Summary:

When Mary finds out Lola is carrying Francis' child she's heartbroken over the betrayal of one of her best friends, but Francis isn't innocent in all this either. Knowing that the news of Lola's baby can potentially be disastrous to not only Lola but also Francis' and her own reputation she comes up with a plan.
A plan that includes keeping the man she was once engaged to and in love with, inside the castle, by Lola's side.

Mary convinced herself that she's doing this for all the right reasons, to keep everyone safe, to give everyone equal playing field in this plan but is she really?

Some things aren't always right or wrong, black or white, sometimes you have to venture into the grey areas to find out what it is your heart really wants, and needs.

"You're seriously asking me to really consider this aren't you?"

Sebastian looked at Mary with pensive eyes. He couldn't believe what she was asking him to do. He knew that she knew that he would do literally anything for her but what she was asking of him now was downright absurd "You want me to marry Lola so that you're husband, who is my half brother mind you, gets to keep his child without having to compromise his reputation at court?"

Mary swallowed hard and nodded, she knew this wasn't the most ideal situation but she felt like she had no other choice. She didn't want Lola to abort the baby but she also didn't want to compromise Francis' reputation "I know it's not what you want"

Sebastian sighed, walked towards the window and looked at the tiny snowflakes tapping against the window "Damn right it's not what I want Mary, it's most definitely not what I want"

Mary came up next to him and put a hand on his shoulder "But you'll do it, for Lola?"

He visibly tensed under her touch and took a step back "Please, Mary. Don't"

"Bash, I know I'm asking a lot. But promise me you'll at least think about it. Think about Lola, think about all the trouble she'd be in back home if people found out she slept with my husband and is carrying his child. All the shame and pressure she'll be under from her family, Scotland and not to mention here at French court. As much as I hate what she did, I can't hate her. She's my friend and I want to keep her with me. I want to keep her safe"

Sebastian looked at Mary, he really wanted to believe her when she said that all she wanted was Lola's safety, but a part of him wondered if it was as much about her own reputation as it was about Francis' and keeping Lola safe "And you think the only way to do that is for me to marry her and pretend the baby is mine?"

Mary looked down for a moment before catching his eyes "Yes. Bash, please"

As much as he wanted to deny her this, say no to her just this once, deep down he knew he couldn't. This would give him the perfect excuse to stay at court, stay within Mary's reach for protection and to stay in her good graces, which he very much liked to be in "I guess it's not such a bad thing. Raising a bastard child as my own, I mean there's always a thing or two I can teach him I guess and maybe I can even learn to love Lola"

Mary swallowed hard, she never liked Sebastian referring to himself as a 'bastard' even though everyone at court saw him like that and knew that he was. "Bash" she sighed

"No, Mary, it's fine. I just don't get why you're asking me. There are much more suitable candidates here at court, ones that aren't bastard born or bred, ones that can give Lola so much more than I can" Sebastian turned towards the window once again and blew out a ragged breath.
"You're willing to keep me around so that Francis can see his child grow up? You're willing to keep Lola and the baby around? That baby is going to be a constant reminder of what happened between them in Paris. That baby is going to be Francis' first born, bastard or not. You're willing to subject yourself to all that pain? That's an awful big sacrifice to make, Mary. I just don't want to see you get hurt by all this, you know I love you"

"I know you do, Bash. And you know I love you too, it's just that –"

She didn't get to finish his sentence because he abruptly turned and took two steps towards her, startling her "You love Francis more, yes so you've told me. Still doesn't explain why you're asking me of all people to do this"

The hurt was evident in his voice and she had to compose herself to find the right answer "Because, Bash"

He took two more steps towards her, took her shoulders and forced her to look into his eyes "Because what?"

Mary swallowed hard once again, hung her head down and sighed "Because you're the only one I really trust"

After hearing those words Sebastian let go of Mary and backed away, he looked towards her fragile state and knew in that moment that he had to do it. If this was what Mary wanted, if this was what made her happy, he knew he couldn't say no. He would do anything to make that beautiful woman standing before him happy, even if that meant he had to marry a woman he didn't love, all for the wellbeing of the one he did "I'll do it" he said

Mary's head whipped up and her tiny smile made his insides boil. Sebastian backed away towards the door, he knew he had to get out of there before he did something he would regret forever. He walked towards the door but before exciting he called out her name "Mary"
She looked up, her eyes questionable towards him "I'm doing this for you and only you" with those words he closed the door and left.

Mary's eyes lingered towards the door long after it closed, whispering "I know" into the empty room

When Mary first thought off the plan to have Bash marry Lola she thought neither Sebastian nor Francis would agree. But, after talking to Sebastian and having him see her ways she thought she could do the same with her husband. She couldn't have been more wrong "You did what?" Francis was literally fuming and glaring at Mary, his eyes were blazing fire and his hands were on his hips, he was doing everything in his power to be intimidating and he was quite successful.

Mary suddenly felt really small "Just listen to me Francis, let me explain" Her voice was pleading, she needed him to understand, see where she was coming from. She needed him to listen.

"No" He screamed determinedly but Mary wasn't about to back down so easily "Francis" she said raising her voice as well but it didn't help, Francis took two steps away from her and disappeared through the door "I said NO Mary" he screamed and with that he walked away

Two seconds later there was a sharp knock on the door and Lola peeked her head through.
Mary smiles at her friend and signaled her to come inside "Lola, come in"
"Is this a bad time? I can come back later" Lola says when she sees the distress on Mary's face

Mary straightens her face and pats the empty space next to her on the sofa "No, it's fine"

"Everything ok?" Lola questions. She has been Mary's friend for years and by now she knows all the signs. She knows when something is bothering her even when she say's everything's fine and Lola is not one to back down on finding out what's bothering her friend.

