After the late research in the cottage I had retired in my chamber. Writing down all my thoughts about the crime on a paper, to give to William so he can read it in the meeting. I am sure that this has something to do with the upcoming war. It is some kind of message to the Royals. I just need to figure out what that is.
The door swings open and closes audibly. I jump in shock as I look at the panicked girl who’s on the urge of crying her eyes out. I almost run towards her as she collapses on the floor and sobs her heart out. It’s Martha.
“What happened?” No answer, just tears. She wraps her arms around my neck as she cries. I try to sooth her as I see that this could go forever. What happened to this poor girl?
“Did someone hurt you? Or try to?” She shakes her head against my collarbone. Martha is like a young sister, she is only 20 and has already loved and lost, what could hurt her this bad?
“I will be executed, if they know I saw.” She managed to say without choking.
“What did you see?” I ask her. She shakes her head more and more and distances herself away from me.
“I can’t, I can’t.” She cries. She crawls further away from me, till she reaches the wall and cries.
“Tell me, I won’t hurt you, no matter what.” She stops crying and looks me dead in the eye. Her eyes are all swollen and you can see the tears forming once more, fearing for her live.
“I saw the Prince walking towards the Queen’s chambers.”
“At this hour?” I knew what this meant, but I don’t want it to be true. She nods at my question. I take in a deep breath.
“I quickly hid away around the corner, I saw him and the Queen they were talking at first.”
“What did they say?” I know what she is telling me, I just can’t believe it, not when I haven’t heard the words from her.
“Something about that he was later than usual.”
“What did you see after that?” She looks me back in the eye, she slowly shakes her head as if she wants to burn the memory out of her head.
“They kissed.” There it was. All this time, Arthur was using me. From the beginning, at the start I didn’t notice anything, but yesterday I did and the week we spent together, I knew something was going on. But this? I didn’t expect this. The thought of Arthur and the Queen together ties knots in my stomach. But this means so much more than just a relationship. When Charlotte announced her pregnancy at the ball, her stomach really started growing and she really did start glowing. Is the child she’s carrying Arthur’s? What will Isaac do if he finds out about this? Does the Queen mother know? Or is she trying to protect her child and France?
“Oh my god.” I whisper. With those words Martha started again, and this time I shed one tear with her. I thought that Arthur was the one with whom I could laugh and say stupid theories around him. But now I know he was telling every single thing to her, in bed.
That night, sleep was one thing I couldn’t get. I tossed and turned, but sleep was too peaceful for this situation. I can’t tell Arthur anything, I promised Martha that I won’t say anything to anyone about this, and I won’t. She will only tell my most trusted maids, so that they can be prepared for when they see anything or if they want to find out more.
After last night I hadn't spoken to Martha, she left my room and said that she will continue to work. I wonder if she truly was mentally prepared to spend the night with someone when she went through that.
Today Isaac will return and the meeting will take place. I am meeting William for a while in the gardens, so we can talk about everything. I was at first doubting if I will say anything about Arthur and The Queen to him but decided not to, I don’t trust him enough for that yet.
“Martha.” I say in surprise when she walks in my room unannounced. She is unrecognisable from the sight I saw yesterday, she’s wearing one of her most luxurious dresses and looks like a real lady, except her face isn’t as happy as she was before the situation. I don’t blame her, I am still not recovered from that shock.
“Is everything alright?” I ask when she doesn’t speak a word.
“Yes, My Lady, I just wanted to thank you for being there for me yesterday.”
“You don’t have to, if there is anything you want to get off your chest, I am here.” I say as I pick up all my documents to get ready to leave to meet William.
“Thank you, My Lady.”
“You're welcome.” With that she leaves, to the duties of a maid.
I walk towards the spot I am meeting William, I see him standing near the exit of the castle, wearing his uniform.
“William.” I state, he turns around discreetly and gives me a polite smile. We are careful with our encounters. If rumour spreads that William and I have something, things will get worse. I am starting to learn from my mistakes. I give him the papers full of my theories.
“Be careful, no one can see them.” I tell him, he nods. I look around us and leave.
Walking back to my room the most horrific thing happens. Arthur. He is his usual self which scares me, how can he be so calm when he sleeps with the Queen every night? I stare at the man when he walks closer to me.
“Victoria. How are you doing?” He speaks. My stomach twists when he speaks my name so endearingly. I smile at him, like everything is alright and I know nothing, playing dumb is playing smart.
“Great, the weather is amazing, don’t you think?” He looks through the windows. It is really great weather today, I was hoping to sit on my balcony the entire day and read a book and work for a bit. But that plan is falling in the water with the next words.
“Shall we go somewhere today?” I smile at his invitation, except on the inside I am feeling the most uncomfortable I have ever been, the way he talks so nicely is irritating me.
“I am sorry, but I have to refuse your offer, maybe tomorrow? Say around noon?” I can’t say ‘no’ and not give an alternative solution, otherwise he will get suspicious of my behaviour.
“Of course, I will make plans then.”
“Sounds great.” Little does he know that a storm is coming up tomorrow. I have heard from navy’s who arrived not too long ago that a storm from the shore is moving towards us, closer everyday so I am awaiting the downfall. It is really a win-win situation.
I tell him goodbye when I finally can leave peacefully and walk towards my room.
“The King has arrived!”
Perhaps not so peacefully.