cfboleyn:
- “ You are most kind monsieur, as you have always been, but I speak of it only so to refrain from claiming to be above my station. I beseech your forgiveness if I have dampened your spirits for that was not my intention. ” A thin hand momentarily reached across the wooden table, seeking to wrap delicate fingers around the ambassador’s hand in a thankful embrace. “ You say a great deal without a single word, excellency, or mayhaps I merely spent too much time in France and now I know its people better than I know myself. No, we shall risk no honour this day for they are two nations which cannot be compared. ” Upon reflection Anne’s memories of her time in France were intense, vibrant and almost dream like after so many years, but Antoine’s presence was not exactly a direct reflection of that as others were. He had all of the vibrancy and charm of the kingdom he represented and yet and air of kindness surrounded his every word and draped a blanket of calm upon an often frantic Anne. “ I should be most happy to resume a place in France, I feel closer to your charming kingdom with each and every day I am in Princess Georgette’s service which is more of a blessing than I am deserving of. Might your wife be joining you on this English soil? I would be most happy to be within her company. ”
The gestures that rose to match Anne’s were not merely dismissive - they became deterring, as if his wife’s mention personified as a riling wasp, incessant in its drone. From avoiding her eyes, which cast such a molten light that his own tongue waned, he turned to avoid her words. Antoine nodded sprightly, like a man agreeing with phrases he does not dare comprehend, but vital phrases nonetheless. This was more than a game of keeping pretense: it was a picture that self-constructed itself and any hesitation meant its reversal to nothingness. The narrowing of something he hadn’t even realized building. A coverlet of lies, but with an armory touch to it. “She is here already, my lady...”, he began, as his fingers knotted through one other on the brocade table mantel. “Yet we are not often seen as a pair, thus your confusion can hardly be imputed. Let us not dwell on trifles! How is Her Highness as a ruling lady? I imagine she takes after her charming mother in that respect, as in so many others.”





