Beautiful lake in the countryside, near to Hampton Court.

I smiled to her and nodded.

''We will must wait and see what will happen,but I do hope and wish with all my heart that everything go well''

I sighed deeply.

''You are totally right I don't have self confidence to much I lost it long time ago,I will try to build again.Maybe I am to modest but that is something I learn in my early age so it will be hard to change.''

I giggled a little.

''I heard so many wonderful things about Italy,and if it true what I heard you will enjoy very much there.Oh I don't know anything about their culinary specialities,but it must be good,any way you will let me know when you try it''

Emilie nodd with a understanding air on her face.

It will probably be hard indeed since you have lost it long ago, but it isn't impossible and I think it's could help you greatly in your relationship with your husband. I think that modesty is important virtue, it musn't be reserved to women, men should be modests too, but people musn't have too much modesty either because it can make them lost their self-confidence and self-esteem and it's very damageable to them.

She giggle softly.

Of course, I will tell you everything about my adventures in Italy by letters. I look forward for it but I even more look forward getting married and having children, you know Armand and me both want to have a large family !

She smile and turn again to her daughter, tickling her playfully, the small girl laugh happily.

I nodded and sighed deeply.

''It would help me very much in my relationship with him,and I will certainly work on that...And now as I finally learned the truth about his feelings towards Cordelia I can be with him and not feel guilty any more.Yes you are right man should be modest as well,but that is very rare.To much modesty certainly is not good,I am leaving proof for it,how in the same time if you are modest can be good and bad because you lose selfconfidence and selfesteem.

I smiled happily,looking at her.

''That is wonderfuly,and I know for sure that both of you will be excellent parents,and Olympe will be very happy to have brother or sister I think.Did he met Olympe?''

Emilie look at her with a intrigued air as she evocate what he told her, she smile, guessing his answer.

And what does he told you ? I can guess it since you feel not guilty anymore about Cordelia.

She nodd with a understanding air.

I have always think so, men always ask to their wifes, their daughters and others women to be more modest but most of them aren't modest at all, they think that virtues are reserved to women, I think that it isn't fair nor respectacle way to act. Indeed, modesty is one of the most important human virtues but excessive modesty isn't good at all for sure. But don't worry, you such a wonderful lady I am sure that you will succed in gaining your husband's love anyway !

She smile happily.

I hope so, think so too, since I yet have a child and feel very happy to be a mother and I am sure that Armand will be a wonderful father. In fact, I have introduce them to each others this morning, it's a bit early for can tell abou their relationship's quality but they seem to get very well together, I am going to wait for what themself will tell me about it.

I looked at her and said happily.

''That he doesn't have a feelings for and that kiss didn't mean anything...I feel such relief now and happiness.''

I nodded softly.

''Yes the man always want that their wifes and daughters to be modest,and to always obey to their wishes,what is so wrong.You have more faith in me
than I,and your support mean a very much to me.''

I smiled happily.

''Oh I am so happy to hear that they get along very well and I am sure that in future they will love each other very much.''

She smile warmly.

You see, I was right, it was nothing and your husband to be is all yours and only yours ! I can understand how much relieved and happy you must feel indeed and I am very glad to hear it because it's everything that I wish to you. So how do your relationship evoluate ?

A glint of mischief in her eyes, she ask her with a teasing tone.

Did he yet kiss you or had a tender gesture ?

She giggle, feeling happy for her dear friend new love life that is begining, she grow serious again as she answer her about men's behaviour.

Yes, I think that women aren't destinate only for serve and obey men in all that they ask to them, even immoral things, like if their slaves and while all their life, unfortunaltey most of them think that they should and justify it because of considering them as inferior to them, but men or women, we are all equal before god, in love, feelings, illness, oldness, pains and at the time of our death.

She smile softly, feeling much affection and tenderness for her friend.

I am delighted if I can help you to gain more selfesteem, I probably do have more faith in you than you do indeed, it's why I support you of my better.

Getting thoughtful as she think to Armand and Olympe's relationship.

I hope so very much, there isn't many things that could make me more happy than to see the two people I love the most loving each others as father and daughter !

I smiled shyly.

''He is not mine still,but I hope he will be soon.Oh I learned more things about him and I really admire him,and want with all my heart to make him very happy.We get along very well and yes he did kissed me but I feel that because I'm not ordinary lady he is careful not to do something wrong.''

I nodded sadly.

''Yes it is very sad to see how some man treat their women and I agree we are all equal,but in this world man are more important than us.''

I smiled kindly and said.

''Your support and your friendship to me is very helpful to overcome all that is happening, and for that I shall always be grateful to you.''

I looked her softly.

''You will see they will love each other very much,but for that they need more time to spend together''

Emilie nodd.

