1The year was 1513, and in days of men's earnest love for power and accumulating more of it, a woman has to have an ambition. It would not matter how high she aimed to reach, nor what goals she sets to meet. A woman needs ambition, and for Hélène , she could not set her eyes higher than what fate presented in front of her.
"You sent for me, your Majesty?" said Hélène , curtseying to the her lord.
King Henry looked at her, appearing tensed and excited at the same time. He then turned to the company checking the scroll of maps with him.
"Leave us, all of you"
The men signaled at each. Hélène took a side step to let the men get through. She turned her head up as Richard, her brother and guardian, pass by her.
"I'll see you tonight. Same place." he whispered to her. She just nodded as the number of people in the king's presence chamber lessens.
"Come here, Hélène "
The King, who had long, brown locks plaited behind his head, followed her trail to him, removing his breast plate and showing a kerchief beneath the metal.
"I wore your favor in joust today. And I won, taking Sir Stanley off his horse. I tried my best not to injure men under my standard but I just can't help it."
Hélène sat at the seat of honor, which was sat in a little while ago by her brother.
"I'm proud of you, my love."
She kissed him, and the king reciprocated the passionate gesture of his mistress, and then broke the lock, looking at her straight in the eye, their noses almost touching.
"You're my goddess of victory. Hélène, I need your counsel now. If we win this war against Parnasse our cause will be just."
She perused the assault maps lying on his table.
"Are you sure we're still right on track? You're declaring enmity eternally with the Queen's family. I won't have you going to battle while..."
"While?"
She examined the King's face, and then held his hands, head close to his.
"Henry, I am with child. By your side, I am secured, but this child, and he could be the son you longed for, he will be hunted by them."
"Yes I am aware of your position, my little lark. A child born out of wedlock is as good as dead."
"How can you say that?"
"I can't make him my heir when you're only my mistress." He kissed her this time, but the lady turned him away. "Insolent girl. When we eliminate the Parnassians he will be safe. If not, then it would be better if our child is killed before he's born."
Hélène shook in terror.
"Majesty!"
"Concentrate with me in planning our strategies. Forget the things that are not yet here."
Putting only her robe over his night gown, she opened a secret portal in her room leading to a small pathway adjoining her brother's room. Reaching for the small wood and iron door, she knocked four times in swift successions.
The door opened, showing a man in robes, too, letting her in.
"Richard…" she fell to his arms as soon as the door closed "I am afraid."
"What did he tell you?" asked the man, who, like her, possessed burgundy hair and green eyes. "Tell me everything."
"He has decided with the war against Parnasse."
"I know that much. We were drafting the letters for the gentry to raise an army for him before you came in. We are going to ride after Candlemas the latest."
"That's the problem brother. I can't ride, but he wants me by his side in his standard. Richard, my linens were clean for the past couple of months. Nobody takes a litter to war."
"Is it—"
"Yours? His? I don't know. I've had you both whenever you wanted me. I'm afraid, but I made it my mission to put this child on the throne."
"Watch your words, be careful sister. His cousin The Duke Sterling was beheaded for saying less than that."
"I know, you need not remind me. But now, I have something to play for. He won't be a king's bastard."
She accepted the warm ale her brother handed her.
"I am to be the uncle of Gaerdin's future King." Richard said, his tone cunning.
"Or father."
They made their way to Earl Feuillet's bed.
In her room, Hélène arranged herself for her to look bedraggled.
"Mistress Feuillets, His Majesty has come to visit you." said her maid-in-waiting. She dismissed her immediately and started her crying.
"Hélène?" his voice reverberated through the hollow hall.
"Go away, Your Majesty. I am not worthy of your affection."
The King continued his way to her bed. He saw his woman, her wavy red hair all about her face, curled between the sheets. He sat beside her.
"Go away, Henry. I'm consumed by the passion I have for you that you can never show me."
He motioned towards her, looking for her face beneath the heap of curls.
"In what way have I offended you, lark?"
"You broke my heart Henry. You threatened our love. This child..."
He gave a smirk. He removed his night shirt and lay beside her. She could almost feel his breathing.
"Get away. Get back to your other mistresses. I'm simply just one of your toys to play. You don't love me, you don't care for me. I am one lonely soul amidst the greatest court in the continent."
His hand move in under her gown and touch her.
"Tell me, of all the women I've had, who's brother have I given an Earldom? Which of you have I given a retinue that begrudges even my queen? Tell me, who—"
She sat bolt upright and covered the king's mouth. She was still crying, and she let out a sob.
"Yes you've given me all of that. But Henry, these things you give don't make me feel loved. I want you, entirely. Still you go back to your queen after you're done with me. And what does she give you? Endless daughters, enemies from the north, no heir…"
"Hélène , understand that—"
"See? I am just one of them. When this child is born you will have me marry one of your men, just like what you did with Ivian and Elizabeth, and have him give this child of yours a name. You'll say every commoner woman would be delighted with the presentation of a peer title, and I'll be sent away in a castle far away, thinking about—"
"Stop." He finally said. He rose too and met her lips. "I won't do that. You're my only love, my little lark."
She touched his bare chest and leaned her head to it.
"Please let me love you forever. Let me stay by your side. Protect me."
The king raised her head to his level. He smiled at her and kissed her tears.
"I will make you my queen."
Hélène never felt so triumphant in her whole life at court.
"How, my lord?"