❝ Tell me losing everything is what saved you,
Tell me you finally tasted freedom.
Can you even imagine yourself in paradise?
Even the daughter of gods must know loneliness, must sometimes want nothing more than to be trapped in a hell of forevers...
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Mechelen, Antwerp, Burgundy
Charlotte was sitting outside in the gardens, smiling at the sight of William and Greta walking together, hand in hand. It had been a few months since they had married and they seemed happy together.
"I have news," a voice spoke up, causing Charlotte to smile as she turned to look at Teddy. "Nan received the letter Lizzie sent."
"Which means Lily knows about Spain," Charlotte realized, a satisfied look on her face. "It means she and Henry will be traveling to Spain to ask for an alliance."
"Isn't that a bad thing?" Teddy asked, a concerned look on his face.
"Isabella and Ferdinand will only agree if they can ensure that they daughter is marrying the only heir to the throne," Charlotte explained. "That means that you and William must die. Maybe even Kathryn and her child. But Lily won't be able to do it. She might be able to execute William since she doesn't know he is her brother, but I doubt she could kill you. She knows you're her cousin. And she won't be able to order Kathryn's execution, no matter that her children have a better claim than hers."
"The Tudors won't be able to touch Kathryn," Teddy murmured. "She's the Duchess of Burgundy, she's carrying the Count of Charolais. Of all us, she is safe at least."
Charlotte nodded. "That's why I insisted on her marrying Phillip and on the Valois honoring Charles' betrothal to Nora. Why I had Bess go to Scotland."
Teddy quirked an eyebrow. "Not only for the alliance?"
"I needed them safe," Charlotte insisted. "And in this case, marrying meant safety. If you were a girl, I'd have found you a husband as well. Perhaps in Italy. Maybe I should start looking for some heiress you can marry."
Teddy's face sent her laughing immediately.
─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────
Château d'Amboise, France,
Lizzie left the Great Hall the moment that Nora nodded at her. The revelries were becoming more and more boisterous and it was time for the young children to be put to bed.
So she took her young niece into her arms as the nursemaids of her household herded the other children back and left the celebrations. Once Adele was safely in bed, sleeping soundly, she felt as if she could finally breath again.
A spirited rendition of a Volta sounded from within the walls, Lizzie swaying lightly to the rhythm of the song. Her head buzzed with the lasting effect of French wine, and she laughed into the open night like a woman crazed.
"Enjoying yourself?" A familiar voice sounded from one corner. She turned to the intruder, her demeanor perking up as soon as she saw him.
John de Foix was leaning against the wall, his eyes a little unfocused from all of the wine he had consumed throughout the night. He seemed surprised to see her so uncontrolled, his eyes dropping to give her a once over before bowing dramatically.
