And he!
He was smiling!
All stained with the blood of a defeated animal, mixed with foliage and earth. He smiled at her. Anger seized her.
Are you crazy?! She cried out, unable to contain herself.
Do you always attack wild animals with your bare hands?!
You really hoped to strangle him?!
The monster almost killed you! She finished, annoyed.
He laughed loudly and abruptly, catching a breath that still hadn’t come back to normal after a deadly hug with a boar.
Are you madam? He parried, cheerfully.
Always stay in place like a statue? And do not try to escape when you see a wounded, and I want to note, an extremely dangerous wild boar.
Or did you intend to greet him kindly? He finished, clearly enjoying their conversation.
And continuing to smile contentedly, he looked at her confused look. He continued almost seriously, but with the same note of sarcasm.
I guess I should have waited for him to charge you?
She was taken aback. Not finding what to answer him. Indeed, it was true; it was incredibly stupid that she did not rush away from this monster as soon as she noticed him. And if Heinrich had not appeared so on time. The boar would no doubt rush at her. Not finding anything to say to him, she just flapped her eyelashes. She looked so confused that he could not resist and laughed heartily. And then she noticed that his leg was bleeding.
Oh my God! She screamed.
You are injured!
She sat down beside him to help and, trying to examine his wound, eyes full of sympathy, compassion and fear.
Nonsense, he waved it off.
Scratch. Diana, you shouldn’t be so worried. He smiled sweetly at her.
Everything heals very quickly on me.
You need to be bandaged! You will lose a lot of blood! Poitiers did not agree with him.
She already wanted to put her words into action. Suddenly there was a noise and crackling nearby in the bush. And in the next instant, riders of a man and a woman, as well as their dogs, flew into the clearing. Seeing the defeated boar, and next to him the wounded Henry, the men rushed to the prince in a hurry to help. In the next instant, they tightened and bandaged his wound. Women sitting side by side on their horses and groaned. Continuing to cast loving glances towards the prince.
Ah! Poor thing!
He looks badly injured! They whispered.
The whole crowd pushed Poitiers aside. She watched in silence. The men made something like a stretcher for Henry. They lamented about how close they were to the boar, and a little more and the prey would be in their hands. Talking about how Heinrich beat everyone up again and took the loot. Heinrich reassured them. Saying that they might be lucky next time they hunt. But, clearly not going to give in to anyone next time. And suddenly, he said loudly, looking for Diana with his eyes among the crowd.
No gentlemen!
I wouldn’t have been able to catch him myself if it weren’t for Madame de Poitiers!
She’s a great hunter!
The beast runs towards it!
Saying this. He looked at her slyly and mischievously, smiling broadly at her. All heads turned towards her. Looking with curiosity. As if to say. Is that really true?! She shot him an angry look and answered coldly.
Complete nonsense.
I ended up here by accident.
But, Henry was completely amused, despite his wound, continued.
Gentlemen, don’t believe her!
Madame de Poitiers is just being shy!
She pursed her lips, casting an almost angry look in his direction. Hoping that he will finally calm down. He winked at her cheerfully, continuing to arrive in good spirits.
What nonsense is he talking! Diana thought irritably, turning away from him in order to end this conversation. And so, this whole honest company. Horses, people, dogs, the carcass of a wild boar, prey, undoubtedly, Heinrich and he himself, leading, like a Caesar, all this noisy company, moved through the forest, heading back to the palace. He was carried by men, like a Roman emperor on an improvised stretcher, since he himself could not ride on horseback because of a wound on his leg, which was ripped apart, like a sharp blade by boar fangs almost to the very thigh.
He was pale from blood loss, but he didn’t seem to care at all. He was having fun and joking. The men laughed loudly at his jokes, and the ladies giggled coquettishly. He himself swung his arms in different directions, as well as his one leg, since his other leg was not able to tap the first. Poitiers gave way to the horse, as her mare had fled somewhere. She rode a little further away from him. Heinrich now and then turned his head, looking for her in the crowd, and when he found, he smiled good-naturedly at her.
In the evening, all this society gathered for a feast on the occasion of a successful hunt. And, in spite of his wounded leg, Heinrich rejoiced heartily. His prey, already well-done, was greeted with noisy and stormy exclamations, praising the hunter for courage and dexterity. The courtiers were noisy and merry. When enough wine had been drunk, they began to play a sweet and reckless game, blind man’s buff. They put on a black silk bandage over their eyes and circled.
And the one who had his eyes closed with a blindfold had to catch with his eyes closed one of the fleeing. If it was an attractive lady, then there were many willing gentlemen to fall into her hands.
If it was an attractive man, then the lady who liked him should not have bothered to fall into his arms, pretending that she was trying to run away.
And for some reason many of the ladies ran so badly that they very quickly found themselves in the clutches of the players. The bottom line was that no one really ran away from anyone, but sooner found himself in the arms of the one who turned out to be nice to him. A kiss was considered a win, but one kiss, as a rule, did not end anything. Heinrich was sitting at the table, watching the game. Putting his wounded leg on a small velvet stool. Poitiers remained in the same place, not participating in the fun. He looked at her.
Not playing? He asked.
No, she answered, bored.
What not? Heinrich continued.
You might have some fun.
The corners of her lips floated up like the wings of a butterfly.
I don’t see a decent player there. She answered, still smiling.
He laughed.
Yes, but I think a lot of people would love to fall into your wonderful hands. He continued their dialogue.
She raised her eyebrows. She looked at him intently and carefully and answered.
You seem to be worried that you can’t play? She sang.
Oh, I think you would have caught a dozen of the nicest ladies at a time.
Those who didn’t get caught would obviously be upset. She finished, purring the words sarcastically like a big cat. Smiling at him with just the corner of her lips.
He smiled back at her.
How angry you are, though! He answered with a grin.
Ah, my dear Diana.
What do I care about these pet cats. He smiled at her with a grin.
Either you! Another thing!
Try to eat someone for lunch or dinner.
Unfortunate victims! He added.
And do not suspect that the prey. He sighed.
And the bigger the game, the better for you. He continued.
Obviously hinting at the king and her relationship with him.
Poitiers said nothing, slowly rose from the table. Letting him know that he was leaving and grimaced picturesquely, replied.
I’m not hungry today.
Heinrich laughed, shaking his head.
So they’re lucky! He said, waving lazily at the running, cheerful crowd.
Where are you going? He asked.
She bowed to him in pictures.
Of course, sleep, your highness! She purred and swam like a swan to the exit.
He called after her.
Will you leave a sick, almost dying person?!
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