Mary sighs, she really doesn't want to bring this up with Lola but she doesn't want to lie to one of her best friends either "Yes, Francis is just a little bit on edge about the whole not being pregnant thing" She can feel Lola tense beside her, it's a touchy subject for the both of them

"Mary, I'm so sorry" is all Lola can say. She doesn't really know what else to say

"Don't" Mary's eyes are hard when they turn towards Lola "Did you think about my plan?"

Lola's breath hitched and she had to swallow a couple times "Yes"

"and?" Mary's question is eager and Lola suddenly gets really uncomfortable. She just looks at Mary and for the first time she doesn't really know how she's going to tell Mary all she wants to say

"I don't think it's a good idea. It's not fair to Bash and I don't want to do it" She says all in one breath

Mary takes a deep breath and turns her whole body towards her friend "Lola, it's your only option"

Lola leaps from the bed and starts pacing the room "It's not" she says

"Lola, please"

She stops pacing, walks towards Mary and kneels before her like a servant would to her queen "Mary, will you please just hear me out?" Lola's eyes are pleading and Mary just nods. The whole story just tumbles out of Lola's mouth like a waterfall, she tells Mary everything she's been feeling. How it's not fair to pressure Bash into marrying her because it feels like pressuring because he's still in love with Mary and it was Mary who asked him and they both know he would never deny her anything. She tells her that she doesn't want to keep this baby because of all the potential heart- and headache it might cause now and down the road. She doesn't want to be reminded of the one mistake she made with Francis and she doesn't want Mary to have to face the repercussions of that night for the rest of her life either. She says that she understands that it's a dangerous procedure and that it might cost her her life but she also says that by keeping the baby she also signs away her life so there's actually no real difference between the two other than the fact that she really doesn't want to keep this baby and that ultimately it's her body and her choice

"Do you understand what pressure you're putting me under here, Lola? That's my husband's baby you're carrying, maybe even the only child he'll ever have because I can't seem to conceive as easily as I thought"

Lola looks at Mary with a look of pure guilt, she still doesn't understand how she got herself into this situation. And as much as she understands where Mary is coming from and feels for her as her friend, she also knows that right now Mary is not being objective because she's also looking at this from a queen's point of view. If word ever came out that Francis and Lola had a night together that resulted in a baby both Mary and Francis' reputation would be ruined, not to mention her own"Mary, no. This bastard child I'm carrying will mean nothing to Francis. He's only interested in having children with you, children who will one day have a right to the throne"

Mary thinks about Sebastian for a second, how he was the kings first born and how much King Henry actually favored him over Francis. She really doesn't want that to happen to any of their children. It would kill her to see Francis favor his first born of the rest of their possible children but she also can't deny her husband his firstborn child. As much as he says he doesn't want to agree with the plan, she knows he eventually will, he will learn to adapt, like they all will, he will learn to love all his children equally "It's the truth. As much as I can't forget what both of you did and what happened as a result, I can't let you abort an innocent baby. I can't let you put your life at risk for something so beautiful. It will destroy us all, Lola. What if I can't give him any children and you abort yours? He will never forgive you. I don't think I could. The only way to ensure your safety and the safety of the baby without compromising Francis' reputation is to let Bash help you. He's an amazing man, he'll learn to love you and your baby, I promise"

Lola sits herself down next to Mary and takes both of her hands "Mary, will you listen to yourself? You're telling me to commit to the man that you were engaged to not that long ago, to protect the reputation of the man you are actually married to now. Do you know how bad that sounds?"

"It's not like that Lola. I'm doing this for you"

Lola has to bite back a laugh at how naïve that actually sounds "Keep telling yourself that"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Taking a deep breath Lola unloads everything she's been holding in from the beginning "You keep saying that you're doing this for me, that you want me to be safe and have the choice to raise my baby the way I see fit but I just told you that I don't want this baby at all and you shame me for even thinking I want to get rid of it because of your troubles conceiving. Don't you see Mary, nothing good will ever come from this baby, one way or the other, I'm done for"

Mary's eyes grow wide and she pulls her hands away from Lola's "I'm sorry that you think that way"

"And I'm sorry that you can't provide Francis with an heir yet but you will, I have absolute faith in it and you should too. That said, I don't think you should have any say in what I do and don't do with this baby. Francis said that-"

She doesn't get a chance to finish her sentence because Mary stands up and towers over her "Excuse me? You talked to Francis about this? When you asked me not to? When you promised me you would let me handle this?"

Lola hangs her head in shame but quickly sits upright when she realizes that this is the moment to stand up for herself " It's his child too you know and he said that ultimately it was his decision but if I wanted to get rid of the baby he wouldn't stand in my way"

Mary releases an evil chuckle "Off course he wouldn't. Not now, not when he still doesn't see the bigger picture. Let me talk to him, let me reason with him. For god's sake Lola think about what you're saying. You're completely willing to kill an innocent baby"

Lola sighs and shakes her head "It's not an innocent baby anymore, it's a pawn in a royal game and I for one am not willing to play" She picks up the ends of her dress and walks towards the door

"Lola, please, just give it some time. Give me some time. And do me one last favor" she hears Mary say

Lola quickly turns around "What?"

"Talk to Bash"

She whips her head around angrily "And what if I don't?"

"Just do it!" Mary states determinately

"Is that an order?" Lola is surprised by the harshness in her own voice. She has never ever talked to Mary that way and it's making her quite uncomfortable. But Mary has never talked to Lola in such a demanding way either and it's getting her definitely worked up.

Mary sighs and stands up straight"You can take it any way you want, but do it nonetheless"

So, there you have the first chapter. Let me know what you guys think & I'll try to update at least once a week.

Reviews are love!