A/N: Hey guys. What's up? Here is the new chapter. Thank you for your lovely reviews. I have a question for you. Do you think we are doing our best with the plot? Is any other direction you would like us to take it? If so, we are open for suggestions. Now, enjoy! Oh, you may have noticed that I changed the rating, so…

WARNING: THERE IS SMUT IN THE CHAPTER! Don't like, don't read.

Chapter 20

Scotland, 1559

Two days passed and the King of Scotland felt a lot better. The whole journey has tired him, he was tired of the intrigues and scandals. But he was also thirsty for revenge.

Francis knew that his wife and his mother will probably worry about him so he sent them a letter saying that he was coming home soon. Everything was fine, a lie, of course. The dauphin of France just didn't want to tell them what happened on a piece of paper. That would be silly. He knew that Mary would kill Stevenson as soon as possible if she knew what happened. And Francis wanted to do it himself. Not with his own hands of course, but he wanted to see how this man dies. Painfully. This word scared the King. It wasn't in his nature to be cruel, he was against any violence but yet he wanted to torture Lord Stevenson. He was mad at him and he didn't know why. Yes, because of the attack but there was something beyond this. Was it Mary? Or the whole kingdom of Scotland? Francis could not tell.

"Brother! We are leaving! "Bash announced smiling.

"Great news, brother! We are not far away from the castle, are we?" asked the King smiling back. He was so grateful for his brother's help. If Bash was not there, Francis would probably be dead by now.

"No, not all! Just two and a half hours away! You don't have to worry, Francis. Nobody will ever harm you again"

"I'm not scared, Bash. Attacks like this are part of every King's life, I suppose. But thank you, I owe you my life."

"You owe me nothing, brother", Bash said and hugged Francis. They stayed like this for a while. "Let's go!"

Queen Mary Stuart and Queen Catherine were worried about Francis but the sleep came easier after they've read the letter written by him. Now they were expecting his return. Catherine de Medici organized a fest without Mary's permission who thought that Francis would want to relax when he comes home. Catherine was unyielding.

"Catherine, are you sure that this is a good idea?", asked Mary once again.

"A fest is always a good idea, dear!", answered Catherine while choosing the menu. "What do you prefer - cancers or venison?"

"Oh, Catherine...", sighed Mary. "Venison. I prefer venison."

"Hm, good choice but Francis has eaten venison for days. We will serve cancers!", decided Catherine and smiled because of her choice.

"When will he...", in right this moment the arrival of the King and his people was announced. The two queens immediately left what they had to do and went to welcome Francis.

"Oh my son!", yelled Catherine and hugged him. "But what, for God's sake, happened to you?!"

"I will tell you later, mother. How have you been?", smiled Francis. "My dear Mary!"

The couple hugged and kissed. Mary felt that all this time, when Francis was gone, there was an emptiness in her soul. And now she was full again.

In Francis' cabinet Mary and Catherine were told what happened on the trip. They both were shocked and the Queen of France swore that she would kill these men with her own hands.

"The executioner will do it for you, mother", Francis laughed.

"You are planning to hand them? Too pitiful, Francis, too pitiful", said Catherine disappointed. "You are chosen by God to rule over Scotland and France and they try to kill you! This is heresy!"

"What do you suggest, mother? I have to show them that I will be a merciful ruler with dignity. I will gift them the death by hanging them."

"No, no, no! You will torture them first. Francis, this was planned. There are more of them in the castle, ready for the second attack. If you don't kill them all, they will kill you."

"Catherine is right", said Mary after listening to the dialogue of mother and son. "You have to understand who the other people are. And then you should kill them. I don't care how, I just want them dead. All of them."

…..

Blair Castle, Kinross, Scotland

Lady Greer was reading a book in her chambers when her fiancee entered the room. She and Leith left the castle just a day after the king to join her parents in their little castle in Kinross. She looked at him and smiled.

"How is my princess today?", Leith asking putting a kiss on Greer's neck. She felt something between her legs she had never felt before.

"I'm alright but I still am just a lady", Greer laughed trying to ignore the strange feeling.

"You are a princess to me", smiled Leith putting a kiss on her mouth this time. He had never kissed her like this and Greer liked it. The tension between her legs getting bigger. Leith lays her on the big bed leaving kisses all over her body now.

"Leith... Is it right?", stopped him Greer.

"I'm sorry, Greer! I just want you so much but you are right. We have to wait until the wedding", Leith said gently.

"But the wedding will be after three or so months. This is a long time", smiled Greer. "I prefer to know what is about to happen on our first wedding night."

"Are you sure, Greer?", asked Leith.

