Chapter 10

Unfolding Drama

Author's POV

Renée awoke in the morning, finding the letter Adeline had left under the pillow. She had read the letter before wrapping it in a small silky cloth, and burying it under some books in the chest she kept in her room. Renée felt reluctant to say anything about what she had read, as not only will Adeline's mother and father try to end her life, but French court would be in an uproar.

As one of the maids were tying Renée's corset laces, Antoinette, Maya and Esther walked into Renée's chambers, sounding completely put of breath. Renée already knew what they were going to say, but still tried to act as if she hadn't a clue to what had happened.

"Have you heard," Antoinette began, walking up to Renée, "Adeline had left court, and apparently, she decided to run away."

Renée turned to maids, dismissing them all. After the biggest gossipers of court were gone, Renée spoke up, "Yes, I know. Adeline left me a letter, telling me about her plans." Esther and Maya quickly walked over to Antoinette and Renée upon hearing what Renée had just said.

"We must tell Francis," Maya almost shouted, "he has gone insane, he is going to search around France to find her, you realize this had killed him inside."

"Yes, it must've," Renée sighed before sitting on her bed, "but, we cannot tell him. As her friends we should keep this a secret, and Antoinette do not tell Francis, seeming you aren't the best at keeping secrets."

"Well, I apologize that I am not used to lying to others," Antoinette exclaimed out of shock, "but, where is Adeline?"

"Do you remember that estate we stayed in a couple of years ago?" Renée asked. She carried on after the three girls nodded, "well, she went there. Adeline just wanted to be somewhere peaceful, and I doubt she would get into too much trouble."

Adeline sat on a chair in the nearby bar, drinking the beer she had brought. The whole bar was live, people dancing, singing or just sitting down and eating, drinking or just speaking. Adeline sat in her own before a woman sat on the opposite side of the table, she looked no older than Adeline, and was looked quite wealthy. Adeline sighed and carried on drinking her beer, occasionally looking at the woman on the opposite side of her.

"So, what are you doing here?" The woman asked, with a slight accent Adeline hadn't heard of before, "I mean, why are you alone? Not many people come here alone."

"Well, because I desire to come here alone," Adeline sighed, "you're alone too, you know. So why ask me?"

"I am Christine," the young woman introduced herself, she leaned closer to Adeline before whispering, "I am quite wealthy, and I just want to be away from my family, who are forcing a marriage upon me."

Adeline face lit up, she smiled before speaking up, "well, so am I. I'm getting away from my family, who are forcing a horrible marriage upon me. My name is Rose, like my favorite flower."

"I absolutely adore that name, Rose." Christine smiled, Adeline felt her heart sink as she had lied about who she was. But, telling the truth could endanger her even more, and chances of anyone from court finding her would increase.

Christine and Adeline, or Rose in Christine's knowledge, began walking around the village that was nearby Paris. Adeline had gotten the idea to steal two horses and have a race, to which Christine had agreed. The two women had found a camp in the wood, to them it was bad news, but it couldn't bother them as they only needed to 'borrow' two horses.

Adeline looked around the camp, to see no one in sight. Adeline quickly untied the rope that was keeping the horse near the tree and got on the horse, Christine did exactly the same. Before the two could take off, a man came out of the tent and began yelling at them; he looked like a nobleman, but what would a nobleman be doing in the middle of the woods?

Adeline and Christine quickly rode off and away from the quiet camp. Adeline felt like herself again, free and wild. Christine and Adeline laughed as they rode through the woods, the leaves occasionally brushing against them. Adeline was ahead of Christine by a small distance, but Christine began catching up to Adeline after a few moments of laughing. The two ladies stopped by Adeline's estate, with Christine asking about Adeline's wealth.

The two ladies dismounted their horses and began towards the estate, a stable boy walked over to the horses and began walking them to the stables. Adeline threw her gloves on the table near the entrance, while Christine looked at the grand entrance in amazement. Christine immediately flinched as she heard thunder clap outside of the house, distracting her from the thoughts of how rich Adeline must be.

Adeline took her cloak off and threw it on a chair, and began walking away from it. Christine quickly followed her into the parlor room and sat down, Adeline had ordered for the servants to make tea for the two ladies, while Christine had sat and listened to her.

"This is quite a place you have here," Christine broke the silence between the two, "I hadn't a clue that you were wealthy, I just though you were fleeing home because of a horrible marriage being forced upon you."

"Well, I do not like bragging about my wealth," Adeline smiled, "we are all humans, just some of us have more money than the other ones. Other than that, we are all equal, and should be judged because of our sins, not because of our religion or wealth status."

"Those must be the wisest words I had ever heard from a woman of high class," Christine told Adeline, "even I don't say things like that, as my parents couldn't care less about people of a lesser class."

"Well, my parents are the same, except that doesn't determine how I will act and what I will say."

Francis had been out, searching France as much as he could. Catherine felt angered by Adeline's actions, and had began killing Adeline in her head. She felt as if she would have no one else but Adeline to blame of something were to happen to her son. Renée had tried to speak to Catherine, since Catherine seemed to listen to Renée the most.

