Chapter 3

Louis was up early next morning. A messenger had come late at night telling him that the queen had summoned him first thing the following morning in throne room. The messenger did not mention the king's name so it was just Mary. Perhaps she wanted to convince him again to spy on his brother Antoine or maybe she wanted to tell him how sorry she was. Either way he was hopefully, if not ecstatic, to meet her.

He went to the throne room and saw that she was facing the two thrones. There was no one else in that room, just some guards by the door.

"Your Majesty", greeted Louis.

"Prince Conde, good morning", smiled Mary. "How was last night's feast?"

"Exhausting. With all the discussions about allegiances and trade routes, I felt like I was going to grow old soon", smiled Conde. Mary laughed a little.

"Perhaps you are wondering why I have summoned you here so early in the morning. Do you see that?" she asked him pointing to her throne on the podium. "When I first sat on that throne, I felt like I was the most powerful person on earth. I had the power to do almost anything, make people do anything for me. It took me a great deal of time to understand that such presumptions are only presumptions". She then turned to Louis. "Louis, I am truly sorry If I have ever hurt you or you ever felt like I have used you. It's true that Francis and I have been through a great ordeal and that you were there for me when I was all alone. But that does not and should not imply that I feel what you feel for me."

"Mary, I only meant in that letter what I felt. It does not mean that you must reciprocate it. You are married and you are the queen."

"I am. Which is why I think I also need to apologize to you about what I asked at the Winter Ease. Asking one brother to spy on another is not something I am in the position to ask. I hope you can forgive me and we can move on from here."

These words moved Louis. Mary still had that effect on him. He was aware that sooner or later Mary would ask him to do something that would go against his morals. But for that brief moment he appreciated her words. The queen took his leave and Louis was left alone in the throne room. He looked at the two thrones that belonged to Francis and Mary and pictured them together sitting and holding hands.

As he turned around to leave, he saw Narcisse talking to one of the soldiers. And immediately, everything he heard last night, the conversation between Lola and him was brought back to his mind. He was fully aware of the position he had put Lola into and Louis was desperate to make sure that Narcisse stayed away from Lola.

"Narcisse", said Louis approaching him.

"Ah! Conde", Narcisse smiled like a sly fox.

"I just wanted to say that I am sorry for my erotic behavior last night."

"No need for sympathy. I know exactly how much sorry the people in this castle are."

"Which is why I thought that maybe you would be interested to accompany me on a hunting spree this afternoon at the woods nearby. Lady Lola told me that you are very good at it and I always admire someone who has command over his bows and arrows and his wit."

"Did she tell you all of this? Seems to me that Lady Lola has moved on from me to you."

"She still admires your talent I am sure. No one can deny talents."

Narcisse approached Louis and paused for a minute. "Very well", he said. "We shall meet outside the castle. I would be honoured to demonstrate my hunting talent to the Prince of Navarre." He then took Louis' leave.

As Louis walked to his brother's chambers, he met Lola. He was pleasantly happy for some reason.

"Lord Conde", greeted Lola, with a smile.

"I think we are in a position to call one another by first names. I will call you Lola if you call me Louis."

"Very well", she smiled. "Louis. Are you headed towards King Antoine's chambers?"

"Yes, my brother and I have a matter to discuss."

"Well, I hardly think it is any of my business but I don't find your brother's approach towards my friend Kenna….quite..umm….healthy."

"My brother has certain flaws which cannot be corrected. But I assure you that he will do nothing to harm Kenna and Bash's marriage."

"Good. Kenna was just telling me about him and the uneasiness she was feeling every time she talked to him. It's not easy for girls like us to survive. We always have someone to protect, someone to please and someone to be careful of."

"And I think I don't feature in your list of 'someones' Lola", smiled Louis.

Lola smiled back. "Well, for Mary, I might give you a place for the middle someone after my son."

"And who are you careful of?"

The question wiped the smile off Lola's face. "I…er….I don't know…."

"Is someone scaring you Lola? Are you afraid of someone?"

"No. Why would I be afraid of someone?"

"Seems to me you are. Your smile vanished last night when Narcisse approached you. Are you afraid of Narcisse Lola?"

"Louis listen…."

"Because if you are, you can tell me and I will deal with him."

"There is nothing…."

"Lola you need to have faith. You are protected…"

"Louis!" said Lola loudly and grabbed his shoulders without her knowing it. She really needed to make him stop speaking. "Who I am afraid of and scared of is not your matter. It is mine."

"But why?"

"Because it is my life. And I should be the one to deal with my issues."

"But since I am courting you….."

"Because Mary has commanded us."

"What if I am not doing this for Mary? What if I genuinely care you?"

The question silenced Lola. She just stared at Louis. It left her speechless for a moment as she was not expecting this remark. Ever since Julian's, or Remy as she knew him, departure from court, Lola has said farewell to the word called 'care'. She knew that her friends and Mary would always care for her but she also knew that they had their married lives to look after as well. When Mary approached her with the request of being courted by Louis, she merely accepted to save Mary from any humiliation because she would save her from almost anything. But she never expected the turn of events that would lead to Louis ever saying that he cares for her.

"Lola?" asked Louis.

"I have to go. I am sorry."

"Go? You always disappear whenever I bring Narcisse into the conversation."

"Well, since you know everything about my life I hardly find it convenient to talk to you about anything at all then."

"Why are you getting angry? Don't punish me for trying to ease your pain?"

"Pain? What do you know about pain?"

"A lot more than you perhaps."

"I seriously doubt that."

Louis realized that there is no point taking to Lola about Narcisse anymore. "Well", said Louis. "I am sorry my Lady if I have hurt you in any way. I must be on my way now. Narcisse and I are going hunting in the afternoon in the woods…..just the two of us."

"Why?" asked a surprised Lola.

"That is something between Narcisse and me."

And saying this he turned around and walked away, leaving a bewildered Lola to stand alone in the corridors.