Chapter 1
Versailles servants were busy preparing for the royal visit for the African Prince and his royal party. Odétte was busy too she had prepared two choices of evening outfits for Philippe as well as an outfit fit for the battlefield that she would show him later. When finished she took a short break to walk in the gardens. The King and his followers were also taking a walk through the gardens.
She watched as a large group of beautiful ladies wearing dresses of fine silk and holding sun parasols followed Louis. She saw him stop and welcome a man around his age. Someone new to court. She did not hear what they said being to far away but she knew that she did not like the look of his newcomer. And she was unsure why.
Rohan looked around Louis joking about that there were more pretty women than before. But Louis did not look back; he had spotted Odétte watching the scene. He smiled and winked not unnoticed by Rohan. They continued with their discussion. Odétte returned to work.
Philippe was being helped to dress by Chevalier. Odétte busied herself in her cleaning task but was able to hear the conversation over by the wall mirror.
"How do I look?" Philippe asked.
"I dressed you myself. How do you think I think you look?" Chevalier asked back. "Talking of which, who puts a dwarf in a drainpipe?"
"What are you talking about?"
"If the little man was sad, he might have done it himself. Or do you think the queen tired of him? Perhaps he was trying to mend the king's fountains, and restore himself to favour, and shoved himself in there like a cork, only to pop up and float, and scare the young people," He chuckled at his joke.
"You have too much time on your hands," Philippe stated. "You should come with me to the front?"
"Are you inviting me to a war?" Chevalier was shocked. "Oh, how romantic. Are you mad?"
"Not any war," Philippe pushed on. "My war."
"Your brother says one thing and does another. I would not hold your breath," Chevalier put. "But if you ever do go, I shall remain here, naturally, to ensure that your place at court remains assured."
"Is that so?" Philippe pulled away. "How generous of you to ensure my place!"
Philippe pushed the doors open. Henrietta stood waiting on the other side in the next room.
"You look handsome," she said.
"I already told him," Chevalier said back.
"You did not, in fact," Philippe took the glass of wine Odétte offered to him.
"Husband, is there news?" Henrietta asked.
"Not yet," Philippe walked away handing back the glass to Odétte.
When out of his chambers followed by Odétte. Philippe spotted Bontemps.
"Bontemps! Bontemps!" he called out the man as most running to catch up with him. "I have a sword, armour, and a horse. Why the delay? When will I go to war?"
"The King has not yet set a date," was Bontemps rely on walking away from the Prince.
"What am I supposed to do until then?" Philippe stood arms up. Odétte took Philippe's hand.
"I am sure that the King is just worried about sending his brother to war," Odétte said calmly. "People get killed and hurt on the battlefield."
"I understand that, but I to go, to service and if I were to die I would die for my brother and France," Philippe fumed.
"I could maybe talk with him," Odétte offered.
"I do not think that would help," Philippe had calmed he looked at his maid's worried face. A slight trace of a black eye was still visible. She wore no makeup, and she looked tired. "I am sorry, my dear."
Chapter 2
Prince Annaba arrival was a grand one. He and his party were first welcomed by Bontemps and brought into the grand welcome chamber where they were met by Fabian Marchel and his second in command and Odétte. Bontemps stopped and welcomed the guests. "Honoured guest of the King, Annaba, Prince of Assinie."
"Son to the King of Eguafo, inheritor of the Coast of Ivory and Teeth, Lord of the Sky. My brother, Kobina," Prince Annaba interrupted Bontemps. He then pointed out his brother beside him.
"Prince Annaba, you will accompany me, please alone," Bontemps stepped forward and spoke. "Your brother will accompany Monsieur Marchel."
"And my friends?" Annaba asked worried for them.
"Will bask in the full warmth of the King's hospitality," Bontemps said as Odétte stepped forward. The two young princes nodded at one another, and Prince Annaba followed Bontemps.
Odétte guided the guests toward one of the grand sitting rooms. In front of her was Fabians second in command.
When they were seated in chairs around the room, she introduced herself.
"Hello, I am sorry about all of that. My name is Odétte I am the head maid to the brother of the King the Duke of Orléans, Philippe. You may see him later. We have made sure that your stay in France and here at Versailles should be a happy and joyful one. I understand that your Prince will be meeting up with her majesty the Queen and his brother is being given a tour around the palace and grounds. I can understand that you might be hungry, and or tired and we can make sure that all of your needs are taken care of," Odétte stopped her well-practised speech to breathe. She looked around at the guests. They were all wearing such bright and beautiful colourful clothes. "Welcome to Versailles."
"We thank you," one of the gentlemen said.
