Disclaimer: They still have their own world and I own nothing. A lot of mess to cover and a lot more to happen. Last part of this chapter. Rated M for an unexpected surprise and strong language.
Chapter 9: Angels We Create and Lose, Part III
At the break of dawn, certain doors of the castle were meant to open. As the few rays of sunlight touched their world, a new day meant new beginnings and unfortunate foreshadowings.
In the queen mother's chamber, Narcisse didn't want to wake his still naked wife, cuddled within his warmth and arms. But alas, they need to break the tranquility of their fur paradise on her floor and get ready for the day.
"Mon amour? It's time to wake up. We're still naked." He chuckled after his whisper tickled his queen. "Hmmm… and so?" Catherine managed the sassy remark despite the sleepy state and hugged her husband for more body heat. Another chuckle ensued from Stéphane.
"But my divine goddess, if our angels found us in this state, you might get mad at me for not trying hard enough to wake you. So I beg you, my queen, let's start the day? I'll help you get ready." Stéphane lovingly pleaded. His wife just grumbled on his neck before leaving a sensual kiss on it.
He shuddered at her and that truly woke up their senses. She smiled at his reaction and continued kissing him until she reached his plump lips. She tenderly kissed him and nibbled on his lip a little.
"You will help me get dressed while all you want is to remove my clothes? Some guts you have, husband." She coyly replied to his proposal as she lazily sat up. She used her finger as a sensual beckoning sign for him to come nearer.
He sat up and kissed that finger. In turn, she shuddered and he pulled her closer. "You are absolutely right. I'm quite gutsy. But I assure you, you shall enjoy how I'll dress you today. But before anything else, let's take a bath." He cupped her face and kissed her forehead.
"Very well, lord chancellor. Lead the way." His queen fervently smiled. He wrapped fur around his torso and stood up for her robe. He returned to her and embracingly wrapped her robe around her. He tied the ties around her waist then embraced her tightly. He took the opportunity to smell her incredible hair before gently lifting her to stand.
He brought them to an adjoining room of the chamber. It was adorned with beautiful candles and a warm bath awaited at the center. "I bet the servants cursed us while doing this elaborate set up at a very untimely hour." Catherine moved closer to the jasmine-infused water. "Yes. But it is worth it, isn't it? I mean, not to be cursed at but at least have this result. I shall reward them accordingly for their work."
She chuckled at her husband's remark. "Well, aren't you so generous, lord chancellor?" She finally untied her robe and revealed her nakedness once more. But she immediately submerged herself in the tub when a whiff of cold air got in the room.
He got the soap and other essential oils near them. "We need to have some of your clothes here in my chambers. I can't have you using my furs around your… nether region." Catherine implied as he found the notion ridiculous. He finally took it off and caught his wife gulping at his svelte body. "Catherine, eyes up here."
"But the exciting stuff is down there." The queen mother responded in a child-like request. It was as if an innocent virgin teenager possessed her. Stéphane was in awe of how Catherine managed to do that.
"And you pout your lips like that? Goodness, Catherine. How can I resist you?" She sweetly smiled at his statement. "You simply can't. I'm so damn irresistible. I can't help it." She winked and he was hooked immediately.
He lowered himself in the tub and Catherine slowly waded towards his side. He welcomed her with an embrace and a kiss. She laid her back on his chest as he started lathering the soap on her skin.
"Do you remember the last time we got in a bath together, Stéphane?" He froze to her words and had to close his eyes as memories of that dreadful night came flooding in.
"How could I ever forget, Catherine? I almost lost you that night." He hugged her and rested his head on her shoulder. Catherine bit on her lower lip in regret. She didn't want to evoke more trauma in him, especially in his vulnerable state. She rotated gently to face him and gently caressed his face.
"I'm sorry. I only meant to say how far we've come from that moment. We were merely companions that night. Now, we are more than those lost souls. We have truly found our destinies in each other, just like a soulmate does."
Their eyes lingered on one another like always and had to smile at that fact. "No need to apologize, Catherine. I also like this miraculous full-circle moment." He said as he gently damped her hair. "I will never forget how much I wanted to profess my love for you that very instant. But I knew it was not the right time."
She also started to bathe him as they reflected more. "We both made the right decision to say nothing at that time. Although looking back, our actions were more than enough to express how much we love each other." A satisfying droplet sound followed her words.
She trailed her wet hand over his chest to spell the word 'life'. He echoed the word softly. "Life?" Catherine lovingly kissed Stéphane and whispered what she meant on his lips. "You and my children are my life. Stéphane, I don't want to lose you."
Stéphane returned the kiss back and slowly broke it for him to express what he saw in those hazel eyes. "Do you still doubt that I won't ever leave your side?" An assured kiss on her forehead was from a hopeful Stéphane. He wanted to reassure her every day.
"I understand if there is an ounce of skepticism left in you despite what we recently went through, despite our wedding vows. I mean, you said those words to me before, during that senseless siege, and I still betrayed you. I regret that every single day of my life, Catherine."
He captured her hands and securely held them. "Believe this Stéphane Narcisse in front of you now. Because my truth is simply returning your words. Catherine, I don't ever want to lose you. You are my life, now and forever. And I will never get tired of showing that to you." He kissed those hands and hoped for the best.
Catherine visibly sighed a relief. But also quelled his anxiety. "I believe you, Stéphane. I have no doubt in us anymore. There is no need to prove yourself to me. I trust and love you. I will not even consider marrying you otherwise." He smiled blissfully as he swept the water on her face. "Then, what's this I'm seeing in your eyes if not doubt?"
