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“I—I—” She fell silent. Her anger died in a flash, and tears appeared in the edges of her eyes again. “Stop. Please, just…stop. Do not make me—” Her voice cracked. “Please do not make me do this. Not now—not like this.”

“As you wish.” Instantly, he relented. He released her and took a step back. He bowed slightly, his hand to his chest, as she ran past him and fled into the building.

He had his answer all the same. Smiling, he straightened up. Who would have thought this scheme of his would be noble in the end? What a wonderful surprise.

I will save you from this bargain you have trapped yourself within, princess. I will save you from a loveless future. I hope someday you will see me for what I am to you—your protector.

He walked from the courtyard humming, even as the bell of the nearby church began to toll to announce the death of the king. He had a great deal of work to do. And now he would do it with a smile on his face.

* * *

Damn him!Damn that terrible man. That terrible, strange man. She swore vehemently in her head at Dr. Faust as she stormed through the building toward where she knew the rest of her family were gathered.

Damn him because he is right.

No. No! She would marry Leopold. It was her duty as his friend. There was no way around it. Nor did she wish to find one.

As she stepped into the large hall where the children were gathered, her anger and confusion gave way once more to grief. Young Henri was weeping, his face red and puffy, much like she suspected her own was. The other children were in no better condition. Upon seeing her, Henri jumped from his chair and ran to her, flying into her arms. She knelt and held him tight. “Ssh…I know.”

“But F—Father—”

“I know. I know. I will miss him, too.” She kissed his temple. Holding the young weeping boy made her feel somehow…stronger for it. She did not know why. Perhaps seeing his grief made her swallow her own.

“Wh—what happens next?”

That is a very, very good question.

“Everything is going to be all right. I promise.”

* * *

Marguerite supposedshe should be grateful that Catherine waited until the king was interred in his tomb before ruining her life.

But the only things she felt were fury and helplessness.

She had been summoned to the queen’s chambers in the palace precisely one day after the funeral, but she knew not why. Standing at her side was Dr Faust, his features hidden under the shadow of his black hood.

Catherine did not wait long to tell her why she had been called. Nor did she dance around the subject in any way. “Your marriage to Leopold is canceled.”

“What?” She couldn’t help but shout. At Catherine’s angry expression, she tried to school herself back to a demure politeness. She swallowed her surprise and stared down at the floor. “Forgive me, your majesty. M…may I ask why?” Is it because of the man at your side?

“He is the son of the man who murdered your father. Gabriel de Lorges has left our royal service, and so has Leopold.”

“It—it was not murder, it was an accident, and—”

“Quiet, girl.” The contempt was thick in the queen’s voice. There was a loathing in her tone that Marguerite had never heard before in all her years. It frightened her. Has she always despised me? Were all her politeness and niceties before only an act?

She did not have to wonder for long.

“You are the daughter of my late husband and that harlot de Poitiers. Tell me, Marguerite, why should I tolerate you within these walls? Why should I not cast you out to the street like the urchin that you are?” Catherine seethed. “Be glad I have simply rethought your usefulness and not abandoned you in full.”

“My queen…” Faust urged her quietly. “I would ask you to rethink this cruelty.”

The queen gestured sharply at the alchemist to be quiet. “And you, doctor, for all your lauded miracles, failed to save my husband. Tread lightly.”

Faust’s jaw ticked in anger, but he fell quiet.

“Your marriage is canceled.”