Je T'aime. - Chapter 44: Chapter 44

"Jesus Christ," I hissed as Pia pressed an ice cold spoon to my neck.
"Stay still," Pia grumbled, moving my head back to its former position. "I know this works, just give me a second."
"I could just wear the fichu again."
"You are not wearing that hideous thing to the palace opening. You'll look like a nun. See, it's already going away."
I glanced at myself in the mirror, already done up in my light blue gown, matching ribbons twisting through my hair. Pia lifted the spoon from my neck and the purple spot was indeed fading. "Hey, it's working!"
Pia grinned slyly. "See, I told you," she moved towards the window, parting the curtains, a streak of sunlight stretching across her face. "Wow, the garden's full of people. Come look."
I came beside her and gazed out the window at the garden, brilliantly turning green, dotted with figures dressed mostly in spring-appropriate lights and pastels. There was a large marquise in the green, from which I could see tables being set up and blooms of rose decorations entwining the poles. It truly was a spectacle. I said to Pia, "Can I please have my hat?"
As much as I wanted Pia's company, I knew I could not have it in such a capacity. I ventured down into the brilliantly decorated gardens with the intent of making a direct line for the Orangerie. There I found my mother, who wore a sash of Austria across her torso, as she most often did when she was most proud. Behind her was her most trusted official, Count Kaunitz.
"Ah, and there she is. How lovely you look," my mother hissed both of my cheeks, her diamond and emerald necklace glimmering in the sunlight.
"Thank you, Mama, you are as majestic as always."
"Come, come, my dear," my mother ushered me to her side. "Papa waits in the Orangerie."
We continued across the garden, Count Kaunitz's walking staff crunching in the path's gravel. He offered a gentile smile to me. "I can smell the orange blossoms all of the way from here," he said, looking to me and squinting slightly in the sun.
"Yes, it's wonderful," I replied. The Orangerie was a long, beige colored building with high arched windows that let in plenty of light for the young trees to prosper. It stood sparkling in the pleasant light of day, the surrounding spectators welcoming its return to the new season. "I must certainly visit here more often."
With a flourish of trumpets and a swaying sea of bows and curtsies, we entered the Orangerie. Though in the shade of the building, it was warm and sticky with humidity. Mingling amongst the wide, green branches of the orange trees were many beautifully dressed members of the court, snacking on refreshments stacked high on a long table. There were piles upon piles of fresh fruits, cascading across the table like a materialized rainbow. Standing by the table with a glass of champagne was a man that I didn't recognize, but he wore a pink and green sash of diplomatic service across his chest. My mother called out, "Hello, Ambassador!" cheerily.
As we approached, the man bowed courteously, but with a smile of knowing. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Your Grace."
Count Kaunitz smiled warmly at the man as he rose from his bow. "Welcome home, Florimond."
The young man grinned. "Thank you, sir, I'm grateful that I can be back in Vienna, even though it will be for a short time. Then I shall be off to Saint Petersburg, and hopefully I can work my way into possible peace treaty proceedings through the Russians."
"I have full faith in you, Ambassador Mercy," said my mother, "You did a splendid job as the Ambassador to Sardinia at Turin."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Suddenly, my mind clicked.  "Ambassador to Sardinia?" I said, mostly to myself, but it must have been loud enough for others to hear.
"Yes," my mother confirmed. "But you were very young when Ambassador Mercy left. What was it? Six years ago? Seven?"
"Seven, Your Majesty. Seven great years of Sardinian service. I remember the young Archduchess being a very gracious young girl, and I see that has not changed."
My mind swirled with thoughts and ideas. "Mister Ambassador," I said, "Would you care to take a stroll with me?"
Ambassador Mercy looked puzzled, but he agreed anyways with a nod of blessing from my mother. I took his arm courteously, and we went together away from the rest of the party and towards the great expansions of the gardens. Mercy sighed. "I must soak up as much sunshine as I can before I'm sent off to Russia. Italy to Russia is quite the climate change. Turin is a pleasant city, so beautiful and warm."
"Yes, I'm sure it would be," I said, using his statement to slide into my intention. "Did you happen to know a prince in Turin by the title of the Duke of Chablais?"
The Ambassador looked to me, his eyebrows furrowing with confusion. "Yes, the Prince Benedetto, though I never saw much of him. He has quite the enthusiasm for hunting and never stayed around the palace for very long. He is friendly but not very bright, I'm afraid."
I could have burst out laughing, but I suppressed it. "And did you hear of the-"
A knowing smile spread across the Ambassador's face. "Plans for your marriage there? Of course, but I'm afraid that was the undoing of my duties in Turin."
Excitement rose within me for tidbits of information. "How so?"
"The Duke of Chablais," he began, "Is completely incapable of being a candidate for a political marriage. He is inattentive, immature and unimportant. I tried to convince your father of this but he would not have it. Then he started personal correspondence with the Duke right under my nose! So I wrote your father a letter to tell him to stop, but I supposed that it was too strongly worded, for in the next letter I was informed that I was being relocated to Saint Petersburg. But under no circumstances could I advice the Emperor of such a match. It would be of no political importance and disastrous to the bride."
