Stables

Subject: Re: Stables Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:48 pm

He shook himself from his thoughts, and forced himself into the present time. "We had a disagreement over the man she married. My sister is a very beautiful woman but always refused to believe so, therefore she ended up marrying the first man who asked for her hand. He was a brute, always out late, drinking until the hours of the morning, sometimes he would not come home at all. And when she complained and begged him to stay home, he would hit her." Christophe's voice turned to stone as he said this. "I told her to leave, for her sake and for her children, but she refused, thinking she could change him. What happened next, I cannot even forgive myself for it sometimes.."

Subject: Re: Stables Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:37 am

Coralie looked down, her eyes wide. "I am so very sorry to hear that, monsieur." She shook her head, "I cannot imagine the pain you must have and still be going through."

She looked at him, "you do not have to finish." She brushed her fingers against Andromeda's mane, wondering if the filly could sense her sadness at Christophe's words.

Subject: Re: Stables Wed Oct 31, 2012 4:30 am

His head hung down as they walked. "Thank you," he said almost imperceptibly. "I shall not burden you with such a sad story. It makes no difference, as I keep the thought of my sin to this very day." He looked up at her, noting the seriousness their conversation had taken on. "May I ask Coralie, how far would you go to protect someone you loved?"

Subject: Re: Stables Thu Nov 01, 2012 4:04 pm

Coralie looked at him, shaking her head. "Surely you have no sins to bare, monsieur."

Her heart stopped a moment and she looked down at Andromeda, swallowing nervously. She looked back to Christophe, "truthfully, monsieur...I do not know what I would do." She looked off in the distance, "...I suppose that had I been able, I would have nearly given my life to save my brother."

She looked at her gloves. "I know financially, I would perhaps marry for them...to secure our futures." She played with Andromeda's mane, "...but I fear as far as physically, there is not much I can do."

Subject: Re: Stables Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:31 pm

Christophe stopped the horse and looked at Coralie for a long while, registering what she'd said. "Then you are lucky. No one expects anything from you except to marry where you are told. But I know you would give your life for any one of your family, anyone with a heart would do that for their kin." He paused. "And I do have sins. You see, instead of giving my life I took one. I killed my sister's husband." He grew silent as he barely felt the cool breeze of morning against his skin.

Subject: Re: Stables Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:40 pm

Coralie nodded in a agreement.

She felt a pinge in her heart at Christophe's confession to her, and for a moment she felt fear in her heart, yet it went away quickly. She trusted Christophe. If anyone were to protect Coralie and show they were a true gentleman, it was he. She knew only from their first encounter how caring and protective he could be; he was perhaps even brotherly to Coralie.

She nodded a little, giving a swallow before. She tilted her head to look at him better, "...if you had been in battle, and killed thousands of the enemies' men...you would be a hero to your country." She blinked, "...though you have killed a man, your intentions seem noble...to protect an enemy of your family, and dearest sister..." she shook her head, "...it frightens me a bit, but I know how protective you are."

She places a gloved hand on his shoulder. "Yet I cannot chastise or curse you for protecting someone you love."

Subject: Re: Stables Sat Nov 03, 2012 2:56 am

He mustered a smile at her words. "It's kind of you to think I've killed thousands, but it was not that many. I cannot count the deaths I have caused but I would not expect anyone else to keep that tally either, except perhaps God." He turned serious again. "Trust me, I did it only out of preserving my sister's life. I don't kill for pleasure." He felt calmed when Coralie put a hand on his shoulder. "I am glad you trust me. I only hope I haven't ruined your day with this sudden revelation." He gave a bitter laugh.

Subject: Re: Stables Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:35 am

She gave a little smile, "and only God is the true judge."

Coralie tilted her head again, frowning slightly. "Have you asked for forgiveness?" She looked at her hands, still holding Andromeda's reins. "Your sins could be removed if you only asked for forgiveness and repented."

She gave a little laugh, shaking her head and looking at him. "I never took you for the kind to kill for pleasure."

