[josephineanwar]

lacourdefrance​:

gabriel gave another weak chuckle. “he tends to be cryptic,” he said. but when she refused his services, his thoughts raced. he was off the hook, but… was he, really? he cleared his throat. “actually, if you don’t mind, i’d prefer to stay for a bit… just so he actually thinks it went well. if my purpose is to be your… paramour, i assume that shirking my duties would mean my death. and i’d prefer not to die.”

he realized how that sounded, so he cleared his throat again. “not that we have to do anything – i’m not about to force you to have sex with me, i just… want to make the lie believable, if we can.”

She gaped at him, her mouth hanging open in a very unladylike manner. “Death?” She asked, the shock clear in her voice. Had she been naive in thinking that she could handle this in a civilized manner? She was beginning to realize there was no such thing in the french court. If only she could wrap her small hands around her husbands neck and show him just how uncivilized she could be.

“Of course you don’t wish to die.” She said, composing herself once the initial shock had subsided. “I do not wish that for you either, so I suppose we must pretend.” She plastered a smile on her face, a plan forming in her head. “We shall act as lovers for a time, until the King is satisfied and then you can go on your way. Agreed?”

[josephineanwar]

lacourdefrance​:

he glanced up at the woman that spoke, eyes widening slightly. “i’m…. what?” he questioned. she must have been mistaken. “i’m… just here to see the king, i don’t… know of any new assignments.” he smiled, as if to say he was embarrassed for not understanding what she meant. “if that’s why i was summoned here, it certainly wouldn’t surprise me.” 

it was no secret that the men in his family were famous lovers, and honestly he was surprised it took this long for him to be called to court for this very reason. though he didn’t love the feeling of being used, it was better than being killed for refusing. “and you…. you must be the new queen i’m hearing so much about.” he bowed respectfully. “gabriel chevalier,” he introduced himself. “it’s a pleasure to meet you.” he reached out and kissed her hand.

She had surprised him and she couldn’t help but giggle at the confused look on his face. “I see the King did not inform you of your purpose here at court.” She had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. As usual her husband had treated someone as his plaything, with little regard for their wants to desires or feelings. She felt sorry for this poor man that he too had to bend to her husband’s whim. 

She still wasn’t used to being referred to as ‘the queen’, for most of the time she still felt like a silly little girl only playing the part. “Josephine De Villiers.” She said, though she knew it would be improper for him to refer to her as anything other than ‘Your Majesty’ but she so missed hearing her name. He certainly was handsome, and the kiss on her hand sent a small shock up her arm, he would have made a fine lover if she had need of one. “I’m terribly sorry that you have traveled all this way but I’m afraid I have need for your...Your services, so you may be on your way. I’ll be sure to tell The King that we met and while you seemed lovely, I am content with my current situation.” She felt rather pleased with herself, handling something so awkward and crass all by herself. Problem solved.

[josephineanwar]

lacourdefrance​:

nicolette didn’t think she deserved something this perfect. he had the biggest heart she’d ever known, she loved him with every single bit of herself. and though she still had secrets held in the back of her mind, she knew from the moment they met that they were meant to be together. and oh, being married to him was bliss. from that happy night onward, she’d had nothing but more happy days and happy nights. was it possible for things to be this good?? part of her was wondering when things would take a turn for the worst.

the two had stayed up far too late the night before, cuddling and talking into the early hours. the moment she fell asleep she was out like a light, no notice for the hours passing. it was only when she heard his gentle whisper that she stirred, giving a soft hum of confusion. she felt the weight of him sitting beside her, so she rubbed her eyes and sat up, her nightgown falling off one shoulder. “love?” she murmured, a little confused before she properly opened her eyes and saw what he brought. “oh, mon amour,” she sighed, a bright smile growing on her face. “they’re beautiful, absolutely beautiful.” she carefully took the flowers from them, breathing in their sweet perfume. 

Anwar beamed, filled with pride for his bouquet. It may not have been made of expensive roses, or as grand as the floral displays their gardener put together but none of their elaborate creations made his wife smile like that, and so in Anwar’s opinion, it was the finest bouquet in all of France. “Perhaps, but not as beautiful as you.” She said, leaning in, pressing his lips to her rose colored cheek. “Even in the morning, with your hair all tangled and sleep in your eyes.” He teased, running his hands through her dark curls, messy from sleep. “I am a lucky man to posses a wife who’s as lovely in the morning as she is at night, I’ve heard that some men can’t say the same.”

He moved to lounge on the bed beside her, propping his head on his hand. “What would you most like to do today?” As he smoke his took her hand in his, placing small kisses on each one of her fingers. “It’s a lovely day, perhaps a picnic? There isn’t long before we have to return to court and I intend to spend every minute enjoying your company and only yours.”

[lacourdefrance]

walking up to the decadent palace, he wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. well, he knew to expect what he already knew, but that stuff he could tolerate for the sake of tolerating it. he had a part to play, as per usual. enjoy what he could enjoy and try not to get his head lopped off, that seemed simple enough. 

no, he wasn’t sure what to expect of the queen. she was the new, shiny thing in court, attracting everyone’s attention and equal scrutiny. he’d been a friend to the king for a while, their fathers were friends, their father’s fathers, so it wasn’t really a shock that he received summons, he just… christ, things really never seemed to stop. everything seemed to be running at a breakneck speed politically, socially… it was hard for gabriel to catch his breath. he exited the carriage and gave a nod to the driver and the servant holding open the door. he walked through the doors into the near-constant party that was versailles. opting to not get advice from a servant, he chose to look around for the king on his own, just so he could take in as many sights and sounds as he could. 

[josephineanwar]

Josephine watched from her bedroom window as her "gift" excited the carriage. When her husband had said that he had gotten a surprise for her she had expected diamonds, or perhaps a new pet to keep her company, not a man. The French Court still baffled her at times, back home she had never heard of a husband gifting their wife a lover. She scrunched up her delicate nose at the thought of it.

Josephine had very little control over her own life nowadays, but she refused to sit idly by and wait for the King to present this man to her. No, she would seek him out herself and make it perfectly clear to him to him that his services would no be needed, for she did not want nor need a lover and if he wished he could make his way back to wherever he came from and forget this whole situation ever happened. 

She made her way through the halls of Versailles, looking for the man she had seen from her window. When she finally spotted him he was wondering around aimlessly, observing the baroque palace that surrounded him. “You must be my new lover.” She said, making her presence known and trying to sound like the queen she was. 

[josephineanwar]

        Anwar walked through the garden's of his carefully plucking the prettiest flowers he could find. He had always enjoyed escaping the cage that was his family home for the grounds that surrounded it, it was his chance to be alone, outside of court, outside of his family. It was different now though, now he had a pretty new wife waiting for him when he returned to the house. It had barely been a month since their wedding but Anwar knew that he was beyond the point of no return when it came to Nicolette. 

Once he was pleased with his selection of flowers he quickly returned to their bedchambers where his sweet wife was still fast asleep. “Ma vie,” He whispered, perching on the side of the bed, lightly brushing her brown curls away from her cheek. “It’s time to wake up, look I’ve even brought you a present.” He said, proudly holding the bouquet up to her nose.