Chapter 1

The peace treaty was signed by Louis behind him stood the Queen and Henriette and his ministers. Odétte was outside the tent standing next to Philippe. They heard clapping inside the tent Philippe raised his arms in cheer. Odétte laughed as the men cheered loudly. Philippe smiled down at his friend. She grinned back.

"Back to Versailles," Philippe said. Odétte nodded yes.

Odétte found herself once again riding in a carriage with the King. This time also with the Queen. Henriette rode with a group of ladies of the court that had made the journey. Odétte seat next to Louis and watched as Philippe rode his white charger beside the carriage. She pulled out a book and silently read listening to the royal couple discuss matters.

"I'm happy to return home, but you are troubled, husband?" Marie-Thérèse asked her husband worried for him.

"When I was young, ten years old, I suddenly learned what fear was. I saw my mother scared to death," Odétte looked up to see Louis face deep in thought. "The nobles were coming for us, and she truly thought she was about to die. Ever since I have had a plan to make sure that does not happen again."

"But you are protected," Marie- Thérèse argued. "You have a guard and a palace and an army who march at your command."

"They obey me, but they do not fear me," Louis looked of the window.

"What power does any man have over you?"

There was a bang and the carriage door opened as they were still moving. "Whoo!" Philippe climbed into moving carriage. "Are we there yet?" he asked pushing the Queen along the seat so he could sit down. "I am bored… decidedly so," he shut the door.

"We've no wine if that's what you're looking for," Louis said annoyed. Odétte tried to hide a giggle.

"I'm looking for conversation," Philippe said. "When you've killed as many Spaniards as I have, it's difficult to talk about the weather."

Marie- Thérèse looked reproachfully at Philippe who looked at her a shrugged. Either said anything. Odétte looked back down at her book trying to find her place on the page. The carriage and the royal party came to a halt.

"Why are we stopped?" Philippe was the first to ask.

"The rains, perhaps," Louis answered. Philippe looked out of the carriage window. "The storm destroyed parts of the road at Chaville."

"Chaville? Then we're close," the Queen added. Philippe was half out of the carriage door now looking at the issue.

"Stay here," he said walking towards the problem shutting the door behind him. Louis rushed to look out following his brother. He reopened the door leaving Odétte and Marie-Thérèse behind.

Odétte placed her book down and sighed.

"Are you well my dear?" Marie-Thérèse asked.

"I am well my queen," Odétte said. "I was getting a good part in the book. I do not often get a chance to read."

"I understand," the Queen nodded.

"I am likely my master and mistress like the fact that I can read," Odétte sighed."My previous master did not," Odétte looked out of the window.

"What can you see?" Marie-Thérèse asked.

"Not much, it looks like they are carrying a man," Odétte said. "I think his a highwayman, his dressed like one."

Odétte looked over at the Queen who was shunned. Odétte opened the carriage door and stepped out. Her foot only just touched the foot when Philippe spotted her.

"Odétte, get back inside the carriage," Philippe ordered. She turned back and stepped back up into her sat very quickly.

Philippe and Louis got back into the carriage after ten minutes. And the party was riding back to Versailles. Philippe took hold of Odétte and placed her on his lap. Louis stared at the pair with a worried look on his face. Marie-Thérèse looked at the two brothers and the young maid but said nothing.

Chapter 2

The royal carriage stopped in front of the welcome back party. Louis was the first to jump down; he helped his wife down and then Philippe and Odétte stepped down. They did not follow the King and Queen but waited for Henriette to step down from her carriage.

Philippe, Henriette, Rohan and Odétte marched into and then through the palace. The soldiers on guard to show their respect to Philippe banged their staffs. Philippe had a spring in his step and quicked his step. Odétte and Hernette were jogging to keep up with him.

They parted with Rohan as the doors to Philippe's and Henriette's apartments were opened. They found sat on a table Chevalier posing with a glass of wine.

"Welcome home," he said flirting. Philippe and Chevalier kissed. Henriette walked passed them eyes down. Odétte poured her a glass of wine handing it to her. Both ladies knew that the pair were going to be busy.

