I will probably call this the final chapter, though there is one more that is more like an Epilogue.

Enjoy :)

Lord Voldemort never allowed others to drop by his home unannounced. He controlled his own solitude more tightly than anything else, yet, suddenly, that seemed to be stripped from him, because, standing in front of him, was a man he had certainly not invited: King Ludovic.

The greying monarch had arrived only an hour ago, with little fan fare. In fact, other than a few sparse advisors, he had been completely alone. The portly man had extended his usual greetings and said he had only come by to see his precious daughter.

Voldemort did not need to be a Master Legilimens to know that was a lie, the way the King kept diverting his eyes made that abundantly clear.

However, ever calculating, he had not revealed anything was amiss. He had merely escorted the man to a sitting room, presented him with a cup of tea and attempted to hide his irritation about the invasion of his privacy. For an hour, they had filled the silence with small talk, but his patience was wafer thin by the end.

It was only when the door opened to reveal Adele that he allowed his mood to be subdued, at least a little. She had disappeared a few hours ago to visit Narcissa Malfoy. He had expected she would be gone for several more, but he was feeling strangely grateful he had been wrong (a very rare feat indeed).

He did not move from his seat as father and daughter embraced in front of him. He sat coolly, his eyes drifting over both figures as he sipped his rather sweet tea (strangely, just as he liked it). They embraced quickly, though he noticed a few muttered words in French that were too soft for him to hear properly.

Slowly they separated and turned to face him. Having to look up to someone, he felt oddly uncomfortable, though his face remained impassive as his eyes focused on them both. There was something happening he was not privy to and that only caused his anger to fluctuate again.

"Good afternoon, Adele, I had assumed you would be at the Malfoys for longer," he greeted curtly in French. He had never allowed himself to be ignorant and language instruction had been one of the many things he had deemed worthy to learn.

"I had intended to be," she answered back. Her voice unusually hesitant. "However, I had matters to take care of."

"What would they be?" he questioned sounding bored rather than displaying the curiosity that he felt as he quirked an eyebrow. He watched as the King reached forward to touch and gently squeeze his daughter's shoulder. For the first time, Voldemort's eyes narrowed briefly before he restored his face to its usual icy facade.

After a pause, Adele opened her mouth to respond, but she was interrupted by the door banging open and someone barging in.

"Master! An elf said you were here and I-" Bellatrix said in a rush as she trailed off, face flushed and breathing rapidly. She was dressed in a tea party dress and he assumed they must have come from the same party. He was feeling like he was the least informed in the room and the feeling did not assist the temper that was already threatening to burst.

Seizing the opportunity to stand without it seeming to be threatening, he gestured to the door with concealed venom. "Later, Bella. Leave."

Knowing Bella, he was a little surprised when she did not move straight away. Her dark eyes flicked to Adele and the King in suspicion and unease. For their part, he saw that both stared back at her with a peculiar level of interest. Adele seemed strangely calm, even smug, but the King seemed to look at her with disgust. His mind stored away the information already pondering possibilities for the reaction.

However, after a moment, Bella recovered herself and bowed low, taking one step to the door, but she was halted by the King interrupting.

"No," he stated firmly, his eyes narrowing with almost suspicion as he glared at Bellatrix. "She should stay for this."

He had expected Bellatrix to ignore the request, though she proved him wrong again. She halted by the door and somehow he could see her cheeks turn pink. What was happening?

"I trust you have a reason to contradict a request I make in my own house," he said, allowing the coldness to enter his voice for the first time.

"Of course." The King replied simply. The King turned to Adele, Voldemort watched as he smiled at her encouragingly. "Show him."

Meekly, displaying none of her typical superiority, Adele had removed something from her robes and handed it to him. Taking a step closer to her, he took it from her hand without a word and turned it over.

Staring down, he was forced to look at the moving photograph of himself and Bellatrix. She was half clothed as he pinned and pressed into her. It was evident what they were doing.

Inside, rage spewed up and bubbled within him. How dare anyone infringe on his privacy? It did not matter what he did with Bellatrix. He was the Dark Lord and had every right to conduct his own affairs in private. However, just as anger raged, so did uncertainty. How was it taken? As much as that questioned nagged at him, he could deal with it later.

For the briefest second, his eyes flicked over Bellatrix's furious expression. It was now obvious Adele had either told her or shown her a copy of the photograph at the Malfoys which was why she had rushed here. Evidently, he and Bella shared the same outrage.

