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elder441 [chapter 6]: Hehe, thank you! One chapter left to go until the big wedding!


The vaults.

The vaults were full of expensive family heirlooms and Mary never knew that it laid underneath the ground they walked on. The first vault held Catherine's wedding dress on a mannequin and her priceless jewellery surrounding it. Italian silks and materials as well as jewels...

"We'll have a vault built for you as well," Francis said into her ear which made her smile.

"I don't need a vault."

"Just wait until I spoil you during our marriage," Francis replied, opening the second vault. He stepped back and let Mary, Bash and Kenna enter it. "Don't go near the ring in the middle. It's... It's not ours."

Bash ignored Francis's warning and walked up to the boxed item. "It's my grandmother's ring. Why is it here and not with my mother?"

"Dad said she asked him to keep it safe."

"It's not worth much," Bash told them honestly as he took the ring out of the box. "But it holds a lot of meaning."

Kenna stood on his left as Mary stood on his right, both staring at the little ring. They'd both seen many pictures of it on the Archduchess of Avon's finger, never guessing that it wasn't as valuable as they thought. Nor did they expect to find out that it wasn't a Valois heirloom but a de Poitiers'.

"It's so beautiful," Mary told him.

"It is, isn't it?" Bash replied. "My grandmother and grandfather were walking by the Seine one day and there was this little pop-up shop full of jewellery. My grandfather, Duke de Poitiers, was obviously a rich man but even he couldn't deny the desires of my grandmother who grew up poor in the French Carribean island of Guadeloupe. She chose this ring and he proposed right there and then."

"That's so sweet," Kenna said, resting her chin on his shoulder. "It was kind of your father to protect it. Even if its value isn't even a quarter of what the other valuables are worth in this vault."

Bash smiled a little, turning to face her fully. "Your hand, please."

Kenna gasped. "I couldn't. That's your grandmother's ring-"

"I... I think she would have wanted you to have it."

"And not your older half-siblings?"

Bash chuckled. "They've long since married. They do not care for a ring just because it has sentimental feelings attached to it," he said. "But it brings good luck."

Kenna tentatively gave him her hand and he slipped the purple rock onto her ring finger before pressing a soft kiss on the back of her hand. She smiled, blushing as she stepped away to admire a tiara. In all honesty, she wasn't too eager to rub her new relationship in front of the more stable couple.

"This tiara...," she said, pointing at it. "That's the tiara Marie Antoinette wore, isn't it?"

"It is," Francis confirmed, coming to join her with Mary. "No one has ever worn it to a formal event. Not even my mother."

The tiara was beautiful, sparkling and precious and Mary gasped at its beauty. She reached out to touch it but she quickly brought her hand back, blushing furiously.

"It's okay," Francis said, chuckling. "It has been tried on."

He carefully lifted it up and placed it on top of Mary's head. He kissed her cheek and stepped back, taking her hand and giving her a low bow which made them laugh.

"Your Highness."

Mary blushed. "Your Highness," she replied, doing a curtsey. "Take it off, it's too precious to play around with."

"Very well," Francis said, taking it and putting it back. He led the group over to a set of gold jewellery with sapphire gems. There was a necklace, a bracelet, a pair of earrings and a middle finger ring. "Now this is what you will wear on our wedding day."

"Jesus, Francis," Kenna breathed out. "I've seen photos of the Archduchess of Avon wear it at the conference with the officials from Saudi Arabia twenty-five years ago." She saw them turn to her. "I may have researched a little into my future mother-in-law."

Bash grinned, kissing the side of her head. "A lot of people are still obsessed with my mother. She was the opposite of Princess Diana but over the years, she's more philanthropic and charitable."

"Anyway," Francis said, turning to Mary. "This is worth in the regions of two million euro."

"I'll be wearing two million euro on my person on our wedding day?" Mary cried out. "No, Francis! The most I've worn was only two grand."

"That's a lie," Kenna mumbled.

Mary blushed. "Okay, maybe more when it's my birthday but still!"

"It's been worn at every wedding, christening and baptism. Even at every important business deal," Francis said. "Mary, this isn't negotiable and also, you will look so beautiful. More beautiful than the women who wore this before." He eyed Bash. "No offence to our mothers."

"I'm not offended," Bash said, chuckling.

Francis smirked. "So, Mary? What do you say?"

Mary sighed heavily. "Fine, I will literally bear the weight of your family's jewels. Do I get a lovely tiara whilst I'm at it?"

"Now, that is up for negotiation."

...

"I can't believe that Elisabeth spilt her drink all over you!" Lola said as they hurried out the rehearsal dinner, two days before the wedding.

Kenna dabbed at the wine stain. "I could slap her for you."

"Don't," Mary said quickly.

"She's just jealous," Greer told her. "I mean, I even heard Catherine saying that Margaret was the most beautiful child she had. That Elisabeth may be her favourite, but not the prettiest. Then Margaret went on to say that everyone is prettier than Elisabeth. Even her future sister-in-law, you."

Mary blushed as they walked past Michel and Gautier. "That's a lie."

"It's true," Lola told her. "Margaret looks up to you!"

Mary halted. "Too bad Elisabeth and Claude do not follow suit. They are mini-Catherine bots, going around and thinking that they are better than the rest of us. You know what?"

"What?"

"I think it's time to play fire with fire," Mary said.

After getting dressed in something different, something she would never go for, courtesy of Kenna's wardrobe, she stepped back into the dining hall. All eyes were on her and she smirked.

She wore a midnight blue dress, the straps were in the formation of an 'X' across her chest, exposing some cleavage. It also exposed one of her legs with a thigh slit and it had sparkling Swarovski gemstones in the skirt. She saw her mother shake her head a little but refuse to comment which made her sigh in relief.

