My fingers traced over the letters embroidered within the cloth I held, feeling the tall rise of each, the slopes of the M and the outstretched legs of the F. I ran my thumb where the letters met, trying to memorize where they entwined, perfectly embracing each other as if they had been made for the other. I kept my eyes trained ahead, watching the flurry of noble men and women coming and going in the courtyard.

I would greatly miss it. France had become my second home from the moment I had come here as a child, and it had become my home the moment my husband and I had made our vows.

That day seemed far away now. I remembered it clearly, but not as I had once before. As I thought of it now: all ivory lace, falling feathers and a flurry of laughter and kisses, sadness replaced the joy I had once felt whenever I recalled that fond memory.

As I dropped the piece of embroidery into my valise, a knock sounded on the door. I turned slightly from where I sat near the window.

"Enter,"

A guard appeared in the doorway, "Your Majesty," he bowed. "Ladies Kenna and Lola would like to speak with you. May they come in?"

I waved my hand, "Yes, of course."

He dipped his head and promptly exited. Seconds later, Kenna entered, followed by Lola.

"Mary, there's been word around the castle that you're packing. Are you going on a trip?" Kenna waltzed into the room, her back held straight and a touch of a smile ghosting her lips.

I stood from the ottoman and brushed my hands across the bodice of my dress, "Uh, no." I turned and busied myself with folding a blanket that had been draped on the back of a chair. "I am returning to Scotland...permanently."

"Permanently? Mary, are you saying...?"

"Yes," I turned slowly and met their startled gazes. They exchanged a glance with each other.

"I-I don't know what to say," Lola said softly.

"Was this your decision?" Kenna asked, her gaze piercing, as if she were trying to read my eyes.

"Partially," I sank down onto the ottoman again. "When I spoke to Francis yesterday...he released me."

Kenna sat next to me, her brow furrowed. "Released you? He told you to leave?"

Lola's hand touched my shoulder reassuringly. I didn't meet their eyes, "He didn't so much as tell me as give me the freedom to leave. He said it was my decision whether I go or stay."

"And you want to leave?" Lola asked.

Moisture filled my eyes as it had every time I thought of the prospect, and I studied my hands where they lay in my lap. "No, but I...I don't feel there is anything left keeping me here."

I could see Kenna exchange another glance at Lola out of the corner of my eye, and a few seconds passed in silence.

"What does this mean for us? Should we accompany you home?" Lola's voice was quiet.

I took each of their hands in one of my own. "That is entirely up to you. You are my ladies, but you are also my friends and I want you to be happy. You both have ties here, and if you'd like to stay in France, I don't want you to feel badly about it." I managed a small smile, "And if you'd like to join me, I would love your company."

We sat in the silence, our hands intertwined and our thoughts silently rushing through our minds at a mile a minute. "Mary, what makes you so certain you have to leave?" Kenna asked, her tone inquisitive and voice soft.

"Francis was quite adamant that I should go and find freedom, and I scarcely believe that he feels we can mend this mess I've made."

Lola sank down into the chair across from me, "Mary, despite what he may have said to you yesterday, we all know he would do and say whatever to ensure your happiness. Have you considered the possibility that he only told you to go because he thought it's what you wanted?"

"I hadn't, but-"

"But what? Mary," Kenna touched my leg and looked into my eyes, her voice determined. "Stay. Francis gave you the choice. You don't have to leave if you don't want to. France is your home just as much as Scotland."

"Yes, it is. It has become home to us all." Lola said, "That being said, Mary, you once told me that hope was one of the things that brought the two of you together. Why give up now? I know you believe that Francis has lost hope, but I don't believe it for one second. I have never seen a man so madly in love; in fact, I've never seen a love quite as extraordinary. Even if he's given up, you haven't. Don't admit defeat: fight. If anything at all keeps you here, let it be your hope that you and Francis can find your way back to each other."

Suddenly, a knock on the door sounded that caused us all to jump. Standing, I fixed my features to appear calm; more regal, and less effected by the conversation. With a sigh, I opened the door, preparing myself for whatever it was whoever that stood behind it had come to say.

"Francis," the words fell from my lips before I could stop them, sounding more surprised than I had intended.

His face appeared aloof, but his eyes watched me warily. "Are you busy?"

"Ah, no." I opened the door wider and stood aside. He hesitated when he saw Lola and Kenna sitting near the window.

"Perhaps I should come back later," He said.

"No, no!" Kenna stood abruptly. "We were just leaving."

They quickly left, pleasant smiles pasted to their faces. I turned away from the door and walked into the center of my chambers, busying myself with some documents on the desk.

"I'm happy to see you up and about. How do you feel?" I asked, keeping my tone light.

I heard the door click shut behind me and I turned. He slowly wandered into the room, keeping his distance as his eyes glanced around. A gentle smile touched his lips, "It's nice finally being able to stretch my legs. Although, I can't tell you how many times I have been asked how I feel today." He grinned a little wider, and I couldn't help but smile back.

He glanced around the room again, and his eyes fell on the valise sitting open near the window. "So what I have heard is true...you're leaving."

I swallowed and averted my gaze. "Yes."

I didn't see his reaction to my response, but I heard his soft sigh. "Well, then I hope you'll find happiness...wherever you go."

When I looked up, he was turning to leave. I took a step forward, "Francis," He looked back, and beneath the surface of the collected facial expression he wore, I could see his sadness.

"What if-what if I stayed?" I took several steps closer to him, searching his eyes for some clue to what he was thinking. A wave of dismay washed over me as I realized that I could not tell what was on his mind as I once could; when his thoughts were as easily discerned as the words upon the pages of a book. "I know that you said you wanted me to be happy, but I don't feel I can be in Scotland-not now. France has become my home, and if you would allow me, I'd like to remain here."

He watched me carefully, his eyes holding mine in his as he thought of what I had just said. Several moments passed in silence. My heart raced; what if he said no? I would have no choice but to go, and the very thought terrified me. How could I return home now? After all this time and after everything?

"I know you said you needed time, Francis, but-"

"I would like that." He said quietly. "I would like for you to stay, but only if it is truly what you want."

My lips twitched as I fought a smile, and relief trickled through my veins bit by bit. "It is."

He smiled-the first full and genuine smile I had seen in months-and nodded. "Then you will stay,"

For the first time in what had seemed like an eternity, we were smiling. The room seemed to become brighter as we stood there, contentedly watching the other; the unspoken realization that we were taking a small step towards each other suspended between us.

"Well," He took a step in the direction of the door. "I have quite a few matters to attend to. I will leave you to your-" he gestured to the valise, "unpacking, I suppose."

My smile faded as I watched him turn to leave, and I wandered back to the window. I traced the outline of the yards and watched the birds fluttering among the branches of the trees. The gratifying sense of liberation flooded my body, accompanied by utter happiness.

"Mary,"

I turned back, surprised to see that Francis still stood by the door. "My mother is planning a party for tomorrow night. She's saying it's to welcome the arrival of Spring, but her true intention is to make some grand display of my health. I thought perhaps you would like to attend... at my side."

I smiled, "I would like that."