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BlerBlerBler [chapter 44]: There are lots more to come!

Guest (1) [chapter 44]: The first bit is for you ;)

Guest (2) [chapter 44]: Thank you! :) And awh, thanks so much! I have a little bit more time to get back updating so more Frary moments and more Frary/children moments to come! Yes, there would be some teacher-Frary for the kids coming up really soon! The girls are always well behaved mostly around their parents, although Anne does test Mary at times whenever Francis isn't around. It reminds me when the couple went for their secret getaway and the girls fought in the care of their aunt and uncle. We'll have some Anne/Rose moments that make or break their siblingship. Thanks so much, I love you all too!

Guest (3) [chapter 44]: Don't tell Anne this, but Rose is my favourite ;) She's so well-behaved but she does have her moments like the time in Scotland when she got upset with her mother from not seeing Francis in so long. And yes, Frary is back and getting stronger!

Guest (4) [chapter 44]: Oh, Anne is going to notice alright ;) Thank you, love! :)

Guest (5) [chapter 44]: Girl, thank you xx! Thank you so much, you all inspire me to update as regularly as possible! I love this story with all my heart and you all as well! xx.

Guest (6) [chapter 44]: Here's the next update :D And thanks so much! You're very welcome! There will be more family sleepovers to come ;)

Guest (7) [chapter 44]: I did think about that. I was going to dedicate a chapter to it, like a little bit of tension between Frary as they are still in the early stages of getting back together. They will both explain to each other the 'deep dark thoughts'. It will be healthy and enable them to move on and yes, be perfect again.

elder 441 [chapter 44]: Yes, it is :D You're welcome!

"Don't move, Papa!"

"Oh, Anne! I am getting stiff from sitting here," Francis told his eldest daughter. "How is the drawing?"

Anne stuck her tongue out a little, putting on the finishing touches. "Nearly... done!"

She turned the paper around and showed her father a poorly drawn portrait of him. Not that he would ever tell her that. Children needed encouragement, not harsh critical pointers.

"Anne, you are such an artist!" He said proudly, wondering how this could be compared to the beautiful mural the girls did with their mother and James. Some people could draw from imagination better than from a still object. "Wonderful, it looks just like me."

"From the hair to the crooked nose," Mary teased him, walking by to get one of the twins from the crib who had started to cry.

Francis feigned hurt. "My nose is not crooked still, is it?"

"A little," Anne replied, giggling when he pouted. "But you are still the most handsome man in the whole of France!"

Francis grinned, lifting her onto his lap and peppering kisses all over her face. "Don't tell your siblings this," he whispered into her ear. "But you are my favourite because you said that."

Anne giggled, eyeing her sister who was playing with her dolls. "I won't, Papa."

"Good," he replied. "I am going to go to check on your brothers. Why don't you play with the dolls and Rose?"

Anne nodded and jumped off his lap, going over to her sister as Francis stood up and joined Mary by the window where she sat on the rocking chair. He pressed a kiss on her head and then on Joseph's.

"Can you tell them apart?" He asked his wife.

Mary nodded. "Joseph's hair is darker than Peter's. Peter is blonde, and Joseph is bordering on brunette," she told him.

"At first, I got them mixed up despite their hair colours," Francis said softly. "Joseph looks very much like Anne when she was born."

"Do not play favouritism between the girls," Mary told him, looking up. "You know how Anne gets when it comes to that. She will shove it in Rose's face and Rose is sensitive."

"Rose is a tough girl. Favourite or not, she is still my daughter. She's also stronger than we think."

Mary sighed and looked back down at the baby she was feeding. "Joseph and Peter are the Dukes of Dundee. I had the official letter come through."

"Why did it go to you?" Francis frowned.

"I don't know," Mary whispered, looking up at him. "Do not make a thing out of this. Either way, Scotland still sees me as her queen and I will take on matters concerning my birth country."

Francis nodded once. "Very well. I did ask for some time to recover and I suppose it would have gone to Bash first before you."

"Exactly," Mary said, looking back down. "Which province of France would they have?"

"Brittany and Touraine respectively," Francis replied. "Where is James?"

Mary looked around. "Oh, with Ana. They're obsessed with each other and Kenna doesn't mind the extra child to look after. I thought it would be easier to deal with the twins as the girls mind their own."

"Well, we are not going to fall apart without the help of governesses," Francis said, smiling. "We can look after our own children."

Mary chuckled. "You won't be saying that when Joseph or Peter empty their bowels for us to clean and change."

Francis winced. "I do not think I have ever dealt with excrement."

"It is time for you to learn," his wife replied, grinning mischievously.

"I can't believe you did that!" Anne screamed.

The couple turned over to where Anne pushed Rose onto the ground, turning to grab her doll and glare at her sister.

"You do not know how to brush her hair!" Anne cried out, clutching the toy to her chest. "You do not know how to do anything and that is why Papa said that I'm his favourite!"