"Drink, Marquise?" A butler asked her.

"Yes," she said, collecting it before sitting back down beside Francis.

"I apologise for Lissie's behaviour-"

"It's fine," she said quietly as her friends took their seats. "Jealousy is such an ugly colour."

Francis cleared his throat. "We can leave if you want." He eyed his mother warily. They couldn't disallow her from this. At least after the wedding was over and done with, they'd keep their distances and live in Versailles.

"Tell us more about yourself, Marquise," Margaret suddenly said from across the table.

Everyone was silent and all eyes were on Mary. She gave them a bright smile and nodded, placing her drink down on the table.

"I love dogs," Mary began. "I have a New Zealand Shepherd called Stirling. He's in Scotland currently, being looked after by the Beatons. When the honeymoon is over, he will be here with Francis and me. He's really excited to meet his new father."

"Are you and your friends close?" Claude asked, eyeing Kenna, Lola and Greer, her loyal bodyguards.

Mary nodded. "We attended the same nursery, primary school and secondary school. We went to different universities depending on our respective degrees."

"What did you study, exactly?" Elisabeth asked her.

"I studied Biology," Mary said. "It was simple enough. And I completed a three-year degree after finishing my A-Levels quickly."

Margaret beamed. "A smart woman," she said. "I wanted to go to university but Mother wouldn't allow it."

"You do not need to think about education. You can easily learn from home, just as you did up until now," Catherine said which made her daughter roll her eyes in annoyance.

"I want to be normal, Mother," Margaret snapped, taking a sip from her wine. "In England, they allow their princes and princesses to attend university!"

"We do things differently here," Henry said gently. "Pearl..."

Margaret sighed. "Apologies, everyone. Sometimes I forget that us women aren't that important than our fellow brothers."

"Margaret," Kenna called her. "If you really want to learn, I can tutor you in whatever you like."

"You can?"

"I studied English Literature and Language," Kenna told her. "I'm sure you can seek an online degree somehow and if you need help, I can help you."

Mary smiled proudly at her friend. "Kenna is a jack of all trades, you see," she told the girls. "Fluent in fifteen languages, a degree holder, a fashionista, diva at times, singer and capable of picking up any instrument and playing it expertly. She is a virtuoso."

"Mary," Kenna warned her lightly. "Don't shine the light on me-"

"Is that so?" Catherine asked, eyeing Kenna intently. "Say, do you know how to speak Japanese?"

Kenna fluently replied, stating that she could. In English, she added, "I travelled to Japan for six weeks and picked the language up fairly easily. My brothers and I attend charities on our parents' behalf so Japan was a holiday stop."

Bash turned to her in surprise. "Uh, can you speak Russian?"

Kenna smirked. "Da, ya mogu. Ty mozhesh'?"

"Da," Bash said, impressed. "Thank God, we're not getting married just yet. You keep coming out with surprises."

Mary laughed. "Honestly, if everyone just got to know us better, we wouldn't be butting heads," she said, looking at Catherine in particular. "My friends and I aren't the malicious vixens you believe we are. Or that the media portray us to be."

"No, they are not," Henry said, turning to Elisabeth. "What you did earlier was unacceptable, Elisabeth. Mary is your superior, she will be queen one day and you will need to find a way to be friends with her. That and your brother and she are in love and nothing will change that."

Elisabeth's eyes flashed with something Mary recognised but she planted a smile on her face. "Of course, Father," she said insincerely. "I sincerely hope that Mary can forgive me."

"We should be honest," Mary began. "With how we feel about each other. It helps us move forward."

"I think that is a good idea, Marquise," Henry said. "Then we can use the wedding as a fresh start. A chance for us all to be family."

"Exactly," Francis said, taking Mary's hand under the table.

Henry nodded, looking at Mary's empty glass and lifting up the decanter her way. "More wine, Your Ladyship?"

"Why, thank you, Your Majesty," Mary said, watching him refill her glass.

"Soon, you'll drop such formalities. I've always hated the titles."

Mary chuckled. "Very well, Sir."

"Not that."

"Henry?"

"That's better."

Mary smiled. "'Henry' it is."

...

That night, Mary found a dead rat on her pillow.

"I know exactly how to get back at her," Kenna said. "Just give me one hour."

Mary sighed. "Don't do anything. The wedding's in two days, we can't afford any misfortunes," she told her friend as they began to dispose of the carcass in Catherine's rose garden.

"I won't," Kenna assured her. "I'm just surprised that Michel gave us shovels with no questions asked."

Mary giggled. "He must think we're strange. In our pyjamas at twelve in the morning, requesting shovels, a bin bag and fertiliser."

"I will be your perfect partner in crime," Kenna said lightly, using her shovel to pat down the burial site. "Farewell, rat. You won't be missed."

"Dearly beloved, we gather here to say goodbye to Ratty. Ratty who didn't know what he was getting into when he crossed paths with Princess Elisabeth," Mary continued. "Rest in pieces."

They burst into giggles and finished up, returning the shovels and fertiliser to Michel who gave them a knowing smirk.

"I had the maids clean up your bed," he told Mary. "No more nasty surprises and I will put Fabian at your door for the whole night."

"Thank you, Michel," Mary said, linking her arm with Kenna's as they headed back to their rooms.

The minute they entered the living room that connected their bedrooms, they found Francis waiting. He looked concerned but when his eyes landed on Mary, he was relieved.

"You disappeared," he said. "Lola and Greer couldn't find you."

"Oh, Kenna and I needed some fresh air," Mary told him, patting her friend's hand. "Goodnight, Countess."

"I bid you a lovely night, Marchioness," Kenna replied with a smirk as she returned to her bedroom. But something told Mary that she would not be sleeping but seeking revenge on Francis's sister.

