A servant entered and announced the queen’s arrival, so Bella stood and curtsied for the woman.
“Do sit,” the queen said as a servant raced over and poured her some tea.“Oh, ‘tis you.”
“Oui, Your Majesty.I came to ask if you had sent anyone to the pond as I suggested.”
“No.The king found your tale to be filled with mummery and therefore baseless.”
“I am sorry to hear that, Ma’am.I do tell the truth.”
“How do I know that you are not lying?”she charged.
Bella regarded her for a moment.“Your son told me that he wanted to create a university where all can attend, but that his father said to wait his turn.He told me Poisson knocked him off his pony when he was four and he cut his ear, which is why one lays flatter to his head than the other.”
“Poisson?He used that name?”
“He said that is what you called his half-brother.”
“Luc had such a fish-face as a little boy,” the queen said, one side of her mouth curling.“We only called him that in private.”
Bella held her tongue, hoping the queen might now believe her.
That woman looked around, saw they were alone, and said, “I shall send a man out to the pond anon to verify your claim.If you have lied to your queen....”
Bella understood the threat and immediately shook her head.“I have not lied, Ma’am.I only want your son to be saved.He is a kind and generous man and does not deserve such fate.”
To that, the queen only regarded her.“You have an interesting accent.Where do you live, Ms.Schaus?”
“Luxembourg.”
That clearly surprised her.“Are you here visiting family?”
“No,” she breathed out a laugh.“The tale of my arrival is as odd as the tale of your son being cursed into a frog.I had no plans to come here.In fact, I was trying to rescue my father when I wound up here.”She shook her head, still trying to comprehend the manner in which she arrived.
One lovely brow on the queen’s forehead arched.“Tell me, Ms.Schaus, are you in the habit of rescuing men?”
Bella laughed, sensing a tease and hoping she was right.“No, Ma’am.This is quite new, I assure you.”
The queen did smile then, though it was more of a warming in her eyes than a grin.“You seem to be quite adamant about accomplishing this goal.Why don’t you join me in twenty minutes for a turn about the gardens?If your tale of my son is true—”
“It is.”
“Then we shall conspire together on a rescue mission, with a few of my soldiers present.What say you?”
Bella beamed.“I am fully on board with that.”
––––––––
BELLA HAD BARELY HADtime to walk outside and alert Henriette about the queen’s invitation when a guard raced into the castle, a look of worry on his visage.Bella exchanged a glance with Henriette, and seconds later, Bella was again summoned by the queen, who met her at the door.
“Quick.We shall take my carriage.”She pointed at the black lacquered splendor rolling around the corner, pulled by a team of matching black horses.
“Where are we going?”
“To the pond,” the queen barked, and Bella grabbed Henriette’s hand and yanked her into the carriage to join them.
“This is my friend, the seamstress Henriette Leboux, who I mentioned has found a better way to dye clothes.”
“Nice to meet you,” the queen uttered, but her gaze was ahead, where the pond was.
