𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter twenty-three; A Trip To Paris
" I am hoping for the same thing I did when I asked her to marry me. I have never stopped. "

  BEING A SINGLE woman once again was a strange feeling, especially since Elspeth Liens didn't quite feel 'single' the way she did before. After all, her heart still belonged to Sebastian, whether or not he or she deserved that.

  So, Elspeth was trying to find purpose. Things to busy her mind and hands.

  A portrait of Catherine was a welcome distraction that had taken up days already.

  News still reached her corner of the world, between Demetre and Kenna, Elspeth did not have to leave the art wing to know how life was going for the French Court.

  She had heard of Mary and Sebastian's friendship, of Catherine and her family's departure. She had heard of Catherine's attempt on Mary's life, and how Sebastian had saved her.

  Kenna could see Elspeth's heartache and tried all she could to remedy it. Food, music, stories; none of it helped until Kenna suggested an outing.

  "The only person who truly understands your position is Francis. Perhaps you should. . . go off and find him."

  Elspeth turned from the canvas, raising an eyebrow.

  "Not like that," Kenna laughed, "I mean unless that's what you're hoping for. God knows Catherine is."

  "I've no interest in trying both brothers," Elspeth sighed, looking back to the canvas, "Perhaps he would make good company. . . does anyone know where he's gone?"

  Kenna twisted her lips, leaning back in her chair.

  "I'm sure we could find out."

  "He may not even want to see me."

  "I wish your brothers were here," Kenna frowned, "They always had answers."

  "Yes, after teasing us endlessly," Elspeth laughed, brushing another stroke across the canvas, "I wrote Hans about my decision before I made it. I should get word soon."

  "Isn't Douglas in Paris?"

  Elspeth turned fully, setting her brush down.

  "As a single woman, bound by no duties. . ." Kenna said slowly, "Perhaps a trip is in order."

  Elspeth smiled lightly, crossing her arms.

  "I suppose it is."

↬

  Elspeth Liens was preparing for a journey with Demetre's assistance. Kenna had helped with a bag, but Demetre insisted he be the one to prepare her carriage.

  He was quite happy with her good nature and smiles all morning, so it was only natural that Demetre found himself tense when that smile fell away due to new company.

  "I heard you were leaving."

  "Yes," Elspeth nodded to Sebastian, "Demetre's just helping me prepare."

  Sebastian nodded tightly, looking to Demetre who had not yet met his eye.

  "To Paris?"

  "I'm sure Mary heard all the details and shared them, so why do you ask for information you already know?"

  Sebastian frowned. He had not blamed her for her decision. He wished he could make the same one.

  But that didn't mean he was used to her absence. Or that her cold shoulder was easy to bear.

  "I wanted to know if you mean to return."

  Elspeth looked at him, forcing herself to hold her strength in the center of her stomach. To not let the weak points back in, to keep him out.

  "I will," She said, "But I wish to visit my brother, and with no duties here, I shall."

  "Elle, I just--"

  "Ready to go, Petal."

  Sebastian stared as Demetre approached Elspeth with a smile, clapping his hands loudly. The woman turned to him, offering him a small smile.

  "Then, I suppose I'm off," Elspeth breathed, looking between Sebastian and Demetre, "Is Paris lovely?"

  "Yes."

  "No."

  The men spoke over one another, holding each other's gaze for a long moment.

  "I will make my own decision, then," Elspeth said, smoothing down her dress, before turning to Demetre, "Thank you for your help. I'll write you once I arrive."

  "Travel safe, Petal."

  She smiled once again before climbing into the carriage.

  Demetre and Sebastian stood, watching the carriage lurch into motion, leaving the castle walls.

  "How is she?"

  "That is for her to tell, Sebastian. If and when she wishes to."

  Sebastian nodded, looking down.

  "I only want for her happiness."

  Demetre turned to Sebastian, eyes blazing a silent fury as he stared down at Sebastian De Poitiers.

  "Then allow her to have it."

"I. . . I am trying to."

"You're not trying hard enough," Demetre bit back.

Then Sebastian turned to him fully— the expression of betrayal stung Demetre slightly but it did little to calm the anger radiating off of him.

"Do you think I want any of this?" Sebastian questioned honestly, "Do you think I am glad to be where I am?"

"You didn't protest."

"I wasn't aware I had a choice."

"There is always a choice."

"Yes, a choice between my life of Francis's," Sebastian said, "One that I did not make. One that my father and Mary decided upon without my word— Demetre, she was stolen from me, too. I am in pain alongside her— If this all comes to pass, I will be forced to marry a woman I do not love. I will be forced to rule a country I have no interest in ruling. I will be forced to have children with a woman I do not want children with— and you blame Elspeth's pain on me?!"

Demetre creased his brow, watching Sebastian's emotions rise for the first time in weeks. He'd taken all of it well to those on the outside; he'd been polite and agreeable, without much argument.

"You asked her to be your mistress."

"I never did," He argued, "It was something we spoke of together. Because for the briefest moment, we held onto the idea of remaining together when it felt like the world was trying to separate us."

Sebastian looked down, his anger subsiding slowly.

"I love her. I will never stop loving her— which means I want only for her happiness. Only for her safety," Sebastian urged, "Even if it is not with me. Do not, for even a moment, pretend as though anything less is true."

"She has been in pain because you have not fought for her-- even days ago, when your father stood to threaten her, you said nothing--!"

"My father cares very little for what I have to say as of late."

Demetre pursed his lips, taking in Sebastian's words.

"Elspeth cares. For both what you do and do not say. Remember that."

He was being harsh. He knew he was, God, Demetre could swear he understood why it had been so hard for Elspeth because this was hard for him.

He had grown up alongside Sebastian. They'd been friends most of their lives. Fighting and joking, hunting and riding; there was very little they had not lived alongside one another.

Which meant Demetre Langlois knew him well. He knew Sebastian thought very little of himself. He knew he was quick to defend, especially when it came to those who mattered to him. He knew, no matter what Sebastian said, that he felt every slight deeper than the last.

And right now, Demetre knew Sebastian was trying to navigate uncharted waters.

Only ever being the fun son. The sword fights, the jokes, hunts-- he had never been pushed down a path and forced into a life he did not want.

And Demetre truly felt for that. He wanted to help Sebastian. To remind him they were friends and he would help.

But Demetre Langlois would never help someone who would not help themselves unless they truly could not. And he knew Sebastian had options, even if he didn't see them yet.

"What are you hoping happens?"

"I am hoping I do not have to wed Mary or become the king," He answered instantly, "I am hoping Elspeth finds peace. I am hoping that her heart leads her back to me if that is what she wants. I am hoping for the same thing I did when I asked her to marry me. I have never stopped."

Demetre thought a very long moment about what he said next. He took in all that Sebastian had said and attempted to table his own anger for clarity.

In the end, he wasn't sure if the words he spoke helped Elspeth or Sebastian. He wasn't sure if they were meant to. Demetre only knew they were the truth.

"She hopes for the same. If the time comes, be sure you are worthy of it."

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
Demetre's turning into a
couples counselor at this point