French Angel

XII. - Chapter Twelve

I know it has been a long, very long while since my last update, but despite everything happening, I have been unbelievably busy. Therefore, this chapter is the roughest of them all. Not edited at all just written in an hour or two by a sleepyhead whose mind is in another universe.

But, I would like to dedicate this chapter - once it is really worth the read - to the lovely @arrow_bravehart who has pushed me to get back to writing this book - something I thought I had given up. Thank you so much for everything! Your support means everything!

So, without further ado... enjoy the chapter.

"Richard, think of what you're doing!" Rolenth tried yet again to grab Richard's arm, and stop him before he got not only himself but him, and Rose killed as well.

But Richard would not – could not, stop. He made twice now that mistake of listening to his friend, and both times it cost him dearly. Richard's fists clenched. His angel was in that castle, defenceless against her father, brother and especially the French king.

"Do you truly think Angélique is here?" Rose asked, her voice hoarse. The journey took long; their water and food supplies ran out quickly. Captain and Lord Stamford were no doubt experienced enough to fight the merciless enemies and sea storms they have had encountered during their travel, but when it came to thinking of one's Lady needs, they were as clueless as a toddler.

Rose wanted her friend back as much as Richard but a woman her statue could not even hope to match his determination. Once they stepped upon French soil, there was no time for rest. Rose and Rolenth hoped once they found Angélique, she would come with them back home and all would be well, but coming doom lingered in the air around them like a cloak of mist.

Gasps echoed around a beautiful garden as they approached the open, large glass door. Richard did not notice but Rose looked around and her breath was taken away by the grandiosity of the place where Angélique lived.

She was so distracted that she let go of her hold of her gown. The material tangled in her step, causing her to stumble, were it not for Captain Rolenth quick assist, she would end up spawned on soft-looking glass in front of a court of beautifully dressed ladies.

Rose smiled up at the man who has become her fierce protector. The momentary distraction caused them to lose sight of Richard.

Suddenly, voices came from within the building. Rose was taught French but the speed at which they were speaking made it almost impossible for her to translate. Rolenth did not waist for her to. He took off running towards the commotion with Rose following closely behind.

The scene that greeted them was one of which neither expected.

Richard was in the middle of a room full of noblemen. He knew what the French king looked like from his portrait on French ships they confiscated as the spoils of victory. Young as he might be; the king did not possess any trails one skilled in the art of fight should.

Before anyone understood there was a foreigner in their home, Richard had the king at the sharp edge of this sword.

"Where is my wife?" Richard asked him. Although he knew enough French to speak in the king's language, Richard wanted this conversation to be on his terms, in his mother tongue.

"Je ne comprends pas-" the king started. His voice was as shaky as his hands which were raised in a gesture of surrender. ^"I do not understand-"^

"My wife!" Richard yelled frantically. He needed her back, he needed to make it all right, he needed to apologise. But most of it all, he needed to tell her how much he loved her.

"Who is your wife" one of the elder gentlemen asked. Richard looked over and was stroke by the familiarity of the man. His features were so similar to his angel that he could not be anyone else but her father.

"Angélique," Richard whispered. But then his happiness at seeing some sort of Angélique vanished only to be replaced by boiling rage. This man had hurt his angel. Richard narrowed his eyes at the elderly man and noticed how his face lost even more colour after hearing the name of his daughter.

"Richard-" Rolenth started but the king's voice drowned his out.

"Angéli is back?! Here?" The king turned to the Angélique's father with a cutting look, disregarding the tip of Richard's sword a breath away from his throat.

"Mon roi," Angélique's father stumbled back a step. He looked around the room, searching for something. When he found it, his brows drew in a deep frown. ^"My King,"^

"Mon fils, tu sais quelque chose?" His voice raspy, worried. Upon the younger man's headshake, his shoulders slumped with what no doubt was a relief. ^"My son, do you know anything?"^

"You do not know she came back to France?" Rose's voice echoed Richard's and Rolenth's surprise. Rolenth narrowed his eyes, determined to read beyond words. His suspicion was put to rest as the king turned to Richard.

"Angélique never came back home." A concerned, or curious even, look crossed the king's face. "If she came back to France, she is somewhere out there. All by herself, my Lady cannot fend for herself, she is vulnerable to be taken advantage of."

Richard considered the king's words before withdrawing his sword. His mind racing with possibilities of what could have befallen his beloved.

"Guards!" The king's voice boomed around them. "This is it. We're doomed. And it's my damn own fault." Rolenth though as guards filled the doorway.

"Englishmen, Lady," the king nodded his head in greeting. "I believe we have the same goal." He nodded his head a few times.

"I will allow your menace to pass if you agree to take a few guards and search for Lady Angélique." The king's words stunned his noblemen probably more than them judging by their shocked and scandalous looks.

"Deal." Richard readily agreed, eager to have his angel in his arms once again.

"Perfect." The king clapped his hands, an eerie smile stretched upon his lips. "General J'loius if you wouldn't mind staying behind to brief us in before you set off." The king said before he turned to them again. "Please for the moment, enjoy our hospitality." One of the guards stepped forth and bowed to the king.

"Guess that means we ought to follow the fellow," Rolenth murmured under his thick moustache. Without any other word being spoken they begun to leave.

Just as they stepped into the hall, the king's voice reached them. "Englishman, do bring my Angéli back home." Richard's jaw locked as his anger came quicker and harder than before.

Rolenth linger behind. The last he heard from the room was, "we need to get rid of those pesticides." A chill ran down his spine at the maliciousness in the king's voice.

TO BE CONTINUED... next week.

Spread the love - safely - and happiness. With love, D.E.