Chapter 14

As usual, Catherine woke up with the first light of dawn. She yawned heartily and tried to roll over in her bed but found herself immobilized. Something was holding her back. Or rather someone.
Her husband Stephane Narcisse had wrapped himself around her body like a second skin. His warm chest was pressed tightly against her back and his erection was poking her bottom. In addition, one of his hands was grabbing her right breast. She was not used to this kind of awakening and was unsure about how she should behave. Cautiously she pushed his hands from her body to free herself from his embrace. But his hands immediately reached out for her as soon as she pushed them away.
"Stephane," she hissed and withdrew herself resolutely from his grasp.
He muttered something unintelligible, still half-asleep, but let go of her.

The Queen Mother rose and in a soft voice she called for her maids who rushed to her aid. Catherine hoped to be ready in time before Stephane awoke. She wasn't up for another confrontation with her husband so shortly after her emotional outburst. In addition she needed time to come up with a strategy about how to deal with Charles. She hated to admit that Stephane may be right with his assumption that the pressure she exerted might be to intense and had a counterproductive effect on her unstable son.

As expected Charles failed to appear at their breakfast. So she searched for him in his chambers. The boy was still asleep so she woke him in the most sensitive way she could by gently nudging his arm and calling out his name.
"Mother, is there no place in this castle where I can have some peace and quiet?" He complained immediately without actually looking at her.
"Is that what you're searching for, Charles? Peace and quiet?", she asked and slowly sat down on his mattress. She studied her son with vigilant eyes who gave his mother a wary glare in return. "Or maybe you need a little distraction? We could arrange a nice little hunting expedition." Catherine hesitated briefly, uncertain how to reach out for her withdrawn son.
"A hunt with all those pompous lords full of hot air? Seriously? This does not correspond with my idea of distraction." Her son angrily stared at her, his arms defensively crossed in front of his narrow chest. Then he pushed his blanket aside and sat up with some effort.
"Then tell me what sort of distraction you are looking for and I'll make sure to arrange something for you," she demanded gently yet firmly, watching Charles while he went to his dresser where a bowl of water had been readied for him.

"I have no idea, mother. Something without people who are constantly talking or persisting on something or trying to determine the next course of action – I guess you get the meaning."
"I see. Something that doesn't require my presence," she concluded. Charles turned to her, opened his mouth as if to say something, but closed it without saying a single word. "I just want to help you, Charles. But that I can only do if you let me help you," she dared a new, keener attemp at getting through to him.
Her son, however, ignored her words and shook his pale face.
"I don't need a distraction, I just need to be left alone."
Now they were back at the beginning of their conversation. Everything in Catherine urged her to end this miserable walk on eggshells but she forced herself to be patience and nodded as understandingly as possible.
"So peace and quiet it is. Well. We could go to the sea or you could visit our Chateau in Alsace for a while," she offered Charles who was making small waves in the water bowl with his fingers.
"No, I don't feel like it," he mumbled thoughtlessly and Catherine felt the desire to shake him vigorously to bring him to his senses.
"And what exactly are you feeling like?", she hissed between her teeth, sounding less understanding than seconds before.
"I feel like nothing, Mother."

Great, how was she supposed to remain calm with that kind of conversation going on?
"Maybe a nice ride or a small journey?" She pondered on what else she could possibly offer him. A visit to a brothel maybe? Charles might be young but he was slowly becoming a man no matter how childish he behaved. She was even considering making such a suggestion but couldn't bring these words over her motherly heart.
"A stay at a monastary to find seclusion and inner peace?", she offered instead, feeling ashamed at her own cowardice. But the more she thought about this suggestion, the less absurd it seemed. She would not call herself a religious woman but she knew there were people who could find solace in religion and the seclusion of a convent. To her surprise her consideration caught Charles' attention, who looked at her with a slight frown.

"A monastery?", he asked skeptically, rubbing his chin deep in thoughts. "Henry and I have always enjoyed our stay at the monastery." All her children had spent some time in monasteries, and she could vaguely remember that particularly Charles and Henry had been fond of it.
"We could sent for Henry. Perhaps he would like to accompany you", she replied hopefully. Charles expression became avid and all of a sudden she was seeing this small dark-haired boy before her inner eyes that was tussling in the gardens with his younger brother.
"I'll send him a message right away," Charles explained with ardent zeal and Catherine breathed out a sigh of relief.

She couldn't tell if a stay at said monastery would be able to heal his inner wounds, but the prospect alone gave her new hope.
"Excellent. How about I'll call for your breakfast first and then take care of the arrangements for your upcoming trip?"
"Do that, mother. If you'll excuse me now, I have a letter to write."
Catherine rose and let her fingers run over his arm in a loving gesture. She nodded briefly and hurried to her own chambers to inform the abbot of Reims of the imminent visit of his king.

