Hey everyone! okay I know I know it's been like forever since I posted the second chapter of this story. But I've had some issues that now hopefully will stay resolved. I pray they do. Anyways. I really wanted to write a reign story because I'm a huge fan of the show and plus I feel in love with Bash the moment I saw him. So I wanted to do a story were he got the girl for once in his life and didn't have to fight another man to get her. Anyways I'm going to post this threw chapter 6 so hopefully you guys will like it. Okay enough talk I'll let you get back to reading.
The next morning Kristina awakened to the sound of someone entering her chambers. Her eyes shot open seeing two maids moving around the chamber getting things ready for the day. Sitting up slowly as to not startled the maids Kristina spoke.
"Good morning Ladies."
One of the maids jumped at the sound of Kristina's voice as the other one turned around very quickly and bowed.
"Good Morning my Lady. Her majesty Queen Mary asked us to ready you a bath and to help you dress." said one of the maids.
"Also her majesty said that you are to join her in her chambers after you are ready." added the other.
"Well thank you ladies and please tell her majesty that I will be sure and join her once I'm ready for the day." Kristina said as she got out of bed and walked over to the tub.
"Yes my lady. Oh also my lady your mother asked if you wish to join her and your father later for a family outing. Once your father returns from his outing with his majesty deputy." said the older looking maid.
"Please tell my mother that I would love to join herself and my father. But only if the Queen allows it."replied Kristina.
"As you wish my lady." said the maid.
After the two had left the room. Kristina undressed and slipped into the tub. She kind of like the idea of the baths in France. Much bigger then the ones in Scotland and the perfumes and oils used in the baths smelled much better then ones she had back home.
Laying her back against the edge of the tub Kristina's mind wondered to Bash. She hoped that her father was getting along with him and that he wasn't passing judgment over the King's half brother. James wouldn't be passing judgment on anyone. He'd be happy for me. Mother has always...
"Lady Kristina..." came a voice breaking Kristina out of her own thoughts.
"One moment please." replied Kristina as she got out of the tube grabbed her dressing gown and then turned back around to the door "Come in please."
When the door open there walked in Lola. The other women greeted her with a soft smile. Kristina just held her high but ofter a small smile.
She knew her place in court even if she didn't approve of Lola's actions. It made her sick to think that her friend had been Frances one night mistress and mother to his first born son who even though illegment Frances had claimed the child. She still didn't like the idea of Lola betraying her Queen in such away.
She and Lola had been good friends when they where children but when Lola was called to be one of Mary's lady in waiting. The two had just grown apart.
Even though Kristina wished that Mary would have had her sent away when she found out what had happen between Lola and Frances. Still she knew her places not only as the Queen's new lady in waiting but also as a loyal subject to the crown of Scotland and as the God Sister to the Queen herself.
"Lady Lola. What brings you to my chamber so early?" inquired Kristina.
"Kris you and I have known each other since child hood. Must we have the formalities of court in front of us?" asked Lola.
"I suppose not. Though I'm sure her majesty as told you about my feelings toward certain matters that involve yourself and his highness King Frances." replied Kristina.
Lola nodded. "Mary has told me that you believe me to be traitor to her and to the crowd of Scotland. But Kris you must believe me. What transpired among Frances and myself was something that should never happened. I felt just awful about betraying Mary and for hurting her. She was so upset with me when she found out about what happen till I'm not surprised that she didn't not force Frances to banish me from court never to be spoken to or heard from again. Kris... you, Mary, Kennan, Gerra, my son. You are all I have left in this world. My family has exiled me and disowned me. I have no one else."
"Oh Lola I'm sorry... I had no idea... I suppose... If Mary can forgive you for what happen. Then I should as well. James would not approve of you and I fighting among each other all over an accident." Kristina said softly.
"So you and I are friends again?" asked Lola.
"Best Friends as always." Kristina said as she pulled Lola into a hug.