"I brought you a gift," Philippe said showing Chevalier a book. "It's a book," he whispered.

"I'd never have guessed," Chevalier said smiling.

"I rescued it from a burning monastery," Philippe said. Odétte handed him a glass of wine which he took. "A volume of scared anthems written by men of chastity. Naturally, I thought of you," pointing to Chevalier in just.

"You know me so well. Hm!" Chevalier opened the book and said. "Someone scribbled in it, on every page," flicking through pages.

"Then give it back, then. You shall have no present," Philippe pulled Chevalier towards his bedchamber.

"Here," Chevalier looked back over his shoulder and threw the book at Henriette. "Have a psalm," he closed the door behind him.

Henriette and Odétte looked at each other. Henriette looked down at the book in her hands and sighed. She sat down on a sofa. Odétte sighed and got back to work and left to get some food for her mistress and master. She found a follow maid walking towards the chambers.

"I was just about the down to the kitchens," Odétte smiled towards Josée.

"Thank you," Josée handed over the tray. "I can go back down."

Only after a couple of minutes, later a panicked and dishevelled Chevalier pushed open the second pair of doors to the chamber. As Odétte walked back into the apartment holding a tray of food and more wine. Philippe spotted Odétte a wicked grin on his face. He whistled to get her attention. Odétte looked up at him a stocked look on her face.

"You ever tasted champagne before?" he asked.

"No," Odétte whispered.

"You may be about to," he beckoned her towards her. Odétte looked back to Henriette who looked down. Odétte slowly walked towards Philippe's bedchamber her face down. She felt Philippe grab her bum. He followed her into the chamber closing the doors.

He kissed her hard on the lips. She pushed away from him tripping and falling onto the large bed.

"Sir," Odétte whispered as Philippe attracted her, kissing her neck and face.

"I just need a release," Philippe was breathless Odétte grabbed hold of his face. She searched his face. He looked sad and downcast.

"I know," she whispered kissing him on the lips softly.

"My brother gets everything," Philippe whispered.

"I have not slept with the King."

"Yet," Philippe said.

"I can not say if I will, or not," Odétte smiled and giggled. "He will have to wait."

"Odétte I love you," Philippe kissed her on the cheek. He helped her to sit up on the bed.

"I know," Odétte replied. "I love you too. And I will help you, but I am not the person to help you with your problem," they both looked down at Philippe's private areas, and both laughed. "I believe the saying is you have a hand," she waved her hand cheekily in his face. He knocked it out laughing with his friend.

"Sorry to scare you," Philippe's face harden.

"I know you are," Odétte said quietly. "Do not do that again to me."

Philippe nodded. Odétte could see that her master and friend needed help and support. War could change people, and Philippe had been affected by the conflict in ways that she knew were going to found out as time goes on. He ran his hands through her loose curls.

She helped him undo his beeches and then turned away as he took his release. As he finished, she handed him a cloth to clean himself off from the bedside table.

Philippe straightened his clothes and helped Odétte climb off the bed. Hand in hand Philippe opened the doors.

Henriette still sat on the sofa sat up. Odétte looked towards her Mistress and slightly smiled. Henriette breathed a sigh of relief. Odétte was safe and unharmed.

"Thank you, my dear," Philippe said.

Chapter 3

Odétte followed Henriette through the palace towards her 'friends' Madame de Montespan and Louise de La Vallière. They curtsied in respect and Henriette nodded in response. Odétte held back and watched the ladies talk but did not listen in to the discussion. But she knew that they were speaking of the King. She watched as Henriette carefully pushed in between them after around a minute of talking and followed her into the next chamber. She looked back and smiled at Louise who smiled back. Odétte could see that she was trying to use her friend Montespan but silently warned her not to trust her.

Bontemps requested Odétte to follow him after she had made sure that Henriette was ok, into the Kings council chambers. She stood listening to the ministers talk about matters of state.

"Cassel will come. I assure you of that," Said Louis.

"And if he does not, Sire?" asked Louvois.

"Yes?" asked Louis.

