You guys know how much I love Frary, I just can't stop being inspired by songs to write about them. Honestly, I want a romance like theirs. I had writer's block and I guess I will reintroduce Kenna so I don't really have to keep writing the same things regarding Frary. I added Claude's story and I aim to tackle the rest of the Valois children. Mary's got some damage control to do as she delves deep into their lives, things their parents have missed and one by one, she helps them. Kenna's story is a side story and she and Bash will be linked (you all know how much I love my Kennash too). It is Life at 'Fontainebleau' after all, haha. Also, I watch Hawaii Five-O and the recent episode had me in tears and gave me an idea. I'm evil, you'll see why.

Quote of the chapter: "God gave us memory so we might have roses in December." - J. M. Barrie.


"I'm going to be late..." Mary mumbled, checking her phone was in her bag as she hurried down the hallways to meet Francis at the car.

It was her first public appearance - the school visits. They were going to three schools today. Morning at one, midday at another and the end of the school day at the third. She was excited, kids being adorable and smart for their ages at times.

Mary gasped when she bumped into someone and mentally cursed, looking up to see Louis Bourbon. She planted a polite smile on her face and adjusted her handbag onto her shoulder.

"Comte de Condé," she greeted him. "I really must go but it's love-"

"Did you know that we're related?"

Mary frowned a little before realising. "Oh, my grandmother - Antoinette de Bourbon."

"Oui," Louis said with a gentle smile. "Your mother is my cousin."

Mary blinked. "I'm s-sorry, how?"

"First the Valoises, then the Medicis and now the Guises," Louis muttered. "Really trying to erase the Bourbon links, aren't you?"

Mary laughed nervously. "Until recently, I never knew who you were. My mother doesn't talk about her side that much. I'm trying to embrace my French side now."

Louis nodded, accepting her answer. "Your mother's mother is my father's younger sister. You see, your grandmother had your mother when-"

"She was twenty, I know that," Mary said through gritted teeth. She didn't need a history lesson about her own family. Perhaps she should speak to her mother for herself. "I get it now. And your father had you and your siblings late?"

Louis chuckled lightly. "He was fifty when he had my eldest brother. Marcus is forty now."

"So there are twenty years between my grandmother and her brother. I see," Mary replied. "And your father was in his late sixties when he had you. How... strange."

Louis shrugged. "Well, you can't choose your family."

"You can't," she agreed. "I really must go but thank you... for the history lesson."

Louis stepped aside. "You're welcome, Duchess. I hope you enjoy your day."

"I will," she said tersely before leaving.

When she got downstairs and to the car, she told Francis not to ask why she was late as she got inside the car first. He joined her and watched as she did her seatbelt, copying her actions as Michel and Fabian took the front seats with Michel driving.

He pressed a button and a screen blocked them from their security guards. He turned to his wife, eyebrows curious.

"You look stressed. Is it the baby?"

Mary shook her head. "No, I was stopped by Louis Bourbon. Why is he here?"

Francis scowled. "Every year, on the fifteenth of January which is today, a member of the Bourbon family signs an edict to basically ensure us that they won't cause trouble."

"Oh."

"For the past decade, it has been Madeleine, Louis's older sister. It seems that he's been given the honour from now on," Francis said. "Madeleine's the only sane one of the family. Her brothers are arseholes."

Mary winced. "Well, my mother is their cousin," Mary said. "Through her mother, Antoinette."

Francis clicked his tongue. "That's right. Your grandmother is their creepy father's younger sister. Well, obviously I meant your maternal grandmother's side of the family is sane."

Mary chuckled, kissing him. "I bet if I saw Meme Tonie and asked of Great Uncle Charles, she wouldn't even remember her own brother."

"Dementia's hard," Francis said gently.

Mary nodded sadly. "She loves her care home though. By the beach, peace and quiet."

"My own meme suffered from dementia," Francis replied, taking her hand as the car left the chateau and went onto the main roads. "She had told my father that if she ever got it, she'd want to die. So we sent her to Switzerland and collected her ashes a month later."

Mary gasped. "I'm so sorry."

"It happens," Francis said, shrugging. "We told everyone it was natural causes. The world believed it, the Queen Mother dying peacefully in her sleep. They never knew she didn't recognise us at times."

