𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝑋𝑋𝑋𝑉𝐼

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          

~Where Our Loyalties Lie~
The Burgundian Court....
As the York party were escorted through the gilded halls of the Burgundian court, Constance couldn't help but feel a familiar warmth blossom in her chest. She had taught Margaret well it seemed when she draped the English court in glittering glamour for it was glamour the Burgundian court seemed to possess too! 
The halls bore the same elegant chaise lounges, draped in velvet for nobles to sit upon in all their splendour and wooden snakes and dragons ran up the bannisters just like at Châteaux de Moulins! The very place where her marriage to Edward had been made....
Her husband walked confidently at her side, one hand in hers, the other placed firmly on the bejewelled dagger hooked to his belt. His chin was raised, each step determined and not once did he turn his attention to the crowds of courtiers that unabashedly stared at them. 
The hushed mutterings behind ringed hands echoed all around the vast corridors but Constance found she couldn't blame the curious men and women! She knew her family was a topic for all Europe to feast upon and she doubted many would've refrained from gossip when Marguerite of Anjou went to the French court after fleeing England! 
Besides, their opinions didn't matter, it was their ruler's who did. 
The servant clad in blue and yellow who'd greeted them led them to a set of guarded ornate doors at the end of a hallway and Constance glanced over her shoulder to where Marie was. She smiled. The young Princess didn't seem to care for the incessant whispers and bobbed happily along between her Uncles, one hand holding up her skirts, the other looped around Richard's arm.
She seemed more relaxed than she'd been in months !but that was understandable, her Mother supposed, looking forward again, court life was all she'd ever known! 
The two armoured men guarding the chambers ahead stepped aside and bowed, opening the ornate doors to let the party glide through without a word. They were led into a small reception chamber, richly furnished to an extent that made even Constance stare in wonder! A fire raged in the marble hearth and, in its amber light, everything glinted - every inch of gold, every precious jewel! 
"If you'll wait here, your grace, her grace the Duchess shall be with you shortly" The servant said, bowing low and Edward waved him away, all too ready to assume a position of command again. God, it had been too long since he held it!
"Well" George quipped, picking up a golden goblet from a nearby table covered in purple velvet "She certainly doesn't live badly does she?" 
"Shut up" Richard muttered, rigidly sinking down onto one of the chaises by the fire "The last thing we need tonight is your mouth moving us into an early grave"