Chapter 1
The King just stared that his wife and the child that she had just birthed. He reached out it check to see if it was true. The room was quiet apart from the baby crying which was not too loud as it to be heard outside of the doors. Louis stopped short of touching the newborn. Odétte stopped what she was doing and looked at the king. Louis would not kill the baby in front for his wife and the rest in the room. Could he?
Bontemps with a white cloth in hand pulled Odétte with him as he quickly wrapped and took the baby girl from the Doctor. Covering her face, making it look as if she was dead. Odétte was handed the baby and almost ran out of the room with Bontemps.
As soon as they made it outside, they almost walked into another servant, who Odétte knew well as she worked in Philippe's rooms. The housemaid saw the wrapped up baby and the colour of her skin. Cloé looked at Odétte a worried look on her face. She turned away from the baby and saw Fabian Marchal behind her witnessing the scene. Bontemps took hold for Odétte's shoulders and push her away.
Once far away from the birthing chambers, Bontemps pulled open the door to a small unfinished room. Odétte was guided inside the door was shut closed.
"Stay here until I tell you otherwise," Bontemps commanded. "I will get a nursemaid and some chairs and other things," He then looked at the young girl in front of him. "Can we trust you not to say a word?"
"Yes Sir," Odétte said.
"Not even to your Master, the Kings brother?"
"Yes Sir," Odétte replied. "I will sir."
"Good!" and with that, he left the room leaving Odétte alone with the Queen's daughter.
She looked down at the baby in her arms and removed the cloth from her face. Odétte smiled and hugged the child closer to her.
"I promise you little one that you I will not let anyone hurt you," Odétte whispered to the baby and kissed her tiny forehead. A couple of minutes later Bontemps returned with some trusted guards with a couple of chairs, some food and drink for Odétte and blankets from the baby.
"The water nurse has been called my dear," Bontemps said.
"Thank you, sir," Odétte replied sitting down carefully her arms around the baby. "What of the Queen and his Majesty?" Odétte asked.
"The Queen is resting, recovering from stillbirth and her and the king will go into a short period of morning. The baby will soon be removed from the palace to somewhere else," Bontemps stated.
"Sir, I grow up in a nunnery in the orphanage hospital," Odétte said. "I believe they would take in this little one."
"Of course," Bontemps thought about this information. He knew about the young maid. He had done a background check on the girl as soon as she had the King's eye. And he knew more about the young woman than even she did about her background.
"I am sure that the baby would be secret and save in a place like that," Bontemps nodded and quickly left the room.
Odétte focused on the baby. She walked around with her until she fell asleep around the room singing to her. About an hour later the baby was sleeping, Odétte humming a tune, thinking about the day she was having. A knock on the door made her jump. The door was opened and in stepped in a young woman.
"Hello, I am here to nurse a baby," The young woman said towards Odétte. Odétte let out a sigh of relieve. "And I have clothes for the little one to keep her warm."
"Thank you for coming," Odétte said. "She must be hungry. She has been asleep for the last half an hour or so. I am not sure if that is normal," Odétte rushed to dress the baby.
"I am sure that she is fine, I will see if she wants to take the breast," the wet nurse said. "My name is Madam Fleur Blaise and your's?"
"Odétte Petit, maid to Duke of Orléans," Odétte said handing over the baby over to the Wetnurse who had managed to sit down on the chair.
"Call me Fleur, my dear, and who is this little one?" Madam Blaise asked feeling the little newborn being placed into her arms. "And does this little one have a name?"
"Not yet," Odétte said sadly. "She was just born around a couple of hours ago."
"Ok, she appears to be healthy," Fleur said. "I will see if she will feed."
"Of course," Odétte looked out of the window. She watched the builders and gardeners rush past going about their day.