She lowered her head and kissed his heart. "Fear, Stéphane. I'm afraid this world never wants us to be together. It finds a way to tear us apart." She found herself back in his eyes. "But don't get it twisted. Never doubt my strength. But I can't deny this fret any further." She sighed in worry this time. He was pleased to take in this vulnerability Catherine always loved to hide.
"I'm glad you don't deny them. I'm glad I share that fear with you. Let's use that to our advantage, mon amour. Just like what I promised last night, we will give them hell. We are together now. Nothing and no one can stop us."
Catherine was left in awe of her husband. She was at least rose-colored by his efforts. But she felt something strange was about to come. "Our relationship will be placed in an enigmatic circumstance and will force us to see if we will break. They are already imposing hell on us as we speak and I believe we are ready to return the favor. The question is whose hell will burn more?"
Upon seeing the fire return in their eyes, the rest was left unsaid. They knew no words could encompass the mix of fear and determination boiling their souls for the battles they would have to face together. They smiled and endlessly held each other in response. They finished their baths in silence but lovingly inserted a few kisses and sweet nothings.
After their bath, still in the tub, Catherine pointed out the obvious. "Oh no. We only have one robe here. Didn't you tell the servants to provide one more?" Stéphane apologetically smiled at his wife. "It must have slipped my mind. No worries, mon amour. We can manage." He gave her a peck before carefully getting out of the tub. He grabbed Catherine's robe and wore it. With his arms stretched wide and his enticing nakedness, he urged his wife to join him in the robe.
Catherine found him ridiculous as she stepped out of the water. "Are you serious?" She did her best to hide her laugh. "Do I look like I'm joking? Come now, my queen. I still have to dress you." He winked as he embraced his wife. He went behind her and just like moments ago, he tied the ties around her but with both of them in the robe. They walked while embracing each other, in her velvet robe no less. From an outside perspective, it looked like Catherine gave Stéphane a piggyback ride.
"This is ridiculous. Are we becoming this adorably obnoxious couple?" Stéphane laughed in a deep low voice at her notion. "And that's a bad thing? We're in love, Catherine. Let's make the most of it." He kissed her crown and they finally arrived back at her dresser. He brought them in front of some trunks.
He started untying the robe as her face crinkled cutely in observance. "Wait. I don't recognize these trunks. How did they get in here without my permission?" He stole a little snuggle on her neck before explaining. "Well, I told the servants that these trunks belong to my only queen and they did a terrific job. So just tell me your color of the day and I shall show you what's yours."
"Oh, Stéphane. You don't have to get new gowns for me. I have lots of them already. Some I haven't even worn yet." She got out of their conjugal robe and wore a new one. She inspected the trunks with intricate S and C intertwined on the details.
"I know that but none of them were from me. And if I'm not mistaken, some of them were gifts from Henry." With the mere mention of her dead ex-husband, Catherine made her eyes roll. But Stéphane knew the words to say.
"I can't overshadow his existence in your life nor do I ever try to do that, especially that you had children with him. I absolutely respect that fact. But I want a subtle shout to the world who we are to each other." He resumed his position behind her. She faced him once more. "What are you saying, Stéphane? What do you mean by subtle shouting?"
He caressed her face with a twinkle in his eyes. "I'm saying, like you, these gowns will never be alone. They were intricately made for a queenly wife and they would compliment a lord chancellor husband." Catherine was in open-mouth amazement. "So you made us matching garments? That is no way near subtle, Stéphane."
"See it for yourself." He kissed her blushed cheeks and opened the trunks for her. It was color coordinated, arranged resembling the colors of the rainbow, with black and white sets in another trunk. She had never seen such an arrangement and was quite pleased with them. Her gowns were placed in front while his complimentary garments were behind them. The colors were not as loud as she expected and they were indeed subtly jiving together. "When did you commission these and how did you know my measurements?"
"When I was healing in my estate, I had your favorite dressmaker make them so you don't need to worry about the fit. But just in case, I have a mental picture of your body. So I do know your measurements. Do you like them?"
She couldn't hide her joy and appreciation for such a thought process. How Stéphane cared for the little details were the ones that tugged her heartstrings the best. "Yes, I love them, Stéphane. You never ceased to amaze me. Thank you for all of these."
He loved making his wife happy. And he had this desire from before to help any of his partner or wife to get ready intimately. Now, he wanted to take his chance on Catherine. Not only did he want to prove that he was an expert on removing clothes, but he also wanted to show her how good he was at putting them on anyone, most especially the love of his life.
"May I?" He pointed at the gowns. "May you what, mon amour?" He confused Catherine at a whole new level. Is he offering to legitimately dress me himself? She thought. Not that she didn't welcome the enticing idea. It's just that she never got that offer from any man before.
"I sincerely want to dress you, mon amour. I promise it will be worth your while and quite an intimate experience." His face painted the most seductive look that swooned her.
"You're quite sure of yourself, aren't you? You know it's not easy to dress a woman as you already find the task of removing my clothes difficult. What made you want to do this?" She was really curious about his plan.
"It's a challenge I would like to try. I haven't done this before, so please bear with me. I just really want to do this for you and you alone. And if we both enjoy this as I anticipate, you might want to replace your ladies with me for this task." He winked at her as excitement filled them.
"Alright. We'll see how you'll do. That's the trunk for my inner wears and I want to wear the red gown." She winked back but exerted command in her words that he immediately followed. With her permission, he brought out her intimate wear and carefully laid the red gown on top of the closed trunks.
After preparing the garments, he positioned Catherine by the mirror but went in front of her to block it. "Mon amour, how will I," Before she could finish her sentence, Stéphane caught her lips in a seductively chaste kiss.
