The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God [M - Hannelorian x DuchessLivilla]

[Hannelorian]

The moment in which the Duchess and the King met the Prince and Princess of Wales was one that some could charitably describe as awkward or uncomfortable. The Duchess for her part largely stood back as Christian made his comments. The notion that widowhood, or rather his own presence suited her was deeply devastating, though little could be done regarding the manner. But Arabella could not remain silent as that would be disadvantageous to her.

"Your Majesty flatters me so. It is my honor and privilege to stand at his side." She spoke with confidence built on lies, a good solid foundation. With the King somewhat distracted the Duchess moved in, her hands lightly gripping Alexandra's forearms, she leaned in for the briefest of moments her lips hovered above the Princess' ear, she whispered "I love you" before pulling away and returning her arms to that of her soon-to-be husband.

The Prince seemed somewhat bewildered by the King's comments, though he made no such clarification. Instead he stood firmly by his wife and opted for joviality... or did he? "Of course, you can barely tell she's just lost her husband upon the birth of her child." Arthur remarked rather matter of fact-ly. He did not do so to upset the Duchess, but rather to refute his father's own point, as cavalier as it was. "Her Grace is glowing."

Arabella having caught side of the two maids looked to speed things along. "Shall we go in, my darling?" Arabella asked quietly, calmly and gesturing to the doors. The future Queen rather pulled the King gently and the family, all smiles for the world outside of them would begin to enter, followed by the rest of the assembled gentry. Lucy held back, and in her moment waited for Alice, who too, let her mistress go ahead of her. And finally the two maids were alone, relatively, the majority of the servants were at their own prayer, or scrambling across the Servant's hall.

Alice turned her attention to Lucy and bowed her head, recognizing that much as her own mistress paid her respects to Arabella, Alice paid her respects to the woman who would serve the Queen. Glancing around her, looking for prying eyes, Alice cautiously unveiled a small envelope, and passed it quickly to Lucy on behalf of the Princess. Lucy without a second thought quickly took it and tucked it away nodding.

"It's good to see you." Lucy remarked, rather in awe of how calm Alice could be. Alice smiled and nodded politely. "You too." The two were at odds, one served the most gracious, the other the most difficult.

[DuchessLivilla]

Alexandra, arm in arm with Arthur, still gripping her rosary, inwardly seethed. How dare he speak of Bella like that? She stared so intently at the back of the King's head that, had it been possible for looks to kill, he should have dropped to the black and white tiles and died right there.

That would be a show to see! She sighed softly and moved with Arthur to the left bank of pews, while the King and her sister went to the right. They faced one another across the aisle as the nobility filed into their allotted places. Only the highest members, the council and their wives, were allowed to sit in this bit. The rest had to fill the outer chapel.

Alexandra had not been permitted within here until her marriage; she, like the other 'lesser mortals' had sat outwith. Now she was right at the front...and forced to ensure the Mass with the King sitting opposite, smirking.

For the briefest moment she wished she was back out there. Then Arthur took her hand and she smiled. She would rather be here, with him, and suffer the King, than out there without him. The Archbishop, who would marry the royal couple in a few days, and who always said the Mass at such occasions, processed to the altar in great state, followed by his minions and the choir who took their seats next to the gentry.

-

Across the aisle, the King was grinning. That could not have gone better. His bride had done her duty well, and shone, as he knew she would. And, he smirked as he looked over, that insipid little trollop had known her place. He was, slightly, disappointed that she hadn't failed the test. He should have liked to have made a point of it, but no matter.

God willing, she would not be Princess of Wales for much longer anyway. His beloved would conceive a son on their wedding night, and within the year, he could rid himself of both of his problems. Of course, things would be a little more complicated if Arthur had an heir himself by then but the chances of that were slim. He had consulted the Royal doctors; they had assured him that Alexandra was 'unhealthy and most unfit to bear children. She shall be barren'.

