Chapter 1.
Catherine's frail fingers pass me the letter. I hold my breath as I take it into my own hands. I pop up the seal, opening the letter. Instead of hoping for Bash's legitimacy: I hold a blank letter in my hand. "Now you're free to go to the man you love," Catherine says. I know what happens next. My choice. Either I choose Francis: my first love. Catherine will live. However, I won't be free. France will always come first over Scotland. Scotland will hate having France be put first and could revolt.
If I choose Bash, I will have a man at my side putting me first. I will have free will to be the carefree Queen I am. Catherine won't be able to scheme against us. But, Francis and his siblings lose their titles. Catherine will be beheaded the moment we are wed. Henry will marry Diana, who no doubt will reign hell on Catherine's children. Henry will be even more desperate for me to take England with a "bastard" on the throne beside me. Scotland could rise against me for my choice in King. But even with all of this, I still love Bash. Bash, who has never hurt me in any way. He has never betrayed me as Francis did with Olivia. But Francis has been my childhood love. He was the one I was supposed to marry. Both love me. But there is only one I love more than the other.
"Catherine-" I start. She shushes me. Catherine may not be the best person, but she does not deserve to die. Even though she has tried to end my life multiple times, she only did it to save Francis. She knows this. "Mary, dear." she starts. "You have sacrificed so much just so Francis may live. I have harmed you and threatened you. But in the end, you did everything I asked. This is your choice. Not mine. Not Henry's. Not Bash's. Not even Francis'. Do what you think is best. Choose the man who will best love you." she says. I fold the letter back up. "How long do I have to decide?" I ask, worried about King Henry's wrath.
"Not long I'm afraid," she says. I pick up Catherine's hands, her wrist wrapped from the cut she gave herself earlier. She was willing to die to convince me of the prophecy changing. "I want you to know, no matter what happens I won't let anything happen to you or your children. You only did what any mother would have done." I say.
"Do not concern yourself with me, Mary. Go, make your choice," she says. I give her a shy smile, leaving her room. Greer waits outside. She opens her mouth to say something, but I hold up a hand. "I need to do something," I say. She, of course, understands. I walk down the halls, reminiscing my times with both Bash and Francis. I walk past the staircase leading up to where Francis makes his swords and knives. I can't help but smile as I remember the two of us as children, rushing up there to play. I go downstairs, through another corridor. I look out the window and to the spot, I first kissed Bash. The taste of alcohol and seawater comes back. I can't help but chuckle. I walk around the corner, straight to the throne room.
Those golden curls, I would recognize anywhere. Francis walks down the steps from the opposite corridor and walks my way. He glances outside, not even noticing I am across from him. I start walking slowly and meet him in the middle. He looks at me, smiling. "Francis, there is something I must say," I say before he has a chance to get too excited. He still smiles, excited anyway. "There is no more danger for you and me. No more prophecy. Everything can be how we want it. Nostradamus just told me he saw we have children. I may not believe in this gift of his, but this is a happy thought for me." he says. I swallow hard, desperately trying to hold back my tears. "It is a happy thought for me as well," I say.
I hand him the letter. He must know this was my choice, not anyone else's. I can't lie to him. He opens it, giving the paper an odd look. "It's blank," he says, laughing. "It's nothing." his fingers reach for mine. I take it, wanting to keep him with me. I want him. I do. "I have a choice," I say. "You… or Bash," I say. I raise my hand to his cheek, my tears falling now. "It's you, it has always been you." Francis tries to pull me into a hug, but I stop him. "But, you cheated on me with Olivia. You didn't believe me about the prophecy. Which, I understand. You don't believe in them. But… I do." I say.
"And…" I begin to add. "You always had reasons to doubt our alliance. Always…" I say. Francis takes my face into his hands, kissing my forehead softly. "I never meant to. Ever. I love you." he says. I smile, caressing his cheek. "I know, I love you too," I say. I step back a bit, Francis confused. I finally say the words I've been dreading. But they must be said.
"But I love Bash more."