"Madame Levesque," the guard addressed and nodded to a woman in a dark green dress as she passed through the entrance of the palace without being stopped.

"Madame Levesque? Why didn't you say so?" a petite woman said beside her in a hushed voice.

"Because I keep this life separate from the other," the one dressed in green said equally as hushed. Her steps into the palace were ones that were well known to the corridors. She knew where she was going.

"So the Cardinal knows who you are?" asked the shorter one.

"He knows of me. We have never officially met. I don't believe he knows what I look like. I've seen him from afar in a crowded throne room. He knows my husband though," said Madame Levesque.

They stopped in the corridor and she looked up and down it. No one was around.

"Valesti, you know the rules. Don't ever use my real name around him, just as I do not use yours. Forget that it ever exists. God knows I do sometimes," Madame Levesque said as she put a heavy veil over her face.

"Yes, ma'am," the woman said with a bow of her head.

She and the shorter woman continued around a corner where there were different looking guards. These were garbed in red and black. They were able to make it to the corridor that led to the Cardinal's study. It was there they were stopped and questioned.

"You do not have authorization to be in this portion of the palace," the guard stated. "State your name and the relevance of your visit."

"I am Cherie and this is my personal guard Valesti. We seek council with Cardinal Richelieu," the lady in the green dress and veil had said.

"Everyone would like to seek council with the Cardinal. You are not the first. He is unavailable for council," the rather large guard said.

"Show him this," Cherie said handing the guard a sealed envelope. The red wax seal showed an emblem of a woman covering her face with her two hands. The guard was about to open the letter. "That is for Cardinal Richelieu's eyes only. I should remind you that he will question why the seal was broken," Cherie said in stern voice.

The guard stared at Cherie then glanced over at Valesti who threw back part of her dress to reveal the hilt of a sword. He thought better about opening the letter. He gave Cherie a nod and took the letter to the Cardinal.

The guard returned within a few minutes.

"His Eminence will see you," he said.

Cherie nodded and followed the guard with Valesti beside her. They walked down the corridor and then into Cardinal Richelieu's study. They were announced. Valesti waited by the door as Cherie stepped into the room to wait for his acknowledgment. He didn't say anything as he glanced over the letter.

"What is this?" the Cardinal finally asked the woman standing in front of him. She had on a black veil but he could clearly see her curvy figure that was only enhanced by the corset she wore.

"It is a … proposition, Your Eminence," the woman explained. "Please consider the contents carefully."

Once more he read the message she had given him. Cherie could see his eyes glance at her from time to time. A light smile played on her lips that he couldn't see. This was exactly how she anticipated things would go, especially in the dress she had picked out.

"Wait for my answer outside," he told her having a difficult time taking his eyes off of the woman.

She curtsied and left the room her hips swaying as she went.

"Come, Valesti," she said. The petite guard followed her.

"He's staring," Valesti whispered to Cherie.

"I know," she replied.

After watching them leave, the Cardinal sat at his desk contemplating the contents of the message. He wondered if it was some sick prank played by one of his many adversaries. He wanted more information. He wanted to see this house, if it did exist. He wanted to see the women who held him in high regard as proof. There were questions he had as well.

After some consideration, he went to retrieve the women waiting outside for him.

"Please, come back into my study," he told her. She bowed her head slightly and entered the room again. "Guards, you may leave."

"Your Eminence, that one there has a sword and who knows what weapons the other may have," his main guard told him.

"Valesti, go stand with the guards outside," Cherie commanded. The little red head bowed and left the room.

"I assure you, I carry no weapons. You are more than welcome to see for yourself. I am not modest," she told the guard. Cherie started to lift her skirts to show no weapons around her ankles nor sword by her side.

Cherie looked over at the Cardinal who was eyeing her legs as was his guard. She smirked under her veil.

"We'll be just outside, Your Eminence," the guard said. The Cardinal jerked his head up and nodded.

Once they were alone the Cardinal turned to Cherie.

"Tell me more about the House of Humility," he inquired. The Cardinal went back to his desk to pick up the letter Cherie had written. He stood beside it scanning over the contents of the letter once more.

She smiled slyly and meandered towards him as she told him about the group of women who have always admired him from afar. They had recently come to the conclusion that their efforts would only play on the wind if they did not involve the Cardinal himself. They were only requesting his presence at the house they deemed The House of Humility one day a week and hoped he could spare them some time from his busy schedule.

"How many of you are there?" he asked.

"I think you should see for yourself, Your Eminence," Cherie answered.

"When could I visit this establishment?" he asked as he looked up from the parchment.

