lavender rose.

Louise rolled her eyes and slammed her book down o the cushion. “Just shows how little I mean to everyone. Gaston has been here this whole time, and as a single letter been sent to me about his appearance? No! And my sister could be dead somewhere in this palace and no one is searching for her! She is royalty, from Bourbon blood. This is madness!” She shouted, placing her hands over her face, pushing back tears. She was a mess and was losing control. “Antonio is around when he wants to be. He’s a man, he goes off doing what every man does with his day. They hunt, they drink, they gamble away their riches.”

❝ I dare say that is not true... ❞ Joséphine proceeded with caution, her gaze low as she spoke. ❝ I imagine many assume that you are either resting after the birth or looking over your sons. I feel more than certain that the King has men searching for her, turning the palace on its side to find her if that is the case. ❞ she rose from her chair immediately to sit beside Louise, her hand moving to rest upon her upper back. ❝ Louise... You must calm down. Everything will return to normal, you must give it time. Sitting in this room alone will only cause you to worry. As for Antonio... He will come around, I know it. Perhaps the nerves of being a father have gotten to him now they are here. But I know that he loves you so deeply. ❞

“I don’t know,  I have been feeling so alone. I haven’t seen my brother or sister since the attack. Not a single word. I know I may not be their favourite sister, but I am, after all, family.”

❝ Your brother is well, I have been to visit him. Although he was severely... Attacked, I do not know how long it will take for him to be well again. As for your sister, I know no reason for a lack of absence. What of Antonio? ❞

“I will be a mother to more if God permits it,” Louise said as she sat, her eyes were red as if she was done crying. She was tired, stressed, and for some reason feeling so alone.

❝ Are you well, Louise? ❞ Joséphine knew just how strenuous childbirth was on the body, and the mind. And not only had Louise survived the birth, but she had been blessed with two children. 

“Three sons. I dare say God wants me to bear heirs. Of course, come in.”

❝ You have done your duty for Antonio, now you may relax. Do you wish for more? ❞

“ — Can’t you see I am busy? “

❝ I came to see your sons, if I may? ❞

He looked over at the boy who looked so much like his mother. He waived off her need and want to wait on him. That’s what he had servants for. Now, he simply didn’t want to think of his injuries or the constant pain flooding his throbbing limbs. “I promise you, Little Duc, soon as I am able I will teach you to wield a sword, we must keep it quiet though, wouldn’t want Mum to know and spoil our fun,” he offered with a light wink and a soft whisper. “Sophie has been to  my aid quite a bit, I sent her off to get some rest. I need nothing but I am quite glad to have visitors. Have you two been out to enjoy the snow yet?” He asked motioning towards the window having watched it fall earlier in the day. Each breath hurt, he could feel the bones of his ribs cracking as they tried to mend. “You are safe and sound, yes?” He asked his eyes meeting Josephines, “And Henry? Safe as well?”

As Joséphine listened intently to what the Duc was saying, an eyebrow quirked upwards as an amused chuckle escaped from the smile that had curved upon her lips. ❝ Is that so, Your Grace? ❞ she challenged light-heartedly, ❝ I’m more than certain he would enjoy that. He often tries to taunt our guards into teaching him. ❞ her son was rather cheeky at times, she’d give him that. ❝ We have, Leo rather enjoys throwing snowballs at his father when he isn’t looking. Perhaps you could join us for a walk once you are fully rested? ❞ she felt Leo fidget upon her knee as he then asked if he could go play at the chess table he had spotted when they had walked in. She lowered him to the floor, turning to watch him run to the table - he hadn’t any idea how to play, he just enjoyed making up his own games with the pieces. ❝ Yes... Thankfully we were not detected by the Dutch, we found somewhere to hide rather quickly. ❞ she turned her attention back to Gaston, ❝ But you must tell me all about who Sophie is, I’m certainly intrigued. ❞

Gaston’s soft gaze found the boy. Strange, he thought how Josephine and himself had never really gotten on. Not just that but Leo’s visions of the evening. There was no way he saw himself as being brave. If anything he felt as though he did not do enough. Licking his lips slightly the male hadn’t had many visitors. He slept most of the day, but after the fever broke it was clear he was on the mend. His hair much longer than he would usually let it get, and his face now containing a beard. For all intense and purposes he was no longer the prim, proper, and put together individual he presented himself as. He was a man now broken. When sleep did come the nightmares came along with them. Yet, seeing Leo, his excited face brought a certain twinkle back to his gaze. Keeping his left arm close to his body he steadied himself to sit up resting against the plush headboard. “Is that so?” He asked his gaze moving from Josephine to Leo. “I should be thanking him for his stealth ways and ability to look past fear,” he held his right hand out, a wince exposing a slight weakness due to his broken ribs. Giving Leo’s hand a soft shake. “You will make a fine Duc one day,” he smiled, glancing over at Josephine. “Seems he gets his strength from his mother.”

