Dark souls

12

Following the closing door with a mocking glance, Bertrand looked around the queen's study. The thick pile of carpets muffled his steps. The delicate aroma of the magnificent wax of the candles tickled the nostrils, and the richly decorated books delighted the eye. Running his fingers along the spines, he settled on a very simple pocket bible. The edge of it was worn out from frequent use, the pages were broken. Nearby lay a book in folio by Machiavelli on the sovereign and the state. Bertrand smiled. It was clear that this book was often read: in addition to the shabby binding, there were notes in the margins made by the queen's hand. A worthy student did not agree with the cruel and treacherous Italian in everything, but justified his position. Although she believed that in politics, weak rulers resorted to murder, but at the same time she recognized that that sometimes this is the only means to achieve the goal, although not the best. The proof is the murder of Jeanne d'Albret, th