"No." Christine shook her head. "It is ridiculous!"
"It has been this way for many hundreds of years, Majesty." Madame Giry stood still watching the young woman pace.
"Are men too feeble to change?" She questioned. "Or are they just too narrowed minded?"
"Well…"
"Do not answer that!" Her glare even made Giry stop speaking. "They let me in before! And now when I am actually their queen they refuse to let me in! Damn men wanted me to fail before I even began!"
"Isn't that true for all women?" A voice answered.
"Madame Giry." Christine did not turn. "Leave myself and Mistress Arabella."
Madame Giry left without even a glance at the hateful woman that had just walked into the room. Sensing a foreboding argument she left the door just a smidge open.
"So." Arabella let her finger draw non-existent dust from the table. "I see Borswann is treating you the same. The king is no doubt treating you well and… oh the Viscount, how is he?"
"I would not know." Christine turned to face the woman fully. "Is he well, Mistress?"
"There are rumors, princess." She lifted her head a bit. "That he planned to runaway with you, that you and he were madly in love and you did indeed runaway with him."
"As you can see." Her arms presented her. "I did not runaway with him and have no intention to. Actually I find him to be quite loathsome. As for his plans, I would not know for they were his and not mine."
"Really?" Brows lifted. "You prefer a masked king to a handsome Viscount?"
"I do." Christine confirmed. "And one time ago you did also, unless naught has changed."
"You have not had him fully, princess." Arabella growled. "I have, do not forget that."
"I never did."
"Good." Small satisfaction came to her face. "But let me warn you that even then in midst of the sheets and sweat the king will not remove his mask."
Christine just glared at the vile creature that her husband had touched. He had used this woman and yet even when she had given herself to him, he sill did not attend to the actual woman. For some reason she pitied the girl at the same time she hated her for all she had seen and touched. But a questioned came through her mind, would he do the same to her?
"He does not love you, princess." Arabella's voice was cold. "Do not make yourself believe he does."
"Did you?"
"Did I what?" She narrowed her eyes in confusion.
"Did you believe he loved you?" At once the woman that had been her husband's mistress rounded on her.
"That man," Arabella hissed. "Loves no one. He has not the heart for such things. His only love is for his country and for himself, do not forget that."
"As you obviously did." Christine whispered harshly.
"You…" The woman ripped herself away from the queen and walked halfway across the room until she turned to her. "Do you love him?"
The question hung in the air. And the two glared at each other for what seemed an eternity. Arabella was the first to look away when the king himself barged in. She returned to a demure, wilting flower that was willing to do anything for any man at any time.
"Mistress Arabella." Erik looked at her. "The order was to stay out of the castle unless the occasion called for you to come."
"Your Majesty." She blubbered. "Please, please forgive me! You see my father said…"
"Is your father your king?" He asked.
"Well…"
"It depends on which way you look at it." Christine said.
"Really?" Erik quirked a brow. "How so?"
"Every man seems to be a king." She shrugged. "What would be the difference of one more?"
"Leave us, Arabella." His eyes never strayed from Christine.
"But, Your Majesty…" Arabella started.
"Leave." He demanded. "And do not forget my order."
"Yes sire." The woman curtsied then left, shutting the door fully. When Erik heard the click he crossed to Christine.
"What were you thinking? That was not a time for your damned politics!"
"When would the occasion call for it then?" She glared.
"What…"
"These occasions, Erik when are they? At night? During the day?" Her voice rose. "Does she warm your bed? Does she…" She stopped and stared in horror. What was she doing? Why did she care what he was doing with a mistress? "Oh God…"
Christine abruptly turned and left.
"Christine!" Erik called after her and hurried towards the fleeting figure.
She did not run, but it was very close to a jog. Her mind was reeling and she felt tears threatening. The walls that she had so strategically placed were now started to crumble. Opening the door to her chamber she quickly shut them and sat in her sitting area, and put her head in her hands.
"Majesty?" Sorielli called out and came towards her. "Are you alright?"
She did not have time to answer, for the doors were thrown open and Erik stormed in. Christine immediately stood and the girl curtsied.
"Out." His tone left no argument as the girl scurried away, leaving the queen and king alone. Christine stared at him, her head held high and body erect but mind was processing everything that needed to be dealt with.
"What is wrong, Christine?" He asked.
"Is she good?" Her breath came out.
"What?" His bewilderment was not lost on her.
"Does Mistress Arabella let you fill her with sweet words and whispers?" She stepped towards him, threateningly. "Does she open her legs to let you in, knowing that to you it means nothing?" Tears spilled over her cheeks, her steps never ceasing until she was in front of him. "Tell me, do you hold her and think of no one but yourself? Is she everything that a man wishes a woman could be? A helpless, stupid, girl? Tell me Erik!" She sobbed and began to beat his chest with every ounce of strength she had in her. "Tell me!" She could not do it any more as he eloped her in his arms. Her whole body shook with heaving, heavy sobs.
"She means nothing, Christine." Erik whispered hold her close and rocking her. "I have not seen her since we married, five months ago. I swear she means nothing and never did."
"Is this a lie?" She breathed in deeply. "For I cannot tell what is true and was is not anymore."
"I could never lie to you." He shook his head, wondering what she and Arabella had discussed, and what had provoked these words to come out of her mouth. "Mistress Arabella is nothing to me. Nor could she ever."
"Why do I care?" Christine pushed herself out of his arms. "I have been brought up to care only for my country! Every lesson that I dealt with as a child told me never to care! History showed me that everything falls apart when love comes! I chose this path because I thought that perhaps we could grow for a mutual understanding of each other, but no! You want more! I want more…" She turned away. "I want more."
"What do you want Christine?" Erik looked at her feeling sympathy for but his heart was going a million miles a second.
"Arabella has already taken from you what I desire most." She sighed.
"Arabella has taken nothing." He said sternly. "Only little jewels, nothing more." He lifted her chin to meet her eyes. "What do you desire most Christine."
"You."
I know I'm a mean horrible person for leaving you guys there, but I just could not help it! So I finally finished Vous, but I am now have my total focus on Greatest and Imperfect! Well... maybe not my whole focus because I am cooking up something new, but that will not be out for a while.
Next week may be the last time I update for a while because I am taking multiple trips that are very close together, so just to give everyone a heads up on that. But I do execpt reviews... So please review and tell me what you think! Please and Thank you!
EV