Her son had always had a great imagination, and he saw everything in the world with wonder - and so when he saw Gaston worn and tired yet still fighting, it had probably excited the young boy’s heart. ❝ He has been running around with wooden swords pretending he’s a strong hero, haven’t you my dear? ❞ Joséphine smiled at these memories of her son as she glanced down upon him to see him excitedly nodding his head before his small hand reached out to shake the Duc’s. ❝ Thank you. Now I imagine he has another man to look up to. ❞ the woman almost felt herself blush at his words, she had never thought of herself as strong, it was just something she instinctively became for other’s sakes. ❝ Do you need some water? A fresh pillow? Perhaps some food to give you some strength? ❞

“God has blessed Antonio and I with two healthy babies. It was a fast and healthy birth. I am beyond happy that my family was with me during this time.”

❝ He’s a good father, yes? ❞

Days after the attack Gaston had been in and out of consciousness. Who had freed him? How had he survived? He lay in bed not being allowed to move or leave save for a physicians demands. Mostly he slept. The fever broke the night before, the bullet wound was healing, but the nightmares. Those continued. His gaze absently took in a gentile falling snow outside. The creak in the door opening captured his attention. “I’m fine…really, no need to fuss, I was doing my duty to protect The King.”

Leo seemed rather phased by the whole event, Joséphine had tried to explain it as simply as possible without scaring him and all he had wanted to do since was visit Gaston. Quite the surprise to Joséphine, but he insisted he wanted to see him regardless. Unable to say no to her son, she found herself taking him to Gaston’s chambers, but was careful not to allow Leo to bother him too much. ❝ I see you are doing much better, ❞ she smiled warmly as she lifted her son onto her knee, ❝ he had wanted to see the brave man who had looked after us. ❞

“I am very tired. But bless these children for surviving such an awful welcoming to this world. They’re so loved and adored.”

❝ Twins? My... Won’t you be quite a tired mother with three young boys. ❞

Henri had been playing cards with few of the noblemen when he heard the sounds of women screaming. His hand slowly sat down the royal flush in curiosity. Suddenly a guard burst through the door to inform the men around the table of the events that were taking place outside of the chamber door. While the others began to dispurse in pursuit of the King, Henri found himself running the halls in search of his wife and son. Ahead he could see one of the Lady’s that his wife found company in. Breathlessly he asked the woman of her where abouts but all she did was cry hysterically and motion down the corridor. His heart sank, fearing the worst. Without hesistation, the man sprinted toward the direction in which the woman had pointed him in. As he rounded the corner, he heard the sound of his wife’s voice followed by the visual of her clutching their son in her arms. His eyes shut to thank God for their safety as he exhaled a sigh of relief. “–Josephine!” he called out to her, making long strides to reunite with his family. His hands found either side of her face while his eyes inspected her. “Are you hurt? Did they harm you?” his tone was nearly cracking at the thought.

❝ Henri. ❞ she sighed with welcomed relief as she heard her husband calling her name. Shifting her son’s weight on her hips, her free hand moved to rest upon his that was upon her cheeks, her eyes closing for a brief second as she finally felt safe. ❝ No, no my darling, we’re safe. ❞ Joséphine looked down to her son, his eyes were still heavy with tiredness as he had been hurriedly awaken from his sleep. ❝ I just... I don’t know where to go. The palace is surrounded, and they’re going to tear this court apart before this is all over. How are we going to survive this? ❞ in the distance screams could be heard as she spoke, her voice wavering as tears began to well in her eyes, her panic clearly rising hurriedly as she searched her husband for protection.

“Perhaps he ought, though I am afraid he has few options available to him; I am of decent status, to be sure but surely my age wins me few favors. If any at all.”