Indeed, not yet, but soon, he will yours fully since he isn"t taken with any other lady. I am glad to see that more you get to know him better, more you seem to love him and get well together, it's a very good sign for your future together ! Oh, I am sure that you will make him happy, because you are lovely and so very kind.

She smile softly.

You see, if it isn't a sign that you please to him, I don't know what it can be ! But yes he certainly respect you for your high rank and it's a proof of more that he is a good man for you. I feel that everything will go well between you and him and I am even more happy of my own happiness with his majesty in knowing that you will be happy too on your side, with his grace !

She grow serious again and sigh.

Unfortunately, it's true in this world, women are never considered as equal to men, form their birth to their death they are considered as inferiors. But I do hope and believe that in a distant future, many years, decades and centhuries after my death, the things will finally change for women, I think it's necessary and even foundamental step for humanity advances.

She smile again.

And I thank you too for being a so very good friend to me ! and will always be grateful for your support and kindess toward me, in bad and good times.

She nodd.

Of course, they will need time for get to know each others better and build a solid and loving relationship, they will have all the time for it when her and me will live with him in Italy at full time. I feel that they will love each others very much too !

I smiled a little.

''I don't think that wedding will be soon,King have more important things in his mind right now then my wedding...I do really like to be in his company very much and I feel so happy to know more about him.I do agree he is very good man and I am very lucky that he will soon become part of my family.Oh my dear friend I am so happy that I can share with you my happiness and to be part of yours,and to see you so much happy with his majesty brings to my heart great joy.''

I looked at her and said.

''My great wish is that someday women will have the same righ as man and to be equal''

I smiled happily.

''I am sure they will love each other very much...And yes they will have more time in Italy to get to know each others better and to create strong relationship and to be like true father and daughter.''

She nodd, a knowing look on her face.

Indeed, he is very busy with this great affair for now, but on the other hand, this way you will have more time for get to know each others better and developp a romantique and amourous relationship.

She giggle softly and add with a mischievous air.

And you can flirt before the marriage.

She smile in listening to her impressions about her husband to be.

Very good, he really seem to be perfect match for you since you yet have feelings for him and feel happy in his compagny, you two will get along together very well. I am very happy to can share my happiness with too my dear !

The air thoughtful, she twirl her curls around her fingers.

They seem to get very well together and to be quite found of each others, I do look forward for the three of us live together as a true little family, in Italy, it's a wonderful adventure that I can't wait for began.

I nodded and said softly.

''I really do not want me to hurry up with the wedding,this way I can get know him better and to learn everything about him so I am little grateful that my brother have something else in mind then my wedding.''
I blushed a bit and giggled.

''You made me blush but yes I agree I could flirt with him before our wedding.It is very good that I am happy in his company for that is very important for marriage''

I smiled softly.

''I am glad to hear that they get very well together...You will see everything will be good,you will soon have your mother and sister back in your life.''

Emilie chuckle.

It's a good thing indeed, your brother being busy you have more time and freedom with your husband to be !

She giggle and answer her on a gently teasing tone.

I like to make you blush, my dear, it bring beautiful colours to your cheeks !

Then she grow serious again.

But yes, you can flirt with your husband to be, it's important to don't have intime contacts before marriage, mostly by virtue and for avoid to have illegitime children, but there isn't any bad no risk in flirting. I am not the better person for give you advices about marriage since myself I am fianced and had never been married while you has been even if shortly, but I think that flirting together before marriage can developp amourous relationship and prepare to future love life.

She frown slighty and add.

I have always find quite absurd all theses nobles marriages where the husband and wife to be, who most of the time are very youngs and virgins, had never seen each others before, are briefly presented but without having the time to get to know each others before the marriage and can't flirt.
And then their parents marry them, many people escorts them to nuptial bedroom, they must lay down together in a bed before everyone without any intimacy while they hardly know each others, have only exchange a few words and then they have to make love. It's traditional way to do in many noble family, from where I come myself, but I really find it really absurd and I can imagine how frighteing it must be.

She smile happily, feeling full of hope and nervous at the idea of this meeting with her family.

I don't know but I really hope so, my dear because I love them and it's important for me to have them back in my life, especially my mother.

I giggled a bit and said.

''Oh of course I will not have intime contacts before marriage,but flirting is not dangerous even i think that is good before marriage to flirt...''

I looked at her little more seriously.

''I find that absurd too....It is very scary to them especially at a young age when they do not know nothing at all.They do that long time ago,I do not think that something is to be changed about that...

Emilie smile and nodd.

Indeed it's a good thing and so your marriage even if arranged would be at first a love story, I think it's better like that for your future.

She sigh.

Indeed it's a old tradition, one of these stupid and bad traditions that should be abandoned for good but that perpetuate, fortunately it isn't like that at each noble marriages, I hope that it will disappear with time, because ideed it's frightening expreience for very young people.

She turn to her daughter and caress her cheek, smiling.

I nodded softly.

