𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter forty-three; Two Queens
" You've made Lord Langlois happy. "

  THE PORTRAIT OF Hugo was perfect. It had taken Elspeth all day and she was extraordinarily proud of it. So proud she had Hugo walk her to Demetre's chambers and rest it right on his desk.

  "I don't think this is a wonderful idea."

  "He'll love it," Elspeth grinned, looking at her handiwork, "It'll be here to greet him the moment he returns."

  Hugo only let out a laugh.

  "Would you like to retire for the night, my lady-- Elspeth?"

  Elspeth grinned at his correction, nodding.

  But as she started toward the door, she faltered.

  The woman turned to peer around the room. She'd been inside only once and hadn't stayed long enough to see it properly.

  The room itself was large, but not as gaudy as her chambers. The walls were framed with dark wood, and detailed with a dark and intricate pattern. A four-poster bed sat in the center of the furthest wall, crafted out of dark wood, and deep red bedding covered the mattress, and large mahogany end tables sat on either side stacked high with books. An armoire taller than Elspeth stared from the opposite wall, and she briefly wondered if all his attire fit inside of it. Demetre wasn't a normal Lord, waltzing around announcing his wealth, he normally donned the attire of a regular huntsman, but she knew he owned nice, more expensive clothes as well. 

  The desk she had rested Hugo's portrait on was clear and clean, but Elspeth knew his real work happened in his office or elsewhere in the castle. There was a fireplace made of dark stone and a deep gray and red rug covering most of the floor. Another door stood slightly ajar, and Elspeth assumed this was his private bath chamber.

  His items were scattered around; heavy hunting cloaks hung on one wall, and large dark boots sat on the ground beneath them. Swords and shields and bows adorned the wall as if they were decoration, books lined empty surfaces.

  The room was dark but warm. Cluttered with Demetre. 

  Elspeth had almost thought it would be spotless. Devoid of life entirely. But she liked this much better. It suited him.

  "Elspeth?"

  She turned at Hugo's voice, her heart tightening further at the concerned expression resting on his furrowed brow.

  "I think I want to stay here," Elspeth said thickly, unsure of when emotion had risen, "Just for a little while longer."

  Hugo gave her a soft nod, informing her that he and Alex would remain outside the door before leaving her alone.

  Elspeth sat on the edge of the bed, selfishly inhaling the scent of clove that radiated from the linen.

  She looked at her hands when she felt wetness, only to realize she had started crying.

  But Elspeth felt herself smile, no matter how brief.

  Because she had realized without even meaning to, that she loved Demetre Langlois.

  He had consumed her thoughts, and his absence left a shiver where he normally stood. Elspeth had knots of worry in her stomach when she thought too long about where he was and what he was doing, and while she felt entirely capable of carrying on, Elspeth Liens wished for nothing more than Demetre's return.

  She wanted to walk with him. She wanted him to watch her paint canvases no one else would see. To spar with him again, and really try to win. Elspeth wanted to laugh, but she wanted to hear his laugh as well. She wanted to go for a ride, but only if he came with. 

  Elspeth longed for the feeling she had when he was at her side. Because no one else in all her life had made Elspeth feel both safe and free at the same time. Protected and encouraged. Demetre was her strength while reminding her she had her own. When she pulled, he pushed. When she took, he gave. They had always flown so naturally, back and forth, like two forces of nature. Like they were inevitable, always orbiting around one other.

  But she had no way of telling him. And no way of knowing if he loved her back.

  So Elspeth curled into a question mark on his bed, reminding herself to have a handmaid tidy it the following morning.

  And then the worst thought reared its ugly head.

  Even if Demetre thought he loved her, the way her friends thought so, was it fair? 

  He sent her dresses and gifts. He doted, cared for, protected, and saved her time and time again.

  What had she done for him? 

  She had given him nothing. Threw a fit like a child when he couldn't be at her side for one night. Begged him to stay when he was leaving to save her, yet again.

  Elspeth grabbed a pillow, hugging it to her chest and inhaling his faint scent once again as tears came quicker.

  Even if he did love her, Elspeth thought he deserved so much more. A woman as strong as he was, someone who could provide as much as he did. . . previously she had believed this was her. With Sebastian, it was her.

