And here I am back once again. I can't get enough of writing at the moment and i hope you don't mind me posting so often. I try my best to bring the story a bit forward and it seems like we finally go somewhere with it, don't you think ? However I hope you liked the last chapters and I really hope that you'll like this one too. It's already chapter ten, god everythings going so fast anyways this one is a bit longer than the last once since I included a flashback and stuff. However tell me your thoughts :)
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Reign' and I don't make profit out of this Story.
Chapter 10
It seemed fitting, Lord Narcisse thought, that they should meet for lunch in front of the west garden of the castle.
It was the same garden where Lord Narcisse nearly confessed her his love just a week ago. It was near the big hall where they first danced with each other. Where their eyes found each other on this particular evening punctured with sound, music, and the beauty of the atmosphere. There had been a feeling, deep inside of Lord Narcisse , like his heart had been waking up. Saying hello. And Catherine had been the woman in the crowd, with eyes so haunting Lord Narcisse couldn't forget them.
Now, Catherine was standing with him hands clasped in front of the West garden entry. Her Jewellery shimmered in the sun. She looked happy, even though her shoulders were as tense as always. Lord Narcisse exited her through the entry.
The grass still a little bit wet from the rain the day before.
"Queen Catherine." He greeted, warmly, but with as much as polite distance as he could muster. Better to start off gently, he thought. It took a while simply to get Catherine to agree to one lunch and for her to come to it. "Good morning."
"Good afternoon, you mean." Catherine gave him a slight smile.
"Is it already?" Lord Narcisse smiled back. "Time moves too quickly."
Lord Narcisse felt the warm sunshine brush his face.
"Shall we go?" He asked.
Catherine looked up at him, and gave Lord Narcisse a small nod.
When entering the west garden Lord Narcisse didn't hold out his arm, not this time. He led Catherine go first, as to give her a sense of control, independence. The west garden was small and smelled like the fresh flowers, comforting and warm. They went to a small picnic table under a big and beautiful tree, where Catherine sat carefully, her skirts tucked under her legs. Lord Narcisse joined her, and it was pleasant, seeing Catherine somewhere new, somewhere where they were all alone. They sat together at, but Lord Narcisse kept a small distance between them, though he was lured in by Catherine faint perfume, and her pretty hands that lied still on her lap.
It was the closest they've been, except for the dance of course Lord Narcisse thought. He cursed how his heart jumped.
"Are you well?" Lord Narcisse asked, feeling strangely out of his depth. He still smiled, though, there were a few raindrops falling from the big branches of the tree.
"Yes." Catherine said, simply, "Are you?"
"I am, thank you." Lord Narcisse swallowed. He wanted to tell Catherine about his morning, but he couldn't find the words. He felt uncharacteristically nervous.
"I heard you like music and dancing a lot. Unfortunately I didn't saw you dancing a lot. However, I trasher the memory that I already got the honour to dance with you once." He said, his nervousness was slightly getting more and more.
"It depends who is performing the music and who is dancing with me." Catherine replied.
"What do you think of the dance we had?"
"Well," Catherine eyes sparkled. "That would be telling."
"You go to great lengths not to compliment me." Lord Narcisse laughed.
"How do you know I wish to compliment you?"
Lord Narcisse leaned back in his seat, considering Catherine. Pretty, amused. She was opening up just slightly.
"I just have a feeling."
"That's awfully superstitious of you." Catherine sniffed. Of course, Lord Narcisse thought fondly, the woman was a skeptic.
They were quiet as they waited for the afternoon tea to be served, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence - Lord Narcisse felt content, watching Catherine take in the place. She was breathing in the smells, taking in the new colours and sounds, and Lord Narcisse was fascinated by the awe on her face. She looked very young, all of a sudden.
In time, the tea and cakes and scones were placed in front of them. Catherine looked down at the arrangement curiously.
"It's a long time ago that I had afternoon tea here in the gardens." Catherine said,
Lord Narcisse smiled, and held out a small slice of Canelé for her.
"Well then," He said softly, "it's time you do it again. Sitting and eating in the gardens is great. Particular with this wonderful atmosphere and this good weather."
Catherine's eyes fluttered shut when she took a bite into the slice. It was sinful, the way she made a slight noise of pleasure, and Lord Narcisse watched closely. She seemed to enjoy it greatly, which was the result Lord Narcisse had wished for.
"How is it?" He asked. He poured tea into Catherine's small teacup, steam rising in the air between them.