"That's how it feels with Meme Tonie," Mary whispered. "My mother used to have me on FaceTime whenever she visited her mum. Meme never knew who I was personally. She'd been there when I was born and that was the only time we were in the same airspace. Even at family gatherings and festivals, she wasn't there. At least when I was."

"I'm sure it wasn't personal-"

"It was," Mary mumbled. "She never liked my father, according to Maman. She tried to avoid me because I looked like him."

Francis frowned. "Baby, I'm so sorry."

Mary smiled. "It's fine. She's still family and the only grandmother I have left. Even if she doesn't know who I am. But it doesn't matter because I still have my aunts, my uncles, my cousins and you when my mum dies."

"And our baby," Francis added, placing a hand on her tummy.

Mary grinned happily. "And our baby."

The rest of the journey was made in silence and not once did Francis remove his hand from her bump.

...

"Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques. Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?..." Mary and Francis sang with the children as they swayed side to side.

It was fun and Mary was surprised to receive a book after they finished singing from one of the children. She turned to their aide who nodded along with the teacher and Mary had the children make themselves comfortable so she and Francis could take turns in reading out pages to them.

After the book, it was time to bid 'goodbye' and Mary wished she had more time with them.

"Merci beaucoup for having us!" Mary told them, accepting a tight hug from one boy. "Thank you! The baby loved that hug."

The boy giggled and waved at her bump, making everyone swoon. Even Francis who shook the boy's hand and was surprised to be hugged as well.

"That's the best hug I've ever had!" He said. "Do you think you and your friends would love one big one?"

He nodded along with his classmates and Francis knelt down, bringing all the children in for one big hug as Mary stepped back so her bump wasn't crushed by the horde of primary school children. Instead, she waved and beamed happily, placing a hand on her bump which made some of the little girls squeal in excitement.

"Are you having a dauphin?" One girl asked.

"Or dauphine?" Another one asked.

Mary and Francis shared an amused glance before announcing together, "We want it to be a surprise."

The teacher chuckled. "Of course," she said. "We are all excited either way. Merci beaucoup for coming!"

At the second school, they got there in time before lunchtime and played with puppets with the children before singing again. Mary knew she had to work on her singing skills now because all these children loved singing and she definitely wanted to spread that joy to her own child.

"Sonnez les matines. Sonnez les matines. Ding, ding, dong. Ding, ding, dong..."

Again, the excitement was in the air regarding her pregnancy and again, they announced they were keeping it a secret. Mary loved this, she wished she could do this every day.

By the third and final school, both Dauphin and Dauphine were tired out. Singing, reading, puppets... They wondered what was next.

This time, parents were able to sit in with their children as the couple greeted the kids. Francis did finger-painting and Mary made after-school snacks made up of fruits and homemade biscuits.

Mary grinned, wiping some batter from a girl's cheek. "I'm going to have to take this recipe home with me!" She said to the little girl. "What do you think?"

"The baby will love it," the girl replied, giggling when Mary gave her a wink.

Mary looked up and saw Francis wriggle his green-stained fingers at a boy's way, making the adults laugh.

"I've become the Hulk!" Francis cried out. "What do I do?"

"That's not the Hulk's colour!" Another boy said. "That's Shrek's colour!"

Francis gasped. "Is it?"

Mary laughed, returning her attention back to the food. "Do you think your parents would love to try some?"

The girls nodded.

"Alright, let's put them in the oven and put ten minutes on the timer!"

By the time they left, it was quarter past four and when the doors were closed in the car, both let out big yawns.

"Who knew children were so tiring?" Francis asked.

"Who knew they were so smart?" Mary asked.

Michel laughed as he began to drive."Well, you're having one so get ready for tired-filled nights and smart brains."

"Trust me," Francis began, kissing the back of Mary's hand. "We're ready for whatever comes our way."

...

Mary forced a smile on her face as Catherine kissed her cheeks before moving onto Francis, holding his hands and turning to Mary with a bright smile on her face. She was going for a few weeks on a charity tour. Mary couldn't wait for the peace, her mother-in-law contacting her every day to see how the baby was despite changes barely happening overnight.

"One day, you'll be a spokesperson for World Vision France," Catherine told Mary. "I'll be travelling to Rwanda, Canada and Tanzania. The work doesn't stop after that. I'll be returning to France before Valentine's day to oversee our France Against Racism Scheme and how we'll impact the world."

