Kenna's POV
I am Lady Kenna de Poitiers, a lady-in-waiting of Queen Mary of Scots, the official mistress of King Henry of France and the daughter of a wealthy Scottish family. My life at French court started quite calmly, but the events escalated quickly. The King of France caught hold of my heart and tore it apart, shredding me to pieces every night I spent with him. I thought I loved him and he loved me, but that clearly wasn't true.
As I left Henry's room after another night of meaningless sex and violence, I thought to myself, as I always do, why was I there with him? What pulled me back to him after everyone of his mistakes? Well, I knew what it was this time. I was in search of a true husband, one my family had sent me to find in the first place. But this wasn't why it all started. Henry promised me love and affection, he told me as his Royal Mistress, I'd gain more than what a husband could give me. I chose to believe, like a fool, that the band around his finger that kept his stitched to his wife Catherine de Medici, or the bastard son of his that reminded him of his love for Diane, his first Mistress and love, wouldn't stand in the way of us being happy together. Today, as I left his room, a hand over my chest, trying to conceal the shame and guilt inside me, I felt nothing but remorse and hatred to him. He promised to find me the husband I deserve, well at least that could pay back for all the pain and suffering I went through with a brave face. Love was not a privilege I had in life, that I understood too late.
As I reached the ground floor my eyes met the vision of true love. Mary, my Queen and best friend, had her arms over her husband, the Dauphin of France's shoulders. As they shared a passionate kiss I smiled and sighed at the same time. Sebastian, who like me was staring from afar, did the same, sans the smile. Sebastian was Francis's brother, but he was about to marry Mary not too long ago. It is safe to say Mary's life was no less complicated than mine, if not more. I guess complexity in romance is something we Scottish women enjoy.
I walked up to Bash with a smirk upon my face. He slowly moved his eyes to me and and motioned me to spill it. "Enjoying the view Sebastian?" "Quite like you are, Lady Kenna" I chuckled and circled around him. "Well unlike you, Bash, I am not in love with with anyone in that picture". He exhaled impatiently "Perhaps you didn't have time to while you were busy warming the King's bed" "Like your mother used to" I interrupted. He looked at me with stern eyes. He had a face I'd enjoy to slap. I rolled my eyes and turned back. As I walked away I called out in a voice only he could hear. "Thank God Mary didn't marry you. Who would want to be married to your glum face" He laughed sarcastically and sped past me to his chambers.
It had been a few days since my last visit to the King's room. I looked at the mirror and analyzed the bruised on my shoulders. They were tokens of the nights I had spent with the King. Spending another night with him would simply mean risking my life once again. While I went through such struggles, self centered bastards like Sebastian referred to it as bed warming. "Preposterous" I hissed under my breath as I pulled my dress over my swollen shoulders. "Well needn't you worry anymore Kenna, the King seems to have found himself a new center of interest" the Queen announced as she walked in my chambers, startling me. "Queen Catherine" I exclaimed as I tried to calm my heartbeat. "You frightened me" She ignored my displeasure and walked up to me. "We have a problem." She snapped "We?" I snapped back as she ignored another comment of mine and looked sat on my bed. She looked pale and sickly. "Remember the kitchen maid who became 'Queen' a few days ago?" I nodded with a confused glare. "Well she still is a Queen, and I need your help to rid us from her. She poisoned me" "Why would I help you at any time or place?"
Before Catherine could open her mouth to reply, the door swung open and Henry burst in. "Your majesty!?" I exclaimed as sudden fear struck me. "Its a husband you wanted, its a husband you're getting" he snapped and grabbed hold of me. "At this time of night? Your majesty, Henry what is happening?!" He nearly dragged me against the cold floors of the French court. "Henry what are you up to?" Catherine called out as she followed us with slow, tired steps. "Henry let go of me!" I shrieked, the grip on his arm now starting to hurt. "Shut up and follow me slut". He roared. The other ladies in waiting, Lola and Greer came out to the sound of my voice. "Kenna" I heard Lola call out. "Lola! Lola help me!" I screamed. I heard their footsteps as they followed our trail.
We entered the throne room and I got thrown on the ground. "Wheres the dress? Give it go me" he demanded of someone. He was handed a white dress which he threw on me. "Wear it" he commanded. "Here? In front of everyone?" "Very well, turn around and allow her to wear it. You know Kenna, acting so virginal wont hide the truth. Now wear it!" I looked around. Everyone had their back turned, but surely they'd peek. I wore the dress as quickly as possible, as tears slid down my face.
"Who am I to marry?" I asked as I fixed the dress on me. "What is this Henry?" He didn't say anything but simply smirked. "Father there must be another way" A voice offered behind me. I turned towards it, shocked. "Bash?" I asked through tears. He ignored me and looked straight at his father. "She is your mistress" He pointed out. "You are to marry her. THAT IS IT" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "No, no Henry, no please!" I took a step towards him "Henry I beg you" I placed a hand on his arm "Keep away you wench!" He shrieked as he placed a slap on my face, knocking me down. "Father!" Sebastian shouted and everyone else gasped. "Shut up and go get Francis and Mary" I placed a hand on my cheek and looked up at Bash who was shaking his head. "No, father Mary-" "THIS IS NOT AN OFFER IT IS A COMMAND"
Sebastian hesitated. "Just do it Sebastian, has your life no meaning?" Catherine said carelessly. He nodded and disappeared behind the walls. As Henry turned his back to me Lola and Greer ran to me and comforted me. "Maybe he'll change his mind?" Lola suggested hopelessly. Is shook my head and allowed tears to flow some more. "This is marriage, there is no turning back" Greer bit her tongue and stroked my head. "Calm down Kenna, please" Sebastian walked back in, Mary and Francis at his tail. "What is this?" Mary demanded but Henry didn't care about her title. He had clearly lost his mind. Then I saw her, the real serpent behind the poison. Penelope, the whore from the kitchen, walked up to his and placed her hand on his shoulder. "You are doing correctly my love" She whispered. "Its you, this is all your fault!" I shrieked as I lunged at her. "Keep away!" Henry screamed back as he pushed me away with full force. I fell back to Sebastian's arms. "Lady Kenna" he whispered but I pushed him off me. "Get off, I can't. Please Henry!"
"Your majesty!" Mary tried to calm him. "Father perhaps you should take a breath and think this through!" Francis offered. "Shut up and watch Francis" the King demanded. He pulled me and Bash together and made us hold hands. "You are getting married, that is all" "But you promised, you promised a man with title!" I screamed. "Title? Title it is then. The lord of Horse and Hunt" "That isn't even a real title!" I shrieked. But it was too late. "Henry there is no taking back a marriage, there is not going back".
Through tears and fear, I was shushed into a marriage with a man of no title, power or respect. A bastard. I noticed him look at me as I cried to my hands. I was never going to love him, I was never going to be happy and neither was he. My eyes met his through salty tears and I shrugged desperately. He sighed and looked at the ground like an ashamed boy. My life was over, I would never be happy again...
But they do say not to judge a book by its cover...
Thank you for reading. I fell in love with Kenna and Bash since the last few episodes and immediately felt like writing about them. Next chapters will involve more of the other characters. Leave a review and share your thoughts, it'll help shape the next chapters! Thank you once again :D