<span style="font-style: italic">"You..I..do not have to explain myself to you!”</span><br/><br/>To say that Genevieve was taken aback by this sudden outburst was an understatement. She couldn't help but bring a hand to her neck and stare. Had she unintentionally offended the king? It would seem so! But...<span style="font-style: italic">how</span>? She conceded to his wishes. She expressed thanks for his accommodations. She tried to keep it light with humor. She racked her brain and found nothing. But there had to<span style="font-style: italic">be</span>something...right?<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"If colors are such a difficulty then we shall do away with them altogether and wear nothing at all!”</span>The gasp of a kitchen maid only partial caught Genevieve's attention as she listened to the King's tirade.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Fear not Dear Lady, I shall not command it but offer it as yet another alternative for you to <span style="font-weight: bold">reject</span>!</span><br/><br/>Genevieve stood, her own chair scrapping while her hands fell to her sides in tight fists. He had the audacity too- Genevieve's eyes narrowed and her jaw tightened. As his own words continued to flow, despite someone, Genevieve knew not, tried to gain his attention. One of her own maids, came to her elbow, touching it lightly.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Woe to the man who is to be good enough for the perfect Lady Genevieve! Surely he must be a profound fool to ..”</span><br/><br/>Those words struck. Perhaps they were true? A man<span style="font-style: italic">would</span>have to be a fool to marry her. She would have to be a fool to marry at all. To think she had actually entertained the idea just this morning! Her chest rose and fell with her breathing, Genevieve was trying her very best to keep it steady as she watched his head fall. Oh how she wanted to speak. To tell him to cancel their wedding. She wanted to go home.<br/><br/>No. Her father would not accept that and would only send her away again. She would stay, but she would send a message. A very clear message.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You are free to dine as you please, My Lady, for this evening.”</span><br/><br/>As the King left, Genevieve looked to Hector and then Elenore in return. "Did..I say something?" Her voice was cautious. She shook her head. "Nevermind." She, herself, strode from the room and to her own chambers, her maids following her. In her room, Genevieve was surprised to find portraits left there so soon. The King must have ordered them sent in anticipation of her agreement to look them over. They were so...intimate. Genevieve sighed. These people must have had months to fall in love with each other. She had only days. How could they expect her to stand so close to someone for<span style="font-style: italic">hours</span>without really knowing them?<br/><br/>Genevieve gently traced the paint strokes on one of them, wondering if she could ever have such a happiness. Why couldn't she? Because she was royalty and if she wanted to influence and change people's lives she needed to marry. It just wasn't fair.<br/><br/>___<br/><br/>Come morning, if asked to join the king for breakfast, Genevieve would refuse stating. "The king is free to dine as he pleases, but I will join him to meet his subjects." She would then dress not in an Ivory gown, but a golden bodiced one with red pleated skirts. Her hair would be drawn into a net of red gems and, pointedly, Genevieve would have one of her maids tie a golden ribbon to keep the net in place.  While waiting to be summoned, Genevieve would spend her time in the library speaking with old Jorgensen.