Mary's smile became genuine. "Do you mind if I become involved with the scheme?"

Catherine beamed. "Of course not! The more the merrier. Anyway, I only came to say farewell. I need to be at the airport in thirty minutes..." She checked her mobile. "Stay safe, darlings!"

As she walked away, Francis led Mary the opposite way a grin on his face.

"Why are you smiling?"

He turned to her. "No more 4 AM calls," he said. "Her time differences will be haywire, we're free!"

Mary giggled. "I was just thinking that myself." She patted her bump. "Just you, me and bump."

"And Sterling."

Mary nodded. "And Sterling," she said, hugging his arm. "I love you, Francis."

Francis turned to her. "I love you too, my love."

...

Kenna finished writing the list of things she ate for lunch that day, underneath her breakfast. She had requested the hotel to bring her food three times a day and to take back the plates empty after thorough checks that she didn't dispose of the food. It was a strange request but anything for the large tips she left every time.

Day by day, she was feeling better. More energetic, more healed. Her heart was mending, but it was still early days. She felt sick though, having jumped into bed with Antoine who she met the day she left France. She had left straight away when he fell asleep, feeling disgusted and ashamed for committing herself to another man. She was married after all. Maybe that's why the French royals did that. Sign the papers first and do the rest after - to trap people. Of course, they wouldn't and couldn't trap her, but the idea of belonging to someone who didn't want her felt like a prison. She couldn't commit adultery and now, she spent her nights and days alone.

She sang, strummed her guitar aimlessly, tried to smile... Things just weren't going her way sometimes but she was getting there. Despite having a stalker.

It began a day after the wedding when she arrived in Sweden. She'd receive pictures of photos taken of her. Horrible words were written on them, threatening and hateful.

Kenna paid them no mind but then, they began to take pictures of her in the hotels she stayed at. She changed hotels frequently, keeping with the same franchise so they knew her dietary requirements. She went under false names, but still, he found her. She ignored him, but he was persistent.

Not that she would let him win. She had stalkers before, it wasn't anything she couldn't handle.

A knock on the door distracted her from her thoughts and she got up, heading to the door to peep through the hole.

She sighed heavily and undid the chain of the door, opening it. "Bash," she mumbled, letting him inside before quickly shutting the door behind him and doing the chain link.

"Hey," he whispered, watching her go over to the table where she removed her diary and other material.

Kenna swallowed deeply, shoving the items into a drawer. "Hi," she replied, slipping her hair behind her ear before wrapping her arms around her middle. "How did you find me?"

"You do know who I am, right?" He asked lightly.

Kenna nodded. "Fair enough," she said. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been here for a few weeks," he admitted, taking a seat on her bed. "The first thing I wanted to do was to see you but I was too much of a coward to do so."

Kenna frowned. "Why?"

Bash shrugged. "I don't know," he said honestly. "I just... you were alone and I wanted to help-"

"I'm not some maiden needed to be saved," she snapped.

"You're not," he said, smiling a little. "I'm not saying you are either. But I was worried."

Kenna wanted to tell him about her stalker but she kept silent about that. "I'm fine."

"You look... better," Bash stated proudly.

Kenna blushed, looking away. "I'm eating properly," she told him, grabbing her diary from the drawer and chucking it at him. "I don't count calories or anything. It's just... easier to do it like this."

Bash flicked through the papers, noting that she started on Christmas Day. "That's great. Guess me coming here wasn't needed."

Kenna bit her lip, taking a seat at the table. "How are Francis and Mary?"

Bash smiled brightly. "They're great. Excited, we all are. Mary's growing every day and Francis looks like he could explode with all the happiness inside him."

"That's good. And her birthday?"

"I heard from Francis that it was wonderful, memorable," he replied.

Kenna nodded, swallowing deeply. "I-I wanted to send something but..." She was too busy running away from some guy who threatened to kill her. "I didn't have time."

"It was your birthday the day before, right?"

"Yeah."

Bash took something out of his pocket and stood up, handing it to her. "Open it."

Kenna eyed him warily before opening the box and she gasped when she saw a photo of her and Olenna. Tears sprung to her eyes and she hugged the photo frame. "I miss her, I miss everyone."