"Sweet." Catherine murmured. There were crumbs by her mouth. Catherine chuckled a bit and took her handkerchief to brush them away - C.H was embroidered into it.
Lord Narcisse sat back in his chair and watched Catherine eat, taking sips from his tea every now and again.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Catherine asked, her eyes flickering up to meet Lord Narcisses.
"It's filling enough to watch you." Lord Narcisse said. "You said you didn't ate in the gardens for a long time. Why when I'm allowed to ask?"
"Well, I-" Catherine paused, "It's more out of principle. Of course I could take my food outside every now and then but when I'm outside I rather watch my children running around the gardens and having fun. I love seeing them so careless, laughing and having fun."
"That sounds wonderful."
"Oh, yes. It is wonderful indeed." Catherine's eyes brightened. This woman always surprised him. "Well, I am glad you're eating here with me now."
"I-" Catherine blinked, seemingly shocked, as if finally realising she had given Lord Narcisse a small secret. The implications that she rather watched her children running around the gardens and having fun are not lost on Lord Narcisse. After all, it also meant she did enjoy eating in the gardens and she seemed not to mind eating in front of Lord Narcisse. "Well, I suppose I am eating with you, aren't I?"
Lord Narcisse smiled, and turned to look into the fields with blooming flowers . He felt as if he was about to melt. This interesting meeting in a the west garden reminded him of a courtship. Is it too early to be called that? Lord Narcisse wished to court her, but Catherine would hardly rather said never agree to it. At least Not yet.
"Tell me, Queen Catherine." Lord Narcisse took another sip of tea. "Why did you agree to come out with me? I was under the impression you rather disliked me."
"Dislike you?" Catherine swallowed a bite of her Canelé quickly, "Oh, no, Lord Narcisse - I will admit to you one thing, if you promise not to dwell on it."
"Alright." Lord Narcisse agreed gently.
"I like you very much." Lord Narcisse raised an eyebrow, and Catherine ducked her head, "That is to say, I respect you a lot. I think you are very wise. More than that, your candour is kind and respectful. It is not often I meet people like that, in my profession."
"I can imagine." Lord Narcisse smiled. There is a small blush of pink on his cheeks that matched the blush on Catherine's .
"So despite appearances, I do not dislike you." Catherine gave Narcisse an amused smile. "I am just wary of strangers."
"Yes, I realised that." Lord Narcisse chuckled, "So we are not strangers anymore?"
"Somewhat strangers, I would say."
"Somewhat strangers?"
"Well, I do not have many friends. I do not consider the title lightly." Catherine shrugged, "I choose my friends carefully, you see."
"I suppose you do." Lord Narcisse considered her over the rim of his teacup. "So will you go out with me again, next week?"
"I will consider it." Catherine decided, "But I cannot promise you more than that."
Lord Narcisse smiled, delighted.
"What will it take to convince you of my genuine intentions?"
"You are not a patient man, are you?" Catherine giggled. For the first time, lord Narcisse heard her laugh. It didn't help the state of his heart.
"Oh, Queen Catherine." Lord Narcisse's smile widened, "I'm certainly not."
Lord Narcisse took her back to the castles west entry, despite Catherine's mild protests.
But I want to, Lord Narcisse had said, with that beautiful smile on his face. The sun had still been shining bright and warm, and Catherine had felt full, and happy, which were feelings she did like to feel. Perhaps the delightful picnic had made her go soft, because eventually she had settled in beside Lord Narcisse and they had... talked, all of the way back to the Castle.
She had surprised herself. Though she'd went to meet Lord Narcisse expecting herself to be hard and unyielding, she had seen Lord Narcisse and unravelled. She'd talked, and ate, and laughed. Catherine would not have recognised her smiling reflection in a mirror. But as she got to know the man in front of her more, Catherine changed and grew.
"Thank you for a delightful afternoon, Lord Narcisse." Catherine said, when they reached the entry to the west wing of the castle.
Lord Narcisse looked at her, with this unreadable expression on his face. It made Catheirne feel bit unsteady, but she didn't show it, of course she didn't.
"What is the matter?" She asked, full of curiosity.
"Oh, nothing." Catherine saw Narcisse swallow. "I just noticed how the shadows of the castle make you look so-"
Narcisse shaked his head quickly.
"Never mind." Lord Narcisse said, and Catherine was left curious. Lord Narcsisse's heart pounding in his ears. "Yes, you're welcome. It was delightful, wasn't it?"
"Yes." Catheirne agreed, truthfully.
