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elder441 [chapter 2]: She is! And it's not only on Mary.

I hope to do more Frary scenes, but I believe they will come when they're married. Right now, they're limited because they have roles to play but once they're married, they won't be judged for kissing, holding hands or PDA overall in public or away from their rooms. The next chapter is exciting, I promise you.

A chapter for ATEOTB is in the works. Ideas are welcomed for ATEOTB ;)


When they arrived at the boutique, Mary was surprised to see a crowd of a hundred people waiting there behind barriers. There was an increased police presence and some of the people were cursing her way as she stepped out the car and took Fabian's hand.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, his eyes unreadable through his dark shades and the lack of comforting smile on his face. Mary figured that he had to be like that, he couldn't be seen comforting the nerves of the future Queen of France. She had to start acting like the brave woman she was who would one day be the wife of a powerful king.

As she walked towards the entrance, the doors opened for her and her friends, being quickly closed behind them and curtains were drawn to shield their activities inside. There was an aide of Stephane Narcisse who held an expensive camera in her hand as she directed four women into poses.

Mary gasped when she realised that in the middle of the other three, was Catherine de Medici. She walked up to the women and curtseyed, her friends copying their actions. She looked up, head held high and gave the Italian Queen a bright smile.

"I did not know that you would be joining us today," Mary said as she took a seat after Catherine sat down.

Catherine briefly looked to Mary's left where Kenna busied herself by looking at the many dresses before she said, "I had to make sure that yesterday's events did not blow over to today's. This appointment is important. It shows you actively preparing for your not-so-secret wedding."

"I understand," Mary said, crossing one leg over the other as she turned to the younger women. "Your Highnesses."

Elisabeth, the eldest out of the three smiled at her. "Now we have finally met informally, can I say that you are stunning, Marchioness?"

Mary beamed. "Thank you. Princess Elisabeth."

"Call me 'Lissie'," Elisabeth said, scowling. "Elisabeth is ever so formal. I couldn't even get 'Beth' to catch on."

Mary giggled as Margaret and Claude eyed her up and down. "It's lovely to meet you all."

"Do lose the formalities," Claude began. "We're all friends here."

"Well, we may be but your mother is the Queen," Mary said, making the women laugh. "Honestly, it is nice to have a conversation without a diplomat disturbing us and stealing me away."

Catherine raised her eyebrows. "It is," she agreed, getting up which made everyone stand. "Do sit. I am just getting the herbal tea. It will flush the system and make it easier to try on dresses. The rest of the ladies are trying on their official bridesmaid dresses."

Everyone sat back down and Catherine wheeled a tray full of tea, lemon, honey and leaves into the room. She started preparing each cup as her secretary placed them onto saucers.

"If you want something done," Catherine said as the other woman waited patiently. "Do it yourself."

Mary stood up from her seat and went over to one of the bridal dresses on display. It was very formal, very covered and it seemed to hug the figure of the mannequin. She wondered what her dress looked like but she had to wait until her wedding day to find out. Day in, day out, she'd be measured so they resized her dress but she couldn't see the final form until the big day itself.

Kenna joined her side and put an arm over her shoulder, also staring at the dress. "Pretty bland, isn't it?"

"And very white," Mary said nervously. "You'd think they would expect the Virgin Mary..."

"Hmm," Kenna hummed. "It's still pretty. Didn't Meghan Markle wear something like it?"

Mary nodded. "She did," she said. "I want something more... exciting. More revealing. More-"

"Seductive?"

Mary turned to her best friend and scoffed lightly. "I will be a queen. But if I were to remain a princess, then yes. Seductive."

Kenna squeezed her shoulder. "Your mother knows you. She will get the dress right. At least you have a say in what the rest of us wear."

"Blue," Mary said. "That was all the brief said. Blue with gold jewellery and accessories. The children wear red with gold and Francis and I wear white with gold."

"Don't worry about it-"

"We have just over a week-"

"You're best friends with a fashion icon," Kenna said. "I make trends happen, I look like perfection for anything I do. Even using the bathroom, I make that look like I'm an angel."

Mary smirked a little. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Mary," Kenna said as Greer joined them. "What do you think about this dress?"

Greer rolled her eyes. "Too basic. We're making a queen, not a pauper."

They giggled and Catherine called them back to their seats. One by one, the Queen served the women and when she got to Kenna, she held her gaze for a little longer than the rest.