Coralie gave a laugh, rubbing the leather of his doublet. "We all need someone to talk to," she smiled. She frowned suddenly, "and I do not think it very healthy to hold things in for so long."

Subject: Re: Stables Sat Nov 03, 2012 5:46 pm

"God is the only judge, you are right. I have confessed to a priest, but the transgression still weighs on me though my sin is absolved. My sister is the only one's forgiveness I lack, and to me hers counts the most, though I don't expect it at all."

He looked at her and laughed, looking away. "I'm glad there is someone who doesn't see me as a monster," he said.

"I want to thank you for listening then. Someone with such a pure and innocent mind as yours shouldn't be listening to such things as I say," he said shaking his head.

Subject: Re: Stables Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:13 pm

Coralie nodded, understanding. "Then it truly must not be so simply for you," she nodded.

She shook her head, eyes wide. "I could never see you as a monster, monsieur." She smiled, "you have been to kind to me to be such a monster."

Coralie's smile faded, and she looked at the bodice of her gown. "You would be surprised the things I have heard while here at court." She looked back toward the palace, "I have to hear what the other ladies do with the men they meet...what his majesty has done with mistresses...what pages have dueled with whom."

Her face went blank a moment. "...I fear I lose my innocence everyday I am here," she breathed.

Subject: Re: Stables Sun Nov 04, 2012 2:54 am

"Nothing is easy," he admitted.

"Indeed I think it is you who have brought out the kindness in me," he said with fondness.

"I am not surprise you have heard of some of the depravities here at court. I think you are able to rise above such things, but I am still in wonder as to why you are still here, and unescorted. You should have a brother or parent here with you. for protection. Someone as yourself could never lose innocence, you are naturally.. angelic."

Subject: Re: Stables Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:22 pm

Coralie smiled and looked down at Andromeda below her. She smiled, glad that she could perhaps help Christophe no long see himself as a monster.

"And you bring out the bravery in me," she smiled.

She blushed a little as he called her angelic. "My brother Chevelier may be coming soon to check on me...and I am certain that when my papa finds out where I am, he shall come to visit me."

She paused a moment, thinking of what he had said. "...what do you think of...mistresses, monsieur?" she looked down timidly. She did not know whether the question was most apropriate, or if she should even speak of what was on her mind...
"To...a wealthy, married man...," she added.

Subject: Re: Stables Mon Nov 05, 2012 3:03 am

He grinned. "It seems we balance each other out then," he said knowingly.

"I bet you are glad your father and brother are coming to visit you. I would be honored to meet them if it's permissible."

He shrugged as Coralie spoke of mistresses. "They seem to be common around here, and at each court in the world. Very few noblemen bed only their wives. I personally never took a mistress while I was married, but I am not every man." He looked up at her. "Why do you ask?"

Subject: Re: Stables Tue Nov 06, 2012 1:46 am

Coralie laughed, nodding in agreement. "It is very true!"

She nodded, excitedly. "Oh, yes...I miss them terribly," she smiled. Her eyes went wide, "I am certain my papa should like to speak to a fellow soldier!" she nodded.

"Oh," Coralie looked down. She thought for a moment, not sure whether she should tell him...

"...the king kissed me," she finally spoke. She could not help but smile as she recalled, and began playing with the choker around neck. "...and I kissed him...and I sat upon his lap," she spoke, dreamily, as though she knew not the words coming out of her mouth. "He calls me his sweet Coralie," she smiled again, "...I believe I was wondering if...it is so bad to become a mistress or such to a king..." she muttered.

Subject: Re: Stables Thu Nov 08, 2012 7:13 am

Christophe was still nodding as he thought about meeting Coralie's father, when he thought he misheard her next words. Soon he realized that Coralie had designs on becoming the king's mistress! "Well my lady, it certainly is a common thing, especially at court. Especially at this court. I do not think it is a very bad thing to take up. But, you must be prepared to be dropped just as quickly, and to have your heart broken. A mistress is likely one of many, and King Francois likely will not stop with just one. You will give him your virtue then he will move on once he is sated." He didn't like being blunt about so sensitive a subject, but Coralie deserved to know the truth about what lay ahead of the path in case she chose it.

