The Heiress

Chapter 4: My Old Room

As we got down we saw guests dancing, they were rejoicing and the spirit is quite lifting me up, I feel a good day ahead.

"I want to dance, Elena." I said

"You can't dance alone." She replied

"Oh, I won't be alone, come on girls let's dance" Then I chuckled.

We were going in circles when I caught someone's eyes, he must be Sebastian. It was only a glimpse, he diverted his eyes as soon as I saw him, but there was something in his eyes.

But then feathers started to fall down and I remembered something. Feathers falling everywhere when I was playing pillow fight with Francis when we were kids. I caught Francis' eyes as he caught mine.

"Let's get out of here." Elena whispered to us

I came back from my thoughts and they are now dragging me "Wait where?" I constantly said but it looks like they have no interest in answering me until we ceased

"Look there. It's the consumation!" Margaux said with a low voice but enough for us to hear.

"You mean they actually watch them have..." I stopped

"Don't you have that in Scotland? That occurs after you are wed. You're going to do that soon with Francis cous." Elena said almost laughing

"Shut it Elena." I answered with irritation.

"Let's go" Margaux said

"Go on before anyone sees us." I said having a place in mind to go "Let's explore more of the castle ladies, excuse me." I said

I went into the small hallway and found the stairs going up. It's still how it was when I first saw it, I remember it vividly. I went up and found the room, my old room, I smiled.

"What are you doing here?" It was Francis

"Francis, I didn't know- uh I was exploring, this was my old room, don't you remember?" I said

"Not anymore. No one comes up here" He said

"Except you." I replied looking at the room

He smiled.

"What is this? Is this yours?" I asked

"I-I make knives and swords. Atleast, I'm trying to learn." He replied nervously

"To be a bladesmith? Is this a requirement for kings now?" I was teasing him

"When you say it like that it sounds ridiculous, yes." He laughed

"No, no I think it's fantastic." I tried to make it less awkward

"But did you make all of these? Why?" I asked again

"Yes, I can't help but think that every man, even a king should have a skill." He replied

"But you're going to be a great ruler, isn't that enough?" I asked again

"I hope I will be but I meant a real skill, one that I didn't inherit, one that wasn't given to me. My brother- my half brother Bash, he has so many. He want to do something, he does. He wants to go somewhere he goes. With my father's blessing. They didn't worry that he's gonna die that they let him live." he answered

"Because he'll never be king" I comprehended it

He nodded in response

"When the kingdom goes under attack, I thought I could always get by as a blacksmith" He chuckled.

"But I'd save you. And we can go to Scotland and we can rule there." I said

"That's a very- kind offer. I hope I never have to take you up on it." He cleared his throat.

And then I felt this unfamiliar heat in my cheeks.

"I-I have to go. Nice seeing you, Claude." He said then left.

Francis

"Natalia."

"Did anyone see you come in here?" I asked, I was not expecting her here.

"No. They never do. They never will. Nothing's changed. Nothing has to." She said taking her sleeves off

Claude

As soon as the sun rised up, I went outside immediately. I ought to pick up stones, I smiled with that thought.

I went upstairs and knocked on his door. It's his room

"Claude, what is it?" He seemed shocked

"I brought you something." I showed him the stones "to decorate your swords with." I smiled

"Now's not a good time. Next time you should be announced, my page is there for a reason." He answered coldly. Where has all the tenderness he showed me yesterday gone?

"Oh, I don't understand"

"Next time you should be announced" he said

"Why do you sound so....are you alone?" He stood straight and didn't answer "Are you with someone?" I asked him

"If ever you're gonna be the future queen of France. You have to understand one thing, Kings don't answer to their wives." He said then shut the door.

I was dismayed, he's with someone. He need not to answer me, just his face and reaction would be enough of an answer.

I rushed my way out of the castle, and threw the stones I picked earlier, when a horse stopped.

"A young woman- a lady- a princess, shouldn't be on her own outside the castle." It was Sebastian

" Why do you care?" I said, I didn't have time to be courtsy and all, I was too upset.

"There's food and it's warm, who wouldn't want to be around the castle?" He asked me "Except you perhaps?" Oh he's cheeky!

"Aren't you cheeky?" I said

"What is it?" He asked

"You should ask your brother." I answered

He chuckled "We're half brothers by the way, nothing much in common except our fathers." Is he flirting?

"But I'll l mention your discontent to Francis." He smirked

"Oh, don't bother." I said then left

I returned to my room but I was taken aback when I saw the stones I threw earlier in a tray, here inside my room.