Disclaimer: The characters of Le Chevalier D'Eon do not belong to me. May contain spoilers for the anime.

It just occurred to me how grown-up Anna looked at the last part. Guess she is preparing for her coming wedding. New hairdo, jewelry etc. In the beginning episodes of the anime and the opening sequence, she looks like a young girl.

Queen Marie: Till Death do Us Part

"Your Majesty! I can't possibly…" Anna stares in amazement at the matching ruby bracelets I have fastened around her wrists. "Think of it as my wedding gift to you," I smile. The bracelets were a gift from my mother to me when I left for France. I know I will never have a daughter of my own. If I ever had a daughter, I would like her to be like Anna. She is such a bright and caring girl. It is good that her loved one will be returning to her side. I really missed that sunny smile of hers during his absence.

"Thank you so much. You are most kind…" she gushes and drops a curtsy. "Go along now. Auguste should be waking from his nap soon," I urge her to leave. Out of the corner of my eye I can see the slight flutter of the tapestry on the far wall. Maximilien is waiting in the secret passage behind it. Anna leaves, her thoughts no doubt on D'Eon and her coming wedding. I understand her feelings. After all, I was once a young bride-to-be myself. Our wayward knight steps out from hiding as soon as Anna is out of the room.

"The Marquise de Pompadour is dead," Maximilien reports to me. "The little one's soul is at rest." That is one burden off my heart. God forgive me. At least I know that woman will not manipulate my dear Louis or Auguste for her selfish purposes any more. "Robespierre, will you remain to guide Auguste?" I ask.

"It will be best if His Highness is guided by his mother," he replies, his features an inscrutable mask. I shake my head. I should have known. He has stayed so long just to assist me in defeating the Comte and Pompadour. His goal achieved, he will disappear into the shadows from whence he had emerged from several days ago. "Madame, I shall take my leave now," he bows and exits the way he came, silent as a shade. His heart died when Lia did. I pray that his tormented soul will find some solace.

I am left alone, truly alone now that even Belle has gone to her long overdue rest.


Fly, sway, go all the way…

I'm in the same fate as you…

"Do you, Marie, take His Majesty King Louis XV as your lawfully wedded husband, to honour and obey… in sickness and health… Till death do you part?" It was so bright that day we were wed. The sun shone upon us like God's own grace blessing our union. I stood beside you, all but overwhelmed by the grandeur of everything around me. My father's court in Poland is but a pale shadow compared to the glory of France.

"I do." With those words, I became Queen of France and more importantly, your wife. As long as you are with me, I shall not fear whatever lies before us. We were so young then, my beloved.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror. It has been so long ago since I first came to Versailles a new bride. Time has added its lines to my face. A few strands of white have started to show in my brown hair. I have been blessed with a lovely son, heir to the throne. He is still a young child. I overhear his sweet voice as he plays in the next room with Anna. Ah, Auguste is my little angel, a present from God after many disappointments.

"You will be killed, Marie…" Belle had warned me before I handed her back to her mother. "That man means to kill you!" Dear Belle. I thank you for your concern. My fate is not mine to decide. It has been entwined with his and that of France since that bright day so long ago. He has invited me to join him for dinner tonight. That is most unusual. He has not dined with me since Auguste was two.

I will wear the cream and green gown I am in. It is still quite presentable. It will be unkind to ask Anna to come in now to help me into a new one. I will not deny Auguste his fun. One knows childhood is a luxury for those of royal birth. I open my jewel case. The pearl earrings and matching pendant will do quite nicely. There is that diamond necklace he gave me on our third anniversary… Of course, it was an apology of sorts after I walked in on him and the young daughter of a certain Vicomte. I think I will leave that alone. I brush my brown hair until it shines. He always enjoyed stroking my hair in those early days of our marriage.

