A/N: This is my first Reign fanfic ever and I'm really excited to share this with you guys! As this is going to be AU (obviously), don't expect me to be going with the show all along or with history, for that matter. Please leave a review or follow/favourite if you enjoy!

I do not own Reign or any characters of the show or any lyrics used.

CHAPTER ONE

I was young, so I forgot
Which was my place, and which was not
Thought I had a good shot

Back To You # Twin Forks

The excited, but hushed whispers and giggles of the girls leaving the carriage behind her fit the scenery in front of them: The bright blue sky, a castle that stood in all its glory, and few birds in the surrounding trees singing their songs. Rebecca truly couldn't have wished for a better start of this new journey. But before she could calm her nerves a bit, the second carriage arrived – the one with her queen in t. "Look, there's Mary!" One of the girls exclaimed behind her and all five of them rushed forward as the Queen of Scotland exited her carriage. It had been years since they had seen each other, and it was a silent understanding they were all in need of catching up on each other.

"It does feel like a fresh start at an old home, does it not?" The young queen said with a slight hint of melancholy in her voice and while all the other girls agreed, Rebecca simply shrugged. She was completely new at the French Court as she had first been living in Scotland, but then at the English Court. That was also why she had waited with her acceptance of coming here, knowing full well just how bad the English and French ties were now. But Mary was her cousin, and for her she would even live in a cave full of poisonous snakes. "Oh Mary, your hair! Haven't the nuns taught you anything?" Greer whispered accusingly, making the girls giggle slightly as she went on to fix her queen's black locks.

"The same could be said about Rebecca here." She retorted with a warm smile on her face. "She looks like she just exited a chicken's stable!" Grunting, Rebecca quickly moved her hands up into her hair in a rather disheartened way. "Well, excuse me for trying to get a good sleep before arriving here as I expect we won't get too much of that for a while." The blonde shot back, earning a few giggles from her friends. "Yes, and I can already see one reason for why you might think that." Kenna whispered quietly into her ear as they got into their proper positions now to greet the arriving King and Queen.

It was, however, not Queen Catherine who walked next to the side of the French King but his mistress as Lola was quick to point out. They all had heard the rumours about this particular marriage and how bold the official mistress was in displaying her position – but to actually see it was most definitely another thing completely. Just then, a young man walked up behind them. He stepped in front of the King for a few seconds before retreating again and taking his stand there. It struck Rebecca how much he looked like the regent in his features but how his hair and posture uncannily resembled that of the mistress. Her thoughts were confirmed when, again, Lola told the girls who he was: Sebastian de Poitiers, the bastard son of King Henry and Diane de Poitiers.

Rebecca let her eyes wander around the people who were in front of them: Mostly servants at both sides of the way, but some higher ranked ones at the front, closer to where they were standing. Behind the Royal Family, there were other high ranked ones standing but she couldn't make out their faces. It had become a habit of hers, watching a crowd and scanning it for potential harm. A skill which she only meant to improve while staying in France. The loud sound of a horn brought her back into reality as she heard a guard yell out: "Her Majesty, Queen Catherine!"

All girls adjusted their posture at once, knowing full well that this was probably the most important first meeting of all – just behind the one between Mary and her betrothed Francis. And as if her thoughts had called him and just when the Queen had taken her place right in front of her husband's mistress, he appeared on the courtyard. While her cousin had seemed intimated by his mother's appearance, she was now reeking of nerves. "It will be alright." Rebecca whispered to her cousin who shot her a quick, thankful smile before turning towards her fiancé. Her ladies in waiting watched the encounter, barely able to hold back their grins as Mary just blubbered on about anything. Finally, Francis offered her his arm as to escort her to his parents and Kenna let out a heavy sigh. "Well, it can only improve from here on now, can it not?" The suppressed giggles of the ladies echoed in the wind as they made to follow their queen into their new home.

