CHAPTER 3 - Fersen's proposal

- Good morning, Fersen - Oscar smiled and extended her hand in greeting.

- Hello, Oscar - he replied brightly, squeezing her hand.

They ate breakfast with Oscar's mother and father. It was Sunday, and one of those rare days when everyone was home. The Queen gave Madame de Jarjayes a few days off, as the general was leaving for another mission in a few days. Oscar, exceptionally, had no duties. Today Girodelle stayed at the station, cause, as Oscar maliciously claimed, "he should also have to chance to prove himself".

After breakfast, the woman suggested a sword duel. The count was a great swordsman. Not as good as Oscar, but really skillful. Usually she practiced with Jerome, her orderly, sometimes with her father if he wasn't on a mission or at Versailles. And although her father was also a gifted swordsman, the passing years took away some of his flexibility and speed of reaction. Jerome, on the other hand, was relatively young, he was only thirty-three, but he was not her equal in duel. But Fersen, he combined both desirable traits, which was exactly why it was so nice to duel with him.

It was cold but sunny day of November. After an hour of crossing swords, they went back inside to warm up a bit. The maid served tea and they sat down together on the glass-enclosed patio known as the "conservatory".

- You defeated me again - Fersen said when they were alone at last - I guess I should get used to it but yet I always hope it would be different next time - he laughed.

- I'm sorry - she replied innocently, but then laughed as well - No, to be honest, I'm not sorry a bit. You just have to try harder! - she added with a sneer - Will you stay for dinner? - she asked when they both stopped laughing.

- I can't - he replied - Actually I come to say goodbye. I'll be away for a while, maybe a month or two. I don't think I will be here for Christmas.

- I understand - she said, taking a sip of tea - Any problems?

- No, not at all. Duties - he saddened a little - I was serious about my marriage plans, Oscar. I have several candidates for a wife. I'd like to know them before I make a decision.

There was a silence, broken only by pouring tea into cups and sound of tapping spoons.

- I know why you do this. And I understand the situation - Oscar replied after a while - But are you sure you want to marry a stranger? Even if she turns out to be nice and pretty, she's still a stranger.

- What choice do I have, Oscar? - Fersen said indignantly - Father wants me to get married, and it only remains for me to obey.

- It is scary, isn't it? - she laughed - That we do everything they want from us.

- You became a soldier - he looked at her attentively - Because that's what your father wanted.

- Exactly. At least initially - she replied - But it was my choice to become commander of the Royal Guards.

- What other option did you have? - Fersen continued, touching the unsafe subject again

- What do you mean, actually? - Oscar pouted - I never wanted to be anything other. This life gives me satisfaction. Can you imagine me in a frilly batter dress hiding my powdered face behind a fan? - she laughed sincerely, though with a little irony

Fersen giggled.

- No. You're right, it's absurd - he said - Dresses are not for you. But the uniform is. You look like you were born into it.

- Thank you - she smiled at him gratefully

The count got up and walked to the large patio window. He looked out into the park, at the nearly naked trees lit by the mid-afternoon sun.

- However.. - he began after a while - If you ever fell in love.. maybe you would change your mind..

- Nonsense! - Oscar frowned – I will never fall in love - she added confidently

- How can you be sure? These things happen sometimes. Do you think men don't fall in love? - he finished with a sigh

- I know they do, Fersen - she walked over to him and put her hand gently on his shoulder - And I'm sorry seeing that love causes pain sometimes - the count sigh again heavily - But my heart just isn't capable of such feelings. I have never needed it and I don't feel the need now.

- Never say never - Fersen replied philosophically, turning to her, smiling. He paused, then continued more seriously - Do you remember our conversation? This last one before I left?

- Every word - Oscar said, nodding.

- You were furious - he laughed - I thought you were going to hit me!

- I was close to it - Oscar managed to choke out, laughing.

- You asked then if I wanted to marry you, and your sarcasm was more than clear. Later I thought a lot about what you had said.. - he mused - And the more I thought about it, the more this possibility seemed to be rational for me.

- Pardon?! - Oscar shouted in surprise.

Fersen took her hand and squeezed it gently.

- Oscar, you know me - he said seriously - You know how much I love Marie Antoinette. But she is the queen and will never be mine. But you and I.. we're so similar. You are my best friend. The second most beautiful woman in France - he smiled – So, if you find yourself fed up with this life, just tell me. I can't marry for love, but maybe friendship is enough to create something beautiful. Think about this - he added softly - I told you today that I want to visit my candidates for a wife. I started with the most important - he leaned over, kissed her gently on the cheek and left quickly.

Oscar stood petrified for a moment, then automatically walked over to the window. In the courtyard, Fersen was getting on his horse. He saw her standing in the window and raised his hand in a gesture of goodbye. She waved a little hesitantly.

As he drove away, she turned and burst out into a genuine, loud laugh.

- My God, what was that? - she laughed so much that tears ran down her cheeks - It seems that a moment ago, I, Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, heir to the family and commander of the Royal Guards, received a marriage proposal! For the first time in my life! And who proposed to me? Great Count Hans Axel von Fersen, Queen's beloved! What a total absurdity! - she wiped tears with her thumb – I hope that my father would not know about this, cause he would chase a beautiful count to hell. It would be a pity, he gives me such a great entertainment - she said to herself, quite reassured.

Not thinking much, she got dressed and went to the stables.

"Enough of these nonsensical speeches, I have to go back to what is most important" - she thought, and without a moment of hesitation, she galloped towards the river.