Kindle Edition
Amazon
Amanda Kai Author
StoryOrigin
Category:
Romance
Publisher: Regal Swan Publishing
Type: Fiction
Pages: 28
Copyright: November 10, 2019
Price: $0.99 (eBook)
A fictional story based on the life of Marie Antoinette
The marriage between the Dauphin of France and the Archduchess of Austria was purely a political arrangement, born out of their two countries' desire for an alliance. Marie Antoinette hoped for nothing more than friendship between herself and Louis-Auguste when they set off for a month in the countryside. But in this idyllic setting, she begins to yearn for something more. Could romance be in store for the young newlyweds? Will they discover the key to happiness in their arranged marriage, or will the pressures of their families' expectations keep their feelings locked away?
Excerpt
Several weeks had passed since my relocation to the palace at Versailles where I wedded Louis-Auguste, and became the new Dauphine of France. My new husband and I barely knew each other for a day before we were joined in matrimony. No courtship was allowed, except through letters, and we had never laid eyes on one another until my arrival. Were it not for the delightful miniature of the Dauphin, sent to my mother, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, in order to obtain approval of the match, I would not have even recognized my intended upon our meeting.
I had hoped that our knowledge of one another might improve after the wedding, once we were freely able to spend time in one another’s presence. Alas! This was not to be the case. No time was afforded to us as a happy couple to begin a solid relationship. Poor Louis was kept incessantly busy attending meetings with his grandfather the king and the other advisors. When these were not in session, he was expected to engage with the nobles on hunting trips and other sporting and social events, to maintain good relations. I was relegated to playing at cards with my ladies-in-waiting or attending elegant balls. From sunup to sundown, I never had a moment alone with my husband. For the brief duration of our marriage until present, Louis had barely even touched me, and I found that when I climbed into bed each night, I was sleeping next to a virtual stranger.
This was a problem that must be remedied. I could not remain happy in a marriage to one I knew so little. Every couple ought to take the time to become acquainted with one another, if only to further amicable relations between them. An idea formulated in my mind: we ought to take a honeymoon retreat in the countryside. Spend our days in seclusion apart from the royal court, where we could be free to discover one another’s true selves and cement our union as husband and wife. It took much persuasion on my part, for the intrusive and self-seeking noblemen and ladies who attended us wished to keep close-watch over our every activity. To them, being denied their moments to curry our favor and extract droplets of gossip to spread through the court was almost unbearable! To this point, they were reluctant to assist my endeavor. But at last, dear Ambassador Mercy stepped in on our behalf, and convinced the king to grant us permission. I should have known I could look to him for assistance in such matters; he has been, and always will be, my only fellow Austrian countryman in the court of Versailles, and ever my advocate in times of need.
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