She heard Fleur start to sing a nursery song. Odétte had never known her mother, but she remembered tunes sang by someone when she was younger. Maybe a nun or some else. The baby was happily feeding on Fleur's breast. The three females remained like this for a couple of hours. Odétte and Fleur shared some of the food and drink that had been brought for them and the baby feed when she wanted to. Fleur told Odétte stories about her little ones. Odétte laughed with Fleur when she spoke for her oldest playing and getting into trouble with his friends. She also talked about her blindness and the issues that she had.
Fleur was feeding the baby when Fabian Marchal and his female assistant barged into the room. Fabian grabbed the baby away from Fleur's breast. Odétte went to grab her back. One look from Fabian told her to stop.
"Thank you," he said to Madam Blaise. He handed the now crying baby to his female assistant and was gone from the room. Odétte prayed that the little girl would be safe and away from danger. But she was powerless to make sure that she would not come to harm.
"Thank you, Fleur," Odétte said as she helped the other woman redress and guided her out of the room. "I will make sure that you get some help," Odétte kissed the other woman's cheek. "Just let me knew if you ever need anything. I am sure that myself or Bontemps will be there to help."
"Thank you, my dear," Fleur smiled as they said goodbye.
Chapter 2
Odétte found her way to her room, she washed quickly and changed into a new dress. Before going back to work in Philippe's chambers. She worked on cleaning tasks before she was called to the King's side.
Bontemps and Louis stod into the room as Odétte arrived.
"If Monsieur Louvois does not soon hold his tongue," Bontemps said. "I may volunteer to hold it for him."
"I would rather have an honest critic," Louis sat down on a chair."Than a false friend, Bontemps."
"Sire, he seems to talk only of his opposition to you," Bontemps said. "He takes contrary positions to all of your plans, then declares them thunderously, to anyone who will listen."
Louis was getting a headache, Odétte noticed this and asked a guard to bring the king a drink.
"And long may he continue." Louis simply said.
Shaking his head, Bontemps said, "I'm sure I do not understand, sir."
"You will," Louis got up and grabbed Odétte by the arm. He turned to face Bontemps. "What news of your son?" He saw the sad and worried look on the man's face in front of him. "Bontemps?"
Bontemps groaned in pain and fell hard to the ground pulling down and shattering a vase. Odétte rushed to the poor man's side checking to see if he was ok. He was cold but breathing and in need of medical care.
"Sire, he needs some smelling salts to bring him around and rest," Odétte said. "He should be fine, but he needs rest."
"I will make sure he does, my dear," Louis stated matter of factly. He was worried about his friend but knew he was unable to help. A doctor was called for. Louis did not leave Bontemps side as Odétte tried her best with the little she had. As soon as the Doctor arrived and took over Louis turned to Odétte. "My Dear, you must be tried to it's been a trying day. Get some rest of your own," he whispered into her ear as she went to leave. "Thank you."
Odétte curtsied and left to go back to rest in her room.
Chapter 3
The next day Odétte was back working in Philippe's chambers. Philippe was flirting with a younger male courtier drinking wine that was served by Odétte when they both noticed that one of the maids was crying. Odétte saw that it was Cloé and wanted to see what was making her so sad.
They walked into the bedchamber as Cloé was cleaning the dressing table. She sobbed loudly, Odétte went to support her, but Philippe held her back. He moved closer to the sobbing maid.
"Forgive me, Monsieur," Cloé wiped her eyes with her hands. Philippe handed her his handkerchief so she could blow and wipe her face. "The royal baby…"
"We all have a heavy heart," Philippe stated matter of factly. Cloé looked up at Odétte who tried to warn her not to say anything by shaking her head and looking worried. Cloé did not get the meaning of the message Odétte was trying to send to her through her tears.
"I saw something," Cloé cried.
Philippe stopped and slowly turned to face the crying maid. "I do not understand," he said calmly.
"The child was alive, and the strangest colour," Philippe roughly grabbed Cloé shaking her. Cloé gasped in pain and stopped crying.
"What madness are you speaking?" Philippe questioned.
