Episode 6
1066 Words
Angelica stays in the sitting room, waiting for Frederic.
She places her hands over her thigh while tapping it gently.
Tonight she was wearing a blue evening gown,the bodice was sewn perfectly to fit her shape.
Her hair loosened freely around her face, making her look like a beautiful dream.
The gown matches her eyes making them shine brightly
She wore minimal jewelry as well.
Even though blue wasn't her favorite color,she wore it tonight as an act of final obedience.
The clothing represents the last time she was ever going to be controlled.
After today, Angelica thought to herself
She would never have to wear this anymore.
It all ends tonight.
A maid comes to the sitting room to announce Frederic's arrival.
Angelica rubs her hands nervously as she leaves to welcome him.
But what Angelica didn't expect was to meet two men waiting by the hallway.
Her palms start to water.
“This is bad”, Angelica says to herself
Of all the nights a visitor could come ,it just had to be this night.
And it had to be Richard.
Richard is the son of one of the most prominent business men in France. He was famous for his revelry in women and alcohol.
Charming and known for his looks.
Richard is mostly described as free spirited.
And surprisingly, Frederic's best and closest friend.
Richard walks up to Angelica first.
He bows,takes her hand and kisses the back of it.
“ Duchess Angelica”, Richard says
“You look as beautiful as ever,like a blooming flower”, he continues while raising up his head.
“Sir Richard”
“ How lovely to be blessed by your presence today”, Angelica retorts.
“ I do hope I'm not imposing Duchess,but I've been invited to join you for dinner”,he smiles as he looks over to Frederic.
Richard has always been a charmer,his smooth demeanor and chatty nature made him popular among women.
Frederic says to the maid behind Angelica.
“ Sir Richard would be having dinner with us tonight,prepare his table”, he says as he walks past Angelica.
Oh.
Yea.
Angelica remembers.
Richard is the only person Frederic didn't have to pretend to.
He didn't have to act like a loving or dutiful husband.
He could be his proud and self absorbed self with his best friend around.
But Angelica didn't mind this time,soon everything would be over.
Now she just has to make sure Richard doesn't eat the food with the poisoned tomato.
She thought to herself.
Where is Lucille when you need her?.
Richard stretches his hand to Angelica.
“ May I be your escort tonight Duchess?”
“Of course, she replies back while smiling”.
He puts her hand in his as they walk to the dining room.
_ _ _
Angelica starts to panic as dinner is being served.
She looks at Frederic sitting across from the other side of the table and at Richard sitting next to him.
Her intention was to murder her husband, not start a killing spree.
If two people died after eating her food, people would be suspicious.
All she wanted was to be free and now she was about to kill her husband and Paris most eligible bachelor.
What is she going to do?
How will she stop this?
It's already too late to make another dish.
Now,all she can do is hope Richard doesn't eat the food containing the tomato among the varieties of food displayed tonight.
Angelica watches them slowly as they talk about business while eating.
Monitoring the food going into their mouth.
Nervousness won't let her take a bite.
She watches as they both eat the food with the tomato in it.
“ Oh,no” she thinks,
“ This isn't what I wanted “ .
Her hand shakes as she reaches for a glass of water
She spills it all over.
Lucille rushes in immediately with a cleaning cloth.
“ Milady,are you okay?” She says as she hurries to clean the spill on the table.
Lucille looks at Angelica and uses her eyes to signal to the jar of water on the table next to the food.
Angelica understands.
She stands up immediately, pretending to check if the water spilled on her dress and uses her elbow to knock the jar of water into the food.
The water spills everywhere.
Frederic gets up first.
“Are you okay?”He says to Angelica.
He had never seen her so clumsy before.
He looks at the table,water has spilled in most of the food displayed on the table.
Richard stands up and hands Angelica his handkerchief.
She refuses it.
She doesn't look at Frederic either.
“ I'm so sorry everyone,I don't know what got into me,I'm being so clumsy”
She apologizes, a look of mock pity on her face.
“Excuse me, while I go change my gown” Angelica says
“ If you don't mind going to the sitting room,the maids will serve desserts and tea there” she says to Richard.
“ Of course duchess, we will be waiting for you in the sitting room “
Angelica bows to Frederic, then to Richard before leaving the dining hall as Lucille runs after her.
When they are out of earshot, Lucille says to her
“ That was close, milady”, she pants as she cleans sweat from her face.
“I know Lucille,I was so scared,my hands were shaking”
“ Thank goodness for your fast thinking milady, pouring water in the food was smart” Lucille praises her.
But Angelica knew she wasn't thinking at that moment,it was her nerves and jiltery hands that saved her.
And Lucille for taking it as a sign to help her out.
As Lucille helps her change into a new outfit.
She questions Angelica.
“Milady”
“Uhmm”,
Angelica says partly listening
“ But before we poured water in the food, they had already eaten out of the food. Does this mean they are both going to die” she asks
“Shhhhh, be quiet Lucille”
Angelica says as she whispers in Lucille's ear
“ No,they won't”,
“ They didn't consume enough to be dangerous to their body” she says into her ears.
“ Do you understand now?”
“ Yes madame”.
- Writer
