AN : Here is another one ! Enjoy the read !
Disclaimer : I don't own « Reign », no plagiarism is intended and I don't make profit of this story.
Chapter 25
Henry and Catherine are received at the duke's estate
Nobody was out because they didn't know anyone was coming most of all the Royal couple of France.
He saw a servant passing by and called: "Good evening"
The servant turned around and answered : "Good evening, my Lord"
"Go and tell the duke that a special guest is waiting for him. Tell him that Henry is here." He said, the servant nodded and walked away.
/-/-/-/-/
The duke of the Alps was actually in an important meeting when the servant sent by Henry came to his study.
"Who is it ? We weren't expecting anyone today." Said the duke.
"I don't know my Lord, he didn't give me a name he just told me : tell the duke that Henry is here." Answered the servant.
"Henry… You mean that the King of France is here ?" He asked surprised, then he immediately stormed out of his office and went to the courtyard.
/-/-/-/-/
Back in the courtyard
The King and Queen were still waiting but they didn't mind at all. The weather was great. As it was the beginning of the spring you could seem the firsts blossoms on the trees.
They were still admiring a particularly beautiful flower when the duke arrived.
"Henry is that really you ?" He asked with a smile.
"Apparently so yes Arnaud. " Answered the King.
Bowing respectfully Henry's friend said : "Oh! Forgive me…"
"No no… I'm sure you recognize the Queen, my wife." Said Henry while placing his hand on her back softly.
"Of course, your beauty still outshines the sun." he said while bowing his head.
Catherine simply smiled.
Looking at her belly the duke added : "Congratulations !"
"Thank you" answered the rulers at the same time.
"Come in, come in ! The road must have been exhausting." Smiled Arnaud.
Catherine and Henry happily followed him.
/-/-/-/-/
Once they were seated in the reception room the duke began to talk with a smile : " So, what brings you here ? It had been so long ! It's a pleasure to see you both again. The last time you were pregnant with the Dauphin." There was no malice in his voice just a happy tone.
"It has been a long time yes. We're actually here on holidays. We were supposed to stay in the duke of Savoie's castle but we were met by a monstrous, power-hungry family so we decided to come here. I hope we're not disturbing…" Said the King with an equal happy tone. He was really happy to reunite with his friend after such a long time !
"Disturbing ? No, of course not ! It's a real pleasure to be surprised by my best friend !" and the three of them laughed.
"Hum… we didn't come to you directly because the other duke was closer to the castle and…" Started Henry.
"Do not worry with such things, Henry ! With the Queen in such a delicate condition."
Henry smiled, he remembered why they were so close when they were younger… Arnaud was always as kind as anyone could be.
"You said to me that you were ill-received by the duke ? It surprises me… even that bastard would not risk your wrath." He asked.
"He was the only one who was correct with us because he was the only one who knew who we really were. Because for not being disturbed during our trip we planned on being teachers to the children and not reveal our true identity, you see ? " Henry explained.
"Yes, so the other ones thought you were simple teachers… Oh, you must have had fun with the grand-mother, the former duchess…" Laughed the duke.
" Oh ! Don't speak to us about her ! " Henry sighed theatrically.
"She's the devil ! If you could see the way she's treating the children !" Catherine added.
"Yes, I imagine…" answered Arnaud.
"But I took care of that matter… I'm sure this man will never look me in the eyes again" Said the King.
"I don't doubt that." Said the duke causing everyone to laugh.
A little while later Catherine tried to hide a yawn but Henry and the duke saw it.
"I'm sorry." Said Catherine.
"No no, it's me. I should have offered you to rest sooner… the trip to here must have been more than tiring." Answered the duke as gently as ever;
Catherine smiled, she was starting to like this man…
"I will show you to your rooms." He offered.
/-/-/-/-/
Once they arrived, the duke left them alone to rest before dinner.
The room was actually very beautifully adorned. The bed was big and soft with a magnificent coverlet. There was a balcony and the view of the mountains was absolutely breathtaking.
Catherine was there, admiring the landscape when two arms wrapped themselves around herself.
She just smiled and leaned back against her husband's chest, her head resting in the crock of his neck.
"It's beautiful, isn't it ?" She whispered after a few moments.
" Oh yes, it is. " He answered and placed a kiss on the tender flesh of her neck making understand that he was most definitely not speaking of the view…
"Henry… you're incorrigible…" She chuckled.
Turning her around he said : "But you love me…" They were now inches apart from each other's lips.