"Sire, I say this in the strictest confidence and in the spirit of loyalty. My works for you at Saint-Cloud," Philippe shook her again. "Thus I felt I must speak it. Perhaps you might help me join her there in service? I'm so scared!" Philippe looked over at Odétte who was looking down at her feet.
Philippe pulled away and nodded. "Odétte make all the arrangements, and sure she is ready to leave for Saint-Cloud," Odétte nodded. Philippe would talk to her later. He needed to understand what was happening. Odétte helped Cloé back to the servant's dormitory.
"Odétte what is happening?" Cloé asked in a whisper as they walked quickly down a corridor.
"The baby is safe and well as far as I know," Odétte whispered back.
"But the babies colour?"
"I am not sure what happened," Odétte said calmly. "But we must go on. The court is in mourning for the lost princess, but we know that she is alive and healthy."
They stopped at the door to the dormitory. Odétte hugged Cloé.
"You need to start to pack," Odétte said. "I will see you tomorrow. Rest up."
Little did Odétte know that she was leaving one of Fabian Marchal's spies was watching. And little did she knew that she was never going to see her friend again.
"My Dear, my brother, has requested that you are with him in the chapel," Philippe said as Odétte walked in. He was dressed in mourning black clothes. Odétte nodded.
The chapel was full of the royal family and the higher members of the court. Louis looked down at the mourners from the private area. Odétte watched him.
"Sire, how is Monsieur Bontemps?" She asked.
"He is resting. His illness was because of the loss of his son," Louis said.
"My prayers are with him and his family," she then whispered. "How is the Queen?"
"She should be on the mend and up and about soon," Louis whispered. "I know that that child is not mine and that the Queen has been with another."
"Men do that all the time, Sire," Odétte stated standing next to the King to look down at the scene in the chapel. "You, for example, are sleeping with other women other than your wife."
"That is different," Louis whispered running his hand down her face.
The Archbishop started his prayer.
"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Now and forever. Amen," he finished.
All repeated him in an amen.
"The girl is to go to a nunnery orphanage," Louis looked at the young maid. "I have sent Bontemps to deliver her," Odétte looked up at the King. "She will be safer away from Paris and here."
"My Lord, thank you," Odétte kissed his cheek in thanks.
Chapter 4
Odétte was meet by a large crowd of servants blocking the doorway to Cloé's dorm.
"What is going on?" Odétte asked a fellow maid.
"Cloé was found last night by Marion," replied Ninon, an older maid.
"What do you mean?"
"She was found on her bed dead and would not wake up," said another maid.
"I heard that Marion found her hanging," said another.
"Is Marion Ok?" asked Odétte.
"She will be fine soon," said Ninon. "She's been given the week off to recover. I think I saw her in the kitchens. Wasn't Cloé going back to Saint-Cloud?"
"I need to talk with Monsieur," Odétte nodded and left the scene.
She ran through the palace towards Philippe's chambers. She found the Prince and Chevalier in bed. Philippe saw the tears in her eyes and knew something was terribly wrong.
Later Odétte was busy putting together an outfit for Phillippe when she overheard the two lovers talking. Chevalier was playing around with a sword with Philippe seat on the edge of the bed.
"A maid comes crying to you and says she's got information about the royal baby, and now she's dead," the sword clang as he hit the sword against the metal edge of the bed to get Philippe's attention. "Now we're told we cannot leave Versailles," pretending to knight Philippe. "Because the queen is unwell," running the sword down Philippe's arm and then putting it down by his side. "What's going on?" he asked. Philippe looked over at Odétte who had her head down busily working at her work. "What is your brother hiding?" He caressed Philippe's face. "You know him better than anyone."
Philippe turned to face Chevalier as if he was going to kiss the man but grabbed him by the neck instead pushing him around to meet him.
"You be careful about what you say," still holding Chevalier via the neck. "And how loudly you say it," pushing the man away from him. Chevalier reeled back blowing out his long hair from his face. "Do you think the king would think twice about dispatching you?" Philippe asked.
"Perhaps the baby was alive after all," Chevalier quietly said. Odétte looked up and caught Philippe's eye.
