queen of his heart

marguerite d'estress, maitresse en titre to louis of france

[margueritelamaitresse]

                  ‘ in truth, i may only wonder whether these swedish talks came to anything, ‘ marguerite commented, half to herself. ‘ but then, it is hardly my place to wonder such things. ‘ she was no political figure ; no, in this instance her place as maitresse was ever more clear. a place that had never grated against her before... now, though, it was rather another matter. she had little interest in affecting france’s political decisions, beyond wishing for peace for her family and her home, yet knowing that what small influence she had was soon to diminish even further was difficult to bear. ‘ i may only hope for peace, always. for all of us. ‘

[margueritelamaitresse]

french-louis:

At her suggestion, Louis immediately withdrew, out of fear of irritating her. “Of course,” he whispered, bowing his head in a feeble attempt to conceal the guilt in his eyes. “Whatever you command of me is yours. I will leave you now, this has been a lot to take in. Please let me know when you are ready to speak to me or speak about this further. I do not wish to impose myself.” He lifted his head slightly in order to see her beautiful pale blue eyes once more. Those eyes had once been filled with such light and happiness that they often made Louis wonder how a woman could be so happy and loving. Never had he seen them so bleak and dismal, and that is how he knew he had truly broken her that day. 

      there was a part of her that did not wish him to leave her side. that wanted to cling to him, in some vain hope that it might make everything better. yet he was also the one responsible for the pain she felt, and so she could not turn to him for comfort. ‘ thank you, ‘ she replied softly, knowing it must go against all his instincts to leave her at this moment. ‘ if you have need of me..., ‘ she sighed. he would find her, if he wished, but she doubted he would need her now. not when she could hardly even meet his eye. she did not know how this could ever be overcome between them. but there was still their child to consider ; she would have to find some way, for their sake if not her own.

[margueritelamaitresse]

thefrenchrose:

“He is really happy, mére. This child a blessing.” She wanted her mére to remember how much her pére loved her and that if he had to marry Cathryn, it was because the country needed the alliance and not because he wanted a wife. “He loves you very much, I can tell.” The princess smiled, for seeing her parents happy was everything she needed. “I am sorry, mére. He told me. But he meant well. He is just so excited and wanted to share it with me. And I want you to know what your child is my sibling, just as Jacques, Leo and Gen are. I have never been happier.” There were so many things wrong in her world, and it seemed everything was crumbling down, but at least her mére had given her a reason to smile.

         it made her smile to hear of louis’ happiness ; she could only be pleased that he was as excited as she was for their child. though for a moment, henriette worried her with her apology. as the young princess finished, though, marguerite laughed, relieved. ‘ do not be sorry, my darling, ‘ she said, smile wide and open. ‘ it does not matter how you learned the news, only that you are happy to hear it. i cannot blame your father his excitement, when i am just as eager to share my happiness with those i love. ‘  

[margueritelamaitresse]

whcrownprincejacques:

“You are much as part of our family as any of us” he wasn’t blind to that, and really he wasn’t sure how they would have coped without her. Really it just made the reality of the situation that much worse. But he would not be the one to explain all of the current issues with the situation. He had already decided on that, before his father had demanded it of him. “Then us… they will still be the child of a King, and still receive at least money so they can live in comfort” it was more then most people got, he knew that much from what he had seen on his rides. Something that concerned him. “I cannot speak for my siblings. I might have a rough idea of what they think, but it would do them an injustice if I say it. All I can do is promise you that you have my support” or at least try and give it. He wasn’t really sure if he would be able to. The entire situation was hurting, in a way that he could not explain without reviling too much of his own secrets. “Indeed. I always miss it when I am not here”.

       marguerite smiled. it was a relief to hear such a thing from jacques, to know that he considered her family. ‘ i am certain that you will see to it that your new sibling is happy, and well, ‘ she agreed, comforted by this fact. one day when she and louis were both gone, her child’s fate may lay in jacques’ hands and she had faith he would do the right thing. ‘ i thank you for your support, dearest jacques. and i am sure your father will be, also. ‘ knowing that his children - for the most part - were happy for their new sibling would bring him joy as much as it did her. ‘ and we miss you - all of you, when you are far from us. so it is good that you have returned, to grace us with your presence once again. ‘

[margueritelamaitresse]

thefrenchrose:

Then two of her siblings already knew. It wouldn’t surprise her if her father had told Leo as well, for she knew he was very happy about having a child with Marguerite. It did not bother her. In fact, it made her very happy to see that her father would finally have something he truly wanted other than doing what was right for France. Besides, having another Heir was a good thing for their country. She did not consider this child an illegitimate sibling, but one her parents were having and that made him or her just as sibling as Jacques, Genevieve and Leo were. “It is good that everything is fine. You need rest and if there is anything bothering you, and I mean anything, I will take care of it.” She had already lost a mother to childbirth, something she did not wish to dwell on, but losing Marguerite would destroy everything good in the world. “Have you seen father yet?” The news of his upcoming nuptials would cause distress to Marguerite and that could harm the child, and she only hoped her father had the right words to explain the situation.

