Crystals thaw and drip,
as gold fills the heavens,
and curtains of stars showers down,
The frozen glints gurgle,
and cry out in exaltation,
A path is carved of silver tears.
“I will be retiring early,” Queen Nicole said, getting up from her chair.
At once, Madeleine stood up, saying quickly, “I must be excused as well,” and gave Antoine a short nod before leaving.
The queen hurried down the long chamber, her footsteps echoing off the walls, clearly not noticing a second set of footsteps following quickly behind her. A pent-up rage was building with each step Madeleine took.
Her mother stopped briefly, opening the letter again. A look of anxiety crossed her face and she looked at the ground while chewing her lip. After a moment, she turned and let out a small yelp. “Oh Madi, you scared me.” The queen put a hand to her chest, letting out a small laugh. She tried to stash the paper away, but Madeleine grabbed her wrist.
“I know who the message is from.” She did not recognize the dark voice that came out of her mouth. “I saw Justin address it in town. How long has this been going on?”
The queen stared at her incredulously. “W-what are you—Madi, what is this all of a sudden?”
“You thought you could keep it from me when you have never even tried being careful? I know who Justin is and I can’t believe you’re still seeing him after all this time.”
The queen pried her hand off her. “Madi, please. We mustn't talk here. Come with me.” She took her daughter by the arm and walked her through more halls until they were in her bedchamber.
Ordering all the servants out, Nicole sat in a chair near a huge window in front of a small green table. Madeleine was fuming as she took a seat opposite her.
“May I ask first, what you already know?”
Madeleine searched her face with a hard glare. “I know Justin Chevalier is your past lover. I’ve known it since we visited Nebrasia five years ago. Adrian and I saw the two of you talking in the stables. I also found several of your correspondences with him through letters.”
She put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, Madi—”
“I can’t believe this is still going on.”
“It’s not.”
“Then how do you explain the note in your hand?”
Nicole glanced down at the paper. “Mr. Chevalier reached out to me when we first arrived a few months ago, but I did not reply. A few days ago, he wanted to meet, but I reiterated what I had told him before. I did not know he would send this; I swear. We haven’t spoken in person in five years.” She ran a hand over her face exasperatedly. “How did you find the messages anyway, and more incredulously, how did you decipher them?”
“I found a letter in the Andveltican library, and a very detailed one under the chest in my current room.”
Her eyes widened. “The last time we came to Nebrasia, I stayed in that room. I thought I’d tucked it away under the floorboard, but apparently not.”
“How could you be so careless? What I don’t understand and what I’ve wanted to ask you for years, is why. Why would you betray your family for a stable hand?”
The queen looked away shamefacedly. “I will tell you everything, but only if you promise to listen without interruption.” Madeleine nodded, and there was a pause. “I hoped you would never find out, and you’re right, I was not very careful. I was infatuated with the stableman, Justin Chevalier, many years ago. After I married Abel and had two children, I found myself feeling very lonely in my marriage. Abel has always been kind to me and doted on me endlessly, but I did not always think of him romantically. It was an arranged marriage, and you know how your father is always away on business trips. I had never spent significant time with him, and I yearned for a friend and a partner who was always around.
“I would often visit the Andveltican stables where I found some comfort from the horses, and that’s when I began seeing the stable hand.” Madeleine felt uncomfortable as her mother’s eyes lit up. “We would ride for hours and talk endlessly in the safety of the stables. One day, he declared his love for me and from that day on, we had to meet secretly. The stables were our meeting place and when the message ‘Brûlant’ appeared, that meant we were to find ourselves there at dusk. After I gave birth to you, the kingdom thought it was yet another Debois child, but I knew you were not Abel’s daughter. I was terrified, Madi. I realized that my rashness did not just affect myself. If anyone were to find out, your life could be ruined. I realized I had to make a decision. Justin and I decided it was best if he left, and soon enough, he found a position as a stable hand in Nebrasia. I was content knowing that you would be safe and that I’d never have to see him again.”
“But you did see him again.”
“Yes.” The queen’s voice was almost a whisper. “When Abel decided we needed to flee to Nebrasia, I panicked. I knew Justin still worked there and he would know I was coming.”
“He pursued you, and that’s when you refused him,” Madeleine finished.
She nodded. “Madi, I was too hard on you in Andveltica, pushing suitors on you.” She took her daughter’s hand. “I just wanted to see you married, and then I could feel relief knowing you were settled somewhere safe without your true heritage haunting you, but that was a faulty view. It was not until I saw how much happier you were here that I realized I needed to stop pressuring you about marriage. What you want matters more than what I want for you. I’m sorry if I was unreasonable to you, Madi. I really am.”
