Against rules and reason
Chapter 1
Never were they supposed to do this. It wasn't even allowed for them to think about this. And much less to actually act on this. Whatever strange coincidence it was that brought them together, brought out the worst and the best side of them. Neither of them thought it was actually possible for them to trust someone in such a short amount of time, but somehow they had a connection. They both felt it the first day they met. While being introduced ,there was something. First Mary didn't know what it was. It was a strange feeling, but not in an uncomfortable way. It wasn't something she felt when she saw Francis, it was more exciting, she was nervous and even a bit insecure, which is odd for a queen. Not that she never has been nervous before, but it has always been because of a situation and not because of someone. If she had expected to feel like this for someone, she would have guessed and hoped that someone to be Francis. The man she was supposed to marry. The man she had known for most of her life. And the man who should steady her kingdom. He was her future, Scotland's future and hope and she had nothing better to do than make things even harder for herself and falling in love with someone else. Someone she knew she could never have, but still she had no strength to fight that force pushing her to that certain someone and away from Francis, who adored her. It was unlike her to give in to temptation and ignore her duties, even if it was just for a few hours, but she would have never guessed which effect this certain stranger possibly would have on her. At least not when they first met…
So it was three months since Mary had been sent to French court and she and her handmaidens had been doing well these past weeks. Mary had been able to convince the French king to cement ties with her and hers and Francis' wedding was soon to be. In consequence of that there had been decisions to make and people to meet.
Today there were important people coming to the court. Apparently it's friends of the family. Francis told Mary it's his best friend's family who would stay till their marriage day. He told her they practically spent all their summers together while their childhood. But as the carriage arrived and the family exited it, she really wasn't paying attention to Francis anymore. Much more she was captured by the sight that presented itself.
A tall brunette beauty exited the carriage. With her long black dress that fit her perfect and those incredibly beautiful brown eyes. They were like other worlds. Not only her eyes, she was like from another world. Like an angel sent from god, with her smooth skin and her perfect formed lips. Just looking at her was addictive, and then she made her way up to Mary. The strange beauty bowed before the queen. She introduced herself as Spencer Hastings. Mary was almost shaking when she looked into that face so close to hers. But something got her attention. Did that beauty just introduce herself as Spencer? Mary thought Spencer was Francis' best friend from childhood? And more important she expected that Spencer to be male not female. From the stories she had heard of, Spencer apparently had been a wild child, always chasing after some adventures and playing with Francis and even his brother Sebastian. But those stories just intrigued the young queen even more and she was eager to learn more about the woman standing right before her examining her all so closely. It was after a few moments had passed that Mary noticed she had been staring into Spencer's eyes all the time not letting the woman pass to greet the French royal family. Mary lowered her gaze quickly as to not detain the woman anymore from doing so. She excused herself and left to her chambers, leaving the rest dumbfounded to themselves.
Francis meanwhile was not only dumbfounded by Mary's hurrying away but also by the sight of his childhood friend. He remembered a young pretty girl with wild hair, ripped and smutty pants and a fire in her eyes. Though the sparkle in Spencer's eyes was still there he was surprised to see her in an elegant long dress with nicely combed hair. For a moment he was breathless … and speechless. She bowed before him and he bowed too. Francis greeted her family and then they were led to their chambers. And after a quick talk with Spencer and her family he excused himself to find his fiancé, as he figured her to have been a little upset after Spencer's arrival. He quickly made his way to her chambers and knocked slightly on the door. A quiet "Come in" was all he got as a reply. As he opened the door he found Mary sitting at the windowsill looking out of the window.
" Are you alright?" he asked with concern in his voice. He figured Mary must be upset.
" Yes, don't you worry. I was just a little surprised. I actually thought Spencer was a boy.." she said.
"You did? But why? I never said that." He answered confused.
" Well from the stories you told me about you two. You do have to admit that she used to rather like boyactivities when you were little."
" I guess you are right." He said smiling at his memories " You are not jealous though, are you?" he answered grabbing Mary's hands and kissing her knuckles.
" No… of course not…. I … I was just surprised." She reassured. Francis though didn't seem convinced, but little did he know that Mary's struggle had to d0 with her own feelings rather than his towards the newly arrived brunette.
" Excuse me, their royal highnesses but dinner is ready and the queen asked me to call for you two." A maid interrupted them.
" We're coming." Mary answered before quickly making her way to the dining hall leaving Francis dumbfounded again.
…
Their guests and the king and the queen had already settled at the dining table when Francis and Mary arrived. Food has also already been brought and all chairs had been taken except two across from the one and only Spencer Hastings.
" Great, just great…" Mary muttered under her breath and sat down quietly across from her.
Spencer smiled lightly at her and her heart melted at the sight. She couldn't help but flash a smile in return. But as Francis sat down beside her and grabbed her hand under the table she had to force herself not to instantly frown. What was going on with her? Why would she frown when her fiancé grabbed her hand but smile at that beautiful stranger? She couldn't explain it… well this would be interesting, she thought to herself…
