Hi everyone! This will be my third FF i've done on here, the others being Harry Potter and the Walking Dead. I specialize in OC and love seeing different POV in projects. There is not enough Reign fics out there and especially ones about our dear Sebastian. This will follow the series as well as added plot points for fun (:
The carriage ride to France was a long one and Cora had been ready to stretch her legs for miles now; a curse for being a taller girl. Kenna and Lola had fallen asleep and Greer and Aylee were engulfed in conversation, so Cora took to daydreaming. Cora was not the talker of the group; she tended to observe more; a trait burned into her as a child.
Cora's father was a rich man in Aberdeen; wealthy from the textile industry. When her mother died seven years ago, her father didn't want much to do with Cora as she bore so much resemblance to her mother. She was sent to the Queen's castle in Scotland to tend to the Queen, but now that Queen Mary was near of age, Cora and the rest of the girls were to be her ladies in waiting in France.
"You're a million miles away Cora." Greer smiled to the daydreaming girl. Cora smiled back at her and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Apologies, I am thinking of France and our upcoming duties there." Cora explained. She was seventeen now and she was supposed to find a suitor to carry on her families' success and ensure a successful life for her name. The other girls were younger and they had time to find a man; Cora was not as lucky.
"When we are in court, I'm sure the men will be flocking to you. You're beautiful!" Greer encouraged. Aylee nodded in agreement beside her.
"There's more to a marriage than looks Greer; I'm sure." Cora scoffed, but sent an apologetic smile to the hurt girl. "I think I'm just nervous. Queen Catherine has quite the reputation. We all must please her." Cora pointed out. "Best behavior at all times girls." Kenna and Lola awoke from their nap and saw that the castle was near.
"This is so exciting! I've missed Mary so much." Lola cheered. Cora and Mary weren't as close as the other girls were to her; but she must admit she did miss the young girls fire. She reminded Cora of the Queen she served for years; but nicer.
The carriage stopped and they debarked with their belongings. Queen Mary ran from her carriage to her friends and enveloped them all in a hug. "We have missed you!" Aylee smiled at her queen.
"We're all together again." Mary returned her smile and turned to see King Henry was already standing ready for his guests with a tall, dark-haired woman standing next to him. "Is that Queen Catherine?" She asked incredulously.
"No that is the Kings' mistress, Diane De Potiers." Cora responded. She noticed a tall, dark-haired man standing next to the King as well. "And that must be Sebastian; the favorite son." She continued, tilting her head to the man. Kenna arched her eyebrows at the man and smiled at him.
"The bastard?" She asked, noting his piercing eyes. Cora refrained from rolling her eyes but nodded to the girl's question. Cora hated the term 'bastard'. "He's quite lovely and in the King's favor."
"Don't get too excited Kenna; he doesn't have any titles or land to offer." Lola pointed out quietly which earned a pout from Kenna. Cora knew that Kenna was eager for a marriage more than any of the other girls. Her eagerness would get her into trouble, that she foresaw for the young girl. Cora couldn't bring herself to disagree with Kenna though; Sebastian was quite handsome and she couldn't tear her gaze from him while Catherine and Francis appeared.
Mary stumbled her way through a reintroduction with Francis as the ladies in waiting giggled softly. "May I show you all into the castle?" Francis asked, lending his arm to Mary. Their belongings were placed in their chambers and the girls decided on a little exploration.
"Don't get in trouble now girls; be polite and respectful. This may be our home but we still represent Scotland." Cora declared as the girls took off on their own. Cora took to the stables and found herself admiring the herd of horses that inhabited them. A particular black steed grabbed Cora's attention and she had to stop herself from reaching out to touch him. "He's gorgeous isn't he?" A deep voice sounded from behind Cora which caused her to jump. Sebastian walked up to her with a brilliant smile on his face while she curtsied.
"My lord, I do apologize if I've overstepped." She said quickly, her eyes frozen to the ground. Sebastian chuckled slightly and tipped Cora's chin up to look at him. HIs touch was warm and unfamiliar to Cora but she attempted to steady her breathing.
"No harm done. I saw you admiring the horses, thought I would come over and properly introduce myself." He explained, his piercing eyes searching Cora. "I'm Sebastian, or Bash if you like."
"My name is Cora. Lovely to meet you My Lord." She curtsied again nervously. Bash chucked again and turned his attention to the black horse. "Is he yours?" Cora asked quietly.
"Yes, I do enjoy riding. My brother says I am the fastest rider in France. But really the horse does the work." Bash smiled at the beast and patted its neck. "Do you ride?"
"I used to, I grew up around horses. I love them, but in the castle back home, I was not permitted in the stables often." Cora explained. "I went wherever the Queen went as she did not care for the stables." Bash could see a hint of sadness in the girls' eye as she spoke.
