Duchess Laure was taking her tea on the balcony of her sitting room, overlooking the vast expanse of the city, when she saw the town erupt with energy. From atop the hill where her palace was situated, she could see the markings of a large troop, a very large troop, coming through the city and toward her palace. Below, she heard the clangs of swords, which often rang out in the morning as her daughter-in-law, Alex, held her swordsmanship class outside in the warm sun.
Her husband, Guillaume, the Duke of Chevalerie, was in his study with their youngest son, Philippe, and Cardinal Mazarin. They were going over territory maps and local disputes.
“Guillaume, Cardinal,” she called into the room. “Come see this.”
Several days ago, a cryptic message had arrived from Michel’s own hand. He would be home soon. He would be traveling with some very important people. He requested the audience of the Cardinal. He did not give any more details, other than that he would explain everything in person and not to worry.
But Laure was a mother. Of course, she worried.
Guillaume came to stand by her side. The Cardinal and Philippe followed.
“That is more than we expected,” snorted Philippe upon seeing the trail of people, carts, and horses.
“Michel said nothing of all this,” said Guillaume.
“Are they aggressive?” asked the Cardinal.
“Don’t worry,” said Guillaume. “You are protected in my walls, Cardinal. Remain in the study until we determine the situation.” Guillaume turned, Laure presumed, to go rally the guards.
“I’m going down with Alex,” Philippe said tersely, his pace hastening as he went to his wife.
Laure hustled herself. Though she didn’t want to assume the worst, Laure would need to organize the inside of the house. Down the back stairs, around the kitchen, with determined and practiced calmness, she found her head housekeeper. She caught her off to the side. “There is a large troupe approaching. We haven’t determined their intent, but please alert the staff if we must lockdown.”
“Yes,madame,” Cosette said, and she was off.
Laure went down into the stables to notify the workers. Then she went to the front.
Guillaume had gathered the guards, and they stood at the ready behind him. Philippe stood beside him.
Laure remained behind the gates. She did not want to be of concern to her husband if things became suddenly dangerous.
She quickly saw, however, that it was indeed Michel at the front of the large group, and she felt relieved at seeing him safe. He looked…well, how did he look? Terrible, haggard, his hair grown out and messy. He looked handsome as he always did, but she could tell her son had been through trying days. Then, as she focused on more than just her son, she realized these were people from far away. Imperial, majestic.
“All is well!” Michel called out.
Guillaume, taking the cue from Michel, called the guards to relax their stance. Laure came out from behind the gates.
Michel dismounted his horse. The imperial man joined him, and together, they approached Guillaume.
“This is my father, the Duke of Chevalerie.” Then Michel turned to his father, looking very serious. “Father, this is Borjigin Khan, the Golden Khan, of the Mongolian Chagatai Empire.” Michel nodded toward the formidable man at his side. “With your consent, he will be my father-in-law.”
That’s when Laure saw the beautiful girl on her own horse come into view.
Oh my, Laure realized.Oh my! She held her hand to her chest. Laure watched with a breath held.
Guillaume looked from the man to Michel. Michel nodded. “He speaks French.”
The man—truly golden, his hair, his skin—and his daughter matched the sunshine. They came before Guillaume. Guillaume extended his arms in the formal greeting. They gripped each other, elbows to hands.
“Forgive me for not speaking your native tongue,” Guillaume said. “It has been some time for me.” They released arms. “You have traveled far. Please be welcome at our home.”
The men nodded at each other, and both began calling out orders to their sides. Then Michel took the girl’s hand to help her down from the horse and led her to Laure.
Laure understood. It was not long ago that she teased Michel about how his life outlook and his rigidness would change once he fell in love. She would tease him more later, but now was not the time.
“Mother,” Michel said. He reached forward and hugged her.
“I’m happy to see you, Son.”
