Betrayal

Betrayal ~ Chapter 2

Marie fell asleep with the babies and the next morning fed and dressed them and took them to visit Katherine, who adored them. Katherine immediately smiled upon seeing her enter with the babies and scooped them both into a hug. They sat in one of the drawing rooms playing with them for over an hour.

"Marie, child what is it?" she asked noticing she had a faraway look and a deep sadness about her today.

Marie smiled, "it's nothing,' she told her looking back down at her daughter wiggling about.

"It's something or you wouldn't look and feel like death," she encouraged. "Are you having difficulty adjusting after the birth?" she asked.

Marie shook her head, "I don't know what it is.' She took a deep breath and closed the door to the room enclosing them in privacy. She picked up her daughter smiling.

"My husband has accused me of adultery and of bearing him children that are not his," she said tears streaming down her face.

Katherine gasped, "what??"

Marie looked up at her, "he hasn't held them since they were born, he has been distant with me since their birth. I thought it was simply because I was still healing but when he didn't come to bed last night I sought him out."

"He's lost his mind!" Katherine told her. She held the young prince, "he looks just like Francis did when he was born minus the hair and eyes," she murmured.

"I think so too," Marie laughed. He has Francis facial structure and his patience, always happy to let his sister be fed and changed first." Marie confided.

"I loved him Katherine; I've loved him since I was a child. I've been with no others despite his accusations over the years. And then there was Natalia when I came back and then Olivia. His accusations about Bash and Me and then Conde and myself. Then his affair with Lola, is he trying to push his mistakes on me? I had forgiven him, we were happy," she cried.

"Tell me what was said my dear," she instructed cooing at the young prince.

"I was informed late last night that Prince William is the father of my children since they have his coloring. He told me he would protect me and the children despite any mistakes on my part but that I needed to tell him the truth. He certainly got it but he doesn't believe it." She said sadly.

Katherine smiled sadly, "I was afraid my marriage to Henry damaged my children but I didn't realize how much until now," she told her. "I will speak to my son."

Marie shook her head, "No, this is between him and I. We'll get through it,' she told her.

Katherine nodded.

Marie picked up the babies for a walk outside in the fresh air. She needed to be surrounded by the calming aura of nature right now. She called a few guards to go with her as she planned to stay outdoors this afternoon. She'd asked a kitchen servant to bring her a picnic basket near the lake later on.

Katherine was furious as she went to find Francis. She found him surrounded by nobles. "Leave us," she ordered as everyone filed out of the room.

Francis frowned, "what is it mother?" he asked. "I'm very busy," as he bent over the war table moving pieces around.

She walked around the table to stand in front of him, "you're a fool!' she told him.

His eyes widened, "what?"

"You have a beautiful wife who loves you with all her heart, a Queen who supports you even when she disagrees with your decisions. A mother who has given you not one child but two in one year of marriage. Someone you claim to love – you don't know how blessed and rare it is for a royal to find love in their marriage – yet you have and you are about to throw it all away on superstition!" she told him.