"I am here to serve all of the guests for the royal family," Odétte said.
"When will we be able to see the King?" another asked.
"I am unsure of the time but soon. He is at the moment in council, and it is hard to know when they will be finished," Odétte laughed knowing the game that the King was doing not sure how much she could say. "Now I have been tasked by my Prince to find out about the fashions and more on your culture. You see the Monsieur as well as the King as a keen eye for clothing and textile."
The man talked between themselves while the women sat by Odétte to speak on the cloth and materials that they were wearing. They discussed the different fabrics and how to wear them. Odétte talked about the fashions of the court she lost her sense of time.
Bontemps collected her as the guests were lead to their rooms to bring her in the King's welcoming chamber. Louis smiled at her as he walked in to sit on his throne. She could tell that he had been with Henriette but said nothing. She stood to the side of the room but close to Henriette and Philippe and watched as Prince Annaba and the Queen stepped into the throne room.
Louis rose to meet the Queen smiling as he held her hand as she stood next to him.
"Prince Annaba of Assinie, you are welcome at my court," Annaba bowed deeply towards the King.
"Versailles is more beautiful than I can imagine," Annaba said truthfully.
"May I present to you my brother, Philippe, the Duke of Orléans," Louis pointed to Philippe who smiled. "his wife, Henriette of England," pointing his ministers. "Colbert, first minister of my cabinet," then to Louise. "Mademoiselle de La Vallière," he smiled thinking. "You've already met my wife."
Both men stared at each other playing mind games with each other. Both are trying to read each other's minds.
"Should we go for a tour around the grounds?" Louis laughed.
Chapter 3
"When I hosted a party here a few years ago, we did not have the room to accommodate my friends," Louis spoke leading the touring party with Prince Annaba. "Most of them had to take rooms in town, so I am building some myself," Prince Annaba looked back. "400 apartments, all told," Louis continued.
"Where are the workers?" Annaba questioned.
"They are currently engaged in the planning stages of a particularly dangerous part of the construction," Bontemps spoke up to cover. "We can return tomorrow to see them engaged with their labour."
"I would like that very much," Annaba replied.
"Tell me about the countries of Africa," Bontemps asked.
"When do we negotiate?" Annaba asked.
"Prince Annaba, in France we have a different way of doing things," Louis stated.
"Perhaps I've made a mistake. Perhaps I should go and talk to the Dutch, the Spanish, the English. All are keen to discuss the future," Prince Annaba matter of factly put.
"You're not enjoying our hospitality?" Louis asked.
"Hm. There is a great deal of it," Annaba countered.
"And more besides, as you shall see tonight," Louis moved a piece of hair that had blown into his face.
"What happens tonight?" Annaba asked with a slight grin.
"Then I shall sit down with you," Loius nodded Annaba give a short laugh. They both walked in silence. Odétte who had been walking behind Bontemps left to return to the palace and Philippe's chambers after grabbing something to eat from the kitchens.
She found him stood in front of a pile of armour. He saw her and nodded for her to help. She did so.
"You very look handsome, Sir," Odétte said as she finished closing the last gasp. "Ready for battle."
"I thought so too," Philippe kissed her on the forehead. "Now I am to go to war, but it is no place for a flower such as yourself," Odétte looked down. "I need you to stay here. Look after my wife, make that Chevalier does not hurt himself or anyone and most importantly I need you to be here if I come back."
"You will come back I know it," Odétte whispered. She knew she would be unable to protect Chevalier from himself knowing Chevalier.
"I hope so too," Philippe whispered back before he stood up straight and said. "Right, let's see what my wife thinks of a feather shall we?"
He picked up two large bright feathers — one in purple the other in red. Henriette was sat reading she put down the book as she saw her husband walk in. He stopped in front of her hiding the feathers behind his back. She smiled sweetly at him. Odétte watched the couple.
"Our visitor has inspired me," Philippe stated. "I think I require more colour," He continues in good humour. "How does one dress for war?" He asked. Philippe showed Henriette the feathers. Henriette giggled at him in just. "The purple one, or the red?"
Henriette looked at both feathers and said. "The red, of course."
"I like the purple," Philippe joked back.
"Me too," Henriette laughed. "That's why I said red."
Both look at each other and give the other a slight smile. Philippe gave the feathers to Odétte.
"Philippe, when do you leave," said Henriette. "Please make sure to come back."
Philippe toward to face her and was serious when he said. "I cannot promise that."
"Say the words," Henriette pushed worried for her husband and longtime friend.
"If I were to die, your life would be simple, would it not?" he asked stepping towards his wife.
