The Characters
Lord Richard I of Ireland and England - Rick
Princess Michonne d'Évreux (and then Michonne, of Ireland and England) - Michonne
Princess Lorraine d'Évreux, Countess of Valois - Lori
Olivier III d' Évreux - Original character
Michel d'Orléans - Mike
Simone of Bourbon - Sasha
Sir Shane Lyell - Shane
Margaret (servant) - Maggie
Michonne sighed as she recalled last month's events and nearly yelled when rain cursed their fates. If her father had not decided to attack the small port of Newport, none of this would have happened and she would not be travelling through the rain to get to a boat going into unknown territory.
Michonne sighed as she recalled last month's events and nearly yelled when rain cursed their fates. If her father had not decided to attack the small port of Newport, none of this would have happened and she would not be travelling through the rain to get to a boat going into unknown territory.
The war had ended almost immediately after her father and Lord Richard I had met, of which she was grateful because it meant being able to see her friends in northern France again, but reality quickly sunk in. When Michel noticed the dreary look in her eyes – he was riding alongside her – he pulled her from her thoughts. "We are stopping for the night, there is no point in travelling through the rain."
The servants and the soldiers who accompanied her agreed. There was no use in being sick, it would only speed up the process of getting to Ireland. Her father and sister had stayed behind, they would be arriving two weeks after her arrival, just in time for the wedding. Her father had insisted that she get to know the King before their nuptials.
"We shall set the tents up and get you dry soon enough, Princess." He said. She smiled at him as he helped her off her horse. She and Michel had been childhood companions, but had drifted as they got older. Once upon a time she had found him interesting, but that soon vanished when she noticed that he had found interest in her sister. Her sister. Perhaps the separation would be good for them.
She pulled her cloak tightly around her shoulders. "Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked, Michel.
"Not that we cannot handle. You need rest, we have a big day tomorrow." He kissed her cheek and walked away. Michonne did not understand why he insisted on kissing her every time they spoke, he was to be married to her sister. She nodded and started to turn away. Michel grabbed her hand and spun her around to meet his dark eyes. "I am sorry for this, I know how uncomfortable this must be for you… To be with someone you do not love."
Michonne nodded and he released his hold on her. She did not want to cry in front of Michel, especially since he had never loved her, but his words still wrung true. "Thank you." She said.
She pushed open her tent where her lady-in-waiting, Margaret, was. "I am ready for bed, Margaret."
"Yes, your Highness." Margaret curtsied and then went to help her remove her wet clothes.
"may I speak out of term, your Highness?" Margaret asked.
"Yes, of course." Michonne responded.
"Sir Michel… Stay away from him. He is nothing but trouble." Margaret said as she brushed her mistress' long hair. Michonne had been growing it out since her sixteenth birthday, she wanted it to resemble her grandmother's in length. Margaret enjoyed combing it, it was the only time the two had to converse in privacy. "We have heard much about him – about his love of women and drink."
"I do not love him." Michonne said defensively.
"That is not what I mean, your Highness." She put the brush down and grabbed a silk scarf. They did not have much in terms of hair and beauty products as Richard had told Olivier his servants had taken care of things for his new wife. "He does not care for you or your sister, he wants the throne of France and will stop at nothing to get it."
Michonne stayed quiet. "How do you know?"
"We are everywhere, your Highness. Sir Michel loves to talk as much as Princess Lorraine and he is not shy about it."
"What do you suggest I do, Margaret?" she said, turning to face the woman who had become her best friend and confidante.
"Once you are married to Lord Richard, send him away. Give him some land or some duty in Scotland or the Americas where he can cause no trouble to the House." Margaret finished her duties and bid her highness goodnight. Michonne kept her eyes on the door and saw the shadow of a man she knew very well.
"May I come in?" He asked as he poked his head in her tent.
"Of course, Michel."
"We are expecting to be arriving in a sennight. A British naval ship already awaits us at the port of Le Conquet."
"Right, thank you."
"Goodnight, Princess."
"Goodnight, Sir Michel."