''Yes it is very good for my marriage,and for yours as well...I am so supprised that this arranged marriage made me so much happy,I just hope that this happiness last long.''

I sighed and said.

''This tradition is terrible and does not need to be practice more...just when you think how the very young people
feel and how scared they are in that moment,make you feel bad...I hope one day they will stop with this''

Emilie blush and giggle.

Well in fact, Armand and me have start to flirt once we have declare our love to each others.

She smile softly.

I am really happy for you, my dear, I hope so too and I think it will.

She nodd, then think to her mother's last letter.

Oh, I have a news of my mother, in her last letter, she have decide to to visit me, so I don't have to join our family's castle, she tell that she wanted to make me a surprise but hadn't been able to hold her tongue !

She giggle.

It's look like her so much ! my sister Madeleine is like that too, I am the only one among the three who is secretive.

Feeling puzzled, she grow serious again.

The matter is that I am not sure of where she want to visit me, here or at Eastnor, I don't think she know that I am in journet in here, so I think it will be at Eastnor but I am not sure, anyway I think I will go there after Armand's departure, I wouldn't want her for arrive at Eastnor without being there for welcome her, in more she don't know that it's also a school, I hadn't has had the time to tell her as for many things and I think that she would be very surprised to see all these little girls, young girls and teachers around !

She chuckle.

I smiled happily.

''And I am happy for you my dear...''

I looked at her in surprise.

''Oh do you know when she will arrive?It is better that she told you now you can to preper yourself.You go at Eastnor and if she come here at court I will send a letter to you...She will be very surprise when she see your scoole and all children there.''

She smile happily in thinking to her mother close arrival, feeling moved at the idea to see her again and also slighty nervous.

I don't know exactly but when she have send me this letter, she had pack her luggages and was about to leave right after, so she would arrive within a week.

She nodd.

Yes, it's better she told me, so I can get ready and recieve her properly. Oh it's would be nice to you, thank you, so if she decide to go here rather than at Eastnor, I will come back here.

She giggle softly.

Indeed, she surely will be in discovering all this.

I smiled happily and said.

''don't worry if she comes here I will know...are you nervous or scared?

I asked softly.

''Olympe will be so much happy to meet her grandmother''

Emilie take a deep inspiration in thinking to her meeting with her mother after such a long separation.

Scared, no, not anymore, our letters exchanges have reassure me, she seem to be in open mind and I feel stronger now ... but yes I feel really nervous, it's such an important event and if ever the things don't go well, I will probably not have possibility to meet her again before long.

She smile and nodd.

Yes, I am sure of it and I do it for her too, her other grandmother is so important in her life that I am sure that my mother will be important in her life too.

She turn to Olympe who is still sat on her belly, smiling and ask her softly.

Uh Olympe, you are found of your grandma Elizabeth, aren't you ?

Olympe smile happily and nodd.

Yes !

And you would like to encounter my maman ?, your bonne-maman Cécile.

Olympe nodd again.

Yes, I would like to see her.

Emilie giggle and kiss her forehead tenderly, then turn again to Mary.

You see ! she is rather enthousiast too !

I smiled and said kindly.

''It is good that you are not scared,and you don't have a reason to be scared....I really understand why you are nervous,I will be too if I didn't saw my mother for three years,it is kind of nervousness as a positive.everything will be fine you will see...Oh of course she will love your mother as well and she will be important part of her life like Elizabeth' '

I smiled happily at Olympe then looked at Emilie again and said.

''I see you are both eagerly expect her arrival''

Emilie nodd and smile softly, hugging Olympe.

I hope so, my dear, I really want to have her back in my life for good and I am sure that Olympe would be happy to have her grandmother, I think more she will have members of her family in her life, more she will be happy and so I will be too.

Emilie giggle.

Indeed, we both are ! And I am even more happy to have find my soulmate and soon start a new life with him, Armand is so wonderful !

I nodded.

''I do think that she wants you in her life so in my opinion everything will be fine...And when she see and meet Olympe I am sure that she will be happy...''

I smiled happily.

''I am so glad for you,he seams to be nice and he loves you and after all you deserve to be happy you have every reason for that...''

Emilie nodd.

I hope so, I will see.

She smile happily.

You deserve to be happy too with your husband to be, my dear and I wish you to be.

She glance to her daughter with a loving air, then she look around at the beautiful landscape, the pure water of the lake, that seem to confuse with the sky at horizon and all the beautiful nature that surround it, the air dreamy, feeling serene, then she turn to Mary.

How do you see your future family, would you like to have a large one with many children or a small one with a few children ?

I smiled to her.

''I hope that I will be happy with him like you with king...''

I looked at her thoughtfully.

''I want the large family with many children,who will run around in this palace and play in same places where I played once...Oh I didn't told you Cordelia visited me and apologized for everything she did...I must admit I was quite surprised when she did that''

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