  But she liked Demetre taking care of her. She liked knowing he would fight her battles and keep her safely tucked away. 

  She liked having the choice to be strong. The choice to fight or be fought for. The choice to raise hell or have it raised by someone else. The choice to paint for the whole day or practice sword fighting.

  But Elspeth wondered if Demetre could keep it up forever. If he wanted to. If he would be happy, spending the rest of his life fighting for her.

  She would never have those answers on her own though, Elspeth knew as much. She had to talk to him to find it out, but there was this dangerous dance. . . if Demetre thought he loved her, and wiped all her worries away, and they were together, it could be years before Demetre would realize he was tired of it all. Tired of taking care of her.

  Elspeth couldn't continue the mental cycle of it. She sat up abruptly, trying to unhook each claw of the dark thought from her mind, attempting to wipe away the tears as she did.

  There was no point in losing herself in the possibilities of everything when Demetre was off fighting a battle. There was no point in finding every possible negative when she had at the very least realized one very nice thing.

  She blew out a long breath, standing and returning the pillow to its spot.

  And then she smiled again. Elspeth felt like a mad woman, smiling to crying and then back again, but she couldn't help it.

  Because she loved Demetre Langlois. And she wanted to let herself love him.

  "Lady Elspeth?"

  The woman furrowed her brows at Alex's voice, hurrying to the door and opening it quickly to find both Alex and Hugo staring at her.

  "Is everything okay?" She questioned, looking between the duo, wiping at her cheeks once again quickly.

  "Guards of the House have spotted a new face in the castle," Alex said quietly, "A mercenary."

  "Oh," Elspeth said, her brows raised, "Well, that's rather curious."

  The men stared at her.

  "I'm. . . not sure what you're waiting for."

  "For further instruction, my lady."

  "What?" Elspeth breathed out a laugh, "What do you mean?"

  "Uhm. . ." Alex said, looking to Hugo, "In his absence, Lord Langlois requested we watch over you closely, protect you from Henry and any other threats that may arise with him gone, but. . . he also made a point to tell us that you are the only member of House Langlois that remains in the castle."

  Elspeth's eyes widened.

  "You are the de-facto Head of House Langlois until the Lord returns."

  Her mind spun.

  "Lord Langlois liked to keep an eye on the castle, on any strange behavior or new visitors," Hugo started, "A mercenary being present is entirely new territory, but he would've received that information."

  "And he would have done. . . what?"

  "Um, that is not for us to decide, my lady," Alex breathed, "It is your choice what you'd have us do."

  Elspeth wanted to say she would have them do whatever they thought Demetre would have them do. The last thing she needed after her recent revelation was to steer his House into ruin while he was away. To make all the wrong choices, put his men in harm's way, and face the possibility of scorn when he discovered the route she had chosen to take.

  But hope bloomed in her chest, shrinking the doubt quickly. Because more than anything, Elspeth saw this as an opportunity to prove that she could do something for him. That she could be as beneficial to his life as he had been to hers.

  An act of love, though he may never even see it.

  "Gather all the information you can about who he is and his whereabouts," Elspeth said, rolling her shoulders back, "Find out why he is here. Who he is seeing. And what his job is."

  "Of course, my lady."

  "Hugo will stay with me, and when you return, you will remain as well," Elspeth said, "Until we know what the man is after, we can't be too careful."

  Alex nodded.

  And then Elspeth had a rather daunting idea. But she needed to act as the Head of House, not as Elspeth Liens. 

  "Inform Sebastian De Poitiers," Elspeth breathed out, "Inform his wife that I need his help with a house duty, and if she has any questions at all my door is open to her. I do not want to worry her or overstep. But I do not want more people knowing about this than need be."

  "But you want to fold Sebastian into it?"

  "I want to be prepared if something happens."

  The guards looked at each other for a moment.

  "My lady, I assure you if it is manpower you need, we have more than enough of it."

  "If it was manpower I need I'd be contacting Catherine, not Sebastian," Elspeth smiled tightly, "I need Sebastian in case this is connected to the person who came pleading to me earlier."

  Hugo's eyes widened.

  "You think. . . Elspeth that is--"

  "Hugo! Have some respect!"

  "I asked him to call me by my name," Elspeth told Alex calmly.

  "Oh," Alex said, his expression falling, "Of course, my lady."

