The year  was 1513, and in days of men's earnest love for power and accumulating more of it, a woman has to have an ambition.  It would not matter how high she aimed to reach, nor what goals she sets to meet.  A woman needs ambition, and for Hélène , she could not set her eyes higher than what fate presented in front of her.

"You sent for me, your Majesty?" said Hélène , curtseying to her lord.

King Henry looked at her, appearing tensed and excited at the same time. He then turned to the company checking the scroll of maps with him.

"Leave us, all of you"

The men signaled at each. Hélène took a side step to let the men get through. She turned her head up as Richard, her brother and guardian, pass by her.

"I'll see you tonight. Same place." he whispered to her. She just nodded as the number of people in the king’s presence chamber lessens.

"Come here, Hélène "

The King, who had long, brown locks plaited behind his head, followed her trail to him, removing his breast plate and showing a kerchief beneath the metal.

"I wore your favor in joust today. And I won, taking Sir Stanley off his horse.  I tried my best not to injure men under my standard but I just can’t help it."

Hélène sat at the seat of honor, which was sat in a little while ago by her brother.

"I'm proud of you, my love."

She kissed him, and the king reciprocated the passionate gesture of his mistress, and then broke the lock, looking at her straight in the eye, their noses almost touching.

"You're my goddess of victory. Hélène, I need your counsel now. If we win this war against Parnasse our cause will be just."

She perused the assault maps lying on his table.

"Are you sure we're still right on track? You're declaring enmity eternally with the Queen's family. I won't have you going to battle while...”

"While?"

She examined the King's face, and then held his hands, head close to his.

"Henry, I am with child. By your side, I am secured, but this child, and he could be the son you longed for, he will be hunted by them."

"Yes I am aware of your position, my little lark. A child born out of wedlock is as good as dead."

"How can you say that?"

"I can't make him my heir when you're only my mistress." He kissed her this time, but the lady turned him away. "Insolent girl. When we eliminate the Parnassians he will be safe. If not, then it would be better if our child is killed before he's born."

Hélène shook in terror.

"Majesty!"

"Concentrate with me in planning our strategies. Forget the things that are not yet here."

------------

Putting only her robe over his night gown, she opened a secret portal in her room leading to a small pathway adjoining her brother's room. Reaching for the small wood and iron door, she knocked four times in swift successions.

The door opened, showing a man in robes, too, letting her in.

"Richard…" she fell to his arms as soon as the door closed "I am afraid."

"What did he tell you?" asked the man, who, like her, possessed burgundy hair and green eyes. "Tell me everything."

"He has decided with the war against Parnasse."

"I know that much.  We were drafting the letters for the gentry to raise an army for him before you came in.  We are going to ride after Candlemas the latest."

"That’s the problem brother.  I can’t ride, but he wants me by his side in his standard.  Richard, my linens were clean for the past couple of months.  Nobody takes a litter to war."

"Is it—"

"Yours? His? I don't know.  I’ve had you both whenever you wanted me. I'm afraid, but I made it my mission to put this child on the throne."

"Watch your words, be careful sister. His cousin The Duke Sterling was beheaded for saying less than that."

"I know, you need not remind me. But now, I have something to play for.  He won’t be a king’s bastard."

She accepted the warm ale her brother handed her.

“I am to be the uncle of Gaerdin’s future King.” Richard said, his tone cunning.

“Or father.”

They made their way to Earl Feuillet’s bed.

------------

In her room, Hélène arranged herself for her to look bedraggled.

"Mistress Feuillets, His Majesty has come to visit you." said her maid-in-waiting. She dismissed her immediately and started her crying.

"Hélène?" his voice reverberated through the hollow hall.

"Go away, Your Majesty. I am not worthy of your affection."

The King continued his way to her bed. He saw his woman, her wavy red hair all about her face, curled between the sheets. He sat beside her.

"Go away, Henry. I'm consumed by the passion I have for you that you can never show me."

He motioned towards her, looking for her face beneath the heap of curls.

"In what way have I offended you, lark?"