"Are you sure you must go?" Lord Narcisse asked, and a giggle escaped Catherine again.
"Surely my company is not so riveting."
"I disagree." Lord Narcisse sighed, "But alas, you must leave me. You will meet me again, won't you, Catherine?"
Catherine waited for him to correct himself to Queen Catherine, but it never came. Catherine thought it would feel uncomfortable, but the intimacy actually made her feel pleased, and warm. She already knew she'll be meeting Narcisse again. There were plenty of occasions coming where she would meet him.
"I already told you, I will consider it." Catherine smiled, though, "Nothing more."
"Ah, you are a menace." Narcisse laughed, "Well, then, go on. If nothing else I'll see you at the throne room."
"Perhaps." Catherine said vaguely, though she knew she would be there.
Lord Narcisse laughed again.
"Now you're doing it on purpose."
"Whatever do you mean?" Feeling light because of this delightful afternoon Catherine went through the entry of the west wind of the castle,"Good day, Lord Narcisse."
"Goodbye, Catherine." Lord Narcisse looked at her for a moment, as if memorising her face, before Catherine turned around a corner and was gone, at least for now. .
Kisses by the sun but strangely giddy, Catherine turned around yet another corner and walked through the big Hall's of the castle, a smile written on her face.
She stopped near the tutor rooms of her children, she heard loud giggles coming from there. They must be on break she thought. She considered if she should enter the rooms and decided to do it since she also wanted to ask the tutor how far her children were with their lessons. Hercule was nearly four now so it didn't take long until he was going to get a few lessons too. Oh her children were growing so big in these days. She opened the big wooden door to the rooms.
"Good afternoon, Catherine" her husband suddenly said. Now she was indeed very surprised.
"Good afternoon Henry." Catherine gave him a mild smile, perhaps warmer due to her recent trip with Lord Narcisse. Still she was very surprised but tried to hide it a bit.
"Momma you're here too!" The surprised cries from her children came.
"Papa came when our break started and played with us Mama. He even promised us that He'll take us to bed today with you if that's okay". Margot said, her happiness spread all over her face.
"You did?" Catherine threw a questioning look at her husband "I did" the happy reply from her husband came. "and of course your father can take you to bed with me." She answered her youngest daughter, with a mild smile on her face, despite the surprise she felt, she was happy to hear those things. It was a new thing her husband did and it made her question if he was meaning all of this sincere, but it seemed so and she couldn't find any points why it wouldn't be sincere for now.
"How were your lessons today before your father came in?" Catherine asked every single of her children and each one of them gave her a detailed answer how their lessons were. Henry meanwhile watched his wife listening carefully to every single answer and asking their children questions about their day. It was a very delightful thing to watch. Everyone seemed and looked happy. Catherine didn't even seem to be bothered that he was there.
"Papa, you were telling us about the first days when mama came here. Please tell us more about it. It was so interesting. Could you tell us more papa, please?" Charles suddenly asked after their mother finished asking his siblings.
Catherine had a very curious expression on her face now. It wasn't everyday that she heard something like that from her children especially not from Charles, and the fact that it was about that time of her youth was even more interesting since Henry usually wasn't the one who told their children from the past.
"Of course I can. Catherine do you want to join in ?" Her husband asked, smiling at her with this boyish smile of him which she hadn't seen for years. "How could I say no to that." Catherine answered as happy and delighted as her husband seemed to be. So the little family sat together in the tutor rooms and enjoyed their time together "so where did we stop?" Henry asked his children, enjoying every single second they spent together. "Where you sneaked into mothers chambers!" Margot exclaimed, being probably the most excited one of the little group. She loved knowing about her parents love story, she asked Catherine several times before to tell her more stories. "Okay, good so let's go." Henry finally said starting with his little story, trying to remember each and every detail.
The young duchess sat anxiously in her bedchamber, awaiting a signal that would lift her to her feet and open the balcony windows, to reveal the one she was yet forbidden to see, her love. Catherine knew that eventually, the two would be caught and the punishment would be severe on both parts, which was why it meant so much to the duchess. Every little moment they could share, she treasured; from nights like these where the two shared soft whispers and delicate touches to the brief disappearances in the courtyard's garden with the prince's hair littered with small flowers once he came back. The maids always gossiped about him sneaking to meet a young duchess in secret, talking about the prince having his very own tragic love story. The tragic part they were correct about, but he'd never correct them on it anyways.
