"Victoria! Victoria!" Papa called me as I was sat in the library reading. My book snapped shut and I placed it down heading out to meet my father in the hall.

"You bellowed Papa." I smiled slightly as he took a gulp of wine and turned to face me. "You return from court."

"i have and I have joyous news, well most see it as good news." I was handed a cup and took a sip "The King and Queen are no longer in relations, they are estranged."

"How is this good news? If they are estranged then the Queen cannot produce a heir for France?" I scowled confused

"Because the King will be in need of a mistress. Being a mistresses can hold more sway than being a Queen. Diane De Pointers is a fact of that. The news has spread around court and a opportunity has presented itself."

"Why do I feel like i'm going to regret hearing what you have concocted next." I sat myself down. "When will you learn, your ideas are never good."

"Watch your tongue girl." he pointed to me and I rolled my eyes "You will do your entice the King and do your duty to your family."

"Ah, lay back and think of France." I humm and finish off my drink "One problem. If it is all around court then everyone else would have had the same one."

"Yes, which is why you must work your womanly charms. I've see you around the village, one word from you and the men would rise up. If you can do that to a village, imagine what you could do for the King. What you will do for the King."

"What if I don't want to do anything for the King?"

"You have no choice girl." 

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Nobles from up and down the country gathered for the tasting at the palace. Papa and I watched as women fawned themselves over the king as he was introduced to many. I watched them with intrigue.

"Come i will introduce you to the King." Papa insisted and I stopped him

"If your attention to detail was a sharp as your desire for power you would notice that, every noble has done that and he grows tired of it."

"Your point being."

"My point is that there is a reason why you are the face of our family affairs and I am the brains. If you want me to have a better chance that these...floozies, then you need to follow my lead." I glance back at him

"What do you have in mind?"

"I will be in the libabry, save him." I smile sauntering off, i had been here many times enough to know my way around. Sighing my persona dropped the alluring and devilish act was exhausting but i learned quickly after Mama's death that it was a means of survival. I scanned through the books when I heard the door open and close. I stopped and peeked through the shelves seeing the King. He removed his crown.

He had grown more handsome since the last time I saw him. his blonde curled draped around his features perfectly. I grabbed a book and crept to sit down. He would find me eventually, I don't want to startle him, he's had plenty of that already. I began reading and after a shot while i kicked one of my heels and then rested it back up on the chaise.

"How long have you been here?" my head snapped up.

"Your majesty." i dropped the book to one side and stood curtsying "My apologies." I was flushed and this wasn't act.

"Well."

"A small while, your majesty." I dipped down picking up the book "I thought it the safest place to hide."

"Hide? hide from who?" his eyebrows furrowed

"My father." i chuckled "I think you've probably gathered by now that every noble is bring forth their suitable girls in the family for you."

"It had caught my attention."

"And being my fathers daughter, i must do his bidding. Well seen to be do his bidding. I slipped away while he was distracted." he chuckled and relaxed "I'm Lady Victoria Astoria, by the way." i curtsied again

"I remember you now. Your father used to scold you for spending more time with horses than other virtues."

"Yes, that is I. Horses and the occasional sneaking a look at the business is far more appealing than needle work or whatever normal women are suppose to be doing." I shrug "Besides I could see that you were becoming overwhelmed by the sea of women fawning at your feet."

"Yet you went out of your way to avoid it unlike most women." I held the book closer.

"Well If I had then I would have to be my overly charming self, dressing all alluring. That for me is a chore. I don't think you need fawning over."

"You think I know what i need?"

"I apologise, I did not mean to speak out of turn." I shook my head and put the book away "I will return to my father. I pick up my shoes and went to walk past him.

"Wait." his hand took mine stopping me "Amuse me, what is it you think I need?"

"i shouldn't of said that."

"Tell me." I stepped back to face him and looked into his eyes and tilted my head

"Companionship." I stated "You seem lonely, your majesty. The weight of not just the country but the world is on your shoulders and you are estrange from she who would ease your burden. What most people fail to realise until they are wed is that a marriage is not just for the sole purpose of carrying on a line. But to ease times of hardship and wanted option or not."

"Are you of the opinion that I need a mistresses?"

"You speak of mistresses as a bad thing, my lord."

"You think otherwise?"

