Slightly shorter chapter, but I unfortunately didn't have much time to work on this. I'll try to post a longer chapter next time. Thanks to all the faithful readers, followers and reviewers. There would be no story without you! Cheers!

Lola stood at her window that evening, wondering why Narcisse had decided to tell her this profound state secret. She didn't know what he expected her to do with that particular piece of information that could, if that was her plan, compromise her husband to a point of no return. She didn't know if his honesty had been genuine or also a strategic move in his mischievous and devilish plan. She didn't even understand why he needed to blackmail Francis in order to get what he wanted: he was an influent Lord, and Francis was, just like Lola, still a child compared to him. Narcisse should be able to find the words to talk sense into his young King's mind. But why blackmail him, when he knew that this could have horrible consequences not only on his life, but also on Lola's. A traitor's wife was also considered a traitor. How could she go against her friends, against the father of her child? She had to do something, but the more she thought of a plan to free Francis from this situation, the more she felt helpless and useless.

"There is a reason why I have decided to tell you all of this, Lola…" Narcisse said out of nowhere. Lola wondered how he always managed to catch her off her guard. She didn't face him, knowing that he would be able to read her like an open book by simply looking into her eyes. She had always been bad at hiding her feelings, and an even worse liar.

"I don't dare believe you. I only have your word that Francis killed King Henry…", she said, her voice betraying her fear and uncertainty. She felt him close behind her, his chest merely inches away from her back. She saw him look at her reflection in the window and she quickly lowered her eyes. There was something about his eyes that made her feel uncomfortable, almost like an unknowing child being scolded for her naivety. He made her feel like a child all over again, which was absolutely not to her liking. If he sensed her uncomfortableness, he didn't mention it.

"Yes… I might be lying", came his simple answer.

"And even if he did, the King was mad", her voice was shaking ever so slightly, "those of us who heard and saw the terrible things he did know that…" Yes, she was trying to protect Francis. He was her friend, and even though he had married her off to a reputedly dangerous man, even though he had often neglected her after the birth of their child, despite all of that, Francis was still her friend and she would always remain loyal to him, as well.

"I make no moral judgments of Francis' actions…"

"But you are blackmailing him" This was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes. Because France needs a strong, catholic King to hold the nation together" He looked so sure of himself that Lola asked herself if he was even aware of the consequences this blackmailing could have. She sighed, feeling more lost and uncertain than ever.

"You just entrusted me with the most profound state secret…", she said, turning around and daring to look him in the eyes, "what am I supposed to do with it?" He looked earnestly at her and it took her all the self-control in the world not to lower her eyes again.

"Well what can you do? You can't make it public, you don't want to see Francis removed from the throne, that would endanger you and your child…and nor do I, unless forced, because that would endanger France…" She knew he was right, and yet she didn't want to confirm this in any way.

"Are you telling me that you wouldn't protect your wife if she or her child, even though that child is not yours, would be in danger?", she asked in a slightly provocative tone. He only grinned patronizingly and ignored her question. This is not the point, his eyes were telling her. She didn't dare say any more.

"So why tell me?" He put his hands on her lips for the first time since he had joined her in their bedroom. She found herself enjoying their warmth, although she would never show it. She had still not lowered her gaze and prided herself for it.

"Because when Francis comes to you and…", he seemed to be choosing his words carefully, "… asks you to betray my trust, I want you to remember who of us told you the truth about who we are and what we are capable of" He let those words sink in for a moment.

"Francis has never lied to me…"

"No, but he has used your naivety to hide that envelope, because he needed someone he could trust and who trusted him… did he tell you what was in that envelope? Did you know that its content could have got me killed?" Lola swallowed the lump in her throat and tried not to look too surprised. Of course she could have guessed that the content of that envelope could have been dangerous for Narcisse, but she hadn't imagined Francis actually planning to get rid of someone by… having him killed.