Her thoughts were broken by the soft four taps that traced along the glass, she felt as if her heart was going to explode right out of her chest, yes they had done this numerous times, but this feeling she had was far more than just the rush of sneaking around. She switched the locks on the doors, swinging it open and looking downward where Henry stood proudly. Catherine smiled at him before retreating back, digging under her bed for the rope that Henry had stolen from the gardener's shed for her and gave it to her a few hours before. She tied it around the post of the fence to the balcony before sending it over the edge to the young Prince waiting patiently below.
Catherine looked over the hedges of the garden watching the patrolling men protect the castle, it was the eleven o'clock outer barrier watch, which meant most of the guards were out on the walls instead of outside the castle. She watched Henry as he paced his way up the knotted rope, having lots of practice he had gotten use to the strain quite quickly. With a few heaves, he finally had one leg perched over the balcony and sat momentarily on the ledge just like that, giving his young lover a small smile and a raised eyebrow as he steadied his breathing.
"At this rate, I could probably take any of your guards in an arm wrestling match, don't you think?" He teased, finally swinging the other leg over and leaning forward closer to Catherine.
"I think it's sweet that you think so," Catherine responded, tugging the other's hand and quickly dragging inside, "Now come inside, wouldn't want to be seen would we?"
Henry flopped onto the duchess's bed as he exhaled deeply, "I hate how we have to sneak around everyone, these ridiculous adults keep me from being with the most important thing to me." Catherine felt a bit apologetic to him, she sighed as she clicked the balcony doors shut. She didn't really know how to console Henry when there wasn't anything the two could do to change the giant wall that was the days they had to wait until they were finally married. Catherine fell next to her lover and Henry pulled one of his arms to wrap around her shoulders, placing a small kiss against Catherines hand. The young duchess smiled at the gesture and tightened his hold on her, "I know I complain about doing this a lot, but every moment is worth the risk of getting in trouble for you, my love," He whispered before kissing her forehead.
Henry played with her hand which was still held in his own, "I can't wait til we are finally wed." She averted her eyes from Henrys, focusing on her palm instead, the young prince chuckled at Catherine's shyness, pressing his open hand to turn Catherine to face him. When the young girl finally locked eyes with him again, Henry couldn't stop himself from peppering small kisses all over the duchess's face, which made them both laugh quietly.
"No person, no distance, no punishment could ever change my love for you. I am yours and you are mine."
Henry smiled widely at her, placing both hands against Catherine's face, he traced her nose, her jaw, her lips. Catherine kissed his fingers as they did so, bringing her hand to intertwine with the prince's afterwards. Henry then kissed her nose then her forehead, his entire being filled with love for her. Catherine hummed contently when he pulled away, "No gift in the entire world I could receive would even closely match the one I have here with you."
And as if the world was playing a game with them, their heaven came tumbling as footsteps approached the bedroom doors. They both shot up in panic, their wide eyes searching the large room for a place to hide Henry, which led Catherine to shove Henry towards the open closet door, signaling him to be quiet as she shut the door and quickly sat at her vanity. She nearly dropped the comb she grabbed from the rush of adrenaline but coped and began brushing her hair as the door was swung open by one of her ladies. It was Maria , the one lady that the duchess had managed to like a bit.
"Is there an issue? I'm preparing for bed, I don't need any help today. I have things to do tomorrow and I wanted to go to bed soon."
With that, Catherine's persona changed, from soft to savage in minutes. The lady straightened her dress and cleared her throat before proceeding to the task she had at hand.
"Guard Benoît on the East Wall found that the left wing of the wall had been breached. Mandatory check-ins were set into motion at the discovery, the others are checking other rooms as well. Have you seen anything, duchess ?"
"I haven't, please do tell the other guards and ladies to not come in after you, I will not stand for any more uninvited guests in my chamber's understood?" The duchess glared at Maria through the mirror, visibly seeing the lady swallow and mumble a 'Will do' before quickly exiting again and walking down the corridor. Catherine let her head fall against the surface of the vanity, catching her breath that she hadn't realized that she held. Henry crept out of the closet quietly, joining his stressed lover by sitting on the bench with her. He placed a hand in the younger's hair, brushing the mess back into it as a way to soothe her.
"Catherine." Henry whispered, she lifted her head just enough to place it on his shoulder.
"Yes?"
"Young duchess, may this prince have a dance with you?" Henry asked abruptly.
"Dance? We don't even have music, how do we without music?" She asked, curious and surprised by Henry's question.
Suddenly Henry stood up, looked at Catherine and held out his hand, "Just follow my lead, can you do this?" He said, a small smile on his lips.