"I prepared this one especially for you. Duchess Marie said that you have a stricter diet than the rest," Catherine said.

Kenna was stunned and she nervously thanked her. "You did not have to," she said. "I could have done without."

"Not at all," Catherine said, moving along to the tray again. "This will be sure to make you remain your pretty, little figure. It is like you were moulded into perfection."

Kenna blushed. "I would not say that."

"No?" Catherine asked, handing Greer her cup. "I have seen every man fall for you. Are you oblivious?"

Kenna stilled. "I do not subject myself to the desires of men." She turned to Mary, placing her cup down. "We should probably get that first dress on."

"We should," Mary agreed, sipping her tea before placing it down and getting up. "Wish me luck."

"You do not need it," Margaret told her. "Your dress is already chosen and it won't be any of these disgusting, overpriced tablecloths but something elegant and respectable. Like you."

Mary grinned. Perhaps, Francis's sisters weren't going to eat her up alive as Michel said. Or maybe this was meant to lure her into a false sense of security. Either way, her guard didn't break as she disappeared behind the dressing room curtain.

...

Kenna chuckled after Lola said a joke. Mary was trying her tenth dress on and the women were starting to become restless. The dresses after dresses were starting to get more disappointing than the one before and Kenna wondered when they were going to try their own dresses on.

"You haven't touched the tea that Queen Catherine made you," Greer said under her breath.

Kenna shrugged. "I think she knows."

"Knows what?"

Lola rolled her eyes. "She can't know."

"A woman like Catherine de Medici knows everything that happens at Fontainebleau," Kenna replied. "I wouldn't trust anything she gives me."

The women turned when they heard a clatter of objects fall and saw Narcisse's aide sway on her feet. Getting up, they helped her over to their seating area and waved off her pleas.

"I haven't eaten since yesterday," she admitted shyly. "Monsieur Narcisse had me working on good publicity for the Royal Family. I couldn't let him down."

"Don't be silly," Kenna said. "You are doing a good job. Those photographs of Mary are stunning and the newspapers will eat it up and see how wonderful she is, thanks to you."

Antonia blushed. "T-Thank you."

"Oh, do drink something," Lola said, quickly checking to see whether the Queen and her daughters were around. They were somewhere at the back of the boutique, shopping for jewellery with the manager.

"I couldn't-"

"Take this," Greer said, picking up Kenna's full cup of herbal tea and putting it into Antonia's hands. "We won't tell anyone."

Antonia smiled in relief and drank the cup whole before Kenna offered her some cake. "That will boost my energy up. Thank you all so much."

"Don't thank us," Kenna said happily. "Anything for someone in need."

After a while, Antonia returned to her duties and Mary returned from the dressing room, standing on the stool and showing off the latest dress.

"This... actually is not so bad," Mary said, checking herself out in the mirror filled room as her friends got up to admire the dress. "So they do have nice dresses."

"Too white," Kenna said. "You are not the virgin everyone believes you are."

"Shut up!" Mary cried out, blushing. "I can't be wearing cream white at my own wedding. It's ugly."

Greer gasped. "What if they intend to put you in Catherine's old dress?"

"Dear God, did you see the old articles on that dress? I heard it has its own vault in the Versailles castle," Lola said.

"It was branded the ugliest of dresses," Kenna said with a smirk. "Puffy shoulders, vanilla cream, Italian lace-"

"Are you describing my wedding dress, Contessa?" Catherine's Italian accent rang through.

Kenna froze. "Yes, I was, Your Majesty," she said, turning to face her. "I was telling Mary that she should hope her own dress is as beautiful as yours was. People still talk about it today. I heard it cost in the regions of a million euros?"

"One point two to be exact," Catherine said. "I had it imported from Italy." She turned to Mary. "I think I was around your size back then. Perhaps we can alter it and see what we can do with it."

Mary almost fainted. "Oh, I would not. It's..." Old and hideous. "Very, very delicate and I would not want to ruin that. Perhaps you should save it for your daughters."

Catherine nodded politely. "I should," she said, turning around just in time to see Antonia cover her mouth and rush to the toilets. "What is wrong with her?"

Kenna went over to the seating area and lifted up her mug, taking a discreet sniff. "It's probably nerves, Your Majesty," she told the Queen, swallowing deeply. It smelt strongly of medicine - laxatives perhaps. She had been prone to experience the effects of one or two in her lifetime.