"I'm always sure when it comes to you, my love", Greer smiled and kissed her fiancee. Leith's hands were all over her body once again and she actually liked this feeling. Her heart was beating faster than usual and the place between her legs was pulsing. Was that what people call "desire"? Was that the feeling when you want someone? Perhaps because Greer wanted Leith.

Leith undressed his beautiful fiancee and helped her a little by undressing himself as well. Greer was impressed by his athletic body, his big muscles and... By his manhood that grew bigger. What was about to happen, Greer asked herself. She was a little scared though she had a trust in Leith. Did he ever do something like this with another woman? Most likely. He was a handsome young men.

"Greer... Are you still sure?", asked Leith bringing his fiancee out of her thoughts.

"Yes, I am... But I'm scared a bit", she explained and laughed because she felt silly.

"That is normal. I promise that I will be gentle but it may hurt a little. Please tell me if you do not want to do it", he looked in her eyes with a love that she could clearly see.

"I told you, Leith, I want to do it. I want to be yours", Greer kissed him and could feel how he smiled. The next thing she felt was him. In her. It was such a strange feeling, the pain was so sweet. Leith was doing small pushes, kissing every part of Greer's neck, face and chest. She didn't really know what to do so she just did what she felt. Leith obviously enjoyed her actions (or his own) because Greer heard his at first silent moans which became louder by the minute. His pushes became a bit harder and this made Greer feel bigger pain. But this tiny pleasure was still there and Greer tried to clinch in it. She closed her eyes.

"Please, look at me", Leith told her and made her open her eyes again. He smiled and kissed her. Greer felt that the end is coming.

"I love you, Greer", Leith said pushing for last time before collapsing over her in pleasure.

…..

Holyrood Palace, Scotland

Queen Mary and King Francis had a meeting with their advisers, concerning the events that had happened while the king was away. Both, the Queen and the King, had decided to leave the matter about the assessment for a while until they find enough evidences against the guilty. Suddenly the doors burst open and exposed a very determined Queen of France. Catherine made her way inside the room, stopping right in front of her son and daughter-in-law.

"Your Majesties, I have evidences concerning the assault against His Highness, the Dauphin of France." Mary and Francis were watching her in bewilderment. Only a few hours ago neither had anything they could use. Had she lied to them then? Mary smirked when she realized what Catherine was doing. She wanted publicity. And Mary was more than glad to give it to her.

"Really, Milady? Present them now then." She answered, following her mother-in-law's lead.

"But, My Queen!" Lord Culpeper argued. "We were discussing England and…" Mary raised her hand to stop him.

"Yes, Lord Culpeper, we were discussing England. Again. The situation over there is not going to change with those few minutes. In fact, the King's health is the most urgent matter. The insult against the King is an insult against the crown. The insult against the crown is an insult against the country. Now, mother, please continue."

"Now, as I was saying, I know who tried to kill the King that day in the woods." Catherine started again "What's more, I even have evidences against this man. He is" she paused eyeing each of the other advisers "Lord Stevenson." She stopped taking in the reactions her statement evoke. They were quite different. Some were gasping, other were shaking their heads unbelievingly and third, like Lord Culpeper, tried to look indifferent but didn't really success.

"My Queen, due all my respect, I hope you really can prove this as it is a big accusation." Mary said with a small smile on her lips. She knew Catherine won't disappoint her.

"Of course" Catherine took the letters out "Here, read for yourselves." She handed them purposely to Francis. After a few minutes of silence the king finally spoke:

"As highly concerned I am, mother, about what's written here, as it is not just an assault against any of our allies but my own country and father, it's not directly connected to our specific case and the accusation you made minutes ago." Francis said seemingly calm, but in fact wanting to kill the guy even more after what he read.

"I know this Francis" The Queen stated with a smirk "That's why I am going to present to you my witness. Even though I am pretty sure, you won't need to be introduced." She made a sign with her hand for the woman to come in. She walked gracefully like her title requires and had a big smirk on her face. I am going to enjoy this, she thought as she analyzed the reactions she evoke.

"Mother!" Mary gasped surprised as she stand up to greet her.

"Daughter!" Marie de Guise nodded in her direction.

"Is it true? Do you have any information against Lord Stevenson?" Francis said as he, too, stand up and took Mary's hand in his own. He knew Mary hadn't the best relationship with her mother lately and that seeing her here uninvited, or at least not by them, was stressful to her.

"Yes, I do but would you like us all to first sit down? That's quite a long story that Catherine would be more than glad to share." Marie grinned towards the other woman and took the place on the table across her daughter and son-in-law.