His hand felt like air as he pulled the tie of the robe. The silk lace cloth slipped down her shoulders with one swoop. He was gently breaking the kiss as he moved his hands to remove her robe completely. Catherine, with her eyes, still closed, lingered at the ghost of his lips.
But not for long as Stéphane kissed her again and got her silk chemise over her head to the neck delicately. He blindly guided her arms unto both armholes as their kiss continued. When the chemise perfectly hugged her body, they were breathless.
Like a sweetest choreographed second, he stopped and turned to embrace her from behind. He finally revealed what he wanted her to see. They looked at the reflection of a genuinely happy couple. The image was quite foreign to them.
He might have experienced this, for a while with Lola, but he never reached this level of euphoria. She might have seen this when she was young with Henry, but she never reached a zenith just like this. They emanated so much power and love well-mixed together. They never thought that was ever possible.
"We look so beautiful together, Catherine." He started to make them recover from their awe of the moment. She lightened it up with a witty remark. "Indeed, we are. Especially with you in my robe." Stéphane snickered and Catherine just lovingly smiled.
He reverted them to the task at hand. "Shall I continue dressing you, my queen?" Then left a peck on her shoulder. She nodded at the mirror they were both looking at. With the signal, he grabbed her corset.
Without any warning, he placed fiery kisses on her spine as he trailed down to position the corset by the waist. Catherine hitched a moan to every contact of his velvet lips on her porcelain skin. He tied the first lace as his lips went to her ears. "Tell me how tight you want it."
Catherine could swear that she was immediately wet when Stéphane's voice said that sexual innuendo. It might not have been intentional but very much welcomed by their bodies. As a result, she just whispered her request. "I want it a little tighter, Stéphane."
He wickedly smiled as he firmly tugged the corset tighter. She didn't understand how a pain-inducing sensation could make her want it more. But she let out a moan with each tight lace Stéphane worked on her corset.
Perhaps the way he did it and how he managed to leave pecks on her exposed skin aroused her. It didn't help that every action was reflected in the mirror. They saw and felt everything.
"Are you alright, mon amour? You looked flushed. Is it becoming too hot in here?" Oh, how he teased her was just beyond.
"And who's to blame for that? I'm supposed to be getting dressed. Not wanting all these removed in an instant." She was not sure how she sounded when she said that. But all she knew was that she wanted more. "I told you, it's quite an experience like no other. So are you ready for your gown now?" He let this whisper linger as he moved to open a window and let the morning air in. "Yes," was all Catherine could say, in her breathy wanting voice.
"Very well, my queen." He grabbed the gown. It was a simple red velvet gown with pearls and gold-encrusted on its appliqué. It didn't need a petticoat as she preferred wearing them on special occasions only. It was a one-piece gown that could be worn from the feet going up. And that's how Stéphane chose to wear it on Catherine.
She stepped aside as he arranged it on the floor. When he gestured for her to get into the garment, he offered his shoulder to be her anchor. Once her both feet were inside the gown, he surprisingly kissed his way up her calves as the garment slithered along with him. It elicited quite a moan from the queen mother.
He giggled to his triumph as he reached her waist. He stood up and went behind her to guide her arms into the sleeves. But he was relentless in letting her body bask in his endless kisses, especially when he left kisses on her buttocks. She involuntarily bit her lower lips in the process.
This continued until he was successful in tying the last ribbon of the gown. "We're almost done, mon amour. Now, all I need to do is make your face match the gown." Catherine was baffled by the statement. For that to happen, he would have to do her makeup too. She had to inquire. "What do you mean?" In a split second, he knelt in front of her. Their eyes were glued to each other. They both knew what was about to happen. But she wanted to make sure if that was a good idea. "What are you doing?" She shakily asked. He just smiled.
"You know what I'm about to do. It's the best way I know to make you glow. Unless you want me to stop." His hands were already traveling the length of her legs within the gown. Its A-line cut was perfect for this and Catherine wondered if the rest of the gowns were designed like this. The possibilities ran through their minds as lust fogged them in full bloom.
"No, don't ever stop," from her was all it took for him to plunge into her already wet center. The gown's skirt was brought up to her waist and he held onto her peachy behind for their support. The mirror reflected the pleasure that crept on her face as she witnessed her husband eating her vigorously.
"Oh my goodness, Stéphane," slipped in and out of her mouth as he slipped his tongue in and out of her. She found herself moaning and pleading for more. Her hands held his hair and encouraged him to make it faster. She was almost kneeling when he sucked her thoroughly.
When the visual and physical stimulation became too much for her, she let herself be taken over by her climax and moaned louder than she anticipated. And not to wet the dress, Stéphane slurped every ounce of her juices until it went dry. Catherine almost fell due to the weakening events but Stéphane caught her in time.
He let her taste her sweetness as a long wet kiss followed. "I got you, Catherine. Are you alright, mon amour?" She held onto him in her foggy state. "Oh my, what did you do to me?" She was chuckling and pleased with her husband.
"I dressed you and coated you in a brilliant red. Only I could do that." They chuckled in delight and illuminated in their glow. They were interrupted when they heard a burst of cry.
"It's alright, Jean. I'm here. Damien is here. It's alright, shhh," The couple immediately straightened out. Catherine was still flushed and expressed her gratitude. She peppered Stéphane with kisses haphazardly. "I love you. Thank you for your… dressing skills. I should go check on them. You better get dressed."
He couldn't dissipate his smile. He wiped both their glistening lips and reminded his wife. "Don't forget to drink water before going to them. I'll get ready." She agreed and went out of the dresser.
