I'
"King Isaac George Valois the first, King of France." I heard the messenger shout my name hard enough that I could hear it through the closed doors.
Two guards opened the doors for me as I made my way to my throne, thousands of people were standing around it and I don’t like this many humans around me, in my private space. Charlotte was already sitting and smiled widely at me. I despise that woman, she still tries to convince everyone that we are a happy married couple, which we never were and never will be.
As I sat down my mother went to stand next to my throne and whispered in my ear, "I thought we had a deal, son, you need to have an heir and you need to consummate your marriage with your wife ." I turned to her as soon as those words left her mouth. I clenched my teeth and shaked my head showing her my discomfort at the single thought. There are multiple reasons why this marriage won’t work and one of them is that I don’t want to consummate my marriage with a woman that tries too hard to make me happy.
"I'm grateful for all of you, who came here to celebrate my birth. Let the feast begin!" I shouted towards the filled throne room after I stood up, towering everyone. The second those words left my lips, the music started and everyone started dancing or celebrating in my name. I sat back on my throne and watched my people drink and dance for my behalf.
"Isaac, yesterday I came to your chambers but the guards informed me that you weren't available." The awful voice spoke as a waitress came to us walking the few steps of the elevated platform where our thrones were located. She didn't even glance at the queen but immediately came towards me and as she bowed the cleavage of her dress lowered and she knew what she was doing. Just like most of my servants or other available women. I didn't look at her in any inappropriate way and just grabbed the goblet from her plate. The rumors of this failure of a marriage are awful, she’s infertile, she has female problems, I have no emotions, I am searching for a better woman. In this day of age women have no rights which I try to change in my country, I give them the opportunity to work, to have the same privileges like men. But I can’t satisfy everyone, men are unhappy because they don’t want to be at the same level as women, females are unhappy because men don’t tolerate them. Victoria Bordeaux is an exception, she is known for her brain and no man has ever achieved to topple her, she’s a leader for all of the females and a few males. I have sent out an invitation for her and I hope to see her soon.
William, my personal guard, walked towards my throne and bowed towards me and Charlotte.William is very close to me, we grew up together and his mother had a relationship with my father after he was born. In contrast to my mother, she despises William. My mother and father had a complicated relationship, they married when they were 13 and my mother couldn’t produce an heir so my father went to other women and tried to get them pregnant, which didn't happen. My father was a great ruler but an awful husband and father.
"It's time for the opening dance, Your Majesties." Sebastian spoke. I stood up and walked down the stairs without even waiting for Charlotte. It is a very unroyal movement that I make, but I don't care, everyone is probably already used to my behavior towards her. The entire world knows about my relationship to Charlotte, it is strictly political and it's the best for France. Royals don’t have such a privilege as love.
The people who were just dancing left the dancefloor making room for us. The guards stood before the people to make sure no royal could get hurt. Charlotte moved closer to me and we started dancing. I don't seem to understand why people are so delighted when they get to dance. It is not amusing or exciting.
I feel Charlotte's hand leave my shoulder and place it on my left chestplate. Not this again. She always does this, she tries to manipulate people to think that I didn’t reject her as a proper wife. I take her hand in mine and slowly bring it to my shoulder where it needs to be, she should be glad that I’m even letting her touch that. She gives me a look that I've seen too many times.
When the music slowly reached its end I lifted Charlotte up and placed her back on the ground. The music ended and everyone clapped in their hands as Charlotte bowed before me, I clenched my jaw and walked back up the throne.
Another song started and the guests started dancing. I looked around the room seeing my advisors, messengers, diplomats, stewards and lords who were invited.
I noticed my advisor, Duke James of Bordeaux, coming towards my throne and saw a young woman following him. I watched her move through the crowd following James.
Who is she?
"Duke." I spoke towards the man. James and I have tried for several weeks to find a solution for a specific problem, but we’re still trying to figure it out. He told me that he had sent for Victoria Bordeaux, this is probably her.
Your Majesty," He addressed me, "Your Majesty," He addressed Charlotte.
"May I introduce my sister, Victoria Bordeaux." James spoke and I studied her, she bowed. As she stood back up I saw her eyes catch mine and then to Charlotte, her eyes were a beautiful mix of gray and blue. Her hair covered her shoulders and went down to her hips. I also noticed that the dress wasn’t as extravagant as other females are wearing, which makes me curious about her.
"I hope everything is to your liking, your Grace." I spoke. I've heard a lot about this woman, she was known for being an independent woman and thought about things in a different perspective, maybe better. Marvel, as my mother mentioned as I told her that Victoria will be arriving.
She gave me a smile and a few nods before responding. "It certainly is, Your Majesty." The words left her plump dark red lips.
"I'm glad, if there is anything, just ask." I said and she smiled once more. Showing her pearl white teeth and her eyes glittered.
"I doubt that but thank you, Your Majesty." She said, her chuckle made an unfamiliar sensation erupt inside me. I swallowed the feeling away and continued my conversation.
"We came to tell you, Your Majesty, that our German spies say that there might be a rebellion between the German Catholics and Protestants." James spoke. After those words came out of his mouth my head slowly retrieved from Lady Victoria towards Duke James.
This isn't good news, I clenched my jaw and thought about how this could've happened. There were always tensions between France and Germany and I thought that it would stop after I married Charlotte but it didn't.
Useless marriage.
"Are those rumors already confirmed?" I asked. The siblings shared a look before James shook his head. I am not sure if this is good or not.
"So there might be a chance that this is a misunderstanding?" I asked them.
"There is a chance, Your Majesty." James replied, I was still concentrating. I know that there also is a chance that the rumors are true, which would have horrible consequences.
"I will send out a letter to the German ambassadors and prepare for a war, if it's going to get this far. Before the Ambassador doesn't confirm these rumors we will plan strategies, in case it is true." I finished. I need to know for certain if Germany is indeed making these plans.
"But Isaac, they are saying that there is a chance that those are rumors, there is no need to worry so soon." Charlotte spoke, my eyes snapped towards Charlotte and gave her an unbelievable look. I married her to avoid these situations and now I find out that it still happened and that The Queen of France doesn't even care about France.
"But Charlotte there also is a chance that it will happen and if we're not going to take any action who knows what will happen when that news will go to the Germans." I tried to remain in control of my voice and not snap at her in front of everyone. She turned away and drank her goblet empty.
"Tomorrow morning, I have time to start planning this situation." I said towards them both, in the afternoon I'm riding towards Calais. They nodded in union and retrieved from our platform back into the crowd.
I tried to keep my eye on Victoria but I soon lost her.
As I searched in the crowd for her I couldn't seem to find her.
And when I did she was already staring at me, we stared into eachother eyes for a while before I gave her a nod, I don’t need new rumors spreading through this castle, and I certainly don’t want Victoria to be involved with them.
I walked off the podium to say goodbye to my mother and retrieve in my chambers. As I walked out of the crowded room followed by guards I saw her standing in the hallway.