  "You can call me Elspeth as well," She said gently.

  Alex grinned.

  "That is a large accusation."

  "I haven't said a single thing," Elspeth said innocently.

  The corner of Hugo's lip tugged up, nodding.

  "Of course," He said, "Alex, go on then. We'll be busy tonight, I suppose."

  "Better than boring," Alex noted, "I'll return shortly, Elspeth. Should we expect you in your chambers, or Lord Langlois's?"

  Elspeth felt her lips tugging upward.

  "Lord Langlois's."

  "Of course."

  And as she returned to his chambers, Elspeth Liens felt more sure than she ever had.

  This was the life she wanted. Not just freedom, but power. Strength. 

  Of course, she wanted to stay kind. To make friends with guards and queens and lords, to paint and ride and enjoy life at it came at her. 

  But she wanted responsibility. Even if it meant being the one who stayed to take care of the House.

  And she wanted it with Demetre. 

↬

  It was night before more news came. Elspeth had figured by now that there were probably tens of people slinking around the castle, masked faces that worked for Demetre that even she had never noticed before. 

  And perhaps would never see.

  "Queen Catherine has gone missing. A ransom note arrived at Hortensa De Medici's chambers. A severed ear, clad with Catherine's earring arrived at Roman De Medici's."

  Elspeth tried to keep her emotions at bay.

  "The De Medicis have a long-standing tradition of not giving into ransoms of any sort," Alex continued, "It appears Hortensa is upholding it."

  "How do you know?"

  "Someone overheard her conversation with Queen Mary," Alex said, tilting his head, "And Mary's attempt at pawning off paying it."

  Elspeth sucked in a deep breath.

  "Sebastian?"

  "We informed him of the mercenary, but he's not been told any of this," Hugo supplied, "He has agreed to help if you need him."

  "I do," Elspeth said, standing from the desk chair, "Come. We must find Sebastian first, and then he must meet with Mary."

  "It will be bold to. . . suggest anything."

  "It won't," Elspeth said easily, grabbing one of Demetre's hunting cloaks and swinging it over her frame, "She's already given herself away."

  Elspeth started toward the door, only to notice the cloak was far too large for her. It was dragging on the floor shabbily, and she would no doubt trip over it before very long.

  "Shall I get your cloak, Elspeth?"

  The woman sighed but nodded to Hugo, who took off to her room without argument.

  Elspeth hung the cloak back on the wall, letting her hand linger on it for a moment.

  "Perhaps an older one would fit you better."

  She turned to Alex, who leaned against the wall beside the door.

  "It's alright," She said easily, "It was silly."

  "Missing someone never is," Alex said honestly, "If his chambers and cloak bring you comfort, let them."

  Elspeth twisted her lips to the side, nodding. The guard let out a small smile, crossing the room and opening an aged armoire. He shuffled around a bit before retrieving a smaller, and older hunting cloak.

  "That'll do just fine," Alex smiled, holding it up, "Lord Langlois had this one tailored for him when he was seventeen years of age; grew out of it by twenty."

  Elspeth breathed out a laugh, accepting the fabric held out to her.

  "This'll make it better, as well," Alex said quickly, grabbing a bottle from the dresser before returning to Elspeth. He opened it, gently dabbing an oil on the collar, before smiling proudly, "There, then."

  Elspeth pulled it around her shoulders, suddenly engulfed by the scent of cinnamon, orange, and clove.

  "Thank you, Alex."

  "It wasn't anything at all," He said softly, "You've done something no one else has yet achieved."

  "And what is that?"

  "You've made Lord Langlois happy."

  Elspeth's expression melted into one of yearning.

  "He's done well by all of us, made sure we're well taken care of," Alex said, "None of us could quite do that for him. But you have. So we're taking care of you to repay him. It doesn't hurt that we all quite like you."

  Elspeth couldn't help but laugh at the sentiment and at Alex's bright expression along with it.

  "Found it--" Hugo halted his words as he entered with Elspeth's deep blue cloak lined with bright white fur. "I suppose you won't be needing it."

  "I like this one better."

  "Only you would," He smiled fondly.

  Elspeth pulled it tighter around herself; it wasn't a poor cloak by any means. It was thick and sturdy, made of nice material by a skilled hand.

