𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter twenty-four; To Truly Live
" It's the middle of the day, and I'm drunk. "

ELSPETH COULD SEE why Paris was both lovely and terrible. It was bustling streets and drinks and parties. Arts and music, wine and money.

She departed from her carriage at the small home that matched Douglas's address. She approached the door with her suitcases in hand, letting out a long breath as she stared at it.

And then she knocked.

And she knocked again.

And with the carriage gone, with sparse other options, Elspeth Liens took a sat on the front stoop and waited.

It was nearly sunrise when she heard a familiar voice, singing quite loudly with other unfamiliar ones.

Douglas Liens was a tall, lanky man, with shoulder-length chestnut hair, half tied up to keep it out of his eyes. He had soft features, just as Elspeth did, and a woman under each arm.

His song only stopped when he reached his own home and saw through foggy eyes a woman.

"Who are you?"

"You've had so much to drink you don't even recognize your own sister?" Elspeth smiled lightly, standing, "You're a poor excuse for a Lord, Douglas."

The women widened their eyes, suddenly clinging harder to Douglas as his confusion turned into a wide grin.

"Ellie!"

Elspeth laughed as Douglas let go of the women, only to scoop his little sister into a tight hug.

"Oh, you look so regal, I suppose time at court has finally tamed your wild nature," He laughed, holding her shoulders to get a good look at the girl, "Come in; drink, talk, we have much to catch up on."

Elspeth shook her head as Douglas threw an arm around her, grabbing one of her bags with his free hand.

"Brother, your company. . ."

"Ah, yes," Douglas noted, turning his head, "Darlings, you have been lovely. But I must indulge my little sister with my time; forgive me."

The women agreed, sending Douglas off with a kiss on each cheek before linking arms and returning to the bustling streets.

"You're supposed to be an artist," Elspeth noted as Douglas opened his door.

"I am."

His home was comfortable, with a sitting room and two bedrooms, its own kitchen and bathroom, and a spare room Douglas dedicated to art. Not his own, he was a poet by nature, but to sculptures and paintings he'd collected over his three short years in Paris.

"To what do I owe the visit?" Douglas questioned, setting her bags down in the spare bedroom, "Last I heard, you were engaged to the King's bastard."

Elspeth deflated, taking a seat on the side of the bed.

"I have a lot to catch you up on," She frowned, "Maybe we could have a spot of wine?"

"Wine, Ellie? I'd like to introduce you to a little friend of mine called Brandy."

And thus, the night descended. Elspeth had never tried brandy before, and she wasn't fond of its taste or the burn she felt running down her throat, but she was quite fond of how carefree it made her.

So she drank and talked and talked and drank. She told Douglas of everything. From Sebastian to Francis, Demetre to Mary, Kenna to Catherine; Douglas was enthralled with her story, and even began multiple poems based on the things she shared.

They drank until the sun was high in the sky and Elspeth felt far away from it all.

"Ellie, I can hardly believe you agreed to be a mistress for even a moment," Douglas howled.

"Neither can I!" She laughed, "I mean, really, what was I thinking?"

"I suppose that you love the man-- but really, a mistress? You're sick in love, little sister."

Her smile fell, and she looked into the crystal glass still swirling with dark liquor.

"How do I get out of love? Or fix it?"

"Only one remedy, unfortunately," Douglas whispered, leaning forward, "Well, a few really; one is to visit your favorite brother which we can check off. Next is time; bo-ring. The third would be enjoying your time without your chains."

"Love is not prison, Douglas."

"To a man as free as me it is," Douglas sighed, standing dramatically and extending a hand, "Let me show you how to live, little sister."

"It's the middle of the day, and I'm drunk," She pointed.

"And that is the best beginning we could start on."

Douglas had always been the wildest, second only to Elspeth herself, but this was a whole new world. Like, before now, Elspeth was still a child, but as an adult she was welcomed into a part of his life she had never seen before.

The day was spent drinking and eating and shopping endlessly. And when the sun began to sink, despite Elspeth's exhaustion, it kept on going. Music and art, more brandy, more shopping; and as the sun began to rise once again, Douglas brought her to his favorite place.

"Have you ever had the privilege of gambling, little sister?"

