10

Baptiste came at a gallop near them. They instantly broke contact. No one at the palace knew of their attraction to each other yet.

“Your Highness, There is an urgent meeting at the castle, all your advisors are waiting for you. cried the Valet out of breath

-Accompany Mademoiselle Adélie to her room, ordered the King before setting off again at a gallop.

Leaving the poor young woman alone on her mount. But Baptiste was fortunately very understanding, he gently brought her back to the palace.

Gustave feared that a civil war had broken out. He galloped at top speed to the palace and didn't even take the time to change his boots to enter the meeting room.

All his advisers were on their feet waiting for him.

The King was upset to have had to shorten his walk, he was not likely to mince his words.

"What's really going on?!

-Your Highness, the revolts have resumed throughout the kingdom, since the death of your father, all the Vésanais are against you. You must make yourself liked or soon civil war will be upon us, said one man”

Gustave seemed to think for a moment, how could he be appreciated by the people? He sat down at the end of the big table. Hands clasped under his chin.

"Do you have any ideas perhaps? He asked in front of all these men who were stamping with impatience

- Well your Highness, advanced an old man, I see only one and unique solution to your problem. »

Gustave raised his eyebrows puzzled.

“Marry yourselves and give an heir to the crown”

The man's announcement was greeted by a hubbub in the room. Between the chief of the armies who wanted to make a show of force in order to discourage the most reckless, the ally ... the discussion had neither head nor tail.

But the Sovereign saw in this solution one more reason to marry his beautiful Adélie. He could already see the headlines in the newspapers: The King Marries a Simple Peasant!

The people would feel even closer to him by having the impression of having an "infiltrator" in the palace

"Very well, I would marry Adélie Bauduin, the former servant in charge of making the soup!" »

A silence passed in the room when another man spoke

"Your Highness, I doubt she is the Queen the country needs, moreover the people will not understand why her and not their daughter or their cousin."

-I read a tale a few years ago of a King who met his wife at a ball, so organize a ball and invite all the young women of the kingdom, so each family will have had the impression of having had a chance, what do you think? »

The hubbub resumed some shouted "This is madness" others shouted "What a fantastic idea"

Gustave silenced his assembly.

"Organize this ball for in a week" he announced that while leaving the room, in a hurry to see his beloved again.

That same afternoon, hundreds of horses set off to the four corners of the kingdom to announce the news.

Gustave knocked on the door, but no one answered, he knew it was not well seen but he entered the room anyway.

He didn't see anyone at first, but he heard humming in the bathroom. He headed there without thinking for a moment.

When the sweet smell of rose came to his nose, it was too late, he had opened the door.

Adelie emitted a shrill little cry, trying as best she could to hide her body in the bath water.

Gustave jumped and looked away, but he had seen enough to fuel his wildest dreams.

In addition to having the face of an angel, the young woman who populated her dreams had the body of a goddess.

The King stammered an apology before leaving as quickly as he had come. Passing in the corridor he came across his mother.

“Gustave, Your Highness! Where were you, she paused then resumed, frowning, you weren't in the maid's room I hope?! »

The Sovereign turned his head, it was impossible for him to lie to his own mother.

“If the young woman you so much wish to marry has lost her virtue before marriage, it will be out of the question for her to become Queen and I will myself have a doctor's examination done, do you hear me? She hissed through her teeth.

Gustave grimaced and left, leaving the Queen Mother sheepish.

This marriage had to take place quickly to get his mother away from the crown as soon as possible.