Chambre du Anne Bassett

She laughed softly and she shook her head "I would rather look upon the more purer things in life, mon seigneur." she said to him teasingly and she looked around at him before looking out the window again "Like a white rose." she shrugged a little before turning around and facing him "I find the more purer things in life more....acceptable."

He winked at her before walking back to the table, "I practically converted you earlier. I'm sure I could convince you on the less pure."

He took a seat and finished off his goblet of wine,"Besides what many say is impure-I say is human nature. And, if we are made in God's image then those instincts must be divine and thereby...pure."

She listened to him and she looked back out to the window "But what you give away, you can never get back." she whispered softly before turning back and she went over to the table and she looked at him "My maidenhood is something important to me, I see women in this court flauncing about as if they have no morals." she said honestly and she shook her head "I pray that in life i do not show myself that much disrespect."

He tilted his head," Do you truly believe it is anything at all-anything of worth? Do you not think fathers have put a price on their daughter's maidenhead-to control them? One day we shall turn to dust. I'd rather my daughters, if I have any-be with a man they love. I could think of no greater pain than being bound to a stranger that you care nothing for...for the sake of reputation!"

Anne looked at him and she listened and she looked away "You converted my religion and now you convert my belief." she whispered and she laughed softly before standing up and she went over and knelt beside his hair, looking up at him "By the time you are done with me, I will be a completely new woman."

He glanced away, "I don't want to change you-remain simply as you are."

He chuckled and added, "You could always try to alter me. I'm sure many improvements could be made on my character."

She looked at him and she nodded at him "Perhaps." she said to him and she blushed before opening her mouth to say something before closing it "We cannot change your French character, it is too...lovable, charming."

He laughed heartily and joked, "Well if you insist. I always had my suspicions that I was perfect."

He then glanced at the table, "So may we eat?"

She looked at him and she laughed "Of course we shall, I will not starve you any longer." she said and she took a piece of her chicken and chewed it slowly.

He grinned and began to eat some of the food, it was a delicious spread she had prepared.

"So...more about you Anne. I know so very little."

She looked at him and she laughed "What more is there to tell?" she asked him and she took another piece of chicken and chewed it again before swallowing and she took a sip from her wine to wash it down "I am simply a girl." she shrugged "I love reading, I must admit."

He smiled and grazed from his plate, "What do you like to read? Tell me the things that make you smile."

She bit her lip softly "I love reading about the medieval knights and about King Arthur and Morgana." she admitted and she blushed softly at admitting to such "I just love fantasy and magical things."

He smiled, "Would make sense...for a woodland nymph,"he joked.

"Have you read The Prince?"

She shook her head at him "I believe I have not." she admitted to him and she looked intrigued "Tell me about it?"

Louis chuckled, "It's amazing from what I have read so far. I have never read such a work in all my life. It was written by Machiavelli...when he was alive but it's just been published. 'Never was anything great achieved without danger'..."

She was in awe at his words and she nodded, understanding "I should have to look for this book." she said to him and she took his hand softly and ran her fingers over his knuckles "Was he not involved with the borgias? I loved that family, hearing stories about them gives me shivers."

"Well there is a rumour that the Prince is about Cesare Borgia," Louis said and poured himself another cup of wine. He took a sip and continued.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was. He was an amazing leader...as for the rest of the family, I know little of...other than their reputation. I doubt we'll ever know who they really were..."

She smiled at him and she nodded "Lucrezia Borgia is said to have been the most beautiful lady of all Christendom." She said in amazement and she took a deep breath "A truly remarkable man Cesare was, he had all that power...fear by all.."

Louis chuckled, "Lucky man-power and respect. You seem very well read with this family," Louis remarked and sipped his wine.

She looked up at him from where she sat beside his chair, on her knees, through her dark lashes and she nodded "I have an interest in this family." she admitted to him "I wish to be like Lucrezia...to be a serpent underneath the innocent beauty lies on top."

Louis ate a piece of the meat and looked at Anne with a smirk, "I doubt your father should like to hear you say that. I am sure he would prefer your idol to be the Virgin Mary...that is, if she was-"he stopped and smiled to himself.

Taking a drink of the delicious wine he added, "-And besides, why should you not wish to be yourself, Anne? Carve your own name in history, Lucrezia Borgia is already there. I admire Cesare Borgia, indeed Machiavelli too but I wish to be even greater."

She gulped a little "She is influential." she said simply to him and she stood up and she dusted down her skirts before walking over to the window again "I would look up to the stories that I heard about her." she admitted to him and her finger tips ran over the pearl necklace that was draped around her neck as she stared out the window "I believe you can be greater."

Louis smiled to himself and glanced down, "I'm very glad you think so."

She looked at him and her dark eyes glittered in the candle lit room and she walked over towards him "Do you like chess, my lord?" she asked him softly and she motioned to the chest board on the other side of the room.