Douglas had an arm around her as they entered a dimly lit building. It was loud with shouting, men and women walked from table to table, coins and cards flowing alongside wine and liquor; it was overwhelming.

"I have not."

But with the amount of alcohol she'd ingested, Elspeth was ready for the challenge.

Douglas was well-seasoned and had Elspeth watch a few rounds before joining. But as soon as she did, he was having more fun than he had in the 3 years he'd done it alone. Between their jokes and watching Elspeth reject any advance of a man while taking their coin, Douglas could not contain his laughter.

Until, of course, patrons began leaving and the money stopped flowing and they collapsed on a sofa much to the owner's dismay.

"How does it feel to live?"

"Tiring," Elspeth sighed, letting her head lull back, "Can we sleep yet?"

"I suppose in a moment or two."

Elspeth groaned as Douglas passed her the half-finished glass of brandy.

"Don't you get sick if you drink too much?"

"Not if you never stop drinking."

Elspeth rolled her eyes but downed the rest of the glass, slamming it down on a table as her brother cheered.

"Help me stand, I want to sleep," Elspeth grimaced, raising her arms.

Douglas laughed, standing and stretching for a moment before tossing an extra coin to the aggravated owner.

He grabbed his sister's arm, helping her stand before pulling her over his shoulder.

"Douglas!"

"You haven't gained any weight since you were ten," Douglas laughed, "Have they fed you at all at court?"

Elspeth glared as her brother began walking, going limp in his arms.

Her vision was blurry as he pushed the door open to exit the building, the girl staring into the empty gambling den until she spotted a face she could have sworn she knew.

But the second one she knew for certain.

"Francis?!"

Douglas turned, stealing her vision, much to Elspeth's frustration.

But Francis stood in shock, beside a panicked Lola, staring at Elspeth Liens slung over a man's shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

It had been hard to leave the only home he'd ever known. Hard to leave his siblings and the life he was meant to have with a woman he loved.

But his family, his mother and father, Sebastian, and even Mary, those he missed, were all the ones who drove him away.

So it made sense that he'd walked around with a hole in his heart in the shape of Elspeth. She'd been nothing but a friend. A confidant in their time together; she'd even been the last one he spoke to before departing.

So seeing her now, so unlike the strong and wise noblewoman he knew, made the corners of his lips turn up.

"Put me down, you oaf!" She shouted, hitting her brother's back, "Right now, that is--!"

"Elspeth?"

"Lola," Douglas greeted with a smile, staring at the girl he had known much younger, "Saving your brother again, I assume?"

She let out a nervous laugh, tightening her arms around herself.

"And who's this one?" Douglas pointed to the blond man beside her, "A fling in Paris?"

"Douglas!"

The man sighed, rolling his eyes as he set Elspeth on her own two feet, holding her arms to stabilize her.

"Thank you," She sighed, before turning to a stunned Lola and Francis, "What are you two--"

"My brother was in trouble, no worries, it's sorted," Lola said all too quickly, "I should be heading back-- I only ran into Francis just. . ."

Lola slowed her speech, taking a step closer to the girl.

"Elspeth, are you drunk?"

"It's Douglas's fault," Elspeth said defensively.

"Alright," Lola breathed, looking at Francis briefly, "Well I better be off."

"Of course, travel safe," Elspeth said, "I'll travel back shortly."

Lola nodded, looking to Francis again before leaving the building without another word.

"You, however, don't get to escape so easily," Elspeth said, pointing a finger at Francis, "The Dauph--"

"Okay, Elle," Francis said with a nervous laugh, pressing a hand to cover her mouth and hush her speech, "Can we speak somewhere more. . . private?"

"Of course, my house is just down the road," Douglas said, "I'm Douglas, by the way; Ellie's older brother."

"Francis," He said, "Just Francis."

"Well, 'Just Francis', follow me."

↬

By the time they made it back to Douglas' house, Elspeth had hugged Francis just shy of ten times and told him how much she had missed him at least twenty. The man could tell she was drunk and exhausted, but this did little to dim how much it meant to him.

"I take it you being here means things have changed."

Elspeth huffed, leaning against an armchair as Douglas and Francis shared the sofa.