However, his eyes lingered over his servant for only a moment before he turned his gaze back to the King.

"I fail to see your point," he hissed coolly and, with a flick of his wrist he banished the photograph into the fire behind him. "I fail to see its relevance."

The King had normally been placid fellow. Voldemort had expected him to back down, but instead he stepped forward and raised his voice.

"You think this is acceptable? Carrying on with some tart when you are married," he snapped his eyes fiery. Voldemort stared back coolly, but inside he continued to seethe. It had nothing to do with the insult aimed at Bella.

"I do not see the issue or its relevance to you."

"We made a deal! My and my country's loyalty if you would marry my daughter and now you treat her this way." His eyes bulged as he wrapped his arm completely around Adele who lowered her eyes, but other than that she did not seem to share her father's anger. He wondered how long she had known.

"I apologise," Voldemort murmured easily, raising his arms it what might have been a sign of mockery. "But I fail to see any clause in our agreement which meant I had to be faithful to your daughter."

The King's eyebrows furrowed and he seemed to be considering stepping forward again. He appeared to think better of it and paused to take a long breath. When he spoke again, his voice was slightly calmer and colder.

"Leave her."

"How dare you? Don't-" Voldemort heard Bella snarl to his left in French to the King. Immediately, he raised his hand. She went silent, her eyes wide as she breathed heavily. He thought she must have been as angry as he felt. She was right. How dare he? He did not bow down to anyone. No one! No King or anyone else. The subject matter did not matter.

For the briefest moment, his hands flicked to his wand, though he managed to control himself and instead stretched himself to his full height, staring down at the man.

"I am not accustomed to obeying the orders of others," he said coolly, his eyes gleaming red momentarily. "I do not make any exceptions to this rule."

Focusing down at the other man, he could see him flinch, but he managed to reply, "I took you for a reasonable man. A man with some kind of morals. Clearly none exist."

Somehow the other man's speech amused him. It was full of delusions that meant nothing. What use were morals? However, he kept his face blank.

"What I do in privacy is my own business. Not yours."

The man's eyes widened, his lips opened slightly and he stared at him for the longest moment as if he was seeing him for the first time. Voldemort did not at all like the experience.

"I see..." he trailed off, but he solidified his tone. "It is clear that I cannot align myself with such a man."

For the first time, he allowed a smirk to curl onto his thin lips.

"Really?" The amusement was clear as he stepped closer not towards the King, but towards Adele. He rested his left hand on her shoulder possessively, his wedding band visible. "Now, are you sure that is a good idea? After all, it might not be good for your daughter, my wife, if you were to choose to take such an action."

Swiftly, he watched as the King removed his wand. Voldemort had already acted to point his own at Adele. He was prepared to merely use her as a shield, but he was slightly surprised when the King's wand soared from his hand. Turning his head slightly, his eyes gazed at Bella who had her wand drawn and directed at the King. She met his gaze and smiled lightly. He returned the gesture with a wand.

"You best be careful," he hissed slightly amused and rather calm. "There is no need for anyone to get hurt."

"You dare threaten me and my daughter?" The King snarled back, his now empty hand scrunched into a fist as he eyes flipped rapidly from Voldemort's face to the wand pushed into his daughter's pale neck.

"Not threaten. Merely warn. After all, your daughter resides with me now and not you." He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her cheek in a mockering of a kiss. Adele flinched, as did the others in the room. "Now, I think you have worn out your welcome, Your Highness. Run along back to France. I will be making sure you do not do anything silly."

He did not obey straight away. "Adele-" he said gently, but Voldemort cut him off.

"Now," he snapped, forcing his wand harder into the hollow of her throat. "If you are good I will send back your wand and your daughter will be unharmed."

Finally, he did what was requested. Throwing one sorrowful look at his daughter, he moved slowly to the door. Voldemort tilted his body along with Adele so his eyes remained focused on the man until he finally shut the door behind him.

As soon as the door shut, Voldemort snatched his wife's wand from the pocket of her robes and threw her onto the floor. Bella, who had been waiting in the corner, leaped to his side and, before he could even say anything, she lashed out.

"Crucio!" She hollered in anger pointing her wand at Adele. She started thrashing and screaming in pain. He had not expected Bella to act as such, but he enjoyed watching his wife suffer. He caught Bella's eye. She seemed apprehensive, despite joy at the torture. It was only when he merely nodded at her that the full array of delight burst over her attractive features.