"My problems will never be solved. You know that" she replied. Philippe kneeled in front of her as Henriette continued. "And, in any case, I would rather you did not die, "Philippe's smile grew more prominent. He lent in close and kissed her on the forehead similar to Odétte a few minutes before.
"You say the sweetest things, poppet," he whispered.
"I mean it," she whispered back.
"Since we were small… my dream has been war," Philippe stated his voice in an intense whisper. "Yours has been my brother," there was a long pause for the couple. Both searched each other's faces. "Look how lucky we are," he gave a short laugh. "Perhaps one day we will both live our dreams."
Odétte could feel and see the sadness between the couple. They had been forced to live a lie. Philippe cared for Henriette just as Henriette cared for Philippe. But they were never in love. They were husband and wife in all but love. Friendship maybe. But never true love. It pained Odétte to see them both now.
"Stay here Odétte," Philippe said as he left the room. Odétte was about to follow but did as asked. She looked over at the Princess who was close to tears and smiled at her.
"He will come back, your highness, I am sure of it," Odétte said.
"We can only hope," Henriette replied. "I was going to take a walk in the gardens would you like to come with me?" Henriette asked unsure of herself.
"Of course, your highness," Odétte replied. "It is getting warm outside, do you think you will need a parasol?"
"Thank you," Henriette said.
The two walked in the grounds of the palace first in silence.
"I think the King is tired of me," Henriette was the first to speak.
"What makes you think that?"
"It's just a feeling I have," Henriette looked at the young maid. "You are beautiful; I can see why he likes you."
"Thank you, but I sure I am just one of many women that as caught his eye. I too am unsure how the King sees me. I am just a servant and low born one at that," Odétte stopped and turned to face her mistress. "The King is a man of many promises and many sweet words. He is free, as with any man to give and take his love. But it is us women who need to be strong and not let him affect us or use us for that."
Henriette nodded. Odétte laughed at something she had thought of in her head.
"What is it?" Henriette asked.
"Marriage is a funny thing. No-one marries for love. It's the same between the rich and the poor. People marry for some reasons; political, money, power, to keep a home. And the church sees marriage as the bedrock of society. But they do not marry, well not the Catholic ones. They have their mistresses or lovers. They have secret families and make out stories that marriage is something to dream of when themselves do not marry. If the King or a prince cannot choose their wife and if a Queen or a princess cannot choose her husband. Then they are going to look for love elsewhere. The King for example, as had many mistresses. The Queen is not able to say anything about them. And he will leave a path behind him of broken hearts and pain," Odétte stopped. "I am sorry to rant at you."
"We all need to let out and rant sometimes," Henriette giggled.
"Well, I think you need too to," Odétte giggled with her. "Philippe does it all the time."
"he does do he not," Henriette said.
"And the King," Odétte said. "Those two are like children," both laughed.
"I know, when we were children, we would play games together, and they would always fight over toys and people. Louis would win of course being the King, but Philippe would put up a fight," Henriette remembered.
"This is true they once had the fight that they pissed on each other?"
"I remember something like that. They were rolling around on the ground," Henriette imagined the two brothers fighting. "I am not sure what set them off I only saw the aftermath. It was very unbecoming of a King and Prince."
"They were just boys or men," Odétte laughed hard Henriette joined in. Henriette placed her arm though Odétte's and they walked on laughing. Henriette is was feeling much better and happy in her friendship with the maid.
At the same time, the two brothers were talking. Philippe was to leave for the front and Philippe gave his blessing for Louis to go to either Henriette or Odétte to was not said who.
Chapter 4
Odétte found herself back in the king's council chamber listening to the ministers and the King discuss matters of state.
"If your friends, the Parthenays, prove as meaningful as I believe they might," Minister Colbert said. "Once they've visited and shown their loyalty, we could persuade much of the south to comply."
"Leaving who?" Louis questioned.
"The north and east," Colbert pointed out on a map of France.
"Who defies me there?" Loius walked up to Odétte looking only at her but listening to the minister.
"The Duke of Cassel, sire, to my mind," Colbert continued. A shiver ran down Odétte at the name. She had heard stories about the man and disliked the man because of them. Louis noticed this and started to plan how to get Cassel. Colbert continued. "He commands great influence in the north and east," Louis looked at a portrait for himself and knew what he needed to do. "Half the nobility are in his debt. His family occupied those lands since before memory."
"He is our keystone, then," Louis thought out loud. "If we extract him from the wall, the entire structure is demolished. If we do not, the collapse shall be ours."
"He does not heed our letters, sire," Colbert stated. "We'ver had no response."
Louis thought and looked at Odétte for an answer.
