Chapter 2: The Decision

The morning was cool, but with the sun flowing through her window she knew a hot summer day was in motion. She sat in the nursery with her baby, and cradled him against her chest. They were alone, and there was something so peaceful with these mornings that made her feel like all was well. But she knew very well it wasn't. Lola new Mary was right. The news of the execution of the protestants had not been taken well by the protestant people of France. There had been urgent messages about unrest from all over the country the last few weeks, and the King and Queen was working hard to resolve it. They had come to an agreement to wed Princess Claude to a prominent protestant named Lord Devaux. Lola didn't know if it was enough to silence the rage between the factions, but it showed that the King and Queen was taking a stand for respect and equality. Lola apricated that, not just for fear of their own safety, but she believed that no one should live in fear and be condemned for their beliefs.

The wedding was to stand the very same day, and she began to dress. A royal wedding was a grand affair, and she was looking forward to the feast, but as always, she knew it would be a long and tiresome affair. In any case, the food and drinks would be good, she thought. The dress she picked was a deep blue colour that matched her eyes. It was light for the summer season, and the neckline showed off her shoulders and collarbones. The bodice was laced, while the skirt was made of chiffon. She dwelled on her picture in the mirror as her maid pinned her hair back from her face. Her long dark curls were cascading down her back and shoulders, and she was pleased with how well she looked.

After a two-hour long procession and wedding ceremony, they were back at the castle for the wedding feast. The foods and drinks were splendid, and after a while Lola actually managed to let go of the uneasiness she had felt for weeks, and she had a good time. She was seated with her other ladies Greer and Kenna and their spouses.

"I know who the man from the sex journal is," Lola said when she got Kenna on her own.

"What? Who?! Tell me at once!" Lola laughed, amused by her intensity.

"It's Lord Narcisse."

"Lord Narcisse?!" Kenna practically screamed.

"Shhhh!" Lola glanced to both sides, but luckily it seemed like Kenna's outburst had gone unnoticed.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I saw the birthmark on his wrist."

"Oh! Well this is a great chance for you then."

"Wha-?" Lola didn't manage to ask what she meant by it, before she was gone. She turned around, puzzled by being left by her friend so abruptly, but stopped immediately to not crash into Lord Narcisse that stood right behind her.

"Oh, Lord Narcisse." She curtseyed while feeling her cheeks beginning to turn red. She only hoped he hadn't heard of what they had spoken of.

"Lady Lola. The dancefloor looks splendid, don't you think? But it would look even more splendid if you were dancing on it." The wine made it impossible not to smile at his radicicolous likeable remark. His familiar wolfish grin made her fearful and excited at the same time. He knew how to charm a lady, but she wasn't about to fall for it. She knew better than to play his games.

"I'm not much of a dancer."

"I beg to differ," he said. He offered his hand. She looked at it debating with herself if she should deny him or not. She was of an opinion that it would be disrespectful of her to turn him down, and that one dance couldn't hurt. In secret she revelled in the feeling of how he looked at her. His eyes were open, attentive, and as he took her hand, she felt like he only had eyes for her. His hand was warm and steady as he led her to the dancefloor. Before they parted to stand opposite one another, he leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"You look beautiful tonight." She jumped a little by the proximity, but couldn't help but smile. She looked at the other couples, and saw Greer and Lord Castleroy a few feet from them. Greer sent her a knowingly look, and smiled slightly.

As they began to dance, she felt uncomfortable. She hadn't known until the music began to play, that it was a slow dance. A seductive dance. She averted her eyes from him, and concentrated on the music, but as they went for the first lift, she met his gaze. The intensity of his blue eyes made a spark ignite in her body. The sensation shook her, and she breathed heavily. She was drawn to him. By every step, every movement, every time their hands touched, she felt a little bit more unsteady as the overwhelming feeling of desire took hold of her. Every time their eyes met, his gaze became more and more inappropriate. She was blushing, and as they went for the last lift, she gasped slightly as her feet descended from the dancefloor, and she was suddenly in the air, with his hands steadily on her hips. He put her down, and the dance was over. He still stared at her, but as the music stopped, she felt herself being pulled back to reality. This was dangerous. He was dangerous. She smiled and curtseyed. She left, and retired back to her rooms. The hour was late, so no one would notice.