The two friends embraced for a few moments more and then pulled part. Lola called the maids in to help Kristina get ready for the day as the two chatted away about they're lives. Kristina shared with Lola that was happening back in Scotland. While Lola shared everything that happen to her self and the other women since arriving in France only a year ago.
"So Frances was willing to give up his crown in order for Bash to be King since that is what Mary wished?" asked Kristina breathless as the maid tied her corsets in place.
"Yes. It was quit something. Mary was very intended to marry Bash be legitimize or not. Just to save France's life." Lola explained.
"How scandalous. I heard that Mary of Geese came to court. How did that end?" Kristina asked her voice some what muffled from having the dress pulled over her head.
"Mary did marry Frances didn't she?" Lola said matter of factually.
"Oh dear... no wounder father was going around saying "She's going to force our Queen to marry a man she doesn't love. Saints in heaven we have to get Queen Mary back on the throne and that women off." exclaimed Kristina.
"I take it some of the nobles were getting restless about Mary not being on the throne and her mother being on it?"
"Lord Rivers called upon father one night just after dinner. You should have heard them two of them talking about Mary of Geese as if she were a leper or something."
"Lord Rivers? I though him to be dead he is very advance age is he not?"
Kristina laughed softly as she took a seat at the dressing table to let the maid do her hair and finish getting her ready. She and Lola were due soon to Mary's chamber to help her get ready for the day and also to have a pleasant visit among themselves, Mary and Kristina's mother.
"The Elder Lord Rivers is indeed in advance age. I'm specking of the Younger Lord Rivers. Sir Thomas DE River. Actually."
"Sir Thomas? My word is he a solider now as well?"
"That he is. He and James were..." Kristina paused for a moment gathered her thoughts and then spoke again. "He was a good friend of James."
Lola noticed the look of sadness in her eyes. She couldn't imagine the loss of a sibling since Lola herself still had her brothers back home. Even though they chose to disowned her. She loved them none the less and couldn't not even think what life would be like if one of them was die before really having a chance to live.
Kristina took a deep breath to calm herself down for she felt the tears start to prickle behind her eyes. The last thing in the world she wanted was for Lola to see to her so upset that she'd have to call her father back from his time with Bash in order for her to be calm again. Lola noticed this and went over wrapping her friend in a warm embrace.
"It's alright to miss him Kris. He was you're brother and time will heal but you won't forget him. You have such great memories with James. Not to mention you'll make new friends at court. Along with Mary, Kennan, Geera and myself. If you ever need one of us just let us know alright." Lola told her friend.
"Thank you Lola. It is good to know I have such good friends." Kristina said with a smile.
Lola gave her friend a smile of her own as she sat next to Kristina. Soon they were called to Mary's chambers. Where they found Mary, Kristina's mother waiting for them. Along with Kennan and Geera. After embracing her friends and her mother. Kristina joined them in all in a cup of tea and cakes. The women sat talking and catching up with each other.
Meanwhile out in the forest not far from the castle. Bash and Duke Linwood were riding along the streams talking of hunting and the Duke would ask questions about the type of game that was found in the forest.
"Are there deer in this part of the forest Sebastian?" the Duke asked chuckling.
"Yes my lord there are a lot of deer in the part of the forest. As well as boars and other games." Bash answered with a chuckle of his own.
"Does his majesty hunt often?"
"No. My lord he doesn't. His majesty honestly is more worried about the matters of state then of hunting. He isn't like our father."
"Did his late majesty enjoy hunting?"
"Oh, yes. My father lived for hunting and women as well."
The Duke only nodded at that comment. He'd heard stories about the late King Henry of France. The departed king had more then one mistress and everyone knew it. But he'd kept Bash's mother Diane as his number one for years.
She'd been his first mistress and for the longest time his only mistress. Until the Lady Kennan had come to court. To which then Henry took a liking to the young women and they began to have an affair.
Until Kennan was married off to the Scot lord and then of course Henry died just a few months after she was married off.
