“She’s gone again!” Ariane watched as her father, Hugo, stormed about Henri’s empty room. “And she’s most likely alone, where she could get hurt with no one to help her.” He growled. “If she comes back with another scrape, I’m going to strangle that magician.”
“Court Advisor.” Ariane corrected as she fixed Henri’s bed.
“Whatever!” Her father threw his hands in the air. “The magician should’ve known this would happen.”
“He only knows things when he wants to know,” Ariane muttered as she fluffed the pillows roughly. “Or tells people when it suits him, that arrogant, pompous,” Ariane growled and gave the pillows one last hard tug. Her father paid no mind as he continued pacing and ranting.
“I knew this would happen! We should’ve just told everyone the truth so she doesn’t have to run off to be herself! Her running off is dangerous. What will happen when she needs to bear an heir? Will she just run off and have a child alone?”
“Of course not!” Ariane chimed as she went into Henri’s closet. “I will be there as her nursemaid and so will you. You are her doctor after all.” She heard her father sigh.
“But to have a child in secret is no way for a woman to be treated. It will be hard and she will be stressed with trying to keep up this lie.” Ariane came out with clothes for Henri. Her father was leaning against the desk, his calloused hands pinching the bridge of his nose. “This lie will kill her before any disease, man, or child does.” He muttered. Ariane sighed as she laid out the clothes. It would be a meeting day so it was a causal green overcoat, a black vest, and a cream tunic with brown trousers. When she was done, she patted out the clothes neatly, then went to her father.
“Father,” Ariane grabbed his hands and pulled them from his face. “You are a doctor. It is your job to help her recover from injury and to keep going. This lie does not keep you from doing that.”
“It certainly does not make it any easier.” He muttered. Ariane let go of his hands and shrugged.
“No, but it makes her job, as ruler of this kingdom, easier.” Ariane sighed and went to sit on the bed. “The people are at ease knowing that someone is next in line, that we do not have to look for a King. And while it is a burden for her, you know she will not abandon the people her father cared so much about.” Ariane reasoned as she put her hair behind her ear.
“You knew about this.” Her father narrowed his eyes at her and Ariane smiled.
“Well, it is my job to make sure that she is ready for any outing.”
“Am I the last to know everything?” Her father exclaimed as he shook his head. Ariane chuckled and fiddled with her lion pendant.
“I am just in a position to know Henri.”
“And the magician,”
“That haughty court advisor just happens to assume things correctly.” Ariane snapped, gripping her lion pendant.
“Easy there, lioness.” Her father chuckled as he pushed himself off the desk and approached her. “I still don’t understand your grievances with him.”
“He is aggravating. Nothing more.” Ariane said quickly as she pushed wrinkles out of her skirt. Her father shook his head.
“Is the general with her?” Her father asked sitting beside her. Ariane shook her head.
“I have not seen him since last night after the return of the funeral. He was,” Ariane paused, tracing the lion pendant. “Adamant about seeing Henri afterward.” Her father turned to gaze at her, his eyes searching her dark green long-sleeved gown and face.
“Are you all right?” Ariane patted his arm, resisting the urge to look at her arm.
“I am alright father.” She smiled, then it turned into a frown as she continued tracing her pendant. “I just, he concerns me. The way he looks at Henri, I wish on no woman.”
“It is his job to always be looking at her. He is just trying to keep her safe.” Her father put a hand on her shoulder. Ariane looked to him and opened her mouth. Her eyes roamed her father’s weary face, and then her mouth closed into a soft smile. She clasped his hand.
“As we all are father. We all have our part in Henri’s wellbeing. Let the others worry about where she goes. You help her when she gets back.” Ariane’s smile widened when her father sighed and some of the weariness left his face.
“You’re right, my lioness.” Her father pulled her in and kissed her temple. “I shall go get my salves ready.” He stood from the bed. “Maybe I’ll find the General and inform him. Hopefully, I’m truly not the last to know.” He chuckled as he left. Ariane smiled back ruefully.
“Hopefully.” Though Ariane knew that the reasons she hoped the General did not know Henri’s whereabouts and the reason her father hoped the General did not know where very, very different.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Gaston knew action and orders. He was a man of authority, and had been raised under authority. It has taught him the most valuable lesson he ever knew. Authority was about control. The current loss of the King and his new wife were out of his control, out of Henri’s control.
“She will be in authority now.” Gaston murmured as he took a sip of brandy in his room. Despite his bare chest and half state of dress, he went to the window. He looked down upon the town. “She will be controlling all of you.” He took another sip of brandy. “After she meets your conditions.” Gaston slammed the glass down on the sill. The empty cup making a sharp clink.
Gaston hated that his people expected more out of his princess, but that’s what underlings did with their leaders. They expected more. They expected the best.
“Do not worry though. She will meet all your conditions.” Gaston pushed himself away from the window. He turned to the portrait of Henrietta hanging in his room above his fireplace. Well, it was when she was Henri, posing for the royal portrait. Still, he gazed up at it. “She is strong and beautiful. I taught her well. She will only want the best.” Gaston gingerly traced the contours of Henrietta’s face in the air. “And as always I will provide.” He sighed, a glazed smile on his face. Then he quickly turned around and went to his closet.