"I can see why, now that I know the whole story…"

"Of course I do understand Francis' will to have me removed… to get rid of me because I tell him what to do and because I know something about him that could have him beheaded… but think, Lola, was this whole action with the envelope not also dangerous for you? A traitor's wife is also a traitor in the eyes of the authorities… Had anyone found that letter in my house, they would not only have found me guilty of treason and conspiring against the King, but also you… which would have ended with both our heads on spikes" Lola didn't want to believe that Francis would have let anyone hurt her… and Mary would have stepped in for her. Although, Lola couldn't be certain if Mary would have stepped in for her… she had changed. Something was different… but of course, being a Queen of a country going through all those horrible events was certainly not easy. Mary would remember who her friends were if anything should happen to them.

"I need to rest, if you don't mind. Tonight's events have worn me out…", she moved away from his embrace towards their bed, where she started to undress herself. She still felt Narcisse's presence in the room and hesitated.

"Could you please leave me while I undress?"

"Of course…", he said, walking out of the room. Lola was glad to be left alone and let her feelings overwhelm her, crying silent tears while putting on her night gown. This whole situation was just too much to handle all at once. She didn't know what to do, or who to talk to. As she hung her dress in her wardrobe, a small object fell out of one of the shelves onto the writing desk with a loud thud, startling her. It was a small book with a leathered black cover. The book didn't have a title, which was probably what made Lola feel curious. She opened it and noticed that someone had written his or her name on the first page with red ink: L. Narcisse

L. Narcisse… could it stand for Lord Narcisse? Would be weird… Lola turned the first page and began reading the first lines written in an extraordinary neat writing.

The first day of our marriage has gone pretty well. It didn't feel like a wedding at all, however, more like my funeral, like the end of my life. My mother told me that this wealthy match would secure me a place in society. I would have rather worked on the field than be married to this man. I don't love him. My heart lies with another… someone who doesn't even know that I have been promised to another. If he knew, would he understand? Would he be angry, disappointed, sad? Would he want to strangle me or would he embrace me and tell me that all was alright? Of course, I knew that there was no future for the two of us and there had never been. He was the son of our servant, I was the daughter of a rich merchant. And now, the wife of a Lord. My life is a mess, but at least I still have the counsel of God to help me. He has always been there for me, and He will never let me down.

Lola noticed that it was a diary. Not Lord Narcisse's diary, but a woman's, who obviously felt lost, just like Lola. She didn't seem to take this whole wedding story very well. She was a Narcisse…, But whether it was Lord Narcisse's past wife or his mother, or whatever member of his family, Lola didn't know just yet. The woman had written no dates. There seemed to be no time indication in the whole diary. Lola felt intrigued and wanted to know more about this woman. As she began to read 'chapter two', she heard Narcisse in the stairs and quickly replaced the little book on the book shelf, wanting to keep this little secret to herself. She didn't even know if her husband was aware of this diary's existence. She wouldn't mention it.

"Still not in bed? I thought you needed rest?", he asked her seconds later after he had entered the room.

"I was about to lie down when you arrived…", she said in a convincing tone and even managing a small smile. Narcisse nodded and put his sword down next to the writing desk, while Lola went to bed. She watched him take off his vest and shirt, admiring his well-built chest. She had to admit that, for his age, Lord Narcisse still looked young and athletic. There were many other younger Lords that looked twice their age… but her husband was… well, handsome. She grinned in pride at the thought and lay on her back so Narcisse wouldn't notice.

"What's so funny, young one?"

"Nothing… I was just thinking about something Kenna told me yesterday…"

"Something you'd like to share?"

"Oh believe me", she told him, the grin still present on her lips, "it wouldn't interest you in the least" Thankfully, Narcisse didn't ask any questions. He took place next to her in bed, careful to leave her some space, as usual, waiting for her to make the first move. Whenever he felt like sharing an intimate moment with her, Narcisse would softly begin to kiss her neck and caress every inch of skin and wait for her reaction. Lola was certain that had she ever pushed him away from her, he would have certainly stopped. But she had never felt the need to push him away from her. She was just a woman, after all, a woman with needs. That night, though, she preferred to stay on her side of the bed.