"I will check on her," Lola said, leaving after Antonia.

"We should cut this short," Elisabeth suggested. "Monsieur Narcisse will be highly disturbed by his aide taking ill so suddenly."

"No," Catherine said, glaring at Kenna. "We will stay. You have to try on the bridesmaid dresses."

Kenna turned to Mary, placing her cup down. "Her Majesty is right, Mary. What do you say?"

Mary looked between Catherine and Kenna before nodding. "We'll stay."

...

"Don't be stupid-"

"That cup was mine. She intended for me to embarrass myself!" Kenna cried out, pacing Mary's bedroom. "She knows."

Greer shook her head in disbelief. "It's your fault. Why did you sleep with the King in the first place?"

"I never meant to!" Kenna replied angrily. "He was... He was so alluring and he coerced me to his rooms knowing full well that I was out of it. I think at one point, I believed he was Bash."

"I told you," Lola said. "I told you that one day you'd get in trouble for your promiscuous ways."

Kenna glared at her. "Now a queen wants to poison me."

"It was only laxatives."

"Oh, that's how it starts. Soon, it will be magic mushrooms and she will make sure that everyone knows what happened!"

Mary groaned, lying back on her bed. "I will apologise to her on your behalf. I will do it in a way that doesn't put you in the picture. I will take the blame."

"Don't do that-"

"You're my responsibility. All of you," Mary said, sitting back up. "I asked you all to follow me so if anything happens, it's on me."

Lola gave her a sad smile. "Well, I would stay for longer but Remy invited me out for tea."

"First name basis, are we?" Greer teased her.

Lola blushed. "And what about you and Leith? The Lieutenant seemed smitten with you."

Greer grinned. "What can I say? Blondes attract other blondes." She then feigned a swoon. "I wonder what it would be like to be with twins. I think they're the same. All over."

"Greer!" Mary cried out, throwing a pillow at her.

Greer giggled. "Lola's lucky and you aren't doing so bad yourself, Mary," she said teasingly. "Francis's brother is not that bad looking and did you see him when he was riding his horse?"

Kenna shot Greer a glare. "I dare you to keep talking about him like that," she said before sitting down and sighing. "I need to become a nun."

"You really do," Mary told her, grinning. "But don't worry. I will speak to Bash on your behalf. And salvage your tryst with King Henry."

Kenna nodded gratefully. "Thank you," she said, getting back up. "I am going to take a walk. Probably go to the Seine, do some shopping..."

"Shopping does cheer you up," Greer said. "I would join you but Leith asked me to visit his mother's bakery with him. They sell macarons."

"Well, you all enjoy your days," Mary said. "I will try and find Queen Catherine and hopefully spend some quality time with Francis."

"Not that you won't during your month-long honeymoon," Kenna stated.

Mary chuckled. "Can you blame us? We haven't seen each other in three years! We're making the most of things."

Greer got up and patted her shoulder as she made her way to the door. "Keep that up and France will have her new second in line to the throne."

...

Mary opened the door when she was granted access and walked over to Catherine who sat at her desk, writing something. She watched as Catherine raised an eyebrow under her reading glasses and Mary cleared her throat to speak but Catherine got there first.

"What can I do for you, Marquise?"

Mary gave her a tight smile. "The herbal tea this morning," she began. "I noted that Antonia was dismissed for the week."

"Oh, wasn't that just terrible? I never knew she was allergic to some of the ingredients-"

"Not allergic," Mary cut her off gently. "She was given laxatives. And that tea was intended for my friend, Countess Mckenna."

Catherine paused before saying, "I overheard her talking about an unsettled stomach after your breakfast," she said. "I wanted to ease her of her discomfort before the wedding plans solidified. We need a strong Bridal Party for the wedding day."

Mary stood her ground. "I find that unnecessary, Ma'am," she said politely. "My ladies can take care of themselves."

"I am sure they can. But it seems as if they cannot stop themselves from getting into certain situations," Catherine told her.

Mary looked her straight in the eye as she said, "If anything out of the ordinary has occurred since we've arrived, then I apologise for that. I hold full responsibility for my ladies and should any repercussions occur, divert them to me and we can provide a suitable solution."

Catherine slammed her pen down on the table. "You... You are a clever girl, aren't you?"