"More than anything." She agreed before kissing him.
She didn't know how much these words meant to him…
After a moment Henry suggested : "Maybe you would like to lie down a bit before dinner ?"
"Yes, I'm exhausted." She answered and went to lie down.
Henry, went to the desk of the room to write to Francis about their new whereabouts. While writing his letter, he let his eyes wander to his sleeping wife from time to time, reminding himself of how a lucky man he was…
/-/-/-/-/
One hour later, time for dinner
Catherine was still sleeping but he knew that dinner was coming and that she would be famished.
She always was… He thought to himself with a contented smile on his lips.
So he decided it was best to wake her up.
Quietly approaching the bed, he sat on the mattress, next to his wife's sleeping form.
Gently stroking her cheek, he called softly : "Caterina…Darling… it's time for dinner."
She slowly woke up and looked at him, he was watching her with that bright smile of his.
"It's nearly time for us to go and dine with Arnaud and his family." He said.
"Oh yes. I'm famished…"
He chuckled lovingly.
He must have been a mind reader…
/-/-/-/-/
In the dining room
When they entered, the King and Queen were greeted by the sight of the duke, his wife and their children who were happily chatting.
When they saw their rulers the family get up and bowed respectfully.
"Majesties, allow me to present my wife Carolina, my son George and my daughters Louise and Ariana who you already know."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Said Henry. "A pleasure, indeed." Added Catherine
"De quale parte dell'Italia vieni ? » Asked Catherine upon hearing the woman's name.
*From which part of Italy are you from ?
"Vengo da Firenze, vostra Maestà. » Smiled the duchess.
*I come from Florence, your Majesty.
« Perfetto. Chiamami Caterina. Non ci sono formalità tra italiane. » Added the Queen, she was very pleased by finding a person from her own country and city here.
*It's perfect. Call me Catherine. No formalities between two Italians.
The two husbands were watching the exchange with a smile.
"Well, if you would please. The dinner is served." Said the duke pointing at the table.
With that they all headed towards the table.
The two couples sat in front of each other and began to talk.
"So, Arnaud told me you were ill received by the duke of Savoie and his family ?" Asked the duchess.
"Yes, but the problem is not really us, it's these poor children whom the duchess mistreats." Answered Catherine.
"I understand… I've only met her once and it's was enough… This woman is a monster !" Added Carolina.
"Yes, but I've handled things and I think they won't suffer from this person anymore." Clarified Henry.
The rest of the dinner went very well with the Royal couple asking for the best ways to go to the "Thermal baths" in the mountains and the nobles happily responding.
Once dinner was over the duke said : " I was wondering if you'd like to share a glass of whiskey, Henry ?"
Henry was looking forward to this idea, but he knew his wife was tired and that she needed to rest. : "hum, It's not the envy that I lack but the journey was long and Catherine is exhausted so…"
"I can accompany the Queen to your rooms, that's not a problem." Offered Carolina gently.
"I'm not sure…" Started Henry but Catherine, who has been silent until then, cut him off with that bright smile of hers : "That would be perfect. Go share a glass with your friend. I know you crave it. "
"You're sure darling ?" He asked;
"Yes. Go on." She said before kissing his cheek goodbye and whispering in his ear : "I'll be waiting for you to apply the oil."
"I'm counting on that." He answered before giving her a peck on the lips and letting her go with the duchess.
Then he went with Robert.
/-/-/-/-/
Once the two man were arrived at the terrace, they sat on the outdoor chairs near the table with the whiskey waiting on it.
The duke served them both a glass and started to talk.
"- It's good to see you again, Henry.
- And, it's good to see you Arnaud. I've missed a friend during all these years.
- Surely you must have other friends than me as all France is at your feet.
- That's precisely the problem. These people are not friends they are ass kissers. "
And they both laughed at that.
"- Well, now let's talk about the real subject of this conversation, Henry. What is happening with your wife ?
- Well, then okay… I know that look… I'll tell you everything. As you certainly have heard, the Queen was to be beheaded but before I could give the order – not that I would ever have given it anyway – we learned that she was pregnant. After this, we both re-discovered our feelings for each other and… here we are.
- Finally ! You know that all of France was wandering when the both of you would put aside your pride and finally see what was obvious.
- Yes, yes, I know. But better late than never…
- It's true ! To new beginnings then !
- To new beginnings !"
And they clinked their glass."
AN : And another chapter is over ! Let me know what you think !
Once again excuse the Italian it's from google translate.
Take care
Laura D.