In the next few days at court gatherings she couldn't help her eyes wandering to look for Lord Narcisse. Most of the days he was there. Sometimes coming to speak with her, sometimes not. But his interest in her was unmistakeable, and she feared that her sparking interest in him wasn't quite as hidden as she thought. In her mind she was shaming herself. She knew him to be a dangerous and ruthless man, with no thought of others than himself, but the times she had spoken with him, she hadn't seen those sides to him.

"My sympathies with your dowry," he suddenly said in a conversation one night.

"How did you know about that?"

"Oh, I dine with the bankers often. They're good company, full of gossip."

"Really?" She averted her eyes.

"I could use my influence on your behalf." She looked at him suddenly.

"Why?"

"To help you."

"In return for?"

"A walk... and the pleasure of your company." Again, Lola debated with herself whether this was wise.

"That's kind, but I don't think it's a good idea."

"Well, I will respect your wishes, but I hope you will reconsider." He bowed before taking his leave.

After he left, she noticed Francis keeping an eye on her. When she met his eyes, he ended his conversation with some of the nobles he was talking with, and headed for her direction. She felt an unease by the frown forming on his eyebrows.

"Lady Lola. It's good to see you. You look well."

"Your Grace, thank you. You too, look well." She curtseyed.

"I´ve noticed you have been spending time in Lord Narcisse's company."

"Well, we have been talking sometimes, yes."

"I saw you dance together at Princess Claude's wedding."

"That's correct." She shifted uneasily. This was beginning to feel very much like an interrogation. "What of it?"

"I don't want you near him. He's dangerous."

"We talk. That's all. You don't have to worry." She tried to smile, but she was a bad liar.

"He seems taken with you."

"Maybe he his, but it will never happen anything between us. I swear." Francis looked at her with worry in his eyes.

"You have been declining his requests to court you?" He suddenly asked.

"Well...yes. In a way." His eyes shifted from worry to deep thought. She studied him as he stared with empty eyes out the window. What was so interesting with her and Narcisse? Suddenly they got abrupted by a servant that had a letter for Francis. He read it, said goodbye to Lola and left.

The morning after Lola awakened by a knock at the door, and a request from the king for an audience. She got dressed and hurried her way to his studies. He was looking out the window as she entered, but greeted her with a short bow. She curtseyed.

"Good morning, Your Grace. You asked to see me?"

"Yes, Lola. I have thought about our conversation yesterday, and something have appeared to me. First, I must ask you, none of the things said in this room can be told to anyone, do you understand? Not even Mary." She looked at him surprised and curious at the same time, but she nodded wanting to hear the rest of what he was going to say. "Lord Narcisse is working against me. He is scheming behind my back, and he will not go along with the best choices for France. With him working against me it could mean civil war." Lola looked at him. He was deadly serious.

"How?" was all she managed to say.

"I cannot go into details of this, but I need you to trust me." She would trust Francis more than Narcisse any day.

"I trust you."

"Good. What I want you to do is to get close to him. Let him court you. Make him believe that what you have is real. I need to know what he is planning." Lola stared at him in disbelief.

"You cannot be serious?" she burst out almost laughing. "Yesterday you said you didn't want me near him."

"I know," he said. His eyes were sad, but determined. "That was before I saw the opportunities of his interest in you. The future of France could be at stake. I know I'm asking a lot of you. You will be risking your life, but this is of crucial importance."

"Are y- Are you asking me to... initiate a sexual relationship with him in order to know his secrets?" He averted his eyes then, but answered her truthfully:

"If the task requires you to do so... yes." She inhaled and exhaled deeply while taken it all in. She went to the window and looked out. Yet another beautiful summer day. She thought about what it would mean for her life, for her son.

"May I take some time to think about this?"

"Of course," Francis said. "You have a big decision to make."

She took her leave, and went back to the nursery to spend time with her son. She sat there the whole day contemplating the incredible task she had been presented. Sometimes she laughed out loud thinking about the scale of it. She could literally die if she did this, and the idea made her cold to the bone. On the other hand, she needed to be honest with herself. She was attracted to Narcisse, and she had come to like him. If she hadn't gotten the task by the king, she may have begun to develop feelings for him. That was certainly out of the question now, and she needed to guard her heart carefully.

Little John didn't seem to be affected by her emotions, but lay calmly in her arms, sleeping peacefully. She thought about him, but then again, she thought about France. She could make a difference to the difficult situation the country found itself in, and yet she would be putting herself at risk.

She visited Francis the morning after, and entered his studies determined.

"I will do as you ask," she said then. "For France." He nodded. He came to stand before her, and he took her hands in his.

"Thank you, Lola."