"It seems you miss riding?" Bash observed as Cora nodded shyly. "I don't see why you can't ride here." Cora chuckled nervously and shook her head.
"Queen Mary may not allow it; I go where she needs me to."
"Dedicated to your role I see; a fine trait indeed." Bash stated and went back to patting his horse. "Well, if you do manage to ride again; come find me. I know the best trails around." He flashed his brilliant smile at Cora as she fumbled with her necklace. Bash took note of the crescent moon shaped piece and smiled. "A family heirloom?"
"My mothers. It was the only thing my father let me take to the castle. Well, I had to hide." A glint of sadness but fire shone in her eyes for a moment.
"You seem older than the other ladies if you don't mind my observation. A bit more...refined." Bash said, offering Cora his arm to walk with him. She took it gently and followed his lead out to the pastures.
"I am. I'm almost of age." She stated simply. Her cheeks flushed at the admittance but Bash didn't seem to see.
"And you are unmatched? I find it hard to believe in such a beauty." Bash compliment. Cora could feel her cheeks burn further with embarrassment at his words.
"Greer said the same thing." Cora whispered as Bash looked on at her. "It can be difficult to find a man suitable to my fathers' standards, especially when the Queen expects me at her side constantly." Cora realized she was talking too much and quickly became quiet; and Bash noticed.
"I am sorry you feel pressured. Marriage should be about love; not duty. But this is the world we live in." Bash disclosed. "Engagements set at a young age like Mary and Francis; I just can't understand." Cora nodded her head in agreement and looked around at the fields. "A man's duty should be to his wife, not his responsibilities." Cora heard him whisper.
Cora suddenly realized what it must look like with her attached to Bash like they were. She dropped her arm quickly and stared around them. "Is everything alright Lady Cora?" Bash asked.
"Yes sir, so sorry. I should not have kept you this long. I'm sure you have much more pressing duties to attend to rather than humor some lowly lady in waiting." Cora blushed and found herself looking at the ground again.
"Nonsense. I don't see a better way to spend my afternoon than showing a pretty lady around the castle grounds." Bash smiled and Cora blushed more. Bash could see she was not used to attention and that his words confused her. He liked that she blushed and flustered herself around him; it was a usual reaction to him with any girl. However, he felt Cora was different and pure.
"I must get back to Mary before she finds herself in trouble." Cora stated, straightening her dress and tucked her hair behind her ear nervously. "Good day My Lord." And with that she curtsied and walked briskly back to the castle, leaving Bash to ponder about the girl.
Later that night, Bash and Francis sat in his chambers by the fire. "Are you pleased with Mary's arrival?" Bash asked his brother, taking a swig of wine. His brother had been hesitant with Mary's feelings and Bash knew his brother was reluctant to marry her.
"She is beautiful. I just hope we can postpone any wedding until we can make the best decision for France." Francis mumbled into his chalice. "Any of the ladies catch your eye?" Bash almost choked on his wine at his brothers' question. "Well that was a yes." He laughed as Bash wiped his chin.
"Lady Cora seems to be quite intriguing." Bash admitted. Francis smiled at his brother and agreed. "She is older of course."
"Yes, her father did a number on her a few years ago after her mother died." Francis disclosed. Bash's face paled at the news and waited for his brother to disclose more. "Her mother died giving birth to Cora's brother. Both mother and son died and Cora's father was beside himself with grief. The rumors are that he….took his frustrations out on Cora for a year after the deaths. Some say it was grief over Cora's resemblance of her mother and some say it was because he lost his heir." Francis explained, hints of sadness on his face. "Anyway, he sent Cora to the castle to be raised there in hopes that Cora would find a suitor and continue his legacy in some way."
"Or maybe to get rid of her." Bash mumbled. Francis shrugged his shoulders at his brother's remark and sipped on his wine. "That poor girl. It makes sense now why she's scared of her own shadow." Francis looked at his brother curiously. "I saw her in the stables, we talked for a while before she ran back to the castle."
"Be careful brother. With her and with anyone who could see you consorting with any lady. You know how my mother is." Francis warned Bash.
"It's not like that brother. It was a walk. Not a marriage proposal." Bash scoffed.
"Still, she is here to find a suitor with a title and land. You can't offer either." Francis pointed out carefully. Bash tensed at the fact but nodded his head in acknowledgement. "I shall retire for the evening brother; I trust what I told you about Lady Cora stays between you and I?" Bash nodded and finished his wine.
Bash lay in bed that night, replaying Cora's past in his head. He saw her emerald eyes in his sleep and couldn't shake the sadness he saw in them, but also the small light he saw when she was talking about the horses. It was in that moment that Bash vowed to take the sadness from her and replace it with happiness.