"I told Sebastian I couldn't be his mistress," She informed, "I still love him. . . but I couldn't. Not like that."

Francis frowned deeply, wanting nothing more than to take away every ounce of heartache Elspeth was feeling.

"Your words came to mind," She continued, "After Demetre screwed my head on straight again. The two of you. . . I don't know what I've done to deserve such kindness."

"You have cared for us. Made us laugh. Surprised us. . . I cannot speak for Demetre, but I care for you simply because of who you are."

Elspeth smiled warmly, the brandy in her stomach making her happiness and appreciation heightened in that moment."

"We always told her she'd have men lining up for her, but I never could have expected the Dauphin himself would say such things about my little sister."

Elspeth scoffed, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at Douglas's head. He laughed as he was hit, along with Francis who watched the interaction with a humor-filled fascination.

"So, do you intend to stay in Paris?" Elspeth questioned, turning back to Francis.

"I. . . do not know what I intend to do."

Elspeth nodded, pulling her knees to her chest and letting her gown pool around her.

"How about you?" Francis questioned, "What do you plan to do with your newfound freedom?"

Elspeth blew out a long breath, letting her head lull back for a moment before raising it again to look at Francis.

"Well, I've no prospects," She sighed, "No duties. . . Except to your mother."

"That is a very dangerous role to take up."

"Your mother dotes on me," Elspeth said quietly, picking at the rug beneath her feet, feeling the unmistakable burning of tears forming, "She's asked me to paint her a portrait. She also wants me to give a speech. . . and choose the flowers. . . I haven't even had time to be sad about it until now."

Francis furrowed his brows, standing from the sofa only to take a seat on the ground beside Elspeth as tears began falling silently down her cheeks.

"What are you talking about, Elle?"

She looked up to him with knitted brows. Did he not know? The fate of his mother, and Francis had no clue.

"It's horrible," She said quietly, "Your father. . . he's going to execute her."

Francis felt his heart lurch, attempting to grasp the idea.

"F--for what?"

"Adultery," Elspeth said, "But he's only really doing it because the line of succession is changing. . . and even from a tower, she's doing everything she can to stop it. . . oh, Francis, I know you're angry with her. . . but she knows what it is to suffer. She does. And she only wants for the safety and comfort of you and your brothers. She only tries for you all to not know the things she does."

Anyone else and Francis might have snapped. He may have thought the words were a script his mother wrote and made them rehearse.

But this was Elspeth. Drunk on brandy and no sleep, crying on the ground about losing someone she cared for.

"I am angry with her, but she is still my mother," Francis said gently, reaching an arm up, "Come here, Elle."

And Elspeth did not hesitate to accept his embrace, letting her tears soak his shirt as she cried into it.

"I will do everything in my power to avoid her death."

Elspeth peered up, nodding as she wiped her face.

"I must return to court, as soon as I can," He said gently, pushing hair out of the drying tears on her face, "Will you join me?"

Elspeth nodded quickly, before pulling him in for another tight hug.

"We'll leave when you are ready."

"I'm ready now--!"

"You are drunk and exhausted," Francis informed gently, with a small smile on his face, "Rest. We will leave when you wake."

Elspeth frowned but nodded, watching Francis stand and extend a hand. She accepted it, thanking Francis for keeping her steady.

Douglas helped his sister to her room, tucking her in the way he and his brothers had often done when she was much smaller. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before departing the room and leaving her to enter a deep sleep.

"You're welcome to rest here," Douglas said as he rejoined Francis, "I have another room to spare."

"I couldn't ask that."

"You aren't," Douglas retorted with a raised brow, "But if you are to accompany my darling little sister all the way back to the castle on your own, you best be well rested and fed for the journey."

Francis breathed out a laugh, unable to argue.

"Francis?"

"Yes?"

"From what I've seen and heard in the short hour I've met you, you care for Ellie, and seem to have her best interest in mind," Douglas said, "Please continue that. In the stead of myself and my brothers, it would put all our minds at ease to know she has someone looking after her."

"Of course."

Douglas offered a small smile, clapping Francis on the shoulder before disappearing into the small kitchen.

And Francis ate with the man before resting, preparing himself for the journey ahead.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
Heyyy everybody getting to meet
one of Ellie's brothers!!