Your Infidelity: Allowed It, Because I Love You

Take Me Back Before You Lose Me, or Have You, Already?

Persoective d' Marie

Mine and Francis' agenda for our royal duties today is to talk to noblemen and convince them to help towns that lack wealth and luxury.

"I can come by and feed people's houses with my plants' produce," one lord offers.

"My 12-year-old son can teach the children how to sword-fight," Lord Homme tells us.

"That would be terrific. I can join you," Francis added. Oh, wonderful. That would mean he wouldn't be in the castle much.

As the meeting lengthens further Louis' presence is granted. "Bonjour, my lords." He then faces Fracnis and me and gives us his most gracious bow.

"Salut, Louis." Francis greets him.

Afraid of what I might say to Louis, I just give him an eloquent bow.

And though my gaze has drifted back to the map of France, in the corner of my eye I take note of Louis' wardrobe. My brows furrow as I notice a change somewhere. Perhaps he's using a different sword?

Now that our meeting is finally over I think of entering the outdoors. I'd like to breathe into healthy air; the smell of grass, the lake and the trees.

As I walk in the vast walls of the castle, I catch a glance of Louis. However, I hesitate to be the one to say hello and start a conversation. My heart may be estranged from Francis' but I am still a married queen, disallowed to follow her heart if it is headed to someone else's, not her King's, direction.

Albeit apparently he does not hesitate to come to me and talk.

"Your Majesty. I heard about the attack on the castle. How are you? Are you all right? I was told you weren't untouched but you must have been displeasingly alerted." I was more than displeasingly alerted, actually.

But I can't tell him that. I have to lie and say that I am all right. "I am all right, Louis, but yes I am very much displeased. Are you going to do anything about that?" I ask, smiling.

Heal my being displeased by pleasing me in many ways such as--

He smiles as well, I see; from the corner of my eyes, as they are fixated on the castle floors while I walk, with his walking beside me. "Well, yes. I am helping your husband, the king, find the Protestant men who attacked the castle."

My grin automatically fades at the mention of my husband's name. It should just be you and me, Louis. No one else. Just us. I mentally scold myself. I mustn't think this way. I could get beheaded for partaking in an infidelity against my husband as I am queen.

"Very well then. You both must be busy. I am going to head outside," I face him, to say a proper leave-taking. "I quite love the outdoors."

With his arms placed on the small if his back, he glances down at the floor, with that charming smile of his, and looks back at me, into my eyes, and says, "I know."

With that, he turns around heads the opposite direction. As do I.

After telling Greer, Kenna and Lola about my being raped, we've moved on from the topic and lead the conversation elsewhere.

"Do you all want to go riding? It would be fun."

"Sure, Mary. It would make us forget all about our problems and misdemeanors." We all laugh.

A male servant takes a bow, and says, "Your Majesty, the King requests your presence."

Oh, help me.