"Come home-"

"It's not home," she said, looking at him with blurred eyes. "It never was. I'm so stupid and disgusting and-"

She was quietened by Bash hugging her tightly, pressing a long kiss on the side of her head as she sobbed. She dug her face into his chest and shook, the frame falling out of her hands as she wrapped her arms around his body as if he'd disappear.

"I'm tired," she whispered. "I just want to be happy."

Bash pulled back and cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him. "You can be."

"How?" She croaked out. "Everybody hates me, you ditched me during our wedding vows, nobody cares-"

"Let's get out of here."

"What?"

"Let's just get out of here. Out of this hotel and go... anywhere," he breathed out, resting his forehead against hers.

Kenna studied his eyes before pressing her lips against his. At first, he didn't respond as she straddled his hips cupping his cheeks as she nibbled at his bottom lip. Slowly, he caught on, his hands resting on her waist as he gripped tightly to the knit sweater she was wearing, groaning when she ground against him.

"Why?" She asked, pulling away. "Why are you doing this?"

"I'm not good at love, Kenna," Bash whispered. "But I want to try. I want to learn. I want you, us."

Kenna sighed, getting off him as she went to her bed and sat down. "Bash, I don't have the strength..." She began, rubbing her face. "To do this back and forth-"

"You're my wife-"

"Yet you left me," she cut him off. "You left me, Sebastian."

Bash nodded slowly. "I know."

"Do you really?" Kenna asked incredulously. "That article afterwards... Even before... Face it, you made your decision ages ago concerning me. We were fun, that's all. That night was amazing but it was never meant to go beyond that."

Bash got up and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his own. "Do you trust me?"

Kenna scoffed. "Last time I did, I was dumped at an altar, Bash."

"Well, I can't promise you a big wedding on short notice but I booked a registry office appointment just for the sake of vows-"

"Bash-"

"And we can be there in an hour," he breathed out. "If you want me that is."

Kenna stared at him disbelief. "B-But-"

"You're my one and only, Kenna," he said. "I've fallen in love with you, stupid."

Kenna laughed. "I'm not stupid."

"No," he said. "That's me. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"I don't know what to say-"

"I do," he replied. "Say 'yes'."

Kenna grinned. "Yes."

...

Francis pressed a kiss on Mary's hairline, making her eyes flutter open. "It's dinner time," he whispered.

Mary smiled tiredly, reaching a hand to cup his cheek. "The children took a lot out of me," she said.

Francis chuckled. "Anne."

"Anne?"

"A consideration," Francis stated. "I've always loved the name and... your mother suggested it. She was going to name you that before your many female relatives insisted on you joining the long line of Marys and Maries."

Mary chuckled softly. "It's beautiful."

Francis beamed. "People are already betting about what names we'd give our child. 'Henry' is a strong contender before my name."

"Dear God..." Mary muttered, getting out of the bed with Francis's help, not that she needed it. "Can we just put a cross through your father's name?"

"Trust me, even my father doesn't want us to name our child after him."

"I know," she replied, kissing him before heading into the bathroom to freshen up. "He cornered me and I suggested my father's name."

Francis leant against the doorjamb. "Jaques."

"Yeah," she said. "King Jaques I of France. We'd call him 'Jamie', short for James."

"Already named our son, have we?" Francis teased her.

"You can choose his middle names-"

"My name it is," Francis said. "You're not allowed to veto it! He's our firstborn son."

Mary giggled, brushing her hair. "What if he turns out to be her?"

"Annie it is," Francis replied coyly.

"That's so sweet!"

"See, told you that I am good when it comes to naming kids," he told her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I helped my parents with the last three they had."

"No wonder you're an expert," she mumbled. "Better at this than me."

"Because my parents had children so that we could raise each other," Francis replied."Your mother was hands-on, my siblings and I had each other. Claude is in better spirits."

Mary smiled to herself, fixing her earrings on. "That's good to know."

"What magic sorcery have you performed?"

"Just the usual," Mary replied casually, making him laugh and press a kiss onto the back of her head.

"So beautiful," he mumbled, viewing her through the mirror.

Mary closed her eyes when his lips attacked her neck and she gripped onto his hair, his hands sliding down her hips. "How long have we got?"

"No time at all," he replied breathlessly. "But I don't give a shit."

He spun her around and lifted her so she sat on the sink counter and began to undo the buttons on her cardigan as her hands worked on his belt.