          marguerite smiled. henriette was a better person than any of them deserved ; she constantly marvelled at her kindness. ‘ do not worry for me. i am well, and resting as much as needed. already i only take one walk around the gardens a day, and even that is kept to less than an hour. enough exercise to remain healthy but not exhaust myself, as the physician recommends, ‘ she said, teasing gently. anything to keep henriette from concerning herself with worries she need not have. ‘ but of course, i know you will be there for anything i need. i could not do this without you. ‘ she wanted her daughter by her side throughout the remainder of this pregnancy,  if such a thing were possible. she doubted it would be, but hope counted for something. ‘ and no, i have not seen my king, yet. but i am sure he will find me as soon as possible. ‘

[margueritelamaitresse]

alexandrinaofbrittany:

Alexandrina nodded, agreeing with Marguerite. “It has been very kind to me,” she answered. “I love coming here-sometimes it makes me want to stay longer and not go home at all.” In fact, she wished she’d never go home, but to stay in France for good.

       it was pleasing to hear that her home had been so welcoming to the young woman. ‘ i am glad you think so. i am certain you would be welcome here any time, my dear, ‘ marguerite said with a soft smile. ‘ french court is a wonderful place. but i am sure there is much at home waiting for you also that you would not wish to miss, even if it does not seem so now. ‘

[margueritelamaitresse]

hrhgenevieve:

“Honestly, it should not be quite a surprise.” Genevieve said, looking away from Marguerite as she rolled her eyes and shook her head in annoyance. She stood, and didn’t give Marguerite the chance to explain further as she ensured that there was more distance between them, shrinking away from her father’s mistress. “We have never been close, Marguerite. But I will not have any ill-will towards a helpless child because of that, if that is what you worry about. In some ways he or she is lucky. They won’t have to deal with the nuisance that is being born a princess or prince, unless father plans on changing the line of succession,” Genevieve said, more worried about Jacques though she was sure that she didn’t have to be. 

      marguerite sighed. it hurt deeply, that genevieve was reacting in such a way, but what had she expected? not all her family could be as warm and welcoming as henriette. her favouritism towards the younger princess was perhaps responsible for the distance between her and genevieve ; she no longer knew what had caused it, only that it was a breach too hard to cross. ‘ i understand, of course, ‘ marguerite said, diplomatic and withdrawn. now was not the time to fight. give her time, and perhaps genevieve would come around... ‘ your father would never change the line of succession, of course. and i would not want him to, as you well know, ‘ she continued, unable to remove the hint of offence in her tone. as if she would ever wish that her child should succeed the crown over jacques and the others. as if it were even possible. ‘ you may leave now, ‘ she said coldly. ‘ i think you have said all you need. ‘

[margueritelamaitresse]

french-louis:

His heart was breaking, and it cracked a little more upon seeing her blink back tears. He was not sure whether she did not wish to cry in front of him, or whether she did not wish to cry at all. Louis gulped hard, averting his gaze to avoid the emergence of similar tears in his liquid eyes. “You will have to trust me,” he breathed, for he feared that speaking any louder with more confidence would break him. “You will have to believe it for the sake of us, and for the sake of our child. Marguerite- I do not want to bring this child into a world where we are not together. I do not want you to be one of those women who bore my bastard in the dark corner of a secret room and then handed a small bag of gold- because you are not one of those women, and you never will be unless you make yourself one of them. And that is the worst possible thing that could ever happen to you, me and our baby.”

                ‘ i do trust you,  ‘ marguerite said, barely more than a whisper. of course she did ; she loved him with her whole heart, and such things could not exist without trust. but fear was a powerful thing. ‘ i do not want any of those things, either, ‘ she continued, voice firmer. to become one of the poor, unfortunate women cursed with a king’s bastard but not his love - it would be a nightmare brought to life. there was no world in which she could imagine herself away from louis and her family. ‘ but..., ‘ she sighed. it was so much, all at once, and she needed time to process it. ‘ perhaps some time. i need...i need you to give me time. ‘ nothing she decided in the moment would be the right choice, for her or her child. and this was not just a decision for herself ; whatever she did would affect this child’s future. it could not be made lightly.

[margueritelamaitresse]

❝ You’re making it sound more like a battle than a marriage. ❞

     ‘ in this case, i rather think it may be, ‘ marguerite said with a rather rueful smile. ‘ you are marrying for your country. it will be a battle of its own kind, though perhaps not as violent, if you are fortunate. ‘ she hoped that the german princess was a kind girl - that she would treat jacques, and later france with love and respect. yet either way, he would have to find some way to make their marriage work, whatever that may be.

