Chapter 14 :
In her way back to her rooms, Catherine couldn't help but think if all of this could work. If Henry truly has changed. If he truly loved her. If he truly could be faithful to her…
She was also questionning her own abilities. Could she forgive him. Could she trust him again… She realised that she was afraid. In fact, she was completly lead by her fears. Until then, she has always put her love for Henry behind her fear of loosing him but today she realised that it had to change because if not, their relationship was doomed to end…
And the Queen of France fell asleep thinking about the memories of her past.
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Next morning
Catherine woke up in her bed and was feeling a bit queasy due to her pregnancy.
Fortunately, there was only one month left before leaving the first trimester of her pregnancy, which would hopefully mark the end of all these disturbing symptoms.
She drank water from the glass on her bedside table.
She asked the servants to help her dress. She choose a red and gold dress and the matching crown and jewelry. Her hair were half up because she remembered that her husband prefered when she let them down… She shouldn't be encouraging him but…
And once she was ready she took a deep breath and headed to the dinning room.
She was nearly arrived when she heard children's laughter she couldn't help but smile.
When she entered the room she sighed, she was reassured that her husband had not yet arrived.
What she saw warmed her heart.
Charles, Henri and Margot were playing while waiting for their mother to come.
When they saw her they rushed to her and nearly knocked her off her feet.
« Hello my darlings » She said laughing with her children. « You need to be more careful lovelies, otherwise you might hurt the baby in mama's belly » She said with a bright smile.
« OHHHH ! This means that I am going to be a big brother again ? » Asked little Henri.
« Yes, sweetheart. You are all going to be a big brother or a big sister! » She said looking at her little princess.
Margot who was looking at her mother sceptically came closer and patted softly Catherine's growing belly.
« Your belly is so small ! There can't be a baby in it ! » Said her daughter.
The Queen smiled at the innocence of her little girl and answered « But there is ! It's just that the baby is very small for now... »
« Smaller than me ? » Asked Margot, turning her head in doubt, her little hand still on her mother's belly.
« Yes darling, smaller than you. » Laughed Catherine.
At this instant the King entered the room and noticed his daughter's hands on his wife's belly. He smiled...
When they saw their father the princes ran to him and Charles said : « Papa ! You won't believe me ! Mama is pregnant ! »
« Goodmorning everyone ! Yes Charles, your mother is pregnant this means that both you and your brother have to protect her. » The King said in his most formal voice.
« Of course, we will ! » Said the boys, a moment later they were gone. Both of them were already chasing each other around the table.
Catherine realised that Margot seems to have dissapeard but suddenly she felt something tugging at the back of her skirts…
The Queen turned around and whispered into her daughter's ear : « What is it sweetheart ? »
« Who is it, Mama ? He is so tall… He scares me a bit… Why Charles and Henri seems not to be afraid of him ? » Whispered Margot, putting both of her hands around her mouth to prevent other to hear what she was saying.
Catherine couldn't suppress a smile, seeing how many questions her daughter was able to ask in the same minute.
« You don't have to be scared of him, darling. He is the King of France and your father... »
« The King of France ? Ohhh… we shouldn't be whispering like that if he is the King of France ! » Said Margot.
« No, but I'm sure he will understand if you greet him with your finest bow. » Said Catherine playfully.
«You think it will be good enough ? » Asked the princess full of worry.
« I do » Answered the Queen, then she turned around facing her husband and putting both of her hand on Margot's shoulders in encouragement.
Her daughter shyly stepped toward her father, made her finest bow and waited for him to talk to her as her teachers taught her.
« Goodmorning Margaret. How are you today ? » The King said as softly as he could. He looked discreetly at his wife who was smiling tenderly and then returned his gaze on his daughter.
« Goodmorning father. Very well thank you and you ? » Answered the little girl.
« I'm delighted to meet you, Margaret. »
« You can call me Margot, father... » She said unsure if she should said that. God she was so nervous…
Henry smiled and kneeled to be at her level of vision and be able to look in her eyes. « It would please your father very much if you call him papa, Margot. » He said gently.
« Alright papa. » She said looking down.
« Tell me does your old papa scares you ? » He asked tenderly while tickeling her sides.
«No, no, no, no…. Please… stop… » Margot was wiggling around so much she laughed.
« Only if you promise me not to be scared of him ever. » He said still tickeling her.
« Alright papa… ah...ah...ah… please… stop this... » Said Margot between two laughs.
God ! She was laughing so much that she couldn't breathe.
At this words the King stopped, took Margot in his arms and got up.
Then he whispered in his princess ear : « Do you like chocolates, princess ? »
Suddenly the little girl's eyes shone and she answered : « Oh yes ! I love chocolates ! »
« In that case... »
Henry used an old trick and made appear a chocolate behind his daughter's ear.
Putting it under her nose, he said : « For my little girl... »
Margot opened her mouth in surprise and looked at her father as if he was a super hero like the ones in the stories her mother was reading her…
She was about to take it when she remembered… Her mother didn't like when she ate chocolate this early in the morning and especially before having breakfast.
The princess turned her head toward her mother and said : « Can I ? Please Mama ? »
Her daughter was looking at her with an unresistable grin. What mother could say no ?
« Alright, princess. But I hope it won't ruin your meal ?! » Said the Queen.
« Oh ! I promise you it won't ! » Said the princess while taking the chocolate from her papa's hand.
And the three of them laughed at the little girl's words.
« Haven't you forgotten something Margot ? » Said Catherine giving her a very expressive look.
« Oh, sorry… Thank you papa ! » Said the girl.
« You're welcome, princess. » Answered the King while putting her on the floor so she could go play with her brothers.
Henry smiled at his wife while putting an arm around her waist and said with a happy voice : « It didn't go too bad for a first encounter. »
« You are her hero, Henry » Said the Queen while lifting her head and looking at her husband who was watching their children playing… »
To be continued…
AN : I nedded to see a good family moment before...(Suspens on what will happen after.):)
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A special thank to Yogurtime for the reviews.
Laura.D