"You broke my heart Henry. You threatened our love. This child..."

He gave a smirk. He removed his night shirt and lay beside her.  She could almost feel his breathing.

"Get away.  Get back to your other mistresses.  I’m simply just one of your toys to play.  You don’t love me, you don’t care for me.  I am one lonely soul amidst the greatest court in the continent.”

His hand move in under her gown and touch her.

“Tell me, of all the women I’ve had, who’s brother have I given an Earldom? Which of you have I given a retinue that begrudges even my queen? Tell me, who—“

She sat bolt upright and covered the king’s mouth.  She was still crying, and she let out a sob.

“Yes you’ve given me all of that.  But Henry, these things you give don’t make me feel loved. I want you, entirely.  Still you go back to your queen after you’re done with me.  And what does she give you? Endless daughters, enemies from the north, no heir…”

“Hélène , understand that—“

“See? I am just one of them.  When this child is born you will have me marry one of your men, just like what you did with Ivian and Elizabeth, and have him give this child of yours a name.  You’ll say every commoner woman would be delighted with the presentation of a peer title, and I’ll be sent away in a castle far away, thinking about—“

“Stop.” He finally said.  He rose too and met her lips. “I won’t do that.  You’re my only love, my little lark.”

She touched his bare chest and leaned her head to it.

“Please let me love you forever. Let me stay by your side.  Protect me.”

The king raised her head to his level.  He smiled at her and kissed her tears.

“I will make you my queen.”

Hélène never felt so triumphant in her whole life at court.

“How, my lord?”

2: Chapter 2 - Natal Day

“A good morning to you, dear sister!” greeted Earl Herling, taking her right hand and kissed it.

Hélène gave an appearance of a happy woman, with cheeks blushing scarlet.  Her bright yellow gown swayed with her movements.

“A good morning to you too lord brother.” She curtsied to him, and her train of ladies followed her lead.  She gave him her warmest smile.

“May I take the loveliest lady of the land to the chapel for her name day? The office for today will be dedicated for you.” said Richard.  He held out his arm from his light summer clothes and Hélène took it.  They walked side by side as they go hear the mass in the King’s chapel.

The weather that day was warm and inviting.  As they walked through the canopied cobblestone pathway, the siblings came across the King in his blood red velvet breeches and earth-coloured tunic.  She curtsied low together with her brother, and the King tipped his cap in return.

“Ah, Earl Herling, my friend.  How you two look a lovely pair together? If I didn’t know you both I’d assume she is your lady.” The King remarked.  Hélène let out a little chuckle and Richard grinned widely.

“Indeed your Grace.  My lovely sister is so alluring today, her 23rd natal day, and I am come to take her to the chapel for her blessings.” he answered.  “I’ve also decided to take her out back to our home at Nether today, your Grace, to afford her a new horse and celebrate with our family.”

“Is it, Mistress Feuillets? Of course I will not be overshadowed by the gift of my good friend here.  Tell me, what are your wishes for your natal day?” the King said most gallantly.

Hélène paused for a moment.

“Oh, Your Majesty, I should like nothing more than your favour.” she said.

“But you do have my greatest favour already, dear lady.”

“Then I want your love, your Grace.” she stated in a most reserved manner.

The king’s company was taken aback.  They knew of the king keeping her as his mistress, together with his generous allowance and retinue for her, but they never expected it to be declared so vulgar and outward as this.

The King was delighted with her innocent frankness.

“Then you shall have all my love, mistress Hélène .” the king promised her.

-------------------

On their way to Nether, a carrier page on his horse followed their chaise.  Richard had the chaise called to a halt and accepted the letter he was carrying, giving him a few silvers.

“I was ordered by His Majesty to see Mistress Feuillets open and read the letter.” the pageboy stated.

“Oh, then here, take it sister” said Richard, handing the letter that bore the King’s seal.

Hélène placed in her finger between the flap of the envelope and broke the seal made of candle wax.

“Do I read it out loud?” she asked the pageboy.

“Yes Miss.”