[margueritelamaitresse]

❝ do you smell that? that’s the smell of freedom. ❞ (Hettie)

       marguerite laughed softly. ‘ i think you are dreaming, my darling, ‘ she said, smiling widely. ‘ though i understand your confusion. it is so freeing, to be out here without a thousand courtiers vying for our attention. we must visit the country more often, you and i. ‘

[margueritelamaitresse]

❝ trust me, you’re going to want to hear this. ❞

     marguerite gave him a rather doubtful look. ‘ if your news is like that which i have heard in the last few days, i do not know if that is true, ‘ she said with a quiet sigh. she was tired of being told things that turned her life upside down, and something in leo’s words made her thing she might be better off not knowing. ‘ perhaps it is time i choose blissful ignorance. ‘

[thereignofadaline]

The White Queen ➝ Sentence Prompts

Episode One: In Love With the King

❝ I have no choice. ❞ ❝ It may help you. And it cannot harm. ❞ ❝ There must be one more battle. ❞ ❝ You are confident of winning. ❞ ❝ I am as lucky in battle as I am in love. ❞ ❝ I cannot stay for long. ❞ ❝ You don’t fear you may lose? ❞ ❝ Isn’t that what you would wish? ❞ ❝ I wish there were no sides. ❞ ❝ I have a longing for you. ❞ ❝ I may die in battle and this could be my last request. ❞ ❝ I only ask for what is mine to be returned to me. ❞ ❝ I don’t intend to sell myself at all. ❞ ❝ I’ve been thinking about you all day long. ❞ ❝ Don’t doubt my courage. ❞ ❝ I’m match for any man. ❞ ❝ You have made a fool of me. ❞ ❝ You may not fall in love with a King/Queen unless there is some profit in it for you. ❞ ❝ Your life will not be easy because you wish it to be so. ❞ ❝ I haven’t slept since I last saw you. ❞ ❝ So, is this love then? Is this what it feels like? ❞ ❝ We have to keep it secret for a while. ❞ ❝ I will die in bed beside the most beautiful Queen this country has ever known. ❞ ❝ I’m rather enjoying it though, aren’t you? ❞ ❝ You’re making it sound more like a battle than a marriage.  ❞ ❝ It is a battle, make no mistake. ❞ ❝ I am happy for your joy. ❞ ❝ As women must, it seems. ❞ ❝ These are different times. ❞ ❝ He is the king. And those who speak against him are guilty of treason. ❞ ❝ That’s such an advantage, isn’t it? ❞ ❝ There are many who will be cursing our luck and wishing us to fall. ❞ ❝ You must have really worked some charm. ❞ ❝ I confess I had expected quite a battle. ❞ ❝ But loving you is very much easier. ❞

Episode Two: The Price of Power

❝ Hold your head high. God has chosen you in this. ❞ ❝ I am so very proud of you. ❞ ❝ Just play your part. ❞ ❝ I would have dignity and no emotion. ❞ ❝ How is it that I’ve allowed you to wear so many clothes? ❞ ❝ Shall we be safe, you and I, upon our thrones? ❞ ❝ Your advice may well be worth thinking about. ❞ ❝ I know that I was not your choice of wife and Queen. ❞ ❝ But I hope that we may join in friendship as we share love for him/her. ❞ ❝ We must build a powerful royal family around you. ❞ ❝ Is it not enough that I am not allowed to raise my child myself? ❞ ❝ You cannot live on fresh air alone. ❞ ❝ There is no love in this, only business. ❞ ❝ For I have the most beautiful lady in the kingdom. ❞ ❝ I have found the biggest prize of all. ❞ ❝ But God has brought him to us to show that my reign is just and true. ❞ ❝ Tell me there is a purpose. ❞ ❝ This is what you get when you put the devil on the throne. ❞ ❝ Please don’t leave me. ❞ ❝ I am sure of nothing! ❞ ❝ I just cannot bear that this is happening. ❞ ❝ I love you with all of my heart. ❞ ❝ Today is a special day because I have something important to tell you. ❞ ❝ I will not hear this! ❞ ❝ By my will, you both shall die. ❞

[margueritelamaitresse]

hrhgenevieve:

Genevieve looked at Marguerite, wondering when she would actually tell her what was going on, before she actually did, and Genevieve found herself wishing she had remained blissfully unaware. Remembering her conversation with her father, she knew she could not express her true feelings about the impending arrival of yet another illigitimate brother or sister, so she forced a smile on to her face and bit her lip. 

