Garden

"Charles looked surprised at her and stopped. He grabbed her wrist, making her stop too"

What's wrong, darling? Maybe...I said something wrong?

"He asked, perplexed"

Margaret shook her head 'I just need some air, maybe if i go to portugal a while, or travel to see Mary' She said with a forced smile.

"He frowned a bit"

In Portugal? My darling...you shouldn't travel in your conditions...

"He said confused, trying to understand"

Margaret shook her head and walked on 'My condition? I am fine Charles, nothing but a cough' She said and she thought to herself about visiting Mary.

"Charles nodded slowly and sighed"

Yes...I know. But I'd prefer that you could avoid to travel. I would be constantly worried about you. Don't you enjoy staying here...with me?

"He asked smiling, raising softly her chin"

Margaret looked away and shook her head 'I can't stand being with you, knowing you still have mistresses' She said and she picked up the hems off her dress and walked off.

"Charles stopped, frozened by her words. Then reached her again, runnng slowly"

Margaret...wait! What do you mean? I have not...mistresses, actually...

"He tried to explain, gulping hardly"

Margaret shook her head 'Do not treat me asif i am a half wit, you and i know that i am not' She said and she looked at him 'I have news, from court, that you and that..Duchess...i cannot even speak of it' She said and she walked off again.

"Charles understood that she was talking about Anna. He took a deep breath, shooking his head"

Margaret...as you know, Anna is the mother of my children. Of course I can't ignore her...But there is nothing else between us...

"He said hardly, hoping to reassure her. But he could see coldness into her eyes"

Margaret eyes watered a little, she knew they had kids, she didn't need to be reminded, she blinked several times to get rid of the extra water in her eyes, and breathed in deeply 'If you can't ignore her, then why don't you make her your wife, after all, she is the mother of your children' She said coldly.

"Charles shook his head, looking at her with surprise in his eyes"

I already have a wife...I already have you, Margaret. I have no intention to marry her. Even if...I'll always support her for our four children....

"He took two steps towards her"

My darling...I don't want anyone else but you...

Margaret shook her head 'Don't play the fool Charles, it doesn't become you' She said and she walked inside.

"Charles remained silent. He never knew what to do when she reacted like that. Then took a breath and reached her inside..."

Margaret walked out into the garden and walked around it silently, she blinked a couple of times to restrain the tears from falling from her eyes. She sat down under a near by tree and leant back against it and played with the ends of her sleeves.

"Charles dressed up again quickly and rushed into te garden. He found Margaret walking there. He approached her slowly this time, noticing tears falling from her eyes. He felt so guilty inside him"

Margaret...would you stop walking? Please...look at me, at least...

"He tried to say, trying to catch her eyes"

Margaret stood up and looked at him 'I looked at you. You got what you wanted, now i can leave' She said and she walked away
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"Charles frowned after her words. He stared at empty air for a little while, perplexed. Then he kept on walking after her"

Margaret...wait! What do you mean?

"He asked curiously"

Margaret looked at him 'I am going back to court, i cannot stick life here anymore' She said.

"Charles sighed"

I'll come with you, my love. I'll never leave you alone...

"He tried to say tenderly, wrapping his arm around her shoulders"

Margaret breathed in deeply 'I am going to court, to be at my duties and to be away from you Charles. You can have your mistresses' She said 'I also went to Nan..and told her to look after you..once i..am gone' She said.

"He stopped walking and made her stop too, grabbing her waist"

You asked her...what? Oh Margaret...it won't be necessary. You won't die. And I love you...

"He said whispering looking into her eyes"

Margaret tried to smile and shook her head 'You and i both know, i am dying Charles' She said and she sighed 'I am growing thinner and paler by the seasons pass' She said.

"Charles felt his eyes fill with tears. He looked elsewhere to his his eyes from her"

You...will be always in my heart, my love. I'll never forget you...

"He whispered hardly. A tear fell on his cheek and he hugged tightly Margaret into his arms"

Margaret hugged him back and wiped the tear from his cheek and kissed his cheek, she knew it was hard for him to, loosing his wife. She rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes.

"He leaned his hand on her soft hairs, fighting with himself to pull tears back"

Come inside with me, my love. We'll come back to court in the afternoon. I love you so much...

"He said sincerely, letting another tear falling down his cheek, while kissing her forehead"