He smirked again at the thought and nodded to the archbishop to begin the Mass. He went through the motions of what he was supposed to do, without putting a foot or note wrong, but his mind was elsewhere. He was entirely focussed on the delights of what was to come...

It had been too long since he had a woman with any regularity. The odd dalliance with lower-class women, who were easily silenced, but now. Now he could, soon, enjoy his prize. He shifted in his seat and chuckled softly to himself. Yes. He would enjoy her to the fullest.

[Hannelorian]

The Duchess moved to her assigned seat, beside the King. She fulfilled her duties, and completed the ritual that was the mass. It was odd, for the first time in perhaps her life the service rang hollow for the Duchess. It filled her with no grace, nor spiritual meaning. It felt utterly false. Perhaps her situation had rendered her unable to believe, filled with tremendous doubt. It was all just motions. Arabella moved through them, she needn't even think it was all second hand. But the fulfillment she had longed for, in the light of God was disturbingly absent, that was not something she could simply ignore.

As Arabella stood, she found herself uncomfortable, but at certain points, without thought the Duchess would move to touch the King in ever so slight ways, reinforcing what he believed of her. Arabella momentarily had regarded herself as a creature without a soul. She hated what she did, but she did it. Of course she would tell herself that she did it survive. But was that even true? How much of herself had she given that she was barely left human.

When the service concluded, the Duchess alongside the King departed the chapel. Windsor would then play something of a hosting role, often small receptions followed mass. Time for the nobles to pester the King, but first, the Duchess would pester. Walking slowly along side him. "Your Majesty, I must ask for one small grace... if you would be so kind." The Duchess had thought long and hard over this, and had determined some manipulation or simple lying might be best. "I have thought upon your wisdom, and I wonder if it might not be beneficial to allow me to give Alexandra good scolding? Put her in her place a bit. Arthur certainly wouldn't." She looked up at him, and with her eyes she appeared rather meek. As though she were some sort of sad puppy needing affection and validation from her master.

Lucy all the while remained behind the Duchess and had slipped the note into the Duchess' garb, where they had agreed. Of course, if Arabella's plan were to work no further note passing would be needed, she would simply be able to summon her sister and have a chat, with no one but the guards outside the room.

[DuchessLivilla]

The King, pleased and content until then, paused and looked down at her, his expression hard to read. He patted her hand. "My love, are you sure it is worth the risk? Your sister, God rest your parent's memory, is of a bad seed. Bad blood will out and she has it all, in your line. It can spread to others...I do not wish you to be infected by her cancer."

That might have been the end of it but, perhaps remembering how cruel -and pleased with her cruelty- Bella had once been, he smiled and leant down to say softly to her, "Of course, you must. It will be good for you. You shall be a much better Queen once you have sharpened your teeth upon your sister. You must tell me all when you are done...I shall keep Arthur occupied. It would not to do have him burst in and play the hero."

He chuckled. "Why, I am half tempted to lend you my crop, if she needs to be taught sharply, as one does children. Take her to the gardens, you can be alone there. No one will be there for now." He looked about and spotted Arthur. He smirked. "Go, my love, to your work..." he released her arm and marked off, calling out, "Your Highness...A word, if you would."

The Prince, having no choice, was forced to go off with his father, leaving Alexandra standing, alone, with just Alice for company in the little throng of people. No one, aside from what was a rule -i.e a brief bow or curtesy as they passed- paid the Princess any mind. She was, in their eyes, not worth the bother.

[Hannelorian]

When the King spoke his filth the Duchess internally recoiled but understood she had to play the part. "I can assure you that after a life time, I am immune to her disease." Arabella was reassuring, surely one of such high moral standing could not be infected by the evil ways of the Princess. It was laughable, even if just months ago she would have shared a similar conviction.

"But..." The Duchess began as the King pulled away to speak with Arthur. She drew him back in, pulling him as close to her as could. "Your faith in me is incredibly appreciated. I don't know how I found myself in the grace of God." There it was, Arabella had intentionally compared the King to God, thus creating an unbreakable link, or rather cementing to the King how she viewed him, even if it were untrue. "Our wedding day cannot come soon enough." She spoke with authority and determination, and once the King had departed she sent Lucy to fetch Alice, who would in turn summon her sister.

