XV'

My mind can’t comprehend the fact that Charlotte lied to my face, that she made me believe she was carrying my child. Of course I had my doubts because I didn’t remember one night, but Victoria was right, there is no way possible that Charlotte could know that she was pregnant in this early stage. The question now is, is she even pregnant at all? And if she is, who is the father? My mother stands proudly by her side as she tries to defend her daughter in-law against my words. Even if Charlotte isn’t pregnant she will still die and if there is a way that someone will change my mind, she will be disgraced and live worse than death. This lie will cost her her head.

“Isaac, I raised you better than this behaviour. You are humiliating your family!” She screams in my face. I didn’t expect that my mother would stand by Charlotte’s side. I didn’t expect it would go this far to destroy her own child with these kinds of words over a word from my horrible lying wife. “You have no say in this.” I speak strictly to her face, articulating every word separately so she’ll understand the anger that’s almost going to burst. I find it surprising how Charlotte is still trembling and crying in her lady’s arms while whispering prayers. They should both have known that this would happen. Is Charlotte this easy to manipulate?

“Isaac, you are making a big mistake.” When she spoke those words I immediately knew, she was behind this. I already had my suspicions, but had hope. I always grew up with traitors around me, guards who tried to gain my trust just so they could kill me or maids that tried to poison me. That’s how I turned out so heartless and cold to people that were unknown. But I still always try to see the light in someone, my father called me weak because of that characteristic. I close my eyes as I remember his words in my head.

“I wish you never were my son!”

“You weak bastard!”

“Look at your brother!”

I refocused. I don’t need this kind of distraction. My father is gone and I am standing in his position right now. I saw my mother still blathering with Charlotte and a few diplomats that were worried about this entire situation.

“You know. You knew it all along. How dare you not tell me this!” My anger always gets the best of me, it’s a characteristic that I got from my father. My mother doesn’t move or flinch. She still stands there peacefully and tries to keep this situation under control as she signs the guards that the room needs to be cleared out.

“Isaac, let’s go somewhere private.” I felt anger, betrayal and disappointment. In both my mother and wife. My mother has no right to come up with these lies. And Charlotte can’t just play part in my mother’s games.

“Why? Why lie about these things?” My voice grew calmer but the spark was still there. We now stood in my mother’s chambers as she wanted to talk privately, I didn’t mind, I don’t care if everyone knows what happened, I just want to get Charlotte out of my sight as soon as possible and I will find a way to get my mother under control so these kinds of missteps won’t happen again.

“We need to! So your mistress doesn’t take over control of this castle! Don’t you understand Isaac? We need to protect everyone from her.” My mother snapped. My nostrils flared with anger and my fists balled as I understood that they were talking about Victoria. I can’t lead Victoria in danger with these kinds of humans who don’t know what is going on or don’t have faith in their ruler.

“There is nothing going on between me and Victoria!” My mind drifted back to a few moments ago where Victoria confessed what happened between us that one drunken night. It was a mistake. Still it feels like something that isn’t so easily forgotten in my heart. Why did I need to drink so much?

“Who are you trying to convince? Me or you?” My mother’s tone turned manipulative. I turned my back to her and paced out of the room. I am done with this, these situations with Victoria. Charlotte’s role in my mother’s games. My mother who tries to have everyone in her grasp. And honestly I don’t know the answer to her previous question. There is just chemistry, nothing more, still my heart knows I am lying.

When I returned into the throne room it was cleared out. Servants were taking the leftovers back to the kitchen. The room was totally empty and the guards were multiplied.

A trip will do me good after all this. I walk towards the stables and convince the stableboy to let me go alone. I jump on my horse and ride as fast as possible. The wind blowing through my hair, my flesh feeling the cold spring air. I go as fast as my horse can. It is one of the fastest horse race. French landscapes have special beauty with rare and appealing excellence. It’s one of the reasons why I love my country. This ride does me good indeed. I feel more relaxed as I jump off my horse at lake Lubart. It has the clearest water and you can see little fish swimming up close to the rocks. I used to come here with Arthur as children, we climbed on the rocks and jumped from one to another. I sit down on one of them and take out a few papers that I’ve brought with me that need my opinion or approval.

A few moments later when the sun was already starting to set and I was almost done with the last letter, I left the beautiful landscape and returned to the castle where more worries are probably waiting for me.

As I arrive back in the castle and return to my chamber I am met by James. My confusion is probably written all over my face. What is he doing here? His hair is demolished and he smells like alcohol mixed with perfume from a lady. Of course I’ve done my research about James n Nickolay Bordeaux, he was a player. Liked gambling and women mixed with drugs. My spies told me that there is nothing to worry about as he was now the duke of Bordeaux and changed himself completely and is now working with his sister. What is happening here exactly?

“How dare you!” He shouted. I walked closer to him without sparing him any more attention then was necessary to get him out of my room.

“James, sit down. You’re not well.” I know that he is angry for some reason, but I consider James as a friend. He is my age and his job also includes politics. I might as well stop him from making a fool of himself even more. I kissed his sister, and I know how protective he is of her so I owe it to him to help him right now.

“I am fine! You- You- I trusted you! Why- Why did you do this to my sister? She only wants to…” His eyes are starting to close. “Only wants to…” And he fell. Straight on my carpet. I blinked at the unconscious man in front of me before I shed my jacket and tried to wake him up. No luck. Why pass out James?