The Heir (TV Series 'Reign') #2

Tasting Revenge

Eliana's POV

I hear the guards blow the horns from the distance, as I raise my head.

"Is there a visitor at Court today?" I ask Lydia, who is not there.

"Lydia? Talia?"

Barging into my chambers, they both run in with dresses and shoes, and jewelry.

"What-"

"We have to get you ready..Francis is having a gathering, and there will be young girls for Julius."

Rushing me to my changing room, they pull off my clothes. And a few minutes later I'm wearing a silver beaded dress, as the straps fell over my shoulders.

"Perfect! Let's go."

Rushing to the party, we arrive just on time as they begin to announce the guest.

"Who's that?" I ask.

"That'll be the Count and Countess du Grace."

"Your Majesty, I present you my daughter, Lady Anna." Count du Grace says.

"Two places, fifth table from the king's."

"Kenna, I'm impressed. You've really got this all in hand, don't you?" Lydia adds.

"Mm, I'm surprised Catherine trusted you to plan the banquet." I say.

"The dauphin vintage tasting is not exactly a coronation, but still, the chance to taste wine bottled on the day of the king's birth is bringing nobles from all over France."

"Well, actually, it was Mary's decision, although I'm sure Catherine would have happily given me the opportunity just to see me fail." Kenna adds.

Looking over Lola stands next to me.

"Oh, dear. I recognize Count du Grace, but that's not the countess. Do you think he brought his mistress?"

"No, he's hoping he brought the king's mistress." Kenna says.

"I don't understand." I say.

"I should have warned you. I suppose I expected you'd instinctively grasp every nuance of the sordid tradition of a king's mistress." Kenna says.

"But the king doesn't have a mistress."

"Not yet. That's why these lords are bringing their ready young daughters. They're hoping that Francis will choose one of them to take to his bed." Catherine says, interrupting.

"And what makes them think that Francis wants a mistress?" Lola adds, as Catherine looks over to me. 

~

Wondering around the castle, I walk into a room where Lola is sitting down.

"Lola? Why aren't you enjoying the party?"

"I needed some air.." She says.

"I think everyone does."

"Why you?"

"Their estrangement has become obvious. Separate chambers..."

"Well, plenty of kings and queens keep separate chambers. You did."

"I'll have to completely rearrange the seating. I won't have any of these pert little opportunists sitting anywhere near you."

"Don't worry about it, Kenna. Your outrage is touching, but I can hardly take offense when Mary is the one who suggested he find someone else..."

"You don't want that..."

"I suppose in their minds, it's a simple trade. One daughter will be bedded by a man she'll never marry, but if that man is the king and the family now has his favor, it's worth it." Lola adds.