Her breathing came out in short, throat ridden rasps, each one seeming as painful as the next. Every little breath of her body was strangled and unhealthy. The color of her skin had turn into an ashen shade, and it held small, angry red pox upon the skin. Her eyes that was once full of life, which sparkled when she was excited, were now closed and heavy.
"Most of the country has this disease." Arabella stood a little ways from the woman taking care of the child and watched as the woman tried to control the girl's temperature. "Many have perished that were a hundred times stronger than her, she does not have a chance."
"The king and queen have left me orders to care for their child." Madame Giry did not bother to even look behind her. "And that is exactly what I will do."
"The disease has even carried from this girl to one of your own daughters." She scoffed. "I believed it killed her didn't it?"
"You are not authorized to be here," Her tone was quiet, yet stern, "leave."
"She will not live, Madame." Arabella's voice had become deathly low and dangerous. "The little princess will die, mark my words."
"They are marked, Mistress." She refused to look at the woman, it would have given her too much of an honor. "Now leave."
"What if the king and queen were to die of this disease when they come back?" It was question that Giry did not want to think of, nor did she want an answer. "Who will become the next ruler?"
"Mistress Arabella." Madame Giry maintained her posture and her voice as she spoke. "You are not welcomed here, I believe the king has made it very clear, so I think it would be best if you were to leave."
"Indeed, Madame." She nodded, and turned to leave, but before she was officially out the room she stopped and turned back. "I am sorry for your loss, Madame. Sorielli was a good girl."
"She was."
"I do hope that you do not catch this plague that ravages the country, it would be most unfortunate."
"Thank you for your concern, but surely you must get back to bed before the disease catches up to you." Madame Giry wiped the girl's head with the wet cloth that was held in her hand. "I am sure many men do not want a spotted whore."
"Men want anything that has legs and can move properly." Arabella finally gave a violent cough that she had been holding in. "Good-bye Madame, I pray we meet again."
"Indeed." She nodded, and she rose to close the door, making sure the king's ex-mistress had finally left she trotted back to the girl's bed and mumbled to herself. "I wonder how often she prays."
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Christine sat up in bed as she stared at the small object in her hand. The small golden fish that she had bought for Cecile was starring back up at her with the great, eager blue eyes. She smiled slightly as she remembered the beach outing they had once took together, when it was just she and Cecile and Madame Giry, closely watching them. It was one of the peaceful moments that tend to pass quickly by.
"I still think you spoil her rotten." Erik said, as he lay beside her with his eyes still closed. He had mostly recovered from his wounds, all but his leg. His leg was the worst, he could not walk on it until it healed superficially, then perhaps he could test it but there would still be a limp. She knew that he would not live with himself until he walked without a walking stick and a limp, but she proved to him over and over that it did not matter either way yet he was still as stubborn as ever.
"It is nothing huge, just something to let her know that I was thinking of her." She shrugged, placing the porcelain object on the table, she settled down beside him, facing him. "Everything is coming along. Without the threat of war many are returning to the city, plus I have convinced the council to reopen the mines after they have been inspected thoroughly and reported safe. Liren will come back."
"It is because they have such an intelligent and diligent queen." He looked at her from his laying position.
"You are only saying that to improve my self esteem."
"Did I mention she had a body of a goddess and a beauty beyond words?"
"You really want me in all my glory don't you?"
"Oh darling, I want much more than that." His hand moved towards her already nude body and traveled down it.
"Sometimes you are too much." She smiled.
"But you have accommodated me quite well." He moved her towards him so their bodies touched.
"You sir," Christine swung herself over him and sat upon his waist, "are being quite restless, when you should be resting."
"I have rested too much." A low growl came from his throat and his grabbed her hips forcefully. "I am tired of resting."
"You need rest." She moaned as he let his hands roam her body freely. "Much rest."
"Are you feeling well today?" He questioned, not wanting this to go further unless he knew.
"Better than yesterday." Christine looked at him. "But I was feeling much better a moment ago."
"I am being serious, Christine." His brow rose at her, he did not want her throwing up in the middle of them making love like she almost did yesterday. "You were in the bathroom for a while this morning."
"It was something I ate last night." She placed her lips very close to his. "And I will not be fine unless you continue and further this conquest even more."
"Is that an order?" He mocked her.
"It is." Her lips turned upward in a teasing way.
"Majesty!" A knocking came at the door.
"One minute!" Christine sighed as she climbed off of her husband and threw a blanket over him and then scurried around for a robe herself.
"One day there will be a day for us." Erik sighed from his place in bed as he propped himself up.
"Yes, but unfortunately it is not today." She secured the robe and opened the door a crack looking to see Kat looking rushed and eager. "What is wrong, Kat?"
"Its her!" The woman breathed, "Its Jane!"
