Chapter 22
Nicole was sitting by a sleeping King Louis when Francis and Marie finally walked into the room.
Nicole stood and let Francis walk over to his grandfather. Marie stood next to her friend.
“I have a lot of explaining to do,� she said, but Nicole put a finger to her lips.
“Grandfather?� Francis called out to him. “Are you asleep?�
Nicole was about to say something when Louis opened his eyes.
“Where have you been, young man? We have all been worried sick.�
Francis smiled and looked around at Nicole. She was smiling as well.
“Marie and I have gotten married, Grandfather. We decided to do it now rather than wait. I didn’t know what had happened, Grandfather, or else I would have been here sooner.�
“No need, my grandson,� Louis said, smiling. “You have done what you had to and I am proud of you. The only thing that I missed is a ceremony.�
“And you shall have that as soon as you can manage, Grandfather, I will see to that.�
“Everyone out of the way,� Nicole called, “the court physician has finally arrived.�
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Auguste couldn’t have been happier. He had everything he wanted, well almost. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to marry and raise goats, pigs and chickens, but he most certainly knew what he didn’t want.
And that was a life in the army.
This would be the perfect excuse. So he would become a farmer and quit the Royal Guards. He and Nicole would settle down and have children. Lots of children, maybe one of each sex. And they would live out their lives blissfully happy, surrounded by lots of grandchildren.
He smiled and decided that he couldn’t wait here anymore. In the morning he would go back and propose. Apologize and propose, he corrected. The sooner, the better.
Auguste lay back in his bed, smiled and stared at the ceiling. He was thinking about what he would tell Nicole, when he fell asleep.