The Travellers Chronicles Book Four: To Chase Their Freedom

Chapter Seven

January 1693

The winter chill had kept the ladies inside the ship most of the time. Tess was the only one who enjoyed going out since she could not feel the cold due to her Vampirism. Less than three months after setting sail the ladies' ship docked at Calais. There they were greeted by the then Duke Consort of Guise and his retune. Being a member of the King's council and an elected official to the new House of Commons, he was well aware of their species and who they really were. But he had to keep up appearances.

Monsieur de Guise dismounted his horse and came over to the ladies. "Your Graces. It is an honour to meet the family of King Francois the Fifth." He turned to Sybille. "Madame Brittany, are you ready to take your leave?"

Sybille looked around to find their baggage already stocked on the top of the carriage. "If everything is ready, then yes, we are."

He helped the ladies into their carriage and they set off for Fontainebleau.

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Two days later they arrived at Fontainebleau, where they were greeted by some of the Court and the King and Queen Anne.

The crier announced their arrival. "The Duchess of Brittany, The Duchess of Angouleme, and The Duchess of Chatellerault."

The ladies had taken the names of Sybille's daughters-in-law in their memories. They were named after who they had been closest to. Sybille was to be Louise, Lisette was to be Marie, and Tess was to be Josephine.

They curtsied to the King and Queen before he sent everyone out of the throne room but his children and his wife, all of whom knew who the ladies were. He climbed out of his seat and went to his great-great-grandmother. The King took her hands, and they kissed both cheeks in the French greeting. "How lovely to meet you, Mémère."

"And I you."

"Forgive me for making you curtsy; it is, after all, expected of a Duchess, Royal or not."

"Think nothing of it. I know that only in private I can get away without curtsying to you." Sybille looked past him. "Will you make introductions?"

"Ah, yes." He reached out for his wife who got up and came over to him, taking his hand. "My lovely wife, Anne. The daughter of a Marquis, whom I married for love." He then motioned for his children to come over. He had two daughters and one son. "In birth order, Marguerite, named for you, Mémère. Then we have my heir, Gerard, named for my father, and Marie, named for my mother."

They all curtsied to Sybille. "And this is my sister Elizabeth, and my daughter Lisette."

Tess curtsied to the royal children. As a royal child herself, and a royal duchess thanks to Frank who gave her a title, Lisette and the royal children didn't need to curtsy to one another.

"You will meet Marguerite's husband at supper. Now, you must be tired after your long journey." King Francois deduced. "You will be led to your apartment by Marguerite." He motioned to his eldest daughter. "She knows the way. Oh, and these—" He pulled out two keys. "To your laboratory. It has been left the way it was when you departed France. It may need some cleaning."

"And Niko?" Lisette asked.

"He is in your apartment waiting for you."

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As soon as the door to the apartment opened, Niko made a beeline for Sybille. Ecstatic to see him, she lifted him up into her arms and cuddled him close. Something he had never been a fan of but relished in it in that moment. He was passed around, much to his delight, and ended with Lisette feeding him. Watching her daughter with him, for the first time in years Sybille felt safe.