Hercule DuBois takes a bite out of an apple. He is standing in the great hallway of the castle, watching the noble men and women wonder about. Hercule smiles as he take another bite of the apple. It feels good to be back home in French Court after years of absence. Hercule is an old family friend having growing up with the late King Henry. Hercule's eyes catches the young queen, his smiles grows. He remembers her very well, Mary, Queen of Scots, notorious for defying the rule that children should be seen and not heard. Always inquisitive as child, never sitting through stories or finishing games much too young Francis dismay. She's was a firecracker and still is from the looks of things. Hercule sees the fire that still burns in teenage queen. A fire that must be extinguished, Hercule sees a bright future for France. However, his vision for France cannot come pass if Francis continues to rule with his heart. And the best way to break a King is to break his Queen, Hercule understands this quite well.
Taking the last bite of his apple, Hercule tosses the pit of the apple at the servants and walks over to Mary and her Lady in Waiting.
"Mary, Queen of Scots, it is an honor." Hercule says as he bows, "And who is this magnificent creature?" Hercule takes Lola's and kisses.
"This is one of my Ladies in Waiting, Lady Lola. And you are?
"Forgive me Your Grace, please let me introduce myself. I am Hercule DuBois, I doubt you remember me but I remember you quite well."
"I beg your pardon."
Hercule smiles, "I am an old friend of the Valois, I spent many of my days here at Court. Watching you and young Francis play when you little. You were such a firecracker back then, climbing trees, mudding up your dresses, too much of your governess dismay. Never fully understanding your place. Always breaking the cardinal rule that children should be seen and not heard."
Hercule cannot help but to smirk, he can see the anger and passion in her eyes. He loves how he can rattle her easily.
"One can only hope you have learned your place, seeing you are now the Queen of France."
"I take my duties seriously, my Lord."
"Is that so?" Hercule looks around, "Pardon my frankness but I do not see any little Valois sash Stuart's running around."
Mary smiles, "That is none of your concern."
"I beg to differ, Your Majesty. You producing an heir is all of France concern. You and Francis have been married for eight months, yet, here you are still barren. You are living in world where a woman's worth is measured by her ability to produce her husband's heir."
Mary straightens her posture, "I assure you Lord DuBois, an heir is in France's imminent future."
Hercule bows, he takes Mary's hand and kisses it. "That is wonderful news, Your Grace. While I wish could stay and discuss further with you, I have a meeting I need to attend. Enjoy your day Your Grace, Lady Lola."
Lola watches as Lord DuBois walks away as she turns to speak with Mary she sees that Mary is a few paces in front her.
"Mary." Lola calls out to her friend.
"I know." Mary replies not looking at Lola and continues to walk down the hall.
Lola grabs Mary arm. "You know just alluded that you are-"
"I said, I know."
Lola looks down at Mary's stomach, "Are you?" She sounds hopeful.
"No." Mary keeps looking ahead avoiding her friend's glaze. "But I can get pregnant. Francis and I are young and we've trying vigorously, also..." Mary trials off, Lola can see the wheels turning in Mary's head.
"Mary, what is it? Please tell me."
"Boulogne."
"Boulogne, what's in Boulogne?"
"A doctor who helps with women's issues."
"Mary, you cannot be serious."
"Of course I am, if we leave now we can make it back before dinner."
"We? I can't go with you."
"Why not? Please Lola, I need this.
"Shouldn't you talk to Francis about this?"
"No. Please, Lola, I need you."
Lola hears the desperation in her friend's voice and Mary's pleading eyes is breaking her resolve, who is she to deny the queen of anything. Lola takes Mary hand in hers and lightly squeezing it.
"I'll go with you."
Mary pulls Lola into a hug. "Thank you, you don't know how much this means to me. I will ready us a carriage."
Catherine de' Medici is vison of beauty, Hercule cannot help to the stare at the Queen Mother as speaks with her eldest son, the King France. Hercule grins as the think back to a time when Catherine was in his bed, underneath him screaming out his name in raw passion. How he longs to have her back in his bed if only sooth ache of the one he truly desires. Hercule observers as Catherine goes to fix the King's curls only to have Francis move his head in child-like annoyance.
