Light streamed through the windows; I slowly opened my eyes half expecting to see the inside of my shop but I was still in the Palace. I sat up and got out of bed as the door opened and Constance walked in.
"How are you feeling?" she said with a smile
"I'm not sure" my voice was raw
"I have some food and some tea with honey for you" she opened a carved wardrobe and pulled out a pretty blue dress "The Queen has given you some clothes"
"What am I going to do?"
"You're going to get dressed eat and then the Queen would like to see you" she moved around the room and opened the door letting a servant bring in food and drinks.
I felt a little better having something warm inside of me. Constance linked my arm as we walked down a hall way other people milling around looking at me with looks of shock
"I hate this" I said looking down "People are staring"
"Well you look like you have been in a bit of a fight" She squeezed my arm
"What does the Queen want with me?"
"She want's to make sure that you are alright" Constance opened a door and we stepped into a pretty looking drawing room. The Queen was sitting at a table writing a letter "Majesty. I've brought Estelle to see you" The Queen folded the paper and dripped wax on to it before placing her seal into the hot wax.
"Estelle, I have been worried about you"
"I'm fine" I assured her "Just a little tired and sore"
'I have spoken to the King about what happened last night' I grew wide eyed "He is speaking with The Cardinal right now" I groaned
"I don't want to be a problem" Constance poured a drink for all of us and handed them to the Queen and then to me
"You were attacked by men that are supposed to protect the people of Paris, and you were disrespected when you are important to me" The Queen had a frown on her face "I am a little more concerned as to why you were out in the streets after you left with Athos?"
"Athos an I..." I walked to the fire "There is something that is..." I sat down and looked at the drink in my hands "I can't explain it, because I can't explain it in my own mind... I'm sorry"
"No, there is no need to be sorry, I understand that love has many complications and ramifications" She looked into the fire "For all of us" She looked at Constance. The door knocked and opened and one of the kings servants walked in
"The King requests your presence your Majesty" He said bowing to her "The English Envoy has gifts for you"
"Very well" She got to her feet "Constance, Estelle you shall both attend with me" The Queen walked out with her Ladies in waiting and Constance and I followed.
"I thought the King and the Envoy were going hunting?" I said quietly.
"They were but the snow became to thick so they have been playing Chess and talking politics apparently" She smiled at me, The double doors were opened and the chatter of the court filled the air. The Queen walked through the room everyone bowing and curtsying to her. I moved to the side of the room with Constance.
"I thought the King was going to be here" I whispered
"Oh he will be he likes to make and entrance" She smoothed her hands over her skirts the doors opened again. I felt sick to my stomach as the Cardinal walked in with one of the Red guards that had hit me the night before. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "You're safe" Constance said giving my hand a squeeze; I opened my eyes and looked at her and smiled my thanks.
The King and the English Envoy walked into the room followed by Captain Treville and the Musketeers. I watched as they all took in the room. Athos stopped in his tracks as he saw me, I looked down and took a step back almost hiding behind Constance.
I looked out of the window as the chatter continued and there were OOH's and Ahhh's as gifts were presented to the King and Queen. I chewed my lip and instantly regretted it as I re opened the split in it.
"I need to get out of here" I said quietly to Constance "I'm not ready to face him, I'm struggling to breath" I swallowed hard and inhaled
"It's just Athos" She frowned at me handing me a small silk handkerchief to dab the blood from my lip
"I know but I feel like an idiot"
"You're not" she held my hands "Be strong"
I wasn't going to get out of this; I just couldn't bring myself to look at him. My hands felt cold and clamy with nerves.
"Constance" I swayed a little at the sound of Athos's voice "May I speak with Estelle?"
"I don't know; are you going to break her heart all over again?" Constance snapped "Have you any idea what she went through last night. She was arrested by the Red Guard"
"Constance" I nudged her she let out a huge breath and raised her chin annoyance was etched all over her face
"Estelle" Athos reached for my hand and tugged gently on it "Please look at me" I paused for a minute before turning to face him his eyes got wide as he looked at the split on my lip and the cut on my cheek. "What happened to you?"
"The Red Guard and the Cardinal that's what happened" Constance huffed.
"I'm sorry, I need some air" I pushed between them and hurried around the edge of the room, and out of the doors at the other side
YOU ARE READING
Lost in the pages
RomanceHave you ever got so lost in a book it's as if you were actually there. Estelle Bennett was left a little Old bookstore that used to belong to her grandmother, it was a place that Estelle had loved since being a child and her Grandmother had always...