A few hours later, the girls gathered in Mary's chambers as to get ready for the festivities of the night: Francis' older sister was to be married and naturally, they all were excited. A royal wedding was something only Rebecca had ever experienced but that had been years ago, when she was just a small girl. While the others laughed and gossiped away, she noticed the frown ever so clear on her cousin's face. "What's wrong, Mary? Did something happen already?" The black-haired beauty sighed heavily, letting her guard down in front of her friends and sat down on the edge of her bed. "It's nothing, really. I just… expected things to be easier somehow." Aylee was the first one to get up and take her hand into her own. The small gesture made the young woman next to her smile a bit and after a few moments of silence, she began to speak. "Francis, he… he unnerves me so. For a second, he's the gentlest man I've ever met and the next second, he sends me off while telling me not to ask too many questions and to behave more like it is expected of me!" Her voice grew louder and had it not been for her friends' warning expressions, Mary might have screamed already.

"Well, that is awfully stupid of him to do." Rebecca said matter-of-factly, earning shocked gasps from the other ladies in waiting. "I mean, you've lived at a convent for years. How are you supposed to truly behave in front of a crown prince and his family if you've only ever encountered them as a child? Back then, you didn't have as many rules as you will have now. And even though I trust that the nuns taught you all they could – there are some things you can only learn by experience." Her tone carried a slight bitterness, but she was quick to hide it behind a cheeky smile. Even though Greer still looked as her as if she'd seen a ghost, Mary nodded slowly. "I suppose so. But now, let's forget about those things, shall we? There's a celebration to be held!"

The music and the scents in the throne room were intoxicating. Everything just seemed … brighter somehow than at the English Court, Rebecca thought while glancing around. She was standing at the side of the dancing area with her friends, watching the married couple dance in unison. It made her wonder when this would be one of her friends – dancing with a husband at their side, either being married off for power or for money. It was a duty they all had to fulfil someday, but it was more than likely that Mary should be the first of them all. She was the Queen of Scotland after all! And she already had a fiancé, even if he wasn't truly doing his duty as such. Kenna had pointed out that he was talking to some pretty girls for a while now which only seemed to dishearten Mary further. But then, the Queen straightened up as the musicians played a song in a far upper pace and turned to her friends. "I want to dance." She stated, and a small grin found its way onto her face. "But… you don't have a partner. You can't dance alone." Greer tried to hold her back, but she just waved her hand dismissively. "I won't be alone. I have you, now take your shoes off. Come on!"

The guests looked on, mesmerised by the joyful and carefree dancing of the young Scottish women who didn't seem to have a single care right now. Queen Catherine though scoffed: "We are overrun… by Scots." But her son couldn't take his eyes off the young Queen in front of them, twirling about with her friends, and a laughter that reminded him of their joined childhood. Francis' mouth twitched lightly, fighting a grin, and when Mary turned her face around, their gazes locked. It was as if a whirlwind of emotions had suddenly taken him hostage – he just knew that this girl would be the death of him.

But he wasn't the only one entranced with her as his half-brother was staring intensively at her as well. It struck him again at that moment that there were some things he was just never able to call his own, and the future Queen of France was most definitely one of these things. "You shouldn't be staring at her like that. She is here to wed your brother and secure an alliance to keep our people safe." He started at the sudden words and turned his gaze slowly to the young woman next to him. She had a stern expression on her face that showed quite the resemblance to Mary's and Bash tried to remember where he had seen her before. "I am not sure I know what you're implying, Milady…" His thoughts were left hanging in the air as he looked at her, his brows risen. She only smiled lightly though it didn't reach her deep-blue eyes. "I won't allow the illegitimate son of the King to interfere with this very much-needed marriage. Be warned, Sebastian de Poitiers: The wrath of a Scottish woman is not to be underestimated." Her tone was as light as her smile, but he didn't miss the obvious threat that came with them. Before he could answer, the other ladies-in-waiting reached them and seemed to burst with giggles and laughter. "Come on, Rebecca, it's time for the consummation. The ritual, the ceremony, the big fear. Aren't you curious?" That was Kenna. She quickly took the blonde's hand in hers, shot Bash a big grin and then took the girls with her. Bash couldn't help it but watched as they left the throne room. Rebecca… He would make sure to remember that name.