Before she could reach for a drink, she was welcomed by a heartwarming sight. Damien was humming to Jean back to sleep. Her son caught a glimpse of her and was about to welcome her.
Catherine smiled at him and gestured to keep ongoing. The lad nodded and continued with his task. After drinking water and putting on lavender perfume, she went to the bedside.
"It's alright, Maman. I could handle it." Damien quietly expressed as he swooshed gently Jean's locks and hummed away. Catherine lovingly looked at them. She was reminded of Francis. She focused on Jean first.
My sweet golden angel. Are you seeing this? Jean is starting to look like you. He got your golden curls and gentle nature. How I wish you had a chance to raise him. He may be your bastard, but he is yours. Our blood runs through his veins. So I shall treat him as my own.
In the thought bloodlines, her focus shifted to Damien.
Oh, Francis. I know you know who Damien is. There's still so much we don't know about him but we are willing to learn. I may not be sure if my blood or Stéphane's truly runs in him but we feel he is ours. In a short amount of time, he brought so much joy. He helped me realize that the mother I've always aspired to be is within me. I may not have been the best mother for all of you, but I have a renewed chance for all my children with these two boys. And at this quiet moment, it's quite chilling that he reminds me of you. Are you possessing him in any way, my son? If not, how I wish you were. I miss you very much.
Her intent look was resounding and inescapable from her living son.
"Is there something wrong, Maman?" Damien sensed it. "Oh, I just remembered your eldest brother, Francis. He used to do that to his siblings too. When they were afraid of the thunder or they were awakened by a bad dream, he would always be by their side. He would make sure that they would feel safe within his reach. Just like you are now with his son." Catherine calmly replied.
Damien must have blinked rapidly in questioning when he heard the word son. He got confused as Narcisse told him that Jean was his son with his previous wife. "Maman, what do you mean by that? Isn't Jean Papa's son?"
Catherine returned with narrowed eyes. "Hasn't your Papa explained to you Jean's origins?" And besides, you have this innate power of just knowing things, Damien. Did it vanish while you grow? She asked both questions to herself while the previous one was out loud for her son.
Damien just silently shrugged. It's timely that Stéphane heard his wife's question and appeared from the dressing room in due time to enlighten them. "I told him that he was my son with Lola when he asked if Jean was your son. It was just the fastest answer."
He was finally by the bedside with them and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry I didn't have the energy to explain to him at that time. Let me make up for that." He apologetically whispered to her and just held her hand. He knelt by the bed and explained to Damien.
"Jean's real parents are Francis and Lola. Francis is your eldest brother and Lola is a lady of his queen, Mary. You might be wondering how that happened but in time you shall understand. To cut the long story, I had permission to marry Lola and took care of both of them. But now that Francis and Lola are gone, your Maman and I took it upon ourselves to care for Jean as his guardians and to honor your brother and my ex-wife." It was a very straightforward answer for Damien to understand. But he did and was grateful for it.
"I see. I thought what I heard Jean call Maman last night was a child's mistake. So that's the right way of addressing her for him. Anyways, thank you for that, Papa." He smiled sweetly.
Stéphane returned the gesture and returned to his stance by Catherine's side. She couldn't help but voice out her observation and whisper to her husband. "Is this what you meant by his change? He seems to have lost his ability of deep insight. I thought he just knew things since he's an extraordinary child."
"Yes, I thought so too. He also couldn't read my mind like he used to. I guess we just have to observe for now. He is still growing." They nodded to each other in agreement but were interrupted by the knock on the door. "That must be the breakfast." Stéphane declared. Then Damien instinctively moved gently away from the bed and hid on the other side.
The couple looked at each other with guilt as they still needed to hide Damien. "We must fix that." Catherine immediately addressed and replaced Damien's voided area by Jean's side. Her husband agreed and went by the door. The servants entered with food good for three. They wondered why that number but seeing the late king's bastard on the bed thwarted doubts. When all were settled and the servants left, Catherine stood up and fetched Damien. She knelt by his side and captured his face with two hands.
"I'm sorry you had to endure that. There will be a time that you won't need to hide anymore. I'll make sure that it will come soon." His mother's soul poured out of her and Damien welcomed it. "I understand, Maman. I still have questions about who I am and my purpose but I'm patient. I could manage. Papa taught me well." He smiled and comforted her.
They finally joined Stéphane for a quiet breakfast as Jean was still sleeping. They savored every second as if it was the last peaceful moment they would ever have together.
Immediately after breakfast, the lord chancellor and the queen mother were invited to the privy council meeting by the king's messenger. As emerged from his hiding, Damien assured his parents upon seeing their eyes. "Maman, Papa, please don't worry about me. I'll manage to go back to the nursery on my own."
"Alright, Damien. If something comes up, remember to go to my chambers. Am I understood?" Stéphane was firm on this. Damien obediently nodded. It was time to part so Catherine guided the two boys to the secret door leading to the passageway he became accustomed to.
"We shall see you later tonight. Isn't that right, Jean?" Damien carried his very awake stepbrother, who jovially waved goodbye at them. The couple endearingly gazed at them and Catherine gave them sweet pecks on their foreheads. "Be careful. I love you both."
"We love you too, Maman. We'll be with you again later." The two forged on and left the couple alone. "It's time to face the French court again. Are you ready, my queen?" Stéphane offered his hand. Catherine gave him a head-to-toe look, appreciating the complimentary garment of her gown on him. She placed her hand on his. "The question should be, are they ready for us?" They shared one last kiss before they headed out to the room.
The looming energy on the whole castle should have been noticed. A pretentious readiness might have given false courage because the queen mother and the lord chancellor, unfortunately, spoke too soon.
