The Crown of the Hundred Years' War

Chapter 26 Night Talk

After Joan of Arc was brought back to her room, the number of guards at the door doubled, and even her lunch was brought in by someone. She didn't find anything strange about it, but picked up the map book she had found at the dressing table yesterday and began to look through it. It was a topographical map of the Kingdom of France drawn more than ten years ago. Although she couldn't read, she roughly located Orléans by comparing it with what Bautrecourt had explained.

She was engrossed in her reading when there was a knock on the door. It was "Charles" and Arthur. They had a servant bring in some candles, and Joan of Arc realized that the sun was almost setting. "Charles" dismissed the servant and then had Arthur go out and close the door behind him.

Joan of Arc knelt down and bowed to him: "Your Majesty, thank you for your trouble."

Charlie laughed: "It seems you weren't just guessing, you really can tell the difference. Rise, no need for formalities. I've had René check it several times, and he's said my makeup is flawless. I'm here mainly to ask how you figured out René was a double? Nobody has ever been able to tell the difference between René and me."

Joan of Arc stood up and shook her head, saying, "Your Majesty, I didn't know he was impersonating you. I only recognized you as the true center of attention in that council chamber. I am just a country girl and don't know how Your Majesty should dress, but I could tell that everyone in the hall was observing your every word and action."

Charlie smiled and sat down: "So many noble scholars are not as good as a young girl! I know you must have a lot of questions. We have plenty of time tonight, so don't be too reserved. Ask away."

Joan of Arc sat back down at her dressing table and asked in bewilderment, "Your Majesty, what's wrong with your voice? Why does it sound completely different from this morning?"

Charlie shook his head: "This is my natural voice"—that was Agnes's clear and bright voice, "and I imitated it with some little tricks. I practiced for several years for just a few simple sentences."—Then he switched back to Charlie's deep and slow voice.

Joan of Arc was somewhat surprised: "This is ventriloquism, isn't it? That kind of magic that allows you to speak without opening your mouth? And it can even be used to change your voice? Your Majesty, why do you go through all this trouble to conceal your female identity, instead of inheriting the kingdom directly as a woman like Lady Yolande?"

Charlie watched her silently until Joan became a little nervous, then he chuckled, "Good heavens, my dear girl, you have no idea how big a secret you've stumbled upon today?"

Charles grasped Joan of Arc's hands and said solemnly, "Good girl, all of Europe, even the kings of pagans, can be women, but only France cannot."

She pointed to the coat of arms of the Valois dynasty on the headboard: "My ancestors, a century ago, unearthed the Salic Law, which stipulated that no woman could inherit the throne. This decision directly led to our ongoing war with the British."

Then she pointed to a portrait in the room, in which a middle-aged man bore a resemblance to "Charles": "During my father's reign, this code became the fundamental law of the Kingdom of France and was engraved in stone and placed in the church."

Finally, she pointed to herself: "Eight years ago, my mother personally announced that I was an illegitimate child. If I were recognized as a woman, my position in the line of succession would be even lower than that of several counts in my court. The moment this secret was exposed, the last small court of the Valois dynasty would immediately collapse."

She looked at Joan of Arc, whose face had turned deathly pale, and released her grip: "Don't be afraid, my dear girl. Everyone present in the council chamber today knew this secret before you did. But we certainly didn't expect any newcomers to join us."

"Don't overthink it. I am indeed of the Valois lineage. My name is Charlotte, and Charles is the name of my twin brother who died young." She stood up and stroked Joan's hair, saying softly, "The reason I went to the trouble of disguising myself as a man to inherit the throne was at my father's request, and also because I, like you, did not want to hand over the kingdom to those greedy and ambitious people."

Joan of Arc finally calmed down, and she looked up at Charlotte: "Your Majesty, since this secret is so important, what can I do for you?"

Charlotte turned and sat back down. "You don't need to do anything. Just leave this room. I'll still be your Empress in this dress; and when I change into a dress, you'll still call me Agnes. Keeping this secret in your heart and not telling anyone is the greatest help you can give me."

Joan of Arc was silent for a moment before saying, "No, Your Majesty. Whether you are a man or a woman, I will remain loyal to you, but my mission is to fight the English. I hope you will send me to the front lines in Orleans."

Charlotte fell silent, then lowered her voice and said, "I respect your decision, but Arthur, the one who drew his sword today, is my marshal. He strongly opposes you leaving the castle and even suggested placing you under house arrest in this room." Seeing Joan's dejected expression, Charlotte added, "Since I'm here, I naturally listen to you. I've been the crown prince for ten years, and he is first and foremost my royal steward. If you wish, I will arrange your departure tomorrow. But you must be careful; the battlefield is far more dangerous than the palace."

Joan of Arc suddenly stood up, as if trying to draw something from her waist, then remembered that her sword had been taken away long ago. So she removed the button from her collar, held it in her hands, and knelt down heavily, saying, "I swear by my faith that no matter what, I will make you crowned queen."

Charlotte was about to take it when the door was kicked open—it turned out that Atil, unable to contain himself after hearing the noise, had rushed into the room with his sword.

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Archbishop of Canterbury: They have no reason to object to His Majesty's claim to the French throne, except for this one point—a law enacted during the time of Faramon. ...

...But the French misinterpreted this sacred law, because their historians faithfully declared that the Cherah region was Germanic land, situated between the Cherah and Elbe rivers. They had no right to use Germanic law to determine the succession to the throne in this land.

...This is how the French kings obtained their thrones, yet today they insist on invoking this Salic Code to obstruct Your Majesty's legitimate demands.

...Your Majesty, do not hesitate. Your right to succession is legitimate and unquestionable. It is time to challenge that mad king!...

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Henry V by William Shakespeare