Lucy moved without need of ask, she would search though it would not be hard to find Alice. The castle guard often provided the needed roadblock, designed to ensure that company travelled in a specific direction. It only took a whisper from one maid to another. The Duchess waited patiently in the garden, and felt for a moment at peace amongst the plants.

Arthur all the while had been summoned. Hearing his father fall for him he understood and went without question. "Of course, Your Majesty." He responded in kind before meeting with his father, he was sure that hell was coming for him.

[DuchessLivilla]

Christian smirked, "A fine day, yes? I thought Her Grace looked most radiant. Really, she is the pearl of my world, and of all women. I could not ask for a better match. It is a great comfort that at least one of us has achieved such..." he walked along as he spoke, quite the spring in his step. "Now...son, I did not wish to share this with you but I feel I must, as a duty to you as my son..."

He paused, as if this pained him, but really the smirk rather ruined any effect he hoped to achieve.

"I have spoken to the royal doctors about Alexandra," he began, his hand on his son's shoulder as if to give comfort. "They assure me, that in their most learned knowledge...she is unhealthy and will prove barren. You will never be a father if you remain married to her. All men wish for a legacy, Arthur, do not stand on your pride and lose that chance."

-

Alexandra, who once might have trembled at -even then viewed as such- royal summons, merely breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Of course...lead on, Lucy," she said allowed. "I am at Her Grace's will," she added, which she knew would help any overhearing.

She followed the maid, keeping her eyes downcast to avoid any looks, to the garden. The maid left her at the wall and she hurried down the steps into the garden proper. "Oh, Bella," she said softly as she reached her. She dipped a small curtsy, just in case they were overserved. "I am so sorry...How could he speak of you and Richard like that? It took all I could not to spit at him."

[Hannelorian]

Arthur walked by his father's side, taking in his words. He could hardly stop himself from bursting out laughing at his claims and those of his alleged "doctors." Alexandra was already pregnant, and likely had been since their first night together. But still, he knew he mustn't admit such things. At least not at this particular moment. Instead, the Prince remained walking with a neutral face.

"It would go against God to leave my wife." Step one, invoke the name of God. This was the most logical place to start. "Further I love Alexandra, whether she has children or not." A small smile cracked and came forth on his page, the Prince looked down to shield it, just watching the sun glint off of the tips of his boots as he strode. "Then of course there is the question." The Prince looked up and stopped speaking for a moment, he stopped walking as well taking a moment to simply look at his father.

"It is best for you that I not have children. Unless of course, you're worried that my darling mother will not give you a son." Arthur cringed at the fact that he referred to Arabella as his mother, but he found himself relieved in knowing he only turned the knife. "If she gives you a son, you needn't worry about me or Alexandra. Quietly we go, off to live our lives while you continue to exercise your authority as King. No one would bat an eye. The Prince of Wales taken in by some harlot, he should be cast aside, they'll say. You would of course, be happy to indulge. After all it is not your failings, but rather mother's isn't that right?" Here Arthur referred to his actual mother, the late Queen.

"Yes, of course Her Grace looked every bit as you could have hoped. She's quite the woman. Strong. Beautiful, smart... How long will it be before you break her too?" Arthur resumed his stride and continued to walk forward seemingly without a care in the world. "Alexandra may be nothing to you. But to me she is the world. I see her very much the same way you claim to view her sister. I don't need your petty approvals for that."

--

Arabella breathed a sigh of relief when her sister's voice hit her ear. Even now, Arabella knew she was watched from afar, and did not move to embrace her sister, but simply waited for her to catch up and the two walked forward, side by side in perfect synchronization. "It feels wrong, not to curtsy before you." Arabella admitted. If one thing was always true, Arabella followed the rules of the upper crust. But here, when watched, Arabella projected the image of a Queen, even though she was not yet one. She bowed before no one, save the King. "I hope you can forgive me, all of this cloak and dagger. I'm never left alone. Even now the King thinks I'm giving you a dressing down like you've seen." All the while she walked, she had a tremendous smile spread across her face. She gave all of the illusions that the two spoke gently and kindly. "You may want to look unhappy."