She looked away. “So, what will you do now?”
“What do you mean?”
“What will you do about Justin and his insistence?”
She hesitated. “I’ve already refused his letter, and he can’t come to the castle. If you’re referring to how I feel about him and any desire I may have of returning to him, I have none. I love King Abel. We will be leaving in a few weeks anyway.”
Despite herself, Madeleine gasped. “A few weeks?”
The queen’s face softened. “You like it here, don’t you?”
She opened her mouth then closed it. “Yes, I do. Must we really leave?”
“I’m afraid we must.” There was a pause. “Madi, it must have been difficult, suffering in silence with this secret. I’m so sorry this has caused you so much trouble.”
“You can stop apologizing,” she said despite everything. “I forgave you a while ago, and I wanted to finally move on from this.”
Emotion crossed her face. “I want to move on from it too. That’s why I will continue to not respond to Justin’s letters.”
She nodded. “I think that’s wise.” There was a pause, and Madeleine swallowed, then looked up into her mother’s face. “Qu—, er, Mother.”
She blinked, and Madeleine realized she hadn’t addressed her as Mother in many years. “Yes, Madi?”
“Thank you for telling me your story and I never thanked you for letting me onto the council. It never would have happened without you.”
She smiled. “Of course, Dear. Thank you for being so patient with me.”
There was a moment’s hesitation before mother and daughter embraced.
♛♚♛
Madeleine sat on her bed, staring up at the ceiling.
It’d been a few weeks since the signing of the treaty, and the issue of Vauquelin had been brought to the king. The trial was to be held in the morning. She only hoped they had enough evidence to condemn the cardinal.
As far as what had occurred in the secret garden room, Madeleine found that the sting of Adrian’s rejection still hurt, but less so now than before. She’d come to accept that whatever they had was over and their courtship was not meant to be.
She’d spent most of her time instead with Tony and Courtney in the library or going on walks. Just having friends surrounding her helped tremendously. Antoine especially was as fun and energetic to be around as when she first arrived in Nebrasia. She enjoyed his company the most. If only she didn’t have to leave in a few days.
Rolling over on her side, she let out one last sigh before closing her eyes and drifting off.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Hours later, she awoke in the middle of the night and could not return to sleep.
She got up and changed, then decided she wanted to wander the castle hallways. She spotted something hanging over one of her chairs and remembered the cloak Antoine had let her borrow. Knowing how warm it was, she draped it over her shoulders. Remnants of the prince’s unique scent filled her senses, and she breathed it in, sighing.
Leaving the bedroom, she made her way through the corridors.
After a while, she decided to head back when a noise made her start. By impulse, she hid behind a large pillar.
A few moments later, a figure swept by in a dark cloak, and Madeleine peeked from behind the pole, crinkling her eyebrows at them. A sharp, brown nose poked out from behind black hair, and Vauquelin’s eyes stared forward without giving her hiding place so much as an eye flutter.
The cardinal was beginning to disappear behind a corner, and her mind raced as she wondered what to do next. If she waited another moment, she would lose him, so she silently hurried after, pulling her hood over her head as her heart pounded loudly in her chest.
She stayed quite a distance away, and they eventually ended up outside the castle near the stables. The man slipped through a passage in the wall she had never noticed before, and they were both soon in Fernshire. Her anxiety grew as they continued through town, and she wondered more and more if she should have woken up Antoine or her sister instead of going off on her own.
Vauquelin disappeared into a large, old building that was located down a long alleyway near the village green. Hesitating, she looked around and spotted some crates stacked up near a window to the building. She climbed on top of them and peaked inside. She had a limited view of everything, and the sound was completely blocked out.
From what she was able to see, there were benches all lined up facing a podium making her think this was an old church. The chairs were filled with dozens of people with their faces covered with cloaks and masks. She saw Vauquelin and a strange man talking. Sighing, she slowly got down, biting her lip.
Making sure her hood covered most of her face, she cursed under her breath and pushed through the front door.
To her relief, no one paid her any attention as she took a seat at the very back of the room. Vauquelin stood at the podium, talking to a man with strikingly bright, red hair. The redhead had three large scrolls of paper in his hand. She kept to herself as others sat beside her, and just hoped no one recognized her.