"Sire, if he does not respond naturally maybe you need to force a response. By doing something to annoy him or give him something he wants when he believes you are weakest," Odétte answered. Louis nodded agreeing, and some of the ministers nodded to. "I once knew a rat catchers apprentice when I was a child he said once that you need to bait a trap to get rid of rats. He said that you first push them to a controlled location and when they believed that they are settled and calm that is when you introduce them to the poison that will hopefully get rid of them. Like a magic act, you need to misdirect them. the rats think that they are bringing home some cheese for themselves or their family, but they are taking poison."
"I agree. Send him a gift, my portrait," Louis commanded. "With a messager, alongside an order to comply with our laws. He shall supply his proof of nobility, or suffer the consequence, to which all of France shall bear witness."
With that, the ministers left the room. Leaving Louis and Odétte alone apart for Bontemps.
"Now to our guests," Loius spoke to Odétte.
"Your majesty, do not overplay your hand," Odétte warned. "The Prince is worried that something terrible is going to happen."
Loius laughed. "My dear, nothing bad is going happen."
"You have unsettled them," Odétte stated clearly.
"That was the plan," Loius kissed Odétte on the lips. "When did you get so wise?"
"I am not clever or wise your majesty, just practical," Odétte whispered his lips forced back onto hers. "I have been your brother maid for many years now. You pick up things."
"I see," Louis said kissing her forcibly again. "Now I must get ready for tonight's entertainment."
Chapter 5
The night's entertainment was in full swing. And the high nobles of the court and their followers were around the Kings gambling table.
Henriette rolled a set of dices smiling as she won. Odétte was working with some of the other servants with food and drinks for the guests. She could hear some of the guests talking. She overheard Madam Montespan talking with Louise de La Vallière.
"Mm I adore your perfume," Montespan said leaning over de La Vallière.
"I'm not wearing any," Louise replied slightly in shock but was polite to her somewhat friend. Montespan walked away. Odétte poured the King a drink of wine.
"It must be hard mothering a child by yourself," she loudly stated to a lady that Odétte had seen with Chevalier sometimes.
"I do what I can," the lady replied. "You must find it hard being so far away from your husband and children."
"I find the absence is not painful unless someone mentions it," Montespan said back.
"What are hearing my dear?" Louis whispered into Odétte's ear.
"Later, sire," She whispered back. "Your guests are here."
Odétte left the room to clear her head. The noise was not someone she liked. She bumped into Bontemps who pulled her aside.
"Odétte you look tired," he said worried about the young maid.
"I am well sir," Odétte said. Bontemps know this was not true. "The King is going to overplay his hand tonight, and I know it. His too cocksure of himself."
"My dear, I am sure that the King knows what he is doing," Bontemps said. "Now you look like you have not slept in days."
"I have been worried about the Monsieur, the Princess, the queen, the baby and the king. I'm sure nothing will happen to them, but I feel like something is going to happen and …"
"Odétte, none of them, are your worries," Bontemps looked down at the maid who was the same age as his oldest daughter. "Get some rest; the king will need you fit and well."
Chapter 6
Odétte tried to sleep. The King went to the Queen's chambers that night. He thought of the maid while with his wife — the same thing he did earlier with Henriette. Louis told his wife that her daughter was alive.
Early next morning Prince Annaba was woken by his brother with the news that the King wanted to see him.
Bontemps and the King burghed into the prince's bedchamber. Louis ordered him to get dressed that they were going someplace.
Odétte had trouble staying awake as she stood waiting for the King. She was told to get into a carriage first and wait for the royal party. She saw the King and the two African princes. Louis and Annaba stepped up into the carriage alone together. Prince Annaba nodded to his younger brother to stay that it was ok. He looked over at Odétte, though bearly open eyes smiled at him.
"Rest my dear," Louis said to her. She nodded and curled up into a ball.
"Who is this?" Annaba asked.
"My brother's maid, Odétte," Louis said watching the young maid fall into a light sleep.
Loius poured himself a glass of wine.
"How did you enjoy my wine?" Louis asked handing over a glass to the Prince.
Annaba was silent and drank from the glass. Both men smiled as the carriage rode out of the palace gates and out into the countryside.
"What would you offer me?" Annaba suddenly asked. "The Dutch do not have your hospitality, of course. But they do have money."
The carriage stopped waking up Odétte.
"Where are we?" Annaba asked.
"A brief stop," was all Louis said. Odétte looked at him unsure what was going on. Outside Fabian had got off his horse and picked up a stick from the ground. He pulled out an older man. "My gardener chanced upon this man. He was a noble who fought against my family during the uprising," Fabian wrapped a piece of wire around the man's neck. Odétte watched horrified. "He thought himself safe…" Odétte looked away. "Out here in the woods," Odétte could hear the groans and chokes of the man dying. Both men just watched.