"What?" Christine's eyes widened and she looked back at her husband who just nodded. Turning back to Kat she asked. "Where is she?"
"She is your old room." Kat answered. "We thought it would be best to put her there."
"Is she hurt?" Her heart began to race as she noticed Kat's demur tone and posture.
"She is."
"How badly?"
"Enough to be dead within the day." Kat sighed. "One of the guards found her outside the walls of the city this morning. We tried to treat her, but there is too much blood loss and other injuries to her are too traumatized. The doctors suspect she was tortured."
"May I see her?"
"I came here because she asked of you." She nodded.
Christine turned to Erik, who just nodded. She looked back to Kat and then motioned for her to lead the way to her old apartments. Upon coming towards the room, she noticed the group of people standing outside, all of them part of the council. They were all waiting for the news of her death. Some had tears unshed, others were turned away, some shoulder's shook, as they were comforted.
Kat took her to the door and opened it for her. Going in, Christine could not see her old friend, because of the person sitting next to her bed. His hand stroked Jane's bruised one that sat on the bed. They were speaking quietly, and seemed not to notice that she had walked in. Standing there for a couple more moments, the man finally noticed her, when he looked at her. Going back to Jane he stood, and kissed her gently on the forehead. Walking past Christine, she lay a hand on his shoulder, they just looked at each other for a moment and tears began to weld up in his eyes and he left the room quickly, closing the door behind him.
"He was never the strong one." Jane's voice croaked out from the bed.
"He didn't have to be." Christine smiled gently, and then noticed her friend's disastrous state. She was not clean or bandaged up; everything was out in the open. Her whole face was recognizable but beyond repair, making Christine wonder how badly the rest of her body was. "You were always the strong one."
"He always said that he cried enough for the both of us." A small smile appeared on her face. "He told me that he will never marry again."
"He will not marry again, you know that."
"Well I told him that I would come back just to hit him to make him." She made a slight movement with her shoulders, and she winced. "I wish they would've just killed me."
"Do not say that." Christine quietly protested. "Otherwise you would have never been able to warn Sam that you are coming back just to hit him."
"Or to tell you that there is Liren gold underneath the palace, that your father never told anyone about." She coughed up a bit of a reddish substance that Christine watched for a minute as she wiped it on the sheets of the bed and then her head shot up in realization of what she had just said.
"What?"
"There is gold in one of the dungeons down below." Jane continued. "There is a passageway that is blocked with rocks, but will be able to tell that it was built up later. If you go through the passage, it will lead you to a room with enough gold to rebuild Liren and start it again."
"How do you know about this?" Christine questioned.
"Your father told me before he died." She explained, through the wincing and the pain. "He knew that those two would ruin Liren, and it would befall you to build it back up."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" Her head began to spin. "I would not have had…"
"Because I knew of Plante's plans to take over Liren." Jane looked up at her queen. "And we needed a strong army." She sighed. "Besides it was about time Liren became equal in the eyes of the people."
"I hope that you do not have any other secrets," She laughed a bit, "because if you do I will have to drag you back myself."
"Do not worry Majesty," Her eyes twinkled. "I have left my secrets among your council. You will know them within years time."
"You never called me Majesty." Christine bit her lip; she refused to cry, not wanting to let her friend see another tear.
"It is time I gave you your due." She nodded. "You are young, but you have ruled well thus far, you make a beautiful queen."
"Thank you." A smile lit her face. "And you were one of the most trusted people that I met and you served your country well."
"I did my best."
"And it was enough." Christine nodded. "You may rest, Lady Jane."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." With that Jane closed her eyes, and Christine watched as her breathing began to slow. The small movement that had been in her body began to fade. Jane became still and unmoving. Her chest had stopped with its steady beats and now she lay motionless.
"Good bye, Jane." Christine whispered, and left the room. Everyone in the hallway looked up at her, wanting to know the truth of the woman inside. But there was one who faded to the background, who stood there with the knowledge of what had happened, it was him in which Christine went towards and nodded. "Your wife, Sir Sam, was the greatest patriot our country has ever seen. I will make sure she will never be forgotten."
"She would not have wanted that." He shook his head. "Her only joy would be for you to faithfully rule Liren."
"Then I will do that." She nodded. "Thank you, Sam."
"Your welcome." With his head held high, he walked back into the room, and shut the door.
Christine turned and walked back to her room with Erik. She found him lying on the bed, asleep. She smirked slightly and undid her robe. Careful not to disturb him, she climbed back into bed and enjoyed the rise and fall of his chest.
Oh Lady Jane! So many secrets... anyway hope your enjoying the story and I am going to try for a once a week updates, but if I do not update, fear not because I will not abandon this story. Hope you enjoy all of this. Please review and thank you to those who do!
EV