Mary walked up to Francis and cupped his cheeks. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he mumbled.

"Tell me, darling."

"Dinner was tense," he said lightly, moving away from her towards the window. "Bash told me he couldn't wait to leave after it."

Mary chuckled softly. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine," Francis told her. "My sisters need to know their place. My mother let them have free reign. Even as children, they overpowered me and most of it was because of my short nature and the fact that my hair was long enough for them to style as if I was a baby doll."

Mary laughed. "So that's why I saw you with pink hair clips in your hair when we first met at five," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Yes," he said, chuckling. "Although I believe our relationships were better when we were children. I mean, they find out what Bash is doing through a news article. What does that say about us as siblings?"

"James and I don't talk much because..." She sighed heavily, going over to sit on the sofa. "Can you come and sit down?"

"Of course," Francis replied, taking a seat beside her and pulling one leg up beneath him as he rested his elbow on the top of the seat.

Mary shook her head as if trying to get rid of the memories. "I was ten and he was nineteen. He had his girlfriend come over to the Summer Cottage that we used as a holiday home. Mum was busy, she always was back then so it was only James and me." She bit her lip, trying to stop the tears from coming.

"You don't have to tell me-"

"In two days, you'll be my husband," Mary said softly. "I want to tell you everything."

"No secrets?"

"None at all," she whispered. She looked down at her hands. "We went for a swim in the river. I was terrified because it was flowing quickly but James and Lorraine were fine with it. Just as James was helping me get down, his phone rang - it was Mum checking on us. He got out of the lake and went to take the call away from us. Then it began to rain heavily and I slipped inside the river from the bank and Lorraine got inside to help me. We both drowned and James was forced to make a decision between his sister or his girlfriend. I don't think he ever forgave me for her death even though he knew deep down, it wasn't my fault. But it helped him to blame someone because her parents blamed him. Not even my mother could smooth things over and James stopped coming home and kept away in his grief over Lorraine and his hate for me."

"You were a child," Francis breathed out. "It wasn't your fault that you were pulled into the river."

Mary shrugged. "But it is, isn't it? If I had stayed back from the bank and waited for James or we'd even gone inside after it began to rain... Lorraine wouldn't have followed me inside. We all knew she was a good swimmer but not good against the current. I even robbed him of the chance to hear her last words... And they were my name being called by her. I still hear her at times. It's worse in August when it happened."

"I'm so sorry," Francis said.

"It's fine," Mary replied. "I invited him to the wedding, but he politely declined. I wonder if I'd be judged for only having my mother and third cousin attend my wedding. The bride's side would be scarce."

Francis kissed her. "I doubt it."

"It's true," Mary replied. "If we hadn't invited the Pope, Prime Minister, Mayors and other diplomatic and public figures to the wedding. Including those French celebrities. The ushers should all direct them to my side because your side will be full of your relatives, extended and intimate."

"You shouldn't forget the de Guises."

Mary chuckled. "No, I shouldn't. They'll have their own five rows in their own, actually. I could almost match your family with them alone."

"I love you, you know that, don't you?"

Mary nodded. "I do," she whispered. "I love you too."

"So, no secrets?"

She needed to promise him again. "No secrets."

"Then, why didn't you tell me that Elisabeth put a dead rat on your bed?" He asked her.

"How did you...?"

"I was coming to see you and followed you and Kenna. It was very funny, that little eulogy," he said, making them laugh. "Elisabeth was never squirmish. I remember her putting rats and the like under our governess and governor's beds. Claude d'Urfé, Jean and Françoise d'Humières would always line us all up and demand to know who did it. Margaret always tattled because they threatened to take her bespoke dollhouse away. These days, they can't bargain with her and she keeps things to the grave."

Mary laughed. "I'm glad to know that it's not only me she disliked and showed her collection of dead animals."

"Indeed," Francis said with a sigh. "I... Nevermind."

"No, go ahead, what is it?"

"Nothing."

"Francis-"

"We should get to bed," Francis said, checking the time. "Today will be the last day we'll be unwed."

"It will be," Mary whispered happily, but she won't forget his hesitance. "I can't wait to be your wife."

"I can't wait to be your husband," Francis replied. "I will stay in your room tonight. Just in case Elisabeth tries anything."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, love."

...

Mary groaned when a flash hit her face and she pulled the duvet over it. "Why...?"

"Darling, we have a full day ahead of us!" Kenna sang to her, pulling back the curtains even more which made Mary and Francis groan.

"So do we," Bash said, pulling the duvet off them. "It's nine already and the last day of your single lives."

"Uh, we aren't technically single-"

"You know what I mean!" Bash replied, dumping a towel on his brother. "Get showered and pull out your old golfing gear."

Francis groaned. "No... We hate golf."

Bash sighed, nodding. "Guess whose idea it was."

"His Royal, Majestic Majesty's?"

"Indeed. He invited General de Medici, General de Guise and Duke Beaton. He thought it was time to know my future father-in-law considering we used him to cover up his mistakes."

Francis chuckled, opening his eyes finally. "Will we at least have people more of our age?" He asked, getting out of bed.

"Oui. The regular idiots. Bayard and the Vargas. Even Charles. Although I have a feeling that they will mysteriously cancel on us."

"And for us..." Kenna said, jumping onto Mary on the bed. "We get to go to the spa!"

Mary looked at her friend who hovered above her. "The spa?"

"Yes!" Kenna said happily. "I took the courtesy to ask Margaret to come along! And Claude since we can work on that vindictive cow, but it should be great and fun and relaxing."

"Claude is not relaxing, but don't say I didn't warn you," Francis said lightly, heading into the bathroom with the door remaining open. "She will do anything to ruin your day."

