Mary watched, her back stiff and muscles rigid, as Francis rode away from her, away from the castle. Her mouth was set, her teeth clenched and lips drawn. She had closed her heart off long ago. Ever since she had heard of the slaughter of her countrymen, she had severed her emotions. Mary was no longer a child. She was no longer just a girl. She was a queen and queens do not form attachments, nor do they show emotion. Catherine had taught her that, Catherine had made her stronger, more resilient.

It began to snow as it often did now days. It became entangled in her hair and clothes. Mary grimaced, disgusted. There was once a time when she would have stopped to play in the snow. Perhaps she would have, with her ladies. Those days were gone; play was reserved for children who were oblivious to the world.

Mary turned away from the gate, sweeping her gown out behind her as she went. If Francis wanted to die of the plague, so be it. Let him die, he cared not for her. He cared for his country just as she cared for hers. Leaders have no affections for one another, only love for their countries. She walked back into the castle, shoulders squared and hands clasped in front of her. Anyone she passed she would only nod in recognition and continue on, she didn't have time, she wanted to find Catherine.

She turned the corner to the hallway that led to Catherine's study and froze.

She saw them.

Bash and Kenna.

Their heads were drawn together with Bash's arms on either side of Kenna, pressing her against the wall. Kenna laughed at something Bash said. It lit up her entire face. Bash smiled sheepishly and looked off to the side, not at her. She reached up and gently turned Bash's cheek so that he could only look at her and kissed him.

What hurt Mary the most was that Sebastian did not hesitate to kiss her back. It was a short kiss, brief yet passionate. Afterwards, Kenna closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against his. Sebastian whispered something once more in her ear and she burst into a fit of giggles.

Mary could not stand to watch this any longer. Did Sebastian not care for her at all? Had he not remembered the times when he used to make her laugh like that? Francis never could make her laugh the way Bash did. He had brought a wildness into her life that her husband simply could not.

Catherine forgotten, Mary turned back heading to her own chambers and stumbled over her own gown. She did not fall, but yet she caught herself with a hand against the wall. Sebastian and Kenna stopped what they were doing and looked at her.

"Mary! Are you alright?" asked Kenna, gently pushing Bash away from her.

Sebastian said nothing. He stood there staring at her as if she were a phantom. Mary realized that this was truly the first time she had seen him romantically with Kenna. It shocked her to her very core. He had told her he cared nothing for her, yet here he was whispering sweet nothings in her ear. Had he not done the same with her only months before?

"Mary…" he began, walking slowly towards her. Mary was so disorientated that she did not realize that she had turned and fled down the hallway until she reached her chambers. She pushed open the heavy wooden door and quickly locked it. Slowly, she sank down to her knees, her dress spilling out beneath her. It enveloped her small frame. Mary brought her hands to her face and let a single sob rack her body. She could almost feel her heart breaking.

Sebastian still held half her heart. She did not know it, but he did, he still held her heart after all this time. She did this to herself. She denied his love for her. She denied her love for him. Francis was her duty to king and country; Sebastian was her right to happiness and love. Both were a different kind of love for not all love is the same. Mary had never known true love until Bash showed her. Love is not tempered nor dictated. Love is wild, free, wholesome and honest.

She wiped the tears from her cheek and sat, starring at the wall, making herself numb to her pain. She did not know how long she sat there for; she only knew that when there was a knock at the door the sun had already set. For a brief moment her heart fluttered. Mary scrambled to her feet and threw open the door. Sebastian, please be Sebastian.

Kenna.

Kenna was standing before her looking beautiful in her gown of red silk. Her hair was pinned up extenuating her swan like neck. Her scarlet lips were set in a frown and her eyes wide. Kenna placed a hand on her hip. Red suited her.

"Mary, may I come in?" she asked. Mary hesitated. "I will be quick." she added.

"Very well." Mary replied, opening the door.

Kenna stepped cautiously into the room looking uncertain of herself. She turned and faced Mary a sadness playing in her eyes. Mary must have looked so disheveled in comparison to Kenna's radiance, her gown wrinkled and hair tangled. She lifted a hand to her face and closed her eyes, took a steadying breath and then dropped it back down to her side.

"Mary, I am so sorry." Kenna murmured.

"Do not," she replied. "Do not worry Kenna. Sebastian no longer holds a place in my heart." The lie rolled easily off her lips. She was beginning to master the art of deception; a skill that would come in handy when dealing with diplomats.

Kenna worked her bottom lip, looking very uncomfortable. "I want you to know, Mary, that—"

"Kenna," Mary stepped forwards and placed two hands on her friend's shoulders. "Let us not speak of it any longer. It is done. You have no reason to seek forgiveness."

Kenna hugged Mary and Mary hugged her back. Kenna was an innocent in all this she told herself; she had no say in the matter. Mary should be happy that she had found love in her marriage to Bash. Kenna pulled away, a smile playing on her lips.

"Come, we must get you ready for supper." she said, tugging on Mary's hand. She hesitated once more and stiffened her back.

"Not tonight." Mary replied abruptly. Kenna looked back and frowned, a questioning look in her eye. She touched Mary's cheek with her own gloved hand.

"Alright then, I will have the servants send it up." she whispered and as quickly as she came she left. Only afterwards could Mary breathe again. She looked over at the tapestry that hid the secret passages that led out of the castle, grabbed her cloak and disappeared into the night.