"I am," Mary said. "I won't be bullied out of a position we have all worked fifteen years and even longer to make happen. This marriage is beneficial to all parties involved, Your Majesty. It would be wise to take that into consideration."

Catherine raised both eyebrows now. "Who are you to talk to me like that?"

"Why, I am the future Queen of France, Catherine," Mary said firmly. "It is time I acted like it."

She turned around and left, closing the door behind her. As she walked, she felt a presence behind her and she stopped. Turning around, she faced Michel and gave him a small smile.

"You heard everything?"

"There are cameras everywhere. The footage was being fed to the headquarters of security and in turn, me," he replied. "Well, the words said."

"We need to talk."

"We do," Michel said. "Right this way, Your Ladyship."

...

Kenna handed her newly bought items to her security guard. She felt happier, more relaxed. Shopping always did that for her and she was relieved that her parents never bothered to berate her every time they got her bank statements. Her allowance increased and she never wanted for anything as she'd get it immediately.

"What do you think, Gaskell?" She asked her guard. "Should we try Chanel?"

"Your card is crying," her guard said with a straight face.

Kenna laughed. "Now, that is a lie. It never cries," she said as they continued to walk down the pavement. "You probably think I am some spoilt, little rich brat."

"I have seen your love for jewellery," Gaskell began. "I do think you're spoilt and rich but not bratty."

Kenna nodded happily. "Good. Let's put these in the car with the other guard and visit the next shop on my list."

After dropping her shopping off, they returned to the shop street. She had a lot of clothes, but lots more didn't hurt. It definitely wasn't hurting her bank and she had to keep all those worrying thoughts out of her head.

Like the Queen of France trying to hurt her for one.

"Do you know the Baron of Avon?" She asked Gaskell.

Gaskell nodded. "I have come into contact with him a few times, yes."

"What can you tell me about him?"

Gaskell shrugged. "Not much, Comtessa," he replied. "The King does not like to engage in matters regarding Baron Sebastien that much. They're not close."

"I have gathered that," Kenna muttered. "I mean, would you know if he has admirers?"

"No..." Gaskell said. "Although, there was one."

Kenna stopped and turned to him which made him stop as well. "Who?"

"The Lady Rowan. He did not love her but she was-"

Kenna jumped when Gaskell fell down unconscious in front of her. Before she could scream, a hand covered her mouth and she tried fighting but another figure dressed all in black stopped her.

Slowly, she felt drowsy and her eyes began to close. She mumbled, trying to stay awake but her eyes closed and her body slumped.

Everything was black.

And silent.

...

Mary gasped. "So, Italy owns France?"

Michel nodded. "When the Baron was born, King Henry realised how much debt France was in. There were reparations needed to be paid from the revolution and coup. The one on Napoleon III. He needed to make France money fast and he married Princess Catherine, the eldest daughter to the King and Queen of Italy. To this day, Italy bail France out in sticky situations."

"So, the Royal Family are in debt?"

"A lot," Michel admitted. "And Henry didn't realise until it was too late. Even the Prime Minister kept it from him."

"And what about my marriage to Francis?"

Michel turned to her. "Your family are old money. Very wealthy on both sides, even your uncles rule the French Army and Naval service. Henry realised that the day he met your father. He planned for your mother and your father to marry so he introduced them to each other and let nature work itself out. He struck gold."

"So, Bash was just collateral?" Mary asked sadly.

Michel smiled a little. "The Baron enjoys his life very much. It is easier for him, but things are still difficult. I think it would be hard to see your younger brother become king as opposed to you. But he has taken it in his stride. I do not blame him, the family are toxic at times."

"And you want me to join this family?" Mary asked dubiously. "I feel like we're friends now with how much your family has done for mine without me ever knowing. Tell me honestly, what are your thoughts?"

Michel sighed. "I think you will be a good fit for this family. You have something to offer, something to help change their image. Just be wary because once you're married to Francis, the game will change."

"His sisters were lovely-"

"I believe only Margaret is truly kind-hearted. Elisabeth can be cold and calculating like their mother and Claude is spiteful. As the third daughter, she causes trouble for her parents and in turn, for the whole family," Michel explained. "Claude's bite is worse than her bark."

Mary crossed her arms and sighed. "Thank you," she said. "For telling me all of this."

"It is my honour," Michel replied. "If you need anything, tell me."