"Let her try," Kenna replied. "Dealing with grievances is my thing-"

The door flew opened and Elisabeth stormed in, pointing to her blue hair.

"Who did this?!"

Bash bit back a smile and came up to her, taking a strand of her hair and shaking his head. "Oh, dear. Lissie, that is not your colour."

"Shut up, Baron," Lissie hissed, rolling her eyes.

"Duke," Bash corrected her. "And that hair won't look good in the official photos."

"I can't go to the wedding like this!" Lissie whined, crossing her arms angrily.

"Well, that's a shame," Kenna said happily. "You won't be missed."

Elisabeth glared at her. "It was you, wasn't it? You bitch."

"I do not know what you're talking about, Princess," Kenna replied, coming over to her. "I was with my fiancé all night. Right, mon amour?"

Bash nodded. "She was. I'd rather keep what we were doing to ourselves if you get what I mean."

Elisabeth scoffed. "I really hate you all," she breathed out, leaving.

Bash turned to Kenna. "Was that why you had blue dye stained on your hands last night when you joined me in bed?"

"No..." Kenna trailed off. "Innocent until proven guilty."

"There are security cameras..."

"I paid Michel off," Kenna said and then grinned.

Mary groaned, laying back down on the bed. "Kenna, I said-"

"I know but she deserved it."

Bash chuckled. "Dear God, what have I got myself into?" He asked her, pressing a long kiss onto her lips.

Mary cleared her throat and they pulled away and turned to her. "Yes, I am still here."

"And I have ears!" Francis added as the shower turned on.

"Oh, do be quiet," Kenna told them. "We don't complain when you're all over each other in the VIP box or the Seine. Speaking of the Seine, Bash and I have bought a lovely house or two."

"Yes, a secure villa in the 16th district by Bastille. Great place to raise children and for guests to come and visit," Bash said. "It's gated and very close to Versailles so we'll be able to see each other frequently. "

"And the other house is a twelve-bedroom townhouse for business purposes," Kenna added. "And to keep the guests we don't like should they need to stay with us."

Mary smiled. "Francis and I haven't even looked at holiday properties much less secret homes. We were just going to remain at Versailles but it wouldn't hurt to seek private residences for when we do have children and that could very well be soon."

"You have all the time in the world," Kenna told her. "Now get ready. I'm sure you and future hubby won't mind sharing a shower because we need to leave in an hour."

"We'll leave you both now," Bash said, leading Kenna out.

"They're gone!" Mary called out to Francis.

Francis peeked his head through the door. "Good," he said with a cheeky grin. "Want to, uh, join me? Feeling kind of cold."

Mary laughed, starting to strip. "On my way."

...

"Have I told you how much I hate golf?" Francis asked his brother.

"Would never have guessed," Bash said, putting his sunglasses on as he looked over at their younger brother. "Charles is trying to impress Father. Shame he doesn't realise that Father is too busy trying to kiss General de Medici's arse to focus on his sons."

Francis grinned. "Works for me. Now, I don't need to be embarrassed by my lack of golf skills." He swung and missed the ball which made Bash chuckle.

"Oh, dear. Give me a horse and a few hurdles any day," the Duke of Orléans muttered.

Francis cursed, but he finally managed to get the ball in the air. It landed not that far off from the hole and he gasped. "No way."

"Pity luck," Bash told him, putting his gold club away. "I'm bored. I really hate that I agreed to this."

"You forced me out of my woman's warmth," Francis said as they walked up to the ball. "I had no complaints until now."

"She wouldn't have been there anyway with her own plans," Bash replied. "Don't worry, you'll be with her forever soon. Even when people try to steal you away with deals and politics."

Francis grinned. "Oh, I just can't wait to be king!" He sang.

"Nice Lion King reenactment," Bash said lightly. "I'm just glad I got to miss out."

"Don't say that..." Francis trailed off and his eyes widened at the sight of a familiar blonde woman talking to an older man.

They both spotted Francis and Bash and began making their way over, much to both men's alarm.

"Mon Dieu... is that-"

"Olivia," Francis cut his brother off, his voice strained. "And her father, Duke D'Amencourt."

Olivia got to them first, hugging Francis and placing kisses on his cheeks before moving onto Bash who was surprised at the contact. She pulled away and beamed when her father shook the men's hands.

"It's been so long!" She said. "Two years!"

Francis nodded. "Yes," he replied. "Now, I'm getting married."

"Congratulations. Tomorrow is the big day?" Duke D'Amencourt said.

"Yes, Sir," Francis replied.

"And you too," she said, turning to Bash as she batted her eyelashes. "I guess your new bride will be happy to host all of those exciting parties you throw beside you. I still remember the Jurassic themed one! Oh and the Valentine's of 2017. We... we enjoyed that one, did we not, Sébastien?"

"Hmm," Bash hummed, getting ready to turn and leave but Francis discreetly grabbed onto his arm to keep him in place. "My future wife is perfect at everything. Including planning parties. I am very lucky to have her."

Olivia giggled. "I'm sure you are," she said, about to leave but she stopped. "Oh, I guess our invites were lost in the postal services?"

"Not at all," Francis said. "We wanted to do things differently and personally visited our guests. Unfortunately, we are still getting that done but now we have seen each other, you are hereby cordially invited to my wedding to the Marquise de Moray."

Oliva clapped her hands happily. "Wonderful! I returned home to Italy and couldn't stop thinking about you. We were very close, weren't we? Sunlit dinners on the river, moonlight dancing..."

Francis nodded stiffly. "Yes, but now I have a wife to do those with."

"A fiancée you mean."

