Chapter 2
It is safe to say Francis did not take this news well. After an emotional farewell, he walked away and out of the castle. I walked back down the hall and down to Bash's room. I open up the door, my heart fluttering. He sits on a stool holding up a golden mirror. He dabs the cut on his temple, the one that Francis gave him earlier. He gets up, setting both the mirror and rag down. "I am scared," I say.
"I can protect you. I will be King. We can force the Pope's hand if I have not been made legitimate." he says. I smile, walking up to him. "I know that..." I fear for Francis, and for the realm about my choice. But I also don't care. I made my decision. "With me, you are free and wild. You can be who you are and I will always put you first," he says. I smile, taking him into my arms. I glance at his seeping cut, which I mustn't forget to tend to after. "I love you Bash," I say. "More than Francis." He puts his head to mine, embracing my lips with a kiss. "I am guessing the letter was not in favor of me…" he says. I hold it up for him to read. He takes it and opens it. "Right..." he says. He smiles at me, knowing I was not forced to make a decision. He knows it was my choice
"There is one thing we must do," I say. "Catherine. She does not deserve to die for this." I say. I know Bash is not in favor of saving Catherine. Why would he? She tried to have him killed. She tried to kill me a handful of times. She is cold-hearted. But in the end, she did all this to save Francis from me. From the prophecy. "Mary, I would stand in my father's way for your sake. But Catherine-"
"Can't be trusted, I know that. But-" I pause. I think back to how she took care of me as a child. She was more of a mother to me than my actual mother - who is only here to ensure I marry Francis for her own selfish reasons. She will possibly try to have Bash killed. "She is like a mother to me. And therefore, if she gets hurt it hurts me as well." I say. At this point, I would be used to having Francis try and change my mind when it came to disagreements, especially about the things in my life.
"Besides," Bash starts. "If the roles were reversed: Francis would not have my mother beheaded. He would have advocated for her life. For my sake. I wish to do the same. If not for the purpose of Catherine's sake - for her children. I still do not trust Catherine, but her children need her. Francis needs her, especially right now." he says. I embrace him, pulling him into my arms. He hugs me back tightly. I feel him begin to shake. I pull away to look at him. "Bash? What is it?" I ask.
"It is finally happening. Tonight you will be made my wife. I finally have you. My family. Someone I can trust who won't use me or deceive me, and I for you as well. But..." he trails off. He walks to the window, gazing out. "I still worry for Francis. I understand how angry he must be and I worry he may try and stop this wedding," he says. I place a gentle hand on his shoulder. "He has lost," I say. I turn his head in my direction and away from the gentle night sky. "He lost and he knows that. I am yours and yours fully. No one will change that. Not Francis. Not Catherine. Not my mother. Not even Henry." He takes my hands into his, kissing them gently. "Will you marry me, Mary? Tonight?" he asks again. I smile, he is so gentle and kind. "I know our marriage has been demanded to happen tonight, but I still wish for you to have an option. Because you do have an option," he says.
"Yes, I know," I say. I do have the option, even if Henry is threatening the boys. In a way, I do not. But even if I did not want this, I know we would find a way together to pull through. "My answer is yes. I would like to marry you tonight Sebastian. As planned."