topics seem interesting.

"Lily..." Haley repeated thoughtfully, trying to remember which girl ben was talking about. "Ah yes, I believe I've seen her around." A slow smile spread across her face as she considered the idea of ben marrying someone else. It felt strange, almost bittersweet, but at the same time it made perfect sense. He deserved happiness too, after all he had done for her and their family.

King Ashton sighed heavily, running a hand through his thinning hair. "This is Lord Sheridan," he said, indicating the dark-haired man with a tired wave of his hand. "And I have summoned you here because we are in quite the predicament." He paused for a moment, searching Haley's face before continuing. "It seems that Cedric here has been... less than truthful in his dealings with House Sheridan. They are not pleased, to put it mildly. In fact,"

King Ashton paused, looking at her meaningfully before continucing, "they've demanded your hand in marriage as compensation." Haley felt like the air had been knocked out of her lungs. No, this couldn't be happening. She looked to ben for support, but he only met her eyes with a somber expression.

Cedric Sheridan leaned forward in his seat, a triumphant smirk on his face. "You see? I told you she was the key to fixing this mess."

Queen Haley sat back in her chair, surprised by Ben's sudden announcement. "You do? Who is the lucky lady?" she asked with a smile, already feeling a wave of happiness wash over her at the thought of one of her closest friends finding love.

"That's wonderful, Ben!" Queen Haley exclaimed, beaming with approval. "Lady Lily is a lovely woman, and she deserves someone as kind and loyal as you in her life." She paused for a moment, considering the situation. "Of course, there are certain protocols that must be followed when asking for someone's hand in marriage. Lady Lily's family would need to give their consent first, but I'm sure they'll see what a perfect match you two make."