Chapter 79.
Floria left the Chambers a week later, a gown of black silk on her with gold embroidery. She attended the memorial, and Loki sat on the Throne while she stood in the gallery as prayers for the soul of the unborn child were offered. Their goodbyes offering little comfort to her, and their kind words falling on deaf ears but acknowledged. The entire Court noticed how she stood apart from Loki, the distance between them spurring the rumors that had already started to flow.
Whispers that carried in the halls about how The King was unfaithful, and that the child died because his Mistress, Lady Sofia poisoned it. Their scorn falling on their King and the father of the infamous whore, their pity reserved for the young Queen. No one working toward setting the record straight, and the King choosing to ignore the rumors but only making them worse.
The Council met, but Loki barely listened to what they said. His eyes focused on some other place as his black clothes gave away that he was not only mourning the death of the child, but the fact that his Wife no longer spoke to him. They knew he still carried her portrait in his pocked, and Hogun saw how he stopped caring about matters. His worry grew over the weeks as Summer faded to Fall, and soon The Council feared that the Royal Couple would part ways to never stand united again.
"My King?" The Councilman asked and he looked up from the table, his eyes meeting the old man and focusing for a moment.. "Did you hear what I said about the Harvest? It is quite well, and the stores are overflowing."
"Good." He said and shifted his attention to Lord Brand, his eyes narrowing. "Anything from you?"
"No My King, all is well among the tribes to the North. My daughter is happily married to the Lord there, and she remains reluctant to return to Court." He said and tried to sink into his chair. Hogun leaned forward clearing his throat, getting his attention.
"If I may speak, The Queen needs time away from Court to mourn and heal." Hogun said, passing him a page. "You need it as well My King, perhaps a holiday for the winter is needed for the both of you. My Wife and I will care for the children, and Lord Vaca has volunteered to act as Regent until you both return."
"You wish to send me, Your King away?" Loki laughed, looking at the location of the Estate they were being offered to use.
"No My King, not st all. We are asking you to take time, as a man, to mourn your loss and heal with your Wife before the divide that has come between you grows larger. We miss your praise of her, and how you would smile when you thought of her. We also miss her, the way rooms would seem brighter by her presence alone." Lord Vaca said, and the old man tapped the table to keep his focus. "It is best for the both of you, and for your children as well. My Wife lost a child, and being alone together, helped us heal and find our true strengths."
"Consider it, old friend?" Hogun said and Loki nodded, standing and walking to the window. He folded his hands behind his back, thinking and he nodded to himself. He had promised her that their Chambers would be their space, but it was denied them by meddling forces. He let his shoulders slump a bit, and he turned back to face the Council.
"I like this offer greatly, it would be agreeable to be away for a time." Loki said and held up a finger. "With one caveat, only three people are allowed to serve us while we are there."
"Yes My King, that is more than fair. When do you wish to leave?" The Lord asked, nodding his head.
"Tomorrow, we will go to this place tomorrow and return at the first snowmelt." Loki said and regarded Lord Vaca and Lord Hogun. "I trust both of you to manage things until we return?"
"Of course." Hogun said and stood. "I will tell the Queen to pack."
"Do so, and tell her I will be riding in the carriage with her to keep her safe." Loki replied, and Hogun bowed to leave.
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Floria stood in the Courtyard, her black gown and cloak moving in the breeze. She wore a raven colored veil as well, hiding her tear filled eyes and she closed one black glove over the other one. The Carriage with their things arrived, and she stood and waited as Loki gave last instructions to the men that would be caring for his Throne while he was gone. She blinked back a tear, not liking the idea of being trapped with a man who had betrayed her. The only caveat she liked about the situation, was that she would have her own chambers for the winter and she could have peace.
"Are you ready Nightengale?" He asked her, offering her is hand to help her into the carriage and she shunned his touch to sit in it on the bench. He sighed, sitting next to her and he gave two pounds with his fist to tell the Coachman they were ready.
"Don't call me Nightengale anymore." Was all she said to him, her eyes out the window and he nodded silently.
"If that is what you wish." He said and joined her in silence, his heart aching to touch her and show her what had happened.
They rode through the city and into the countryside, both of them not speaking and the climate inside the coach growing thick. Just as Loki were about to speak, Floria did so, looking at him through the veil and he blinked at her.
"I do not expect to fix our marriage anymore, only to heal my heart and to see if I can smile for the sake of the children. My heart is closed to you, and now I serve Asgard alone." She said softly and he felt a tear fall, she turned back to the window, watching the farmland pass and he wiped the pain on his face away.
"I understand, but please speak to me if you can find yourself kind enough to grace me with such a favor." He said and she continued her silent vigil.
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They arrived as Midday broke, Loki exiting the Carriage and stretching his back. He turned back, watching Floria limp out and down the step before stumbling. She caught herself, looking at the house and the three servants in front of it. The large, young Porter took their trunks and cases, preparing to take them inside and an older woman walked forward to Floria.
"My Lady, I will take you to your Chambers to freshen yourself." She said and Floria followed the woman up the steps and into the house. They walked along, the tapestries on the walls freshened, and the floors polished to high shine.
"I hope you find them suitable, the King will be across the hall from you." She said and opened the door for her. She walked in, removing the pins from her hair that held the veil in place and she looked at the sitting room and through the door to her Bed Chambers. The Bathing Chamber was lush, and the bathtub was much like theirs at the Castle. She sat of the rose and blue covered bed, nodding to the woman.
"This is very nice, thank you for showing such care." She said and the Older woman smiled at her.
"My name is Dell." She said and she offered her Queen her hand. "I to lost a child, and the one after. Finn is my only child that lived, the three I tried to carry after died before being born. My Husband, Till was my only comfort, but he had his limits and strayed. I couldn't let him go however, and we returned to each other. If you wish a friendly ear, to use for your comfort, I offer mine."
"Thank you, I will consider it. But, I fear that I cannot look at my Husband the same again." Floria said and the woman frowned, embracing her gently.
"I will fetch you to dine this evening. The snow comes in a week, and you may wish to take air outside before it grows too cold." She said and Floria nodded, laying back on the bed and resting. She dozed, not hearing the door open as she lay on the bed and Loki enter, he saw her sleeping and kissed her forehead gently. He stood, turning to leave and saw the Old woman standing behind him and he bowed to her before leaving his Wife to rest.