"That changes tomorrow," Francis replied. "It was good to see-"

"And you, Duke de Poitiers?" Olivia turned to Bash. "Where's my invite to your wedding, beau?"

Bash smiled politely. "The Comtessa and I have yet to begin planning our wedding."

"Why?"

"Because we wouldn't want to overshadow Francis and Mary," Bash replied, turning to face his brother. "We should get going. I'm sure our father would-"

Duke D'Amencourt cleared his throat. "Dinner at our estate," he said. "You and the Dauphin."

"We would but you know how it is," Francis said. "The day before the wedding? It is very, very stressful and still so much to do."

"Soon, then," the Duke said. "We have to go, daughter. Busy schedule and more suitors to please with your golf skills."

Olivia giggled and remained as her father walked away to say, "It's a shame you're marrying Mary," to Francis. "We could have been great together."

"What we had is gone, Olivia," Francis told her. "I wish you all the best."

"You will see me tomorrow," Olivia promised him, pressing a long kiss on his cheek. "Don't drool when your eyes land on me, lover."

After she left, Bash turned to Francis and said, "There's the manipulative bitch we all know and remember. Can't believe I ever slept with her."

"Indeed. Same here," Francis whispered, wiping his kiss-stained cheek. He turned towards the older men. "Uh oh, your father-in-law is waving us over."

"He is not my in-law just yet," Bash muttered as they began to walk over. "Lord save our souls."

...

Francis fixed his tie and sighed, the feeling of Olivia's kiss still tingling his cheek. He'd washed his face, had a shower and got dressed into a clean suit but he still couldn't remove the feeling of his former flame off him.

Before now, he and Mary were in an open relationship. It allowed them to see other people before they were committed for life but Francis made the mistake of telling this one in particular that he loved her. She had then got the idea that his mother loved her and was planning to rearrange a new marriage prospect for him.

But he chose Mary and he loves Mary.

"Don't tell Mary about Olivia," he told his brother and friends. "She doesn't need to know about her."

"Lying isn't wise, Francis," Bash told him. "Haven't you read-"

"L.D. Daniels' fifth book? I binged read it and I understand that but Olivia is the past and Mary is the future. I don't need her being worried or threatened over a crazy ex-girlfriend," Francis replied. "I love her and I don't want to lose her."

Leith zipped his mouth. "Secret's safe with me. Gutted we didn't see the drama unfold. I remember that time Olivia and I were locked in a cupboard and kissed for ten minutes straight when we were thirteen."

Remy snorted. "That never happened. You mean Greta Van Guten."

"I would never make out with an ugly girl!"

"You did," Julien said. "And you couldn't get rid of her for two weeks."

Leith's face fell. "Oh, shit. That's true. I guess I dreamed about Olivia then."

"Anyway..." Francis trailed off. "I can't believe that I will be the first one out of us to be married."

Remy stood up and cupped Francis's cheeks. "Gentlemen, our boy's all grown up. I remember when you were just eight. Now, you're twenty and you'll have a wife. Children, because they are important. A whole chateau to yourself..."

Francis smiled, laughing to himself. "Jealous?"

"Oh, no!" Remy replied. "I will live vicariously through you though, as the rest of us continue to drink and party for the rest of our days until our parents tell us to grow up and be sensible."

Leith scowled lightly. "Bash is getting married as well. Just last week, you were planning to go to Ibiza and Malaga with us! So we could wingman for each other and leave our holiday romances as they were, romances in the holiday."

"Then a seductive Comtessa from Scotland arrived and changed everything," Julien added. "Thanks to that stupid app we told you to delete years ago."

"Even without the app, he would have still fallen for her," Francis said, leaving Remy's grip to retrieve his phone and put it in his pocket.

"I am right here," Bash told them, amused.

"I don't even understand," Remy continued on the subject. "He's never fallen in love. The King's relationship with the Archduchess scarred him for life."

Bash got up from his seat. "At least have the courtesy to talk about me behind my back," he said lightly. "Can we go to this dinner now? I'm getting tired."

"Just wait until you begin your official royal duties," Francis said. "They are never-ending and it is more than smiling and waving at the people. After my honeymoon ends, I have seventeen media appearances to attend to. Less than half with Mary. Oh, and I will be creating a new charity."

"Based on?" Leith asked.

"Women."

"Now, you're talking."

"No, future women," Francis said, making Leith frown. "Girls who want to study but do not have the funds to do so. I was thinking about it after learning about Mary and her friends' education stories. Like, Kenna can speak fifteen languages and that is with her parents' financial aid. She along with the other women were probably private tutored but not all girls in France can have that luxury. Or have money to jet-set around the world on humanitarian projects and easily pick up knowledge. We need to make strong, brilliant, clever women. Women who will be independent and take our country into the future."

Bash nodded. "If a man can do it, a woman can too."

"That could be our slogan!" Francis said happily. "Although it is probably penned a lot before. So we will need to rethink it and speak to Mary and her friends about it if they want to be involved which will obviously be a good thing as I wouldn't want women or girls to feel pressured into joining a male-led charity. I should probably make Mary the face and mind behind it."

"You both could," Julien said. "The Duke and Duchess de Anjou, the Dauphin and Dauphine tackling uneducated girls and making them be able to be financially stable in their futures. Good on you, Francis."

Francis blushed. "Thank you. We should probably head down now before they think we've decided to ditch them."

...

"Are you yawning?" Greer asked Mary, eyes wide. "You can't fall asleep! It's our little bachelorette spa day."

"Our?"

"Yours," Greer said, playfully rolling her eyes.

Mary giggled. "I had a nightmare, it's nothing."

"Oh? About the dead rat?" Kenna asked. "Don't worry about that, it will be used by Catherine's beloved roses."