She unfolded the parchment.  She recognized the handwriting at once, and she was happy the king did not commission his clerk to write the letter, as the king himself wrote the announcement.  The letter read:

 “My dearest mistress Feuillets,

 I am honoured to inform you that I, Henry III of Gaerdin, together with the unanimous approval of the privy council, decided to bestow on you the hereditary peer title of Viscountess of Humden, as the last viscount died with no issue nor claimants on the line.  As such, the investiture is to take place on Friday, July 31st, at my chapel.

 You are no longer to be called ‘Mistress Feuillets’, but at the very least, Your Ladyship The Viscountess Humden.  This is to earn your favor and also be token of apology for my unruly behavior in the past few days.

 I am hoping that this kind act of me merits your love and affection once more.  Come back to me at once, my lark, my rose.

 His Majesty

Henry III”

 

“This is a most wonderful gift for you, sister.” said Richard, struck with awe.

“You may go now sir.” Hélène told to the pageboy.

The pageboy dipped his head and galloped the opposite direction.

“Go now, monsieur Valvert.  We need to get to Nether at once.” She ordered their horseman.

“You don’t seem happy Hélène .”

“Of course I’m not.  Me, a viscountess? He promised me that I’ll be his queen.”

“Maybe it’s just a safeguard for you.  You know, you bear his child after all.”

“A bastard boy cannot inherit a title, you of all people know that.  Richard—“

She cupped her mouth, taking care not to vomit within their chaise.

“Here, take my kerchief.” He offered.  He patted her back to ease her turning stomach.

“This better be a boy.” she said.

3: Chapter 3 - Preferences

It was the evening before the investiture. The king hasn't sent for Hélène from the moment she arrived back from her holiday at Nether down south of the capital city. She was enjoying her evening alone, trying on several gowns provided by the king for her installation when the petite Catherine, her maid-in-waiting, ushered in.

"Your Ladyship, the Earl Herling is here." she informed her, her voice making a shrill sound.

"Please send him in. And please tell Anne to put these away for tomorrow. I will not have you ladies in my chamber tonight."

The 16-year-old maid-in-waiting nodded and curtsied, and Hélène heard her open the presence chamber for her brother. She heard footsteps growing loud, and she combed her red, thick hair for her to look more comely.

"Hélène , I have three bottles of wine with me if you want to join me in my misery." said Richard, his gait zigzagging and awkward.

"Richard!" she stood, trying to meet him halfway through her room. "Look at you! You're so red, so drunk! And you've let them see you like that?"

"Oh, are you Lady Mother now? I thought you would welcome me however I look. Here, drink some, be merry with me tonight for tomorrow I'll hang myself."

She held him in his arms, and the drunken man fell to her. She took care not to take all the weight to protect her progeny.

"I won’t drink in my night gown. Let me take those." said Hélène , taking the bottles away "Lie down, you're too drunk."

Richard somehow helped himself and walked his way to her bed.  Upon lying himself down, Hélène stripped him of his cap and coat.

"Wait for me here, I'll fetch you a basin of water." she told him.

He took a grasp of her hand and stopped her.

"There's no need to sister. No need. I'll kill myself tomorrow, so please pray for my soul."

"Don't be ridiculous Richard. What's driving you mad?"

He clasped his hands, her hands between them. He rubbed them on his cheeks.

"Well, your Henry thinks it fun to arrange my marriage with that monkey of a lady, Mary Olliver. It's being talked about within his inner group since breakfast last morning. I thought he was musing, but no, he announced it for all to hear and Mary and her little friends chatter about it all day long!  Her father even sent her a congratulatory note!"

"For goodness' sake brother, the girl is very well-connected! Marry her and you'll not just have a title, but lands too. It complements each other. If you don't find her comely then send her away, maybe to Nether."

Richard let out a sigh.

"You don't understand dear sister. She's the most malicious, vile, and gossips whenever possible. She has her ears everywhere! It's as if God's omniscience was thrust upon her.  And her eyes… oh god Hélène , she’s a nightmare!"

