Small update for CallmeCordelia1, lizz204, love nebahat, Medici and alenarose xx

The next morning Aylee dressed with the intent of going to Catherine's chambers to thank her for the food she'd sent the previous night. Yet before she could Greer appeared at her room door.

'Mary wants us to go riding with her.'

Kenna appeared at Greer's side with a bright grin pretending to have forgotten Aylee's earlier outburst. 'She's going to tell us about what her and Francis have been up too.' she squealed excitedly.

Aylee gave a half hearted smile as her plans were dashed. 'Just let me change into my riding clothes I'll meet you downstairs.' she closed the door when they left.

'Does Aylee seem a bit funny to you?' Kenna asked Greer who looked thoughtful.

'I cant say Ive noticed she might just still be a little upset over what happened with the count, Lola said it looked like Olivia had up and ran at first.'

Kenna nodded in agreement.

'You're probably right.'

Aylee changed into her riding clothes then joined her friends in the stables they headed out around the grounds. Lola, Greer, and especially Kenna were taking turns at asking questions about Mary's time with Francis. The Scottish Queen had a faint blush on her cheeks as she told her ladies of the passion she'd shared with her husband to be. Aylee's mind couldnt have been further from the conversations as she stared off into the trees for at least twenty minutes.

'Aylee is everything alright?' Mary asked with concern when she'd lay eyes upon her.

'Of course, I um, I've just not been feeling well lately Ive got a bit of a headache would you mind if I went back to the castle to rest?' the blonde replied.

Mary nodded riding over to her friend's side. 'Of course I dont mind go and rest.' she patted her arm with worry.

The young Scot rode back to the stables dismounting her horse, she entered the castle and headed to Catherine's study.

The guard announced her and when she entered Catherine was at her desk scribbling into a book a few curls hanging loose making her look beautiful and elegant.

'Ah Lady Aylee, you've returned without Queen Mary and her other ladies.' she stated without looking up from her book.

Aylee blinked taken aback that Catherine had known this already. 'I, yes how did you know that?'

Catherine finally looked up at her laying down her quill she pressed her fingertips together.

'Very little goes on in my home without me knowing about it, well come in dont just stand over there take a seat.'

Aylee approached the seat in front of Catherine's desk nervously playing with her fingers.

Catherine relaxed back into her chair. 'Do you have a message from Mary? I cant imagine you'd rather spend time with me than your friends.'

Aylee shook her head. 'No I mean yes I-'

'Would you like a drink dear?' she walked over pouring herself a glass of water.

'No thank you. I just came to thank you for sending the food last night.' the blonde explained.

Catherine re-joined her sitting down in her chair and smiled.

'I saw that you seemed to have something of a spat with your friends. God only knows how you manage to put up with Kenna she is trying.' she reasoned.

Aylee gave a small chuckle at this.

'You have no idea.' she smiled. 'I love Kenna she is like my sister all my friends are but she can be...unkind to people her beauty makes her a little selfish.' she admitted awkwardly. 'How are you feeling?' she asked gently.

Catherine gestured to her cut lip. 'Better than I look I imagine.'

Aylee smiled resting her hands in her lap.

'You look beautiful your majesty, cut lip and all.' she assured then paused. 'Your bruises-'

'Will heal with time. I hope you didnt share our little secret with your Queen?' Catherine raised an eyebrow.

'No of course I didnt I made a promise to you didnt I?' the blonde smiled back at Catherine she'd such a naive innocent look compared to her friend's, without a doubt Lady Aylee was the most gentle of Mary's Scottish ladies.

'Promises can be broken my dear.' Catherine replied evenly.

Aylee responded with a kind smile. 'Not mine.' she bit her lip. 'You can trust me.'

Catherine looked a little amused as though the notion of trust was completely lost on her. 'We shall see. Was that all?' Catherine relaxed back into her chair.

Aylee watched her still looking concerned. 'Why dont you have dinner with us tonight? Lola, Kenna, Greer and I.' she suggested brightly.

'You want me to spend an entire evening listening to Kenna twitter on?' The Queen of France replied in an annoyed tone. 'I thought we were becoming friends.'

Aylee grinned getting to her feet. 'You can ignore Kenna. I usually do, let us get to know you.'

Catherine still looked rather skeptical then suspicious. 'Is this some ploy of Mary's to suss me out?'

Aylee laughed putting a hand on her shoulder. 'Dont be so suspicious. Mary wont be there anyway she spends all her time with Francis now since they-' she quickly cut herself off blushing.

'Since they...' she tilted her head to the side. 'They have become intimate.' she deduced immediately beginning to worry about the prophecy again. 'Perhaps I will join you after all.'

Aylee beamed enjoying her new found friendship with the Queen of France. 'I will see you at dinner.' she took her leave.

Kenna had looked horrified at the idea of spending any time with Catherine de Medici from the second Aylee suggested it but that could be expected being that she was involved with the woman's husband. Lola had looked weary but Greer had agreed that it wouldnt be such a bad idea to try and get the Queen of France to warm to them.

'She isnt so bad when you get to spend some time with her I expect she is a bit lonely lacking in company Francis is spending his time with Mary, and it's not like Henry is there for her. We may have got off on the wrong foot but I really think she has changed if we just give her a chance-' 'Wait by referring to Henry were you trying to say something about our relationship? If you must know they have not had any romantic relationship for years Henry told me himself-' Kenna had began to rant indignantly. Aylee held her hands up for her to stop.

'I wasnt saying that at all, Im just saying she isnt as bad as we think for example last night she sent some food to my chambers when she seen I hadnt eaten. Does that sound like an evil ice queen to you?'

Greer squeezed Aylee's hand admiring her friends generous heart. 'Aylee is right besides she is the Queen of France it would be impolite to refuse her.

Aylee smiled at Greer grateful for the support whereas Lola gave Kenna a sympathetic look, Kenna herself rolled her eyes and huffed.