"Thanks," she said. "Where is Francis?"

"He attends meetings with his father. Sits down in the corner quietly and studies how he acts and addresses people," Michel said. "Doing what he needs to be the good king France needs in the future."

Mary smiled a little. "I better wait for him then. Walk me to my rooms?"

"Of course."

As they passed the windows, Mary noted that it was dark. She had probably missed dinner with her conversation, but she didn't mind. Dinner wasn't important and her mother knew she was still feeling awful after yesterday.

"Mary!" She heard Lola call her when they arrived. "Mary, have you seen Kenna?"

"No, I haven't," Mary said, turning to Michel. "Perhaps she's still shopping. She can always spend days in one store alone."

Greer joined them. "I've tried her phone. She always answers."

"Why aren't you concerned that I missed dinner?" Mary teasingly asked.

"Oh, we knew you hadn't left the castle and would probably be with Francis," Greer replied. "But when food comes calling, Kenna is here. She loves French cuisine."

Lola turned to the windows. "Well, it's only seven in the evening. I think she'll be here soon."

"Yes," Mary told them. "Don't worry. She needed this shopping trip more than ever. I have dealt with the Queen for now. All we have to do is keep quiet until my wedding day and then you will be allowed to go back to Scotland or stay and take up residence in France." She gave them a wide smile. "I hope the latter."

"Of course," Greer told her. "Well, we better get ready for bed. And make a decision on the bridesmaid dresses. We came to the conclusion that number seven, two and nineteen were strong contenders."

Mary giggled. "I can't believe we're almost there."

"You better believe it," Greer said. "Now, let's hurry up so you and lover boy can spend the night together again."

Michel curtly bowed and walked away, taking his phone out of his pocket as he heard the women enter their rooms. He nodded at the guards who were stationed at with the women and continued heading downstairs, dialling Gaskell as he did so.

No answer.

He tried again but to no avail.

He then tried the driver. Also no answer.

Sighing, he made his way to the security headquarters and found his father going through the day's CCTV with a few other security men. Sitting down, he looked at his father.

"The Comtessa de Barton," Michel said. "Her friends are worried about her."

His father turned to him briefly. "Who are her guards?"

"Gaskell and Xavier. Neither are answering."

Before his father could speak, the said men entered, one holding a pack of ice to the back of his head. He took an unsteady seat and the other one turned to the others.

"We have a situation," Xavier said.

"And that is?" Michel's father demanded.

"This can't get out," Gaskell told him. "The Queen orchestrated it."

Michel gasped. "What do you mean?"

"Queen Catherine believes that the Comtessa de Barton slept with the King on the night of the engagement party," Xavier explained. "It is true. I can confirm that evening's events and I signed an NDA along with the Comtessa."

"Dear God," Michel's father muttered. "What do we do?"

"Nothing," Gaskell said. "It is not our business. We let her deal with her. We work for the Royal Family. Not some Scottish harlot."

Michel swallowed deeply. "Indeed. Back to work, all of you. Gaskell, you're dismissed."

...

Kenna was frightened. She knew exactly who was behind this, there was no hiding that fact. She could smell the damp air of the place where she was bounded up, the stench of the cloth that covered her eyes. She could feel the bleeding cut on her forehead from where they threw her ungracefully onto the floor. She could even feel her split lip from where she got slapped for demanding to know where she was along with threats about her powerful family.

She stilled when she heard heels on the concrete ground. She felt her chin behind forced to look up and her eyes were suddenly exposed to light. She looked down but she felt the sharp nails dig into her neck.

"Look at me."

Kenna swallowed deeply and looked up to see Catherine staring down at her. "I-I..."

"You-You 'what'?" Catherine asked her.

"I don't know why you're doing this-"

"Henry told me," Catherine said. "Right before he asked for an open marriage. In our twenty-one years of being together, I was mortified. The thing is, you are so beautiful, so clever and you go for someone like him?"

Kenna closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks. "It was a mistake. I was upset."

"So you did a stupid, very childish thing?" Catherine asked, feigning empathy. "Do you know what this is? This is treason."

"I will go back to Scotland," Kenna said. "Don't kill me. No one needs to know."

"This can get out," Catherine said. "This can tarnish the Valois name. The Royal Family. France, overall. Your one night of passion has potentially destroyed a nation."

Kenna sobbed. "I'm so sorry."