Rumor had it a powerful noble man had been the one to have had the king killed. But there was also Rumors of a spy in the court who had been sent by the English crown to kill the King and the other french royals. But the Duke spoke none of this to Bash for he knew that if such rumor were spoken around the king deputy then word would surely get back to Frances and he would be dismissed and possible killed. Living his family with no one.
"Tell me my lord Duke. Your daughter the Lady Kristina has an interest in swordsmanship. Would you object to me showing or rather teaching her to use a sword?" asked Bash praying the Duke wouldn't get upset with him over asking such a question.
"Well Kristina has always wanted to learn. Her brother..." the Duke paused for a moment to gather himself. "My son James taught her a few things. I see no reason why you can't teach her more. It will do her good."
"I promise I will take it easy on her my lord."
The Duke chuckled "I do not doubt that. But my daughter will not very likely take it easy on you."
"Oh really? She is a quick study then?"
"That she is. Tell me something my lord. We all heard the rumors of your and her majesty Queen Mary's suppose marriage. But I must know something as her majesty's God father. Where you going to marry her for her title and because she is Queen of Scotland or were you going to marry her for another reason."
Bash looked at the Duke with a surprise look on his face. He'd never before been asked if he had been going to marry Mary. Because of her title and because she was the Queen of Scotland. In fact he'd told Mary himself. That he wasn't not marrying her for title or for land.
He had planned on marrying her because he did love her. But also because he wanted nothing more then to protect her and the people of Scotland from the English and anyone who called for war against France and Scotland.
"As I told her majesty my lord. I loved her at that time and I wasn't marrying her for a title for the land that came with such a match. I was marrying her because of the love I had for at the time and that I wanted to protect not only France but Scotland as well from the English or any other enemies of two such great countries."
"Did the Queen return your love my lord?"
"No... the Queen and King had been in love since they were children. So I knew that rather I was made ligament or not. She was always going to pick his majesty over me."
The Duke looked Bash over from head to toe. They had been out riding since early morning and he'd come to like Bash's company. He found him to be very brave, kind to the country people, and also very concerned about the people if one had stop to ask him for help in some matter.
As the day went on the Duke believed that all the rumors that had been told about Bash were completely wrong. And that Mary had been right about the King's older brother all along.
Bash was a very good man. Any father would be please to call him "Son" and the Duke couldn't think of a better man to approved as his daughter's husband.
"Sebastian I hope you don't think me forward to ask this. Since you've only known my daughter for a day. But what do you think of her?" the Duke asked questionably.
"Well my lord Duke I find the Lady Kristina to be very sweet. She of course is kind and would make any man a blessed wife. She also has the face of an angel. One that if you look upon her to long. A man would think he was looking at heaven it's self."
"When the time comes for me to chose a husband for my daughter. Would you like to be one of the suitors to call upon her?"
"It would be an honor my lord Duke."
"Good answer man."
A few hours later while at dinner with her parents and Mary. Who had been invited to dinner by her mother. Kristina sat nervously wanting to ask her father about his day with Bash. Mary noticed this and tried to get her god sister to sit still. But Kristina said it was impossible that she just had to know how the outing had gone.
Most of the meal the topic was news from Scotland and business. So finally when that conversation had ended Kristina spoke asking her question.
"How was your outing with Lord Sebastian today father?"
"Yes my dear how was the outing with his majesty's bastard brother." the Duchess said with snare.
"What was that my lady?" Mary asked.
"I mean... oh my Lady surely you know that the bastard Sebastian isn't not a suitable man for any women. I..."
"Duchess Elissa Linwood you are dismissed from this dinner at once. Return to your chamber and tomorrow you will remain there for specking ill against his majesty brother and my brother in law." Mary order her face being that of Queen scolding a subject. And not one of a god daughter specking to her god mother.
The Duchess left the table at once being escorted by one of the guards Mary had ordered outside the Duchess's chambers. After the Duchess had left and Mary had apologized for such an out burst in front of her God Father and God sister. The Duke spoke.