"Oh poor you Richard."

"Yes, poor, poor me. His Majesty has a very ill humor. I'm hanging myself."

She rested her head on his clothed chest.

"How about I ask him to revoke that announcement and have you choose a girl of your liking?  I’ve never asked him for anything before, he can grant me the peace he can afford you." she asked him while playing with the hem of his nightshirt.

"No, I don't want to marry. Please Hélène, I don't want to wake up tomorrow."

"You can't possibly mean that. You need an heir to your name."

"I just—don't like women, in general."

"What?! Richard, what do you like then, men?"

He did not answer her, and just turned on his side

"Richard! Answer me!"

"Hélène... "

She stood away from the bed, looking disgusted.

"But you kissed me, made love to me, and you're telling me you're a homosexual? You would be hanged for that!"

"I love you sister. I would kiss you everyday of my life."

"Yes, you would kiss a woman when it's only me. You had me many times and think it's no more than brotherly affection. Oh Richard, you would bring me down with you. My poor Richard..."

She started crying, sitting down on a low foot stool. He heard her hushed sobbing and rose from her bed.

"Hush now Hélène."

"Don't touch me... Go away now."

"You're turning me away too? Hélène, you're turning me away?"

"Just... Go. I don't want to see you.  Richard, please don’t go on with anything that may harm you.  I love you, Richard, but don’t tell me you’re—like that.  It’s not you.”

Then they both heard falling glasses, breaking into pieces.

“Who was that? Catherine?!” she was suddenly alarmed, and ran to the open door of her inner chamber.

“I’m sorry my lady, I thought you’d like glasses for the wine.” said her chamber fellow Anne, picking the pieces of broken glassware.

She closed in.

"How long have been here?"

"I didn't hear anything my lady."

"DON'T LIE TO ME! How long have you been here?!"

"My lady, just a little while... I swear I heard nothing—just your profession of love for Earl Herling.  But he's your brother, my lady.  It's nothing, right?"

She produced a purse of coins and gave it to her.

"Everything you heard here, stays here, you hear me? One word gets out these walls I'll send you to the block.  Do we understand each other?" threatening her with all she could.

"Yes, m'lady.  I'll go now."

She watched her leave the presence chamber.  Richard followed her with his cap and coat on.

"I'm so sorry sister.  I'll leave you now."

"No, you will stay.  I will make you a man once more."

4: Chapter 4 - Queen

"Everyone, the Viscountess of Humden." announced the king. The attending nobility presented their compliments, although ill-whispers can be heard about her. For the first time in the history of Gaerdin, a woman was given a nobility honour without being associated matrimonially to any man. The Viscountess Humden was then escorted by the king going out the chapel, following the king's retinue and company of favoured men.

When the page boys opened the chapel doors for them, they were greeted by the crowd passing by, within them was the Queen, dressed in a gown of olive green, with tight and ornate bodice.

"Pleasant morning, lord husband." greeted the Queen Beatrice, beside her was the seventeen-year-old Princess Royal, their eldest daughter, The Princess Madeleine. She initiated their low curtsey, with all the grace her royal upbringing provided her.

"Good morning, Madam, Princess Madeleine." the king answered, stretching his right hand for them to kiss. The Princess Royal carefully received her father's hand and placed her lips on it, looking out to meet her father’s gaze, but the Queen didn't bother to repeat the formalities shown.

"I see that truly, ambition takes people, however lowly, to places." said the Queen, looking at her husband, "Isn't that the truth, Mistress Feuillets?"

"If you please, Madam, she is now called Viscountess Humden." said the king, his tone devoid of any warmth towards his consort of eighteen years.

"So I've heard. I could hardly recall when she was still my darling little maid-in-waiting. She was my cleverest pupil in both poetry and embroidery. However, despite my great efforts to teach my ladies the value of humility, some wolves still lurk in sheep’s clothing.  I never knew I would raise a serpent.  I regret my accommodation for foreign ladies-in-waiting. " she strongly stated, eyes intent on making the Viscountess doubt herself.

