Je T'aime.

XLII. A Mother's Love

"Shit," I gasped to myself, holding my skirts up as I sped-walk through the long corridor of Schönbrunn Palace. I dodged a few footmen still bringing in belongings and baggage. The hall was soaked in sun, streaking the art on the walls with golden blocks of light. It was four hours later than my mother expected me. Hopefully she wouldn't notice. Maybe she did, maybe she didn't. "Shit, shit, shit."

I hoped that Isabella didn't get in trouble. If she did I would take the blame for it. It was the least that I could do. Turning the corner, I nearly smacked into a Swiss Guard. "My apologies, Madame," he said, bowing deeply at the waist. "Her Majesty sent us to search for you."

"Did she?" I implored, my heart rising in my chest. "Well, there's no need. I'm right here. Where is she?"

"In the drawing room, Your Highness."

"Thank you. At ease," the guard bowed to me again. Did anyone know what 'at ease' meant? Certainly not me, as I hurried my pace and began gritting my teeth with nerves. I caught a reflection of myself in a vase in the hall. God, this fichu looked awful. But it was better than letting my mother see obvious evidence of sin.

At least Isabella could blame anything on her husband. I had no scapegoat- any evidence turned myself into an adulteress. As an unwed maiden, I was supposed to be a virgin- I laughed to myself at that- and as a fiancee, official or unofficial, I was set to him. Luckily Albert was not here to be swept into any issues that may arise. It was for his own good.

I turned on my heel and stormed into the drawing room. Upon seeing the scene within I halted in my tracks. Shimmering like imperial jewels in the sun was my mother, her spectacles balanced on the tip of her nose, paging through manuscripts. Around her like attentive muses were her ladies-in-waiting, the wives of Austria's most powerful. They tootled at some domestic task- embroidering, lace making, writing letters, sketching. As soon as I emerged they lifted their heads, almost in unison, as if I had shattered their serenity. One lady, working on her needlework in the back, locked her chocolate eyes with mine, paired with a delicate smile.

My mother looked over the top of her glasses, making her almost look dual-eyed. "There you are, Mimi, where in God's name did you run off to?"

"I went to go see Father Lachner," I lied. "I wanted to ensure blessings for the new season."

My mother smiled softly. "That's my girl," I couldn't believe that worked. "Is that a new fashion? High fichu and brooch combination?"

I chuckled to myself, but I felt my cheeks turning red. "Uh- no. My skin has just been strangely sensitive to the sun recently."

My mother licked her fingertips and turned a page. "Well, the weather is warming up, and you can spend some more time outside. That should even it out."

Without skipping a beat or looking up from her lace making, one lady commented, "I don't mind it. I think it is very becoming of a young lady. An Archduchess should contain the privilege of such a fabric allowance to cover herself."

Another lady replied, "It would be a travesty to cover up a young lady's youthful beauty while she still has it. What is your opinion, Isabella?"

The Crown Princess looked up from her needlework, seemingly bewildered by her sudden inclusion into the conversation. "Well," she exhaled, "I think that whatever fashions my dear sister-in-law prefers, she pulls off remarkably well, and may as well be the greatest Viennese beauty."

I felt my face flushing again. The prudish lady again commented, "It is unanimously agreed that the title goes to Archduchess Maria Elisabeth."

Isabella replied, "Then my opinion shall swim against the current."