"I'm glad, sir, for I am boldly opposed to the match as well."
"I could tell," said the Ambassador, dropping his voice to a whisper. "That miniature that you sent along was most certainly not of you."
"Did the Duke realize this?"
"Absolutely not, and I had no intention to tell him."
Ambassador Mercy and I laughed. "Thank you for looking out for me, but my father is relentless. He talks about putting forth my sister Maria Elisabeth for him."
"That might be worse," explained Mercy. "Maria Elisabeth is known Europe over for her great beauty and such a low-ranking husband would not be tolerated. I don't foresee any marriage between the Duke of Chablais and an Austrian Archduchess at all."
Ambassador Mercy and I came to the other side of the Orangerie, having completed our cycle around the section of the garden. My heart raced with joy, and I knew exactly who I needed to see. "Thank you for your time and insight, Ambassador."
"Of course," Mercy was called from across the room. He tipped his hat and bowed to me, "Your Highness," and was gone.
Elated, I worked my way through the summery crowd. A small band was playing light music on violins and flutes, which fluttered through the air like a light butterfly. My eyes scanned every lady, hoping to find one person in particular. I could recognize her from aura alone, but I searched and searched anyways. Luckily, I did see another familiar face.
"Eleanore!"
Eleanore turned, her pearl earrings swaying with the motion of her head. "Hello querida," she said as I came at a jogging approach.
"Where's Isabella?" came from me quickly, and I didn't realize after how rude that could have sounded, immediately asking for Isabella before greeting Eleanore.
"Up in her chambers," Eleanore replied. "She isn't feeling well."
"Is it a migraine?"
"She didn't say. But I believe Joseph is up with her now," she turned to glance at a passing gentleman's pocket watch. "He should be coming down at eleven, in about fifteen minutes or so."
Laughing awkwardly, I replied, "I don't even know why I came down here if not for her." Eleanore just stared at me, blankly. "Well, enjoy yourself."
"I will," Eleanore's voice came from behind me as I turned and fled the party. Though I know it was a frivolous reason, I was upset. I had been looking forward to seeing her. Being away from her physically ached. We needed to take advantage of all of the time that we could see each other, especially unmonitored by Joseph's suspicious eye.
But I couldn't blame her. She was exhausted. But I knew that if it was me, I would be doing everything to see her. I felt a brush of air pass behind me. "Your Highness," said an official voice, and a letter was handed to me.
"Oh, thank you," as if on cue, the letter was stamped with a perfect blue circle of wax. I unfolded the letter hastily.
Christina,
I am so sorry that I cannot attend the palace opening today. I was looking forward to it very much, and I know that many courtiers and visitors will be expecting me. It pains me so- the Empress has told me it is such an occasion for a Crown Princess. Unfortunately my body betrays me and I have felt increasingly ill through the dark hours of the morning into today. I hope that I do not miss much excitement. And don't fret about me- I'll be just fine.
Your very own,
Isabella
I folded the letter and put it in my pocket. What was it worth being here if it would be without her? She would sit up in her apartments all alone. Abandoning the party, I turned and began to move towards the palace in the distance.
Coming down the path towards me was a beaming face wrapped in the most intricate of light fabrics, her blonde hair decorated with bright flowers. "Mimi!" she called out, running towards me. She grasped me by my arm and spun me around, laughing. "The party's this way!"
"I'm not in the mood, Liesl," I tried to explain, but my sister was already dragging me back the way that I came.
"Oh, come on," admonished Liesl. "But there will be dancing! You know how much I love dancing. And even Marianna will be down. Come, come- imagine all of the handsome young guests. Albert doesn't need to know."
I dug my heels into the gravel, slowing myself to a stop. Liesl turned back to look at me, her eyes wide and mouth open slightly with confusion. "Liesl," Her grip of my arm loosened, trailing to a light hold of my hand. Her bright blue eyes glimmered in the sun. "I've had my share of the party. Isabella isn't feeling well."
"Well, that doesn't mean that you can't have any fun. She gets those headaches all of the time."
"I can't bring myself to dance when I'm worried about her. You go and have fun, though."
Liesl's face softened with pity. "Oh," she said breathily. "I'll make a toast to her health. Are you off to pay her a visit?"
"That is the hope, yes."
Liesl inhaled, nodding her head. "I understand. Go ahead," she gave my hand a quick squeeze and let go. "I understand what she means to you," she smiled earnestly. "Are there any dancing partners that you recommend in there?"
"Comte Florimond de Mercy," I said with a tinge of sadness. "He is the former Ambassador to Sardinia at the Turin court."
Liesl chuckled. "I guess I should ask him a few questions."
"That would probably be beneficial. Have fun."
"Thanks."
My sister and I went our separate ways. The yellow palace stood quiet and forgotten as the gardens were blooming with life. The sun kissed my skin, a blessing after the long and bitter winter. Holding up my hand to protect my eyes from the rays, I looked to a particular window. There was a figure, as lovely as could be, standing at the window. She was in her dressing-gown, her hair running over her shoulders in long dark curls. I smiled and waved to her. All I got in response was a soft wave. I watched her close her curtains, and she was gone.