Rose gasped, her light brown eyes watering as her breathing began to get heavier. "Wh-What?"

"Anne!" Mary snapped, already getting up as Francis walked over to the girls.

"Anne, can you go to Auntie Kenna and wait with her until we call for you?" Francis asked, holding a finger out to his wife to stop.

Anne scowled but walked away, Rose turning away from them all. She brought her knees to her chest and closed her eyes, stopping her tears from falling. She wasn't a crybaby like Anne kept calling her.

"Rose?"

"Hmm," she hummed, muffled.

Francis sighed, taking a seat on the ground beside her. "Rose, can you look at me, please?"

Rose shook her head, sobs escaping her lips. "No one loves me," she whispered.

"What makes you say that?"

"You and Mama always listen to Anne because she's the oldest and you spend time with James or the twins. You leave me out," Rose told him. "This week has been the only week you've spent time with me. I was tired last night, but I wanted to spend time with you."

Francis sighed heavily. "Do you know how many siblings I have?"

Rose shook her head. "No..."

"I have more siblings. I am one of many siblings," Francis told her. "Growing up was hard for me. Even if I was the heir to the throne."

"Why?" Rose asked, looking up finally.

Francis smiled sadly. "I was confined to this castle. I was never allowed beyond the gardens except for special occasions. Bash was our father's favourite because the things he couldn't do with me, he was able to freely do with him. I was jealous, you can ask your uncle."

"Did... Did your papa still love you even though Uncle Bash was his favourite?"

Francis nodded. "He did, and my mother's favourite was Elisabeth. No one could compare to her Lissie. That did not mean that the rest of us were not loved by them. In fact, our parents made up for it even more. I had so many presents over the years, I didn't know what to do with them when I no longer liked them. Regardless of how many there are of you, I love you so much, Rose."

"So do I," Mary said, coming over and getting on the ground on Rose's other side. "Honestly, when you were born, you were one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen. I couldn't stop being happy, I was overjoyed when I was told that we were having you." A few white lies never hurt anyone. Not that she would ever admit wanting her to be a son as opposed to a daughter.

Rose blushed. "Really, Mama?"

"Really," she replied. "Rose, I do not know what it is like to have many siblings. I led a very complicated childhood and your father has more experience than I when it comes to siblings. What I can tell you is that no matter what, you and Anne will always be sisters and it may seem that she doesn't love you but I can assure you that she does."

"Auntie Kenna said that Anne would need me when we are older. Would she really?"

Francis smiled. "She will always need you, Rose. You're the only sister she has and when the time comes that she needs those close to her, you will be there. You will be her first point of contact."

Rose sighed sadly. "Will she stop pinching me and pulling my hair?"

"I would hope so because that is certainly not how we brought you up to do," Mary said sternly. "Papa and I will speak with her and then you both will come back here and be told a few things about how to love and respect each other. Things need to change, your relationship can't be full of hurt and tantrums."

"It's not me!" Rose cried out, her tears returning. "It's always her. You never believe me!"

"Rose-"

"I wish she was not my sister!"

Mary gasped, sharing a worried glance with Francis. "Rose, how... how can you say that?"

"When Robin and I were taken, I knew that she would be happy that I was gone!" Rose sobbed. "She wants you all to herself!"

Francis brought her into his arms, pressing a kiss onto her head. He winced when she fought against him before giving up and digging her face into his shoulder. Out of all of their children, Rose took after him a lot.

She had his caring side, resilience, she was understanding and strong. On the other hand, she was also the storm after the calm. Her wrath, similar to his underneath their kind and gentle hearts. Francis saw himself in her and perhaps that is why he favoured Anne. Rose was his spitting image and personality, he needed Anne's boisterous behaviour to balance things out.

"Anne was more heartbroken than we were," Francis said gently. "I'm sorry you feel this way about her."

Rose closed her eyes. "I just want her to like me..."

Mary's heart broke and she kissed Rose's head, resting her forehead on the side of Rose's, her lips near her daughter's ear. "Anne more than likes you. She adores you. We all adore you."

Mary got up and brought Rose into her arms, allowing Francis to stand up as they walked into the next chamber where Anne was busy scowling with her doll in her hands. Kenna gave Mary an exasperated look before returning her attention to Ana and James who were being shown a book by Robin.

"Marie Anne?" Francis said firmly.

Anne looked up at her father. "Yes, Papa?"

"Your mother and I need to talk to you," he told her as Mary placed Rose on the ground beside Robin.

The Queen returned to the other chamber and Anne followed behind her with Francis closing the door behind them. Mary turned to glower at her eldest child, her hands resting in front of her, folded.

"Am I in trouble?" Anne asked fearfully.

"Do you pinch Rose and pull her hair?" Mary asked calmly as Francis joined her side with his arms crossed.

