Bound By Fate (Revising/Editing)

Prologue: (Edited)

Prologue:

Palace of Versailles

May 5th, 1789

Madeline's POV:

As the night settles over the palace as everyone showed their invitations after getting out of the carriages with the assistance of their husbands or their drivers. People were milling around outside as it was a beautiful night to be out. The air was cool from the warmth of today. It was rather pleasant and not too stuffy at all. Another soiree that was dulled not knowing why these things were invented for women who were like us. After all, normal women follow society-women like me do not.

Many ladies were dancing in the hall of mirrors and enjoying themselves. The gentleman was having their usual business talks and sipping on their glasses of alcohol. Laughter and chatter were going on. It was the same old thing that every little girl dreams of, but here I was feeling like I was missing something important. Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me again. What more do I need than what I have already?

As I looked down into the crowd, I tilted my head to the side as my eyes saw someone moving a little fast in the crowd. A smirk spread across my lips as I shook my head before slipping back into the party that was going on right now. I managed to find a certain redhead while I paused before her and leaned in close to whisper against her ear, "I am certain that I saw someone downstairs."

She turns her blue amused gaze on me as we share an amusing smirk, "It's him. Isn't it?"

I nodded, "Indeed it is."

She grin in return while we wandered to the side of the room and waited for that man to appear in the room with us. Elise De La Serre let out a long sigh, but there was a sparkle in her blue eyes as a soft smile spread across her lips, "He is always full of surprises."

A soft chuckle escaped from my lips while I nodded my agreement with her, "Too bad you guys keep dancing around each other."

"You know why, Madeline." She pointed out with a pouty expression.

A solemn nod was my response to her words as I knew why they had to be secretive like this. It was her father, and even though I don't know the full story between the two of them. It was obvious that they were a match made in heaven. There was something else going on as well, but as always, I didn't press on those certain issues. With a deep breath that escaped from my lips, I took a glass of bubbling liquid and took a sip of it. Elise tapped my shoulder twice, and I knew someone was coming over to us, but the signal was from someone else who was in our inner circle as well.

"Speaking of someone..." She murmured with that knowing tone in her voice.

I turn around to see a familiar man standing there looking good in his formal clothing. He closed the distance between us while speaking, "Ladies, I was hoping to run into you two."

Julien Jean Gaston was the protegee of his father, and he was a beautiful man. He was handsome and a very tall man with enticing brown eyes that looked amber in the lighting. His light brown hair flutters across his forehead before slipping back with the rest of his tendrils. The man took my hand in his and pressed a kiss against the back of my hand. It made something flutter in my stomach as he did the same thing to Elise as well. She only politely smiles before taking her hand away from his. Then she pushed me forward, "Would you be so kind in taking my dear friend out to the dance floor?"

"Elise..." I hissed out to her.

"Of course. How can I say no to such a beautiful woman?" He gave us a geninue smile, and my heart fluttered in my chest.

He took my hand and led me out to the dance floor while shooting a look over my shoulder at Elise. She was grinning as if she won the grand prize of the night. It certainly was something to see. She was my sister-in-arms and the best friend that anyone could have ever asked for. Julien guided me to the front of him and placed my hand with his own. His other hand found my back as he asked, "Ready?"