Reconcilliation (Part II)

What would it take for you to kill him?

*Nicholas looks at her intently*


You wish him dead?

*Leans in closely*

Yes.

*Nicholas conciders it* I do not think he would be missed .... but still it does not seem right to take a life, even one so vile as his


But ... we may have to do what we must

After what he did to me? What about James? Please Nicholas, there are two ways to end this. You can do it, or I can do it.

*Nicholas conciders her words. He thinks about what Richard did to her. He thinks about the little boy he has come to love as his own and the children they would soon add to thier family.*


If I must *he nods*

You must, now. You can just sneak in, kill him, carry him of and dump him somewhere. I can find a new ambassador. I will just say he was ill and went to France to take the waters.

Why not give him up to the Emperor?

Because, then everyone would know what he did to me, which is brutally humiliating.

*Nicholas frowns* I understand. But still Charles already knows you were attacked, we could hand Richard over and Chalres need know no more than he knows now

I am not comfortable with that. What will my people think if I bring the King of Spain in to settle my problems? That would not be wise or popular.

*Nicholas nods* You know best my dearest

I shall take care of it

You're going to kill him?

I will take care of it

Good. Just tell me when you're done, not how. *Kisses Nicholas on the cheek*.

*Nicholas looks troubled but smiles at her fondly*

Ok dearest

And don't do anything that you'd be afraid to tell a Priest during confession. *Marie is trying to lighten the mood, but for once it's not working*.

*Nicholas forces a smile and offers a slight chuckle*

What has happened to us? Before you wouldn't lay a finger on me and we flirted like young teenagers, and now we're plotting another man's death together.

I do not know *he replies sadly*

*he looks at her and for a moment and can not help but notice the irony of the present situation. He can not help but wonder if the dreadful rumors of her past were indeed true and his dearest Marie had been in this position before. Doubts threathen to shroud his love, and his trust in her and Nicholas wonders if he is the first man who Marie has asked to kill for her.*

*What she asks of him goes against everything he is, everything he believes. To spill the blood of anyone pains him, each time he is forced to take a life so he himself can survive he is riddled with self loathing. His only comfort lies in his refusal to take the life of an innocent. He has always justified his crimes by praying upon the evil. Richard surely deserves punishment, perhaps even death ... but not at the hands of his only blood kin. Nicholas knows that if he does this he will loose a part of himself, perhaps the last part of him that is noble and good, the last of him that is human.*

*he takes Marie's hand and kisses if softly*

I wudst give anything to go back to those times Marie ... but we can not can we? And I fear if we go forward with these palns we shall never look at each other the same again.

*Marie turns into every ince the haughty Queen. Crowned as a baby and expecting obedience*.

Nicholas, you have already promised me. Do you intend to break your word?

I will take care of it *he says again, his expression an unreadable mask*

Once the deed is done I pray you still look favorable upon me. What wilst thee think of a man who culdst murder his own flesh and blood? And what wilst I come to think of the one who wuldst ask me to do so?

*Marie looks stricken*.

I cannot believe that you have just said that to me. You know of my past, you think me a murderous Jezebel, don't you?

Of course I do not think that *he replies geuinely* I have never believed the untruths of your past.


But this is no trivial task we are ploting, it is surely the most cardinal of sins. And once it is done it can not be undone.

There are two ways we can handle this problem, one will destroy your soul and one will destroy mine.

And don't pull your Poker Face on me!