Chapter 7

After their hug they let go reluctantly of each other. For now they were very tired and have had enough drama for a day. Mary stood up still holding Spencer's hand. She proceeded to tug her with herself to the bedroom door. As she opened she peeked out of the room, turned around and pecked her lips once more before completely letting go of her and hurrying to her own chambers. Even though she knew she was playing with the fire and could easily get burnt she was happy about having found Spencer. She was so tired, that when she arrived she immediately laid down in bed and closed her eyes, but that fluttering feeling in her chest didn't let her sleep for a while. She was happy and scared at the same time, but that scared feeling didn't matter right now. Mary fell asleep with the thoughts of Spencer's face.

Spencer meanwhile proceeded to get ready for bed. She hummed contently to herself, because she did feel well about everything going, but couldn't help noticing a pang of guilt as she thought about what she was doing to her once best friend Francis. The poor man had no idea what was going on and he adored Mary, she had sensed that from her arrival. She managed to push those bad thoughts away and instead think of Mary as she slipped under the sheets. Spencer fell asleep with a smile tugging at her lips by thinking about how the day had ended.

The next morning Spencer awoke completely relaxed and fresh. She stood up and put on a nice dress and decided to head to the library before it was time for breakfast. She was pleasantly surprised to find her favourite queen sitting in an armchair reading a book. She smiled at the sight and quickly approached the other woman.

"Good morning your highness." She greeted.

"Spencer." Mary said and looked up from her book. She flashed her a genuine smile but was a little confused at the formal greeting.

Spencer noticed this and she motioned behind Mary, so she would turn and see they weren't alone in the room. Mary turned her head and saw a guard standing at the other end of the room. She nodded in understanding.

"May I ask what you are reading?" Spencer asked.

Mary moved a little in the armchair so there would be enough space for Spencer to sit with her and patted the place beside her. As the other woman sat beside her she began to read out loud the story.

"My father used to read this to me a lot when I was little." Mary explained when she was finished reading.

"It is a nice story." Spencer commented.

"You think so?"

"Yes."

"Which part did you like most?" the young queen asked.

"When they get their happy ending and live happily ever after." Spencer said, grinning at Mary challenging.

"Interesting." Mary commented. "I also think that is a quite enjoyable part." She then added. She took Spencer's hand and laced their fingers. This made Spencer smile, which, so thought Mary, lit up the whole room.

"Excuse me my highness. I have been told breakfast is served." The knight spoke up from behind them.

"We are coming." Spencer answered. "Just a minute, we still have to clear something."

"Of course, my lady." He nodded and left the room.

"So… what do you have to clear?" Mary asked smirking at her opponent.

"I don't know what would you suggest?" Spencer raised a brow and smirked back.

"Oh… I would know one or two things, but I am sure we would need more than a minute." Mary said. This made Spencer laugh and Mary took the chance to inch closer and press her lips against Spencer's. Then they went to the dining room still chattering about unimportant things.

"You two seem to get along very well now." A voice commented from behind.

They both recognized that voice to be the queen of France's and turned around to look at her. She stood there with a critical look all over her face, her eyes lightly squeezed together with distrust. She wondered what was going on between the both girls. As they first saw each other Mary had reacted odd, like she didn't like Spencer or couldn't bare being in her presence and now they were chattering happily on their way to breakfast? It didn't fit at all, something had to be going on between the two of them. Of course the fact that she didn't like either of the women influenced her in way-She didn't like Spencer, she was threatening for the French queen though she didn't know about the power she could possibly hold in her hands, but somehow she pitied her for having the life she has. Furthermore she also felt guilt, which only made her dislike Spencer even more. It somehow is funny how guilt can make you try to make up to persons or simply being uncomfortable around them and pushing them further away. And to speak of Mary…, well she liked Mary when she was a little child and respected and admired her, but since she was old enough to be queen and rule a kingdom Mary no longer let herself be impressed by what the French queen wanted her to do. Since Mary had developed an own opinion and an own will she had become uncontrollable, and that didn't pleased the French queen. And Catherine would the two rather have not getting along than setting something up, because she knew Mary wasn't stupid and she knew Spencer wasn't stupid either and if they would manage to find out the truth it could totally ruin her life, not only ruin her life, it could cost her head and a big shame would be brought upon her sons. She couldn't risk that, she had to find out what those two women were planning and she would have to stop them, with every device. Neither of the two said anything, they just looked at her a little confused. Catherine quirked an eyebrow at this.

"So?" Mary asked. "Isn't it a nice thing Francis fiancé and his best friend get along?"

"Oh it sure is nice for Francis." She then answered. "But at your first meeting you both seemed a bit, how should I say it, well… you didn't seem to be drawn to each other at first, that is actually what I was referring to."

"Well, then your first impression must have fooled you." Spencer interjected sharp, quirking her own eyebrow challengingly.

They stared at each other for a brief moment.

"I think we should head to the dining room." The French queen then said. "We wouldn't want the others to wait for us, do we?"

"You are right." Mary answered. "We wouldn't want people to suspect there is something going on."

This last sentence made Catherine's thoughts raise red flags. What were these two up to? The three of them made the rest of their way quietly to the dining room. Spencer and Mary casually stealing odd glances at each other as Catherine noticed.

Like they all suspected they were the last to arrive, and the rest of the royal family and their guests had already begun to eat.

Mary's stomach dropped at Francis' radiant smile, when she approached the chair beside him. She felt bad for betraying him like that. And Spencer had feelings of guilt bubbling up in her too. As Catherine noticed the change in the mood of them she even became more nervous about everything. She knew she was very frightening and so she had thought herself being safe after all these years, because who would suspect that after almost twenty-one years of carrying this burden with her and nobody suspecting anything, who wouldn't think everything was alright. But now, that Spencer had arrived at the French court she doubted her secret being safe anymore. She had to do something, maybe find out something about her with what she could hold Spencer in her fist and crush the woman if necessary before being crushed herself. Catherine decided to hire a spy on Spencer, so she could possibly find something. During all of breakfast the queen was drowned in her thoughts and didn't comment on anything, but that didn't bother anyone sitting on the table. They just enjoyed not having to deal with the woman's sharp comments and questions.

After breakfast Catherine immediately called for her most loyal knight. The Man would do anything for his queen, without even asking for any explanations.

"You called for me, my highness."

"That is right." She said and dismissed the rest of the servants in her room with a flic of her wrist. She wandered nervous from one side of the room to the other.

"Is something bothering you, my queen? Is there something I can do for you?" he continued to ask.

"Indeed there is something." She confirmed. "But you have to treat it very confidential and I wish to not be asked about my intentions."

"Of course, my queen anything you say. I am sure you have good reasons for your decisions and actions." He commented.

"Exactly." She said. "So, I need you to get rid of someone."

"Who?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Hastings that would be." She answered. "You have to make it look like an accident, so no one will suspect anything."

"As you wish, my queen."

"Oh… and I need you to observe their daughter." The queen added, the words almost being spitted out of her mouth.

"Anything you say, your highness." He said.

"Good." She whispered.

"You are dismissed." Catherine told him.

As he was about to leave the room she then called after him "Oh and make sure you get rid of them as fast as possible."

He then gave a curt nod and quickly left.

The queen sighed heavily. She really wasn't one of a heartless monster just seeking her own profit out of everything, but she had to protect what was most important to her, and in order to do so there had to be made sacrifices. And as she simply just couldn't change some of the decisions she had made when she was young, she could try to at least keep the loss they would cause nowadays to a minimum.