"My outing with Lord Sebastian went extremely well. He would make any man a very good son in law. He is every bit a lord rather he have that title ligament or not."
"So God Father I take it you approve him as a possible husband for Kristina?" asked Mary.
"I do you're majesty. In fact I leave it your majesty and his majesty to a range any meeting between his majesty oldest brother and my daughter. Oh and Kristina Sebastian has also asked permission to teach you some things with the sword. As James once did."
"Did you warn him father about how a quick study I'm?" asked Kristina.
"Of course I did daughter. I had to warn him. We wouldn't want have to explain to their majesties why Sebastian was harmed while teach you sword play now would we?" the Duke replied with a wink towards his daughter.
"No father of course not." smiled Kristina.
"I'm so glad that you approve of Sebastian God Father. I will be sure to tell Frances. Do you believe James would have approved?" Mary asked hope in her voice.
"I believe he would have approved of him. As he would have approved him for you. Sebastian told me everything this afternoon Mary. I must say that even I would have approved your marriage to him." the Duke told his god daughter.
"Mary?"
"Yes Kristina what is it?"
"Do you love Bash?"
"As a brother of course I do. But if you mean as a husband. No... if we had married I might have... but my heart has always belonged to Frances."
The Duke watched his daughter's reaction to the answer the Queen had just given her. Kristina's eyes had always been the thing that he'd loved about his daughter. He read her so well just by looking at them and tonight he saw that she was worried. For if Mary had said she'd loved Sebastian then he knew what his daughter would have said she would no longer wish to meet with Bash as she'd called the King's brother. Even if the Queen had given her permission.
Kristina wouldn't not come between two people who where meant to be together. No matter if she loved the person or not. Loyalty was always his daughter strongest ability. She was the most loyal person he'd ever known and that was thing he admired about her was ability to be loyal to anyone she ever meet.
"Mary... you must know that if you had answered her differently. I do believe my daughter would have requested that she return home with me and her mother." said the Duke.
"What do you mean God Father?"
"Kristina... do you want to tell her?" asked the Duke.
"I.. Mary... as you are both my Queen and god sister. I would have said that if you did love Bash as a husband or something other then a brother. I would have turned his offer to teach me the sword down. As well I also would have asked to return to Scotland with my parents. As I would not stay here and come between you and him."
Mary smiled at her god sister and took her hand in her own.
"My sweet Little Kristina. You are the most loyal person I have ever known. But I would have refused your request to return to Scotland. And I would have ordered you to take the lessons with Bash. Because I knew that even that amount of time with him would make you happy. And I promised our dear James that I would make sure you were very happy here."
"Yes but your majesty..."
"None of that. I'm not your queen at this moment. I'm your god sister and as both god sister and queen of Scotland and France I give you my blessing to get a chance to know Bash and if in time your father so wishes I will arrange a marriage between the two of you."
"What of Frances? Will he approve such a match Mary?" asked the Duke full of concern.
"Frances only has to see Kristina and Bash together and he will know. I believe over time he will come to know his brothers mind on our dear Kristina and when, if the time comes. Then I'm sure they will both have his blessing as they will have mine." answered Mary.
"Thank you Mary." Kristina said.
"You are my family Kristina and I told you last evening I promised to watch out for you and I mean to do just that." replied Mary.
Kristina smiled at Mary and then gave her a quick embrace before returning back to the meal.
After being ordered back to her chambers then Duchess Linwood was pacing back and forth trying to figure out a way to get back in the Queen's good graces. She knew that specking against the King's brother would have consequence but she didn't not expect this. Her own god daughter ordering her back to her chamber and not to mention ordering to stay there.
Worry soon filled the Duchess as she though about what might happen if word got back to the King of her ill specking. She had heard that Frances was very protective of his brother. Even though he'd had him thrown in the dungeon and locked away for running away with Mary. He'd forgiven him and made him his second and deputy. The Duchess understood none of this. Nor did she understand Mary's sisterly love towards the bastard son of the former King.
