Ferdinand sends a modest bouquet of colorful Freesias (sweetness, innocence, and thoughtfulness) wrapped in paper with a note that reads: "I may be beyond imperfect, but am able to recognize the perfections of others. You are too kind."
she is with her ladies when the bouquet arrives, wrapped inpaper. the madame royale glances at the note but says little, merely ensuresthat the flowers are placed in a vase in her bedchamber. it is merelypoliteness, she explains, especially given the bouquet she’d sent herself. andif she is being honest, she is still struggling to figure out the perplexingman that is to be her fourth husband(she does not like the sound of thateither).
but later, in the evening when all are gone and she is readyfor sleep, isabeau will read the note once more, allowing a soft smile to riseon her face. beyond imperfect, indeed.and yet the smile is fond, for she still finds the man more endearing thaninfuriating.
the flowers will be the first thing she sees upon waking andthey will remain in her chamber until they have dried. one bloom, however, shewill leave pressed between pages of her favorite book.
