The carriage stops as we arrive at the court. Outside, I hear the chorus of trumpets ; it announces my arrival. The music fills in the carriage making Elisa jump at her seat.
I avoid her gaze but I could see in the corner of my eyes that she's still looking at me. Guilt starts to flood over me.Bash opens the door and holds his hand out for Elisa but I stop her. "Elisa.. I deeply apologize for raising my voice at you earlier."
She looks at me softly and simply shrugs, then grabs Bash's hand and goes out of the carriage. I duck down at the short door and step off the carriage.
"His Majesty, The King of France!" The guards announces.
Then, the corridors sways open and everyone, the members of the court goes out of the castle. They all line up. Everyone's eyes are on me, they kneel, curtsy and bow at me. Why do they have to announce me or come outside just to see me? It's cold as well, not to mention. I will never understand this ritual.
A red carpet rolls over. I step on it and start walking while Bash and Elisa are behind me. I look around to see their faces except my mother's. Huh. I notice them pointing behind me, I look behind: Elisa's looking down careful not to make an eye contact with anyone, she's clutching her arm while her cheek is sore from the coldness. I also noticed that her hair looks like it's been dragged by a hundred of horses.
The tall corridors opens and we enter inside the castle.
____
As we're walking down the halls, Bash lays a hand on my shoulder to stop me.
"I have to bring the guards with me to you know...I'll leave you with her," He says.
I try to protest but he ignores me and walks away.
In the corner of my eyes, Elisa awkwardly looks up to me. I also didn't notice how short she is. I look back at her. I open my mouth to say something but one of the corridors suddenly opens revealing my mother with her hand clapped on her mouth.
"Elisabeth! Oh, my darling!" She opens her arm for an embrace.
Elisa looks stunned but she shows a beautiful-awkward smile, and embraces my mother with her good arm. How did Mother know what she looks like? Most likely, Mother's expecting her.
"Welcome, Elisabeth. I am Catherine De Medici. Charles' mother. Queen-Mother."
"I'm happy to make your acquaintance, Your Grace-"
"Catherine, please."
"Yes, of course," she bows, "I actually prefer to be called Elisa."
Mother gives her a last, genuine smile. Then, her eyes lands at me. "Charles, son. I see you and Elisa are acquainted now, are we?"
I walk towards them. I keep my face blank. "Yes, mother."
She falsely smiles at me then looks back at Elisa. "Oh, my dear what happened to you?" She reaches up for her messed-up brown hair, then look back at me with curious eyes.
"Ah, I see. I guess you two are more than acquainted then." She says.
I freeze. I realize what she means— "No! Mother. I-it's not what you think!" I defend hastily, "She—Elisa got in trouble with her carriage and then Bash and I went to help her, only to discover that she's my betrothed."
"Well, I think it's more than 'trouble', Charles." She points at Elisa's wounds and broken arm.
Elisa quietly clears her voice. "It's just a scratch," she reassures, "If we can find the time to talk alone, I'll explain it to you or Charles and I could."
"Alright," Mother agrees. "I'm glad that you've been careful, son," she glances at me, "And even saved your fiancee's life."
With that, she starts to walk away. Her red dress swishes behind her; her heels clicks. Then stops.
"Oh, the engagement party is this evening, by the way." What?!
Then she leaves.
She can't just say that. I am the damn King and I can end this engagement in a second! Ugh, but I am stuck. How much I am annoyed by this, in the end, I might need the Archduchess's alliance with me.
I let out a sigh of frustration. I quietly growl and turn my eyes to the quiet, shy princess. Why does mother has to hurry for things to occur? Oh dieu.
Play nice. "Elisa, do you mind if I escort you to your chambers?" I offer.
She turns to me. "I don't but thank you. On the party, I could just wear this-—" she puts her peach skirts out.
"No, no," I wave my hand. "We have extra dresses that were left by Mary, Queen of Scots when she was here. You and her have quite the same height, and I hope you wouldn't mind staying at her room for now," I tell her.