Henry had left with Francis to search for Adeline, soon Bash decided to join the he search. Antoinette had began getting ready to leave to see Adeline at her estate near Paris, since she actually know where it was. Renée blamed Olivia for Adeline's sudden leaving, although no one else had thought of the possibility. It was no secret to the five ladies that Francis and Olivia were together behind closed doors, so Renée would usually be all eyes and ears for them.

The day began ending, and darkness began ascending, covering the castle in blackness, with the source of light being the carefully lit candles. The search had ended for the day, and Antoinette had the plans for tomorrow ready, and set. Renée spoke to Francis for a bit, but he wasn't up to having a normal conversation with her.

Morning came fast to some, while to most of the residents at French court it came quite slowly. Francis, Henry, Bash and some guards left early in the morning, before even having breakfast. Antoinette managed to get breakfast and get ready before setting off to visit Adeline, she felt reluctant to leave court without word, but her friend was in need, even if she didn't admit it.

Francis and Bash took off to the south of France, in hopes to find Adeline somewhere there. While Antoinette headed off to the estate, where Adeline was presumably staying. Antoinette was always Adeline's friend, since they were both young children, merely reaching the age of eight. Renée had told Antoinette not to risk leaving court and to Adeline, as questions will raise up making Antoinette a good suspect.

Esther and Renée decided it was best to say nothing about Antoinette's departure and just act as oblivious as they could act. Maya however, left to go town instead and forget the troubles that they have been put through.

Upon arriving to Adeline's estate home, Antoinette noticed how much the estate had changed. Although it was looked after, the estate was almost overgrown by vines and ivy, the flower garden was blooming with fresh, new flowers and a few trees surrounded the estate. Antoinette dismounted her horse as a young stable boy approached her, she began to walk towards the estate's door as the boy began walking the horse towards the stables. Antoinette knocked on the door, to one of the maids opening the door.

Adeline lifter her skirt up and began walking down the stairs, seeing Antoinette standing by the door, taking her riding cloak off. Without any hesitation, Adeline ran up to Antoinette and pulled her into a hug, as if she hadn't seen her long time friend for years. The maid closed the door and took Antoinette's cloak, the two girls let go of each other and switched looks before laughing.

"Antoinette, what are you doing here? How did you even find out where I was?" Adeline managed to ask. The two girls began walking towards the sitting room as Antoinette spoke.

"You left a note under Renée's pillow, remember? We thought that this is the place were you would most likely go, and we were right." Antoinette answered as the two girls sat down on chairs facing one another.

"Right. I apologize for my abrupt leaving, I just needed time to myself without everyone hissing in my ears. It does not mean I am leaving Francis, or France forever. It just means I am getting some alone time." Adeline told Antoinette, apologetically. One of the servants poured tea into each one of the girl's cups before leaving them to their conversation.

"Well, Francis doesn't think so. He has almost half of their men searching France, high and low. Even Bash and Henry joined the search," Antoinette began before taking a sip of her tea, "Adeline, I suggest you return to court before everything turns for the worst. What if your mother finds out? You know how overprotective of you she is, you are, after all, the future queen of England and France."

"I realize that, I do. But, I need to be on my own for just a little while. Look, Henry agreed to grant me the annulment and Francis and I were already quite intimate one night. I cannot wed anyone else now, but I just don't know what I want anymore." Adeline told her, clearly worried about the future.

"Adeline, if you and Francis already had sex, and you have lost your virtue, why wed someone else? France is a perfect alliance for Spain and England, and Francis would make an amazing husband, give him a chance," Antoinette told her friend, noticing Adeline's confused face, "how long do you want to stay here?"

"I do not know. How ever long I want to stay here, presumably a few weeks or so. And Antoinette, do not say where I am to anyone else but our friends. I cannot have anyone find me, I will return willingly not by force." Adeline warned Antoinette. She had noticed how serious Adeline had sounded, and thought it be best to obey her orders.

Francis sat by the table in the study, trying to make out which parts of France they hadn't went to yet. Henry had left his son to the thinking and planning, while he joined in with the search. Bash would usually help Francis plan the search, however on this day he went hunting instead.

Renée entered the study, calmly. She realized how stressed Francis looked, it began to worry her. Renée secretly resented Adeline for leaving so abruptly and unexpectedly, she resented the fact that she had made most people at court worry about her wellbeing. And the fact that Adeline was too cowardly to say anything, made Renée and even more annoyed.

"Francis, how is the search going?" Renée asked. Francis looked up with almost full bloodshot eyes, it made Renée wonder how long he hadn't slept.

"How could she just leave me? We were fine, and then she gets up and leaves me. Why? Renée tell me what she told you, tell me that you know where she is. Please, I beg of you." Francis began begging the girl, standing up and making his way to Renée.

"Francis, I do not know. But, I think you should rest. You look like you haven't slept in days, or have you been crying so much?" Renée asked. Francis sighed before taking a seat.

"She is your friend, she would've told you. Renée, please." Francis tried again, he felt in his weak heart that Renée knew the truth.