The morning was quite different for the princess on the other side of the castle. She stared at the ceiling of her chambers, contemplating what to do with the information she gathered from her lover.
She wanted to bring the letter she found to her mother as proof but that would be dangerous for them. So she just left a note for Clarke, thanking him for the night.
I need to find out why the Queen wants Narcisse's head and how this will affect all of us. More importantly, how can I use this to my advantage? This danger on you makes you more desirable for me, lord chancellor. Her thoughts could bore a hole in that ceiling. It was insidious enough that she started calculating.
She stood from her bed and went to her dresser and stared at the mirror with a smile that could kill.
I know you are enthralled with my mother but that doesn't mean it would last. I'll just have to make you realize I'm the woman that you need. I'm Margot Valois and I always get what I want.
She brushed her locks as her sinister look brought her to a plan. She called on her ladies to dress her in the boldest gown she had and headed out to the lord chancellor's chambers. To her disappointment, Narcisse was not there.
"My apologies, your Grace. But the lord chancellor is in the privy council meeting. He ordered that no one shall enter his chambers until his return." The guard spoke.
"He is expecting me. I shall wait inside." The princess held her head high. "But your Grace, I'm afraid," Before the guard continued, Margot expressed her authority. "You might be forgetting who you're talking to. I command you to let me in NOW." Her eyes widened and her voice was bold. The scared guard opened the door for her.
The entire encounter was witnessed by the dauphin from the corner and went to the guards. "Not a word to the lord chancellor. Do you understand?" The guards just nodded and Henri followed his sister inside the room.
"What on earth are you doing, Margot?" The princess was already by Narcisse's table before she turned to her annoyed brother. "Well hello there, brother. I'm just going to talk to the lord chancellor with the information I got from the English Ambassador. Don't worry, it doesn't concern you. So you can go now."
She was already rummaging on some papers on the table when Henri fired back. "In case you are forgetting, I am the dauphin, and everything that concerns the well-being of a key player in my future court will affect me. So you better," Henri abruptly stopped when he noticed that her sister was already sitting down and trying to open a small box she found. He went by her sister and inspected it with her. It was latched and no key available.
Before they could look for it, they heard voices coming from outside. Henri grabbed her sister and went behind a familiar panel in Narcisse's room.
"My goodness, I can't believe I'm back here." He whispered as the siblings got settled in their hiding place. "What do you mean?" Margot quietly inquired but Henri didn't answer the question and reprimanded her sister's foolishness instead. "Why did you bring the box with you!?" He hissed but the impending sibling banter was halted when the couple got in the room.
"That was a very interesting meeting, don't you think? That's the first time they listened to me intently." Catherine handed wine to her husband. "Perhaps they finally realized the force that you hold over the kingdom. Your son may be the king. But the crown's brilliance all comes from you." Stéphane could not contain his pride over his wife and snagged her a kiss taste of wine and victory. The hiding royals shied away from the sight as their mother chuckled in response.
"And it was not long ago that all of you thought otherwise." Catherine winked and gave him a peck. She let her mockery of his past actions settled down while she sat on his chair. "C'mon mon amour. You know I've always recognized your power regardless of our political views. Even when you were still with Henry until now that you're my wife, I believe that you've always been the best ruler France has ever had. Your Medici magic works all the time."
The dauphin and the princess were shocked to hear what Narcisse just revealed. "Wife?" Margot just mouthed the word while Henri gestured to keep her mouth shut.
"And as it should, husband. Now, everything should fall into place. Lorraine would be a pivotal duchy with Luc and Claude. The court should be stable with a guided king and dauphin. The outside forces could think twice in striking a thriving kingdom. And I'm referring to Coligny and England." The siblings looked at each other with wide eyes. Their minds were shouting in confusion if their mother was now truly married to the lord chancellor or the whole marriage label was a term of endearment in the couple's relationship.
"And as always, you figured it out. I love you," Narcisse was about to give her a gentle kiss across the table but Catherine held her hand out and pulled him to his surprise. "I'm afraid not yet, mon amour. We have still yet to find out who truly poisoned you. Which reminds me, I need to see Margot. She must have information already and I need to see if she made it out alive from that English hell hole."
She roughly pulled her husband further to the interrupted kiss and made it rougher than intended. That shocked Margot and brought her hand to her eyes, forgetting she was holding a box. It slipped from her hand and hit the floor. The sudden noise halted all actions of the couple.
Henri looked at his sister in disappointment. His eyes were angered but the princess just mouthed 'Sorry' with an apologetic shrug. Both siblings were already internally preparing to reveal themselves. But as luck would have it, the noise that caught the lord chancellor and queen mother's attention was the guard that opened the door.
The hiding royals breathed a collective sigh of relief. And to continue their lucky streak, the key to the latch was hidden in a secret compartment of the box. It fell off and became available when it hit the floor. Margot grabbed the key and held it like how a child would find sweet treats in a kitchen. Henri tried to hide a giggle and reminded her to keep quiet.
Still safe in their hiding spot, they spied on the room and witnessed what unfolded. The guard just introduced an urgent messenger. Catherine was already standing in front of Narcisse when the guest arrived. Once the door closed, the siblings were not prepared for what happened next.
"Damien, mon ange, why didn't you used the secret passages?" Catherine gave him a warm hug while Narcisse exchanged a concerned glance and voice. "Did something happen, son?"
"My apologies, Maman, Papa. But I think something happened to Lucille. Jean and I went to the nursery as you ordered but she was not there when we arrived. I just thought she went out for a while, so we just waited. Then Jean's nanny for today arrived. While cleaning, she found this letter under the table. It's addressed to you, Papa. So I immediately came here and asked the nanny to look after Jean." He brought out a paper tied by a twine.
