Je T'aime.

XXXIX. The Plan

I woke up in the morning with my eyes puffy and my nose clogged. That night I had cried myself to sleep. How could things have gone so wrong so quickly?

Even the mirror betrayed me. My hair looked like a blonde bird's nest, and my face left much to be desired. I sniffled and wiped my nose on the back of my hand. There were imprints across my arms from the seams on my pillows.

I stood and washed my face in the basin, hoping that the cool water would reduce the swelling of my face. Water dripped from my nose the way it did from hers in the garden.

No. I shook off the thought. It would only make me worse. I thought about going for a ride, but then reconsidered when I remembered that involved being left alone with my thoughts. Gladiator couldn't talk. I didn't think he could be of much help, even if he could.

My door opened. "Good morning, good morning!" said Pia cheerfully, setting down a stack of clean linens on my dresser. "I think the rain's going to hold off today!"

I couldn't help but let a smile cross my face at Pia's good mood and goofiness. "How can you tell?" I said without turning towards her.

"Farm girl intuition. I'd say it's because the cows are all standing in the middle of the field, but-" she peered out of the window, "There aren't any cows here. Definitely heifers, but no cows. Old Frau Fischer, she's a heifer for sure."

Through a giggle I said, "Pia, that's not very nice."

"There we go," Pia sat down on the edge of the bed next to me. "Now, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, Pia."

Pia gave me a kind of half-irritated glare. "I've known you for almost five years, Christina, I know when something's wrong. And Isabella doesn't seem too cheery either."

At the mention of her name I brightened. "You saw her? How is she?"

"In the same mood as you. But she handed me this," Pia reached into her pocket and pulled out a letter with a blue wax seal. As I reached for it, Pia pulled back. "Aht, you have to tell me what's going on first."

"Pia-"

Pia insisted, "Tell me."

"Joseph found out. He's forbidding Isabella and I from seeing each other unless we're being supervised."

Pia took a deep sigh. "Damn," She placed her hand on top of mine. "I'll see what I can do to help. I've got a lot of tricks up my sleeve. Now you open that."

I smiled at Pia and opened the letter, greeted by Isabella's charming script.

My dearest Christina,

I hope that this letter finds you well. The last twenty-four hours have taken an absolute dive. I write to you in urgency. The news has been shared to me that my husband has discovered our interactions, and that he believes that you manipulated me. I wish to tell you outright that his statement is not and will never be true. I love you with all of my heart, and my care for you has been completely willing ever since I met you. I am so, so horribly sorry. This is all my fault. I should have been more careful, more willing, more sweet- there are so many things I could have been.

I am stuck between two hard places. As much as I love you I have a sense of duty to my husband, and I understand that he only means good by me. Please do not fear for me while I am in his company. But will all of my energy, I will not allow him to separate us. We must find a way to meet under his nose.

I ask dearly that you employ Pia if you are able. She will be the greatest ally that we can have. Eleanore is also on board. I will meet with Francois and we will see what we can do. Recognize that blue seal- letters will be passed to you in any method possible. This act by my husband the Crown Prince cannot and will not separate us. Our love is a love that can shake the earth.