Arabella could have laughed, knowing recently enough, spending time with Alexandra would have made her poor sister miserable. "He's a beast." The Duchess lowered her voice a bit, always scanning the horizon to ensure no one was too close. "He even suggested we take to the bed... before the wedding." The Duchess swallowed hard, obviously offended at such a notion, but relieved she could finally speak candidly to her loved ones. "If Richard were alive... That's no matter... how are you? How is..." The Duchess made a vague, but general motion to imply she was asking about Alex's pregnancy.

"I have a plan... to save my daughter. But it only works if you cooperate and help me... though God knows you owe me no favor." The Duchess never let the smile fade, she never let her guard down from those outside.

[DuchessLivilla]

The King blinked. That was true enough, but he had not said such for that, he had said it to hurt his son. He was rather rankled that it had not worked. "Of course not," he snapped, "Her Grace will have children. Everyone knows it was Richard who was at fault, not her."

It did not occur to him then, nor even later, to think 'well, if it was Richard, how did Bella come to have a child? A sudden cure perhaps?' Which was just as well. Adultery was a grave sin, and a crime.

He fell out of step with his son as he went on, stunned. "You...you cannot think I would hurt her. I love her. You have too much of your mother in you," he added, as an extra barb. It was clear though he had lost control of this conversation and hated it. "She was a weak, foolish child who I had no choice in. I know you condemn me for beating her but I had to. How else would she have learnt?"

The King marched forward to catch up. "You idolise her, even now. She was nothing, Arthur. You have always been too romantic, too weak to be a King. Is that why you married that sow? Because she needed rescuing? Always the hero," he shook his head. "When are you going to become a man?"

-

Alexandra smiled then dropped her head and did a rather marvelous job of looking trite and downtrodden as she walked along. Anyone seeing the scene would assume that the Duchess was, in a return to form, putting her wayward sister in her place...title or no title.

Her lips twisted in a grimace at talk of the King and the marriage bed. The very image made her wish to be sick. "And he claims to be a man of God," she said softly, shaking her head. "The man is a monster. I am utterly convinced of it. I should not be surprised if he turned out the Devil himself, come to ruin us all."

She smiled then and looked down at herself. "I'm...I'm well, I think. I am sleeping and eating well, and feel little in the way of sickness in the mornings. Only a little dizzy sometimes. Arthur is being so attentive, I could not wish for better care. We are keeping it from the staff, for now. It would not be their fault but something would be said and it would get back to the King...Arthur wishes to keep it quiet, as long as we can, just in case. The earlier it is, the more risk, I think."

Her sister looked at her and, hiding any smile, looked distraught, as if Bella had just been cruel. But she said, "Of course, sister, anything. For you, and her...Whatever it is, I agree. But we must act soon. The second you are married, you and she become his to do with as he will...legally. You, as mother, will have no rights."

[Hannelorian]

The Duchess smiled listening to her sister speak of pregnancy, it was a sort of warm reminder of her own time with child. Though in truth, she had no desire to repeat the process, there were elements that did not entirely put her off. "I'm glad to hear it, it will all be over before you know." She smiled softly as the two walked along, the Duchess careful never to look directly at her sister for too long. Just enough to convey her message without seeming suspicious. "Arthur is right... the further along you are, the harder it will be for the King to arrange something untoward. But when you are ready, you must tell as many as possible. You must send out an announcement. He can't do much if everyone is watching you. Waiting." Arabella sighed just then, and kept pace. "The future of the Kingdom... is you, and Arthur. Plus whatever you have brewing in there."

