So I will still be following some of the storyline of the episodes, but since this is like an au the girl's presence will be changing some things. Also I fixed a few things in earlier chapters that I realized I'd over looked. Please review! Also bear with me I'm very busy right now with work and other things so I am slow at updating but I do still want to write.

Mary returned to her chambers her heart feeling heavy at her current future. The secret picnic she'd shared with Francis had been medicine to her hurting heart, but it seemed fate was pulling her away. She'd wanted to give all her love to Francis today, but she admitted she was still hesitant. After all part of this alliance was for Scotland and if she were to become pregnant before her marriage to Tomas it would pose a very serious threat to the alliance. And this was the thinking that was tearing her heart out of her chest. She settled on the settee her face in her hands when her chamber door burst open and a rustle of petticoats made her lift her head in surprise. Shaina and Sophia were standing in front of her out of breath and looking slightly worried. "I'm so sorry my Queen." Sophia said curtsying. Shaina followed suit and then nudge Sophia gently. "We found this in Tomas' chambers." Sophia pulled the medallion out of the pocket in her skirts and handed it to Mary. Mary took the medallion and examined it for a few minutes. "This looks like the English crest of the Queen, but slightly different." Then she looked up at the two women. "Wait, you found this in Prince Tomas' chambers? What were you doing there?" Shaina looked at Sophia who nodded and then both girls sat down across from Mary. "I've felt something was off about the Prince and hearing Bash's account and a few rumors surrounding the prostitute who witnessed the crime I decided to find the truth." Shaina began. "We decided actually. I really just hate to see people unhappy when they don't have to be. Plus I can't stand men who are manipulative as I suspect that Prince is. We saw someone spying on you and Francis for him." Sophia chimed in. Mary sat back looking astonished and slightly worried. "If this is true than Tomas has plotted this whole thing to gain control of Scotland and hurt France in the process."

All of a sudden there was a knock on the door and a servant announced Prince Tomas at the door. The girls exchanged frightened looks with each other before Mary lifted her hand to calm them and said. "One moment my lord." She handed the medallion to Shaina who quickly stuffed it in her pocket amongst the folds of her skirts. "We were discussing the masquerade ball happening tonight understand?" Both Shaina and Sophia nodded before plastering convincing smiles on their faces as Mary bid Tomas to enter. All three women stood and bowed. "Forgive me Mary for the intrusion, but what I have to say cannot wait for formalities. And your ladies will do well to hear this if they are to come with you to Portugal." Mary got a sinking feeling in her stomach and saw Shaina and Sophia take one another by the hand. "I would like to discuss some rules by which you are to live by in Portugal." Mary didn't like the tone Tomas' voice was taking and the boy servant behind him looked a little frightened as well. "Rules?" Mary asked. Tomas nodded. "You seem to believe that until you are married to me you are free to do whatever you please." He stated confidently. Shaina felt a chill down her spine. Their suspicions were correct. "I do not like the tone of your voice my lord." Tomas gestured to the servant behind him. "Do you have whipping boys in Scotland?" Mary seemed to be getting nervous, but replied keeping her voice somewhat level. "Some use them, but…" Tomas interrupted her. "This is Miguel and he will be your whipping boy." Tomas smacked the servant across the face causing Shaina and Sophia to jump. "That was for questioning me." Mary bit her lip. "Tomas please." He proceeded to smack Miguel again. "That is for interrupting me." Mary decided it was better to remain silent. "You are bound by a treaty created by your betters: your uncle, King Henry and I. My ships have made your country safe, but I can remove them as easily as writing a letter. Whatever thoughts were put into your head by Francis you can forget them. Because when I am king I will rule like most kings. What belongs to my queen belongs to me. Are we clear?" Mary simply nodded. Tomas turned on his heel and left the room followed by Miguel. Each girl released a long breath and Shaina went to Mary's side. Just then Ailee entered and went to Mary's side. "I beg you to find another way. You can't marry that man." She said. She must have heard the conversation from outside the chamber doors. Mary turned to her friend and sighed. "I know and if there were any other way I would find it." Sophia cleared her throat. "We may have found one." Mary nodded. "But until we know the truth there is nothing I can do, but go along with him." Shaina hoped for all their sakes they found out the truth.

