CHAPTER 7 - Maid's talk
The next morning Oscar got up at dawn and indulged in the reassuring routine. One hour of training with Jerome, then a quick breakfast and going to work. On the road to the court, she already felt much better. Everything was the old way. She wore the red uniform of a colonel of the Royal Guards, her faithful orderly trotted on a horse beside her, and the route was ordinary and familiar. After the confusion of the last two days, it felt like a real deep breath after diving into the dark depths.
They arrived fairly quickly, then Oscar handed the horse back to Jerome and walked away towards her quarters.
- Good morning, Commander! - her deputy, Captain Girodelle, greeted her with a salute
- Hello, Captain - she replied in a serious voice - Any problems?
- None, Colonel - the man confirmed - There was one attempt to break into the palace, but we quickly thwarted it. It was just some hungry man. We fed him and sent him behind the walls, as you instructed us.
- Very good, Girodelle - only said Oscar - Have you made your rounds today?
- Not yet, Commander - the captain said, a little quieter
- And you should, and also fast - she replied, giving him a stern look - There is only one guard at the main gate. On the inside, the soldiers' uniforms are crookedly buttoned. It's good that the king hasn't left yet. Take care of it immediately - she ordered stiffly
- Yes, Colonel! - Girodelle replied humbly. He knew there was no point in making excuses because it would only annoy her. It was necessary to execute the order quickly and not to argue. So he left as quickly as possible and returned in half an hour.
Oscar was just busy going through the redevelopment plans once again.
- Are the builders here already? - she asked him as soon as he entered
- They'll be there in an hour, Commander - he replied
- That's good. While watching these plans, I found a few shortcomings. The big one, here - she pointed on the paper in front of her - The door is too narrow. It can be dangerous if there any problem occurs - Girodelle nodded in agreement with her - And there's too much plush in the queen's chamber. If there was a fire, it would immediately engulf the windows and doors.
- These decorations are Queen's personal design.. - the captain interjected timidly
- Right - agreed Oscar thoughtfully - I'll try to talk to her. What are the plans for today?
- After lunch, the Queen has a meeting with Madame de Bountenville.
- Damn.. - Oscar cursed under her breath - He's going to lose some money again. - she said as if to herself - I will escort the queen to the place and accompany her - she added quickly - You stay here and keep an eye on the rest.
- As you wish, Commander! - Girodelle said and left
The colonel went to the queen's chambers to greet the queen and talk for a while. She managed to convince Her Majesty to reduce the amount of green plush the woman decided to cover whatever she could think of. After lunch, the Queen and Countess de Polignac went in carriage to the house of Madame de Boutenville. The Queen was in the casino for almost four hours, so it was long before dark when they returned to Versailles. Oscar briefly considered returning to Jarjayes manor for the night, but in the end, a common sense won and she stayed in the palace. Later she thought it might be better. All day she had been thinking about nothing but work, and she felt great about it. She fell asleep quickly and woke up refreshed.
The next day, the queen unexpectedly announced a ball to be held the same evening.
"What a nonsensical idea, damn it" - Oscar cursed under her breath
A ball arranged without prior notice meant a lot of work and another whole day at Versailles. And the need for a double guard until morning. If this had been an advance prom, she might have left Girodelle on guard and returned home this afternoon. In this situation, there was no chance for it. The day passed so quickly that she didn't even know when it was dark. She then stayed overseeing the queen's safety until three in the morning, when the ball was happily over. She was exhausted and fell asleep like a stone.
...
The next day was going to be just as busy. Firstly, a review of the soldiers and an hour-long training. Then a concert and lunch. After dinner, however, the Queen complained of a headache and canceled all other commitments. Which meant Oscar could go home right away. She and Jerome quickly made the way back because it was cold and they were warming up by galloping. Unnoticed by anyone, she slipped into the house with the intention of going to her rooms. However, as she passed the kitchen, her watchful ear registered some interesting conversation. She stopped, hid and began to listen.
The funny thing was that there were exact the same servants as some time before.
- You're stupid, Nicole - said Sandrine's voice and Oscar only heard a loud fuch in response - How many times have I told you to let go, cause he's not for you?
Oscar pricked up her ears vigilantly because she found the conversation very interesting.
- Nicole thought naively - Sylvie said sarcastically - she just brought him breakfast a few times and accidentally showed the contents of her cleavage and he fell into her arms right away - she laughed - Right, Nicole? And instead of noticing that nothing had came of it, you went to him in the evening and tried to seduce him? You are a real moron. I'm not surprised he sent you to hell.