Renée looked around uncomfortably before she walked to the window, she looked out of it as she spoke, "there is an estate, we always went as children. It is a little up north and is about a two hour ride from court. Adeline is resting there, or that is what I think at least. You can always try there, but please do not tell her I said anything."

Francis got up from his seat before walking over to Renée and pulling her into a hug, "oh, thank you. Thank you so much." Francis let go before running out of the room.

Renée hit the wall, hating her own self for telling Francis. He was in an absolute mess and Renée felt too sorry for him. Renée sighed before leaving the empty room herself, she hadn't a clue where Francis went and honestly didn't want to know.

Renée rushed into Esther's chambers, immediately bursting out with almost twenty minutes with of anger, "I told Francis, I told him were Adeline is!"

Esther stood up and dismissed the maids, after the room was clear of the biggest gossipers of court Esther began speaking, "what happened to, 'let's not tell anyone'? You tell us not to say anything, then you're the one who breaks the silence."

"I realize that! Yes, but you haven't seen that poor soul. He looks absolutely shattered and tired, God knows how long he has been searching and not sleeping. His eyes were bloodshot and he had horrible bags under his eyes, not to mention his skin was the most pale I have ever seen it." Renée tried to reason.

"It hasn't even been that long since Adeline left, he couldn't be that exhausted from searching. That is besides the point, you shouldn't have told him as Adeline's friend." Esther told Renée, with slight disappointment in her tone.

"I know. But, it is too late." Renée sighed. Esther gasped before speaking up.

"Just tell him that she needs time to herself, or give him the letter. He may find it in his heart to understand." Esther told Renée.

Renée chuckled a bit, "heart? His heart broke into pieces after Adeline left, he practically has no heart left. Why would Adeline just leave like that? She is our friend, but she doesn't think sometimes, does she?"

As evening came, Antoinette left the estate. The ride back to court wasn't too long, making the ride a little easier for Antoinette. Apart from the fact that half of the road was in the forest, Antoinette's ride to court couldn't be easier. Adeline had insisted on letting Antoinette stay at least till morning, but it would raise suspicion at court.

The dark began taking over the woods making Antoinette feel insecure and frightened. She hoped to be out of the woods soon enough, before she got killed by scavengers or even animals. To make the situation worse for Antoinette, she had remembered the stories her mother told her about Pagans, and their sacrifices. Although Antoinette never crossed paths with a Pagan, she had felt like this would be the moment.

Francis had made plans with his father and Bash to go down to the estate the next morning, Henry had insisted that he would go by himself or with Bash, as the estate wasn't too far away. After some time, it was down to Francis and Bash to visit the estate. Soon after the arrangements, Antoinette arrived back to court, she looked absolutely exhausted and worn out. She wasn't questioned about where she went or what she did, making the situation much better for her.

Maya arrived back to court hours ago, but kept away from everyone. Renée began feeling worried about Maya, because as much as she knew Maya was still in town. Esther hadn't really thought about it as she spent most of her time with Henry, wrapping him around her finger. As Antoinette had only came back an hour ago, she thought nothing of it. Maya soon went to speak to her friends, putting them out of their worried state.

The next morning, Francis and Bash set off to the estate. While Renée sat in her room, arguing with her own self about not telling Francis about the letter. She had missed Latin and Dancing lessons, leaving Esther and Antoinette to worry a bit.

Francis and Bash dismounted their horses before making their way to the estate. Francis felt as if Renée lied, the estate looked beautiful and massive. But, even then Francis didn't feel like Adeline would stay there.

Bash knocked on the door, making the two men wait patiently. A maid opened the door and spoke up, "who are you? And what do you want?" For a maid, she had a lot of attitude.

"We are looking for Adeline de Castillé, we heard this is where she lives now. Is she at home?" Bash spoke up before Francis could even speak.

"Oh, she left quite long ago. As a matter a fact, she left this morning. Madam Castillé may come back shortly, if you would like you could wait." The maid informed the two men. Francis felt shocked to the title of his fiancée being 'Madam'.

"A madam? Does she own a brothel? Or is that what she prefers to be called?" Francis asked, frantically.

"I do not know, she had never mentioned owning a brothel. But, that is what she prefers to be called. If she should come back, shall I tell her what your names are?" The maid asked.

"No, no thank you. We may return in a day or two." Bash told the maid. The two men turned around and made their way back to their horses.

Francis turned to Bash, "I hope she doesn't own a brothel, I honestly do not want her to be a madam."

Bash chuckled before putting his hand on Francis's shoulder, "she needed time, she is most likely out in town buying things. It isn't like Adeline own a brothel, even you know that. Do not panic."

Francis smiled before getting back on his horse, Bash doing the same thing. The two men took off to to ride back to court, leaving the estate behind.

Adeline returned to the estate late in the evening, she had a basket with bread and some fruit she had brought from town. It was obvious she went else where before going to buy some food, but Adeline didn't mention where she went. The maid had told Adeline about Francis's and Bash's arrival to the estate, leaving Adeline to wonder whether her friends betrayed her or not.