AN : Hello everyone. Is there someone that is still reading ?
If yes, enjoy the chapter and don't forget to review, please.
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Disclaimer : I neither own « Reign », nor profit from this story. No plagiarism is intended.
Chapter 16 :
The sun was beginning to rise in the sky and his light was beaming through the windows.
Henry began to stir and he opened his eyes. He could see that Catherine was not yet awaken and choose not to woke her up because she needed to rest after yesterday's emotions.
He stayed a bit longer, apreciating her marvelous scent before duty called him back.
The King got up and dressed with his yesterday's clothes. He then came closer to the bed and kissed his wife's forehead. Then he left to see the progress of the preparations of the army but not before writing a note for Catherine and putting it on his side of the bed.
A few minutes later the Queen woke up in an empty bed. Her eyes still closed she was patting Henry's side to be sure that he was not there when her hand felt a piece of paper.
She was afraid. Could he have left without saying goodbye ?
She opened her eyes, sitted on her bed and began to read the letter.
Amore mio,
No, I haven't left without saying goodbye to you.
(he knew her too well. She thought and sighed in relief.)
I'm sorry not to have waited for you to woke up but there were issues that I needed to deal with.
We should leave at midday.
With all my love ,
Henri'
Midday, midday, midday, midday. Catherine thought. She didn't want him to leave but if they were leaving at lunchtime, she had enough time to do what she needed to do.
After taking her breakfast with her children and having soothed their fears, answered to their questions and listened to them when they told her what they have dreamed about, the Queen went to her chambers and called lady Yvonne.
« You have called for me, Majesty ? » Asked the lady while entering Catherine's personnal quarters.
« Yes Yvonne, take a seat. » And the woman did as commanded.
« - For how many years have you been at my service ?
- Two decades, your Grace.
-Very well, I have a special mission for you. This is something that I cannot ask to anyone else. I want you to go with my husband to see if he can be faithful to me. He musn't know that you are spying him, under any circumstances.
- Of course Majesty.
- You will write to me every two days to keep me informed of what you have seen.
- Yes, my Queen.
Yvonne curtesyed and began to turn around and walk away but stopped at Catherine's words.
- Twenty years at my side must be enough to know that I don't like to be lied to or to be taken for a fool by anyone.
The lady curtesyed again in acknowledgment and the Queen waved off Yvone with one hand. »
It would be Henry's final test. If he stay faithful to her during the time he is away, she could let go and try to trust him again if not… it will be the end of this dream…
She knew that in the camp there were always ladies to fulfil the needs a
of the soldiers and to reward them for their exploits on the battlefield but Henry is no soldier he is the King of France and if he want to have a last chance with her he would have to prove himself. And what better proof than this one, Catherine thought.
/-/-/-/-/
Midday.
The Valois family was outside. They were all in heavy coats due to the freezing winter wind. It's was snowing, normally all the children would play, make snowmen, snowball battles and laughing until they can't breathe but today their were all silent…
Even if Henry wasn't the best father, his children loved hi deeply and they were all more than sad to see him leave to war.
As the King came closer to his family, he saw the tears down the cheeks of his youngest sons and the unshed ones in the eyes of the older ones. Then, he looked at Catherine… She was desperatly trying not to cry in front of the children.
He sighed and said with a sad smile « Don't worry darlings, I will return, I promise. I always have. »
All the children nodded their heads and Charles said « We will think off you and send you our force »
Wipping away his son's tears he answered : « I count on that. Promise me you all will take care off your mother while I am away. »
« We will, papa » Said the children together.
Henry looked at Francis and Claude and they nodded their heads and smiled at him.
The King kissed all the children on the cheek. When he finished he noticed that Magot was shaking and said « I think you should go back inside, it's freezing here. I love you. »
« We love you » Answered his heirs and then they left and headed toward the warmth of the castle leaving their parents alone.
They were far enough when Catherine broke out in tears.
Damn hormones, she thought.
« No no, darling please, don't cry » He said taking her in his arms.
The moment her head touched his chest a new wave of tears began to run down her cheeks and she sobbed.
« I love you and I will return to you, cara » He whispered in her ear.
Lifting her head from his chest she kissed him with love, passion and despair while putting an handkerchief in his pocket.
« I can't live without you, Henry. » She sobbed.
« You won't have to, Caterina. » He answered
« I... » But those three simple words couldn't come out of her mouth.
« I know. » Henry said, then kissed her belly and her lips again before letting go of her and turning away toward his horse.
At the last moment she grabbed his arm and said : « See you soon, caro »
He kissed her one last time in response before nearly running to his black stallion because if he stayed a moment longer he would not have the strengh to leave his wife.
He mounted his horse, smiled at her and said « I'll write to you. » And he dug his spurs into the animal's flanks and left followed by his men.
Catherine saw the lady Yvonne walking past her on a horse. The woman was looking at the Queen, they shared an expressive look and Catherine nodded her head.
Catherine stayed outside before the gates until the soldiers could no longer be seen.
She was still crying and decided to take a walk in the gardens to clear her mind.
She sat on a stone bench near the frozen lake and she realized… She had already fallen for him. She wanted him so desperatly… To feel his strong arms around her, to feel his heartbeat resonating through her, to breathe in his so masculine scent, to hear the sound of his voice, to feel his lips against her skin…
She wanted to trust him with her heart again and she hoped that he meant what he said to her because it was too late, she has given him her heart and should he betray her she wan't sure she would survive.
After a few moments alone, thinking about her husband and what she should do with her heart, she decided to return to the castle. The children were studying and she needed to rule France while Henry was away. She was already missing him…
/-/-/-/-/
On the way to Calais
Henry and his men were moving at good speed and if the road was clear they would arrive in Calais before night.
So they would be able to attack at dawn.
Alone, on his horse, at th head off several thousands of men there was only one person he could think of… Catherine.
Oh, how he wished he could go back to her… but as King he had to led the soldiers to victory and show to those english all the strengh of France.
But he was already missing her…
To be continued…
AN : I hope you enjoyed !
Love you !
Laura D.