"If he does not, then you can be assured neither will de Havilland, de Menthon, de Gagnac, nor any of the other northern nobles," Louvois warned. "Who are all clients of de Cassel's. You will be all alone sire."

"How kind of you to remind me," Louis said.

"Good God, man; watch your tongue!" Minister Colbert called out. "Unless you're twice the idiot I already take you for."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought we won the war," Louvois stated. The chamber doors banged open, and Philippe strode in. Odétte looked from Louis towards Philippe.

"We would have, if you had only let us," Philippe spoke loudly marching to the council table.

"Official business, brother. Let the men do their work," Louis joked. Odétte rolled her eyes and glared at the King. He noticed this; he now knew for sure that she had kicked him on purpose and was still angry with him for some reason.

"I think everyone knows the full reason why the war is over," Philippe pointed out. He looked over to Odétte who was now looking at him worry spread across her face. Rising his hand up and continued. "You are standing in it."

"Sire, your brother has returned to court without remembering, perhaps, where he is," Colbert said he looked over at Odétte who looked down at her shoes.

"Unlike Louvois, my brother knows exactly where he is standing," Louis calmly said he was looking straight at his brother watching him. "Of that I am sure."

"Three cheers, then!" Philippe demanded. "Lets us dance on the broken backs of your bravest men."

"Cease," Louis calmly commanded his brother slightly bowing his back as he spoke.

Philippe played stocked tilting his head slightly as if it listen better. "Sorry. What was that?" He lent on the table focussed on his brother. "Oh, you mean halt!" Philippe shouted the last word. "Now, there's a command."

Odétte moved around the table to stand next to Philippe to calm him down if needed.

"Sire, it is clear your brother is not himself," Bontemps stated.

"If not himself, then who is he?" Louis questioned.

"I am the sound of distant thunder," Philippe again held his arms up to prove his point.

"Leave us," Louis commanded his ministers to leave the room. He waved Odétte towards his younger brother knowing that she might be able to calm him. When the ministers had left Louis spoke again. "Your first act on return is to mortify me, brother?"

Philippe walked towards Louis. "You took my victory. So I take from you your pride."

"Your victory?" Louis asked shortly.

"Your glory."

"Your victory?" Louis asked again.

"And everything you hold dear," Philippe continued.

"You are not well," Louis looked towards Odétte who again was looking at her feet her golden loose curls covering her face.

"I do wish you could see yourself," Philippe stated. "Deaf to advice, blinded by sin, indifferent to everything but your own dreams. No matter how great, you will have your palace."

"What did I tell you, in the woods?" Louis asked.

"Good men died in the lie that you spun!"

"You said you could be trusted," Louis continued.

"You were sure of the outcome before the first cannons fired. A game!" Philippe shouted at his brother.

"You said you would have my back," Louis shouted back.

Both brothers looked away from each other in anger. Odétte watched the brother with a heavy heart and a growing headache. Philippe walked to stand behind Louis and said. "Where am I now?" Before walking away grabbing Odétte's arm and pulling her from the room. They left Louis alone.

"Sir," Odétte whispered to Philippe stopping him from pulling her across the palace. He let go of her arm and looked at her wide-eyed in pain. "I think you need to rest. Come," he followed her as she led him through the servant passageways away from the eyes of the court.

As soon as they reached his bedchamber, she helped him undress and put him to bed. She closed all of the curtains at making sure the light of the day would not disrupt his rest. She requested that his manservants give him a couple of hours rest and not to wake him.

Little did Odétte know that the King was plotting with Montespan in the private chapel. Montespan had requested the use of first Odétte to travel with her to talk with Cassel. This request was turned down, but Louis and so Sophie was chosen instead.

Chapter 3

The next time Odétte saw the King was once again was when working in the small chamber sat with Henriette. Both were reading quietly.

"A diverting volume?" Louis asked Henriette.

"Not in the least, I'm afraid," Henriette replied hiding the pages from Louis.

Louis looked around the room and noticed Odétte too reading he nodded and spoke. "I've stolen your lady," Henriette nodded slightly Louis continued. "Madame de Montespan had need of a young girl."

