mid september 2024
They are already in France for the King’s wedding to the Hungarian Princess, so it's easy enough to coax his wife into joining him for a drive – and a surprise. It's convenient, he rationalizes, the perfect time to show her. Convenient – like he’s not been working on this for months, crafting the palace into the perfect place for the two of them. Max looks over at her in the passenger seat, his hand lingering on her thigh as they round the final curve.
“We’re here,” he parks the car next to a small out building before getting out to help her. “I bought this for us, just you and I – it's halfway between our capitals – close enough to slip away for the weekend.” The chateau looms before them – grand and beautiful and only still approachable. Max reaches for Catherine’s hand before the enter the house.
@catherinestuart