He allowed her to continue for a few more moments, before he rested his hand on her shoulder. She stopped immediately and her eyes moved to him. He only met her worshipful gaze for a moment before he turned to Adele.

"This is what happens when anyone dares to defy me, no matter who they are," he stated coolly oblivious to the pain his wife was in. "Stay here. I will know if you have not."

Without another word and still holding Bella's shoulder, he strode out of the door and locked it firmly behind them.

Bellatrix was shacking as the Dark Lord led her into his study. She was not sure if it was from anger or pleasure. Either way, her face was flushed and her breath heavy as they stood near the unlit hearth.

She could not believe it. It was bad enough that Adele had been sneaking around like a rat and had dared to photograph her and her Lord, but, on top of that, she had gotten her father involved like the child that she was. The only thing worse was the outrageous behaviour of the man who dared call himself a King. He deserved every part of pain and trouble he had brought against himself. She only wished she was allowed to Crucio him too. The girl had been so fun.

However, a part of her was filled with joy she could not explain. As soon as the King had said her Lord was to end his affair with her, she had thought it was all over. At least the part of her brain that was thinking clearly and not full of white hot rage. It was not because she had a low self esteem: She was well aware of her many assets, though she knew that the 'relationship' between her and her Lord was for very specific reasons and there was no need for anything to be sacrificed for it.

The fact he had proved her wrong only filled her with joy and made her feel like she was floating above a cloud, especially now the anger had vanished and her mind was full of those feelings. She would never dare to presume he loved her, but certainly there was more affection there than she could have predicted.

For his part, her Lord did not speak to her. He was silent as he strode towards the fireplace. With a wave of his hand, he lit the grate and stared down at it, tightly gripping the mantel piece so that his knuckles turned even whiter. She knew it was a sign of anger, but, despite that, she could not help but approach him, stopping only when she was by his side. The heat flooded over her and, to be honest, she found it too hot to be comfortable, though it was easy to ignore that when her Lord was by her side.

She stared up at him silently begging he would turn to her, least she lose control and break the silence he had imposed on himself. Somehow the words she spoke in her head seemed to have been answered. He looked up from the fireplace and focused on her. His eyes swept up and down her frame. He was silent, but it was enough for Bella to grant herself permission to speak. She wanted to say so much, though somehow it was hard for her to bring it all into words.

"I do not know what to say, Master," she murmured numbly and oddly soft for her usual loud and passionate tone.

For one brief moment she thought she might have angered him. He was silent and his face oddly expressionless before he spoke, "What is done is done, for our part anyway. Both Adele and the King will receive their punishments. However, it may take time, but rest assured it will happen. Unfortunately they are needed for now."

"But, Master!" She found herself pleasing her voice back to its usual pitch like it had never left. "After what they have done! They deserve-"

"I know what they deserve," her Lord snapped back like a well positioned whip. "But be reasonable, Bellatrix, they are suffering and they will continue to suffer. I will not do something drastic and to risk war."

"But you have," she cried out before she could stop herself. "You could have just agreed! She could have just..." She trailed off lowering her eyes.

"The risk was minimal!"

"But still there," she urged. "You chose that risk because you-you chose...me."

That was it. What she did not want to say because it made her feel even more foolish to suggest he would even think that way. Lowering her eyes, she stepped back and collapsed into the armchair.

Just saying that left her oddly drained. She knew she had implied something incorrect and wronged her Lord, but she was right and it somehow left her even more confused. After all, how could she say something that would displease her Lord but be right? It was too contradictory.

He reacted like she had expected.

Turning on his heel with his face torn with the anger he had been attempting to control for the past several hours, he strode towards her and gripped her neck pushing her into the armchair and leaning over her. Despite the pain shooting through her jaw, she did not mind. She only hated his anger when he was upset at her.

"Do not dare assume anything! This had nothing to do with you," he seethed, eyes flaring red. "I refuse to be dictated to by anyone. I would not be controlled and that was the issue. Do you really think I would risk war for you?"

"No," she murmured softly, leaning into him slightly. "I know you would not. I know my Lord. I know all of this. It is why I wondered why."

"I refuse to be dictated to. I would not risk war even for you," he snapped coldly and viciously but she noticed the grip on her jaw had lessened to a simple hold that had no further ill intentions.

"I know my Lord. I know." Despite what she said she could not help but making the disappointment obvious in his tone.

Leaning forward his lips brushed briefly against hers, before he withdrew.

"Even if you are my favourirte."