No one has to know

Chapter 1

The celebration of Francis's return was in full swing. The new king had gone off into a plague ridden unknown to find Lady Lola who was in the middle of a rough labor delivering his illegitimate son. He had returned with Lola and the baby, all three unharmed and the court insisted on celebrating the occasion.

Catherine was currently standing by the drink table, wine in hand, staring out at the party goers, judging them. With all the things going on, a party was a giant waist of time. They had plague to deal with and some new guests in the castle who definitely did not please Catherine.

One in particular was a man named Narcisse. Something about him irked her to no end. While he seemed sort of charming, Catherine was sure that was some sort of show he was putting on.

Not to mention they were celebrating the birth of a bastard. A thing Catherine found herself torn over. Yes the baby was her grandson, and as such she wanted to love him, but her heart sank every time she thought about it. She didn't want her son to turn out anything like his recently deceased father. She had seen Mary's face as Lola presented the child to them upon her return. She knew all to well what was behind that gaze and her heart went out to her. She had made every effort not to rub the child's existence in her face, she felt that coddling the boy in front of Mary would be a betrayal.

As the festivities went on she observed Lady Kenna flirting with a visiting dignitary from Spain. Her marriage with Bash had been rocky ever since the plague hit. They had been arguing over a young boy in their care. Bash believed that the boy needed to sacrifice a life to stop the plague as per what he heard from The Darkness just before he killed him. Kenna didn't believe it at all and wanted to protect the boy. Bash had gone against her wishes and forced the boy to do the deed. The plague did not stop but it did slow to a more manageable rate and there were no new cases in the castle since. Kenna was yet to forgive Bash and it didn't look like it was going to happen any time soon.

Just then Narcisse glided up to Catherine and reached out to kiss her hand.

"Your grace you look lovely tonight." he said still holding her hand.

"Thank you Narcisse, but may I implore you to return my hand?" she said with a bite to her tone.

"Of course your grace, I apologize. I was merely stunned by your beauty." he was obviously laying it on thick. Catherine wasn't fooled.

"Hmm, If you were enjoying the festivities at all maybe you should get back to them?" she urged.

"I am enjoying the view from here much better." he said with a suggestive look and reached for her hand once more. Catherine became a bit uncomfortable.

"You have captured my hand once more. If you would release it please." she tried to pull it back but he held tight.

"Come now don't be so quick to turn me away..." he was cut off by man's voice.

"I do believe the lady asked you to remove your hand." it was Bash. He had overheard the conversation and intervened. He didn't like Narcisse anymore than Catherine did. Catherine stared at him, utter shock glazed her eyes. He was the last person she ever expected to come to her rescue.

"I don't believe anyone asked you." Narcisse bit back. "Catherine and I were just having a pleasant conversation."

"It didn't look as though it was pleasant for her . I won't say it again. Remove your hand or I will remove it for you." Narcisse slowly pulled his hand back.

"No need to get testy. I'll be seeing you Catherine." he walked away, but not before giving her a creepy glare.

"I thank you for the intervention. Though I'm not quite sure why." she said still in a bit of shock.