**Even with all the historic inaccuracies, I still love Reign. It has really hooked me in but I just wish there was a little more action. I know we're only 4 eps in but I do have high hopes for this show & I know we won't be disappointed. As for shipping, I do think Mary & Francis are adorable but everyone loves an underdog so I'm swaying more to a Bash & Mary hook up. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my story, if you do, drop me a comment/review and let me know. Or you could drop me a comment on how much you hated it, I'll be happy either way. :)**
The Royal Wedding.
What a wonderful day it was for a wedding, the birds chirped harmoniously through the summer air as Bash unlatched his bedroom window. He finished buttoning the top of his cream and gold doublet. He felt pompous in these tight wedding garments, he much preferred his usual loose clothing. Being a bastard, Bash's personal dress was not something that was heavily scrutinized. In fact, his rugged appearance fitted well with his womanizing ways and nonchalant attitude. This was the character that he created for himself, the persona which he was renowned for but there was one person who truly knew him, the woman he loved.
He reached into his pocket and studied the pair of rings, one was a plain gold ring, thicker in width than its companion. The other exhibited a large glistening ruby surrounded by mini diamonds.
Today he would watch the love of his life walk down the aisle in her dazzling white gown; though not how he would have imagined it.
Bash made his way to the church. The church pews were decorated with an abundance of cream roses. Cream rose petals covered the entire floor. The altar was graced with cream quilted cloth trimmed with gold. His brother Francis paced nervously at the top of the altar, he caught a glimpse of his brother's entrance.
"Oh Bash, Thank God! Have you got the rings?"
Bash pulled out the compact container from his pocket.
"What would you do without me?"
Bash gave his brother a charming grin. Francis returned the gesture with a bear hug of appreciation.
"How about some wine to calm the nerves?"
Bash pulled a flask from inside his doublet and forced his most supporting smile.
The church was almost full. Bash caught the scowling glare that Queen Catherine threw at him. The Queen was irritated that this wedding was even happening but Bash's presence added to her anger. Not only was he was permitted to attend such a royal occasion, what really infuriated her was he was Francis' first and only choice for Best man.
Francis broke Bash's trance by placing his hands on his shoulders.
"I've just got word from one of the servants, she's on the way over.. Do I look okay? I feel like a fool in this doublet."
Bash smiled and reassured his brother, "You look every bit a King today, little brother."
They simultaneously turned as the orchestra began to play the opening ceremony's sweet melody and all the heads in the church turned to face the entrance.
Mary entered the church like an angelic vision. She wore an ivory gown, glistening satin with lace sleeves. It hugged her figure ever so neatly. Her bouquet of roses matched her scarlet lips. Her jet black hair complemented her snow white complexion. She had never looked so beautiful. She walked down the aisle with no one by her side. This embodied her very character and spirit. She had been alone for so long but she fought bravely on for her country and her people.
Even now, though Bash knew she loved Francis, this marriage was for Scotland.
She met Francis at the altar and they exchanged amorous smiles.
Bash could not take his eyes off Mary for the entire ceremony. He became uneasy at the vows. A pit had formed in his stomach, his throat had dried up and he clenched his teeth so not to let his heart slip the words he so wished to say.
The final bells rang and the celebrations erupted. Francis clasped Mary in his warm embrace and graced her with a smashing kiss. The newly man and wife lead the congregation out of the church. Before exiting Mary turned to grace Sebastian with a sentimental gaze.
The wedding banquet was going down quite the treat. Everyone had eaten their fill and the caskets of wine had to be refilled many a time. Bash could have been one of the main culprits of this. The rest of the wedding party seemed to be pacing themselves, mingling and dancing; while Bash had surpassed the point of merry. He acquired a seat right next to a cask at the bottom of the hall, refilling his glass instantly as it emptied.
Sebastian glared at Francis chuckling with their father over some hunting story, even Queen Catherine managed to crack a genuine smile from time to time. He felt ashamed with himself. He was sulking and glowering at his brother on his wedding day, a brother who he loved. The problem was that he was in love with his bride.
With that thought in his mind, he never noticed Mary approach him. He tried to straighten his drunken stance.
"My dear brother-in-law, can I trouble you for a dance?"
Bash rudely sniggered.
"Don't be absurd, Mary. You can tell this is your first wedding. Bastards don't dance with Queens, your grace."
He bowed sarcastically.
"Sebastian, are you drunk?"
He erupted in sadistic laughter.
"It is a wedding after all," He waved his glass in front of her and chugged the remainder of the wine. "Wench," he called over a servant girl "this cask is empty, be a dear and run to the kitchen and get another." He winked at her and tapped her buttocks as she walked away.
Mary was horrified.
"Sebastian, what is wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?"
"Surely you've heard of my reputation, Mary. I'm not the noble King like your beloved Francis, I'm just the drunken bastard."
He brushed past her and exited the Throne room to the hallway.
As he stomped up the hallway, he realised just how much the wine affected him. He stumbled against a wall and tried to compose himself.
