A/N ahhh! The last episode aired last night and I think we can all agree that Catherine deserved a better ending. Over all though, I was pretty impressed with the ending.
The next day when he saw her at breakfast he knew something was terribly wrong. He had sat down across from her, muttering a good morning and how are you feeling but she hadn't even seen him. Fortunately he wasn't the only one who sensed something was wrong, Claude kept glancing in her Mother's direction nervously. Breakfast was usually a time where she assessed, scolded, ate, planned, ate, grumbled, and ate. However now she sat there, silent as a statue picking at her food but never once eating it. Her eyes were staring straight at him but he could clearly tell she wasn't looking at him but rather through him.
"Catherine." He hissed, leaning forward and trying to get her attention but she didn't respond.
"Mother?" Claude asked cautiously.
Catherine inclined her head slightly to look over at her daughter but barely seemed to see her either. She still had that blank look on her face…not indifference but simply unresponsive. "Mother…are you quite well?"
"Since when do you care?" Came her shallow response.
Claude's eyebrows creased in a mix between confusion and hurt, "It's just…you're not eating and, well you look…different."
"Not hungry." She grit out.
"You're always hungry." Claude laughed nervously.
"If you'll excuse me." The former Queen pushed out her chair and stood, her movements still stiff and mechanical as they had been the night before. Narcisse stood as well but she didn't seem to notice, her eyes had misted over again.
As she retreated from the dining room Narcisse followed suite, until they arrived in a small corridor, "Catherine!" He caught her hand.
She turned around slowly, not saying anything but staring at him blankly as ever. His heart missed a beat, her eyes were hollow…how was that even possible? Her eyes…god he couldn't look. "Catherine what is the matter with you?"
Silence. "Catherine! Answer me! What is wrong with you?!"
"Everything."
He took hold of her shoulders, "What did he do to you?!"
"Told me the truth."
"No. No. No." He let go of her shoulders and looked her up and down twice, "That was not the truth. Whatever he said to you, whatever he did to make you like this it was a lie Catherine. All a lie. You did the very best you could for your children, your country, your husband. You gave your heart to them and if they can't return the favor shame on them! You are a kind, loving, intelligent, beautiful human being and if anyone tells you differently they are foolish. You did not damage or break anyone and if you allow his words to effect you like this any longer then I'll…" He stopped.
She was looking at him. Not just looking but seeing. Her large hazel eyes had flooded with emotion like a dried riverbed renewed with fresh water. She staggered back a pace, before staring at him a single tear clinging to her eyelashes. "Catherine." He took a step towards him.
She let out a soft sob, almost too quite to hear and shook her head gently. "I'm sorry." She whispered.
He took another step towards her, "Catherine…don't be sorry you did nothing wrong."
"I'm sorry." She murmured again.
"No…" He enveloped her in a tight hug before thinking about it. She would've lost it right then and there in his arms but she bit her lip to keep quite. Slowly her arms came up to hug him back.
"I'm…" He stopped her before she could go any further.
"Catherine…" He pulled away from her and looked her in the eyes, "You're okay."
She nodded, biting her lip eve harder as a sob threatened to burst from her lungs. She inhaled deeply before straightening her back, "Thank you Stephan."
"Of course." He would never be able to tell her how much she'd scared him.
"Would you be so kind to come by later for some tea?"
"It would be my pleasure."
She gave him a tiny smile before disappearing around the corner again. He let out a long breath…never again did he want to see her eyes like that.
A/N so yeah this chapter was short but still good I hope. Rate and review thanks!
