annexaustria:
She smiled again at that thought and glanced away from the Musketeer and instead out into the gardens. She could see, from her seated position, a few servants and gardeners and the like, out tending the beautiful gardens. Even they had more freedom than she. They could leave if they so chose.
“I thank you for the thought, Porthos, but I fear you would hate it, as I would very quickly leave you behind.”
After all, the horses that she still had, not that she was allowed to ride them, were all Spanish horses, bred for speed. Combined with her skills, she would leave any man, particularly those weighted down by armor, far behind her.
“And you would likely have to fight to defend me at every other step of the way. Far too many wish for my death, it seems.”
She was trying to make a joke of it, of how often her life was on the line, but instead it almost came out bitter. She was but a woman, with no true control. Her husband barely heard her voice, and her son… she had given them an heir, but even that was not enough.
For a very large and intimidating man he had a light chuckle at the thought of the Queen leaving him in her dust. If anything she was honest, he could appreciate that of his queen. At her concern he was also appreciative, but his reply was also very much like him. “ I like a good fight.” he told her with a smile. It would be no problem for him if he had to keep her safe from anyone who would do her harm. Not simply out of duty. There was a soft spot in his heart for his queen. He was never one for politics, but he could see that if she had a say in anything maybe there could be good change. She had heart, she had spirit - all admired by this Musketeer. So much so he was willing (albeit there was probably bribery involved of some kind ) to sit with her today. Or he simply wanted to get to know the woman behind the king, behind her crown.