I Am Louis XIV

   Chapter 5 Two Henriettes

Philip later fell asleep on his bed, which was fortunately big enough for a ten-year-old and an eight-year-old to fit, and when Louis woke up, it was night, and it was time for dinner, just like Philip. As said, Queen Henriette Marie of England has brought her daughter with the same name to Versailles to join them. Henriette was Louis XIII's sister and an unfortunate woman. When she first married to England, the Duke of Buckingham, a close friend of King Charles I of England, did not like her, and the king dismissed many of her French entourage. For several years, Henriette was isolated and helpless in the English court, until the death of the Duke of Buckingham, she had the opportunity to get close to the weak king, and became his new spiritual sustenance, thus intervening in British internal affairs, Charles I later to her. He obeyed, and even lamented why she was not a man, otherwise she could become the minister he trusted most.

In addition to interfering in government affairs, this Henriette also makes the British angry, that is, she is still an old sect, and most of the British believe in Protestantism. In terms of belief, they can be said to be incompatible with each other. , Protestant people deliberately called her "Queen Mary", which is not a good name, because the former Queen Mary of England was an old sect believer. In order to subvert the Protestantism established by her father, she once killed countless English people.

   But to distinguish her from her daughter, let's call her Queen Mary.

In order to oppose Queen Mary and seek greater interests, both the English and the Scots were in rebellion and civil war. Charles I had to rely on Queen Mary's diplomatic means to raise food and funds to stabilize his position - in this case, Queen Mary gave birth to her last child with Charles I, Princess Henriette, in a small harbour.

As soon as the child landed, the rebels followed, and Queen Marie had to flee and return to France, where she lived temporarily in Saint-Germain, and Princess Henriette returned to her mother after she was two years old—Queen Marie had originally wanted from her. Her elder brother, Louis XIII, received assistance here. Who knew that she died before Louis XIII of France. After that, France was not very calm. The princes and ministers had their own thoughts. kill time.

   Her heart is undoubtedly anxious, especially in recent months, she has not received any more letters from Charles I. She suspected that Charles I had been captured or even killed, and she asked a witch beside her to fortune-telling, but what she saw from the water and fire was almost ominous.

   Worry and pain almost completely destroyed this woman. Although at dinner, she was dressed in an unusually grand manner according to court customs and etiquette, as well as the requirements of her status, her face was covered with a layer of gray fog, and her eyes were dull.

Princess Henriette, who is four years old, with dark hair, brown eyes, and fair skin, saluted the king and wanted to sit on a chair on the left It was His Royal Highness) Philip, Duke of Anjou, pushed her off the chair and she fell to the ground, crying uncontrollably.

  Louis could only sigh.

   "That's not her position," Philip said. "She doesn't deserve to sit here."

   "It's true in etiquette." Although Queen Mother Anne didn't like Queen Mary, her sister-in-law and sister-in-law's daughter had to reconcile one or two: "But as a relative, you should be more kind."

Philip gave a contemptuous smirk, and the Queen Mother said no more. Like Louis, she was full of guilt for the young son, but she could not watch their brothers fight, Louis XIII and the Duke of Gaston. The battle has frightened her for more than ten years, and if her sons did the same, she would be heartbroken. In addition, she heard that Queen Mary intends to marry Princess Henriette to Louis. Although the identity is suitable, Queen Mother Anne does not think Henriette is the best candidate, and her sister-in-law's actions make her feel coerced.

Queen Mary was trembling with anger, but she had to endure it. Although France could not help her husband Charles I in the civil war in England, she still had a son Charles, and if things really got to the worst, they would Also need the protection of Queen Mother Anne.

  Princess Henriette's weeping ceased, though still small, she had found that tears were sometimes worthless.

   Dinner ended abruptly in this depressing atmosphere.

   Afterwards, Louis did not look at his aunt Queen Mary's hopeful eyes. He declined Philip's company and walked around the small building by himself for a long time. In the courtyard of the kitchen, he saw a somewhat familiar figure.

   "Why are you here?" Louis asked. "A bishop's niece is not suitable for the kitchen."

   "Is a king suitable?" Marie Mancini retorted.

   "So what are you doing here?"

   "I'm feeding the rabbit."

  Louis looked down and saw that there were indeed piles of rabbits under Mary's feet. They were very fat, with ropes tied to their feet, and their lips were squirming.

Mary squatted there, with no manners at all. The grass she fed to the rabbits didn't come from anywhere, but she induced herself. Louis watched them grow from a handful of small grass seeds to fresh tender grass in an instant. grass.

   "These rabbits are for eating." Louis said, "Our dinner."

  Mary broke the grass and hit him.

   "Assassination of the king is a felony," Louis threw them to the rabbit's mouth: "Cut out the abdomen, cut out the heart, and have to divide the body by four horses."

   "Hi!" Mary said, "I saved you before!"

   "I rewarded you." Louis pointed out sharply.

  Mary turned away.

   "Why are you unhappy?" the young king asked gently: "Except for rabbits, maybe I can order them not to eat rabbits, but stewed rabbit meat is delicious."

   "It's not the rabbit's problem." Mary said, "It's me...my problem."

   "Tell me about it," said Louie.

"My father, and my uncle," Mary said, "they came... and gave me a hard scolding..." She grumbled angrily, "They said I shouldn't reveal my identity... yes Yes, they said, they didn't send me to the palace to be a witch... They wanted me to be a lady, you know, a minister, even a duke."

Louis was a little surprised. He knew that there were many daughters of nobles or female relatives who wanted to serve the queen mother, queen or princess, so as to build a bridge of glory and glory for their marriage, but Mary only... 6 Years old, or seven years old, they just can't wait? But think about it, if they were really noble, how could they marry the elder brother of Bishop Mazarin at such a delicate moment? Exactly when Bishop Mazarin was used by Bishop Richelieu? Bishop Mazarin is most criticized for his humble origins.

   "When did they come?"

"last night."

   "I didn't hear anything."

   "They are wizards, Your Majesty."

   "I am the king."

   "Wizards do not belong to the king." At this point, Mary made a grimace: "Wizards only obey Merlin's will, of course, if Merlin really has any will."

   After she finished speaking, she ran away, not seeing Louis' dignified expression in an instant.

   (end of this chapter)