In His Warm Embrace

The Proposal

Henry Dupont paced up and down the prison room that he is currently sharing with his wife Margarette. His other children were god knows where but he prayed for their safety silently. As he was conjuring different thoughts and worst case scenario, a guard came to fetch him. He exchanged worried looks with his wife and kissed her goodbye. This may be the last time that he'll see her after all. 

The soldier and him walked through the cold corridor, interweaving from one area to the other. Dimly lit by rows of fire. They soon walked out of the prison walls where a carriage was waiting for him. Surprised, he asked the soldier where they are going but was given a silent response. 

The sceneries changed as hours went by and realization soon struck him at the breath of dawn. He is heading towards the castle. This means that he will get an audience with the King. Surprised, he walked silently into the King's private living area. 

The door closed behind him and he stood facing Bernard in his nightgown. Henry gave a slight bow and silently waited for the King to start talking. 

Soon enough, Bernard opened his mouth 

"I want your daughter." 

Henry froze. His minds were racing. 

"My daughter...sire?"

"Yes, your daughter. I want her to be mine."

He has two beautiful daughters Coraline and Marie. His heart aches just by thinking of giving one of his beautiful daughters to this man. A man much older than them. 

Before he could open his mouth, the King had blurted out the name of his desired lady

"Evelyn. Your oldest daughter."

When Henry heard that name, he breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God it was just Evelyn. That, he can give to the King.

"S-sire, I would like to know if this can help in lightening the sentence...?"

Bernard let out a laugh that sounds rather off-putting. 

"Give me Evelyn and this will secure your titles back."

Henry was stunned and immediately accepted the proposal. Bernard was rather taken aback that Henry accepted it so easily. He was expecting a debate and at least tears. But nevertheless, he waved it aside. Both parties have gotten what they wanted. Him Evelyn, and Henry, his titles. He allowed Henry to return to the prison cells to give his wife the good news. That they are now free in exchange for their eldest daughter's life.

As soon as the door closed, he immediately asked his guards to fetch Evelyn Dupont from her prison room and to bring her immediately.

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Henry Dupont rushed into the prison cell with glee and immediately told his wife the good news

"Darling, the King is willing to give us back our titles!"

Joyful, the wife cried with relief. This means that she'll still be able to hold her social parties and her daughters and sons would be able to have a good marriage. 

"But how, Henry? Why did the King give it back to us?"

"Ah yes, raising up that bastard of a child helped us after all."

Margaret was confused at first until she realized that her husband was talking about Evelyn. She let out a laugh

"Well well, all those years and money wasted on her....I guess it's worth it now. As long as it is not Caroline or Marie that the disgusting King fancies."

One may be surprised when reading this. As to why Henry and Margarette dislikes Evelyn so much. She is after all, their eldest daughter. This is however, only what the Duponts wants everyone to think. In reality, Evelyn Dupont is not related to them by blood. She is an adopted child that the Duponts took many years ago.

It is a weird tradition that has been passed down by the Duponts for generations. The head of the family, would always take a daughter in secret and raise them as one of their own. This is done to give the Duponts a safety net just in case they fall into sticky situations such as these.

Adopted daughters can be sold off, exchanged and be given away for wealth, glory and fame to anyone they deem not worthy enough for their daughters. 

A simple example would be Henry's 'sister'  Jacqueline, who like Evelyn, was also adopted into the family. 

When the older Duponts needed support from a wealthy mercenary - who is looking for his fourth wife - they offered Jacqueline in place of their actual daughter who at the end married a Viscount and became a Viscountess. 

Whilst Henry and Margaret relished in their victory, Evelyn was locked away in a different cell, asleep, not knowing that when the morning comes, she is to be taken to the King's chamber to become his mistress.