"We saw the child buried," Philippe said.
"We saw a box buried," Chevalier responded. Chevalier moved around Philippe and sat behind him on the bed. He walked Philippe's long dark brown hair away from his neck and whispered in lovers ear. "Your brother thinks you're weak. You have more power than you realise. Use it."
Philippe turned to face Odétte again.
"I intend it," he stated. Odétte looked away.
About an hour later both the Chevalier and Philippe were dressed and marching arms linked through the palace with Odétte following behind them.
"This is your moment to shine, my love," Chevalier whispered.
"I know," Philippe whispered back.
"Show them who you are," Chevalier said as he let go. Odétte walked past Chevalier and smiled at the man.
"I know he will," she whispered as she passed him.
The king, the minister for war and the generals, were gathered around a battlefield model planning the next action of the war when Philippe and Odétte walked into the room. Louis saw both of them and smiled. Philippe motioned to the table, and the model and Louis waved for him to continue freely.
Philippe quickly studied the model and said. "I say cut off all of Flanders, along with Lille," Louis looked over at Odétte. "And the large Spanish bases in the east," Philippe looked up at his brother. "Bruges, Ghent, Brussels and Namur," He listed.
"But to achieve your goal, we'd have to cut the Spanish off from Tournai and Douai," Louvouis stated. "Who would lead our men? Every man's accounted for."
Louis picked up a piece, a general, off from the table and moved it around to a new spot.
"There is one, perhaps," Louis turned to his brother. "But in truth, he may not be ready," Louis then walked past his brother and out of the room as he passed Odéttehe headed her a note for her to read later. Philippe turned and slightly smiled at his young friend. Odétte knew that he wanted to jump up in joy.
Later after reading the short message from Louis, she found herself gathered together with Bontemps, Fabian, Minister Colbert in the King's antechamber. The king dressed in red walked into the room.
Fabian started to talk. "I have never seen a cypher quite like this. Even Rossignol cannot break it."
"This was in Montcourt's rooms, you say, yet he walks free?" Louis questioned.
"Free, but not unwatched," Bontemps said.
"So we do not know what it says?" Louis asked.
"These symbols share a common thread with those we liberated from the prisoners," Fabian handed other a piece of paper to Louis. Louis read it.
"Spaniards?" he asked.
"Someone inside your court was helping them," Fabian said matter of factly. "Someone inside with a friendly face."
"Then we must summon Montcourt to us," Bontemps said. Odétte knew that was a silly idea and it seemed both Fabian and the King agreed with her nodding for her to spoke.
"Sirs, I would watch him see if he makes a mistake. Then summon him for questioning. I could ask the servants to check up on him more, they could follow him without being seen and or Fabian's spy network could seek out information," Odétte said hoping she was correct. She looked towards Fabian who almost smiled at the young maid.
"I agree, better to lie fallow and collect information. This paper was placed freely upon Montcourt's bureau," Fabian said.
"So he may not have known its true purpose," Bontemps questioned.
"Well, one thing is clear. There is a plot against you, sire. Montcourt has wounded you before, and he may try again," Fabian finished.
Louis dismissed the men from the room to speak with Odétte alone.
"I wanted to thank you again for your service to my family," Louis said looking down at Odétte.
"It's my job, Sire. I am happy to service your Majesty in any way," Odétte looked up at the King.
"I am very sorry to hear about your friend, I heard she was a good servant and person," Louis twisted one of Odétte's curls around his finger.
"Thank you, Sire. She was happy to be returning to her family. Her mother works for Monsieur at his house Saint-Cloud, and she was being transferred back to service there. I am not sure why she would have killed herself," Odétte stopped and looked at Louis' face. "Was she killed to stop the queen's secret from getting out?"
"I am unable to say," Louis whispered.
"She would have talked, she was so scared, that's why she was going away. Monsieur had me arrange her transfer," She looked at the doorway that Fabian had just walked out of and moved away from the King shaking his hand from her hair. "Did you order him to get rid of her?"
