Real Peaceful Surroundings

Olivia watched as Lizzie packed the last trunk. She only had two since most of her belongings were property of the King. She looked around the room in the palace where she had spent the last day and smiled. She would miss this place, but Charles had promised her a nice, beautiful, and quiet place in the country. She knew what that meant. His home.

She thought that she would be sad leaving court, but she found it quite liberating. She checked all the trunks as a knock sounded on the door. Lizzie quickly opened it to find guards standing there. They walked inside as Olivia stood. She said nothing as the men took her trunks down. She followed with Lizzie at her heels. She tried to look sad but found it too hard. She was not really sad.

There was a wagon waiting for them. The men quickly loaded the trunks. No one wanted to help Olivia on board so she managed to pull herself up next to the driver. The man smiled sweetly. She nodded and looked around the small courtyard. She thought that she might see Charles there, but he had warned her that he would be detained. Lizzie climbed up behind her and told the driver it was safe to go.

Olivia turned back and looked at the palace on last time. She didn't really think that she would miss it; however, some part of her would. There were memories there just like there were in other places. She knew that she would never come back with Charles for the most wonderful and lovely Christmas celebrations. She would miss the fancy dresses and reason to be all dressed up. She would also miss Charles when he left for court.

Lizzie gently touched her shoulder as they pulled away from the gates. Olivia took a deep breath. Things were changing and she was not really afraid of that. She knew that she was not really safe unless Charles had found a way to deliver her uncle's head on a platter. She tried not to think anymore about that as they started toward the country.

The day dwindled as did the ride. By the time the wagon stopped Olivia awoke to find herself on Lizzie's shoulder. The girl was staring at something with a bright smile on her face. Olivia shook off the sleep and looked up. They were still a ways away, but she could see Charles's home in the distance. Every light was shining brightly. She felt herself smiled despite the fact that she was supposed to be banished. She could see a few servants standing at the door, waiting. Lizzie was soon itching in anticipation to get off the wagon. Olivia found her excitement infectious. She was happy too especially when she saw Charles step out to the wagon with his hand held out.

"Hello, my lady," he said softly as he helped her down.

"So this is where you have been all day?" Olivia asked with a smile.

Charles smiled and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her tightly and then helped little Lizzie down. Both women smiled as they looked around. Olivia had seen Charles's before, but she had needed his rescue then just as she did now. She noticed some servants come out. They were looking oddly at her. She didn't feel like they were staring in anger. It was more that they were not sure if Charles had taken on a new mistress. He walked over and put an arm around her as he told the men to take the suitcases to the guest room.

"Guest room?" Olivia asked with a sly smile.

"For now," Charles said and walked in.

There was a large table in the middle of the room sat with the most beautiful and delicious food she had ever seen. She heard Lizzie's sharp intake of breath. Olivia turned to her with a smile.
"I don't think we are dressed for such a fine table," Olivia said turning back to Charles.

She had to catch a breath for a moment. The firelight caught his fact in that soft hue that she had fallen in love so long ago. He had not been listening to her. He turned to her with a shake of his head and a smile. He had been staring at the chair close to the big fire. Olivia looked at the chair. She still remembered how comfortable that chair was the first time they ever kissed.

"You are dressed just fine, and I want you to eat," Charles said, touching her cheek.

Olivia smiled. She wanted to eat. The food, if she really wanted to call it that, she was served in the Tower was barely worth touching. She had only eaten it to keep her strength up. She saw Lizzie practically drooling as she stood close to the table. She took pity on the girl quickly.

"Lizzie, sit and eat," she called to her.

Charles smiled and kissed Olivia's cheek. "You sit and eat too."

"I have this feeling that Court rules don't apply here."

Charles grinned that boyish grin that Olivia found so attractive. When he was like that, Olivia saw the young man that was sometime hid from the world. She could see that some of the same rules applied, but at the same time it was different. Olivia waited for his answer as she sat down at the table. The smell of all the food almost knocked her down as she sat next to Lizzie. If this was to be here life, she would not complain. But she did want to be his wife. There were rumors that Katherine had cut all ties, allowing him to claim a divorce. However, she knew that Charles would not take that easy way out.