"What did he see in you?" Catherine asked softly. "There's nothing special about you. Nothing worth losing a crown for. Destroying lives for."

"We were drunk."

"Drunk or not, this affects your beloved friend as well," Catherine stated. "This could stop her from being Queen of France. Because we would have lost our reign. Then we what? Try and take the throne from my brother in Italy or the throne in the United Kingdom? Neither seems realistic."

Kenna nodded stiffly. "I understand. And I will leave the castle, return home and never come back to France again."

She gasped when Catherine clutched the back of her head, her hair being pulled tightly in the older woman's grip. She jumped when Catherine's face came close to hers and she averted her gaze.

"Don't bother," Catherine hissed. "Your friend will be too suspicious. Do not speak a word of this, do you understand me?"

"I do," Kenna whispered, sobbing. "I do."

...

By eleven, Mary left her rooms and made her way towards Francis's. She was confused as to why Kenna wasn't back yet, but she passed Fabian and Michel and gave them a bright smile before entering the rooms and making her way into the bedroom area.

She found Francis in bed, reading a book about how to overcome one's enemies. She gave him a cheeky smile. "So I am your enemy now?"

Francis looked up, confused. "What?" His eyes landed on the book before he chuckled. "Oh, my father recommended it to me. It's really good."

"I'm intrigued," she said. "Tell me about it."

Francis shook his head, putting a bookmark on the page he was reading before placing it on his bedside table. "No. I want to do something else. More specifically, you."

Mary giggled when he rolled onto her, attacking her face with kisses. "I've missed you."

"Same," he said. "Today was boring, you had to do the fun stuff."

Mary sighed, shaking her head. "Not exactly..."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, Kenna didn't come for dinner nor come back to the castle. Oh, and your mother tried poisoning Kenna."

Francis gasped. "Wait, what? Why?"

"Don't worry about it," Mary muttered. "It's nothing."

"My mother wouldn't do something like that," Francis said. "She's the Queen of France."

Mary resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Exactly why she could do something like this. "Just a silly disagreement between the two."

"Right," Francis said. "I see. I'm sure Kenna's fine."

"Mhm. Don't worry about it," Mary told him, kissing him deeply. "I'm ready to be done."

Francis burst out into laughter, snorts and giggles coming out of his lips as she waited patiently for him. As he took his shirt off, he said, "I don't think I've ever heard someone say that."

Mary grinned, undoing the buttons to her pyjama shirt. "Neither have I, to be honest."

"Well, let me do you then," he said, unable to keep a straight face as he got off her and laughed.

"Do me very well."

"Please, stop!"

"Not medium rare-"

"Mary-"

"Or rare. But well done."

"Your jokes are terrible," Francis told her. "We'll work on your humour before we become king and queen, don't worry."

Mary snorted. "Can't wait for the lessons."

...

Kenna got out of the Uber and walked up to the only guarded house on the row of townhouses. They reminded her of the homes at Chelsea and Kensington back in London.

She had never been here before but remembered either Julian or Remy giving her this address, saying that the owner of the house always threw the best parties whenever the lady of the house was away.

It was quiet tonight.

"Excusez-moi, you cannot come closer," the female security guard said, stopping her.

"Can you help me, please?" Kenna asked her.

The woman warily looked her up and down and sighed, speaking into her radio device. "We have a woman who looks like she's been attacked. Ask His Lordship if we should help."

A positive reply came through and the guard turned back to Kenna. Kenna swallowed deeply, feeling her split lip sting as she licked her wound, tasting the metallic taste of blood.

She shivered, realising that she didn't have a coat. She was wearing a purple, silk, flowery dress with no sleeves and she wore combat boots as opposed to heels. She hadn't wanted her feet to hurt as she shopped.

The front door opened and a security guard whispered into the woman's ear before they turned to her and nodded. She followed after the man as the woman kept at her post.

"Your name?" He asked.

"K-Kenna," Kenna replied. "Uh, the Baron knows me."

He looked at her dubiously but he led her into the study where a doctor was. He gestured for her to sit down and he left soon after, the doctor turning in his seat and beckoning to come closer to him and his set of supplies.

Kenna realised that the family would have private and personal medical care. Who needed a hospital if you had one inserted into your home?

"Laceration to the forehead and bruised nose and cheek," he stated, gently gripping her chin to inspect her injuries.

