Mary rolls over in the bed, she stretches out her hand to pull Francis closer her to only to feel his side of bed cold. Mary's eyes slowly open, she blinks a few times allowing her eyes to adjust to the darkness.
"Francis?" Mary calls out, sitting up in the bed and she looks around the room. "Francis?"
Mary swings her legs off of the bed her feet touching the cold tile, sending a shiver through her body. Mary walks over to the chaise and gabs her robe wrapping it around her body. Mary walks over the bedroom door opening it her guard nods at her as walks into the hallway.
"Is the King still in the emergency Privy Council meeting?" Mary asks the guard.
"I am not sure, Your Grace."
Mary thanks the guard and continues down the hall towards the Privy Council chambers. Leith is standing guard.
"Leith, is meeting is in session?"
"Your Grace." Leith says as he takes a glance back at the chamber door.
"Leith, you know you can call me Mary." Mary eyes follow Leith's has he glances back at the door once more.
"Leith, what's going on?"
Leith sighs and looks at Mary, "The Privy Council meeting ended two hours ago and the King demanded to be alone."
Confusion fills Mary face, "What happened?"
"I don't know, I could only hear muffled yelling."
Mary gives Leith a half smile, "Thank you Leith, I will take from here."
Leith nods and walks away. Mary takes a breath and opens the chamber door, as she walks into the room she sees Francis at the head of the table. Francis is asleep, his arms folded under his head as a make shift pillow, his crown sits askew on his head. Mary walks over to her husband sleeping form, she smiles at his crown siting unruly on his head. Mary removes the crown and runs her fingers through his golden curls.
"Francis." Mary whispers trying not to startle Francis. "Francis, wake up." Mary calls a little louder.
Francis bits back groan, his head is pounding and there is a sharp pain in left ear. The voice calling his name sounds like static, Francis opens his eyes slowly blinking a few times to relive the blurry vision.
"Mary." He says her name like a pray.
"Francis, it's late and Leith told me the meeting ended two hours. How come you did not return to our chambers?"
Francis lifts his head and smiles at Mary, he takes her hand and kisses it. "I'm sorry, my love. Shall we go back to bed?"
Mary smiles at Francis, as Francis goes to stand he resist the urge to collapse. His body feels heavy as if he is wearing armor. As Francis straightens out his body he hold at his arm for Mary to take, Mary takes Francis's arm and they walk out of the Privy Council chamber.
The sun is peaking through the window, Mary opens her eyes she look at Francis's empty side. Mary look rolls on her back and looks at ceiling. There is a knock on the door and the guard announces Lady Kenna, Mary sits up in the bed.
"Kenna."
Kenna walks over Mary and sits on foot of the bed. "Your husband stole mine early this morning to go riding."
"I'm worried about Francis, he's been acting strange for the past few weeks."
Kenna smiles and her friend, "I'm sure everything fine." There is a moment of silence between them.
"Mary have something to tell you, but I'm not sure how you will feel about it."
Mary takes Kenna hand in hers, "Kenna you know you can tell me anything, what it is?"
"I'm pregnant, I have been for a few weeks now. I told Bash last night."
Mary smiles at Kenna doing her best to cover pain she feels, her and Francis have trying to months to connive an heir, however she failed to live up to duties while Kenna and even Lola have been able to become pregnant which such ease.
"That's wonderful news. I'm happy for you really." Mary pulls Kenna in for a hug. "We should celebrate. I know we can a party in honor of you and Bash."
"No, Mary that's too much."
"You and Bash are family. You're caring the King and Queen's niece or nephew, such news should be celebrated. Besides you are never one for turning down a party."
Kenna get off the bed and walks to the other side of the room. "I don't want whole Court to think I am rubbing this news in your face."
"They won't, I'll make sure of it. Everyone at Court will know that Francis and I are throwing the party in honor of our future niece or nephew. Please Kenna I need a distraction from the all politics and what better way than to throw a party."
Kenna smiles at Mary.
Bash and Francis are riding along the trail, "You want to tell me why you pulled me out of bed so early in morning." Bash asks looking at his younger brother.
"Can't a king enjoy a morning ride with his brother?"
Bash stops his horse, "Francis what's going on? You haven't been yourself of the past few weeks. You are here, yet you are distant."
Francis look at Bash then back at the castle in the distance, he lets out a sigh "I'm sick. I have been for a while I've just been hiding it."
Bash looks at Francis trying to avoid showing any type of emotion. "Does Mary know?"
"I can't tell Mary, not yet anyway. Not until she's pregnant with our child and her position here at Court is secure."
"Francis-"
"If I die, before I can get Mary pregnant I need you to do it, Bash. No one will be none the wiser you have my eyes and you both dark hair, no one will question it."
"You're not going to die brother."
"Promise me."
"Francis-"
"Promise me! I need know that if I died Mary is safe."
Bash looks Francis in the eye, "I promise, if anything happens I will ensure Mary gets pregnant securing her place at Court."
Francis nods before kicking the sides of the horse causing it gallop a way, Bash watches his brother ride a few strides in front of him.