"We really need to pick reasonable times for this," she said, pressing her lips against his.

Francis grinned against her lips. "But where would the fun be in that?"

...

Kenna stared at the car keys in disbelief. "You're joking?"

Bash gave her a look. "Have I ever kidded you?"

A grin grew on her face. "A Bugatti Veyron?"

"It's a rental, don't get too excited," he said. "I remember your love for fast things."

Kenna squealed, unlocking the car and getting inside as he did the same. "Oh my God, it's real."

"I don't take pleasure in hiring or buying fake things," Bash teased her, watching her run her hands over the leather of the steering wheel, her rings back on her finger, including the one he was meant to put on after their vows. However, his mother kept her ring for now.

"I can't believe this," she breathed out in shock, her eyes landing on her rings.

"You better believe it. We're married, we can't be unmarried and we've just done the vows to cement it. So, you can't run away from me now," he said. "Or ever."

Kenna sent him a mischievous wink. "We'll see," she said jokingly.

"I have something to show you," he said, setting up the GPS. "I made some arrangements. I spoke to my father about my plans - using Sweden as a second residence."

Kenna gasped. "You bought a house?"

"We bought a house," he said, kissing her cheek as they put their seatbelts on. "He had to speak with the King of Sweden and the Prime Minister because it's not every day someone from another royal family moves to countries ruled by someone else."

Kenna blushed, smiling softly. "You did all this for me?"

"I have to protect my wife," he said, taking her hand. "We can live in peace, perform our duties to France and my father and avoid the bad stuff. Whenever it gets too much, just let me know."

Kenna nodded happily and started the car. "Oh, she's beautiful!"

Bash chuckled. "Don't drive too fast," he told her. "Maximus and Miranda won't be able to catch up with us."

Kenna turned to Bash coyly. "We haven't consummated our marriage so... we'll see about that."

She pressed down on the accelerator.

...

The next morning in France, Mary got some fresh air in the gardens of Fontainebleau after Francis needed to see his father about one of their charities. She found Charles laying on his back, staring up at the grey, sunless sky with a sigh here and there.

Curiously, she laid beside him and pointed to the sky. "I see... nothing."

"Exactly," Charles said much to her confusion. "Nothing."

"What's wrong?"

Charles sighed. "Everything."

Mary was confused but she kept her confusion and asked, "Why aren't you at school?"

"Teacher's training day-"

"That's a lie," Mary said.

Charles smiled wryly. "There's this girl..."

"Oh," Mary said, grinning a little. "What about her?"

"I messed things up with her."

Mary tutted. "How?"

"I was with some friends of mine and they talked about her body. They asked me what I liked about her body when she walked past and I said that I liked nothing about her," he replied, groaning. "But I didn't mean that - I only meant that I didn't want to objectify her and she turned and glared at me before going to her friends. We'd been flirting for a while and I've messed things up."

Mary nudged his shoulder a little. "You're sweet. Just like Francis, wanting to respect women rather than objectify them."

Charles rolled his eyes. "Maybe I should have said that I liked her arse-"

"No," Mary said. "Never, unless you're in a relationship with her. Women won't appreciate being complimented by bodily parts. It was just a little misunderstanding, you didn't need to take a day off school."

"Governess d'Humières already signed me off with an upset stomach and diarrhoea," Charles told her.

Mary raised her eyebrows. "You need to be signed off when you're sick?"

Charles nodded with a smirk. "A little laxatives help sell the story because we get checked, thoroughly. I've learnt from Claude."

"Oh, Charles..." Mary muttered lightly.

"It's Charlie," he corrected her. "Well, to family."

Mary smiled. "Alright, Charlie. What you need to go and do is to tell your friends to stop objectifying women and go and tell this girl that you're willing to make things up to her. Ask her out on a date."

Charles laid on his side to face her. "Then what next?"

"Take things steady or if things don't work well, try again with someone else when you're ready," she said. "Just remember, you don't always need to have a girlfriend or boyfriend just to fit in with society. You're a prince, you have more than the usual stuck up rich private school-attending kid. You set examples, don't follow them."

"You're right," Charles said, sitting up and helping her up as well. "Thanks, Your Highness."

Mary scoffed lightly. "I'm sorry?"

