New fresh chapter!
Chapter three: How to help a friend
"The girls are lingering upstairs," thought Mary. She was anxious to think that her sister had gotten worse, but she could not leave the room as she waited for Lola's suitor to appear, but so far nothing. His concern was also because he was trying to get closer to Francis, but every opportunity came down, except perhaps their meeting in Francis's secret place-which was Mary's old room-where he made his swords . Everyone might realize that the Princess of Scotland is crushed by the French prince, but the doubt lingered if he returned the feeling.
Whispers began to be heard around the room. Everyone's eyes, even the bride and groom's, turned toward the front door and Mary's mouth dropped open at the image of her sister being accompanied by Greer and Lola in a dress that most could claim to be revealing. The upper part is transparent showing the lap and around with the glitter of the stones that adorned the dress. There was no mango, they were cut. Only one part was left over the shoulder. From the waist down nothing else showed and the white color prevailed. It did not accompany anything of the dresses that other women wore. The smiles of the three who entered the hall did not show any shame or regret.
Victoria began to greet people and did not let her smile fade with the women's looks of jealousy and rebuke. From afar two men contemplated the beauty that the princess radiated. Bash and Francis. Two men who were at the same time taken away by this girl they did not know. The king as everyone knew was always eyeing a new girl to share his sheets, but he could never imagine that one day he would look at a princess, with the lust he looked at Victoria. So he turned his focus to the figure of Kenna, without letting his mind fantasize with the other. Catherine could not bear to see the glow of her daughter being taken by a Scottish outsider. So she asked for the music to play again and she asked the guests to return to the party. From far away Mary's attention was divided between her sister and the guests.
"Everyone's looking at you, Tori. I think even I'll want a dress like this, "said Greer with laughter.
"That's a great idea! I can start sewing your dresses if you want."
"Seriously ?! "Lola and Greer asked at the same time. They could not deny that Tori's dress was far more practical than that of the women of the day. The two of them wondered where the girl had taken the idea to sew the dress.
"Lola, where's your boyfriend? "Victoria asked
"Boyfriend?"
"Yes. It's a word to describe someone we're meeting, "Victoria chuckled.
"Oh well, he must be around."
But it did not take long for Lola to see Colin with Mary. Victoria followed her gaze and saw what the girl saw. Greer would have seen what they saw.
"What's he doing with Mary?" Greer ask.
"She's his queen. He's just paying his respects."
From afar they see the group of men and Colin drinking from the wine except Mary. When she realized that she was being looked at, she turned her gaze and soon she understood that this was Colin, that Lola must have misunderstood the situation. Victoria wants to cheer up the girl, takes her hand and Greer's hand and drags them to the center of the room. Girls start dancing without bothering with etiquette or type of dance. The smiles on their faces show how much they were loving. Kenna and Aylee also joined, without any more restraint.
The guests accompany in clapping and laughter, while Catherine complained that they were invaded by Scots. At that moment, Bash and Tori's eyes met, making Francis notice and become jealous. Aylee starts spinning with princess, until Tori is left on the dance floor, spinning happily. The first moment she had been happy and comfortable at the time. Feathers begin to fall, Francis and Tori's eyes focused on the ceiling, until they came down to meet. At that moment Tori stopped dancing, smiles were exchanged for the couple. Mary realized this and did not like it that her sister had caught the attention of the prince.
The moment was interrupted by the departure of the royal couple going to their first night of love. The girls gathered around Tori, excited to see the next step.
"Look Elizabeth and Philip are leaving."
"It's time for the consummation, the ritual, the ceremony, the mystery. Aren't you curious?"
"What? I? No, thank you, I'd rather leave it when it's my turn. Besides, that moment is just theirs."
Kenna ended up dragging the princess, followed by the others and Mary. It seems that for a moment the girls have forgotten that Mary exists.
Soon they reached the dark room with an opening being covered by curtains. When he opened it, there was the bride being prepared for the wedding night and men standing by the church, in the corner holding candles.
"You mean, they actually watch them, you know..." said Aylee
"What do you mean? This is horrible!"
"It's a tradition for royals."
"For me this is not tradition, it is invasion of privacy. Excuse me."
So Tori left, listening to murmurs of complaints. She would never enter the intimate moment of the couple. This moment was theirs, only theirs. And no one can take that, not even tradition. She walked back to the hall, where she would find the way back to her room. Only she did not catch the look of Francis following.
"Excuse me."
Tori was already leaving the room when she was approached by the prince.
"Hi, Your Royal Highness."
"Oh, what a scare! Sorry I did not see you ... Francis, is that your name right? "
The prince laughed.