"Of course, I would share the story" Catherine faked a smile. Trust Marie to do something like this. Couldn't she just narrate her part in it all? Now Catherine had to be very careful not to reveal anything too dangerous. "I contact Marie few weeks after Francis' arrival. My agents, and you know I have many, informed me about secret meetings outside of town. As the people there were only nobles, I need someone authoritative to provide me with information. Marie was the first to come to my mind and I invited her to court. After I explained the situation to her, we both agreed it would be safer for her cover not to be present at court until the time is right. She started going to the meetings and that's what she found." The Queen indicated with her hand that it is Marie's turn to speak. The Queen's mother sighed and said:

"To put it shortly, they were planning to kill Francis, take advantage of Mary and usurp the throne. I will keep the details for the trial." She looked at her daughter "Will that be enough for an arrest?"

"Yes." Mary answered not looking directly at her mother.

"Guards!" Francis shouted "Find and arrest Lord Stevenson immediately! He is accused in an assault against the crown!"

…...

Ackergill Tower, Highlands, Scotland

Lord Stevenson was sitting in the living room of his little castle, looking over a family book. He had left Edinburgh the moment when the king had returned. He assumed it would be better if he wasn't there in case the boy suspected his part in the assassination. Not that Francis would ever find enough evidences for his guild to persuade the people. After all he was descendant of the great clan Sinclair. This castle was just another proof of their greatness as it was taken over by his clan only three years ago. It was a victory to remember for his family. After that Marie de Guise, who at the time was still a regent, tried to take it away from them and give it back to who she called "rightful owners." The citizens of Scotland didn't allow her. Eventually, the whole clan Sinclair was granted remission and the Stevensons received a place in court. So Lord Stevenson didn't have a reason to worry. What was the chance Francis to success where Marie de Guise did not? He was only wondering how much time it would take for Francis to understand who actually holds the power.

Suddenly, the Lord heard a firm knock on the door and stand to open it. Outside was his most trustful servant in the whole castle. He asked him what has happened and the servant answered that the royal guards were at the front door of the castle, insisting to come in. Stevenson laughed a little thinking; So they finally understood that they are nothing without me. They are sent probably to beg me to return to court.

"Let them in." he said to the servant. "Show them the guest rooms. I will talk to them tomorrow." The servant bowed and went to fulfill the order. He came back not long after that, his face pail.

"Your Grace, the guards insist on You accepting them immediately. They come with an order from Their Majesties."

"What kind of order?" Stevenson asked a little concerned.

"I don't know, Your Grace, but they said it is urgent. They won't accept your invitation to stay and rest but also won't leave without speaking to you."

"Well, then, let them in." Stevenson said tiredly. He was already bored. A few minutes later a guard with the royal crest walked through the door and said:

"Lord Stevenson, You are arrested for committing high treason."

…...

Queen Catherine walked into her chambers after a really tiring day. She had stayed with Mary and Francis until she heard that the guards, sent to capture Stevenson, were on their way. She had to make sure he won't get away this time. As glad as the Queen was that she is finally in her chambers, she still couldn't allow herself to rest. She quickly changed in her nightdress which was times more comfortable than her enormous new dress made by the latest French fashion. She really couldn't understand why the women now-a-days will make themselves look fat on purpose. Not to mention that she could hardly breathe in these corsets. When she was finally comfortable enough, she sat in front of her desk and took her writing feather. She sighed before starting her letter.

Dear Diane,

I would say that I am really happy to write this letter and that I am really missing you, dear cousin, but we both know this would be the biggest lie I have ever written. After all it would be the best for everyone not to be so hypocritical. Actually this greatest good is exactly the reason why I am writing to you. I was planning on mocking you for a little more but it turns out that I am too tired for this. So firstly, you should know that I am not in Italy. I am sure that you are already informed of this but I am still telling it so we are both clear. I am in Scotland. However, it would be a very nice of you to not mention this to my dear husband. I repeat DO NOT TELL HENRY. Everything that I will tell you in this letter shall stay a secret and your source of information- unknown. Now, as we cleared this, you should now that there was an assassination assault on my Francis earlier this week. I know you don't really care but an intelligent woman like you (your intellect I never denied) surely understand that he was only a part of a bigger plan. To put it shortly, Elizabeth of England plans on uniting France, Scotland and France in a single empire under her rule. Well, this is probably not entirely true as she has no real claim to the French throne. However, she plans on weakening both countries. And what better way to weak France than leaving an Italian widow dealing with two underage sons, both heirs of the throne, and a religious war which only waits for an opportunity to start? And yes, you understand me correctly. They are planning on killing Henry. You are well aware that I can't let this happen both for political and personal reasons. The wife's duty is to protect her husband but so is the mistress'. That's why I beseech you to find the messenger from England and stop this madness. If you fail this would not only end the life of the person we both cherish and love but also will risk Europe's destiny. The letters with the necessary information you will find attached to this letter.

With Hate,

Catherine de Medici, Queen of France