Cherie was coming closer to him and stood directly in front him a mere foot away. She could see him trying to see what she looked like behind her veil. She glanced down at the cross hanging around his neck. It rested just below his sternum. She secretly wished to be that trinket hanging there day in and day out so close to him.

"If you have time now, I have a carriage outside that could take us," she said. Cherie reached over and took up the cross around his neck into her hand. Toying with it, she added, "We would welcome your presence at any time, Your Eminence. I could have messenger come back in a week for your response and another carriage."

Cherie lifted her head slightly to gaze into the Cardinal's eyes. He was now scrutinizing her with a scowl on his brow.

"I'll consider it, if you take off the veil. I do not trust anyone who hides in order to make agreements," he demanded.

Cherie dropped his cross against his chest. It was not something she had considered. If it meant his presence at the house, she would do it. The only thing she feared was his recognition of her. She had a plan for that as well.

"Agreed," she said. Cherie bowed her head. Her hands came up to pick up the ends of the veil and she pulled it up and back over her head. Slowly, she raised her head and awaited his reaction.

The Cardinal clenched his jaw with the thoughts that were running through his head. How could God make a creature so beautiful, yet demand men of the cloth to celibacy? It was the only vow he had broken and he wanted to break it again.

"Show me, now," he told her. "Take me to the house you keep saying exists yet I have never heard a word of it uttered in these halls nor on the streets of Versailles."

"Of course," Cherie said with a smile. She had won him over. It also appeared that he did not recognize her. "I completely understand. You need proof and I am willing to show you all the proof you need."

Cherie closed the gap between them.

"I must ask one favour of you," Cherie said quietly to him as she pressed a delicate hand upon his chest. To feel him under her fingertips, at last, was a godsend.

He could feel her warm breath on his cheek. Glancing down, he could see her bosom as it swelled with each breath she took. Then, staring back at her, he asked, "And what would that be?"

"You cannot tell anyone, not even your guards where you are going," she said. While he was distracted by her bosom, Cherie had slid her hand inside a slit in her dress, usually used to access a pocket, but she retrieved a dagger tied to her thigh the guard failed to see. She pressed it against the Cardinal's neck. "Or you won't even be able to scream for your precious guards."

The Cardinal remained still. He could feel the point of the dagger against his throat. Not only was she beautiful, but dangerous as well. He could feel things stirring under his robes.

"Agreed," he said.

Cherie took away the dagger and put it away as the Cardinal rubbed his neck.

Once the Cardinal made his necessary arrangements to explain his whereabouts for the rest of the day, he accompanied Cherie and Valesti to their carriage. Cherie was veiled again and a dark black cloak covered her completely. The Cardinal also wore a red and black cloak to keep the chill off.

Outside, the carriage awaited them. It was made of black walnut with red interior. It was much larger than the Cardinal's own carriage. Cherie allowed the Cardinal to sit first and she boldly sat next to him. Valesti sat with the driver, another one of the women of the house. In a moment, the carriage led them through the streets of Versailles.

"I didn't get your name, my dear," he told her.

"I didn't offer it," she said cheekily. "All of the Ladies of the house go by aliases. Some of our names hold reputations. We do not wish to be known for our stations but only by our efforts. You may call me Cherie," she offered.

"A pleasure, Cherie," he said with a smile. "And you may call me Armand."

"Very well, Armand. I will do so only when speaking to you in private. Otherwise, may I call you Cardinal?"

"Of course," he replied.

As they proceeded towards the edge of the city, the Cardinal kept stealing glances at Cherie. He wondered if she was one of the women who found him sexually attractive. She had flirted with him a bit but that was only to get close to him to threaten him if he told anyone about the house. Maybe she could be his new assassin, he thought as he chewed on his thumb.

"Are you alright, Armand?" Cherie asked seeing him deep in thought. Or perhaps that was worry? She could not tell.

"Hmm? Oh, yes," he replied then looked out the carriage window. "I was wondering how much farther it was until we reached the house or are we going to the woods so you can assassinate me?"

Cherie smirked and looked out the carriage window. The road was still covered with trees.

"It should not be long now," she stated. "I understand your concern, Armand. I do apologize for my actions earlier. Believe me when I say I wouldn't harm a hair on your head. I find you too intriguing."

"How do you mean?" he asked.

"I've seen you put on your commanding graces, seen you use persuasion, and had your demands heard. Everyone should be intrigued by you," she explained. "You are a man who knows what he wants."

"Do you know what I want right now?" Armand asked Cherie. He highly doubted she knew.

Cherie glanced out the window and said, "To see the House of Humility. Your wish is about to come true. We're here."

The carriage came to a stop and the Cardinal peered out the window of the carriage in awe.