Anne nodded a little. "Only when she d-doesn't l-listen..."

"That is no excuse, Anne and you know it," Francis snapped gently. He wasn't going to be too harsh but she did need to learn. "I am disappointed, Anne."

Anne bowed her head. "I didn't mean to disappoint you."

"Why do you hurt your sister?" Mary asked her. "What is it about her that-"

"I'm jealous!" Anne screamed out. "She looks like Papa and everyone tells me that all the time! They always say she is older because she is pretty and blonde with Mama's eyes! Robin even called her 'lovely' and said that I was 'too much'. Then I heard Grandpapa Robert say to Uncle Douglas that they took Rose because the bad people thought she was the oldest and Papa's true daughter. Everyone thinks I'm a bastard."

Her parents gasped.

"Who thinks that?!" Mary demanded.

"N-No one said that but I know-"

"So, you have no evidence that someone thinks you are not my child?" Francis asked, kneeling down to lift her chin up so their eyes met.

Anne shook her head. "Rose always gets complimented."

"Anne," Mary started softly. "You and Rose are a perfect mix of us both. Rose took after me mostly when she was born, only she had blonde hair. Your hair favours many of my Scottish relatives and your blue eyes are all your father's."

"I know I say that you are my favourite," Francis said. "But I say that to make you feel better. To stop you from being jealous and acting out like today. But perhaps, I shouldn't have. Because Rose felt that I didn't pay her enough attention as I do you or James or even the twins."

"The middle child always gets the least attention," Mary said sadly. "But they will become independent sooner and learn to solve things themselves. Perhaps your father and I have spoilt you too much, Anne."

Anne nodded ashamedly. "I'm sorry."

"We do not seek an apology. That needs to be directed at Rose," Francis replied.

Anne sniffled. "Okay... What about John?"

"What about John?" Francis asked, frowning.

"Surely he feels jealous that... that you spend a lot of time with all of us except him," Anne stated. "He told us that sometimes it feels like you're not his papa."

Mary swallowed deeply. "Anne, I am going to call Rose inside now and we are-"

"Anne, the situation with John is complicated. When you are older, you will understand," Francis said, cutting his wife off. "There are a lot of things that happened in the past which is very complicated to get into, but when it is time, I will explain it. Your mother and I will explain it."

"Okay," Anne whispered. She wiped her tears and sniffled. "I will say 'sorry' to Rose now."

Mary smiled in relief and went to retrieve her second child. "Rose, Anne has something to say to you."

Rose hid behind Mary's skirts. "Yes?"

Sighing, Anne walked up to them and peeked around the side to look at her little sister. "Hello."

"Hello," Rose whispered sadly.

"I'm sorry, Rosie. I didn't mean to get upset. It's just... the doll is really important to me and she likes her hair brushed in a way only I can do," Anne explained, blowing out a puff of air. "I should have taught you and not get angry."

Rose buried her face in Mary's skirts but Francis lifted her up into his arms and gently coerced her face to look down at Anne. "Fine."

"Do you accept Anne's apology?" Francis asked.

Rose nodded. "I do," she mumbled, playing with a button on his shirt. "Can I play with Robin now? Ana and James like our reading."

Francis placed her back down. "Go on," he replied, watching her leave quickly before turning to Anne. "Anne, as punishment, I will confiscate your doll for the night."

"But-"

"No 'buts', Anne," Mary told her. "You will also go to bed earlier this night."

Anne gasped. "Mama!"

"If you complain, we will add tomorrow night as well."

The girl gasped before letting out a disgruntled scream. "No!"

"Tomorrow night it is then," Mary said, raising her eyebrow at her husband to see if he would dispute it.

Francis raised his hands in defence. "What Mama says, goes."

"Your father is very wise," Mary said lightly. "You would be lucky to marry someone like him when you are older."

Anne scoffed. "Can I go now?"

"Lose that attitude and yes, you can," Mary told her.

Anne ran off and Mary turned to her husband with a heavy sigh. She didn't know what to do next, the governess mostly took care of the girls' little tantrums and arguments. In Scotland, she was away from them most of the time and now, actually parenting her girls hands-on and not every now and then made her feel tired from all the drama her children caused.

"Should we keep them separate for the night? To reduce tensions?" She asked him.

"I'm sure that Anne has learnt her lesson," he replied, bringing her into his arms. "They were easier when they were little."

"Maybe it's been underneath our noses this whole time," she said. "The girls' strained relationship. Perhaps we should fix that."

Francis sighed. "How?"

"Letters."

"Letters?"

"We tell the girls to write down everything they love about each other and everything they dislike about each other to each other. Hopefully more positive than negative, but we should see where we can fix their sistership. If we peek inside them before giving them to the girls."

Francis smiled. "Mary, you genius!"

"I try," Mary said, kissing him. "I try."