VERSAILLES
Gold clings to silk like the sun pressed its warmth into every curve. Chandeliers burn overhead, their fire caught in the strands below, refracting into something softer, something held.
Once, a dressmaker knelt upon such fabric, pressing lace against its surface, seeking guidance in its pattern. A diplomat studied its geometry, believing patterns held secrets no treaty could promise. Draped in silk, a queen pressed her fingers against the gold, knowing the pattern would remain after voices dimmed.