"No," he was going to continue to spoke, but a shake of Odétte's head stopped him. "I am sure he did so to protect us all."
Odétte could not take this answer.
"I am going to have to tell Philippe," Odétte said. "He already wants to know."
"I command you not to," Louis ordered quietly. "You know that as soon as it is told it will be overheard and spread," Odétte sighed. "Mourn your friend, my dear and think of the future."
"I will get some of the servants to follow Montcourt, but he is not the only one at court plotting, Sire," Odétte changed the subject. "With many unhappy and wanting to go back to their estates or back to Paris."
"I know," Louis said pulling Odétte back to him. Kissing her solidly on the lips. She gasped with the force of the kiss but joined in. "I just need a couple of minutes not to think about the court and focus on something more pleasurable."
They seat and talked about their lives and kissed a little more before having to separate and go about their days. Odétte to help Philippe get ready for the market event and the King meetings.
Chapter 5
Odétte tired up the last ribbon on the dress Philippe was wearing. He looked amazing. His hair was then styled as to the fashions of the day with curls and half pinned up. He wore a silver and grey dress in the most exceptional fabric befitting a Princess or Prince of France that had a gold thread detail.
"How do I look?" He asked.
Before Odétte could answer Chevalier jumped in a replied. "Beautiful, my love."
Odétte nodded and went to get Philippe's shoes. Placing them on the floor so he could step into them. A few finishing touches were made to Philippe's outfit, and person and Philippe was ready to head to the carousel of commences.
The room was busy and packed with members of the court and merchants. A famed Opera singer from the Paris was entertaining the gathered guest and shoppers.
"Le Chevalier de Lorraine!" the announcer announced. Chevalier looked proudly around wearing a deep blue coat his outfit the height of fashion and tastes of the time. "Philippe Duc d'Orléans!" Philippe followed behind him. Philippe placed his hand onto Chevalier's elbow, and the stepped further into the room. The guests all looked around to see the two men walk into the room stopping what they were doing just seconds before. Odétte following behind with the other attendants that Philippe had.
Philippe and Chevalier laughed as they saw the many beautiful items that were on display. An object caught Philippe's eye he gasped.
"Oh look," he gasped pulling Chevalier towards the item. Which was a miniature tailors display model that had the most delicate silk ribbons. Laughter was heard from the corner of the room. Odétte who had been looking at other model wearing an elegant dress looked around to see where it was coming from. Philippe pointed at the model about to spoke to the tailor when he too heard the laughter and turned around to the person laughing louder now. It was a man dressed in a dark red who Odétte had seen around the palace. She took note for him and his name Monsuier Guerrier and those around him. Knowing that she might need to again later.
"You mock me?" asked Philippe of the laughing man.
"How can I not?" he answered back. "You're an embarrassment to the King."
Philippe marched towards the man and his small group. The gathered guests and merchants whispered to each other.
"You mock me; you mock my brother," Philippe said. "And that makes you a traitor."
"If I smite you, you will fall, which makes me a dead man," he turned away from Philippe.
"Coward!" Philippe grabbed Guerrier who grunted in pain. He pushed him away, Philippe groaned as he was forced back into Odétte. She fell hard to the floor she knew that she was going to have a bruise tomorrow where she landed. The fight went from there. Philippe and Guerrier are throwing punches at each other. Chevalier helped her up and nodded at Odétte to get help and to tell the king. She did not see how the fight ended by Philippe gouging out Guerrier's eye. She rushed out of the room and found Bontemps standing outside Henrietta's chambers meaning that the King was there with Henrietta.
"I need to see the King," Odétte almost shouted at the man. "It's his brother his in trouble."
"I will get his majesty for you," Bontemps knocked on the door behind him. The door was opened, and Bontemps rushed in. A few seconds later Bontemps motioned for her to go into the room. She saw the King and her mistress together, both dressing or covered.
"Yes?" asked the King.
"It's Monsieur, sire," Odétte said. "We were at the Carasole."