"Of course I can." Catherine said and took his hands gracefully, stepping out to the balcony only in her thin cotton nightgown. She felt as if she was floating, passing over the cold stone of her balcony as weightlessly as a ghost. They stopped in the middle of the balcony, suddenly she felt uncertain again, but Henry swept her a courtly bow and draw her into a drunken waltz.
Catherine felt as if she was in a dream, as she waltzed with her lover across the cold, silent balcony of her chambers, her dance partner humming tunelessly to himself,
She leaned again Henry's chest and listend to his heartbeat. His heartbeat was the rhythm of their dance. Henry slowed and swayed from side to side, holding her tightly, his free hand low on her hip in a way that would be scandalously inappropriate, if this were a proper ballroom. "The moonlight is wonderful today" she told him, enjoying their little dance under the bright moonlight.
Henry started kissing her neck, the edge of her jaw, and whispered into her ear, "It's our moonlight, Caterina.
Henry chuckled a little, and his eyes were bright with more than moonlight when he opened them once more. "I love you." He told her before stopping the dance.
Henry rested his forehead against Catherine's, shutting his eyes contently and kissing Catherine for the first time.
"I love you too" Catherine mummed after the unexpected kiss, happy by how this night has turned out to be.
"And then I stole your mother our first kiss." Henry said smiling due to the refreshed memories which still went through his mind.
"It was so romantic!" Margot said, letting herself fall a bit backwards.
"How did mama react to the kiss ?" Little Henry asked, he was a bit silent today but still very amazed by the little story his father just told all of them.
"I was shocked at first but the time with your father was so wonderful that I forgot about my slight shock very soon and just enjoyed everything". Catherine answered the question of her little boy, and straightened his hair back into a neat position, a little blush visible on her cheeks due to the refreshed memory. Unexpectedly Catherine didn't add anything to the story itself, she just listend to her husband and revisited the old memory herself. It was shockingly surprising to Henry since she usually always had something to add, still he loved seeing this little smile and this slight blush on her face.
"We want to hear more! Pleaseee" all three children said in canon.
"I think this is something for the next time my dearest. It's nearly time for your dinner, so it certainly makes more sense to prepare for dinner now and then go to bed afterwards. Maybe there is still time to tell you another story when you all are in bed, what do you think?" Henry responded to his children a comfortable look on his face.
"Okay papa. But we really want to hear one when we go to bed!" Little Henri exclaimed, his siblings nodding while he answered his father.
"I promise after the dinner you'll get to hear another." Henry said, smiling a bit.
And with that the children went happy out of the room, to prepare for dinner. Leaving Catherine and Henry alone in it.
"You didn't add anything yourself to the story," Henry said, still asking himself why.
"Indeed I didn't. " Catherine responded, smiling, not giving a hint why.
"I think we should also prepare for dinner, don't you think" she said, changing the topic.
"Yeah I think we should indeed". Henry answered, standing up from his position and holding a hand out for Catherine, they all sat on the floor while Henry told the wonderful story. Catherine took his hand gracefully, giving him a slight smile while she stood up.
"Thank you, Henry" she said after she was finally standing.
"No need to thank me, Catherine." He said still not letting go of her hand.
Catherine didn't seem to mind or didn't realize it but she didn't made any signs that she didn't want him to hold her hand.
And together they left the tutors rooms, Henry leading Catherine to her private chambers. A comfortable silence fell over them, one both enjoyed.
When they finally arrived at Catherine's chamber doors - Henry still holding her hand- Catherine turned to Henry, "Thank you for the wonderful late afternoon." She said still not giving any sign of feeling uncomfortable with the current situation.
"No need to thank me Catherine, I didn't do a lot." He said raising Catherine's hand to his mouth and lightly kiss her knuckles.
"See you at dinner later," he said letting her hand go and leaving a blushing Catherine behind.
An: And what do you think of it? I hope I wrote Narcisse good enough and what do you think of the way I wrote the children? And Henry? I tried my best to make it cute and Innocent so far. Just let me know what you think of it. I'd gladly appreciate everyone's opinion. So feel free to leave a review my dearest.
ToMedici-cathry-fan : yeah Narcisse is back! And we'll see what he's up to. So far Henry doesn't know of the meeting Catherine and Narcisse had, but it's getting interesting don't you think? I really hope you liked this chapter as well. Thank you for leaving a review. I love reading them! Tell me what you thought about this one, and I hope the length of this one was okay :)