"Apparently the blow was ugly, huh? "
"Oh, yes, it was. It still hurts, but nothing much. "
"Can I know where you're coming from?" Asked the prince with a wry smile.
The princess could not answer, and the prince laughed
"I know where you came from. Girls usually have that kind of curiosity.
"I do not, girls maybe. But you know it's an intrusion on the couple. How can they look at an act of love that should only be exchanged between them? "
"It's tradition."
"Tradition changes."
They watched each other until Mary arrived.
"Francis I need to speak to you."
The two of them were embarrassed, but the princess was the first to react, saying good night to both of them. Victoria could try to deny it, but she felt her heart quicken with that look.
It was about the middle of the night, when there was shouting near her room. It was Mary screaming. Tori rose quickly, covering herself in her robe, heading for her sister's room. On the way just saw Colin screaming, kicking, as the guards led him away. So Tori hurried to Mary's room, seeing the shape of her sister crying in shock.
It was morning, and everyone at the castle knew what had happened. After comforting Mary, now was the time to comfort Lola. She did not stop crying, showing concern for Colin.
"How could this happen? Where were the guards? Why didn't they stop him?"Aylee asked.
"I hope Mary did if they didn't. They'll question her virtue. If she's not a virgin, then she'll never be the queen of France, and our chances at court will be over." Greer answered.
"Girls, respect for Lola. Her boyfriend is the accused, we have to question him."
"Boyfriend?" Kenna, Aylee and Mary - who had arrived at that moment - asked.
"I'll explain later. Lola, would you know of any evidence of why he attacked Mary? "
"He said he was forced. He wouldn't say by whom. He couldn't, he was so afraid. But he said there are people, powerful people, behind this, and he had no choice."
"What people?" Kenna asked.
"Here, in the castle. He wouldn't risk saying no more."
While the girls and Mary were discussing Colin's allegations, Tori recalled a fact in the story called 'The French Royal Scandal', which spoke of a French servant's attempted rape at the French court against the Queen of Scots. But the story did not say anything else besides.
When Mary left the room, her sister followed. She would defend her friend's boyfriend, even more if he was used to a dirty blow. Soon they reached the throne room. The king and queen seated, received the princesses. Mary stopped to bow and thank for protection, while her sister was more direct.
"Where is Colin? We want to talk to him. "
Mary could not stand her composure anymore, pinched her around the waist, indicating with her eyes what she was supposed to do. Tori bowed in disgust. At that moment she decided to let Mary speak for them.
"I thank you for your protection last night, but I... we need to speak with Colin."
"Speak, to your assailant? Why?" Queen Catherine asked
Unable to handle the delay, Tori returned to speak.
"There's a chance he's been threatened to make such ... action. We ... she's his queen and wishes she could talk to him. "
"Take care, child. If anyone knew you were even asking this..."
"Catherine, she needs to know."
"Know what?"
"Your sister may have behaved foolishly, but she is not responsible for yours countryman's action. Witnesses have come forward. The boy played a role in a English plot to destroy your engagement and Scotland's aliance with France."
"What witnesses?"
"An English plot, are you sure?"
Mary and Tori spoke at the same time .
"You must know, Mary, if he'd been successful in his assault, you'd be unfit to marry our son, to marry any royal. My dear, this was not an act of passion. It was treason."
"But it's all settled now. Colin's been executed."
"What" Mary and Tori asked.
"He was beheaded this morning."
"What do you mean? Without trial? "Tori said.
"The judgment has already been given. He's ... he was a traitor. "Catherine replied.
Mary dragged her sister from the throne room.
"You have to stop behaving like that!"
"Like what?"
"Just as if you were not from here, you were an outsider with no manners. I do not know what kind of education they gave you in Scotland, but here in France things are different. "
Mary left Tori standing in the hallway. She did not know what to think at the moment. One person, perhaps innocent, was beheaded. This sense of horror began to take over her body. Tori looked out at the lake as she left the castle to think. Now that she remembers it was in the water that she was transported to that time. Without delay the princess took off her shoes and walked to the lake. No longer feeling her feet on the ground, she submerged in the water, trying to hold her breath as much as she could. She did not want to be there anymore, why was she there? Not realizing that much time had passed, another body threw itself into the water and pulled it to the surface. It was Francis.
"What do you think you're doing? Do you want to kill yourself ?! "
After realizing that the young woman was in tears, Francis embraced her. And in that embrace, Victoria exhaled all frustration and sadness that existed in her heart.
What do you think? I started to show already what kind of relationship Mary/Tori will have. Tori is going to used sometimes cause i don't want to repeat Victoria so much. Well, until next chapter!