"What did my brother spend the entire countries riches?" joked Louis he stopped when he saw the Maid's face. "Bring him to me," he commanded to Bontemps. Bontemps nodded and left the room. Loius run his hand down Odétte's cheek, noticing that she winced in pain as he touched her. Henrietta looked at the interaction in front of her not sure what to make of it. Louis left the room followed by his King's guard leaving the two women together alone.
"Call for my ladies would you, Odétte," Henrietta requested. Odétte nodded and went to find Henrietta's ladies so that they could help their mistress. A few minutes later Henrietta's ladies were back and were assisting the princess to get dressed. Odétte busied herself bringing items needed when Henrietta spoke.
"Odétte," Odétte looked up at the great lady.
"Yes, my Lady," Odétte said.
"I understand that His Majesty is a great man, one day I believe that he will be a good one too," Henrietta grinned "I know that he will have you keep secrets from those around you and I will try and help you if ever needed."
"Thank you, my lady," Odétte was thankful. "I have no idea what is happening. I just want to be able to do my job. But between the Monsieur and the King, I am being pushed and pulled in different ways," She caught herself before saying anything secret. "Sorry."
"It's ok, my dear," Henrietta nodding her head. "The two have never liked having to share their toys," Odétte giggled.
"The other day I witness the two almost get into a fight in the council room," Odétte joked. "Monsieur had picked up a little rider piece from the war map model board. His Majesty almost punched him over it. It was like when I was younger, and we would fight over sticks when playing fighting," Odétte looked over at the beautiful princess.
"We were all so close growing up," Henrietta said thinking back. "It was the three of us most of the time. Sometimes my brothers would play to with us. There was one time that both Kings, the King of France and the King of England got in trouble for running away from the governess and the guard. We were looking for them of what must have been around three hours. They were both found in a tree close to the royal palace. Philippe was beside himself with worry, and I was so sure that we would not see them again."
A loud crash from the next room meant that Philippe must be back.
"Odétte!" Shouted Philippe.
"I must see what he needs," Henrietta dismissed Odétte
Odétte walked into the room it found Philippe angerly removing items from drawers.
"Philippe, what is the matter?" Odétte calmly asked placing a hand on Philippe's arm to stop him.
"I ask my brother nicely what he is planning and what happened to the baby. No one would kill a servant for seeing a small thing like that," Philippe said.
"I am not sure what the King is planning. But I have to tell you in secret something about the baby," Odétte whispered. "The baby was a little girl. Philippe, please promise me you will not repeat what I about to tell you," Philippe sighed.
"I agree," he nodded in promise.
"I was tasked by his Majesty to protect and care for the Baby. It was a beautiful little girl," Odétte whispered. "She was just not the King's."
"You mean?" Philippe questioned.
"I mean that the baby was born and will suffer because of the conventional double standard that a husband can have an affair and get his mistress pregnant and its known but hushed up. When a woman gets pregnant by someone other than her husband, including mistresses the baby and the woman is punished. The Queen is ill, and the King will not see his wife who he believes be unfaithful and sinful," Odétte said.
Philippe looked down at his maid and friend, and he understood the pain for women.
"I believe that she is now safe at a local orphanage," Odétte sighed. "It's safer for her to be away from the palace and away from the court."
"I am sure," Philippe hugged Odétte and they were quiet.
Chapter 6
Philippe marched in the council meeting chambers followed by Odétte. She had a growing black left eye. Philippe did not wait for the doors to be open for him bulging straight in interrupting Louis's thinking out loud.
"The north and the east are out of the question. We simply cannot…"
"You took it," Philippe anger whispered.
"Brother, you are red in the face," Louis tried to joke.
"You took my tactic, and you gave it to him," looking at Minister Louvois. Before grabbing the man around his sizable chins walking him back towards the fa windows. "All my life I have longed for war, even the smallest taste, and now you deny me again and again."
"Ask me who will lead the charge," Louis stated not looking at the scene in front of him but at Odétte.
