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The Dauphine and her entire entourage visited the Strasbourg Cathedral where they all attended services. The Dauphine, as everyone could see, was doing better with each day, her manners more intact and her gentle blue eyes no longer swirling with tears. They soon began to move again, stopping at each town for Marie Antoinette to greet her future subjects. They all praised her, believing that her looks where much prettier than any French woman at court. She had remarked how beautiful the people were, but little did she know that only the beautiful people were allowed to show their faces. The deformed were informed that they were not to show their faces to the Dauphine, only the most gentle and pretty of faces.
Everyone, it seemed, loved the newest member of the Bourbon family, finding her more suitable for the title of Dauphine each day. However, on the day she was to meet the Dauphin, she realized she wouldn't find happiness in her new family.
Caroline watched alongside Mesdames as Marie Antoinette was brought forth to greet her future husband and for one fleeting moment they all thought she wanted to run. She replaced this thought by giving him a hug, though it was most awkward and painful to watch. Louis had always been shy and burdened with the hope of never becoming Dauphin. His head was bent down after their hug and Marie Antoinette must have surely been in shock at the formal reception of her husband. From all others she had been praised and waited upon, all manner of smiling faces surrounding her with their love and hope (though some of it forced). Yet to see someone who didn't wish anything of her must have crushed the poor girl's heart.
"I believe the King has made a poor choice." Sophie commented as they silently moved to their carriages and hoped in to be taken to Versailles.
"Does she live up to your standards, Madame Adélaïde?"
"Depends on what you call my standards." She mumbled as she lay back on the cushions.
"I think I'm going to new a few new gowns before I see that Austrian again." Victoire thought out loud as she opened and closed her fan. "I don't think that she is much prettier than I, but the amount of livres spent on her trousseau is ridiculous. It is decided, I shall have Jean order me a few new gowns. What about you, Cares? Do you feel inferior enough to spend your husband's money?"
Caroline let a smile escape. "Who says I didn't already?"
The women chortled as Caroline fell onto the soft interior of the royal carriage. They rambled on about this and that until they came to Versailles, the only place that had ever felt like home, and stepped out of their carriage. The Dauphine has apparently entered and been surprised by the building because the entire court was buzzing about her reaction.
"She must be horrified to be dwelling in late Marie Josèphe's apartments. The walls are cracking and crumbling in plain sight!" One woman of status remarked as she passed by Mesdames and Caroline. She bent down and bowed before glaring at Caroline.
"What right does she have to be with Mesdames? She's not a Princess of the Blood!" Caroline could just hear the woman as she walked away.
"Ignore that old 'turned up collar'. She's just jealous that we've taken a liking to you." Adélaïde murmured as they made their way into the hall of mirrors.
Comte de Provence came from a room and joined up with his Aunts. "How is it that Louis, who has been denied of good looks and charms, gets a wife such as she while I, who has been granted with such, will most likely get someone that looks horrid and most likely smell?"
They all erupted into laughter as Comte d'Artois, who had come from no where, decided to remark upon his comment. "Because you aren't the Dauphin."
"I should be. Louis is unfit for the title. I, on the other hand, can match that pig's eating habits and be shy while knowing that I will be the future King and look forward to my duty as such."
"I must freshen up, but I shall see you all soon to watch the Austrian make her way towards the Cabinet du Conseil." Caroline interrupted their fun.
The brothers wiggled their eyebrows together as they watched her leave towards her apartments. "She must freshen up. I wish I could freshen up with her."
"Dream on, dearest nephew, dream on." Sophie ordered as they made their way down the hall.
Caroline shut the door to her rooms and slumped. The room was dark as she made her way to the small chair that matched the marble of her antique vanity and sat down on it.
"I've been waiting for you." Phillipe's voice came from the silence as he withdrew the curtains. Caroline slightly jumped but let out a small amount of laughter before clutching her corseted stomach in pain. "Why must you spend your time on those ugly Aunts when you could easily be climbing the social latter to be one of Marie Antoinette's ladies-in-waiting?"
Caroline smiled as she softly tapped her way over to her husband. "Well, then I guess you haven't heard. That's odd because Versailles is very much the place of gossip."
Phillipe gathered her in his arms and stroked her hair. "Are you trying to tell me you are one of her ladies?"
Caroline nodded as Phillipe smiled. "I knew you would become one. That's why I married you."
"That's the only reason? That I might become Antoinette's lady?"
"No, that is not the only reason. Apart from your good looks, you accomplish things quickly and without fuss. But there is one thing you have not accomplished."
He leaned down and began to kiss her lips, enjoying the sensation he always felt when she was near. It had taken him years to find the right wife, searching all over Versailles for some one that was just right. He had found Caroline somewhat on accident and the moment he did he knew he would have her. He knew that this small, little goddess was easy to manipulate, to control, and easy to overpower. His greatest plan was to be put into work now that she was a lady-in-waiting to Madame la Dauphine. He would soon have that little Princess doing everything Caroline told her to.
A/N: I wonder what his master plan is? Muahhahha! ok now R&R...