Evelyn Montmorency hated going to court. Though her mother and she were always welcomed to the Royal French court, she still hated it immensely and was certainly not pleased when her mother brought her the news of going back. Needless to say, the feisty brunette had kicked up a big fuss.
"I'm still not going," Evelyn announced as she saw a servant go by with her things, "I can't stand any of them- they're all snobs-"
"Now, now Evelyn," her mother hushed, though still distracted, "don't talk ill of the royal family like that! Besides- it'll be your first time actually meeting Prince Francis and Lord Sebastian- whom I heard was incredibly attractive."
Evelyn gave a slightly lazy sigh before flopping back down on a rested armchair, "stop trying to convince me to marry someone, mother. Especially the King's Bastard of all people!"
"Besides," her mother sighed, "Mary Queen of Scots came a week or so ago. This is a chance for you to befriend the Queen of Scotland- listen to me, Evelyn!" Almost timidly, Evelyn raised up her blue eyes, sighing.
"I am sorry mother," she mumbled, "I really am." At her timid tone, her mother sighed and sat down next to her daughter.
"I know you are, Evelyn dear," she whispered, gently stroking her daughter's hair, "but this family needs you. I need you."
Little did Evelyn know what a mess she was to walk into.
. . .
A trumpet sounded, and Evelyn closed her eyes, her face a bright red crimson as servants hurried to meet them. The Montmorency's weren't royal- but they had ties. Ties to Mary, Queen of Scots.
"Oh, Isabel dear- Evelyn! How wonderful to see you!" Catherine gushed before ushering them in, "as usual, of course, you'll have your usual chambers- oh, Evelyn, you have to meet the girls and Francis! I think the girls are just down there-" she glanced out the window, looking down on a lake, and at the sight of the girl whom Evelyn knew to be Mary, she saw Catherine grimace slightly, "I'll make introductions- Isabel, I trust you know your way around the castle?"
"Of course." Not waiting for another word, Catherine ushered Evelyn down the steps, rambling as she did so.
"I still can't quite believe that you haven't met Francis or-" she again grimaced, "Bash, yet. After so long. But I'm sure you'll love Mary and her ladies in waiting- oh, there they are now. Girls, this is Evelyn Montmorency. She's a guest at the castle. Could you make her feel welcome?" And with that and not a second thought to the stunned girls, she marched away. Mary threw her a pitying look.
"Montmorency?" She asked with utmost curiosity lingering in her voice, "I suppose I'm related to you, then." Catching each other's eyes, they laughed, before Evelyn threw a glance over her shoulder, her blue eyes only to be met by another's. Kenna- or at least Evelyn thought she was Kenna- giggled slightly.
"Oh, that's Bash. The King's Bastard," she said, and Evelyn bit her lip.
"My mother wants me to marry him," she said, laughing, "I can't quite believe her, really. She keeps on hinting on how he's very good-looking and I suppose that's true but-"
"You think I'm good-looking?" Asked an amused voice from behind her, and Evelyn's cheeks flushed as the rest of the girls started to laugh. She slowly turned around, only to be met by a pair of glittering blue eyes much like her own.
"Perhaps," she replied coolly, "would you disagree?"
"No," Bash said, "would you?"
"And this, ladies," she said, laughter lacing her voice, "is why I will not be marrying Sebastian Valois. As he, quite clearly, is as daft and thick-headed as he looks, and therefore did not hear me when I said I did agree that he was indeed quite good-looking. But looks can only get you so far, can't they?" She said, directing her question to Bash.
"Well, they certainly got you very far."
"Don't worry," Lola assured, a glint of a smile appearing on her face, "Bash flirts with everyone and anyone."
"I know," Evelyn replied, making a face, "I've had the displeasure of experience." She cast another glance at the girls, and then Bash, "well, I've got to go- mother expects me, I suppose. Perhaps she will find me another suitor, Sebastian," she said mockingly, "do not be disheartened by this- maybe a girl with fewer wits than anyone would marry you!" Laughing as she did so, she turned her heel and ran back into a castle, leaving a grinning Bash in her wake.