"Who will lead the charge?" Philippe let go of Louvois.
"You will," Louis stated. Philippe turned to look at his brother with some shock.
"Sire, you mentioned that the man might not be ready yet," Louvois nervously stated.
"I was talking about you, Louvois," Louis moved towards the two men. Odétte smiled. "Congratulations, brother. You are going to war."
Before anyone could say anything, a messager rushed into the room.
"Sire, the Queen!"
Louis smiled and turned to leave the chambers. Bontemps following close behind.
"Go with them," Philippe said to Odétte, she nodded and followed Bontemps lead towards the Queen's chambers.
The nurse was between the Queen's legs with the Doctor over them both.
"We will never speak of these," the doctor loudly whispered.
"Speak of what?" Louis said watching the two.
"Her Majesty was unwell, sire, and bled," the doctor replied. "But I'm glad to say her condition now looks as though it will improve."
"So I see," Louis stated. "You may leave."
The doctor and the nurse started to leave.
"You will stay," Louis said just as Claudine past him. "Privacy," Louis commanded to those gathered. All apart from Claudine, Bontemps, Marchel and Odétte left. Claudine was nervous sure that she was in trouble. Odétte stood beside her and smiled warmly. Odétte noticed that Claudine was trying to hide something. Louis saw it too.
"Show me your arm," he ordered. "What is that in your hand?" Claudine showed him her hand. "Is this how you stopped the bleeding? Lie to me; you lie to God."
"Afterbirth, I removed it from her uterus. It is…"
"I know where it is."
"How did you know it would stop the blood?" Louis questioned.
"A guess," Claudine stated. "I'm a midwife trained by my father. I'm also a student of anatomy and medicine."
"I do not recall signing any laws allowing women doctors," Louis said coldly.
"I took body parts, studied the organs, took down detailed notes and drew them."
"A justice would assume the worst and have you burned at the stake."
"If that's your command," Claudine bravely said. Odétte was proud of the midwife.
"My command…" Loui moved away from Claudine and looked at his wife. "Is that you will remain close to me on medical matters. As to your father's position, in the eyes of the court, he will remain our physician, but the advice I will heed will come from you. Bontemps, let in some air, Odétte help him," they started to do has the King ordered. "Unless you advise against it?"
"As long as we cover her, fresh air will give much benefit," Claudine said getting to work. "Comfrey and calendula will aid her healing. Rosemary for the pain," Claudine straightened out the bed cover and started to cover up the Queen. Louis walked around the bed to help. They pulled down the heavy blankets.
"Don't look so surprised," Louis had seen Claudine's look of shock. "I've put many women to bed," and with that Louis walked away followed by Bontemps. Odétte stayed.
"I think you very brave," Odétte said looking at the new doctor. "His Majesty can be a hard one to get things correct for," they both shared and a small laugh. "Is there anything that I can get for you, Doctor?"
"Some fresh water and the flowers I talked about," Claudine said brightly.
"Do you think she will need any more pain medicine. I have heard that Willow bark tea or the vapours can help?" Odétte asked.
"I think we will need some," Claudine nodded.
And they got back to work.
Chapter 7
Later that night Odétte was serving at the evening court dinner. Philippe, Henrietta and Louis sat at the high table. Louis grinned when he saw Odétte pouring him a drink. She looked out and saw a couple of the member of court whispering together.
"It's time your Majesty," she whispered into Louis' ear and then went back to pouring drinks for the high table before moving away.
Louis rose from his chair and started his speech.
"I must tell you all. I believe that very soon we shall have a revolution in our country. The world knows France to be a master of the battlefield, but one glimpse around this glorious place will tell you soon it will be our textile mercers and our master tailors who shall transform the world. Our fashions will be revered just as much for their beauty, elegance, refinement and grace — the finest in the world. Many of you mentioned at the carousel your desire to acquire one of the emerald rings on display. I'm afraid to say this was never going to be possible, because I have bought every single one, as I wished you all to have one as a gift at this very special evening," applause started at this. "I hope you are enjoying the orange blossoms. I can trace the rootstock of these trees back to the ancient citrus forests of Arabia," he paused and looked around spotting Odétte smiled who winked. "Which reminds me…" he searched the gather audience to find who was looking for. "Moncourt," He called out. Moncourt nervously stepped forward to face the high table. He bowed. "How is your wife?" Louis asked.