Stephane did send his regrets for his absence at lunch as some members of the privy council had asked for an extraordinary meeting. So she did not see him until later that day.
"Catherine!"
The Queen Mother stopped in her tracks and gave her husband a chance to catch up on her. His black jacket - emblazoned with gold and red embroidery - as well as his tight leather trousers suited him well and harmonized with her own wardrobe that was predominantly kept in gold and bordeaux red with hints of black. They both looked the part of a married couple. They actually made a nice pair – at least on a visual level. If not for their many interpersonal differences.

"What did they want?" She cut right to the chase.
"They were repeatedly expressing their concern about Charles' mental constitution. Some of them already regret declaring him to be of age." Catherine snorted contemptuously.
"Now it's too late to whine about their stupid decision."
"You know how fickle they can be. Come on, take a walk with me," he requested and offered his arm to his wife. Catherine did not feel like taking a walk with Stephane. She feared he might bring up last night's emotional outburst. But when Lord and Lady Delange strolled leisurely towards them, both looking at them with curious eyes, Catherine took Stephane's arm and accepted his offer with a low sigh.

"I assume you've already had your little talk with Charles?" He guessed, opening the door for her that led to the royal gardens.
"Yes and our conversation was quite positive, contrary to my expectation. I think I actually got through to him." Stephane guided her towards the rose hedges whose petals were already starting to wither.
"I never doubted you for one second, ma Belle." At these words she freed her arm from his and stopped to look at Narcisse suspiciously.
"Your appreciative attitude towards my person makes me wonder. So tell me, what do you expect to archieve by doing that, Stephane?" He slowed down as well and looked at her with an intensity that caused her discomfort.
"I'm just trying to be a respectable husband. And I've been told that it occasionally happens that married partners support each other." She shook her head at his answer and walked on.

"Perhaps in a bad novel, yes. Do I seriously have to remind you that this is only a marriage of convenience in your case and a forced marriage in mine?" Her words sounded cold and bitter.
"And do I have to remind you that we did agree to try it despite all circumstances and against all odds?" The Lord Chancellor approached the bushes, pulled out a small dagger and cut off one of the last beautiful roses. He gave it to Catherine. The frank smile on his face was warm and charming. She just stared at the flower in her hand, taken by surprise. The rich color of the pestals had the same shade of red like the skirts she were wearing. She had not expected this kind of gesture from her husband. In fact she could not even remember when or whether Henry had ever given her a small gift like fresh flowers. Henry always bought her silence and collusion with expensive jewelry. The mere idea of giving her a single rose had never grossed his mind, of that she was pretty sure.

"And did you come to an agreement with Charles?" Stephan's words interrupted her thoughts. She nodded and moved on at a slower pace.
"He will seek spiritual consolation in Saint-Remi monastery," she told her husband who looked up surprised.
"He wants to visit the monastery?"
"You weren't totally wrong with your guess that Charles just needs time. He needs some personal time to find peace and quiet, far away from court and his obligations. And during his absence we can soothe the fragil egos of councilors and nobles. Pouring oil on troubled water."
Her husband had caught up with her again and reached for her left hand to put it back on his arm.

"Or maybe we should give them a nice little runaround? We could go on a journey. Together - as a family. We will leave Charles unobtrusively at the monastery and you and I will continue our journey alone. Thus his real place of residence would be better protected. I will take care of the most important government business over there." After this statement his wife firmly pinched his arm.
"You certainly mean that WE will deal with all kind of government business - together. After all, we want to give this marriage a serious try," she corrected her husband and beat him at his very own game.
"Of course, my dear. It seems I haven't grown accustomed to our marriage myself. But now we will have a lot of time for each other. This will be our secret honeymoon, Catherine." She freed her arm from his once again and glared at her husband.

"What a charming idea," she said with a voice that was tripping with irony which mad Narcisse laugh.
"I can see, your joy is boundless." Since she had withdrawn from him, he simply put his arm around her waist and continued to direct her towards the stables. "Let me show you my new stallion Demon. And don't get your hopes up, there will be no more horses on the menu at this court. Not even in case the Queen Mother requests it."
Upon hearing this, a mischievous smile flashed across Catherine's face and she let him lead her to the stables without resistance.

So are you up for a nice little journey?

at Mediciqueen: thaaaank you, my Dear. I'm trying my very best.

at D: that question was also burning under my nails. So I had to put this episode of her life into this story. Thanks, Hon.

at CallmeCordelia1: yes, it breaks my heart as well but it also gave me a great time writing it. I certainly love some drama and angst. Thanks for you kind words!