Marie woke before dawn, stomach churning with anxiety.
*This is my wedding day.*
The thought felt surreal. Distant. Like it was happening to someone else.
Her mother arrived first, bustling in with maids carrying the wedding dress.
"Now, Marie," her mother said, settling beside her with unusual gentleness, "there are things you must understand about running a household."
Marie listened as her mother explained, keep count of everything, know every servant, track every expense, be aware of everything happening under your roof. Trust nothing to chance.
"A woman's power is in knowing,"her mother said. "Men may think they rule, but we see everything. Remember that."
Then her aunts arrived, giggling and blushing, pulling her aside. They spoke in hushed, excited tones about the marriage bed. How to please a man. How to make yourself desirable. How to ensure he comes back for more.
"The first time will hurt, dear, but after that..."More giggling. "Men are simple creatures. Learn what he likes and you'll have him eating from your hand."
Marie smiled and nodded at the appropriate moments. But only one name echoed in her mind. One body she imagined pressed against hers. One person she wanted taking her over and over again, claiming her completely.
Not William with his soft hands and softer kisses.
*Lorenzo*, with those winter-blue eyes that saw through her.
With that controlled strength that promised both gentleness and complete passion.
She looked at herself in the mirror. The white dress hugged her figure, raising her breasts so they swelled above the neckline. The veil cascaded down her back like falling water. The fabric clung to her waist, her hips. She looked beautiful.
A man would remove this dress tonight. Would see her naked. Would touch her in ways no one ever had. But it wouldn't be Lorenzo. It would never be Lorenzo. Something inside her wanted to scream.
The door opened and Anne swept in, dismissing the others with a gesture. She went straight to Marie and pulled her into a fierce hug.
"Everything will be fine," Anne whispered. "I know you might hate our family for what happens next. But please remember...it's for the best. For all of us."
Marie pulled back, confused. "What do you mean?" Anne's eyes were bright with unshed tears. "Just... remember I love you. No matter what."
Before Marie could ask more, Anne was gone. Marie stood there, heart pounding, confusion mixing with dread. *What did she mean?*
---
Philip appeared outside her door, making exaggerated bowing gestures that made her laugh despite everything.
"My lady,"he said in a ridiculous pompous voice, "your carriage awaits to transport you to your doom, I mean, your happily ever after."
"You're terrible," Marie said, but she was smiling. "I know."
He offered his arm. "Come on. Let's get you married."
He walked her to the balcony where the carriage waited below. Then excused himself for a moment "Forgot to tell Mother something, be right back."
Marie stood alone on the balcony, looking out over the grounds. Her garden was visible from here. Her roses in bloom. The place she'd always felt safe.
On impulse, she gathered her skirts and descended the stairs, drawn to her sanctuary one last time before everything changed. She walked between the rose bushes, breathing in their scent, trying to memorize this feeling of peace. She didn't hear them approach until it was too late.
Masked men, four of them, emerged from behind the hedges.
Marie opened her mouth to scream. A strong hand clamped over her mouth. Another grabbed her waist. A cloth pressed to her face, sweet-smelling, chemical. She struggled, panic flooding through her, but the world was already going gray at the edges.
*No. No, please—*
Darkness swallowed her whole.
---
**THE AWAKENING**
Marie woke slowly, consciousness returning in fragments. Soft surface beneath her. Darkness. Unfamiliar scents. Her head felt stuffed with cotton. Her mouth dry.
Where—?
Memory crashed back. The garden. The masked men. The cloth over her face. Fear spiked through her.
She sat up quickly, too quickly, and the room spun. She was on a bed. A large bed in a spacious room lit only by a few candles. The walls were stone. The furnishings expensive but sparse. She wasn't hurt. Her dress was intact. She was alone. No, not alone. A figure moved in the shadows near the window. Marie's heart lurched.
"Please," she whispered, voice hoarse. "Please, I don't hurt me...my family will pay whatever..." The figure stepped into the candlelight. Lorenzo. Marie's words died in her throat. He stood there in shirtsleeves and dark trousers, hair slightly dishevelled, eyes burning with emotions Marie had never seen before on his face.
"You,"Marie breathed. Then, confusion and anger surging: "You did this? You kidnapped me?"
Marie swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her body swaying as she tried to stand. Her vision blurred, and she felt the room tilt beneath her feet. Lorenzo moved instantly, her hands reaching out to steady her, but Marie jerked away from the touch as though burned. "Don't," Marie hissed, shoving hard against Lorenzo's chest. Marie's breath came in sharp, angry gasps.
The fury that had been building inside her finally erupted. You left me, not the other way around. You could have died, and I wouldn't have known. I would have spent the rest of my life wondering what happened to you!" Her voice cracked with emotion. " I had made peace with that and I actually have moved on with a man who loves me. How dare you interfere."
Lorenzo stood there, her jaw tight, absorbing every word. When she finally spoke, her voice was low and careful. "I had given up, Marie. I thought it was for the best. But when I heard the truth of what this charade you were about to take part in was, I had to stop it." She stepped closer, her eyes searching Marie's. "Your whole family and William Stamford... are trying to make you the king's mistress for money and power"
Marie shook her head, denial automatic. "You're lying. You're just... This can't be! How naive do you think I am?"
"I would love if it was a lie?" Lorenzo moved closer still. "Ask yourself, Marie. Why would The king of England be this involved in your lives? Why is your family receiving more favours? What service has a teacher done for a king to deserve a tittle?" "
Marie exhaled sharply, the sound thick with disbelief. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over before she could stop them. "Anne is the king's favourite! We all know he gives her whatever she wants" Her voice rose with each word, trembling with rage and hurt. "Unbelievable!! ....Now? Now that a little bit of happiness is coming my way, you suddenly appear to save me from some presumed scheme? How convenient! That little story of your is just perfect! Shakespear himself would be impressed with your imagination!"
Before Lorenzo could respond, Marie's fists came down hard on her chest. Once, twice, three times, each blow punctuated by a sob she couldn't contain. Lorenzo stood perfectly still, letting Marie hit her, her expression pained but patient. She didn't flinch, didn't move to stop her. Not until Marie's strikes became more frantic. She was hurting herself now.
In one swift motion, Lorenzo caught both her wrists. Marie struggled, but Lorenzo was too strong. She spun Marie around and pressed her down onto the bed, pinning her wrists above her head. Lorenzo's face hovered inches from Marie's, her breath warm against Marie's skin.
"Listen to me," Lorenzo said, her voice urgent and raw. "The deal is simple," Lorenzo continued, relentless. "Your family, including William, gets their title. Henry gets you. William gets to play the count while his wife services a king. And when you bear Henry's children, William will claim them as his own. You'll be nothing more than the king's plaything, hidden behind the façade of a respectable marriage."
"No!" Marie screamed, thrashing beneath her. "I don't believe you! You're lying!" Her chest heaved, her whole body shaking. "And even if it was true, even if, how is this supposed to help?"
Lorenzo's expression softened, though her grip on Marie's wrists remained firm. Her thumb traced a small circle against Marie's pulse point, and Marie felt Lorenzo's heartbeat sync with hers for just a moment. "I have claimed you," Lorenzo said quietly, each word deliberate. "In a couple of hours, I will let the whole kingdom know about this. You will be mine, and they cannot touch you."
"What?" Marie's eyes went wide. She renewed her struggles with desperate energy. "This is illegal! You have no right—no right to do this to me!"