After a few minutes, Vauquelin sat down, and the red-haired man spoke to the crowd. “Thank you for coming, everyone. Allow me to open this meeting before we hear from the Great Liberator. My fellow Nebrasians and Venwickin refugees. If you are here today, it is because you are sick of classism.” There was a cry of agreement from the crowd.
“The impoverished crumble under the weight of poverty and overpopulation while the nobles in Nebrasia grow fat with greed. Do they share their riches with the rest of us?” A clear, “No,” came from the crowd. “Some of you are from Venwick and others from Nebrasia, but you are all here for the same reason. The oppression a monarchy brings must be stopped and a new form of government be put in its stead.”
There was a short, awkward silence.
“If you please, Sir.” A young farmer in a broad brimmed hat stood and spoke. “Our lives in Nebrasia are not so bad. We are the richest nation in Elderian, and the farmland is rich and plentiful.”
“It’s true,” a woman in the back chimed in. “We do not want war. My family may be impoverished and struggle to get by most days, but a war would not improve matters. I say we trust in the crown.”
The red-haired man blinked a few times, before Vauquelin approached him and took the pulpit.
“Trust in the crown?” Vauquelin boomed, sounding much more commanding. “The crown was passed on to a boy who knows nothing about the complexities of this country. Can we really trust a leadership that is based on blood and not merit?” There was silence. “I was born in Orstram, Venwick with nothing, and I am where I am today due to my own merit and willpower. The king has not earned a thing in his life.”
Everyone watched him, seemingly transfixed.
“Les Renards came to this land to escape prejudice and inequality, and yet here we are, still living in a society controlled by a monarchy. Classism rages on. Nothing is changing for the poor. If we were all equal, we would see much more of the riches Nebrasia possesses and not be picking up the scraps.” A few grunts of agreement could be heard. “War is on our borders regardless of whether we take this opportunity or not. This is the perfect moment to seize the day and make the changes this country has needed for so long.”
“Assuming we could establish a new form of government,” a young man in the back cut in. “With the smallest number of risks, who would lead us in place of the monarchy?”
The red-haired man, still standing on Vauquelin’s right, projected, “We have appointed the Great Liberator as a potential leader for the new government. It would be a constitutional democracy under his reign, and I have the utmost confidence in his abilities as a leader.”
There was a small uproar as everyone talked all at once. Some gasps could be heard.
Vauquelin raised his hand for silence. “I, the Great Liberator, stand humbly before you, asking only that you fight for freedom and equality as all of you and every person in Elderian deserves. To show my diligence and to prove my worth, as promised, I have brought Nebrasian weapons which shall be distributed throughout Les Oiseaux Libres so that we may be ready and protected for when we wish to take action.”
“Will we be asked to act violently towards our own people then?” the woman in the back yelled.
Vauquelin smiled calmly. “These weapons are simply props to intimidate the crown into granting the people their wish for equality. We may come from impoverished backgrounds, but our numbers and willpower can outmatch theirs if we recruit more members. Les Oiseaux Libres are no different to Les Renards centuries ago. Our ancestors had to start with a small group as well, but they are the reason we have this land in the first place. They would have wanted us to take back our freedom.” There were mixed opinions from the crowd, but a majority seemed to be in favor of Vauquelin’s words as they cheered and clapped.
“If you are willing to join us,” the red-haired man placed the three large scrolls in front of Vauquelin as he spoke, “you will sign this declaration of recruitment. This will ensure you a spot in Les Oiseaux Libres army.”
Madeleine tried to process all she was hearing as many people stood to sign the paper, while others, including the woman in the back and the farmer, got up and left.
She was filled with panic then, wondering how she was going to leave the old church with any proof, since surely the council would not believe any of what she saw. When those next to her stood, she did as well, walking stiffly behind them towards the front.
What am I doing? she wondered. She needed proof, but Vauquelin would surely recognize her.
As they got closer and when it was her turn to sign, she looked at the declaration and took a deep breath, hesitating. Approaching the table, she hid her face behind her hood, leaning over and pretending to sign the paper. There were three lists and the first page, having already been filled with names, was placed behind the second. Vauquelin and the red-haired man were busy speaking to each other, but she knew time was limited.
Soon, she was heading toward the exit. As she did, she very lightly brushed Vauquelin’s shoulder by accident, and his head turned to follow her.
He blinked in recognition. “You…” he began. She squeezed past the people in front of her and burst through the doors. “Seize that girl!” she heard him say. “She supports the Nebrasian king!”