"I see," Henriette smiled. "Well, of course. Anything for Athénaïïs."

Louis turned to face the window before turning back to Henriette. Both were unsure of what to say to each other. Louis noticed the cover of the book Henriette was held close to her.

"Where did you find this?" Louis asked.

"My husband brought it back from the front," She looked at the book. "It was a present for the Chevalier."

"A hand-me-done," Louis said with a smile.

"I'm used to it," Henriette spoke the truth she was used to her husband and her friend's attention being as where. Louis took the book from her. He thumbed through some of the pages. At the top of each page was a symbol.

"Where did you say my brother found this?" Louis quietly asked. Odétte looked up at the pair and watched the king.

"Sire, I believe your brother found it in a monastery that was burning. He rescued it," Odétte said. Henriette nodded in support. "It was close to the front line."

"Thank you," Louis said before turning and marching out of the room.

Both women let out a sigh of relieve as they watched him leave.

Chapter 4

Odétte back standing around the king's meeting table. She stood next to Louis and many of the other ministers of the French court. They were waiting for Fabien Marchal to arrive with his findings on the code.

"I have identified this as a Cistercian codex from the Low Countries," Fabien placed the codebook down in front of Louis. "Very rare. Almost forgotten," he continued. Louis flicked through the pages. "Used, it appears, as an alternative to Roman numerals."

"So these are merely numbers?" Asked Minister Louvois.

"Which correspond to letters," Fabien showed the table the full code written out in a notebook. "The book hails from Cambrai, sire, in the Spanish Netherlands, which would suggest the plot to kill you originated there as well." Odétte looked between the two men. "The Dutch were nervous of our war. They meant to stop it by any means in their power."

"Do you suppose William of Orange would send a man to kill me?" Asked Louis.

"I do not just suppose, sire. I believe it," Fabien stated plainly. "And what is more they were sent to find a friendly face, which means that their supports are amongst us, and they will certainly try again."

"I can ask around the servants to find out if they know anything," Odétte spoke up. Louis, Fabien and Bontemps nodded.

The meeting was dismissed. Most of the men left the room leaving Louis, Odétte and Bontemps alone. Bontemps turned away from the pair to give them some privacy.

"You could get hurt doing this," Louis whispered pulling Odétte close to him.

"I am always careful," Odétte whispered back. "I am sure we can find out who is behind this plot soon."

Chapter 5

Later that night a thunderstorm sat over Paris and Versailles. Odétte was busy helping her lady get ready for bed. She would usually have helped Philippe too, but he was off as were having gone to talk with his brother. She would find him later before she went to bed herself.

Walking back to her chambers she heard people talking from inside Louise's room. Odétte knew that she should be fast asleep and hearing voices from the room at this time recently was out of the ordinary. She knocked on the door and slowing and quietly opened the door. She spotted Louise sitting up in bed a scared look on her face and Philippe with a menacing grin on his.

"I am very sorry my Lady I heard voices and wanting to make sure that you were ok," Odétte rushed out to say looking around at the scene in front of her.

"Oh, my dear little songbird, Odétte I was just talking with the Lady," Philippe jumped off the bed suddenly shocking both ladies. "Why is it my brother ends up sleeping with…"

"My Lord, please stop," Odétte interrupted stepping towards the man. "And you knew that he has not had me in his bed," Odétte sighed. "You are not well, please you need to sleep. You are not the same as you once were. I can boil you some water and make you some nice hot tea for you to calm down."

"You know that you are not the boss of me," Shout whispered Philippe pulling Odétte into a hug. "I do not have to take orders from you. You are nothing more than a servant."

"I am very sorry. My lady; he has not been the same from the war," Odétte pulled Philippe out of the chamber and back to his bedchamber. "You are a bloody fool, Philippe. Why were you in her bedchamber in her bed?"

"I was just," Philippe stopped. "I am sorry. I did it again."

"Tomorrow, you need to say sorry to Louise," Odétte said.

"How?" Philippe asked.