Francis was sitting beside Bash in the infirmary apologizing for putting him in danger. "I will live don't you worry." Bash said. Nostradamus gave Bash some more medicine. "If you don't tear open your stitches, if you rest you will get better." Bash just smiled causing Francis to chuckle and Nostradamus to shake his head before moving back to his potions and such. Just then there was a knock on the door. When Nostradamus opened it Shaina was standing there looking lovely in her worried state Bash thought. "Is Bash faring well?" Nostradamus nodded smiling slightly. "As well as can be expected for someone as stubborn as he." "Tell her she can come in. It's not polite to leave a lady standing in the doorway." Bash called his voice sounding quite alive in his weakened state. Francis shook his head and waved the young lady over. "I feel much better when she is in the room Nostradamus so no sense in arguing." The physician didn't bother replying and just went about his work. "I do hope you are faring well Bash, but I didn't come just for a social visit especially when I heard you were hear Francis." The young woman seemed to glance towards the door to make sure they were alone. "Shaina what is it?" Bash asked. "I hear you've been asking questions about a certain prince." She said pointing the question to Francis. "Maybe I have." He replied a little wary. "Come Francis I trust Shaina and after an extensive conversation I don't believe she has any ties to him." Shaina looked between the two brothers. "I'm grateful for your vote of confidence Bash, but back to the matter at hand. Sophia and I saw someone spying on you and Mary and reporting to the prince as well as finding this seal similar to the English crest that Simon carries in the prince's chambers." Francis looked at his brother and back to Shaina. "I knew something was off. I couldn't shake the feeling he is a monster. There are rumors in court that he murdered his first wife." Bash sat up a little straighter managing not to wince as he did. "If they couldn't find proof in Portugal how are you to find proof here?" he asked. "I don't know but I have to…" Shaina had went to get Bash some water when she heard footsteps and hurried over to silence the brother's conversation. "I hear you've been asking questions about me." Shaina flinched when she heard Tomas voice behind her as she handed Bash the water. He proceeded to set the water aside and took her hand. "Didn't you think I'd find out?" Francis had stood and Bash was sitting up with the help of Shaina. "No. No, I hoped you would." Francis replied. Tomas cocked his head a little. "Why?"

Bash could tell this wouldn't end well if things kept heating up. He could tell Lady Shaina was visibly shaken and frightened at the presence of Tomas. He was really starting to despise the Portuguese Prince. He squeezed Shaina's hand swinging his legs to the side of the cot and sitting up fully. "Because your future wife is a friend of France. Her well-being concerns this country and always will." Tomas scoffed. "Is that a threat?" he stepped forward slightly. Bash started to stand and his movement seemed to take Shaina's attention off the argument. "No Bash you'll hurt yourself." She whispered. He shook his head and stood. "If anything happens to Mary… you'll what?" Francis took a step forward. "I would hope we won't need to find out." His voice rising slightly with each word. "Wouldn't you, as her fiancé?" Tomas and Francis were mere inches from each other now. "If anything happens to her it will be up to me. She is my property now not yours."