Suddenly he heard her voice. He could not keep his body upright and began to slide down the wall. He was caught by her soft gentle hands but his weight brought them both to the ground. His hazy eyes finally were able to focus on her face.
"Bash, you've had far too much too drink." She was struggling to lift him to his feet. He came to her aid and lifted himself up. Mary handed him a bottle, she sensed his question.
"It's okay, it's water and I need you to drink a lot of it. I've got another bottle here too."
He accepted the drink but could not shirk his resentment.
"Why are you doing this to me, Mary?"
"What!? Helping you!? I've found myself asking that very question."
Mary had adapted a fierceness to her tone.
"No, Torturing me!"
Mary was taken aback by his outburst. She tried to reply but no words appeared.
Bash continued, "You know how I feel about you.." he clenched his fists, ".. and yet you continue to talk to me, help me, always there.. Always bloody there!"
"Bash, you're not making any sense..."
Bash grabbed her by the arms and pushed her against the wall.
"Don't you see, I love you! How can't you see that!?" He didn't realise he was shaking her. He seized her in a bruising, passionate kiss. After immediately realising his actions, he pulled away.
Upon seeing her distress, he softly let go of her before uttering his apologies.
"..I'm so sorry, Mary... I.."
He left his words in mid-sentence as he rushed off in embarrassment.
Bash remained in his chambers for the remainder of the celebrations, consuming as much water as possible so not to cause more embarrassment to himself. A knock on his door startled him. It was Francis who entered.
"Where the hell did you disappear to?"
Bash held up a glass of water as he replied.
"Too much to drink."
They both shared a chuckle, Bash hiding his shame behind his smile.
"It's almost time for the bedding. Father insisted you be a part of the overseeing."
"Francis.. I.. I'm a bastard. I'm not supposed to be a part of any kind of royal ceremony. You seen how your mother reacted when she was told I'd be a part of the wedding. Let's not add any more salt to the wound."
"Bash, ..King, Prince, Bastard, They're just titles. You are my blood, you are my brother."
"..Well, as your brother, I still have no wish to see your small cock."
They both burst out laughing.
The brothers embraced, though they loved each other, neither wanted to address the real reason of why Bash rejected the offer.
Sebastian rejected his brother's offer to be present at his bedding and yet he found himself steered towards the scene. He did not enter the bedroom as his father did but he positioned himself behind the screens where some maiden ladies had gathered, giggling and gossiping. They were soon silenced by the domineering presence that accompanied them. Queen Catherine took a seat beside Bash.
He explained himself to her, "I refused Francis' offer to observe in the bedroom so I'm fulfilling my duty out here."
Catherine snorted at his explanation, "Don't give me that rubbish. We both know why you're here, taking a glimpse of what you will never have."
Bash tried to rebuttal but Catherine refused him by continuing, "In all honesty, I wish she did fall for you, then the bitch would have been ruined and out of my sight."
It seems Bash wasn't the only one who had drank too much tonight.
Mary, entered the bedroom followed by two of her maids. Her maids began to take off her wedding gown and fit her into her transparent slip. She blushed nervously, she tried to cover her nakedness. She looked so vulnerable. Bash wanted nothing more to strip the shirt off his back and wrap it around her. He noticed Francis flash a comforting smile from across the room as he too got undressed.
They clutched hands and lay atop the bed, Mary's eyes were jumping from every individual in the room. Francis cupped her chin in his hand, whispered sweetly in her ear and kissed her tenderly. Once upon the bed she began to settle, her breath still anxious. Her eyes were crushed closed. She let out a shaky breath as Francis entered her.
Bash barely noticed he had rose to his feet, he wanted to leave, stop this pain he was feeling but he was frozen in this constrained stance. His fingers clasped around the holes of the wooden screen.
In that moment, Mary turned her head to face him, as she opened her eyes they met his. He waited for her to flinch away from his glance but she never faltered. She focused completely on him. Was she really this evil? Did she enjoy torturing him? He brushed that thought straight from his mind. Mary was anything but evil. She was the kindest soul he ever encountered. Perhaps, this was her way of comforting him? Or was he comforting her? She was consummating her marriage in front of a room full of people and she choose to look at him, even over her husband. Was there something there? Did she feel something for him too? These thoughts ran through his head but he never lost her gaze. If he was giving her comfort, he did not want to let her down. She had finally became comfortable enough to lose herself in the moment. Her breathless moans were becoming louder, she wrapped a hand around Francis' neck while the other tugged at the covers. Francis stole her mouth with passionate kisses as he finished the act.
Everyone began to depart but Bash lingered that little bit longer. He felt as if his heart had just shattered into pieces. This was how it would always be between them, be it a wooden screen, duty to one's country or the bond between brothers, there will always be a barrier keeping him from Mary.
** This was intended to be a OneShot but I'm finished Uni in early December so you never know, I may add to it or just write some other unrelated OneShots. The power is in your hands*