Je T'aime.

XLVI. Impolite Whispers

Somehow, word had gotten out. 

I hadn't said anything. I doubted that my mother or Joseph would have said anything either. But soon, before I even knew it, rumors about Isabella's condition were floating around court. Her name was on everyone's lips, whether they had the right to speak of her or not. It was constant, a flurrying of words that came from all angles, speaking of all kinds of accusations. These people spoke as if they knew, but they didn't know a damn thing! Even the idea of interacting with them filled me with nausea. I was determined to stay in my chambers all day. If they couldn't see Isabella, they couldn't see me, either. They could talk whatever kind of crap about me that they wished if it kept Isabella out of the discussion. 

I laid in bed, the blankets pulled up over my head to keep out the light of day. The time went faster if I was able to sleep, but it was nearly ten o'clock and much too late for me to doze off again. Just as I reached for a book, I heard a door open, then familiar footsteps. "I'm not getting up, Pia." 

The blankets were pulled from my face, blinding me with crisp sunlight. Pia's freckled face appeared over mine. Draped over her arm was a cream-colored gown decorated with fine lace and embroidered roses. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice," said Pia. "I have specific orders to get you up and dressed no matter how you protest."

"And who gave you these orders?" 

"The Empress." 

There was no argument there. I pushed myself up into a seated position and began putting my stockings on. "What's so important that my mother needs me for? I have plenty of other sisters she could have chosen from." 

Pia brought me my shoes, made of scarlet leather with a jeweled buckle. "It's a luncheon with visiting dignitaries. You've been called in place of Isabella."

"Ugh, Pia!" I moaned. "But I don't want to make pleasantries with dignitaries!"

Pia tugged firmly at my stays, causing a sharp tension in my stomach that made me briefly queasy. In the mirror, I could see her brow furrow. "Well, Isabella can't. She's been vomiting all morning." 

"Oh," I felt my cheeks grow hot. "I see." 

"It'll only be for a few hours," Pia sighed as she tucked roses into my hair, adjusting my curls into the perfect position. "You know, you won't be able to wallow in sadness for nine months. And this won't be her only pregnancy."

"How did you know?" 

"It's the talk of the town in the servants' quarters. The laundrymaids knew something was up when there weren't any blood rags in her wash every month." 

I sighed. "I just feel bad for her." 

In the mirror, Pia looked over my shoulder and smiled. "I know. We all do." 

Alone, I left my apartments and began making my way down towards the state room where the luncheon was being held. I glanced out of the windows; the sun was shining brilliantly and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. How I wished I was out riding instead of trapped within some royal duty. But I was doing it for Isabella. I had to do it for Isabella. 

While on the stairs, I heard a chirping voice that I knew too well. "Mimi!" I looked up, and a glittering figure in a bright pink gown came whisking down the stairs. "I haven't seen you in ages!" 

My sister came crashing into me, wrapping me in a hug. "Ah, Liesl!" I exclaimed through laughter. "Hi!"

"I'm glad you're going to this luncheon too," Liesl explained as she let go of me. "I thought it would only be me, since I'm the one on the marriage market," she rolled her eyes.