Cherbourg, France, March 17 1314,
The rain was pouring like god was furious over France. I looked on as the ship sailed through rough waters. "I know you are mad, Lord but you can't strike me down before I speak to my father. I wasn't the one cheating on my husband alright? My sister in law's were." The storm did not ease despite my words to the Lord. A knock was on the door, "You may enter." I replied, a sailor walked in, "Your highness, we will be docking in a few minutes." he announced. I nodded, the port was within eyesight. I dismissed the sailor, "Thank you." I told him as he walked away. As he left the door screamed in unison with the howling wind, I immediately rushed forward to shut the door lest my ears be killed by the wind but as soon as the door closed the roaring sound of thunder was heard and I collapsed in fear. God was truly angry at us all.
I exited the ship despite the pouring rain, howling wind and dreary atmosphere, if I didn't know better I would call myself a monster with this villainous introduction. The horse drawn carriage arrived and despite the wear and tear anyone could tell it was a royal carriage. The footman walked forward and asked for my hand in escort. I granted it, the expression of the footman was steeled and without emotion. I realized as I sat down on the carriage the footman's hand was cold almost as cold outside. The horse drawn carriage began to ride towards the castle, a fortress that was recently improved by my father, Philip IV of France. As the drawbridge lowered and I entered into the castle. I noticed clearly there was no life throughout the entire thing, it felt so devoid and without colour as I stepped off the carriage and into the dining hall.
It was at this time, that I missed my husband as while he certainly was a fool, he could at the very least keep the room company and enjoyable. Here I was alone with only servants assisting me, the room was very dimly lit without much life or festivity. Maybe, it was the weather or perhaps god was furious over us all. I finished the meal and thanked the servants for preparing one. They only nodded not even making a word as I began to retire and rest on the bed that was prepared. Thunder and rain continued to pour outside as I began to toss and turn in order to catch some sleep. Lightning suddenly struck down along the field, as I watched it come down with the pouring and continuous thunder. I was spooked suddenly by the appearance of a man dressed in knightly armour with a shield with a Red Cross on it. Just as suddenly the knight disappeared with a second clap of thunder.
I arrived in Paris, the clouds were still looming all over France but thankfully it wasn't pouring as the carriage rode to Fontainebleau. Philip was in front with all the staff eagerly awaiting for my arrival. That was weird, my father rarely went out to greet guests. I was escorted by the footman and my father ran up and gave me a hug. I stiffened from the hug, it was unexpected that my father, the king of France would hug me. He tightened the hug and told me, "You're so stiff, it's so funny." I realized I was too stiff and I relaxed and enjoyed the hug. "What's the occasion in order for you to hug me?" I asked as we broke the hug and walked towards the hall. "Let's just say, the Lord has given me a new perspective in my children, daughter. How has England been treating you?" He replied, I drooped my head lower as I didn't want to ruin his mood. "I wish I could do more in England. I feel so bored there." I replied as the doors closed into the feasting hall.
(POV switch heh)
The door closed between the two of us, as I eagerly took the knight into my arms and kissed him softly and passionately. As we fell down into the bed, my hands raked through his hair as he kissed my neck softly and gently. I moaned and called out to him, "Walter, please." He looked at me, "Blanche," He kissed my hand gently, "What would you like?" I whispered seductively into his ear, "Take me please." He smiled and we continued together. Charles, my husband and the count of La Marche was nothing compared to Walter as he was just better and more fun to be with. I let out another moan as Walter let me experience greater pleasures with him. I was with Walter for over three years no one has noticed and no one will. Charles was the third son of the king, he wouldn't provide much and would only be a background character so I knew that personality and enjoyment is what I needed which he didn't provide. I moaned loudly as Walter softly bit into my neck and pulled him even closer.
(POV switch back again)
"So my daughter what is it that you wish to speak to me about?" I watched as my father methodically attacked and cut his meal to eat. "My husband's advisor: Piers Gaveston is dead, the man is inconsolable but I think it's a good thing. I always thought him as incompetent." I told my father as I drank some wine. "Daughter, that's old news you already spoke to me about this last year." Philip replied, returning to his normal stone cold expression as he continued to eat his steak. I continued eating in silence for a while before speaking again, "The Scottish war is going poorly for my husband, this warrior: Robert the Bruce has led a very smart campaign and has nearly drove my husband out of power in Scotland." I decided to tell, "Funny isn't it? He was supposed to marry the presumed queen of Scotland but then she died and married you and now he's fighting to assume the throne of Scotland." Philip mockingly laughed, I joined in the laughter not realizing my father was still staring me in the eyes. "There's something else on your mind. What is it?" I gulped in fear, my father noticed. "Father, I believe that Blanche and Margaret are cheating on their husbands. My brother's Louis and Charles' wives are unfaithful. I have proof." I slowly told him with a franking embarrassing amount of pause in between each word.
The goblet drops onto the table when I broke the news. Instantly I saw my father, whose expression was so jolly and jovial over this feast and reunion drop. I watched as the servants looked on with his expression morphed ever so slowly from a wide range of emotions into a stone cold face of contempt and perhaps a drizzle of pensiveness. The silence continued to the point where it became deafening. As I began to open my mouth to ask he spoke, "You are all dismissed. Queen of England, remain behind." The voice was of a low growl something akin to a silent rage, I couldn't quite remember when I heard this before but suddenly I realized, the last time father spoke like this was 12 years ago, his rage was impossible to quantify back then. I watched without moving even so a muscle as the servants scuffled away hurriedly. I realized something else as they scurried from the table, my father refused to look me in the eyes.
(Final POV switch L)
"What is your proof?" I asked my daughter, as I moved the plate aside and rested my head on my hands. "I-" Isabella began to speak while continuously shivering. "I gave both my sister in law's hand embroidered purses. These two knights, Walter and Philip de Aunay, now hold on them." Isabella finished detailing her "evidence". I blinked, "That's not enough proof, you don't know if those purses are yours and neither can you confirm a relationship with purses." I replied, Isabella did not back down, "Tail them father, gather more evidence to prove it. It took them way too long for them to explain why they have those purses." Isabella replied, I scoffed. "If you were not my daughter I would call you insane and power hungry. You seek to ruin your brother's fortunes." I replied growing in ever more anger and frustration. "I swear upon my life, the accusations are true." Isabella declared, "I do not believe you, you didn't even swear in front of God. You may go, daughter." I announced, "But, father I-" I interrupted, "You may go, Queen of England." I restated with ever slow deliberation. Isabella slowly bowed and walked away from the hall. I stood up and ordered a servant to clean up the mess I made spilling the wine. I took another breath, what kind of insane delusions did my daughter have in this belief that my dynasty would be tainted by sin? I shook my head in frustration, I looked back and I saw him again, Jacques de Molay. He looked at me with only a gleeful smile, I can practically hear the words of God will humble you from his look. I could not ignore this, this was the second time this man looked at me. "Footman," I called, the door opened revealing my personal honour guard and footman, "I ask that you surveil Blanche, Margaret and the two Aunay knights. Determine if they are adulterous and report it to me directly am I clear?" I ordered him, with only a nod I dismissed him. I breathed another breath, the death of the Pope shortly after the death of Jacques was already superstitious now I am given accusations of adultery, perhaps he was right in God siding with the Knights rather than the King.
"So the Englishmen have arrived?" I asked to my fellow knights. They nodded, "Prepare my horse, for in order to win the battle one must see the enemy first." I mounted my horse and equipped my light armour. My men were prepared for reconnaissance and we will defeat the English and free our ancient homeland of Scotland.