Ten Years Later Chapter 48 - Fontainebleau at Two o'Clock in the Morning

Louise de la Vallière Chapter 45 - How Jean de La Fontaine Came to Write His First Tale

In which the convivial gatherings at Saint-Mandé reveal the strained finances and spirited camaraderie surrounding Fouquet’s circle, punctuated by La Fontaine’s mischievous recounting of personal trials and the birth of his risqué literary endeavour. The troupe’s generosity and La Fontaine’s hopeful wit illuminate the delicate balance of art, debt, and friendship in these spirited times.

Louise de la Vallière Chapter 44 - Two Friends

In which two old friends, separated by time and misfortune, meet again to reflect on sorrow and long-buried secrets amid the shadows of their shared history. The duchesse’s earnest invitation and the queen’s generous promise to aid her bring a tender moment of reconciliation and hope to their weary lives.

Louise de la Vallière Chapter 43 - An Interview with the Queen-Mother

In which the queen-mother, Anne of Austria, is visited at the Palais Royal by a mysterious masked Beguine who speaks to her in cryptic and solemn terms about the hidden burdens and secret sorrows that weigh upon her heart and the realm. As the two converse with veiled references to past grief and state secrets, long-trusted confidences unravel through tender words and veiled threats, revealing the profound loneliness and complexity beneath royal composure.

Louise de la Vallière Chapter 42 - The Skin of the Bear

In which Colbert receives a letter, engages in a measured and strategic dialogue with the cautious counselor Vanel concerning the possible sale of a powerful parliamentary office, and carefully plots to extend a loan under strict conditions. The narrative unfolds with subtle manoeuvrings, revealing a delicate balance of ambition, loyalty, and the intricate mechanics of influence within the corridors of power.

Louise de la Vallière Chapter 41 - Wherein May Be Seen that a Bargain Which Cannot Be Made with One Person, Can Be Carried Out with Another

In which Madame de Chevreuse, seasoned in the subtle arts of political intrigue, seeks a clandestine bargain with the formidable Monsieur Colbert, involving secrets that might unseat a powerful minister. The negotiation, shrouded in mutual caution and veiled threats, culminates in a delicate arrangement that hinges on trust, stratagem, and an audacious request for access to the queen herself.