“Provided that the Duke of Vesque provides me the right information.” He took out his best clothes and furs. He turned back to the portrait. “Do not worry, my princess, I will find us a perfect queen.” Gaston focused back on his clothes. When he was finished a knock came at his door. “Come in.”
“General!” Gaston looked to see the palace doctor, Hugo come in. “Have you heard the news?”
“What news, Doctor?” Gaston answered slowly.
“Henrietta has run off-”
“SHE HAS WHAT?” Gaston rushed to grab his sword and would have run out the door, but the doctor grabbed his arm.
“Calm down, my boy.” The doctor chuckled jovially. Gaston shook his head.
“But Henrietta! I knew I should have stayed in her room! That blasted wench kept me out of her room.” Gaston growled. He quieted as the grip on his arm tightened.
“Careful there, boy.” The doctor smiled sharply. “That’s my daughter you are speaking about.” Gaston resisted the urge to roll his eyes and remind the doctor that his ‘child’ was not truly his. Everyone knew it, but the man and girl themselves. Instead, Gaston huffed.
“I apologize.” The doctor let him go. Gaston composed himself and looked back at the doctor. “It is just that, I have to know where she is so I can protect her, make sure that no one finds out her secret. It is important to her.” The doctor nodded.
“I understand. But maybe she needs this time to be alone. To be herself.”
“She can be herself with me.” Gaston pouted. The doctor laughed and patted Gaston on the back.
“Don’t sound so heartbroken, my boy.” Gaston glared up at the man, wishing that the doctor was just a doctor and not a warrior that could heal a person just to kill them again. “You are still her general and she will come back. Just give her some space.”
“Fine.” Gaston huffed as he stomped out of his room. The doctor followed. “And what of the magician? Where is he?” The doctor shrugged.
“I don’t know. And no one else seems to have seen him either.”
“That man. What good is he if he is never around when he needs to be?” Gaston complained.
“He comes when he knows he’s truly needed and has never failed us. Trust him.” The doctor patted his shoulder. Gaston shrugged it off.
“I’ll trust that man when I know where he gets his magic and information.” Gaston murmured.
“Speaking of information,” Gaston looked to the doctor. “I saw you head out last night with some of the funeral’s brandy. Where did you go?” Gaston stilled for a moment. He thought no one saw him. But it was no matter, Gaston relaxed and continued forward.
“I went to see a merchant about my fur dealings. I wanted information about where they will come from. The brandy was to soften him up.” It was not a lie, per se. Just trade in fur with potential brides and it was the truth. The doctor believed it and laughed.
“Nothing softens a deal like good brandy.”
“The best brandy.” Gaston smirked because he got the brandy and Gaston only gets the best.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The Duke of Vesque, Charlot Perrault smiled awake. Things were coming together. Of course, he heard about the unfortunate passing of the King and his new wife. And like any other loyal servant of the kingdom, he was distraught. But to hear that the Prince, soon to be King, was looking for a bride. Well, as a loyal servant, Charlot’s company had to do whatever was necessary to help his kingdom. And if it lined his pockets, well that was the gracious King’s gift to him. Charlot hobbled out of bed. His bent leg aching.
“Not today, you useless limb,” Charlot growled at his leg. He grabbed his cane and used it to prop himself up. “Today we must prepare for the harvest.” He limped into the kitchen. Curled up on the ground was the ash child in its maid attire. “Get up, fool!” Charlot whacked it with his cane. It jumped up into a sitting position. Ashton’s wide sky blue eyes stared at him. “I said get up!” Charlot sneered as he whacked Ashton with his cane.
“Yes, your grace.” Ashton bowed his head, turning into the ash child once again. It stood up and curtsied. It ended the curtsy with its head bowed and hands clasped in front of their apron. The perfect picture of submission. Charlot scoffed. He knew that this thing only acted in submission. It was never truly submissive.
“I have a job for you.” It looked up. Charlot whacked it with its cane. It flinched and looked back down. “But it seems you cannot even follow the simplest rules, stupid wench.” Charlot noticed how its hands squeezed tighter. Sara did that when she was angry as well. She would fist her hands and her eyes would become as dark as thunderclouds. Charlot gritted his teeth. “So, listen closely.” Charlot snapped and pointed to a chair. It quickly moved to pull the chair out for him. Charlot sat down and snapped again. It appeared before him and knelt down.
“I want you to go to the salons today. Rumors have been circulating of the prince’s need for a bride. Find out who is going to join the ranks and get me the information on all of the eligible ladies.” Charlot ordered as he put his hands on the top of his cane.
“All of them, your grace?” Ashton’s blue eyes, clear with disagreement and disbelief, gazed at him. Charlot slammed his cane down.