"She wants to leave. His Majesty no longer going to her bed," Philippe nodded his head. "We are trying to get His Majesty to say yes. So she can go to a nunnery to be at peace with herself. Have I not said this before?"

"If you did I was not listening," Philippe laughed.

"Maybe you should listen," Odétte stated. "You are not yourself. Just how much did you drink.?"

Chapter 6

The next night Philippe decided to sleep with his wife. He was drunk, but there was little anyone could do to stop him. Odétte slept in fits of starts knowing that her friend was unwell and she could not help him. Bontemps around very early next morning awoke her.

"His Majesty wants to talk with you," Bontemps had said. Odétte rushed to get dressed and presentable for the King. She followed Bontemps out of the palace to Louis who was talking with the head gardener. She curtsied to the King who smiled down at her. He nodded for the gardener to continue.

"Three sons, all dead," The gardener stated. Odétte felt for the older man. "Killed in your service."

"My prayers are with them," Louis said truthfully.

"There's really no need, sire," The Gardener looked over at Odétte and back at the gardens. "There's no place for us in the house of God.

"There is if you are reconciled," Louis said talking and thinking about both of them.

"I need no confession, sire," The Gardener said. "For I know I did not sin."

Louis looked down at Odétte he smiled. "If you say so," he gave a short laugh and turned to the gardener before taking Odétte's arm.

"May your celebrations be glorious, sire," The Gardener bowed his head with a grin.

"I will make sure of it. I always do," Louis led Odétte to walk away.

"May I ask?" Odétte asked Louis not wanting to ask a silly question.

"He fought for my father," Louis replied. "I was asking about the effects of war on a man."

"Philippe?"

"Yes," Louis simply said.

"I have tried to stop him from the drinking and foolishness. Your Majesty, he is not the same man as he once was. I fear for him, sire. It is if he wants to die," Odétte whispered the last part.

"There must be a way for helping him," Louis questioned.

"Time and hope I think," Odétte sighed and walked on into a less public part of the grounds.

"On to topics much more fun will you be on duty at tonight's celebrations?" Louis asked. He stopped her and pulled her close into him kissing her hard on the lips.

"If my King wishes it I am happy to service you," She kissed him back. Louis pulled her into a small row of trees. He picked her up and pushed her back towards a tree wrapping her legs around his middle. His hands running over her bodice and pulled up her long shirts.

"Sire," Bontemps cleared his throat and called out from the open.

"You should go," Odétte said out of breath as she climbed down the Louis.

"I will see you tonight?" Odétte nodded and kissed Louis. She straightened out her dress and her hair which was a mess. Louis did the same. He cleared his throat and walked out towards his manservant. "Yes, Bontemps?"

"Sire, we must start to get ready for tonight's events," Bontemps said.

"Of course," Louis looked back as he walked with Bontemps into the palace. He laughed and had a stip in his step. Bontemps noticed and looked back to see the young maid; she looked fairly kissed. There were leaves in her hair. Bontemps smiled and shook his head and followed his friend and lord inside. Bontemps was happy to help the two young people in what they were doing.

Odétte hid back behind a tree a broad smile breaking out on her face. She let out a long breath to compose herself before she went back to work. The other servant's watched as Odétte hummed her way through gathering together Philippe's and Henriette's breakfasts in the kitchen. They all noticed that she still had a leaf in her hair still.

Putting down the tray in front of Philippe lap and Odétte noticed that he looked a little worst of wears. She gave him a small grin and placed another tray on Henriette's lap. Before turning to leave and continue her morning routine.

"Oh, Odétte. How is my brother this morning?" Philippe asked noticing the young maid's slightly dishevelled appearance.

"I believe he is in high sprints for tonight's events," Odétte sweetly replied.

"My dear Odétte have you taken to climbing trees," Philippe pointed his hair. Odétte rushed over to the nearest mirror. She closed her eyes and gasped running her fingers through her hair to detangle the leaf from her waves.

"No sir, I was in the grounds talking with the gardeners. You both must see the corpse of trees down by…"

"This my brother now a gardener," Philippe found it funny and wanted to tease his young friend. "And here I thought that he was a King. Silly of me."