❝ But you have one thing many girls do not; maturity. Any young girl can laugh at a man’s jokes and make him feel special, but a woman such as yourself can hold a real conversation with him, challenge him and show him he can grow into a better man with you by his side. The foolish men are the ones who play with girls, it is only good and wise men who will give you the respect you deserve. ❞

He looked around, assessing the situation. It couldn’t be as bad as it seemed, could it? She was right they would be back and sooner rather than later. He had given up his freedom for them to release Sophie. A movie he would gladly do once more. The Duc’s body shivered was he cold? He couldn’t feel much other than the broken ribs moving in and out of place each time he took in a breath. “There,” he remembered following Charlotte darting in and out of the castle when the two were younger. She always had a knack for finding hiding places. Clutching his arm to his body he choked back a wail of pain. Blinking back tears he swallowed harshly. “My rifle is on the table, do you know how to shoot?” He asked his head tilting to look at her. “There’s a passage behind that fireplace, take the boy, prop me up with a sword and you two go,” he looked at her. “I’ll buy you time…”

Joséphine looked at him with utter confusion - when would she have ever learnt how to shoot? She would be completely useless in a fight. But nevertheless she picked it up anyway, the rifle feeling foreign and uncomfortable in her hand. ❝ No but I’m a quick learner. ❞ she reassured him with a gentle nod, before turning to the fireplace he was talking about. ❝ If you think that I am leaving you here then you are certainly insane. ❞ when she spoke she was almost furious with rage at the thought of leaving him alone to defend the Dutch in the state he was already in. ❝ You are coming with us. I will not leave you here. ❞

Francois could not recognize the woman by name nor by face, given the situation he thought it appropriate to touch her arm in an attempt to keep her from going in anger. ❝ It is best you stay with your son. I am to look for the rest of court, but you have my word I will make yours a priority should it ease your mind. Your other son of what age is he? ❞

She sighed heavily, not at the man trying to help her nor at her guard, but at the combination of frustration and panic she was feeling from needing to keep Leo safe to trying to find Henri. ❝ Henri is my husband. ❞ along the hallway was the scuffling of armour and unfamiliar voices barking orders. ❝ Keep them back for as long as you can. ❞ Joséphine ordered to her guard, knowing he would do his best. ❝ We must leave - now. ❞

Gaston simply nodded, though he felt he may pass out once more. There was a fear in his eyes that he could not conceal. He was sure she saw it. His lips parted to speak, quietly, meekly. Unsure if even his voice would work. “Do not let the boy see this,” his eyes darted to Leo. While Gaston could sometimes be an acquired taste, he was a good man and he quite loved children. He felt sick, everything hurt. Not really remembering the extent of the torture his chest was bare, littered with cuts, burns, and dried blood. “My sisters?” He asked, “Do you know what has become of them?” The moment he felt her free him from being strung up he collapsed.  

Her son had stopped crying for now as he crawled into the tiniest space underneath the bed in the room - he was always a good sport for games. ❝ I had told him we were playing hide and seek. ❞ Joséphine explained quietly, although her words were more of an attempt at distraction for Gaston as she hurriedly moved to pick the knots of the ropes binding him onto the wood. Her hands moved to gently ease him as he fell to the floor, although she hadn’t any idea where to place them considering the extent of his torture. ❝ I do not... But they are very smart, strong girls, I am certain they have found somewhere safe. ❞ for now, Joséphine thought to herself. ❝ We cannot stay here... They will come back for you eventually. Please... You must have the strength to do this. ❞ a vulnerable woman with an incredibly injured man and a young child didn’t bode well.

The Hand of The King knew he had a target on his back. He had already taken a bullet to the shoulder to protect His Majesty and had been on the search for The King’s children. He needed to protect the future of France, and it lay in the blood of The King’s kin. The same blood that coursed through his veins as he frantically searched. That was when The Duc had been ambushed. Overpowered, injured, and still a bit drunk from the evening earlier Gaston was shoved to the marble floor of Versailles. His arms pulled behind his back and tied. He had been caught. In that moment he wished for anyone, anyone at all to come to his aid. His shoulder bled, throbbed, and burned still raging from the bullet that had torn his flesh. He would not cry out, he grit his teeth struggling and fighting back his attackers. It was too late. When Gaston came to he was strung up in one of the unused chambers, tied to a wooden X. Kidnapped, tortured, and bleeding. Looking up from beyond tired and worried eyes, “You…how did you get here?” He asked, his voice cracking.

With her son not quite understanding the severity of the situation, he cried and cried without his favourite toy. In the rush to leave her quarters, Joséphine had stupidly left it behind and now had found herself trailing the palace hallways again otherwise Leo would give away their safety. The armoured hustle of men caught her attention, causing her to panic and force herself into the nearest room to hide herself. But the sight she saw before her was one she could never expect.

He was bloodied, battered and bruised... In a state she thought she would never see - a sight only men of war were unfortunate victims of. ❝ Gaston...❞ she breathed his name as she stared upon him, before hurriedly scanning the room for rogue Dutch men. She had never truly gotten on well with the man, but it tore her heart to see him so abused. She hurried forwards, her fingers shaking heavily as she tried tirelessly to unbind the tight ropes around his wrists. ❝ Do not make a single sound. ❞ her whisper was barely audible, her worried eyes moving to briefly catch his gaze.