"Mother said that us younger ones had to call you that," Charles told her with a blush. "You will be queen one day and we'll be your subjects."

Mary rolled her eyes. "I'm your sister-in-law," she said. "No matter how old you are, I will always be called Mary by you. Except in public situations, I can see Catherine's point but when we're at home, call me whatever you want. I'm on your level, I'm not above anyone."

"You're great, Mary," Charles replied. "I'm glad Francis married you."

Mary beamed. "I'm glad he married me too."

...

Kenna's heart was racing and she turned to Bash. "Do you think he knows where we are?"

"You managed to lose him," he said, checking the wing mirror.

They were in the middle of nowhere and Kenna sighed in relief, leaning her head back as her heart started to calm down. "And the security guards, do they know where we are?"

Bash nodded. "I have my tracker on. They're thirty minutes out."

"Why didn't you let me know that you knew about this?"

Bash frowned, turning to her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know who it is," she mumbled. "It started on Christmas Day and... I had to move around a lot."

"Why didn't you call? I would have had it sorted with within minutes," he told her. "I promised to protect you."

Kenna shrugged, shaking her head as tears sprung to her eyes. "I thought you didn't care."

"I'll always care about you," Bash said. "Come here." He gestured to his lap and she climbed over, straddling his hips. "I will find out who is doing this to you. He keeps covering his tracks but I have contacts who can help me stop this man from ever hurting you."

Kenna nodded slowly, leaning down to kiss him. "Thank you."

"I also donated money to the newspapers who wrote those stories about you," he said.

Kenna frowned. "Why?"

"Generous donations to keep silent about all things concerning you. I asked if they had anything better to report on, like how people in France are starving and need help," Bash told her. "They should use their bases to do good and not destroy people's lives."

Kenna bit her lip. "You're wonderful," she told him, cupping his cheeks and kissing him. Her hands slid down his chest and she reached the belt buckle of his trousers. "May I?"

"We have thirty minutes until my team arrive. Go on then," he said with a grin, letting her undo his belt.

"Not the place I was thinking about when I thought about consummating our marriage," she said with a giggle when his lips attacked her neck and she began to undo the buttons on the front of her dress. "But okay."

His hands massaged her thighs and he looked up at her. "We could find somewhere other than the side of a road."

"No," she breathed out, slipping her dress off and working on her bra. "This is much more exciting."

"We could get caught," he said, kissing her collarbone. "And I'm pretty sure there's a law against sex in public places?"

Kenna playfully rolled her eyes. "We're in the middle of nowhere! This is as private as it can get. And the risk is sexy."

Bash tutted. "I can't complain when you put it like that," he mumbled, attacking her exposed breasts, making her back arch in response. "I missed this."

"Shut up," Kenna breathed out, kissing him. "And make love to me."

...

Two down, a million more to go, Mary thought to herself lightly as she headed to Margaret's sleeping quarters. She found the teenager flicking through a magazine as classical music played.

"Have you heard from the Comtessa?" Margo asked sweetly.

Mary shook her head. "I haven't," she said sadly. "I'm sure she misses us."

Margo frowned, her eyes falling. "She was teaching me Japanese. I guess I have to hire a tutor now."

"I'm sure Kenna will return soon," Mary said. "She will return and pick up right where you left off."

Margo sighed, licking her finger and turning the page. "I hope so..."

"Until then, why don't you stay at Versailles with Francis and me so I could teach you?"

Margo gasped, eyeing her in excitement. "Really?"

Mary chuckled. "Really. I don't know Japanese, but I do know Mandarin. I could also teach a little basic English Literature - I've been reading up on poems and novels and we could form our own little book club."

Margaret squealed, clapping her hands. "Mary Stuart you are a godsend!"

Mary laughed, accepting the hug from her sister-in-law. "I try," she teased lightly. "When would you like to start?"

"Uh, today?" Margo quickly suggested.

Mary nodded. "Sure. An hour before dinner this evening?"

"And can we do this every day? Or every day that you are available to do so because you obviously have your duties and-"

"It's fine!" Mary said, laughing. "It's fine. I don't mind."

"Wonderful! I'll see you later on?"

Mary stood up, grinning. "Definitely."

She headed out of the bedroom and left the quarters, almost bumping into Elisabeth who was coming in. Mary sighed and rolled her eyes, trying to walk around her but Lissie's voice stopped her.