The Duchess was genuinely smiling, the prospect of another child in the family filled her with glee. "I haven't had rights since the day I married Richard. The only difference is, now that he's gone... I have nothing. All that was his belongs to the King now. I'm on borrowed time." Arabella did not elaborate on this, but rather let herself feel the sorrow she truly felt. "You know she wrote me? Richard's wife." Of course she meant his second wife, the one who lived locked away. "You can't imagine... right after he died." The Duchess shook her head thinking on it. "The plan. Right." Arabella stiffened and began slowly, after she had cautiously looked about her.

"There's a girl in your house..." Of course, Arabella did have a plan, but it was... always at the expense of someone who wasn't her. An unfortunate fact. "A kitchen servant. They say she's pregnant." The Duchess almost questioned herself, but in that moment had to stop, for her own child was at stake. "But she's not... she's dying. You know the one." Arabella could have used the girl's name, but that would be too humanizing, not what she needed right now. "She'll be gone within a day or so..." Another tentative pause, hardly able to believe what she was to suggest. "We say she died in childbirth. You and Arthur will raise the child. But the truth is... that child will be my daughter. We tell the King she died. He won't ask questions. He'll be relieved." The gravity of what Arabella asked weighed heavy.

"Naturally, we would compensate the girl's family. I have enough left, squirreled away for that. But of course, I am asking something that no mother wants to ask... I can't risk her being sent off. At least this way I would know that she is loved, and close by... This is a tremendous request, and I would not begrudge you for refusing me. All of this before the wedding. Christian has it in his head that you're barren anyway... the things he says... he doesn't quite see, does he?" Arabella could have laughed but she didn't, in fact, it was all rather sad.

--

"It wasn't just the beating." Arthur explained calmly, paying his father as little heed as he could get away with. "You hated her and she knew it. We all knew it. You couldn't have even pretended to care for her. She was my mother." At times, it seemed like the King didn't really even consider that his own child had feelings. "The truth of the matter is Alexandra saved me. But you... you can't be saved. Not now. God knows what you have done, and even you are not immune to punishment." Arthur laughed softly and just watched his father. It was clear he was uncomfortable with his own son's resistance.

"I'm not a hero Father, I am just a man very much in love. I do wish you would stop speaking so ill of my wife. She has done nothing to you. Nor will she ever. You are still the King. You may think me weak to rule, but I wonder if in a few years time that is what the people will think." Arthur smirked and carried on.

[DuchessLivilla]

Alexandra swallowed. She knew the girl. The doctor had been called; everyone had whispered she was with child...She wasn't. It was a tumour and it would kill her; the sooner the better, for her sake, as she was in great pain and the laudenum could only do so much. She was not yet twenty. Logically, she could see it was a good plan and would, most likely, work; either way, the young maid was going to die, why not use her death to save another's life? But still...the Princess felt a twinge of guilt, and mild horror that her sister could, so easily, suggest it.

Then again, I cannot judge her. I would do the same for my child. What mother would do differently?

She nodded slowly. "It...it is a good plan. It is likely the only one we have. Of course, we will do it. Arthur will agree, I am sure. He..." she gave a small smile. "He looks so at home with a baby. He held her, when he brought her here, and before he left, he looked so...comfortable. Not like most men who quickly hand them off as if they are poisonous."

Alex waved her hand dismissing thoughts that she would refuse, "Bella, sisterhood and family aside, I may have grave need of you one day, soon perhaps, given the King's fickle nature, and in any case, I am only married and happy because you interceded. Of course I shall do it. Whatever you wish. Beatrix will be loved, and...and I will find some safe way to make sure she knows who her mama is."

-

The King stopped dead, so sharply he stumbled a little on the gravel. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, not able to countience what his son was saying! How...How dare he!

He glared, "My poor child, what has that witch done to you? She has poisoned you against me. You never spoke as such before you married her. I...On my word, she will pay for this. I promise you that!" He stormed off, unable, or likely too scared of what his son might say further, to remain. As he marched off, he punched a guard, standing at the doorway minding his own business, to the ground in anger.