Suddenly there was a knock upon her door and the Duchess turned to see who would be calling her on her at a time like this. When the guard opens the door he announced
"Her majesty Queen Kathrine to see you my lady."
"Please tell her majesty to come in."
Kathrine enter the chamber with a disapproving look upon her face. Elissa Linwood knew then that word must have already spread and she was in deep trouble. For even though she did not care for her husbands bastard child. She respected him none the less and Kathrine must have come here to confront her about what had been said at the dinner.
"Your majesty." Elissa said as she bowed before the Dowager Queen.
"Duchess Linwood. I hear from servants that you offended my step son by calling him a bastard in front of Queen Mary." inquired the Dowager Queen.
"Yes, your majesty. It's only that I have heard rumors about his majesty brother and my husband and the Queen Mary believe he would be a good fit for my daughter Kristina. I wish for her to marry Sir Thomas DE Rivers and not him. But I'm afraid for specking my mind I will not get my wish."
"Duchess Linwood I have daughters myself. They all have been very fond of Bash. Not to mention my sons. They have always treated Bash as a brother rather he was only a half brother or not. Not mention Mary almost married him. But Bash is no threat to your daughter he is a good man. Someone you should take time to get to know."
"I do not wish to know a …"
"Watch your words my lady. I'm the Queen's mother in law and if you so much as say something else against Bash. I will inform my son and then you daughter will no longer have a mother."
"I'm sorry your majesty. It is just that I have had hopes that Kristina and Sir Thomas would wed one day. I already have it worked out with his father. But since she is to stay here I suppose my husband and the Queen will want her to marry that..."
"My Lady what did I just tell you."
"I'm sorry your majesty."
Kathrine looked the women over. Elissa Linwood was a thin pale women. With dark hair and light eyes. She also didn't seem the short of mother who cared about children only her ranking. Kathrine couldn't not help but think of herself as she looked upon the duchess. She'd been selfish when she it came to her own daughter.
She'd sent Claude away from the court because of wild ways. Clarissa was dead and her twin daughters were gone while still just babes. She had her sons though. It was true she'd never cared for Bash since he was born. But she respected him because of the fact that both Henry and Frances loved him as did her youngest son. To here that Elissa Linwood had spoken ill of Bash had upset her. She could only imagine how upset Mary had gotten to lock the poor women in her chambers.
After studying the other women. Kathrine took pity on her.
"I will speck to Queen Mary and see if I can't get her to allow you out of your chambers. But I must warn you my lady if you so much as speck ill of Bash again. I will inform both Queen Mary and my son the king. And you might never see Scotland again are we clear?"
"Yes.. thank.. thank you … your highness." replied Elissa.
"Do not thank me yet my lady. Queen Mary might not be willing to forgive you. But I will see what I can do. Until then stay in your chambers. As ordered."
"Yes your highness."
With a curt nod Kathrine left the other women chambers and went to find Mary.
After dinner had ended Mary and Kristina had returned to Mary's chambers so that her highness could changed for bed. While helping Mary to change out of her dress and into her sleeping gown. Queen Kathrine arrived.
"Mary I must speck to you... ah Lady Kristina. I did not know you where here." said Kathrine.
"I will leave your majesties alone." answered Kristina as she went to leave the room.
"No stay Lady Kristina. I have just come from visiting your mother."
"You visited the Duchess Kathrine?" asked Mary angerly.
"I know I'm not the best mother in world. But that women seems to only care about is her rank and where she will be sitting at the dinner table. Then about her children." replied Kathrine.
"You can say that again." chimed in Kristina.
"Did she speck ill of Bash again?" Mary asked again still very anger.
"No she watched her tongue. I told her that I would ask on her behalf that you let her leave her chambers. She is only here for a few days Mary and since you have ordered that Kristina stay here at court to be a lady in waiting to you. Then you must give her time with her daughter. It is only for a few days more. And you can have a guard with her at all times. To listen in if she speck ill of Bash again. I told her I would inform both you and Frances."
