Had he ruined his friendship with Richard over this quest for Livia?

"I should apologise to him," Henry said.

Lionel’s face softened with relief, though only a little. The man looked far too exhausted to manage a full expression. "I think so too," Lionel said carefully. "I saw the hurt on his face, Your Majesty. I did not like it."

Henry looked down.

"You both have been friends for too long," Lionel added.

Henry sighed and rubbed his face. The anger from earlier had drained away, leaving him cold and ashamed. He had been so certain. Richard’s reaction had felt like proof. But perhaps loss had made him cruel. Perhaps love had made him stupid. Perhaps he had looked at his closest friend and seen betrayal only because deep down, he was exactly like his mother.

"I will," Henry said. "I will go up there and give him my apologies myself."

"That would mean a great deal."

"But first, get some rest. In the morning, handle my mother’s transportation to the Tower of London."

"What did I miss?" he asked, one brow rising.

Where did he even begin? Lionel would have loved to see Stephen in his state though.

"Let’s just say," Henry said, "she knows about Livia now."

Lionel’s face went still.

Then he shut his eyes briefly. "Oh God."

"Get some rest first. We handle the rest tomorrow."

Lionel bowed deeply. "Good night, Your Highness."

"Oh... uh..."

Lionel turned back.

"Also, I need to see the Lord Chancellor in the morning. Time to send a message to France."

"Regarding the princess?"

Henry’s mouth tightened. "Regarding the treaty. And the marriage."

"Of course, Your Majesty." He bowed once more and walked out.

The door closed, and Henry was alone again. He bowed his head. This obsession with Livia was ruining him.

It had started eating him alive. He had begun to see enemies in friends. God. What was he going to say to Richard? How did one begin such an apology?

Richard had been nothing but a great friend. A confidant. He shook his head. He really was going mad.

The worst part was that some sick little corner of his mind still whispered, But what if you were right?

Henry shut his eyes. He needed to get over it. Livia was gone. Perhaps dead, though he could not let his mind walk too close to that thought. Either way, he could not keep destroying everything around him because of a woman he could not find. He was just about to get into bed once more when the princess was announced again.

He stared at the door. "What now?" he muttered.

Then louder, weary and irritated, "Send her in."

A moment later, Madeleine entered. Her eyes were bright, her posture elegant, and her face arranged into concern.

"Your Highness..."

"Is all well?" Henry asked.

Madeleine dipped her head slightly. "Yes, of course," she said. "I came to see how you are. Punishing your mother must have been hard for you."

"Well," Henry said, "it should serve as a lesson for everyone to stay out of my business."

"I’m not going to pretend and say it wasn’t satisfying, my lord," she said. Madeleine lifted one shoulder in a small shrug. "You should know by now, I find it hard to pretend."

That was a lie. She pretended beautifully when needed.

"It is one of the refreshing things about your ruthlessness," he said.

"Perhaps." Her gaze moved over him shamelessly. She was a woman and he was right in front of her with all that hidden masculinity with his robe loosened around him. "Like I said," she murmured, "I came to see how you are."

"I’m fine."

She shifted on her feet, fingers smoothing the front of her gown. She seemed unsure whether to stay or retreat.

"Anything else?"

"Yes, but it may come off as forward," Madeleine responded.

"Since when have you been hesitant about being forward?"

Madeleine smiled. "True," she admitted. "You looked magnificent tonight."

"Thank you?" How did one respond to that?

"May I try something?"

Henry’s brow rose higher. "What?"

Instead of answering, Madeleine sank to her knees in front of him.

Henry stiffened immediately. "Princess—"

"Indulge me a moment," she said quickly, before he could step away and ruin her courage. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He looked down at her, suspicion crossing his face. "Madeleine."

She liked the way her name sounded in his mouth when he was not angry. Unwillingly intimate. She leaned in, slowly and placed her lips against his.

His body remained still. Then she pulled away. Henry looked down at her.

"What was that for?" Henry asked.

She smiled. "Maybe it wouldn’t be so tedious being your queen, my lord." She rose to her feet with graceful ease, smoothing her gown.

Then she curtsied.

"Good night, Your Highness."

Henry’s gaze stayed on her for one more moment. "Good night."

Madeleine turned and walked out of the room still smiling. The moment the doors closed behind her, the smile widened.

Yes. It would be quite the pleasure being his queen. Since seeing him storm down the hall and take down his mother with all that raw, blazing, sexy authority, the image had stuck to her mind.

There was steel beneath all that gentleness. Fire beneath the velvet. And God help her, Madeleine liked it.

She liked it too much. She wondered if that fire followed him into bed too. The thought made her breath catch, and she laughed softly at herself as she moved down the corridor.

How ridiculous. She had crossed the sea prepared to endure him. To marry him, obey enough to produce heirs, secure France’s interests, and eventually rule the kingdom.

She had not expected to desire him. It was exciting. Madeleine was practically floating by the time she reached her rooms. Her mind replayed the first conversation she had with the king, when she had proudly affirmed that love had no place in royalty.

Lord, had she been wrong? Madeleine stood before her mirror, touching her fingers lightly to her lips.

(brought to you by Mar king 3/3)

(The mass release scheduled for today is still coming in a few hours. Stay tuned.