Narcisse opened it and read its contents. "The plot has yet to happen. This is a trap." The letter was signed with a pentagram of what looked like dried blood. The paper encased a lavender flower. Catherine's eyes widened. She immediately understood where Lucille could be.
"That witch! She got Lucille in the lavender house. We must go NOW! Before it's too late!" Damien was confused while Narcisse guided them out. The three of them immediately left the room. The siblings straightaway went out of their hiding place once the coast was clear.
"My goodness, I thought they would never leave." Henri felt breathless from hiding while his sister immediately went to the seat she vacated before. "I can't believe what we just heard from them. A secret marriage? A son? How long has this betrayal been going on!? And who were they talking about?" Margot was already trying to open the box while Henri tried to calm her down.
"Oh c'mon, Margot. You're overreacting. It's possible that they were just endearments and that lad was adopted. Please, our father did far worse. From what I see, you're just mad because you can't get the man that you like, from our mother no less." She stopped her task just for her rebuttal.
"Leave father out of this! That may be true about him but that doesn't give her the excuse to do the same! And did you think marriage would stop me from getting what I want?! Whatever their relationship is, I was ready to break it off!" Henri became worried for her sister. Never had he seen her this erratic for a man.
"The reason why I went here was to personally tell him that the English didn't poison him but they want him dead. An assassination attempt will be carried out four days from now! I wanted to ask him why the English queen wanted him dead and help him navigate through it while not being a burden to the family as for sure that is what he wanted. And," The princess was cut-off as Henri pieced her plan together.
"With the hopes that you will end up in his good graces and eventually on his bed? My goodness, Margot. Before you haunt, make sure you know what you are haunting. Do you seriously think he would not share the information to mother? Let alone to the whole family? You don't know how deep his feelings for our mother ran. I saw firsthand how he never stopped caring for her even if he was getting over the death of his ex-wife." Henri was adamant for Margot to understand that he laid his hand on the box so he could get her undivided attention.
"Remember when I said I can't believe I was back there again? Because I was in that same hiding spot together with his then-play-thing to prove a point." Henri closed his eyes and gulped before he recounted the events.
"You see before you arrived, Charles was involved with a farm girl named Nicole. You might have heard through gossip that they became engaged. Since that's the case, Mother and Narcisse used her as a way to control Charles and his rule. And being the master romancer he was known for, he seduced Nicole under the queen mother's command. But I started caring for Nicole. So I showed her that they were manipulating her. We went here, hid there, and observed. Unfortunately, we learned way too much about their relationship."
"Oh, my God. Did you saw them have sex!? Oh, you poor thing." Margot was in shock and comforted his brother as he tried to erase the details of what he saw. But she was still blinded by her infatuation that she didn't acknowledge the whole ordeal. "But that was just sex, Henri. Anyone could have sex without emotions involved."
"That could be true. Perhaps that was what transpired at that moment. And let it be known I didn't watch the entire thing, for goodness sake. But the aftermath showed me otherwise. One can only be genuine when no one is looking." Henri knelt by the chair just to see his sister eye to eye.
"They both thought they were all alone. So in the peak of the moment, they let their true emotions out without even realizing it. I will never forget how that unfolded and how unbelievable it was to witness. I never thought it was even possible." He remembered and told every detail to her sister.
After the throes of passion, they were both breathless but widely amused. Catherine was even chuckling in between breaths. "What's funny?" Narcisse had to ask. "This. You and I, finding ourselves yet again in each other's arms. We must be good at this, aren't we?" She was reaching for the wine.
"We can't resist each other, I suppose. I won't even deny you are my best lover." He thanked her for the wine and kissed her on the forehead. "Oh, is that so? That's… relatively understandable, given your… recent taste in women." She paused for sarcasm as they both sat up for their drinks. Catherine clinked on his glass before gulping. "Don't sell yourself short, Catherine. I'm being honest with you. But did you seriously just mock me after I praised you?" Narcisse gave her an unbelievable look.
"Alright, fine. As a consolation, you tie up with Christophe as my best lover. And the rest are just lousy, including Henry." She smiled in further mockery. "The rest? How many are there? And wow, how dare you compare me to your servant boy?" She was enjoying bruising his ego.
"I don't kiss and tell, Stéphane. But me being your best lover must be merited from experience. As for you being tied with Christophe, are you bold enough to take me on a tree, out in the open, in the middle of a game for nobles? If not, well, I'll rest my case." She winked and finished her wine.
Narcisse got nothing to say to that but just shared a hearty chuckle and enjoyed their familiar banter. The ease that they emanated within the room was majestically warming. Old friends just having fun in each other's company was a rare site to describe them. So, when a few seconds of silence took over, Narcisse couldn't help but speak.
"I've missed you, Catherine. I've missed you here, by my side."
The gesture noticeably caught Catherine off guard. So Narcisse scrambled on his words to salvage the moment. "I mean I've been exiled in England for quite a while and I missed any other human interaction. But I missed yours, specifically. Your warmth, your temper, your mind, your…" She interrupted with a pretty valid point.
"You've been back home for months now. You've slept around already. We've ousted my obnoxious daughter. Heck, we've married our children. What's your point in saying that?" She calmly said the truth to Stéphane's visible surprise. He must have anticipated a violent reaction.