- He didn't say that, don't be silly, Sylvie! - Nicole snapped back - He was very polite, as always. He only said that he wasn't interested.
- Of course he's interested - Sandrine laughed - but not in you, my dear!
Oscar suddenly felt oddly hot.
Nicole growled menacingly in response.
- Cursed, blasted Rosalie - she said in a grave voice - What does she have that I don't have?
- I already told you, Nicole - Sandrine replied ironically - Beautiful, lush, wheat-color hair and eyes like two lakes - she and Sylvie began to giggle – She's not the same as you, you vulgar girl!
She burst out laughing and Nicole stuck her tongue out at her in response.
- Say what you want, but they fit together - Sylvie put in - I won't be surprised if they get married soon.
- Don't talk nonsense! - Nicole snapped furiously
- This is not nonsense - continued the other undaunted - Can't you see how he looks at her? And she can't take her eyes off him and is constantly blushing - she smiled sarcastically - I still encounter them engrossed in conversation. You know he even took her for a ride yesterday. Aww, how romantic, both on the same horse .. - she pretended that she dreamed
- Back off, Sylvie! - Nicole snapped and left slamming the door.
The two other servants laughed heartily.
Oscar didn't want to listen any longer. She sneaked out of her hiding place and moved towards the stairs without looking around. Strange pain was spreading through her chest and it seemed to take her breath away. She needed a glass of wine, she needed a LARGE glass of wine, immediately.
Suddenly she collided with someone, and for a moment she felt dizzy. She would have collapsed if that someone hadn't held her up.
- I am sorry - she muttered and looked up.
Of course. It couldn't be one of the servants. Or Jerome. Or anyone else. She happened to bump into the last person she wanted to see right now.
- Are you all right, Mademoiselle? - the man asked anxiously, holding her elbow and not letting go of the grip.
- Sure - she said, trying to give her voice the harshness she used to talk to Girodelle or the other soldiers - Forgive me, I was in a hurry - she added, looking at the hand which was still holding her.
Andre's fingers were gentle, but his grip was strong and firm. The touch destabilized Oscar enough that she wanted to make a scream.
Andre looked just along her gaze and immediately withdrew his hand. He also took a step back. He looked curiously at her uniform. He had never seen a female soldier before. She looked dazzling and dignified. Her golden hair contrasted perfectly with the red colour of her uniform, and her pale culottes framed intriguingly her long, slender legs.
- Good to see you again, Commander - he said with a ferocious twinkle in his eyes, and the beginning of a smile started to appear in the corners of his mouth.
- You are not my soldier - she narrowed her eyes, trying not to smile, which was not easy - So I am not your commander, Monsieur Grandier.
- I guess I should be glad - the smile spread now over his whole face - I heard that you are a very strict supervisor.
- They say so - she confirmed proudly, smiling back.
- But it is quite hard to scare me. So if I ever get bored of breeding horses, I will come here and apply for the position of your orderly - he joked - It would certainly be an interesting job.
- You surely wouldn't want to leave Etretat, Monsieur - the woman replied weakly, hearing the joke and trying to regain her balance.
- You're right, Mademoiselle - he nodded - Not to mention the fact that I'm even not half as good with a sword as Jerome! - he laughed.
- How do you know he's good? - Oscar frowned and looked at him suspiciously.
Andre realized he must have said a little too much.
- I saw you two training one day, forgive my indiscretion - he replied, looking down.
- I understand - she said calmly, although her heart did a strange dance - But if you say you're not that good, does that mean you can wield a sword at all? - she asked, genuinely intrigued.
- Yes, I do a little - he confirmed - I was learning fencing with my close friend. Eugene is the son of Baron de Valory, he lives in the nearby Chateau de Frefosse.
Oscar stared at him in amazement. She wondered what else she would find out about this man before he leaved.
- Then, maybe we could train together tomorrow - she offered without hesitation. She would not have missed such an opportunity.
- I'd love to try it sometime. Although I'm afraid I'm without any chance - he laughed - Unfortunately, tomorrow morning I am returning to Etretat. Grandma is feeling much better now, she even got out of bed in the morning. And responsibilities are calling me back. Actually, I wanted to say goodbye now, because in the morning we may not be able to - he extended his hand to her - Thank you very much for your hospitality, Mademoiselle de Jarjayes. It was a real honor to meet you - he shook her hand.
- Also for me, Monsieur Grandier - she smiled, though she felt a strange twinge of sadness - I hope we will meet again sometime.
- I'm sure of it - Andre said, looking her straight in the eye.
They stared at each other for a moment, then Oscar nodded gently, released her hand and walked away towards her rooms.