“DO I HAVE TO REPEAT MYSELF?” He sneered through gritted teeth. “I said all of them.” Charlot grabbed Ashton’s arm and pulled him close. Ashton did not flinch or shy away. There was not even fear. Ashton bit his lip as his eyes darkened with anger. Charlot growled. “I do not care if you have to go to every salon in the town. I do not care if it takes you all day. At the end of the day, I want to know about every single eligible bride in this town. And if there is even a single lady unaccounted for, I will make that scullery maid an eligible bride.” Finally, worry and fear flashed through Ashton’s eyes. Charlot tightened his grip. Satisfaction rolled through him as Ashton winced. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, your grace.” Ashton sneered back. Charlot glare, but Ashton’s sneer did not waver. Charlot threw Ashton to the ground.
“Good.” Charlot stood up and turned away from Ashton, done with him.
“Your grace?” Charlot froze at the ash child’s call.
“What?” Charlot did not turn around.
“What about breakfast for you and your sons? Who will-” Charlot turned around and slammed his cane on the ground, ending the ash child’s questions.
“What makes you think you can question me, wench? Have you forgotten your place?” He pointed to the fireplace. “You are nothing but dirt underneath my shoe. I tell you what to do, where to go, and you do it. Is it not the scullery maid’s job to do housework?”
“I know your grace but she is old and frail and cannot serve you as you deserve,” Charlot’s eyes widened as the child bowed its head deeper and placed a hand over its chest.
“Do not try to flatter me with your words fool!” Charlot spat as he tightened his grip on his cane. This child was testing his patience today. If the child was not so useful, he would have gotten rid of it long ago. “Now get out of my sight and my house, and go get my information.” The child was still for a moment before curtsying.
“Yes, your grace.” The child turn and left out the back door.
“Good riddance.” Charlot scoffed. He did not have time to deal with children and Ashton today. He had to plan for the harvest of eligible ladies who would be heartbroken that the Prince did not choose them. “Perfect time for my sons to pick fresh wives,” Charlot smirked as he hobbled up the stairs.
_________________________________________________________________________
Eli remained quiet as he grabbed his bag of extra clothes and went to the stables. He stopped when he saw Rupert the groundskeeper.
“Ru,” Eli coughed, getting rid of the airy tone in his voice. He hated how vapid his voice sounded. “Rupert, I apologize but his grace ordered me out on another mission. I have to get the information of all the eligible brides in town.” Eli’s voice went deeper in a mock of Charlot’s. Then he composed himself and gave Rupert a small smile.
“Please tell Blanche that she has to do the housework and it might be all day. I sincerely do apologize. I will try to be as fast as I can.” Eli promised as he bowed his head and ran to the stables. He quickly mounted a brown mare.
“Sorry girl. I know you were out last night, but we got another job.” Eli patted the mare’s neck as she stomped before he led her out. “Let’s go to the river by the ruins, okay Rose?” The mare nodded and headed for the ruins.
They arrived at the river quickly. “Atta girl,” Eli praised the mare and gave her an apple. He pulled out the blue and white dress from his bag. There were purple splotches on the bottom of the dress when Elle got close to Bourgeois to swipe what he owed Charlot. “Why do men have to be so clumsy when they get drunk?” Eli sneered.
If he was to go to the Salons, he had to look ready to spend the day to gossip, not to change or be beautified. “This is going to take a while.” Eli sighed. He looked around. The ruins were usually empty. “Might as well take the time to wash and enjoy myself while I wash these clothes.” Eli shrugged off his brown maid frock and went into the waist-deep water.
“Wench, I am fat, lazy, and I have a broken leg that is your father’s fault. So go get my money wench, go get me information wench.” Eli mocked as he washed the dresses. “What about your very capable sons? Oh, wait! One’s a heartless fool with his father’s brain, and the other one,” Eli paused his scrubbing and blinked. “Well, William is not that bad. He is just quiet. Like I am.”
“Perfect quiet, obedient little Elle.” Eli resumed his scrubbing as the water grew purple. “The perfect little wench who can steal your wallet, collect your information, and do your housework. Who needs Eli? Who cares about Eli? Compared to Elle, what can he even do?” Eli stopped scrubbing, the water a clear blue, reflecting his image. “Do you have an answer?” Eli asked his reflection. It stared back, as he held up the dress. Even though he wore no makeup and his imperfections clearly shown, his heart stopped at how he could see Elle. At how she said nothing but stared at him disapprovingly.
Eli closed his eyes and slammed the dress into the water. “I am mad!” Rose neighed in response. Eli chuckled. “Thank you for agreeing, Rose.” Eli smiled at the horse who was grazing in the grass. Eli sighed and pulled out the dress. The purple splotches were out. “Well, I, must admit. I am good at the laundry.” Eli showed Rose the dress. She huffed. Eli smiled and set the dress aside. Calmly, he washed his frock and set it aside with the other dress.
“It is not so bad being Elle. The thrill of the mission and the busywork is nice.” Eli said as he undid his hair. “Ah,” Eli rolled his neck as he combed his fingers through his hair. “Much better. I could definitely do without the hairdos.” He stretched in the sun, enjoying the moment to just be. Then he went into the water. He was unable to hear the other person enter the ruins.