"Depending on where i stood and the marriage. To some it can be seen as a insult. Like with your parents and Diane. Despite you along with your siblings I'm not deaf to hear the rumours surrounding that relationship. But there are some relationships where a mistresses can ease the tensions." I sat down and he followed

"For example?"

"My family." I state "I will let you in on a little secret." I wigged my finger for him to come closer and he did

"my father is an absolute bore." he laughed "He is and very demanding. I swear upon the bible you would not like to spend time at my estate. Papa is a bore and he's not all that bright. Mama god rest her soul was a saint for putting up with him. not that she had a choice. But it was she who after having my brothers and I gave him a mistress. Lucinda is actually quite nice and as soon as Papa starts to make you feel like you want to drown yourself in a river, she whisks him away. For some reason I will never question she actually finds what he says interesting."

"I never knew that about your father."

"Probably because the other lord refuse to give him a chance." i chuckle. "I hope you find a way to ease your anguish, your majesty. I went to leave but stopped and turned.

"Majesty, might I be bold and ask a favour?"

"Of course."

"When my father formally introduces us, could you pretend to be interested. It will give him a reason to leave me alone and boast to others. Maybe another chance to sneak off."

"I will try." I nod and left the library.

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I changed and returned to my father who pestered me with questions. I lied and told him that Francis never came to the library.

"Come, Victoria." he took my hand and guided me over to where Lady Amalie was talking with the King. "Your majesty." Francis turned and his eyes flickered to me.

"May I present my daughter. The Lady Victoria." I curtsy and Francis bows

"Lady Victoria." he lifted my hand up and kissed it 

"Your majesty."

"Lord Astoria, has spoken highly of you. I feel like we know each other already." he glanced between Amaile who was a relation of Lord Narcisse and myself "might I have the next dance with your daughter. Lord Astoria."

"Of course. Of course." Francis lead me away from my father and Amalie The two of us began to dance

"Thank you." I whisper

"Not a problem." we titled and then rested our hands against one another

"Lucinda is away looking after family and is unable to save me. You really are a hero." I smile as he took my waist and dipped me down.

"Who could pass up a opportunity to help out a fair maiden." we laughed as he brought me up. The song soon came to a end and I looked to my father. "I think now might be the chance to sneak off." he whispered as we stood close

"I think it might be."

"You think it possible for me to sneak away as well? I rather find I'm in no mood for the celebrations

"My lord you are the King, you may do as you please. Ask for it to be over and they will heed your command."

"Would you heed my command?"

"What command would you have me heed?" my head tilted "my lord."

"How about we go somewhere quiet?" I nodded and we left the hall, he took me back to the library I walked further and my hand trailed across the books. It was quiet and empty.

"Victoria, would you even want to be a mistress?" I turned at the question

"Your majesty?"

"Francis, please." he replied "You seem like someone who get their own way. Like you could find a way to silence your fathers wishes."

"I'm glad you think so highly of me already." I chuckle "You right though, I could get my own way." i admit

"Like I stated before, my father is hardly the sharpest sword. He can be reckless and stupid to get himself into some troubles. Some of those troubles I have used to my advantage."

"So, you could use that to not be put to market for a mistresses, find yourself a husband."

"Why do I need a husband?" I question "I have all that I need right now. I have freedom, to go and do as I please with no consequence. I run my family from behind the scenes. Francis my life is how I wish. The reason I do my fathers bidding is because it is a exchange. I got what i wanted and I maintain it by doing the occasional daughter duty. Mistress or not, the fact that i am here and that in his eyes I have charmed you gives me peace at my estate and to attend to my land. No mistake it is mine. The people are loyal to me they follow my lead not my fathers or brothers."

"You run your families estate."

"Yes, what you see with the men of my family is a illusion, one of my own making. It works for all of us."

"I would have never known." he muttered "You never answered my earlier question. Would you even want to be a mistress. " I sigh

"In all honesty?"

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

"The arrangement does seem appealing." I nod "As a mistresses it has most of what a marriage would entail but without the suffocation. As long as I would still be able to run my business. A husband would want to take all of that away from me and I don't like when men mess in my affairs."

"A indépendant woman." he stepped closer

"I wouldn't have it any other way." i mumble as he leaned in and we kissed. I was my arms around me and he pulled me closer.

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