CHAPTER 6 - First sight

The next day Oscar got up at her usual time. She didn't actually go to Versailles that day, but decided not to change anything and go along routine activities. The routine was good. It let take her mind off the things that unnecessarily distracted her.

Firstly, an hour-long training with Jerome, the effort that brilliantly cleared her mind of various nonsense. Then a quick breakfast. She was a little tempted to ask monsieur Grandier to join her, but she immediately corrected herself. It wouldn't be right. That would be another nonsense.

Then she sat in the living room and spent an hour going through plans for the reconstruction of the chambers, checking it in terms of security. Meanwhile, Sylvie came with tea and cookies, so Oscar asked how Marie was doing. Sylvie enthusiastically informed her that Marie's condition had improved a lot, and today she even ate breakfast. Dr. Lasonne was due around twelve to examine the patient. Oscar decided to come around then to see the nanny. After drinking her tea, she played a piano. And so another hour passed. Around noon, she decided to leave her shelter, congratulating herself on avoiding dangerous company for so long.

The doctor was just outside Marie's room, so they entered together. Marie was sitting up against the pillows looking much better. Her grandson sat in a relaxed pose on the armchair next to her. When he saw them entering, he rose quickly and bowed his head politely.

- Mademoiselle - he said in a soft voice, then shook the doctor's hand. After a short exchange of views between the men, the doctor asked to be left alone with the patient. Oscar's heart made a painful jump, but obediently headed for the exit. When the door closed behind the two of them, they faced each other in silence, staring with suspicion.

This time the man was not wearing justaucorps, but only a shirt and a very simple vest. Still, he looked even more appealing, which did not escape Oscar's attention. Suddenly she felt strangely weak, but decided that she would absolutely, and under no circumstances, reveal anything.

- Did you sleep well, Monsieur? - she asked innocently, trying to make her voice appear calm.

- Very well, thank you Mademoiselle - Andre replied cheerfully, smiling a row of straight white teeth.

„Hell - Oscar thought, seeing that smile and feeling her cheeks turn a deep red - I definitely need some fresh air!"

...

Andre indeed have a wonderful sleep. The bed was very comfortable and he, exhausted from the long journey, fell asleep the moment his head rested on the pillow. He woke around eight and stretched lazily on the sheets. The reason for these short vacation was rather unfortunate, but cause Grandma was clearly feeling better, he decided not to feel guilty about the few days off work. He got up, washed his face, and began to dress. He mechanically walked over to the window to get an idea of the weather, but quickly forgot it because something else caught his eye.

On the small lawn to the left of the window, Mademoiselle de Jaryajes trained fencing with her orderly. The man was good, really good, agile and fast, but she was a few classes better than him. She parried all the blows effortlessly, then returned faster and harder. Her movements were vigorous, powerful, but at the same time she was as light as a dancer. Yes, it was more like a dance than a fight. But Andre was not fooled, he knew that mademoiselle must have been a tough opponent. He noticed that her face was serious, focused, completely different from the one she had shown him the evening before. Andre did not fail to notice how, with each sudden movement or rotation, her hair falls down her back in a cascade of molten gold. He had a real weakness for such hair. He stared at this marvel as if entranced for a long moment until training was over. The woman handed her sword to the assistant and they both headed inside the building.

Andre sighed and went back to dressing.

...

And now that „marvel" stared at him a bit uncertainly, and yesterday's eloquence of the two somehow suddenly mysteriously vanished.

- Err.. - Oscar began to stutter, just like she never did. She never lost her tongue. She was known for her teasing and verbal courage - I think I'll go for a horse ride. Would you like to come with me perhaps, Monsieur Grandier? - it slipped her tongue before she realized it.

„Oh, stupid, stupid, stupid me - she chided herself - Refuse, please say „no"!" - she tried to spell him mentally, but he didn't seem to hear her silent prayers.

- Very willingly - he smiled broadly. Once again, Oscar noted.

- Great! - she replied - See you in ten minutes outside the stables then - she added and ran away.

„You came up with a ridiculous idea, do you know that?" - she tormented herself on the way to the stables.

The man was already there picking up both horses from Claude's hands. When she came over, he gave her the bridle and then raised his hand as he would like to help her get on the horse. However, the look she gave him could freeze to death, so he quickly withdrew his hand. He watched her jumping on her horse with lightness and grace, then did the same. With equal lightness and elegance.

...

The idea did not turn out to be as stupid as it had seemed at first. Andre was a great rider, so the ride together was a real pleasure for both of them.

"Maybe because we don't need to talk too much while galloping.. Or too much to look at yourself.." - Oscar wondered.

They took one break to water the horses, staying next to a little stream. It was the only time the woman considered an immediate escape. They got off their horses and talked about neutral topics like the good gallop routes and the beauty of nature. The man was standing at the edge of the stream and suddenly, in one fluid movement, he removed the tape that was holding his hair. It was a completely innocent gesture. As he was driving, the tape slipped off a bit, freeing some of the hair that fell on his face. It was rather uncomfortable and should be fixed.

He was standing with his back to her, and when Oscar saw the storm of deep chocolate-colored curls, she felt something she had never felt before in her entire twenty-something years of life. She felt the urge to go over to him and slide her fingers into those silky curls, then pull him close and ...

„Enough of this! - she screamed at herself mentally, then turned to Caesar to hide her trembling - This is getting totally unbearable!"

After a few minutes, they continued to ride, but all Oscar's good mood was gone. At the stables she said goodbye to Andre in an indifferent voice and ran away once again.

In the evening she drank two glasses of wine in a quick gulp. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to sleep. The only consolation was the fact that the next day she was going to Versailles normally, and that would be the end of all these absurd situations.