"Who is she?"
"Lady Evelyn Montmorency," Aylee replied, "I think she's a second cousin twice-removed from Mary- on her mother's side, of course." Bash narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I've heard of her," he said, "Catherine's good friends with her mother." And with that, he too ran after the mysterious brunette beauty- Evelyn Montmorency, his newest challenge. "Evelyn!" He yelled, causing the girl to turn around.
"Sebastian!" She yelled back, mocking him again. He smiled slightly.
"You're not going to see your mother, are you?" He asked. Her fake smile fell, and was replaced by a rolling of the eye.
"Why would I want to see that foul twat?" She asked, before turning a corner into a passageway, leaving a sliding grin on Bash's face.
"So... Tomas of Portugal?" Evelyn asked teasingly later that day, causing Greer's usually fair skin to go an unnatural pink as she mumbled,
"I dunno. Mary's with him right now- making a deal for Scotland," her eyebrows furrowed slightly, "I do hope it works out. Tomas seems like a kind man." Evelyn offered her a small smile.
"I'm sure he his," she assured, before turning slightly to glance through a door, catching sight of Bash practice-duelling the king with wooden swords. Once she met his eye, she blushed slightly and turned away, but could not keep a smile from appearing on her aglow face.
"Evelyn!" The voice of Catherine rang in the hall as she made her way, "there's to be an evening's dance- and your mother tells me you're looking for a suitor. Perhaps this could be a possible chance?" Evelyn forced a smile.
"Of course, Your Grace," she said, "but I would come anyway."
"Oh- call me Catherine."
"I don't know how you won her over," Greer marvelled, then lowered her voice, "that woman is such a bitch!" Evelyn laughed.
"Come on," she said, "we have to get ready for the dance."
. . .
"You will-" Nostradamus hesitated. The whole hall was at suspense, awaiting his prediction for Evelyn Montmorency, the last of the girls to have their unsettling future predicted, "you will suffer a fate worse than death," he whispered, "but- but- he- will be your salvation."
"Who's he?" Evelyn asked, raising an eyebrow as she heard the metal of swords drawing.
"The- the lion will fight the dragon in a field of poppies- the lion-"
"I think that's enough," Francis stepped forward, "thank you, Nostradamus." Her eyebrows still raised, the rest of the girls looked at her, eyes filled with worry.
"At least you know there's some romantic hope in your life," Greer said, attempting to lighten the mood. Evelyn scoffed.
" 'A fate worse than death'. Isn't that bad," she mused sarcastically, before getting out of her seat and striding swiftly out of the door, not caring that many eyes of nobles were on her- including her mother.
"Have you noticed?" Came the voice of Bash, waking her from her thoughts, "Kenna and my father seem awfully close." She looked up, giving the said pair a swift glance.
"No, I didn't," she said shortly, "I was just told that I'd suffer a fate worse than death, but I'd have a supposed salvation. What rubbish is that?" She scoffed, "it's so typical; the fair maiden is saved by the handsome man- they live happily. Ever. After." Bash gave a soft laugh.
"You don't seem happy. And on the bright side, I could be that salvation. And don't believe the horse crap Nostradamus spits out." He nodded to Francis, who was now talking to the king, "see my brother over there? He's convincing my father to help Scotland out- and when the armies go- I'll go with it." She furrowed her brow.
"It's dangerous, though," she said, "you could get killed." He raised an eyebrow.
"And do you care?" He didn't wait for her reply as he left her, quite alone, standing on a patch of dead grass- a sure sign of the many grievances to come.
A/N:
Hey guys! So this is the first chapter of my first 'Reign' FanFiction. I do hope you like it, especially Evelyn and Bash- who are, of course, my OTP right now. Oh yeah- and Evelyn is portrayed by Danielle Campbell, in case you guys were wondering.
Disclaimer: I, of course, do not own Reign.
Lots of love,
Elena