Lola laughed, picking her champagne flute up. "I still can't believe you did that!"

"Revenge is sweet," Kenna said, sipping her champagne.

"And Elisabeth?"

"Refer to my earlier statement," Kenna replied. "I will always defend my friends."

Mary smiled wryly. "But after I am married to Francis, it will have to stop."

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"Fine," Kenna whined. "It was fun while it lasted."

Mary shook her head in amusement at her friend's behaviour. "Thank you for your unwavering support, Countess."

They relaxed back in their seats and Mary's beautician started to do her nails. She couldn't remember the last time she had been pampered like this. Greer and Kenna went to do their hair and nails weekly but she did her own every other month, not really having the desire to pay for something she could do herself.

She smiled, opening her eyes and glancing over at her mother whose face was covered with a green face mask. "Remember when I only let you do my hair and cut my nails?"

"You were a stubborn, little girl," Marie said, taking the cucumbers off her eyes. "But I did enjoy those moments with you. Your father used to say he'd be willing to help you with your pigtails but..."

"He never got the chance," Mary said sadly.

Magaret and Claude eyed her, empathy in their eyes. It surprised Mary, Claude's reaction but it looked like the girl had a heart after all. When she was taken away from her mother, of course.

"I know it isn't the same," Claude began. "But our father was rarely interested in us. If he wasn't obsessing over the boys or checking out what Sebastian was doing, he was with his courtier, Narcisse and other advisors. He was a distant parent."

"But he was there," Margaret said. "To be on our side when we argued with Mother. To tell us to chase our dreams within reason. He just had to be a better king than husband or father."

Mary nods sadly. "Sometimes, in favour of one thing, we have to fail at other things. King and Country over marriage and children."

"Make sure Francis has a healthy balance," Margo tells her. "For all of our benefits."

Mary smiles. "I will."

...

"That was more relaxing than I thought," Mary said, putting her earrings on later that evening. "Now, we have to sit through this dinner with Kenna's future mother-in-law."

Kenna winced. "I wonder why," she said. "Apparently, she and Marie were close friends. Attended the same school or something, I don't know."

"She is the former Queen of France," Lola stated. "Perhaps, Henry wanted her to meet the future queen. She will not be at the wedding tomorrow after all and she came from South Africa to meet Kenna. Two birds, one stone."

There was a knock on the door and both Kenna and Mary visibly paled. They didn't know much about the Archduchess, all that she was a quiet woman these days who kept to herself and observed people silently.

"Thank God we're at Versailles," Greer mumbled, going over to the door when no else moved to answer. "Otherwise Catherine and she would be fighting."

"Marquise, Comtessa," Fabian greeted them when the door opened. "The Archduchess de Avon is waiting."

Mary led them, following behind Fabian. He opened the doors to the dining room and Mary straightened her back even more than before when she saw the Frenchwoman at the head of the circular table.

Diane looked up and her eyes softened, her finger beckoning the women inside. "Marquise de Moray, Comtessa de Barton, Lady Seton-Norwood and Lady Flemming," she guessed correctly as they entered. "Comtessa, my right. Marquise, my left."

Both women sat down in their designated seats as the wait staff pulled their seats back and helped them push them in again. Lola took Kenna's other side and Greer took Mary's other side.

"How do we address you?" Mary asked politely.

"However you wish," Diane said. "You're going to be queen. I am just a fallen one." She sipped her drink and glanced over at Kenna. "Aren't you a beautiful siren?"

Kenna chuckled nervously, using her left hand to brush her hair from her face. "Thank you, Ma'am."

Diane's smile left her face and she gently took Kenna's hand. "My ring."

"Yes," Kenna said, showing the older woman. "Bash-Sebastian gave it to me."

Diane nodded stiffly. "It was my mother's. She loved that ring and so did I."

Kenna's face fell. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I thought you gave it to His Majesty for safe-keeping," she said, taking the ring off and presenting it to Diane. "I never meant to cause distress."

Diane smiled brightly. "Not at all," she said, her accent thick. "I did tell Henry to keep it safe for me. I... I travelled a lot over the years since our divorce. I abandoned Sébastien most of the time and visited his older half-siblings a few times... I tried to find myself. A meaning, a new meaning. I never wanted to lose it so... Anyway, it is yours now. My eldest son forgot about it and told me he didn't want a cheap ring on his wife's finger. Cherish it."

Kenna put the ring back on. "It doesn't look cheap at all," she told Diane. "It looks priceless. Fit for a royal."

"Do not flatter me," Diane said softly. "I know the circumstances of your engagement to my son. That the pictures in the newspapers are real."

Mary cleared her throat. "They were faked. Kenna and Bash are in love and nothing will stop them from being together."

"You think you can play me like you do Catherine?" Diane asked, taking a sip from her wine. "Darling, I invented play."

"I do not know what you mean?"

"It is easy to manipulate and blackmail someone but it isn't easy to keep them under your thumb," Diane said to her. "I know that Catherine has been giving you grief with these stories. True or false, they do not matter as the only important thing is to destroy your credibility and reputation. It is like fire, it burns and destroys. Play with Catherine, you get burned a million times worse than you did her."

Mary looked down. "I do not know what you are talking about. Catherine and I are on friendly terms. The current queen helping the future queen."

Diane laughed. "Your mother and I talk, darling. I used to babysit your mother, actually. And your Uncle Christian. Now, her daughter is marrying my son's half-brother and her step-niece is marrying my son. Funny how life turns out."

"I-"

"You're very beautiful," Diane continued. "So precious but so naïve. Do you really think that Catherine will let you win this easily? That Henry could do something to stop his daughters and wife from treating you like prey?"

Mary turned to Diane. "What would you have me do? Bend over and give up? She almost won, but I didn't let her."