  But it was so plain. So plain for a woman who grew up with jewels and fur and embroidery.

  A simple brown cloak with no details, and no stitching, save for the delicate house crest sewn on the collar.

  "Come along then. We have a queen to save and a queen to damn."

  The walk to Sebastian's quarters was a short one. Though this could be attributed to Hugo and Alex's amusing commentary.

  When they arrived, Sebastian answered as Elspeth's knuckles left the door.

  "Is that Ellie?"

  Kenna joined Sebastian's side before he could say a word, a bright smile on her face.

  "Are you feeling any better?" Kenna questioned.

  "I am," Elspeth said gently, "And I want to tell you all about it later. . . But I need Sebastian's help with something right now."

  "Is everything alright?"

  "Well, Catherine's been kidnapped," Elspeth said bluntly, "So not entirely, but it will be."

  Kenna suddenly looked a lot more nervous.

  "Ellie, be careful getting wrapped up in that," Kenna warned, "I don't want to see you. . ."

  "I won't," Elspeth said softly, "Don't worry, Kenna. I promise you, I will stay safe. And I'll make sure Sebastian does as well."

  Kenna nodded, eyeing the two guards flanking Elspeth with stony expressions.

  "House Langlois suits you well," Kenna breathed, "Be safe."

  Elspeth nodded, watching Kenna squeeze Sebastian's arm as he exited the room.

  He joined Elspeth's side and the four began walking yet again, following Elspeth's lead.

  "Things seem to be going well between you and Kenna."

  Sebastian looked down at Elspeth in surprise.

  "Is that what we're doing now?"

  Elspeth deflated.

  "I'm trying to be your friend," She said meekly.

  Sebastian sighed, his own heart tightening at the idea.

  "It's strange," He said after a moment, "Very, very strange. Perhaps cruel, even. . . but Kenna and I have found common ground. Because of you."

  "Oh?"

  "Mhm," Sebastian hummed, "I. . . we're both trying. And I suppose it's not as terrible as we thought it would be. . . we spent a month fighting. Then we tried to be friends. . . now we're trying to be married."

  Elspeth smiled small.

  A part of her would always hurt because of it. She wasn't so naive to think it would disappear so easily, and talking about it made the wound ache even more. 

  But the truth was there. She cared about Sebastian. A sliver of her heart loved him. So hearing he may find happiness, made her happy.

  "I hope it turns out well for the both of you. If that's what you want."

  Sebastian peered down at her as they walked.

  "I hope the same for you and Demetre, Ellie."

  She froze. Her steady pace was broken entirely.

  "That wasn't meant to upset you--"

  "Why-- what do you think is--?"

  "I've known Demetre since he was 8 years old," Sebastian said easily, "He has never, not once, cared about a single person the way he cares about you. And I know you, Ellie. I know he has been a close friend for a long time. And I know something has changed in the way you look at him."

  Elspeth chewed the inside of her cheek, daring to look up at him.

  "If that is where your happiness is, that is what I want for you," He said softly, no hint of jealousy or malice in his eyes, "I hope you know I mean that, Elspeth."

  She only nodded, pulling at her cloak again.

  "You're not angry?"

  "Not even the littlest bit. . . I was. Not at you, never at you. . . but I was angry. Angry that I loved you but my own mistakes led us to the path we're on now. Angry that I hadn't married you months ago. Angry that I caused you so much pain. . . angry that I lost the woman I love," Sebastian breathed, "But now, I. . . I just want you to be happy. I want us to stay friends because the thought of losing you entirely is unbearable. . . I want to make you proud. I want to take care of your friend, the woman who is now my wife. I want to try to amend what I have done."

  Elspeth's emotions were rising to her throat, so much so that she knew no words would come out even if she tried.

  So she didn't.

  Elspeth Liens just threw her arms around Sebastian De Poitiers and hugged him.

  And he hugged back.

  Because they had been in love, mistakes and ill-timing had torn it apart, but even after it all, they still loved each other.   

  "We have to go talk Mary out of this madness, but I'm glad we got the chance to speak," Elspeth whispered into his cloak.

  "Me too, Ellie."

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
felt like it was ab time
for ellie and bash to have
a convo <3
ALSO HELLOOOOOO
i love a good sudden realization
when love interests are apart