I still believe in your love…

Trace the shadow of truth into the dark…

Forever…


There are no servants present to wait on us. Even old Broglie, loyal servant as he is, retreats from the room as soon the food and drink have been laid out before us. The Psalms have returned to us. I have sent Robin off. I would really like to watch that boy grow up. Though he is of low birth, he is wise for all his youth. It is for his potential that I first took him in as my page. This mission has opened his eyes to the possibilities that exist beyond the walls of Versailles.

Someday, he will be a valuable ally for my son. If there is someone who could guide Auguste in reforming the nation, it is Robin. Yet I know I will never live to see my son ascend the throne or how my young page and Auguste will change the nation.

The food has gone cold, I pick at my roast beef and vegetables. "Is the food to your liking, my dear?" he smiles and asks. I note that he has pushed aside his plate with the food upon it almost untouched. "Yes," I lie. I never liked roast beef. I pat my lips with my napkin and push my plate aside.

Smiling, I place the book on the table before us. "The Psalms have returned to us, Louis. No one else needs to be harmed."

"A toast," he takes the wine bottle that has been sitting untouched to the side of the table. He takes my glass and fills it. His hand shakes slightly as he does so. He keeps his eyes downcast, much like those nights when he lies about working late while he has been visiting another woman. I know in that instant that I have just eaten my last meal.

Tears fall, vanish into the night…

"Is this the special wine then, Louis? I suppose not even old Broglie has tested this," I ask. He stutters. Oh well, I'll spare him that.

"Ah, how thoughtful of you, it is the same vintage as that which was served to us at our wedding…" I lie and swirl the wine in my glass, watching my coming death catch the candlelight from the chandeliers overhead. It is late. Anna would have tucked Auguste in for bed and retired to hers by now. "Louis, please promise me… no one else is to die for the sake of the Royal Secrets. Please spare D'Eon and Robin. They are still young…"

"As you wish, my Marie…" my husband promises but his eyes are studying the pattern on the carpet. Anna, I will never attend your wedding, though I have promised to. Forgive me. Be happy, Anna. D'Eon will return soon. Marry him and be happy…

"Thank you for everything, Louis. I still remember when I first came to Versailles from Poland. I was so young and so lost. You were so kind to me… I wish I could share your loneliness, my king. In the end, I know I have failed in that," I lift the glass to my lips. He suddenly grabs my wrist. I lower my glass and look at him. I see the uncertainty in his eyes. He's fearful of the secrets, the book that denies him his heritage and his throne. Poor Louis…

I take his hand in mine and loosen his weak grip on me. There is no use dragging it out. "To France, and to King Louis the Beloved, who is in God's grace..." He does not protest this time as I lift the glass to my lips and swallow the poisoned wine, almost draining it. It burns like liquid fire down my throat. Ah, loyal old Broglie has chosen a most deadly poison indeed.

If I'm a sinner…

Chivalry, show me the way to go…

"My love, you are the king of France. The b-bloodline… means n-nothing… to me… I love you…" The poison has started its work. I gasp for air. My tongue grows thick. My vision is blurring. I fall. The glass slips from my cold fingers. I feel the blood in my throat as the poison ate at my insides.

"Marie, no… I'm sorry…" I barely hear his words or feel his arms around me. It is so dark and so unbearably cold. So this is death…

Adieu, until we meet again, my beloved…

Author's Notes:

Another dying scene… this is depressing. The worst part about Marie's murder is that King Louis realises too late that he loves her. Royal marriage in those days was basically political in nature and love rarely comes into the equation. But the feeling I get in the anime during that dinner scene is that Marie loves her husband 110%. She knew that wine was poisoned but she drank it all the same. I'm using the ending song 'Overnight' for this POV. Queen Marie always struck me as a very strong character.

Outtake- Marie going through her jewellery.

Marie: Here is the pendant you gave me for my birthday.

Louis (thinking): Actually, I forgot it was your birthday and I was feeling guilty for cheating on you.

Marie: Here's pearls you gave me for our anniversary...

Louis (thinking): Was it our anniversary? I was apologizing for cheating on you again...

Marie: Oh, Louis, you're so good to me... (kisses him on cheek) Wait, is that lipstick on your collar?

Louis: Oops...