Subject: Re: Stables Thu Nov 08, 2012 9:24 pm

Coralie nodded, her heart sinking. She knew his majesty had had many lovers, but she had never stopped to think that perhaps, should she choose such a path, she would not be the only woman he took.

It made her sad to think he could take so many "lovers" at once. Whom did he truly love? And was it love or merely lust?

Her heart sank and she turned her head away a moment, blinking away any tears that may fall. Did he care for her?...love her?...or was it merely lust he felt for her?

She turned back to Christophe and forced a smile, brushing her hands against Andromeda's mane. "...I am certain I should never do such a thing as become one of his-..." she stopped, she could not say the words. "Besides, I am certain I am looked that way by no man."

Subject: Re: Stables Sat Nov 10, 2012 3:42 am

He paid attention to her face, watching the various emotions that played in light and in shadow across her features. Her eyes darkened, as did the sky at that moment when a cloud passed over the morning sun. "Someone has asked you to be his mistress? Who is he?" he asked, though he already had an idea who she meant.

Subject: Re: Stables Sun Nov 11, 2012 3:52 am

Coralie forced her sadness away, feeling Christophe, though they had only known each other shortly, could already read her emotions like one of her stories.

She shook her head, "no...he has not asked me I-," she stopped, "...I was only wondering."

Her eyes went wide and she quickly felt embarassed. "It was only a thought...and I-I had been having some dreams, I-," she stopped, feeling herself blush a little. "I...know are not appropriate seeing as I am still apprently a child, and he, is married."

She shook her head, "no, I mustn't do a thing like it."

Subject: Re: Stables Sun Nov 11, 2012 5:04 am

The conflict was evident in her voice. "I think everyone has those feelings at one point or another. It is natural. You may be young but you are not a child. This man has shown attention to you, and you are without chaperone or guardian here at court." Secretly it angered him to think that Coralie had been taken advantage of. "You have a curiosity, and the man is appealing because he is unattainable." He tried to rationalize it.

Subject: Re: Stables Mon Nov 12, 2012 1:19 am

Coralie shook her head, her eyes growing wide. "Oh, no...I care for him dearly." She looked down at Andromeda, "he was my first friend here, and we get along so well and make each other happy...and I feel as though we have known each other since birth."

Subject: Re: Stables Mon Nov 12, 2012 7:09 am

His eyes searched hers. "You won't tell me who he is?" He didn't know many of the men at court, but he thought perhaps he could keep an eye on the man in the absence of Coralie's father.

Subject: Re: Stables Tue Nov 13, 2012 12:37 am

Coralie looked down, playing with reins in her gloved hands.

"It's his majesty...," she looked up. 'It's the king...he's the king."

She looked down, again, giving a little shrug, "...I-...I care for him deeply."

Subject: Re: Stables Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:10 am

He again looked up at her, pity was evident in his eyes. "To love a king is expected from a young girl as yourself. You are idealistic, full of romantic notions, and if I may say so, a little naive. I only want you to take care in whatever should happen. King Francis is one who likes adoration and to see that so plainly in you would be to his advantage." He wanted to warn her.

Subject: Re: Stables Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:26 am

Coralie shook her head, eyes wide. "But I care for him so very much, and-," she looked down. "And I do not think he would hurt me...he says he would never."

She leaned toward him, "he has even says he wishes to refrain from anything intimate because he does not wish to hurt me...and because he thinks me too young."

Subject: Re: Stables Wed Nov 14, 2012 6:10 am

He nodded, feeling a slight relief, then he remembered a woman from days gone past. "You may be too young to remember her, but he once had a mistress named Mary Boleyn. She was only in the blush of her youth when he bedded her. She was not much older than yourself Coralie. I know the king would not harm you in any way, but all the same I wish you to be careful." He thought of that other girl, the one Francis called the Great Prostitute and his English Mare. He didn't dare say such things in front of this young woman.

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