"H-How did they...?" The woman only said she was hurt.

"CCTV is all over the place," the doctor said. "Even in here. Clear as rain. We could see the injuries from the screen."

Kenna winced when he dabbed some antiseptic on her head. "Sorry."

"It's fine," he said, continuing to clean her wound. "How do you know the Baron?"

"Is he home?"

The doctor paused. "People normally keep walking when they see a heavily guarded house," he said. "You are the first to come with a purpose, knowing the Baron apparently. No one knows he lives here other than the people we've seen pass through those doors. Not even his neighbours."

"He's my friend," Kenna told him as he placed a plaster onto her head. "We... we were involved once."

"I am Dr Winter," he finally said, disregarding her words. "You may have a concussion." He checked her eyes. "You can't rest just yet but if you need me, call me."

"Are you done?"

He nodded. "Your injuries are superficial. Should heal without a trace within the month," he replied, taking his gloves off and disposing of them.

"Thank you, Dr Winter."

"You're welcome," he said just as the door opened and Bash stepped inside.

Within a flash, he was by her side, brushing her hair away to inspect her face and cut. "What happened?" He asked, much to Winter's surprise and even the male guard from earlier's.

"Can we talk in private?" Kenna asked fearfully.

Bash nodded. "Dr Winter, Elliot, if you could excuse the Comtessa and me?"

Winter nodded and left with Elliot, closing the door behind them. He was curious about the Baron's visitor but he didn't say anything about the matter to the guard. He merely returned to his bedroom.

In the office, Kenna hugged Bash tightly. "I did something stupid."

"What?" Bash asked, pulling away from her.

Kenna's eyes fell. "I slept with the King," she whispered. "And Queen Catherine found out and orchestrated this whole thing. I think the security guards were in on it and I was taken somewhere where she threatened me and hit me and... She let me go, making me promise that I'll keep quiet about the whole thing."

Bash sighed heavily. "My stepmother... She's protective of what belongs to her but what she doesn't know is that my father never belonged to her. Not wholly."

"What does that mean?"

"My father loved my mother. He still does," Bash said quietly. "But certain circumstances that I still don't know to this day made him choose Catherine. Since then, he's had multiple affairs and my mother stayed away from France as much as possible."

"I'm sorry," Kenna mumbled.

"What for? My parents or the fact you slept with my father?"

"Everything," Kenna sobbed. "I'm self-destructive, it's my nature."

Bash nodded. "But I can't fault you. It's what he does, he... he finds out about any woman I'm interested in or is interested in me and he takes them. To show me a lesson that he can have whatever he wants, even if they're not my mother. It's sick, I know but that's life."

Kenna frowned. "That's cruel-"

"It's a price I'm willing to pay. I'm just hoping for the day he wakes up and smells the ashes of the kingdom he's burnt down and starts changing things for the better," Bash replied.

"You're too optimistic," Kenna said with a soft smile.

"There are people in far worse positions than me," Bash told her. "I can't complain whilst I have a house like this, personal staff to cater to all my needs, my prized horses..."

Kenna looked away. "Who is Rowan?"

"Rowan was my father's test subject. I didn't love her, but I could see a future with her. Her family were new money who lost all their wealth in dodgy tradings and my father offered her ten million if she slept with him. She took it and disappeared."

Kenna's eyes widened. "I'm so sorry-"

"What did he offer you?"

Kenna closed her eyes. "Nothing at all. Sweet talk, I guess... Come morning, he kicked me out of his rooms and I felt like I needed to bleach my whole body. I couldn't believe I was so drunk, I slept with him. Someone I didn't want in the first place."

"He used you," Bash stated, getting up. "Before I found out that you were here, I was having a drink with Bayard. Do you want to join us?"

"I'm staying well clear from alcohol," Kenna whispered.

"I have juice," Bash said. "And tea. With lots of sugar. Helps with shock."

Kenna looked up and smiled at him. "Tea sounds great."

...

The next morning, Mary joined her mother, Greer and Lola for breakfast. She noted that Kenna wasn't there and her mother seemed quite relieved about that fact. They would have found something to squabble about, leaving her in the middle.

"No Kenna?" She asked anyway.

Lola shook her head. "Her room was untouched," she said. "I found her phone on her bed."

"And that's the strange thing," Greer continued. "Because we clearly saw her leave with her phone when she left yesterday."