“Wonderful indeed.” Genevieve said, scoffing slightly as she remembered the conversational spat she had with her father before leaving Scotland. “The King is entitled to his secrets indeed.” she muttered under her breath, understanding now why she had felt such backlash in her criticism of Marguerite and why her father had been so adamant that he was entitled to his secrets.“And when are we to expect this new bundle of joy?”  

       though it was perhaps naieve, she was not expecting such bitterness from genevieve as she announced her news. ‘ i understand this is quite a surprise, ‘ she said, kind and unaffected as possible. ‘ for so many years...i believed myself unable to carry a child. to find myself pregnant now is truly a miracle, and i thank god for it. ‘ the circumstances of her child’s birth may be less than perfect, but what did that matter? they would have two parents who loved them, and all the luxuries of a royal without the duty. she would ensure her child’s happiness, and so would louis. ‘ i do not know when, precisely. the physician believes it will be some time yet - five or six months, perhaps. we will know more as the time comes closer. ‘ and until then, she had much to do, it seemed. to win over genevieve, convince her to love her younger sibling...that might take months all of itself.

[margueritelamaitresse]

french-louis:

“Nothing can change our love,” he added almost immediately as he took her hands in his. “Circumstances and our environments will change, but no one can change what exists between us, Marguerite. Cath- Cathryn is a good woman. She will treat you fairly, I know she will.” Louis closed his eyes, wishing the entire situation would dissipate. “God knows that I would have married you if I could. And I have tried to so many times. But it is not the path I am meant to follow. Marriage cannot define or confine our love, Marguerite- you must believe me.”

     until this moment, she had believed that to be the case. that nothing in the world could touch their love, that they would always be in one another’s lives, no matter what came. yet a wife was the one thing she had not accounted for. all these years of louis, unwed, had allowed her to believe he would never marry again. circumstance and duty had kept them from marrying, but that had not mattered, when they had one another. even all his many other women had not worried her, for he always returned to her. ‘ she is kind, and generous, and very lovely, ‘ marguerite agreed softly. the scottish princess was a beautiful young woman, one who had always carried herself with grace, and shown kindness to marguerite. yet that was before. ‘ i wish i might believe you, and yet... ‘ she let out a soft, watery sigh, blinking back tears that formed unbidden in her eyes. ‘ how might i believe we will be unchanged, when this will change everything? ‘

[margueritelamaitresse]

alexandrinaofbrittany:

“You’re welcome,” Alexandrina said with a small smile. “And I know how that feels-I’ve walked alone more than I can count at home and it’s not a good feeling,’ she admitted. “But it’s much better when you have company.”

         ‘ company improves all things, or so i have found, ‘ marguerite replied with a smile. ‘ though i suppose that is debatable. ‘ of course, it depended utterly on the company in question. she hoped brittany’s princess would be a good companion. ‘ tell me, how fare you today? has france’s court been kind to your highness? ‘

[margueritelamaitresse]

princessemargery:

“It is, indeed.” Margery replied, unsure of how to react to Marguerite’s next statement, as she felt she could ensure all that she needed herself. Perhaps it was bitterness of the whole situation, or she almost felt like her own position was being forgotten. “Yes I have been told. I suppose I should congratulate you then.” She tried to be kind about it, but there was a subtle undertone of contempt that seemed to manage to slip out.

          marguerite could not quite miss that, though the princess mentioned congratulations, she did not entirely give them. ‘ of course. we are both so happy to have this blessing, ‘ she replied, smiling despite her discomfort. it was not easy, knowing that louis’ family did not entirely support her and this child. the child would need all the family it could get, in this harsh world... ‘ i hope you will love our child as much as your other nieces and nephews. ‘

[margueritelamaitresse]

thefrenchrose:

“Who else knows?” She hadn’t dared to ask her father, if only because he had said that people were not so happy about it, and she hadn’t wanted to upset him even more. But her mother would tell her if anyone had been mean to her, and Henriette would deal with it no matter those were her own fresh and blood. “How are you feeling?” Truth was, Henriette didn’t know much about carrying a child, only what her tutors had explained. Yet that was not the same as hearing it from a pregnant woman.

      marguerite shrugged lightly. ‘ i do not know for certain who your father has told. i myself only know of you, jacques and genevieve. ‘ she had been reluctant to share her news with any outside their family without louis present. it was early enough still that she might keep her secret, and she intended to do so, until it became impossible. the world did not need to know, at least not right away. ‘ i am well, for now. some sickness troubled me at first, but that is, i am told, utterly normal, ‘ marguerite added with a small smile. ‘ now, though, it has passed. i am well, and the physicians have been taking the very best care of me to ensure that i give birth to a healthy child. ‘ she wished to assure the young princess that all was well. after all, henriette’s own mother had died in childbirth. it was a fear for all women, even herself, yet she was healthy and strong. she would not allow her daughter to worry for her.