"Catherine de' Medici, like a fine wine you better with age." Hercule announces making his presence know.
"Hercule DuBois? I… What are you doing here" Catherine is in shock after all these years away, Hercule is back.
"I heard of Henry's death. My only regret is that I did not receive the news fast enough, so that I could attend the funeral."
Francis glances between Hercule and his mother, "Mother, who is this?"
"Francis, this is Hercule DuBois. You remember don't you dear? He was an old friend of father. He left when you still young."
Francis looks at Hercule, he looks vaguely familiar, Hercule bows at Francis. "Forgive me, my King. I seem to keep forgiving my manners. I met you wife, Mary, she every lovely. A spitfire isn't she?
Francis smiles, "This is what I love most about her, her wild and carefree nature."
"If I may be so bold, You Majesty?"
Francis nods signaling Hercule to continue. "While have come to Court to pay my condolence to my old and beloved friend and King, I have also came to honor a promise I made to Henry a long time ago. That if anything was to happen to him I care for your mother and siblings as if they are my own. Seeing that Charles and Henry are so young they will a father figure in their life and the time for mourning has passed.
"Are you asking for my permission to court my mother?"
"Only if it blessed by the King."
Francis looks at his mother then back at Herclue, there is something Catherine's eyes that Francis cannot ignore and he wants nothing more than to see his mother happy.
"I will bless this courtship of my mother."
"Thank your Majesty, I am forever in you debt."
Catherine shots Francis a 'run along look', Francis nods leaving his mother and Herulce alone.
"It's been too long Catherine, too long."
Hercule pulls Catherine close to him, he smiles at her before claiming her lips with his.
Charles kicks ball toward Mary and Lola's carriage. "Mary, Lola, come play with me." Mary stops the ball with her foot, "Sorry Charles, Lola and I are going into town."
"Can I come?" Charles asks positive his favorite sister in law would take her with him relieving of his boredom.
Mary smiles and runs her fingers through the Charles hair, while Charles would never openly admit it he loves it when Mary runs her finger through his hair. "I'm afraid not. You see Lady Lola and I are going in town on royal business."
"Oh." Disappointment in his voice, "Will you be back before the Fall Harvest"
"Damn" Mary curses softly she forgot all about the Fall Harvest festival, she looks at Charles "I will be back in time I promise. I will even save you dance." Charles smiles.
"Why don't you go ask Francis to play with you I'm sure he would like a break from his duties."
"Okay." Charles is about to run off, "Wait!" Mary calls out, "If Francis ask where I am, tell him… Tell him Lola and I went in town to see a friend, okay?"
Charles nods and runs off to find Francis. "Ready to go?" Mary inquires looking at Lola, Lola is giving her a 'why are you lying to your husband look.' Mary sighs, "Can you please not do this to me? Lola, we need now so we make it back in time for the festival, please."
Lola gives Mary a look and steps into the carriage Mary follows after her, the guard taps the carriage indicating it is okay for the diver to head out.
Francis' head is pounding, the pain his ear is eructating and all he wants to his sleep. He is happy that he as few hours before the festivities starts meaning he can take a quick nap. As Francis goes to lay down on his bed the door to his and Mary bedroom chambers open.
"Prince Charles, Your Majesty." The Page announces.
Francis groans in annoyance and pain. "Charles what do want?"
"I came to ask if you wanted to play."
"Not now Charles, I'm sure Mary will be happy to play with you." Francis lays down on the bed cover his eyes with his forearm.
"Mary left."
Francis quickly sit up which does not sit set with aching head or the piercing pain in his ear.
"What do you mean she left?"
"Her and Lady Lola when it to town to see a friend."
"A friend?"
Charles shrugs "That what she said." Francis wants to inquire more, however the pain he feels is unbearable and he just wants a few moments of rest. "Charles, I promise if you allow me to rest for a few moments I will take you riding with me and Bash.
Charles face lights up, "Really? Just you, me and Bash. No Henry.
"That's right, just you with me and Bash. Henry will stay here and play with Mary."
"Okay, enjoy your rest." Charles runs out the room leaving his brother to take a much welcome nap.