"Such severe words do not become you, Beatrice. I dare you to deny the fact that you aren't from the country as the Viscountess... and I dislike early morning confrontations." the king countered.

"I beseech your pardon Your Majesty, but you must know, have a care to observe that there was never, a rose without a thorn. What lies beneath that pretty face of Mistress Feuillets?”  She advised her husband, and then turned she turned to her adversary “Where is your brother, the Earl Herling?"

Hélène directed her gaze at the queen.

"He has been ill since last night, Your Majesty. He wasn't able to prepare for today." she answered demurely.

"Oh, is he? I hope he recovers in haste from your bewitched activities—"

"Madam!" shouted the king.

"Mary Olliver!" the queen shouted in return. "Dearest Mary, come right here."

The lady with jet-black hair and yellow gown sliced through the train of women in service to the queen.

"Your Majesty" said Mary Olliver, presenting herself to the queen with her head bowed down low.

"How does it feel to be betrothed to one of the most handsome men at court?" she asked her in front of everyone, including the commoners wearing the king's livery.

"Happy and most honoured, Your Majesty." was Mary's short answer.

"How about being sister-in-law to a woman who just made her way to be written in all Gaerdin's history as that singular girl granted a hereditary title on her own account?"

"Afraid, Your Majesty." she said.

"A sound judgment. Pray to God she doesn't teach you her tricks and, have a care to save your soul, mistress Olliver." the queen told her, but eyes trained on the king.

Queen Beatrice made a gesture to Mary Olliver and dismissed her.

"I hear you are with child, mistress Feuillets." she turned to Hélène.

"Lady Mother!" said Princess Madeleine, entering in to fill the void between her parents and Viscountess Humden.

"It's all right, daughter." the queen assured her.

The Viscountess Humden held her head high.

"It's true, Your Majesty. I carry my lord king's child." she said, trying to hide her triumphant smile.

"Then please God bless that child, if that isn't the very personification of an abomination. Let's go now, ladies. I can feel the eye of Hades opening in this very ground."

The ladies tagged on with the queen and left the king’s company, their direction obviously directed to the queen’s apartments.  The Princess Royal walked slower than them most and directed another curtsey to her father. 

“Pay no attention to her, my dear lark.” said the king to the woman utterly humiliated in front of the king’s subjects, while eyeing his daughter whom he thought attempting to gain his favour.  “She is an old woman, listening to old wives’ tales.” he said to his ears.

Hélène was trembling, but she tried to suppress her body’s reaction.  Instead, she gave the king a warm smile.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

It was all that she could say.

5: Chapter 5 - The Knight Triumphant

The king hosted a luncheon and a jousting tournament that same day after the investiture.  It is not usual for the king to host a joust for official celebrations and hospitality to honoured guests, but the occasion for that day was neither official nor hospitality: it was one statement for everyone invited and left out what the king truly believes in when it comes to the welfare of Hélène Feuillets.

The nobility were gathered to honour the reason for the assembly. The king and the viscountess, however, were not situated on the royal platform of the jousting lawn, were they should be. It was deserted and untended, the royal banners taken down and the fabrics that adorned the seats of honor were stripped of its 'H-B' monogram. Instead, the attendants to the king crafted a makeshift spectator platform for the sovereign and his lady on the far right hand side opposite the royal platform.

The ladies from Hélène's retinue made her a crown from wild flowers decorating the hedges of the greens, subsequently crowning her with their meager prize for her.

"For the Queen of the Joust!" said the king, his cup of wine up in the air for a toast.

"For the Queen of the Joust!" answered everyone.

Everyone drank to their fill, with exception to the men taking on the jousting field.  Bets were being collected from both men and women, and while their pockets are being emptied, Sir Francis Elbert, one of the king's chamber fellow, went in and approached the center of the gathering.

"Your Ladyship," greeted Sir Francis, "I regret that His Lordship the Earl Herling is unable to attend to both the investiture and the joust today, but he has sent me something for you.”

