p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"The moon is hanging in the midnight sky when Stephan Narcisse steps onto the parapet overlooking the bath in the north keep. He watches with bated breath as Alexandria steps up to the tub where steam dances in circles just at the surface./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"She tests the water, finding it to be the perfect temperature, so she slips out of her robe. It cascades down to her feet and pools there before she carefully steps away from it and gracefully climbs into the bath, careful not to show her face. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""You're right." Stephan nearly jumps out of his skin and has to do a double take as he sees Alexandria appear behind him, dry and fully clothed. "It is a beautiful night for a bath." She smirks at the shocked smile on his face. "So I offered the use of the tub and five gold pieces to the servant who does my laundry."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Ah." He looks down, slightly embarrassed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I warned her that someone might look. She said that for five gold pieces, the entire castle could watch."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Well played. For being new to French court, you've certainly turned into an interesting player." She laughs. "I should tell you I've requested to speak with the king tomorrow."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Concerning?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Courtship."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Courtship? That is a very serious discussion. Although why you would need to have it with Francis is a mystery." She replies coyly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Feigning ignorance doesn't become you. Nor can you pull it off, especially not with that cat-who-got-the-canary grin."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""A lady aught not assume things."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I wish to court you. I wish for you to, someday soon, become my wife."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: center;" align="center"…/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Tell me why I should say yes, given everything you have done to me, my house and my wife. Not to mention what became of your last wife." Francis says to Stephan the next morning when he seeks him out for a private audience. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I did my best to protect her. In the end, even I couldn't protect her from her demons. Your sister-in-law will not suffer a similar fate, of that I can assure you."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Francis considers this for a moment. While Narcisse was used to playing things close to the chest, this was done openly. Instead of asking for forgiveness, he was seeking approval. Maybe this was the change in him that Francis, and France, desperately needed. "And if I give my consent, and promise Mary's as well, can I be assured that we are finally even, and you'll stop pushing policies on me with blackmail?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: center;" align="center"*Flashback*/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Francis opens the door to Narcisse's chambers without invitation, seeing said lord sitting at his desk, back to the door. "I was expecting you. But I wasn't entirely sure you'd come alone." Narcisse says not even bothering to turn around. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I should have killed you, it's true. But why would I now when I know that you have Caroline?" Narcisse grunts in agreement. "That's why you released her. To protect her from me. Because now I know this was all your doing, wasn't it? Form beginning to end, she was always in your service, playacting, coaxing some kind of admission from me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes. I also have Montgomery. He's in a safe place, far from any man's reach, ready to tell the world that he didn't kill your father if I give the word, or if anything happens to me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""What made you even suspicious of him in the first place?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Certain generals remembered you plotting a failed coup against your father just hours before he died. I began to investigate. The pieces fell into place."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Does it not concern you that this plot of yours hangs on nothing but hearsay and supposition? There is no physical proof of anything."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Perhaps I need more to convict you, it's true. But I only need to weaken you. I only need to stop your allies rallying to you. and I have plenty for that. Especially after you mismanaged your early rule, pushing your nobles away."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""What do you want? My crown? Is this all for power?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I don't want your crown. I want what I had when your father still lived: I want a ruler who listened to reason."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""You mean a ruler who listened to you?!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Yes! Because what I want is what is best for France!" They're standing toe-to-toe at this point, both breathing heavy. "You and Mary, with all your ideals, will destroy this country. In the name of justice and intolerance, you will drive your people to civil war."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""How will blackmailing me prevent civil war?!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""Well, to begin with, you will release the man who killed Conde's nephew."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""I can't! I have already shared my plans to prosecute them."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;""With Mary? Explain to her that you have changed your mind. And make sure she believes you, because if the people learn that you killed your father, they will never believe your queen didn't know about it. Your heads will be on two pikes side by side. I know you're both very romantic, but I doubt this is the future together you had in mind."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"Bearing him one last glance, Francis storms from his chambers, the sound of the door slamming echoing throughout the silent castle. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: center;" align="center"*End of Flashback*/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"He wasn't sure he trusted Narcisse's smirk as he says, "Of course Your Majesty."/p