Chapter 6

As soon as Stephane saw Fabrice, he put his hand on the smaller man's arm and tossed his fellow members of the privy council an apologetic look. Then he directed his own spy out into the night.
"Did you get a hold on that letter?" He wanted to know matter of factly once they were out of earshot.
"Of course, my Lord," Darntelle said and he held up the document in question. Narcisse reached for it and approached one of the torches that were fixed in the walls. Impatiently he broke open Catherine's seal and let his eyes glide over her flowing handwriting.
"Oh, no, my love, that's not going to happen," he angrily growled, getting ready to go back iside.
"Lord Narcisse, there's something else." At Stephane's command, the man reported on the previously observed exchange.
"Thank you Fabrice, this would be all for the time being but be available until further notice." The Lord Chancellor carefully folded the letter and pocketed it.

Narcisse put on his widest smile before returning to the hall, his eyes already searching for Catherine. He discovered his lovely wife in the middle of some noble men. He had to acknowledge that she was pure eye candy but her beauty was solely overthrown by her refinement and slyness. Actually he could not even blame her. The Valois would not have remained in power for so long if they had not learned how to resist their enemies, sometimes in a cunning and brutal way. And the former monarch was a true artist in this field, but now she had found her master.
Catherine had declared war towards him and if that's what she wanted, then she would get war. He just hoped she knew what she was in for as he would certainly not be afraid to avail himself of any means – fair or unfair. And if Stephane went to war, he would not be content with halfhearted power struggles - his goal was nothing less than the unconditional surrender of the opposing side and a hostile capture of the enemy's fortress. If his wife did not voluntarily stand on his side he would have to subdue her.
All is fair in love and war. And eventually this would turn out as some kind of love-war.

He did not let his bride out of his sight for the rest of the evening. No matter where she turned, Stephane was always by her side, pampering her with attention, offering wine and delicacies from their wedding buffet. In the seldom moments when her hand wasn't resting in his, Narcisse put his arm possessionly around her waist. And he kept Catherines hands far away from his own wine goblet.

However shortly before midnight, she freed herself from his grasp and left the room accompanied by an armada of her flying squads to meet her female needs. When Catherine returned after a little while, her cheeks were frightfully pale and her steps had lost their usual strength. With the proper concern expected from her husband, he toughtfully equired about her well-being. And although she declined his worry, the fact that she slightly swayed did not escape his attention. Stephane laid his arm supportingly around her.

"I'm fine. Well, maybe I've had one wine too much," Catherine muttered with a heavy tongue. "Is it me or is it getting extremely hot all of a sudden?"
This wasn't the wine, Narcisse knew for sure. One glass too much wouldn't knock out a Medici.
Stephane tried to put on a worried face. So this dubious drug Madeleine gave her had thus been destined for herself. He wondered whether she had planned to take the pills herself from the beginning, or if his behavior had forced her to change her plans at a short notice.

"Obviously you are not doing fine," he whispered and turned to Madeleine. "Take her to her chambers and take good care of my wife."
For a heartbeat he thought he saw a triumphant smile on Catherine's face before another dizzy spell hit her and the remaining color vanished from her cheeks.

Shortly thereafter the bride left the room with her maids of honor. Her bridegroom looked after her and mutely began to count down the time. According to Madeleine it only took 2-3 hours to cure the dreadful symptoms of this out of the blue disease. And he did have time.

My dear readers, I'm back - unfortunately my holidays are over. But I've had a fabulous time. Thank you. I wrote round about 10 new chapters but I still need to get them on my PC and translate them. So please be patient. I'm sorry but this is a rather shortish chapter, a longer one will follow soon, I promise.

Many many thanks for all of you for your lovely feedback, that totally made my day. I hope I don't dissapoint any of you. Have a great day!