Both the king and the viscountess whose hands rested on her growing belly stared at him in surprise.

“What is it, Sir Francis? He should not have bothered you at all and gave me whatever is it you have last night.” said Hélène, looking neither amused nor excited.

“Hélène, your brother must have wanted it to be a surprise, now, is it, Sir Francis?” interjected the king who had a good feeling about the package.

“Yes, it is my lord.  Here, my lady.” answered Sir Francis and handed the parcel.

It was two parcels wrapped in brown paper, held together by a thick red twine.

“Must it be that big?” the king asked Hélène in jest.

“It’s heavy even.  Let’s open this smaller one first.”

The viscountess removed the twine from the smaller parcel and laid it on her lap.  It appeared her brother had purchased her child an exquisite christening cape lined with ermine and little sapphires.

“Oh Richard, this must be worth all your fortune.” she whispered to herself.  She found a note tucked within the folded cape and read it at once.

“What does it say, my love?” inquired the king.

She had a smile on her face but she hid it under her hand.

“It tells he cannot think of another gift for me since you provide me with practically anything I wish for, so he gave me something fit for a prince, for our child, my lord.”

“Prince?”

Hélène felt that was a big miscalculation on her part, so she tried to come up with a plausible, humbling statement.

“My mother and father call this child ‘our Prince’, because it has been a long time since a child has been running in our farm at Nether.  He will be a tyrant and will be spoiled like a prince indeed.” she said laughingly.

“Oh, but he won’t be growing up in Nether, for he will be right by my side, forever and always, as you do.” he said in assurance, his hands over her belly.

She felt joyous with his words, and she thought she might have claimed another advantage over their almost barren queen.

“Thank you, my love.  Let’s open the other one, shall we?”

She wrapped the christening cape again and handed it to her lady-in-waiting by her side.  In this bigger package, the king offered his hand to open it.

“Let me.” the king said.  It was wrapped twice and so the king had to get it from her lap and remove the papers.

“Oh, I remember now!” said Hélène in her recognition of the package.

“A cloth of chainmail?  I don’t think you’ll ever wear one of these my lark.” he commented

“My lord, it is for you!” she said, her smile beaming.  “When we came to Nether I ordered him to afford me a chainmail, as a token of appreciation for your kindness to me.”

“Indeed?”

“Yes Henry.  I thought you’d like to wear something from my home.  You told me I’m your goddess of victory, so I bestow you protection as well as success in conquest.”

He looked at her with his most loving eyes.

“I thank you with all my heart, my love.  I shall wear this to joust today.”

The ladies and the nobility watching them sat in awe at the lovely scene they are making.

“To His Majesty the King!” shouted Earl Wriggham, his cup high for a toast.

“To His Majesty the King!” answered everyone automatically, including the viscountess.

-------------

The king had changed into his full armor.  His Master of Horse arrived in his tent and gave him a note.

“Your Majesty, her ladyship sent you this note.”  said Lord Wyville

“Thank you Wyville.  Can you go and tell her I’ll see her before the game?”

“Yes your Grace.”

His squire had finished putting his arm shield and he was dismissed off the tent.  The king, together with his cousin, went back to the spectator platform.

“My lady.” said the king to Hélène “Your knight has come to ask for your blessing.”

Hélène was only too happy for this treatment of the king to her, like he was still in his youthful form once more playing in the serenade of a courtly love instead of a man close to being forty, going to many battles without an heir for a peaceful succession.

“I bless you, dear love of my heart.” started Hélène, “that the Lord God protect you and give you favour in every battle.”

“I thank you, my lady.” answered the king, his big hands reaching out to take Hélène’s, “I am Henry, but now I am to be called Knight Triumphant.”

Hélène let out a slight laugh. “I am a little pleased my brother isn’t going to ride today, for I don’t know which rider I am betting in.  You see, he’ll be angry if I doubt him in his ability to unhorse you Your Majesty.”

“I let him have a cheat every once in a while,"  he said mischievously, "for the love of you.”

And soon they started the joust.