Thank you to those who gave me some awesome feedback on the story so far. Decided to keep this story going for a little longer as I do have some ideas on how to continue it. Hopefully, you guys will enjoy. Here is the next instalment, look forward to hearing what you think.

§

Realisation

A few days past and the castle had begun to come back to some sort of normality after the Kings Deputy's attack. Francis had taken it upon himself to find the man responsible for almost killing his brother, but had found that some loyal village people had taken it upon themselves to execute him after they believed that he had succeeded in killing Sebastian. So many people had been delighted to hear the news that the King's Deputy was alive and growing stronger with every day, the King had not realised how much of an influence his brother had on his people. He had visited his brother almost every day, they would sit there talking for hours like they had as children. Slowly the jealousy he felt for Bash's relationship with Mary started to melt away, and the relief that his brother was going to live took over. Mary had been a lot more attentive to her duties now that Bash was out of danger and her once obvious attraction to Prince Conde had disappeared completely. She barely spoke to him and that gave Francis some comfort, he worried that Conde was secretly spying for his brother.

Francis walked swiftly down the cold Stoney halls towards his brother's room, a smile crossed his lips as he brought him his news.

'Bash I bring news on the filth that attacked you.' Said Francis, as he entered his brother's room.

Bash was stood by his large wooden desk. He was dressed in his usual brown leather pants and a white tunic that was open at the front, he looked thin and pale, which caused Francis' stomach to turn a little with worry, he did not look well.

'Your up!' said the king as he smiled, trying to hide his concern.

'I needed to get out of that damn bed' joked Bash as he turned to face his brother.

'You must be careful Bash, your still not completely healed.' Said, Francis, as his voice turned to one now filled with concern.

'I appreciate your concern little brother.' Replied Bash as he gingerly lowered himself into his chair, wincing slightly as he leaned back 'what news of my attacker then?"

'He was caught mere hours after you were attacked! Bragging about how he had killed the king's deputy. When the villagers thought that you were dead they hung him at sun up.' Replied Francis as he sat in a chair beside the fire.

'I see.' said Bash, as his eyes turned to look out the window.

'Are you not happy? This is excellent news!' Replied Francis 'He stabbed you in the back Bash. He was a coward. He knew he couldn't take you in combat so he chose to sneak up on you like a snake instead.' He finished as he sat forward in his chair, his hands gripped the arms tightly as if he were about to spring to his feet.

'No, it is excellent news.' Replied Bash 'He won't hurt anyone anymore.'

'Then what troubles you?' asked Francis as confusion crossed his face.

'Why aren't you angry with me?' asked Bash frankly.

'Angry? Why should I be angry with you?' replied Francis as he sat back in his chair.

Bash looked at him with his piercing blue eyes, his face was solemn. He didn't even know where to start, he had once again fallen for his brother's girl, however, he knew that this time, Mary's heart belonged to him. They had spent a lot of time together since his attack, Mary spent every evening with him. They would lie together and speak about when she first arrived at court, how she had instantly felt a connection to him when she arrived, how her heart broke when she was forced to stand and watch him marry Kenna.

'Never mind.' Was all he could muster before a sharp pain ripped through his stomach causing him to throw his head back and let out a small shout.

'Bash?' said Francis as he leapt to his feet and ran to his brother's side 'Bash are you alright?' he finished as he placed a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder.

The pain passed a Bash relaxed a little. He nodded to his brother and then let his chin rest on his chest.

'Perhaps I should return to bed.' He said as he readied himself to stand.

'Here let me help you.' replied Francis, as he placed his brother's arm over his shoulder.

He helped Bash limp to his bed and perch on the edge of it. Bash smiled and bowed his head in appreciation.

'Thank you, little brother.' Said Bash, as he struggled to pull his legs up onto the bed.

Francis seeing his brother's struggles, grabbed Sebastian's legs and pulled them up onto the bed, he then helped his brother carefully lay back. Bash looked at him with a mixture of concern and appreciation. He couldn't understand why Francis was being so kind to him despite everything.

'I shall leave you to rest now.' Said Francis as he handed Bash his quilt 'Try and stay put brother, you're too heavy for me to carry on my own.' He finished as he smiled.

Bash let out a small laugh as he watched his brother turn and leave. He could feel his eyes getting heavier, clearly, he had overexerted himself. He welcomed the darkness as he drifted off into a healing sleep.

§

Mary had found it a struggle to return back to her usual duties as the Queen of France, many of the nobles had been asking questions about her absence from court. She had found being around Conde exceedingly difficult, his advances now repulsive to her. She had ended up making it quite clear to him that her feelings for him were nothing more than a distant memory now, he had not taken kindly to that. He ended up causing quite a scene in front of the other nobles and the King and she had been taken aback when Francis came to her aid and stood up for her against her ex-lover. The thing that kept her going through her day though was seeing Bash, his smile the only thing that made her days bearable.

When she entered his chambers, she found him propped up on his fluffy duck feather pillows, his eyes closed. She smiled as he lay there peacefully, and she then slowly walked towards his bedside. Bash stirred as he heard soft footsteps. He opened his eyes to see Mary smiling at him. She was wearing a beautiful white gown, with a simple crown upon her dark brown hair and to him, she was the image of perfection.

'Hello.' He said as she perched on the edge of his bed. He cupped her face in his hand and smiled as she leaned into his touch.

'Hello.' She replied as she smiled back at him 'how are you feeling today?' she continued she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

'I managed to get out of bed for a while earlier.' Replied Bash as he propped himself up further 'it didn't agree with me.' He finished as he smirked at her.

'You mustn't run before you can walk Bash.' She replied as she looked at him with concerned eyes.

'I am fine, Francis helped me back into bed. Which is where I plan to stay for now.' He replied as he let his head sink back into his cushions.

'I missed you today at court.' Said Mary as she looked at her hands 'I miss your face there, smiling at me as I pretend to appease the Nobles.'

'I won't be like this for much longer,' Replied Bash as he took her hand in his 'every day I get stronger. Soon I will be back at court and by your side.' He finished as he smiled at her.

'I look forward to that day.' Replied Mary as laid down beside him.

Bash turned his head, his blues eyes locked with Mary's dark brown ones. They laid there for what felt like an age, just looking at each other. Suddenly the guilt he had felt earlier seemed to wash away as she smiled at him with her beautiful lips. He placed a soft kiss on them and then pulled away to take in her face once again. She smiled at him and then kissed him back, this time with more passion, her heart racing as it got more intense, butterflies doing summersaults inside her stomach. She liked how she felt as she kissed him, she never wanted that feeling to go away. The kiss was cut short as Bash suddenly pulled away from her, she looked at him with confusion and he looked at her with fear In his eyes. Her heart sank.

'Bash?' she said.

Suddenly Bash's eyes rolled back into his head and he went limp his skin grey, blood staining his once white tunic crimson red.

'BASH!"

§

Well, little cliff-hanger there. Hope you enjoyed the latest update and I will try and get the next chapter up in the next few days. Please feel free to leave me some feedback. I always love to hear it ^^