Sometimes Salvation is Found in Agony
Chapter Five
Inside the palace…
Queen Anne walked slowly through the corridors after leaving her husband behind in the dining hall after dinner that evening. Two of her ladies in waiting followed behind her, but no one spoke until they were just about to arrive outside of her chambers, where Anne planned to retire for the evening, earlier than normal as she was not feeling very well and deeply troubled.
One of the women spoke up quietly asking, "Is there something we can get something for you, Your Majesty?"
The other woman continued, "Perhaps you would like something to help settle your stomach?"
"No, thank you," Anne answered sadly, until she thought of someone she would like to speak to that may be able to help her. "Actually, could one of you please go and call on Madam Constance Bonacieux for me? Ask her to come here to the palace. There is something I wish to speak with her about."
"Of course, Your Highness," one of them replied as she bowed and then left, leaving the other woman behind with the Queen as they entered hers and Louis' bedroom.
Anne slowly started to prepare herself for bed with help from the other woman, who then left the room when she finished, leaving the Queen alone, until she was suddenly interrupted by the Cardinal clearing his throat as he walked up behind her after coming into her room through one of the palace's many secret passages.
She gasped as she stepped back in fear and then cried out, "Cardinal? How dare you come into my chambers while I am alone! You are never to come in here unless Louis asks for you to."
Richelieu bowed before her and answered insincerely, "Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn't mean to startle you."
"What is it that you want?" she asked angrily. "Talk fast and then be gone. I am tired and wish to turn in early tonight."
"As you wish," the Cardinal replied. "I couldn't help notice that you appear to be especially troubled tonight, much like you have been most nights over the last few weeks. It wouldn't happen to have something to do with a certain musketeer now, would it?"
Anne glared at him as she responded coldly, "Don't you dare speak of him to me again, Richelieu. You may know of our secret, but I am still your Queen. I warned you of this."
The Cardinal smiled as he answered, "Indeed, you have, but you and I both know that there is nothing you can really do to me, that is unless of course, you want me to tell Louis all that I know. Remember, should you tell our King of my indiscretion, I shall see to it that Aramis pays for yours with his life and you know that I can make this happen. Although, it appears that your lover may end up ending his life all on his own without any of my help. He didn't look well this afternoon."
"Leave now!" she called out angrily and glared at him as he bowed before her again, then turned and walked out, leaving her alone to finish preparing herself for bed.
"Your Majesty?" one of the servants called out as she knocked on the Queen's door after hearing her shout, having not seen the Cardinal leave. "Is everything all right?"
"I'm fine!" Anne replied quickly. "Please, I wish to be left alone until Madam Bonacieux arrives."
The young woman responded, "Yes of course, Your Majesty. Goodnight."
The Queen laid down across her bed, placing her hand over her swollen belly as she stared up at the ceiling, waiting for her handmaiden to come back with Constance and when they finally arrived some time later, Anne dismissed her lady in waiting again, then turned to the married woman and said nervously, "Forgive me for calling on you so late, Madam Bonacieux. I hope I did not call you away from anything important."
"Of course not, Your Highness," Constance answered as she bowed down before her, then stood up again and waited for the Queen to continue.
"Thank you for coming," Anne replied, then stopped again, unsure of what more to say, though she knew there was a reason for having the woman there.
Constance looked at her Queen and seeing how troubled she was, she asked, "What exactly is bothering you, Your Highness, and how can I be of help?"
Anne looked at her as she responded, "To be honest, I am not sure that you can help me. I assumed that because you see more of the musketeers than almost anyone, aside from the Cardinal and my husband, that you may know…"
"You wish for word on how Monsieur Aramis is faring since his long recovery?" Constance asked upon finally understanding her fear to ask what it was she wished to ask. "I know that he has been troubled, even more so than you, Your Majesty. His wounds have healed, though not as well as they should have, as he has not allowed himself to rest for very long at a time. Each of his companions are worried about him. I am afraid I don't know any more than that."
"I am afraid for him as well, especially if he were to find out of the Cardinal's threat he made against me," Anne stated fearfully. "Have you spoken with d'Artagnan since they have been given their latest assignment this afternoon?"
Constance shook her head and answered, "No, I am afraid I haven't yet, though I suspect I will at some point later this evening. The musketeers have sworn to keep word of Richelieu's threat toward you between each other alone, Your Highness. And they will keep their word, of that I am certain."
Queen Anne smiled at the woman and then replied, "Thank you, Madam Bonacieux. I am grateful for your assistance."
"Please, call me Constance," the woman in love with d'Artagnan responded. "It may not necessarily be proper, but it sounds better to me than simply Madam Bonacieux. That name doesn't sound good to me as it once did. It has a different meaning now."
"I understand what you mean," Anne answered sadly. "Goodnight and safe journey home. I shall have one of my escorts take you home if you would like?"
Constance shook her head as she replied, "No, thank you, Your Majesty. That isn't necessary. I have lived here in Paris since I was born. I know this city better than I know myself. I can make it home faster and easier on my own. Sleep well and good evening."
Even though the woman had left the room, the Queen sadly responded to herself, "Sleep well."