"Dead, Sire," Moncourt replied. "She passed away six weeks ago, sadly."
"Thank you for the speed with which you rushed back to court," Louis said sitting back down. Moncourt bowed his head again. "I can see you didn't even have time to change after the funeral," there was some laughter.
"These are not my mourning clothes, sire," Moncourt said.
"They're not you evening clothes, either," Philippe stated plainly. More laughter.
"Neither are they French clothes, Moncourt," Louis said. "Your father, the Baron, inherited his title from his grandfather, no?"
"Yes, Sire."
"Yet this was a title originally bequeathed to his grandmother, the Baroness of Saint-Maur, but she married no higher than seigneur," Louis continued.
"Seigneur Charles de Saint-Maur no less, sire."
"And no more, sadly, for you," Louis paused. "A farmer's son might call himself Charles de Saint-Maur if indeed that is where he was born. Your father was a common man with a fiefdom, a vassal to his overlord, the true noble, the grand seigneur."
Moncourt looked around for support but now was going to come for the guests.
"Isn't that right, Moncourt? You might be labelled a vassal, perhaps, or a peasant, yet you seek to raise yourself above those men, both of whom would gladly sweat and toil to feed their families, pay their taxes, and honour their duties to their king. You think yourself above them, Moncourt, yet you lie far below. You pay nothing and do nothing, which leads me to believe you are nothing, which begs the question, what is a nothing doing at my court?"
"I can find you my papers, sire," begged Moncourt. "I beg you allow me to prove my worth," Louis smiled at this.
"The papers are all here, Moncourt, after an inexcusable delay."
"As to the delay, sire, as I mentioned, um, we did not wish to bother you with such trivial affairs of the state…" Louvois strutted to explain.
"I am the state!" Shouted Louis was suddenly standing up. Everyone stood as Louis walked behind the guest at the high table towards Moncourt. "It has come to my attention that many of you are uncomfortable here on our visits to Versailles. Many of you prefer Paris, or your lands and estates, which you so dearly miss, some only a short ride away. To all of you, I say this. You will soon get used to it," Philippe looked towards Odétte. "And we shall all soon discover who we are. Your noble birth freed you from our taxes. Your falsehood has condemned you to pay."
"I have o money but my estate," Moncourt said.
"Take his keys, then," Louis commanded. Marchal and a guard started to search the man.
"What I am to do, Sire," begged Moncourt.
"I'm sure you will think of something," the keys were found. "You," Louis called out to a guest nearby. "What I your name?"
"Pierre de La Croix," the gentleman replied.
"God smiles on you, La Croix," the key was handed to the gentleman by a guard. Moncourt property was now his. He would never learn this, but it was Odétte who had picked La Croix for his service to the royal family and his family. Odétte had been tasked with finding a family worthy of the estate and had spoken to some people. Before reaching La Croix having seen him being kind and caring for his staff and family members. He was not a rich man but had offered to pay the taxes of his tenants when they were unable to as well as paying his own even with noble birth.
"I do not know this man," Louis turned back to Moncourt. "He does not belong in our court," Moncourt was dragged away by soldiers. "The time has come to prove to me, who you are, all of you. You can rest assured I will do the same."
This left the guests worried gossiping as the night went on.
Louis left early to sit and talk with Bontemps in front of the fire. Odétte was dismissed to her room. Philippe and Hernetta continued with the other guests to the party. Some of the younger party guests were playing in the water foundian. Laughting and messing around with each other. It was not long before the laughter turned to screams of terror. Floating above the water was the dead body of the Queen Dwarf.