"I meant to say that the moment I arrived. Truth be told, I wanted to hug you when I saw you again after a long time in captivity. That's how grateful I was to see a familiar face. But I went against it as many servants were there and I was a little frustrated by my delayed release. I blew off some steam on you and I apologize. I also slept around because I was afraid that I…"
"I've missed you too, Stéphane." Now, it was his turn to be caught off guard by her interruption. "I've expressed that when I explained chaotic France when you arrived. But since you've only now come to terms with wanting me in bed, I guess I feel the same." Catherine just cut him off.
"Let me correct you there, Catherine. I thought I would never get a chance to be as close as I am with you now. So I never attempted anything with you even if I've always wanted to try the moment I returned. Besides, I don't want to complicate our relationship." Narcisse defended himself.
Catherine made a dubious face. "Ah, you wanted me to be your lover again? But since you chickened out, your easy way out was sleeping around? How laughable and typical of you. And what relationship are you talking about? This companionship that we share is nothing short of complication. So stop your sulking about this. We're lovers again and whoever we want to sleep with besides each other is none of each other's business. Unless it's for the good of France. Am I clear?"
Her forwardness seemed to change Narcisse's hopeful eyes to a gloomy set and just answered. "Yes. Always for the good of France." Catherine nodded and started to move out of the bed. Narcisse stopped her. "Where are you going?"
"Nicole might arrive to see if you liked her gift. We don't want her to see us this way." She moved once more but his grip seemed stronger. "She won't come. I assure you. But could you stay? Even just for a while. If you don't mind." Catherine looked at how he held her hand then stared back into his eyes. It was quite a long and questioning stare until Catherine let out a small smile. "Fine. I'm quite tired anyway."
Narcisse gave a wider smile as she let out a yawn. He welcomed her in his arms and she willingly accepted. In no time, Catherine was soundly asleep. He let his finger wander over her freckled face and looked at it intently. Since he thought they were alone, he let his voice be heard.
"I hate how you manage to make me your pawn every time and completely disregard what I feel. But I guess I deserved that for what I did to you."
It seemed he meant to continue a rant on her but his heart must have dictated otherwise. "What I truly will never understand is how I always want to care for you no matter what transpires. Even if you've changed as a woman in power, I keep seeing the maiden from Italy that I truly admire. I guess after all these years, after everything we have been through, there is no escaping you, Catherine de Medici."
Catherine smiled in her sleep. She must be having a good dream or she heard everything Narcisse had said. Either way, she reacted by pulling his embrace tighter and letting him relax into their beings. The lovers rested in a peaceful and deep slumber.
"And that's when Nicole and I took the chance to escape. She was completely distraught while I was fascinated by the events. So you see, Margot, Narcisse had always loved our mother. I believed mother has learned to feel the same. Whatever you find in that box and whatever you use it for, it won't break their bond." Margot just looked at his brother with undeniable frustration but still went on with her goal. In a quick turn of the key, the satisfying click of the latch opening was heard. They opened the box and confirmed their assumptions.
Inside were the testaments of the queen mother and the lord chancellor's intimate affair. Some were coded letter replies from Catherine with the cipher inside while others were poems written by Narcisse. Margot opened one of the letters with her mother's broken seal. Henri further inspected the box until he reached the surprising bottom. She decoded the letter and read it aloud.
Mon amour, I hope you are feeling better.
We are still looking for your poisoner to no avail. But your son, Luc, has been of great help. We feel we are closing into the perpetrator. As for the wedding, preparations are still ongoing. God-willing, everything should fall into place. Lastly, I followed your advice on my relations with Margot. I'm hoping she understood where I was coming from.
I miss you and our son, Damien. I love you both so much. My warmest regards to Lucille.
Stay safe and come back to me.
Your wife,
Catherine
"You are right. This is dated very recently and it might be just an endearment. But I'm not sure about that son." Margot was about to get another letter when Henri held out the art that he was holding. "I think they are married. Narcisse made sure he had a souvenir of the momentous event." Margot was left gobsmacked. It was another copy of Lucille's painting: The couple getting married with a young boy in the middle. "Our family needs to know about this. We must learn who in the world Damien and Lucille could be." Margot and Henri went out of the chambers with evidence in hand, having no idea the havoc they would cause.
While the privy council meeting was conducting, the witch made her way to the castle. She immediately went to the nursery. She was lucky enough to come across the nanny who was about to enter the room. She made fast work and punched the lady unconscious. She brought the victim to one of the closest secret tunnels to the nursery and stole the servant's clothes. Then, she made her way inside the nursery.
"Lucille? Is that you?" Damien was not facing the door and was busy playing with Jean. "No. It's the nanny. Who are you and why are you holding Jean?" Damien finally faced Emmanuelle but felt nothing unusual.
"I'm sorry we have not met before. I'm Damien and I'm the nun's brother. She told me she'll be here. But when I entered, I was surprised that only a sleeping Jean was alone here. So I stayed and waited for her. I hope you don't mind." She smiled at him and interestingly discovered something new about her son.
So you've learned how to lie. Your innocence is slowly fading because of that. But what's fascinating is that you've become an entirely new instrument. Not knowing me confirms your lost connection to the dark side. But seeing your inner thoughts makes me see what that nun has done. I guess you're still useful in a different way. Very good. You can still wreak havoc in their lives.
The witch replied. "No worries. I'll just be cleaning here and helping you take care of Jean." Damien smiled at his mother. "Alright, thank you… What's your name?" The witch brightly smiled, hiding her sinisterness. "Noelle. You can call me Noelle."
"Thank you, Noelle." Then, he returned to Jean. The witch strategically moved to the table to make it seemed she found a letter. But in truth, she wrote that letter to trap her prey.
