After Francis left Mary's room, he went off to get himself a drink. On his way to the kitchen, he bumped into Bash.
"Where are you headed, brother?" asked Bash.
"To the kitchen," said Francis, "I need a drink."
"Me too."
"Want to come with me?"
"Actually, I was thinking of heading to the nearest tavern. I want to get drunk."
"Rough day?"
"Yes. What about you?"
"Rough evening so far."
"I think that some good ale will do us both some good."
"Sounds good to me. I need to get my cloak first and I should probably tell my servants where I'm going."
"You'll be fine. We'll only be gone for a few hours."
"A few hours, but that's it."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's go now."
About a half hour later, both Francis and Bash were settled in at the nearest tavern, each with a tankard of ale.
"What's going on with you, brother," Francis asked Bash.
"I'm always busy working and I barely have time to myself. I have so much responsibility weighing on my shoulders," said Bash.
"Imagine how I feel."
"I couldn't even imagine what you go through. I have a duchy and a position at court while you have a whole kingdom." Bash took a drink of ale.
"Is there anything else going on?"
"I never told you this, but Lola and I have been lovers for a while now... Everything was perfect, but now it's different, Francis. She's carrying my child."
"I heard."
Bash was shocked. "From who?"
"Lola. She told me some weeks ago."
"Wow... She only told me earlier today. Why would she tell you?"
"I think she needed someone to tell, so she must have settled with me."
"Huh."
"How did you take the news?"
"Terribly," Bash said, sighing, "I said some terrible things to her."
"Are you going to apologize?"
"I can't. I still have the same feelings about it. Besides, I don't think she'll accept it right now. I really hurt her, Francis."
"You have to make it right."
"I know I do... I will make it right, but not now."
Bash gulped down the rest of his ale, then ordered another tankard.
"What about you?" Bash asked
"I'm not doing much better either. I was a complete ass to Mary a little while ago," said Francis, "I kind of accused her of something I know she would not do. She said she forgives me, but I don't think she meant it."
"I think you got the better end of the deal."
"No I didn't... I also learned that I am infertile some weeks back. My relationship with Mary hasn't been the same since that day."
"I'm sorry, brother."
"I am too. I can't give Mary the one thing she so desperately wants. I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
"It's not your fault."
"I cannot help but think about it. It's always on my mind."
"Is it wrong that I feel a little jealous of you?"
"Yes it is. I would kill to be in your position right now. You know what else is unfair? Despite my infertility, I still have have three heirs: Charles, Henri and little Francis Hercule, plus the Bourbons also have a claim go the throne. I don't have to worry about who my heir will be, but Mary will. She has some bastard half-siblings who could inherit her throne, but that's about it." Francis took a large drink of ale. "The security of her throne is ask risk because of me. I'm th—"
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Francis," Bash said cutting him off, "Your infertility is not the end of the world. What you do in your life matters. You remember that advice I gave you a while back?"
"Be a good husband and a bad king."
"Forget what I said. That was terrible advice."
"Should I just be a bad husband and a good king?"
"No... I know your marriage is important to you, but you must put your country first. Be a king that your people will love... that future historians will praise. Don't be known as a weak king who couldn't provide his kingdom with heirs... be known as a king who always put his country first. You are not any less of a man just because you cannot father children."
"I don't think I can do that. I love Mary too much."
"I know you do, but you can't always put her first... You are a king."
Francis said nothing, and just took a drink of ale.
"We should head back to the castle," Francis said a little while later.
"You can go back. I feel like staying here for a little while," said Bash.
"Alright, Bash. I'll see you later."
Francis left the tavern and made his way back to the castle.