"You don't think..." Mary trailed off, the women turning to her oblivious mother. She swallowed deeply and looked at Michel who shrugged in reply. "Perhaps she came back, left her phone and went back out."

"Indeed," Marie said, looking up from her newspaper. "Good things today. Lady Lola, read it aloud."

Lola collected the newspaper and cleared her throat. "'Stunning Scottish Bride. The future Queen of France was seen beautifully attending a dress appointment for the final fitting before the wedding day. She was joined by the current Queen Of France, Her Majesty Queen Catherine, and Her Royal Highnesses Princesses Elisabeth, Margaret and Claude. It seems as if the events at FEGA were an attempt at a bachelor and bachelorette party. We cannot deny, the Dauphin and Marquise deserve it.'"

"I will take it," Mary said, sharing a smile with Lola and Greer. "Any plans for today, ladies?"

Marie sipped her tea slowly before swallowing her gulp. "I have matters to attend to with my family. Your uncles are coming back from their tours. I need to make their homecoming special."

"Send them my love," Mary replied. "Uncle Christian promised me something-"

"I will retrieve that keyring for you. Completes your collection, does it?"

Mary chuckled. "It does," she said, turning to her friends. "Uncle Christian always got me keyrings from every country he visited. We've got to the last country."

"How nice," Greer said. "The most one of my uncles gave me was advice on how to pick the wealthiest one."

They giggled Mary continued to eat. She lifted her phone from the table and sighed when there was nothing from Kenna. No word, no text, nothing. Not that she was worried, Kenna could hold her own.

Placing her phone back down, she smiled to herself, the newspaper story in her mind.

...

Francis sipped his juice, watching as his parents conversed quietly and his siblings ate. It was the same old thing, boring breakfast with his boring family. Well, they weren't boring, but they made even menial things more boring than they needed to be.

His mother was slightly chipper than usual and his father's eyes were cold and calculating. But his voice was soft. It always was when it came to Catherine de Medici. He had never ever raised his voice at her, but he had at Diane.

"Hattie, Emone, Louis, do not play with your food," Catherine said, cutting into the silence between the siblings.

"Yes, Mother," the younger children said.

Francis looked down at his own plate. On this table alone, it could feed thirty let alone a family of eleven. He sighed, shaking his head as he placed his fork down.

"Francis, you're not eating?" Henry asked, surprised.

"I'm not hungry, Dad," he said. "May I be excused?"

Henry turned to Catherine. Of course, she was the head of the family. He only owned a kingdom. "Wife?"

"You are excused, Francis," Catherine said, glaring at Claude who was getting ready to leave herself. "The rest of you, eat."

Francis smirked to himself when Lissie, Margo and Claude glared at him. Even Charlie and Henri seemed displeased. It wasn't his fault that he was next in line and the Dauphin of France. He got away with most things.

When the doors closed behind him, he slipped his phone out of his pocket and was surprised to see a video message from Leith. Looking around, he inserted his headphones into his phone and put them on, clicking 'play'.

He laughed when he saw Bash and Kenna, spinning an empty bottle of wine with Leith egging them on in a game of Truth or Dare. He frowned a little when Leith filmed Kenna zoomed in and she blocked his view on her. It was impossible to miss, the half of her face was a mess.

He kept rewinding and forwarding, ignoring the laughter coming from the three as he studied Kenna. Mary had said she hadn't turned up for dinner and this morning, it seemed that Kenna was still not here. It was now clear that she was at the Avon Townhouses with Bash and Leith.

He took his headphones out and turned just in time to see Mary coming down the hallway with Lola and Greer, the three giggling about something. Had Kenna returned?

"Hello, Your Highness," Greer greeted him and she and Lola curtseyed.

"Please, don't," Francis begged them, making them laugh. "We're friends."

Mary grinned. "So my friends are your friends now?"

"Seems that way," he replied, kissing her cheek. "I have today free. What about you ladies?"

"We were going to visit the Eiffel Tower. Be tourists for the day," Lola told him.

Francis grinned. "How about we do that tomorrow?"

"'We'?" Mary asked.

"Yes, because I will be your personal tour guide," Francis informed them.

"How?"

"I have the best disguises my mother's make up artists have to offer," Francis said. "Today, we'll visit Avon."

"What for?" Greer asked.

Francis lifted his phone to their eyesight. "I found Kenna."