Chapter 24 The Father's gift
It had only been a few days since Jacqueline found out the truth about herself. She was setting in the Queen's suite talking to her about the family she didn't know she had.
"I can't believe I am going to get to meet my father and I have sisters! I can not wait!"
Anne let out a little laugh at the excitement of her niece. "My dear that reminds me your father wanted me to give you something."
She motioned for one of her maids to bring forth a package. Jacqueline's eyes got wide as she opened it.
It was the most stunning gown she had ever seen. The gown was made of the velvet and finest silks. It was the color of deep violet with a radiant gold trim along the edge of the elegant material.
She ran her hand gracefully along detailed adornment along the fabric. Deep in her heart knowing the truth the color held within the world she was now a destined to be accustomed to as a member of nobility.
Jacqueline looked up at the Queen with tears in her eyes. "I can not wear this. This is a gown for a princess not for me. I may be his daughter but…"
The Queen gave Jacqueline a look of compassion. "He wanted you to have this gown for your wedding day. You may not be a princess by title, but you are one within his heart. Your father cherished your mother a great deal he only wants to give you what he can."
Jacqueline nodded and held the elegant gown up to her self in the mirror. "I can not believe I am going to be Madame d'Artagnan in less than a week."
The Queen shook her head. "You will be Countess d'Artagnan. You have inherited your mother's title and dowry."
Jacqueline shook her head in disbelief. "This all feels like a fantasy. I keep thinking I am going to wake up and all of this was just a dream."
Anne laughed at the young woman's enthusiasm. "It is not a dream, this is real. But now if you will please excuse me I have to deal with Cardinal Mazarin."
Jacqueline gave her aunt a look of anxiousness at the sound of that name.
"Do not worry child, your wedding will not have any problems. I will see to that personally. The Cardinal has to perform the ceremony because of tradition and the treaty requires it. But if he steps out of line he will regret it, your brothers in arms will make sure of that."
Jacqueline nodded in understanding and curtsied to her Aunt. She carefully carried her wedding gown to her suite that Anne had allowed her to use while she was staying in Paris.
A little while later
Anne called for Cardinal Mazarin to come before her.
The Cardinal bowed to the Queen uncertain of why he was summoned. "Cardinal Mazarin, I think we need to have a discussion about my niece or as you know her Jacqueline Roget."
Mazarin turned pale and got a look of horror deep within his eyes.
"Yes, I know everything about what you did and the great pain you caused her."
Anne watched as the Mazarin seemed to squirm from her words. She wanted to make sure he knew she was not to be taken frivolously. "You will perform the wedding ceremony for my niece and d'Artagnan Jr. If you even think about deceiving me in any way you will live to regret it."
The Mazarin started to protest but the Queen gave him a cold glare that stopped him from speaking. "You are fortunate my son is allowing you to keep your head! If I suspect you of even looking at her the wrong way it would be very disastrous for your health!"
"The Legend himself will be staying here in the castle to keep an eye on you from now on. Every action you make will be cleared by him!"
Mazarin stared at the Queen in disbelief and started to speak again.
"This is not up for discussion! You will do as I say or you will have more misfortune then you could possibly imagine. You will continue your duties as the Cardinal, but you will have no further powers in France. I will not allow your tyranny to continue!"
Anne gave him a glare that would make a soldier whimper in terror. "You are Dismissed! Now get out of my sight!"
The Cardinal bowed and left the room as swiftly as possible.
He knew in his mind the only reason he was allowed to live was for appearances. If he was charged with treason and executed it would show poorly on France. But he also knew any attempts on the girl's life and he would end up at the wrong end of a rapier.
He would be watched very closely for the rest of his life. He would be a prisoner of the fate he had brought on himself. His greed had lost him his power that he desperately hungered for within his soul.
The musketeer who would watch his every move is the man he despised most in this world. He would never know the taste of freedom again by the strong confinement he was about to face at the hands of the legend himself.
He walked into his room and laid upon his bed. He began choking on the defeat deep within his soul. How could he underestimate the spirit of one woman!