"My mother will be specking ill of Bash again. You should hear her when she specks of James's daughter. The child is only six months old and she calls her cursed and death's daughter. Father has had to send her to her chambers numbers of times when James's widow Elizabeth visits us. When he knows that she and the babe are coming he orders mother to the convent with the nuns and she has to stay there until they leave." Kristina told them.
"She specks ill of her own grandchild?! Oh my poor girl how you grew up with such a mother I will never know. I will never speck ill of my own grandchildren even little Robert. If Lola is his mother he is still my grandchild." said Kathrine.
"Kristina what do you wish to be done to your mother?" asked Mary.
"I wish she would be sent away to find help. Ever since she lost my baby sister she has not been herself. Mother was never so cold and hard hearted like this. But I believe the lost of James and then the babe was to much for her. Father though of having her put away for a while. Or asking her to retire to a convent to live out the rest out of her days. But he hasn't yet but I believe soon he will have to. He will have no other choice." answered Kristina.
"Perhaps you can send her to England Mary. Have her exiled until she can be in her right mind again." suggested Kathrine.
"No. I will not exile her. I will speck with her in the morning. And suggest that she retire to a convent for a time till she is able to come home. Also I will have a doctor examine her." Mary answered.
"As you wish. Well good night ladies." said Kathrine as she she left the chambers.
"Good night your highness." replied Kristine.
"Sleep well Kathrine."
Kathrine smiled and nodded to both younger women and then retired back to her own chambers or the night. After her mother in law had left her chambers Mary noticed how her god sister looked out the window of her chambers and out into the court yard of the castle.
"What are you looking for Kristina?" inquired the young Queen.
"I'm sorry Mary.. the stars.. Do you remember what he use to say?"
"When the brightest star shines it will be me telling you everything will be fine. I remember."
"There is no brightest star tonight. That means trouble is coming and I know who in the form of."
"Who is that dear Kristina?" asked Mary.
"Sir Thomas DE Rivers... my mothers... my mothers... pick to be my husband."
"Rivers? Not Lord Rivers son?"
"Yes, mother has had her eye on him for me. Since James was wed to his cousin. When mother first approached father about it. He seemed to wish it as well. But James would not hear of it."
"I do not understand. You told Lola just this afternoon that he was a good friend to James."
"A good friend yes. But he had no loyalty to my brother the noble that they were guarding on the way to England was a neighbor of Lord Rivers. He'd asked Thomas and James to be in guard since he though they both were well skilled and could protect his family. What James didn't know was that Thomas was being paid to guard the family while James was getting nothing."
"So you fear that your mother might send word to this Sir Thomas and ask him to come to court to be a suitor in order to keep you away from Bash?"
"Yes, that is my fear. Oh Mary what I'm to do if he does come here? I can not stand to look upon him since James' death. I hate him."
"Do not worry Kristina. If Sir Thomas does happen to appear we will handle it. In the mean time I will alert Frances of all this."
"No Mary. His got to much on his plate with the nobles here. With all the problems with the Protestants not to mention Narssies and the other nobles. Also with trying to protect you and the Dowager Queen he doesn't not need to add my problems to his list."
"Still I will alert him and Bash as well. We will make sure nothing happens to you."
"Thank you Mary. As for my mother what will happen to her?"
"I will think of something. If she refuses the convent the I can speck with you father and have them divorced. But that is up to him."
"You are right. Well I must retire to my chamber the hour grows later and later. Good night Mary."
"Good night Kristina my the angels watch over you."
"You as well my Queen."
With that Kristina left Mary's chambers and returned to her own. Retiring to bed for the night she prayed to God that her mother would go to the convent at Mary's request. She also prayed that Sir Thomas River would stay in Scotland were he belong and leave her in France to hopefully fall in love and marry Bash.