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elder441 [chapter 48]: I hope you enjoy this chapter!

"I'm quite nervous," Mary admitted when they arrived.

She accepted Francis's help out of the carriage, having to stop at the entrance of the town as it wouldn't be in good nature to enter the situation above the people. She had also dressed down, ditching her gold dress for a simpler navy dress. She wore her leather, black cloak with matching gloves and her boots. She had an idea she'd be standing for a while and did not want to blister her feet with heels.

"You don't have to be," Francis replied, his own clothes matching hers. A royal couple always matched, according to Catherine. "They're just like us."

"No, they're not," Mary said softly. "They're starving, poor and... they live in squalor as we sit comfortably in our castles."

Francis sighed. "I have plans for houses to be built in the new year," he told her. "I've bought some land, the rents will be cheap enough for them to afford."

"And what about those who cannot?"

"Bash has already sorted that out. Avon is almost rebuilt and people are looking for work," Francis replied, leading her behind their three guards as their cooks hurried along with pots full of soup, beans and the like. "Most of the workers migrated, some remained... We might even relocate some families to Scotland and England. Elizabeth has opened up some factories on our behalf."

Mary narrowed her eyes slightly. "She has?"

"Oh, I was going to tell you," Francis said dismissively. "Slipped my mind."

"It slipped your mind that it is supposed to be Elizabeth and me focusing on England's requests?"

Francis turned to her. "Mary, not now."

"We must be clear on where we stand with France, Scotland and England," Mary told him firmly. "Elizabeth wanted me to respect her wishes, I am her cousin."

"I am doing my best for all three countries," Francis replied. "The children are happy that you are focused on them mostly."

"Oh," Mary said shortly, letting go of him and joining Bash. "Did you remember to request the port?"

"I did," Bash said, briefly eyeing Francis. "Are you and Francis alright?"

Mary scowled a little. "We can talk about that later," she said, patting his arm. "Thank you for coming up with this idea."

"It was Francis's-"

"Don't be so modest, Bash," Mary cut him off. "You are one with the people after all."

Bash gave her a smile and turned to help one of the cooks with the pot she was holding. "You'll break your back, Marnie."

"Oh, my lord, you don't have to-"

"Let me," Bash insisted, leading her away as Mary turned to face Francis.

"I'm sorry," Francis said, quickly kissing her.

It made Mary sigh wistfully and she smiled. "We will be alright, won't we?"

"We will," Francis told her. "We'll do everything together. Not apart or with other people. Together."

Mary nodded. "Together," she promised him.

...

The event was going successfully and Mary got stuck in, filling up bowls and cups herself with a wide smile on her face as people thanked and blessed her. It seemed that this was giving her good publicity, not that she wanted it. It meant that France was slowing warming up to her again.

"I need to do something," Mary said after a while, taking her apron off.

"What?" Francis asked her, continuing to serve their subjects.

Mary gave him a smile. "A home delivery, shall we say?"

She collected a few bowls and filled them up, placing them into a basket. She put her gloves on and then her cloak before she left the building with a guard behind her.

She walked down the hill and continued for a further seven minutes before reaching a small glassblower workshop that was closed. She knocked on the door and it was answered shortly after by an elderly man who gave her a bright smile.

"Queen Mary! I wasn't expecting you so soon!" He said, letting her and her guard in.

"Well, I saw this as an opportunity," she told him, giving him the basket. "Is your wife still unwell?"

He nodded sadly. "The grandchildren visited for Christmas," he explained. "But she got worse this morning. That didn't mean that I didn't get to finish your gift to the King."

Mary smiled sadly. "I am sorry about your wife."

"Well, we had seventy years together," he said. "Got married at ten, five children, 17 grandchildren... Oh well, we led a fruitful life."

"Perry, I bought some food," she told him. "We were in town, feeding people. I couldn't come here empty-handed."

"You shouldn't have, Your Majesty," Perry replied. "Come through, I have your gift wrapped."

As he led her down the hallway to his working bench, she admired his other pieces of glasswork. He was the best glassblower in town and he often worked on pieces for months, but she had known that his wife had got very unwell, leading him to backlog on his work.

"Here it is," Perry announced, lifting a box. He opened it open and revealed the piece of art on a plush, maroon velvet pillow. "My greatest art."

Mary gasped, taking the box in her hands. "It's beautiful," she breathed out, her eyes sparkling. "Perry, I..." She turned to her guard. "Pay him triple."

"What? No, Your Majesty," Perry quickly said. "Anything for you, Your Grace. Free of charge. The food was enough."

"No," Mary said, the guard stuffing the pouch of coins into his hands. "Take this. And I invite you for dinner at Court."

"A lowly man like me will never step foot-"

"You will," Mary said, giving him a smile. "We are hosting a New Year's party. You will be there."

"Then, I can't refuse your offer."

...

When they returned to the castle, Mary led Francis to their bedchamber, her gift securely hidden within her cloak.

"You disappeared for a while," Francis stated.

Mary grinned. "I did."

"House delivery, hmm?"

Mary nodded. "Yes."

"And did you get something in return?" He asked coyly.

Mary turned around and said, "I sure did so."

She used one hand to undo the clasp of her cloak and let it fall to the ground, revealing the gift box in her hand. She handed it to him and Francis grinned, shyly opening it as if he was a schoolboy.

"What is it?"

"Look for yourself," Mary told him happily.

Francis looked down and lifted the cloth off the item. He gasped. "The fleur-de-lis."

Mary came closer. "Yes, the national flower of France - the iris. It is now forever present in the glass. It won't wilt nor die, and it represents my love for you and for France. Never-ending."

"Mary... It would have taken ages to have this made-"

"Only the best for my husband. I hadn't forgotten, it was just that my source fell into unfavourable circumstances and it was delayed," she explained. "He will be here for the New Year's party. After everything we've been through, a new year will be a new start for us all."

"Mary, I love you," Francis said, kissing her. "I have the perfect place for this."

He led her to his offices and removed a ruby off of a stand on the fireplace. It was a gift from an Arabian prince. Now that stand held the spherical gift his wife gave him. In the centre of everything.

"Can you help me clear my desk?"

Mary frowned. "What for? You wish to do Spring cleaning now?"

"Oh, not for Spring cleaning," Francis told her, removing some documents and placing them on another table.

Mary still didn't catch on. "You'd like to sit on the table and admire my gift to you?"

"You really are oblivious," Francis muttered lightly before capturing her lips in a deep kiss, his hands cupping her cheeks.

Mary giggled when he pulled away. "I see now," she said as he pressed her against the edge of the table. She began to undo his shirt. "I'm guessing you love your gift?"

"Oh, I do," Francis said, reaching behind her to blinding undo her laces. "I love it very much. And Mary?"

"Yes?" She asked, looking up at him through her lashes.

"My love for you is never-ending too."

Mary gasped in happiness. "Then show me."

That evening, the desk became something other than a place to work.