Nostradamus free e-book novel - The Greatest Sinner Ever

coat of arms. The linen and cutlery were also decorated with it. The
emblems were everywhere. The staff, meanwhile, had started serving the
entrees. In addition to the count and the countess there were five sons, four
daughters, three in-laws, several grandchildren and a handful of guests.
During the rich meal, the turtle doves could not take their eyes off each
other and they began to flirt.
“You’re not the only ones at this table, you know”, a son-in-law said,
irritated. In any case, one thing was clear: the two were in love.
“You seem to have built up a good reputation in the Provence,” the count
remarked, while his drooping moustache just missed his soup.
“I do my best to cure the ill,” the physician said, “but I’m glad the last
outbreak of the plague has run its course, because I have very little control
over it.”
“We’re very fortunate to not have experienced that terrible disease here,”
the queen of Naples said.
“But did you actually graduate?” the count suddenly asked.
“I already talked to you about that, Father,” Yolande defended her beau.
“I will bring you my certificate after dinner, my Lord,” Michel promised.
“Please do, I am very interested in seeing it. I’ll be expecting you in my
room shortly then. I happen to have some excellent cognac there as well.
I’m sure you understand that I only want the best for my daughter.” Ferry
VI remained suspicious and was not in the least embarrassed to go through
a list of questions that should determine if the physician was qualified as a
son-in-law. The questions were about random topics; Nostradamus was
able to give an impeccable answer to each one and slowly the mistrust
began to diminish. After the dessert the count had a brief private
consultation with his wife outside of the dining hall and then returned. It
seemed the couple had decided that the prospective new husband was
good enough for their daughter. After that, Michel could do no wrong.
After Ferry VI had spent some time with him in his room, the lovers
finally had a chance to be together and they quietly took a walk outside the
gate. They seemed to understand each other so well, that words were
superfluous. Behind a chestnut tree they furtively kissed, and the touch
was like magic. After a week at the castle, Michel asked for Yolande’s
hand in marriage, and she accepted only too happily. Her calculated father
gave his permission that same day; after all, the candidate met all of his
conditions. A dream was coming true and Nostradamus felt as though he
could take on the entire world. The physician, who had been freed from
his melancholy, informed his parents of the coming wedding at Puivert,
but they sent a message that it would not be possible for them to make the
long trip, due to their geriatric ailments. Only his brother Hector would be
able to attend. Their eldest son requested them to send his personal
possessions and promised to come to Saint Rémy with Yolande as soon as
possible.
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