Chapter 2

"Your Majesty, you cannot mean ..." The Lord Chancellor tried to withdraw himself from this situation. But Charles, who put his arm on the shoulder of the older man just grinned at him and simply went on while ignoring Narcisses protest.
"Lord Narcisse, in case you oblige, you would more than prove yourself to your crown. I would be in your debt - personally. You have to look at it as a twist of fate. It might as well be your destiny. Not only have you returned from England, but you are also a widower now. I'm pretty sure that a new wife would help you overcoming your terrible loss. You also seem to have some kind of feelings for my mother." Stephane shook his head and the sole idea of marrying Catherine de' Medici sent icy chills down his spine.
"At least in those split seconds when you do not wish to strangle her," Claude sneered, not helping to relax the situation by any means.

"You've put me in an extremely precarious position, Your Majesty. Quite honestly I don't even entertain the idea of a new marriage so shortly after the death of my beloved wife." Lord Narcisse was visibly struggling for composure. Standing up against his inconstant king could turn out quite dangerous for him and the position he now held at French Court. But the alternative - an alliance with the devil - was absolutely unthinkable. Or wasn't it? Even if this female devil was extremely bewitching and certainly not without a special charm. Catherine was and remained a woman whom one better kept at an arm's length distance, no matter how big the carnal temptation might be. Just because he desired Catherine for some incomprehensible reasons did not mean that he had to rush to his very own doom.
"Lord Narcisse, of course I understand your position. And I would be more than willing to show you my gratitude. Come on, take a walk with me. We will surely come to an agreement." Before the older man could bring forward any further objection, Chales already directed him towards the doors. Stephane actually welcomed a conversation in private, perhaps he would be able to persuade his king otherwise without stranger's eyes being directed upon them.

The two men stepped out into the cool evening air. White haze had spread over the lake and the gardens and clouds darkened the moon above them. A ghostly yet peaceful atmosphere prevailed.
"You're serious about your request, aren't you?"
"Do you honestly think your king is joking?" Charles stopped and looked at his chancellor. "Even if my request does not please you, I promise that you can also expect your advantages from this alliance. For an instance, how about a big estage with a beautiful chateau in Normandy, or a vineyard on the most fertile soil of our country?"
Stephane chose his next words with care. One did not reject your kings request thoughtlessly. He had to outdo his monarch with logic.
"My king, it's not the worldly goods my heart desires. My last two marriages have remained childless; my living sons are already of a marriageable age..."

Narcisse was not ashamed in the least of hiding his true objections against a marriage with Catherine de' Medici behind an ungainly lie. He hadn't married the much younger Lola for her to provide him with heirs, but because the hunt itself and chasing after the forbidden fruit had aroused him. To his disappointment the few month of their marriage had turned out to be rather dull and boring. And there was at least one thing he had to give Catherine credit for: no matter how complicated their relationship had been - boredom had never arisen with this woman by his side.
"Narcisse, I know what I'm asking you and that my mother will not give you any more children. But I will permit you to raise John. After all he is your step-son and an orphan. I ask you to marry my mother because I know you are the right man for it. I'm not a fool. I can see the glances you and my mother dart at each other. She may be impertinent, stubborn, and difficult to control, but I have been told that you are a man who is not afraid of a difficult task, and besides, I believe that the idea of measuring your forces with Catherine in the setup of a marriage attracts you particularly."
The lord chancellor strived for a neutral expression. How could his young and inexperienced king read him so well? Was it just a shot in the dark or were his contradictory feelings written on his face so clearly?

"It is far from me to blame you, Chales, and your offer greatly honors me..."
"Then accept it for gods sake" demanded the king tersely, he however added conciliatoryly: "And in addition, I offer you a good catch for both of your sons. Wealth, power - that's what you're seeking and I can offer it to you. You will marry right into the Valois family if you take the Queen Mother as your wife, Lord Chancellor."

Even before Charles had finished speaking, Stephane already knew that he was going to take this offer. He was a man too weak to resist this sweet temptation. The only thing lacking was some kind a life insurance. One the young monarch would surely provide without Narcisse having to expose himself to Catherine's rage. At least not on that level.
He didn't have any doubt that she would be furious and angry about this marriage in general but the thought of being able to call this untamed woman his own in the very near future excited him against his better judgement. Now he just had to play his last trump card in a clever way.

"And what good will it be to me, if I run the risk of falling victim to a poisoning of my wife, who will certainly be very angry, my lord?"
"If you agree, you can leave your safety and well-being in my capable hands. My mother will not harm you in any possible way." Charles laid his hand on Narciss's arm to underpin his promise.
"Then, my King, it will be my honor to take your mother as my wife." Stephane bowed and was rewarded with the brightest of smile from his monarch.

at D: Thank you so much for your feedback. And please don't worry - English isn't my first language either. :-)