Something No Child Should See

You open the door. It opens quietly without a creak but once it does and you see what's inside, you are stunned. What you see stuns you so much that you release the knob and let the door swing wide open. Jacqueline notices that there is something wrong with you. "What's wrong?" Then she sees it too. She gasps brings her hands over her open mouth.

There you see your mother Beatrice sitting on Franz Jacques' lap, their arms encircling and holding each other tenderly and their lip passionately making contact. They were so focused with their kiss and with the door opening so quietly, they did not notice either you or Jacqueline.

You maybe a grown man but this was a sight you never wanted to see from either of your parents. "Ahem!" You pretended to clear you throat but it got their attention. Their kiss broke and turned their heads to you.

"My son, you have made it." Beatrice says after casually getting off Franz Jacques' lap.

You choose to ignore what you just saw and move on, "When will the wedding be?" you ask them.

Franz Jacques answers, "The day after tomorrow. The wedding will take place regardless of who hasn't made it yet." Franz Jacques says with finality.

"So what is this I hear of you uniting Ostgrenze with Toscana?" Your mother demands.

You looked back at her plainly and shrug, "It is as you heard it, mother. I got Duchess Eliza to agree with the union."

"How?" was all she asked.

"Now that there is a secret between me and the Duchess. I'll honestly tell you that you may have a grandchild soon."

"Oh?" Jacqueline raised an eyebrow in wonder. This is mirrored by her father.

Your mother however narrows her eyes. "What did you do?"

"Part of the deal was that Duchess Eliza would give birth to my child. I would legitimize our child as her successor and the next ruler of the Ostgrenze province of Toscana. The child I will have with my lawful wife will be my heir though. I respectfully refuse to say any more."

"So Duchess Eliza is your mistress?" Franz Jacques inquires. He had heard of rumors that the Duchess had made her suitors undergo a series of humiliating trials and if true (which it was), it made her sound like she was deliberately trying to ward off men rather than invite them. Which makes it even stranger that she'd allow herself to be mistress.

"I prefer the term concubine since mistress is actually the female counterpart master. But no, she isn't a mistress."

"Ha!" went Jacqueline, "first Lothelsabourg and then Toscana. That's a lot of territorial gain within the first few months of your reign and all without a single swing of a sword. Should I be impressed?"

"You may take it however you want." You politely say. "Lothelsabourg was basically a giant dowry. But Toscana was a combination of luck, circumstance, intelligence and risk which worked out well in the end."

Your mother speaks heatedly again, "And am I correct to assume you had your arrangements with the Duchess of Toscana well documented and signed?"

You wave a calming hand at Beatrice, "It is of no cause for concern, mother. A treaty was signed. I have a copy and so does Eliza."

Beatrice speaks no more but merely nods her head in acknowledgement.