Her eyes lights up. What is it now?
"Mary, Queen of Scots? She's my cousin!" She suddenly exclaims, smiling at her cousin's name. Wow, I am so impressed! I think sarcastically.
She notices me doesn't share the same expression as hers. Embarrassed, she lowers her head and nod, slightly smiling. "And, of course, I wouldn't mind."
"Good... and that is quite interesting. Come," I say, turning around to walk towards the hall. She follows me.
Mary, Queen of Scots. I've been contemplating if I should write a letter to her or not. After all, she's my sister-in-law
"You know what?" I initiate a conversation. Why am I doing this?
"I was actually engaged to Mary."
"What? Why?" Elisa asks. "I thought she was married to your brother,"
"Oh, it was because my brother—" I pause.
This is not a good conversation. Talking about my dying brother.
Elisa must have seen my expression. "Oh, I'm sorry. I should've figured it out first before asking..." she says quietly.
I look down at her. "Don't be." I take a deep breath, and shake my head ; removing my brother's face in my head. "Anyways, let's go to your chamber."
We continue to walk. As we pass, servants, members, nobles, bows at us. I ignore them.
_____
As we're walking down the halls, Elisa looks and peeks around the castle. I watch her from a good two meters distance as she goes from left to right, from the window to the throne room, from chambers to chambers, then she looks at the ceiling, touches the curtains as if she's memorizing every piece of the castle. The archduchess needs a physician, however.
Then, she turns around and notices me watching her. Her eyes slightly widens as she must have realized that I've been keeping my eyes on her. I walk towards her to keep the pace.
"Bash went out to find your carriage by the bye," I tell her.
She shyly looks at me sideways. "Thank You, Your Majesty," she quickly says.
"Charles, please."
"Alright...Charles." My chest strangely quickens at the sound of the way she says my name.
We turn in to a hallway.
"How do you find the castle so far, Elisa?" I ask. She looks around again.
She smiles at me. "I like it."
I half-smile in return. I can't cope getting married...but its for the best of my country. I glance at her. At least she's nice.
Finally, we arrive by her chambers. We stand in front of the door as the guard bows and opens the door for us.
"Thank you," Elisa greets the guard kindly. I stay silent. We step in to her chambers. I look around. It needs a little bit of cleaning. I hear the door closes behind us.
Elisa starts to walk around, observing every inch of her new chamber. She runs her good hand across the wall, touching the empty book shelve, the bed and its curtains, then she walks towards the window and move the curtains open. The mixture of the snow and the sun outside dominated the room. She looks out the window and stares outside for a moment as if she's thinking deep. Her messy-dark brown hair turns into orange-gold by the light, her deep brown eyes turns gold, the diamonds in her dress shines brightly. Is this the woman that I am going to rule with until I die?
I break the silence. "Um. Do you like it?"
She slightly jumps at my voice then slowly turns to me. She drums her fingers on the desk, "Of course. I am very able to stay here until..." the wedding "Yes, Merci."
I slowly march towards her. She doesn't move, her eyes watching me with curiosity and caution. I reach her until I could feel the sun beaming at my face.
"Elisa..." I look down at her. She looks up to me with those curious light brown eyes. Her eyebrows furrows, her lips slightly trembles as she anticipates for the following words after her name.
I take a deep breath. "You need a bath," I blurt out, " And, while the maids are bathing you, I'm going to send the servants to clean the room and send Mary's clothes in. Also, before you bathe, a physician will visit you and cure your injuries. Is that suitable for your standards of hospitality?"
She blinks, tucking a lock beside her ear. "Oh, yes, yes. I shall be satisfied."
"Good. Enchanté, Mademoiselle." I purse my lips and force a smile.
I notice that she slightly lift her good arm up so I could kiss it, as any man should when meeting a maiden but I just let my eyes rests on her blankly and she shyly puts it down. I slightly bow my head, walk towards the door, opens it and depart.
No attachments, if you want to be a great King. I hear Francis, my late brother's voice