Upon the table was the most amazing, enormous model of a palace Fabien had ever seen. It stretched as long and wide as the table itself, and was complete with countless arched windows and doorways, columns, tiny white statuary, and miniature gardens in stunning detail. The crowd, awed, went instantly quiet.

“Behold the mother of France’s new destiny,” said Louis with a sweep of his arm. “As a mother she will cherish us. As her children we will cherish her. A palace that once your eyes rest upon its beauty, your heart is hers forever.”

Ladies touched their cheeks in amazement. Gentlemen nodded at one another. Fabien glanced at Beatrice saw, again, that she was watching him. His breath locked. And again he looked away.

“From the farthest reaches of the Earth,” the King continued, “men will venture here just to look upon her. And those who do will never forget her. I give you… Versailles.”

Chevalier was the first to make a sound. He laughed then applauded vigorously. The others joined in. The King smiled, buoyed by the admiration.

The crowd moved in even closer to study the model. Fabien turned his attention to Montcourt, who appeared to be fascinated with the model but then backed away and slipped quietly out of the room. Fabien looked at the King. Yes. Louis had seen Montcourt’s exit, too.

Through a darkened delivery tunnel Montcourt strode alone, glancing over his shoulders, moving stealthily between the cold gray walls. His face was set, his thoughts focused and hard. He paused by the wall and removed one loose stone. He placed a small scrolled message into the void, replaced the stone, and stalked away.

The morning sun had not yet risen when Louis was awakened by Bontemps and told that the birth of the royal child was imminent. Dressed quickly in his burgundy robe, the King hurried along the corridors to the Queen’s apartment, followed by Bontemps, Colbert, and his guards. Louvois, awakened by the tumult, appeared at his doorway as the entourage passed by.

“The Queen?” he asked. Bontemps nodded.

Louvois joined the procession, but as they reached the Queen’s door, the King addressed him. “Your war plans have no merit, Louvois. We cannot expose our flank. Encircle them all, one city at a time. Make for the Rhine, and then north to the sea. Bring me all of it.”

Louvois, taken aback, said, “I…I cannot plan a war this way. We cannot afford –”

“The money is there,” said the King. “And more important, so is the glory.”

Bontemps opened the door. All entered, but before Louvois could join them, the King slammed the door in his face.

Marie-Therese screamed, the sound piercing, agonized.