Footsteps thundered behind her as she ran down the street. If she was ever to escape this terrible moment, she would never do anything reckless or thoughtless again.
A strong hand roughly grabbed her arm and pulled her back. She gasped as three large men surrounded her. One of them held a knife to her throat.
“Release her at once.”
She looked up to see who had spoken. It was Justin Chevalier and two other large blacksmiths with beefy arms. They held big swords and if they weren’t on her side, Madeleine would have been absolutely terrified of them. The grip on her arm was released and she was thrown at Justin.
She crashed into his arms, then turned to glare at them. “The king of Nebrasia will hear about this,” she spat.
One of them scowled. “We aren’t worried about a little princess like you. Why would anyone believe you? You’ll need actual proof to condemn someone as highly ranked as the Great Liberator.” He spat on the ground, and they walked away.
Justin still held her, and she looked up at him, her heart pounding. His eyes were kind and his face handsome. He helped her to her feet.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?” he asked, and she gulped, looking away.
“Y-yes. Thank you. All of you.”
The other blacksmiths nodded in acknowledgement.
“Why don’t I walk you to the castle to ensure your safety, Princess.” Justin paused. “It’s alright,” he assured, “I won’t hurt you. Allow me to escort you home.”
She gave a small nod of agreement, not exactly being in a position to refuse. He motioned to the other blacksmiths, and they dispersed, leaving Madeleine alone with her father.
They walked in silence for a while, the princess checking over her shoulder every couple of seconds to see if they were being followed. Justin took her down a path she had never seen before, and she wrung her hands restlessly. As much as she hated this man for what he’d done, she finally had the chance to talk to him, and this felt like a situation she would never find herself in again.
“How did you know I was in trouble?”
He blinked. “You made quite the ruckus, Your Majesty. When I saw you being chased, I knew right away you needed help. As you may have seen, I have some strong and persuasive friends.” She crinkled something absentmindedly in her hand, and he looked at her. “What’s that you have?”
She looked at him for a moment, confused, then down at her closed hand. “Oh, it’s something I took.”
“Does it have anything to do with those men who were chasing you?”
She paused. “Let’s just say I was able to snag some piece of evidence, despite what that man may have said.” She opened her fist to reveal a long sheet of paper with a short statement describing the document of Les Oiseaux Libres and the names of those who had signed it along with the signature of the Great Liberator at the top.
Her father grinned. “Clever.”
“It was all thanks to you that I was able to successfully pull it off, Sir.”
“Please, I am no sir, Your Highness,” he said gently. “My name is Justin.”
“I know who you are. You worked in the castle stables five years ago when I visited.” He looked pleased to hear she remembered who he was. “Why did you decide to become a blacksmith?”
“People change their line of work all the time,” he said passively. “It isn’t that unusual.”
There was a pause.
She exhaled. “I know about your relationship with Queen Nicole,” she said quietly.
They halted, and he searched her face. “What?”
“I know who you are as well, Father.”
His shoulders shot up, his eyes widening. “She told you?”
“I figured it out.”
He blinked, then exhaled quickly. “Of course, you did. The queen was always very clever as well. Your Highness…I’ve wanted to speak with you for so long.”
She considered him before glancing away and began walking again. “After all this time, why would you still put her in danger by trying to contact her?”
He bit his lip as he gazed at the ground. “What I feel for her, it is something that comes only once in a lifetime, and it will always haunt me wherever I go. When I heard she was coming, I thought perhaps this would be my last chance to ask her to stay.”
She took a quick breath to compose herself. “Well, stop contacting her. She will not come. Not tonight or ever. Surely, you know that.”
He looked away. “I know.” They both ducked under some trees and Madeleine was staring at the castle entrance. “I hope one day you can forgive me, and I am truly grateful to have this chance talk to you, Princess.”
She considered him. “Thank you, Justin, for saving my life.”
He blinked, then gave a small bow. “Thank you for saying that. I’m sure there are people waiting for your return so I will take my leave.”
She looked at him in protest as he began to walk away. “No, wait!” He glanced back in surprise. “Can I ask you a favor?”
“Anything for the princess of Andveltica.”
“I may need to call witnesses to condemn the man I stole that paper from. Would it be alright if you were one of those people?”
“Nothing would give me more pleasure, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.”
There was a pause.
“Justin…I have forgiven you for what you did.”
Something flashed in his eyes, and he bowed again.
He took his leave and she waited until he was out of sight to turn and look at the castle entrance as the morning sun barely popped over the horizon.