The Heiress

Chapter 5: Unsaid Plans

Claude

I was thinking about how it got here when I heard distant creaking.

"Is there someone here?" I hollered

The creaking seems to come from the stand up cover blinds so I made my way through it.

I was about to see what was in the other side of it when a I saw a hand leaning on the other side of the blinds

"Taste of love and sorrow, but don't drink the wine. Don't drink it." It was a female voice

But when I went to the other side of the blinds she was already gone. I pushed the wall behind the blinds and it opened.

"Claude? Are you here?" It was Elena

"Yes, I'm here." I answered

"Come, we're called to the main hall" Elena said going out, I followed her looking at the blinds before I closed the door.

There was a gathering at the main hall to pay respects to the departure of Bishop Helsinki, the one who hosted Queen Elisa's and King Peter's wedding yesterday.

I was busy talking to Count Vincent when a servant boy offered me a wine. "To Princess Claude" he raised his glass then left.

I suddenly remembered what the woman had said "Don't drink the wine." So I pretended I drank a sip

I excused myself to go into the hallway when I saw Francis, he saw me too as he made his way to me.

"I've been wanting to talk to you-"

"There's something I want to tell you...uh"

"When you came into my room yesterday, I-I shouldn't have said what I said. There are other ways of handling this." He continued

"Handling what? Me?" I raised my eyebrows up "You do realize that we're going to married someday, don't you?" It seemed that he needed to be reminded

"Believe me, I know." He said

"I know that you had a life before I got here." I told him

"It's not about that." He answered again

"Don't you think we owe this to each other, our families, our countries, to give this a chance?" I was persevered.

"It's not that simple." He said

"Not that simple?! What's not simple? We've been engaged since we were five! Its all arranged. " I was pissed "How awful must you find me to do this."

"No it's not you. You-you're beautiful and clever a-and unpredictable but it doesn't matter." I am upset but why do I find myself flattered?

"What matters is what's right for my country, France isn't as strong as you think, or care, which maybe you don't but I do. I'm going to be king someday, responsible for my people and right now, an alliance with Scotland can destroy France." It was low but pointed

"You don't want to marry me." I finally built it up. "You don't want this at all." He didn't answer.

"Things could change." He answered

"Well it's not your decision, its your father's" I replied with fury.

"Well you don't see him pushing a wedding either, don't you?" He really is pushing me away! "All engagements do is hold alliances. He's betting that we might need Scotland and I'm betting that we can get more support elsewhere. I know it isn't what you want to hear-

"But you won't love me." I replied

"Love is irrelevant to people like us. You know that." He said "All I'm asking you is to wait, to see how things go."