Chapter Twenty-Six
"Sire. I had hoped you would keep your promise."
"But I have. Our little family is intact."
"But, then, who is that?"
"Ah, well, I found him lurking in the Sun Room, of all places. The mirrors must have confused him. He appeared to be looking for someone. Perhaps our petit? But I was hungry and did not ask."
"Actually he may have been a relative, too."
"Oh, come, son. Do not jest with me. How many can there be out there?"
"His driver's license says he was Jean-Louis David, Majesty. Yes, just as I suspected. Today, after a conversation I had with my niece, ah, another new relative you've not met yet, sire."
"Go on." Waving his hand majestically. "But really this is taking up good hunting hours so make it brief. So I have a niece, this nephew I brought in and how am I related to the dinner?"
"It can't be! Your Majesty." Kara has come into the room and sweeps down into a deep curtsey. "It is Marie, Marie Davidandous, of your household staff. Oh, I am so pleased to see you. But where is your son, Bernard? I have looked all over for him. Do you know where I can find him? You see, I wanted him to meet our beautiful son."
Lance glances down at the drained limp body then up at his sire. "An unfortunate mishap. Sire, meet yet another relative, Karolina David. This one merely channels Marie, but is indeed from their union. I knew it the minute I heard about her eyes."
"Jean-Louis, oh, my husband." Wails Sophie.
"Do not mourn for the loss of a mere man. What I am about to do tonight will bring back a Goddess."
In a whisper, Beth says: "Alright, Mick! I don't believe this. We've got Sophie and her Queen – the one back from the dead, I presume? Collie's over there with Elliott, see how she's protecting him? Then there's the husband, Jean-Louis? dead on the floor. And just above him, next to Lance. Who is that? He looks so familiar."
"He should. You've probably seen his portrait around here. After all, he built the place. Beth, meet the Sun King, his Majesty, Louis XIV."