Odétte let out a short cry as the man died was thrown to the ground. Louis looked over at the shaken maid taking her hand. She looked up at him wide-eyed.
"It had to be done," Louis whispered to her. Annaba heard and saw the care and guilt that Louis had for the young woman. But also had witnessed the cruelty and ruthless of the King.
The carriage drove on and stopping again at the local nunnery. Bontemps knocked on the door as he had done many weeks before. Prince Annaba was first out of the carriage followed by Odétte and then Louis. Louis walked straight towards the now open door and the mother superior who was waiting for them. She moved aside as the two men walked into her nunnery. Odétte following behind. The door closed behind her.
They walked through the nunnery lead by the Mother Superior the nuns bowing to the royalty. They passed into a corridor. Prince Annaba stopped, but Odétte and Louis continued.
"Why are we here?" Annaba asked. All for the nuns stepped out of the corridor leaving the three alone. Louis stopped and turned to face Annaba.
"The Dutch do have money, but no power," Annaba walked towards Louis. "We have both."
Odétte smiled down at the Queen's daughter lovely. She was bigger now. The baby cooed as she saw Odétte. Annaba heard the baby and walked over to her. Looking down at the tiny baby.
"Why have you brought me here?" Annaba demanded.
"To finish our negotiation."
"We have not even started yet," Annaba loudly demanded.
"Annaba, we have been negotiating since the moment you stepped off your coach," Louis stated calmly. Annaba looked back down at the baby.
"You leave me a little choice."
I offer you security and a fair stake in revenue," Louis countered. "I also offer you a gunboat to secure your port. You've been away from home for a long time, and your enemies are moving on your capital."
"My father will deal with them," Annaba stated.
The baby cooed again. Louis smiled and looked down at the baby. "Do you see this load little life before you? A close friend told me the God himself brought this child to me for a reason. Only now do I understand. Herr very existence begs a question, because in any other country, in Englan, Spain, the Republics of the Dutch, she would be long dead, and her mother, too. And yet here she is, and here you are. You can be sure of one thing. You may make a deal with the Dutch, the English, the Spanish. Rest assured, they will smile and agree. Then they will bring their armies, burn your lands, kill your families, and take everything you hold dear. Of that, you can be sure."
"You would do the same!"
"Not I," the baby started to cry. Odétte tried to quiet her down. "And I suggest you decide quickly. A country with no king will eat itself in war," the baby cried louder.
"King?" Louis handed Annaba a piece of paper.
"We received word that your father is dead. You are king now," Annaba started to tear up. "My condolences, Your Majesty."
The baby wailed. Odétte picked her up and tried to calm her down. Louis left the now grieving King alone.
"Your Majesty," Odétte calmly spoke to the king. "Your father would I am sure to be very proud of you. His Majesty is not very good at showing sadness. But, it is true this little one, was born not of the King. In another country, she would be dead now. So to her mother."
"Thank you," Annaba spoke in a whisper. "What do you think I should do?"
"You already know what you should do," Odétte said. "You are the King and a King should put his people first. His majesty is powerful, yes, but you are too. Think of your people what would they want to go to. Not what would your father have done, of course, think of that! But, always put your people before yourself. The King is still learning that. He might be the state, but it's the people who make sure that he can be the state."
"Thank you again," Annaba said standing up.
"Grieve for your father," Odétte said. "And remember that you are his son. Think of the good things that you had together and your brother."
"Can I hold her?" Annaba asked nervously.
"Of course, Sire," Odétte handed the crying baby over the King.
Later that day King Louis and now King Annaba signed a treaty together. And the deal was done. Annaba hugged his younger brother in thanks.
"We're going," King Annaba said to his brother and his royal party.
Seeing how the brothers were together made Louis think for his own younger brother. He would now be on the front line readying for battle against the Spanish facing off against an army of man. Odétte watched the King Annaba leave with a smile on her face. She turned to see the King look slightly defected.
"The Venetians have been working hard on a new glass, sire," Bontemps loudly said. "They hope this one will be more to your liking."
Louis and Odétte stepped into the King's bedchamber. They both saw the beautiful large, one piece of mirrored glass. It was fascinating to look at. It was clear and bright — none of the broken picture of traditional mirrored glass.
Louis walked up to it with a broad smile on his face. He was happy.
"Better," he said. Odétte laughed at the man. He poised infront of the mirror and smiled at the maid. "I should teach you to dance my lovely Odétte."