"Stop teasing her, Philippe," Henriette laughed at the scene eating an apple slice. "Odétte why don't you take some time to rest before tonight."

"Odétte I have had your outfit for tonight placed in your room," Philippe called out as Odétte left the room.

Chapter 7

The celebration was beautiful. Lights placed in a pattern that matched stairs. Some of Louis's favourite music was played to welcome guests. Odétte in a gold and silver dress served drinks to Louis, and some of the most welcome guests sat around him.

"Enchanting evening, don't you think?" Louis asked Louise.

"Yes, sire. Delightful," Louise replied. She was still not happy. Odétte poured her a glass of wine and a sugar sweet undercover. Louise looked up at Odétte in thanks.

"Soon," Odétte spoke quietly and softly to Louise under her breath. Only she and the Queen heard the message being passed both women nodded. Henriette noticed this nodded Odétte over to her to stand next to her. Louise peeled the sweet and let the sugar's sweetness wash over her. All watched the entertainment in front of them as well as many of the guests getting ready to be presented to the royal party.

Louis spotted Monstpan in the crowd of guests a smiled towards her he nodded his thanks before looking towards Odétte who was looking around. He noticed Odétte searching for someone and knew who. Philippe. He nodded to her to be able to leave and explore more for him. Odétte moved away from the royal party but stayed close by.

"It is done, sire," Fabien said to Louis as Cassel walked up to be presented. Duke of Cassel relugutly bowed to Louis. Louis showed his hand that he wears the royal ring on to Cassel to bend the knee and kiss. Cassel was not happy to do so. Louis seat still and waited. When Cassel bent over to kiss the hand of the King, Louis lowered it forcing the man to bend lower in a bow. Odétte watched and would have laughed at the silliness of it all. But she did not.

"Bow to your King," Louis calmly demanded Cassel. Cassel was left bowing for a long time over a minute or so. When let Cassel straight upright and started to move away from the King. "As children, we are told not to play with fire. But they seem to enjoy it," motioning over the fire dancers.

"I see no merit in it. No skill," Cassel argued.

"Oh, I don't know," Louis countered. "A little burning is good for the soul, don't you think?"

Odétte was now standing next to Fabien listening to the two men argue. Cassel looked at Odétte the same way as it had done earlier to Sophie. Odétte was just his type, young and pure. Odétte saw this a hid as much as she could behind Fabien. Fabien noticed as well and pulled her away from Cassel's view.

"Thank you," Odétte whispered.

"Happy to help," Fabien quietly replied. "Any news?"

"Some, look into the guests that are still waiting for their papers. Some of the servants have told me that many leave for long periods to go riding and other actives for longer than they should. They have seen them passing notes to each other," Odétte quietly said. "I was unable to get any names yet."

"It's a start, at least," Fabien said. "Keep me informed of any more news."

Odétte nodded and continued her search. She had missed the last part of Louis and Cassel's disagreement.

Fireworks exposed. Odétte watched as the bright colours of the fireworks lit up the nights sky. Cheering from the crowns of guest rang out. She spotted Philippe glass of wine in hand. She walked to his side, and he handed her over the glass for a new one to replace it. He walked up to his brother and smiled.

"I thought he'd never leave," Philippe toasted his brother. "Drink with me," He handed over the glass of red wine to Louis. Odétte again placed another glass to Philippe. He spotted Louise sat looking bored and miserable. "You look splendid this evening!"

Philippe walked away.

"I am very grateful that you are here, brother," Louis called to his brother.

"And for once, I'm inclined to believe you, brother," Philippe sat down next to Henriette. Both chuckled and drank the wine deeply.

"Odétte can you hear that?" Phillipe asked.

"Just the fireworks, sir," Odétte replied.

"Not the gunshot and screams," Odétte shook her head. Henriette looked to them worried.

"Brother?" Louis asked.

"Philippe?" Odétte asked.

Philippe almost ran from his chair towards the fireworks. Louis rose to follow him. "Brother!" he tried again. Both men walked into the smoke of the fire and disappeared. Henriette looked towards Odétte who watched everyone unable to help.