“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page, from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s prompt is the Palace of Versailles, France.
Note This story does not pretend to any form of historical veracity whatsoever!
Word count 150
A chance to serve
Galloping music urged on the swirling dancers, covered the sounds of dalliance, and hid the whispers of sedition. Ten thousand candles flared, splendid chandeliers shattering their light into a million shards that sparkled like fireworks on the many-coloured silks and satins of the guests.
The king looked sidelong at the Vicomte de Picardie, beckoned his chancellor and pointed.
“What’s he plotting?”
The chancellor considered.
“Highness, I’ve heard he wishes his son to marry your brother’s daughter.”
“So he’s seeking my mother’s support and forgetting to tell me?”
“It would seem so, Highness.”
“What do they grow in Picardie, Henri?”
“Potatoes, I believe, Highness.”
“Ha! Give Monsieur le Vicomte the chance to serve us by supplying our army with potatoes. Don’t pay him too much. And make sure he leaves Versailles tomorrow. We need the stabling.”
The dancers whirled, their dazzling reflections kaleidoscopic in the many mirrors. The music ground on.
Autumn Leaves 