The dinner passed with great conversation and wonderful food. Olivia found it hard to retire to the fire. She took her spiced wine and sat down next to the fire. Lizzie disappeared upstairs to start unpacking. Olivia stared into the fire. She had never felt this content in all her life. Usually on nights like this, she was returning from the lists bloody and bruised. She fidgeted and fought pain. Now, to be sitting next to a warm fire with someone, putting his arms around her was so relaxing.

"You are thinking," Charles said, kissing her neck.
Olivia nodded. "I have never felt completely safe anywhere but here."

Charles pulled her closer. She laid her head back against his shoulder and stared at the fire. The only thing she could wish for was music. That wasn't necessary when she started listening to Charles's heart. It was a gentle sound that she never realized she loved.

"Gaston went back to France two days ago," Charles said as his fingers pulled her hair down.

"He always stays true to his cowardice form."

Charles nodded. "He won't stay gone."

Charles had no idea. He probably hadn't really left. Olivia felt sick inside thinking about him and what he was capable of doing. If he thought Charles was watching him, he had probably found a way to make it look like he had gone back to France. She knew him better than that. She also knew that he would have to die if she was ever going to have real peace. She knew that she would be safe as long as Charles could do provide it, but Gaston would wait until that one moment when Charles was not around to strike.

"Why do you mean so much to him, Olivia?" Charles asked suddenly.

Olivia cuddled up closer to him not sure how to that answer that question. She never really knew the answer. She knew that Gaston had raised her from when she was young and given her sword when she could stand. That really didn't explain the obsession he had with her.

"I think it's because to him I'm the best," she said. "He trained me from almost birth and he has never had another student like me."

Charles nodded against her neck. "Yes, but you think he would want to let you go so that you could train others."

"So they could fight against him?" Olivia looked at him with a slight grin. "That will never happen. And that may be what he thinks I would do."

Charles rolled his eyes and stood. He walked over to a table and pulled out a deck of cards. He had large grin on his face that only made Olivia laugh. She could see that he wanted to play cards. She didn't mind except that she always lost. She got up and grabbed the wine just as they had done all those nights ago.

"I think you cheat," she said as Charles sat down.

Charles gave her a big smile. "I would never cheat."

In a few hours, Olivia was accusing him of the same thing. She had not won a single card game, and Charles seemed to be enjoying his victories too much. Olivia threw her cards on the table and stood up. She wasn't angry; she loved playing cards with Charles even if she lost every hand. She heard Charles stand. She turned and found that he was holding out his hand, waiting for her. She took it and followed him to her door. She had questions bouncing all over her mind, yet she was afraid to know the answers. She just wanted to be happy for as long as possible. Charles stopped at the door of her room and gently kissed her lips.

"Katherine has asked for a divorce," Charles said against her cheek.

Olivia looked up at Charles. He didn't seem upset. She could even see that happy and mischievous glint in his eyes. She couldn't resist a small smile herself. But this was not the news she was expecting. It was good news, but it came at a cost she wasn't sure Charles would be willing to pay.

"Is that what you really want?" Olivia asked with her arms around Charles.

Charles stared at her for a long time. Finally, he nodded slowly. A divorce was messy and public, but he knew with the things Katherine was asking for, she wanted it private. There was once a time that Katherine was the only thing that meant anything to him. Things had changed though. Some part of him had died and only one woman could bring him back. He had his arms around that woman now, longing to kiss her.

"If it means I can have you," he said softly. "Then yes."

Olivia smiled a little. This was never how she wanted to win Charles. But she knew that she wanted to be with him. She got on her tip toes and kissed him. It was simple and endearing. It should have told everything that he needed to know.

"Good night my love," he said.

Olivia nodded and reached for the door. She could not be happier in all that had happened. She was safe, alive, and Charles was making sure she was going to be well feed and taken care of. Her life couldn't get much better. However, she knew that Gaston would not let her go without at least one more fight. She would enjoy the simple pleasure a few more days then get back to training. No one was going to take her away from Charles ever again. She looked at him as she started inside and turned around, putting her arms around him and kissing him as passionately as she could muster. Charles held on to her and lifted her off her feet. Before she could stop him, she was being carried into her room by him. He kicked the door shut without even taking a breath. The night was still young, and she was going to enjoy the one simple pleasure she missed the most.