The grand hall of Versailles seemed eerily quiet the morning after Geneviève's plot had unraveled. Courtiers gathered in small clusters, gossiping in hushed tones, but none dared to speak too loudly. There was a palpable sense of change, though no one could yet name it. The balance of power at court was teetering on the edge of something new.
Marie stood at the threshold of the Queen's private chambers, her heart pounding in her chest. Montmorency, ever by her side, was stoic, though she could feel the tension in his every muscle. They had delivered their evidence to the Queen the night before—proof of Geneviève's treachery, her manipulation, and her attempts to ruin Marie and destroy Montmorency's reputation.
The Queen had called for them to meet at sunrise. She had yet to speak a word about the evidence, and Marie was left to wonder: What was her judgment? Was she now an ally, or had they merely provided the final reason for the Queen to rid herself of the troublemaker at court?
As the door to the Queen's chamber opened, the cold, regal air of Versailles filled their lungs. The Queen sat at her ornate writing desk, her profile framed by the golden light of the morning. Her expression was unreadable, though her sharp eyes tracked every movement with a calculating precision.
"Marie, Montmorency," the Queen greeted them, her voice distant, though not unkind. "Come in."
Marie stepped forward, her mind racing. The Duke followed silently, standing beside her.
The Queen set her quill down and turned toward them, her expression softening slightly. "I've read the documents you presented. The evidence is... damning."
Marie felt a cold knot settle in her stomach, but she held her gaze steady, awaiting the Queen's next words.
"Geneviève's treachery is undeniable. Her actions were not just a betrayal of you, Marie, but of the Crown itself." The Queen's lips tightened. "I am no stranger to ambition in my court, but this... This crosses a line."
Marie could hardly believe what she was hearing. The Queen was speaking as if Geneviève's downfall was a foregone conclusion.
The Queen continued, her voice laced with controlled anger. "What troubles me more, however, is the fact that I failed to see it earlier. The signs were there. But we have other matters to attend to, and I trust you will understand that I cannot act in haste."
Montmorency nodded, his jaw set. "Of course, Your Majesty. We would never ask you to act recklessly."
The Queen's eyes flickered with something akin to gratitude before she stood and walked toward the window. The sunlight illuminated her pale face, casting long shadows behind her. "The game of Versailles is a delicate one, Montmorency. There are many at court who would seek to use this situation to their advantage. Geneviève's enemies will be many, and those loyal to her will fight fiercely to protect their interests."
Marie watched the Queen, sensing the undercurrent of danger in her words. The Queen was calculating. She wasn't just deciding what to do with Geneviève; she was measuring the cost of every potential move. The destruction of Geneviève could spark something far larger than either of them was prepared for.
"We understand, Your Majesty," Marie said, her voice steady. "But we can't afford to wait. Geneviève's ambitions go beyond personal vendettas. She is capable of far more harm if allowed to remain free to weave her webs."
The Queen turned sharply, her gaze intense. "I know that, Marie. And that is why I will act. But not immediately."
Montmorency stepped forward, his tone quiet but insistent. "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
The Queen's lips curled into a thin smile. "You both think I am slow to act, but you misunderstand my position. What I am about to do will be decisive. Geneviève's influence is not to be underestimated. Her connections to the court are vast, and her loyalists are many."
Marie's heart beat faster. "So, what is to be done?"
The Queen's eyes glimmered with a new resolve. "We will expose her, but not with brute force. Geneviève will fall, but only after we've made her an instrument in our favor. I will have her confess, and in doing so, she will implicate her allies."
Montmorency nodded slowly. "And what of Marie?"
The Queen's gaze softened for a moment. "Marie, you have proven yourself loyal, strong, and resourceful. I will see to it that you have a place at court again. A position befitting your abilities."
Marie's heart swelled with a mix of relief and disbelief. To be seen, finally, for her worth—not as a servant, but as someone who could stand beside the Duke of Montmorency as a force in her own right.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Marie said, her voice thick with gratitude.
The Queen nodded, a sharp, calculating gleam returning to her eyes. "But remember, Marie, this is not the end of the game. This is merely the opening move. Once Geneviève is dealt with, others will seek to take her place. The court is always shifting. You must remain vigilant, and you must trust only those who have proven themselves to you."
Montmorency gave a slight bow. "We understand, Your Majesty."
The Queen held out her hand, signaling the end of the conversation. "Then go. You have your tasks. Make sure Geneviève's influence crumbles under her own weight."
As they left the Queen's chambers, Marie felt the weight of her future pressing down upon her. The Queen's decision had been a gift, but it came with a cost. The game had shifted in their favor, but that only made the stakes higher. Geneviève might have been outplayed for now, but the Duchess was far from defeated.
—
Outside, the court had already begun to buzz with rumors of Geneviève's fall from grace. Courtiers exchanged whispers, and many eyed Marie with a mixture of awe and suspicion. Her return to favor was imminent, but the road ahead would be fraught with new challenges.
Montmorency led her to a quiet corner of the palace gardens, where they could speak freely without the ears of the court listening in. The scent of flowers filled the air, a reminder of the beauty that still existed in the midst of all the political turmoil.
"I don't know if I can ever thank you enough for this," Marie said softly, her eyes meeting Montmorency's. "For everything you've done."
"You owe me nothing," he replied, his voice low but sincere. "You've earned this, Marie. All of it."
Her heart swelled with affection for him—this man who had stood by her through every storm, through every hardship. But she knew that their love was still a dangerous secret, one that could destroy them both if exposed.
"There is much still to do," she said, her voice firm with determination. "But together, we will see this through."
Montmorency's lips curled into a half-smile. "Together," he echoed.
And with that word, they sealed their bond, even as the court around them began to stir, setting the stage for the next round of intrigue and betrayal.
Geneviève had lost the first battle, but the war was far from over.
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