He set her down with a tug. He picked up the blood-colored robe, forgotten on the floor, and handed it to her.
- Get dressed, he ordered abruptly, then turned and went back to the vanity to get the letters. Catherine put her robe back on, glaring at her husband. After having tightened it, she stood up and crossed her arms over her chest.
- Come here - said the king again. The woman approached with a sarcastic expression.
- There is something that I cannot place in these letters - said the king pretending to be theatrical - You see - he said taking one of the letters - Here, my dear Richard wrote to you that he took pleasure in remembering the night of passion after the banquet of the renewed alliance with the Spaniards - he paused - But you were with me that night.
- You drank so much that you collapsed almost immediately - the queen explained succinctly. The man gave a sarcastic half laugh.
- So you slept with him, he said.
- Yes - said Catherine.
- And does this... strategy apply to the rest? - asked Henry - To the "I want to go to sleep, I'm tired, Henry", to the "I don't feel like celebrating today", were they all about spending a night in the arms of your lover?
- Most yes- the woman answered briefly. She felt tired and her husband appeared to be less of a threat.
- Catherine, love, you torture me by answering so quietly- said her husband ironically- You seem almost proud of what you have done-
- It certainly wasn't the biggest mistake of my life- said the queen looking at Henry with a defiant smile- Besides it showed everyone that you are not as cold and stupid as you try to prove-
The king returned the smirk with even more acidity and sarcasm. He licked his lips.
- Your insolence only increases my fantasies about possible punishments for you," he said almost as a threat. "Too bad your wizard doesn't have a potion to destabilize the senses; it would be perfect for a cheater.
- So for you it would be great- retorted Catherine calmly.
Henry watches her for a few seconds, absorbing the blow.
- You're right, it wouldn't be ideal - he finally said - especially because I wouldn't get any pleasure out of doing this... - Almost imperceptibly, he put his hand on the inside of his wife's thigh, making her moan in surprise.
- Exactly - he added mischievously. He bit her lips, making her flinch. He let her go.
- I must admit that both you and Richard amazed me - he said - So tactical, strategic, full of a thousand tricks. As far as I remember, you were not the ruthless manipulator of today.
- I changed very slowly - said the queen with seriousness - Nothing perceptible to a superficial man like you.
- I guess Richard was sensitive, understanding, the perfect man for you," Henry growled, about to lose his patience again.
- You too were sensitive and understanding before you turned into a foolish and lustful king- said the woman, beginning to adopt her typical peremptory tone of voice.
- Don't justify your whorish behavior by blaming me!" said the husband, making the other one wince at the word "whore".
- Don't you dare...- Catherine began but the man interrupted her.
- I dare, woman - he exclaimed - I dare because you are my wife and the queen of France and these two positions should have prevented you from opening your legs to the first person who said a kind word!
Catherine looked away.
- You are ridiculous- she said.
- I don't care - said the king - How many other men have you slept with?
- With no one else- replied the woman.
- I don't believe you - growled the husband.
- Then it's not my problem! - Catherine exclaimed looking at him.
The king grabbed her wrist.
- How many other men have you slept with? - he asked again.