"Good."

"Good?"

"You have some fight in you," Diane told her. "Fight I never had. I couldn't compete with the Italian Princess. I gave up and never fought hard for anything. I was chased, hounded by the press, my son forced to live under secret identities... The only thing I wish that never happened was Sébastien because then, I would have been able to walk away unscathed. But he exists and he hurts and now, Henry will use him and Catherine will break him."

"How do you mean?" Kenna asked in alarm.

Diane smiled wryly, rolling her eyes. "Catherine hated the very existence of my youngest," she told the other women.

"She can't hurt him," Greer said. "He's Henry's eldest child."

"Hmm," Diane hummed. "And she's not that perfect either."

"What?" Lola asked, the rest of the women shocked.

Diane beamed. "That is not for me to say," she replied. "I am hungry. Is anyone else hungry as well?"

"Diane, if you have anything that can help me-"

"Clarissa," Diane said bluntly. "Clarissa Giroud. The daughter of Amiral Giroud."

Mary narrowed her eyes. "Clarissa... She was looking for Francis a few days back. I was under the influence so barely acknowledged what she was saying."

"She works for the royal staff," Diane said.

"But what does she have to do with anything?"

Diane shrugged indifferently. "Work it out, Marquise. Show me how smart you are."

Mary gasped. "Is... Is Clarissa Catherine's daughter, and Francis's and his sibling's half-sister?"

"And the award for the sharpest brain goes to the Marquise de Moray," Diane replied, finishing her drink. "It made contact easier. The girl was not the most attractive of girls, her looks stemming from the Amiral's side mostly, but Catherine loves her."

"How do you know about her parentage?"

"Henry told me," Diane whispered. "He told me shortly before he said he loved me. I hung up the call and continue to watch the elephants roam about in South Africa. I do not need his lies or his truth or even whatever he meant by that phone call. But the fact that it came after the birth of their first child together stung. Because I had hoped it would end with Francis but..."

Kenna smiled sadly. "Then went on to have eight more."

"They did," Diane whispered, heart-broken. "And he was so cruel. It took me a long time to get my son a title. Then three years after he sent me packing and her swanning into his bed, he told me he loved me? Small mercies, I guess. That my son didn't turn out as toxic as the rest of them."

"Francis isn't toxic. Nor is Margaret," Mary said gently.

"I know. There are a few apples that fell well away from the tree," Diane agreed. "But it takes a lot out of you. If Sébastien and I stayed, I would have coached him in being a working royal but he lived twenty-three years in privacy and now he's exposing himself and I'm afraid he will not be able to cope. Under the scrutiny, the scandals, the slander, the stress... The four 'S's. He's strong, but not that strong."

Kenna shrugged. "You should give Bash a chance to prove himself."

"Bash?" Diane asked, amused. "No longer using formalities?"

"We're friends now, Diane," Kenna said coyly. "Family, even."

"Well, Kenna," Diane began. "We will see. When the Duke de Anjou and his bride go on their honeymoon, all eyes will be on Bash. Can you be there him, for me?"

"I love the attention," Kenna said lightly. "That and I do not care what people think about me. So, yes. I will be there for him and guide him through whatever storm he goes through as a loyal, loving wife should."

Diane smiled brightly before she tutted at Kenna's earlier statement. "There was my mistake. Ladies, heed my warning. Care about what they think about you because if you are doing something that displeases them, they can turn on you and destroy your character. You need allies, not enemies. Be adored, not hated. Rule with your head and not your heart. Mary, be a good queen."

...

Mary couldn't believe it.

Catherine had a secret daughter.

Clarissa was Francis's supposed friend but in fact, his half-sister.

Diane was not as evil as people painted her out to be.

The former queen gave her valuable intel and life lessons to use.

She sat down on the bed and rubbed her face hard. She had to talk to Francis. They were apart for the final night, Francis as Fontainebleau and her at Versailles. She had been moved to the Queen's State Apartments of Versailles as future queen and her friends had joined her along with her mother.

The wedding was to take place at the Royal Chapel in the chateau. It made her nervous, her eyes stinging with tears as she felt sick. It was just cold feet, by morning, she'll get over it.

But she needed it to be now.

"Kenna?" Mary called her friend, storming into her room.

Kenna rolled over on her bed and turned to Mary. "Yes?"

"I need your phone."

"Why...?"

"I need to call Francis, now," Mary struggled to get out, taking a shaky breath.

Kenna gasped softly, taking her phone from under her pillow and getting up to hand it over to Mary. "What is wrong?"

"I just need to hear his voice," Mary whispered. "I will bring it right back-"

"Call Bash and he'll give it to him."

"Oh, yes," Mary said. Kenna didn't have Francis's number. No one had his number.

Kenna gave her a warm smile. "Any time, Mary. Go and talk to your man and be reassured."

When Mary returned to her bedroom, she called Bash and waited for him to pick up. She hoped that he was relatively close to Francis, Henry forcing Catherine to accept his son's presence at Fontainebleau and now Mary knew that it was because he accepted her daughter's presence without complaint.

"Hey, babe. Ready to continue our little conversation from earlier? God, I missed your sexy-"

"Before you say anything further, this is Mary and I need to speak to Francis and not participate in any phone sex," Mary said, stifling a giggle as Bash yelped.

"Well, oh-fuck. Fine," Bash muttered, flustered. "Uh, Francis? It's for you, goddamn it."

The phone moved a lot after and there was a lot of movement, and soon Mary heard, "Hey, love."

"Hi," Mary said, laughing. "Oh, God. I've scarred Bash."