"Oh, Damien? There's something under this table. It seems like a letter of sorts?" Emmanuelle handed the letter to her son. Damien was about to open it when the witch stopped him. "I think it's not for you to open." They locked eyes and Damien felt something eerie about the whole situation. The witch turned the handheld letter to reveal Narcisse's name beneath the twine tie.
"If you must go, you don't need to worry about Jean. I'll take good care of him." She gave yet another warm smile and urged Damien to leave. "Yes, I think I need to bring this to the queen immediately. Thank you. Should you need me, I'll be with the queen mother and perhaps the lord chancellor."
"Yes, I'll make sure I know where to find you. You may go now." Damien nodded and left. Emmanuelle made fast work and immediately picked up Jean. "Hello, innocent soul. I can't wait to use you." Upon her last word, Jean instantly fell asleep and was whisked away by the evil.
The witch was back in the lavender house in no time. Lucille flinched as she heard the door open but was devastated to see what appeared before her. It was the witch dressed in a maid's clothes with the late king's bastard "Good day, little sparrow. I hope you don't mind that I brought my new toy with me." Lucille was appalled and couldn't help but scream. "My goodness, Jean! What did you to him?! He got nothing to do with all this! Why is he not waking!?" Jean didn't wake up despite the nun's screams.
"Don't worry, you irritating bitch. This one is still alive. I placed him in a sleeping spell and will only wake up upon my command. So shut up or I'll make you mute for the rest of your useless life." Lucille still cried but quieted down. "Good. At least you are still sensible to listen. Now, I have the simplest thing for you to do. My son has lured your foolish couple to go here a few minutes from now. They will discover you here and you will tell them what I've done. And that's it. You will be free, but in essence, not truly. We are just starting our fun game, little sparrow." The witch just gave a diabolical laugh as Lucille become quietly inconsolable. She attempted to muster courage by answering back.
"I understand your actions towards them and even your son. But you have gone too far. Involving this innocent life is the final straw. You will pay for this." The witch became amused with the nun's threat. "I never thought you got it in you, little sparrow. I mean lying about that you despise them was one thing. But actually, speaking up for them and threatening me? Wow, I'm quite proud of you." She circled Lucille while carrying Jean.
"Which reminds me, I've learned what you did for them. Do you know how I found out? Through my son, Damien. Since we both can block each other's powers directly, we don't know how to deal with each other. But apparently, my son was an open canvas. I guess your proximity to him made you find out how I cursed them so you attempted to overturn that curse." She waited for Lucille's confirmation but taunted her instead. "Stupid bitch. Your silence confirms everything. Don't try to deny it. I found out each word of your cure and, unfortunately, you have the right words with the wrong components."
Lucille lost all color in her shock but Emmanuelle's mockery infuriated her further. "No matter what you do, I will move heaven and earth to save them again." Emmanuelle stood right in front of her.
"Save them again? You have never helped them. You gave them a false sense of security due to your erroneous cure. The married couple savored their victories together. But these short celebrations are nothing but illusions. And you know what's more fun about this? You warned them of the consequences, virtually inevitable consequences. Do you seriously think no one will find out their little secret? I bet the very lives that they are trying to protect are the source of their failure. And who's to blame for that? Well, I will let you look at your reflection for your answer." The witch left her spot and let Lucille see her reflection on the glass window. "Good luck with piecing all these together. You'll need it." Emmanuelle left the lavender house with Jean and let her evil laugh embrace Lucille's loneliness.
Lucille's reflection was pure exhaustion. Her eyes were red and her remorse was beyond compare. Oh my Lord, please forgive me for I have sinned. Help me save them and right the wrong I've done. Please, Almighty. Give me one more chance.
Just on cue to what the witch has said, a few minutes have passed and horses could be heard from outside the greenhouse. The door burst opened and Damien immediately saw his tied guardian. "Lucille!" The nun was temporarily relieved. "Damien, make it quick. We don't have much time left! She got Jean!" The couple followed suit as their son was untying the nun. "My Lord, Your Grace! We have no more time! Emmanuelle got Jean!"
Catherine gasped as she helped a crying Damien untie Lucille. "Where did they headed to!?" The queen inquired while Narcisse was already preparing to ride off. "Towards the forest. Just a few minutes have passed since they left. They could not be that far. Godspeed, my Lord!" Narcisse nodded and ran off with Arion.
"I'm so sorry, Maman, Lucille. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have left Jean with that nanny. That was irresponsible of me." Lucille was finally free as Damien cried and buried his face in his hands. They slumped on the floor in exhaustion to the whole ordeal. Catherine just hugged her son as they tried to understand what happened. "Didn't you recognize her, Damien? She is your other mother. She was the one I was looking for in the wedding reception." Lucille tried to console her ward.
"I don't understand. Why do I have two mothers?" He cried further as he welled up in his mother's arms. "We shall explain to you once we come back to the castle. For now, I need you to be strong with me as we'll do our best to get out of this mess. Alright? Hush now, my child." She embraced him tighter and kissed his forehead. Lucille also felt guilty as the words of the witch weighed her down further. Visibly apparent, Catherine offered her hand to the nun while still holding her son. "Did she hurt you?" The nun held Catherine's hand and a vision unexpectedly came through. "Lucille? What are you seeing?"
A single drop of tear came out from the nun with the most chilling phrase she had to say. "I'm sorry for all of these, your Grace. I tried my best to help but have only caused more trouble. I'm sorry but everything is clear. Everything is bound to happen." Catherine didn't understand yet what Lucille meant but it made her hold her son closer and feared for the worst.
:) Sorry for the update delay but here it is! Hope you enjoyed that ride. See you in the next chapter! Can't wait to read your reviews :)