Shaina was too worried about Bash tearing his stitches that she stopped actually listening to the conversation until something was said to cause Francis to start to take a swing at the Prince before Bash pulled him back. "Francis no!" he cried out before groaning. Shaina helped Francis sit Bash back down on the bed while Tomas just scoffed before walking out of the room. Francis sat down beside Bash and looked between his brother and Shaina who was kneeling checking on Bash's wound. "Go ahead, say it. I'm not thinking with my head." Bash looked at his brother with a smirk. "Head, heart who cares. He's a monster, no matter what the Pope chooses to call him..." Francis stood then running a hand through his hair. "… and if you don't kill him I will." Bash finished. Francis looked back at his brother who was staring at Shaina as she made sure his bandages were fine. He smiled and gave his brother a wink as he cleared his throat drawing their attention to him. "So what's this about the medallion?" Francis asked. Bash put his hands over Shaina's to stop her fussing over him. "I'm alright." He said softly. She looked at him before placing her hands in her lap and looked at the dauphin. She explained the conversation she and Sophia had had with Mary and Francis paced the room as he listened. "We will find proof. There's no other choice." Shaina and Bash nodded their agreement.

Kenna was so happy Rydan had come to court when he did. If Mary truly had to leave French court she would go with her as her duty but if Rydan was here for other reasons than just visiting French court she would gladly stay with him. She was on her way to get changed when she ran into the Lady Sophia headed to her chambers as well. "Are you ok? You seem a little distracted." Kenna asked. Sophia gave her a smile and nodded. "Sorry about that. Yea I'm well I'm just thinking is all." Kenna touched Sophia's arm gently. "About home?" Sophia shook her head. "Not really. Just about possibly leaving with Mary. We came here to become part of French court and find good husbands and now our future is somewhat unsure." Kenna put her arm around the young girl's waist and walked toward their chambers. "I'm sure there are good matches for you in Portugal, but maybe before you leave you'll find someone and you can stay." Sophia nodded and thanked Kenna for listening before each went their separate ways to their chambers.

Shaina was actually happy to find a costume of a character from the book she had read to Bash. Sophia would probably tell her to stop fantasizing and focus on what they were there for but she couldn't help herself. Why not have a little fun while she was at it? They had all picked out costumes together and each had mentioned their sadness about having to leave. But Mary advised them all to enjoy their last moments at French court while they could all the while sharing a look with Shaina and Sophia letting them know she hadn't given up hope. Shaina made the finishing touches and headed outside for some fresh air before she went back to the Great Hall. As she rounded the corner she saw Bash trying to swing his sword. He turned around as she walked up. "I know you. You're from a dream I had about Norse gods and goddesses from that book you read to me." Shaina smiled twirling around in the costume. "Much better in reality though." Shaina felt herself drawn in by his smile and then saw his sword and frowned a little. "Should you be swinging that sword around?

Bash couldn't help but feel drawn to Shaina the moment he'd met her and though she'd only been at court for a few weeks he was beginning to feel something spark in him. "Well better it be my sword than someone else's." Shaina couldn't help but frown a little. "Please be careful." She looked so beautiful in her costume and the worried look on her face only made her more attractive. Just than Francis walked up dressed in a very fitting costume for the night. "Aha St. Michael aren't you?" Francis held out his arms and gave them a cheeky smile. "Better be a real sword if you plan to slay Lucifer." Francis gave Bash an annoyed look. "You had to bring up Tomas?" Just then Lola emerged from the trees startling each a little bit. "Sorry, I was on my way to find Shaina and I didn't want to interrupt. But don't worry I'm on your side. I don't understand why he changed so quickly." Shaina, Bash and Francis shared a look. "Before Mary said yes, Tomas seemed a whole other person." Lola said seeming not to notice the look. "He was desperate. He'd been looking for a queen all over the continent. No doubt to make sure the Pope made him legitimate." There was a collective sigh as Francis spoke. "Of course he would be able to put on an act if it got him what he wanted." Shaina spoke up sounding rather upset. "Well he got what he bloody lucky, didn't he? If I hadn't been ambushed getting those men off to Scotland, Mary wouldn't be marrying him." Bash sighed and sheathed his sword. "Say that again." Francis said firmly. "If our men hadn't been ambushed, then Mary wouldn't need his men, or his marriage proposal." All four looked at each other and Shaina bit her lip. Something was definitely wrong.