"He'll get over it," Francis replied, laughing. "I hope it isn't the same for you? Apparently, he and Kenna get really explicit in their little phone calls. It's been happening all day. He took one before dinner and he came back more relaxed than usual with a stupid grin on his face. Dear God..." His voice moved away from the phone and he returned to say. "He apologises for that. The whole thinking you were Kenna and phone sex thing."

Mary snorted, giggling. "God, forgive my friends for they have sinned. And so have we. Catholics having sex before marriage," Mary said, making them both laugh even more. "Anyway, I'm good; fine about that. I just... I guess I needed a laugh. With you..."

"I miss you."

Mary's tears returned. "God, I miss you too. It hurt, not seeing you all day since breakfast and I couldn't wait to hear from you or see you."

"I can't come."

"I know," she whispered sadly before grinning. "Wait, I hope you can. Otherwise, that would defeat the purpose of having children. And you know, we need an heir and a few more to spare."

"Mary, fuck-okay, I walked into that one," Francis said, chuckling. "Stay away from Kenna, please. She's turning you into such an explicit woman."

Mary chuckled. "I can't. She found this sex book at Fontainebleau and after dinner with Bash's mother, she read us it. Whoever this woman is has had a lot of men in her bed! Like, I even believe that Stephane Narcisse was one of the men she spoke about. Butterfly tattoo on the wrist and all."

"Dear God," Francis muttered. "Do you mind if us men took a look-"

"Are you one of the men on there?"

"No..."

"Francis..." Mary trailed off warningly.

"Bash and Julien are..." Francis trailed off, his voice getting higher. "We wouldn't want Kenna to know or anything. Thank God, she didn't put names down."

Mary gasped. "Which ones are they?"

"Oh, God," Francis mumbled. "Uh, Bash is the one who... made her... you know, e-eight times."

Mary screamed, eyes wide in shock and disbelief. "No! She said he was the best! Oh my God. I wonder how Kenna will feel knowing that."

"Don't-"

"Tell Kenna, I know!" Mary said, but she knew she couldn't break girl code. The man was marrying her best friend! "Jesus, Bash! I'm kind of scared to know Julien's chapter."

Francis almost choked. "Julien took her in the offices of one of the chapels."

"What?!"

"I sincerely hope you are alone because you're screaming a lot, and I feel for myself and anyone who is there," Francis stated.

"You're telling me shocking truths!" She retorted. "Eight times with Bash and a chapel hook up with Julien? Who is she?"

"No one," Francis quickly said.

Mary sighed. "Now, I know you're definitely on there," she said warily.

"Leith and Remy escaped her clutches but... yes, I am on there. But not for sex. For the romanticised bit."

"Which one, there are three of those bits?" Mary quietly asked, not sure if she really wanted to know or not.

"The boyfriend," Francis whispered. "She had started this before we got together and... I found out she had been with my brother and my friend, and we split up because of it."

"Understandable," Mary said. "She was cheating on you?"

Francis cleared his throat. "Well, not really. She had these relationships before we got together and when we were together, she never pursued another man. But then I found out about the book and well, we ended things and she continued her sexcapades and then went back to her native country with her father. He was one of the Lords in Parliament. He's retired now."

"Who was she?"

"Olivia. Olivia D'Amencourt."

Mary gasped. "Catherine's best friend's daughter?"

"Y-You know about her?"

"Margaret told me about her today. I wasn't sure if it was just general knowledge regarding the people I might see tomorrow but she is your ex-girlfriend, Francis! And she is coming to our wedding?"

Francis sighed heavily. "I know. I tried to not invite her but-"

"Do you still love her?"

"God, no!" Francis cried out. "I told you we ended things badly. Do you seriously think I'd pursue a relationship with someone who said my older brother was her best lover? Mary, who do you take me for?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I know. I trust you. I wish you could have said-"

"Would you have told me about your former boyfriends?"

"Yes, but-"

"'But' what?"

"I... I never was with anyone else. Francis, I was waiting for you," she admitted, blushing furiously. "I'd dream about us and I didn't have time for other guys. Not when what we had was special and exciting. So I studied hard, dedicated myself to learning and becoming a knowledgable and loyal queen for you. I wanted to be perfect for you."

Francis gasped softly. "Mary, I-I-I don't know what to say."

"It's fine." She sighed. "I've kissed a few guys, but never pursued relationships or had sex with them. I was a virgin until you took my virginity."

"I don't mean to hurt you when I say this-"

"You are a man, I can see where this is going," she snapped before she shook her head. "I'm fine with it. We're adults. Consenting and everything. I knew you weren't when we had our first time with each other. Remember that?"

"We were so scared that I'd got you pregnant because-"

"We didn't use protection," Mary whispered. "But my forgetful mind remembered that I was on the pill and had been for about two months back then."

They laughed and Mary couldn't believe that they were only seventeen back then. Not knowing of the drama to unfold now. He must have got with Olivia shortly after she returned to Scotland.

"Mary, I really am sorry for not being a virgin when we got together and for being with Olivia for a long time," he said softly.

"I can't blame you," she replied. "We'd been engaged even before we ever existed. Francis, I can't fault you for being with other women before you were tied down to me for the rest of your life."

"I won't be tied down to you. I love you so much, I am grateful that you're going to be my wife and I'll be your husband. Otherwise, we would have let this engagement drag on for even longer."

Mary swallowed deeply. "Promise me you won't be like your dad."

"I promise," Francis said earnestly. "You're the only woman I want. I could ever want. And yes, you are perfect for me, even with your imperfections. I have to go now." He stayed silent for a bit before Mary could hear a conversation occur away from the phone. "I guess Bash is desperate to talk to Kenna."

Mary chuckled softly. "Tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow." He took a pause. "Tomorrow will be the start of our lives, my love."

Mary smiled.