"I hear you're solving problems for my siblings," the blonde said, readjusting her Gucci handbag on her arm.

Mary turned around and faced her, noting that she had sunglasses on. In Winter. "I'm not solving anyone's problems. It wasn't anything they couldn't have thought of themselves."

Lissie swallowed deeply. "Hmm, right. My younger siblings aren't the smartest people in the world, so I highly doubt that."

"Don't underestimate them," Mary snapped, turning back around to leave.

"Wait!"

Mary paused, clenching her fists as she turned again. "What is it, Princess Elisabeth?"

Elisabeth sighed. "I need your help."

"I'm sure the security guards or one of the courtiers could-"

"I need your advice," Elisabeth whispered. "Considering that I'm... in your position."

Mary frowned, confused. "A princess?"

"No," Elisabeth mumbled. "The other thing."

Mary racked her brain. She knew Elisabeth wasn't married like her and it dawned on her quickly. "Take me to your room."

On Elisabeth's bed, she showed Mary the three tests. "A friend of mine's mum had many bought for whatever reason so I stole three. They're all positive."

Mary rubbed her face. "Shit," she mumbled. "Whose is it?"

"My ex," Elisabeth said angrily. "I knew there was something wrong when he said 'uh oh'. The condom must have broke."

"Why are you even having sex, Elisabeth?" Mary asked incredulously. "You're a princess! Anything could happen like this. Better yet, what about the pill or-"

"I tried a few and they made me feel awful and gain weight," Lissie said. "I thought he was a good guy. Until your whore of a friend and bitch of a sister-in-law to both of us paid him to cheat on me with that slut, LoLo Jouer."

Mary sighed heavily. "Elisabeth, I can't help you with this-"

"I need to get rid of it. I mean, I only slept with him again for pity's sake. I don't deserve to be landed with his baby if he doesn't even love me," Elisabeth cut her off. "We had sex last month so there's still time."

Mary couldn't believe what she was hearing or seeing. "Elisabeth, we don't believe in-"

"Abortion, I know," the blonde snapped, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "But here we are."

Mary sat there, shaking her head. "Right," she mumbled. "Is there anyone we could trust with this discretion?"

"Fabian," Elisabeth said firmly. "Michel will tell his father and Gautier will tell mine."

"I see," Mary whispered. "And your mother is away so-"

"No one will ever find out because nothing gets past her. Only when she's gone, we can all breathe," Elisabeth said shakily. "Mary, I know I've not been the nicest to you since you arrived but I have my reasons. They might be misunderstood but all I know is that if you help me, I will forever be grateful. You won't even hear a peep out of me."

Mary swallowed deeply, meeting her eyes. "Stay with us at Versailles for a while, to let things take its course."

Elisabeth shakily nodded, breathing out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She gripped onto Mary's hands. "Thank you so much."

Mary nodded and brought her in for a hug, disbelief in her eyes at what she was helping this woman do. She hoped her soul won't be damned or that the King, Queen and Dauphin wouldn't hate her. She was quickly understanding how hard it was in this family to do something as simple as communication.

...

Bash's eyes opened and he groaned, feeling something press against his arm. He turned to the left and saw the offending object - the car door pressed onto his frame, smashed and crumpled.

He winced, closing his eyes as images flashed into his mind. They'd finished up making love, went back on the road with him driving this time but then someone ran them off the road and down the ditch. They flipped a few times and landed upright but crushed against a tree. That tree was on his side.

Bash heard a whimper and he turned to Kenna, reaching his right hand to her cheek to wake her up. Her eyes fluttered open and she sat there for a while before coming out of her thoughts and turning to Bash.

"Are you alright?" He asked her, feeling pain shoot up into his arm.

Kenna shakily nodded. "I-I think so," she whispered. "C-Can't feel m-my one of my legs though."

She refused to look down but Bash did and winced when he saw her right leg crushed against the compartment area of the car. It was all red and bloody, her skin purpling as her breathing became laboured.

"Bash?"

"I'm here," he whispered. "Just focus on my voice, okay?"

He needed to get out. Call for help.

He retrieved his phone from the ground by his feet and saw that it was smashed. He tried turning it on, but it didn't work. He turned to Kenna.

"Where's your phone?"

Kenna frowned. "I-I didn't bring it."

"Okay," he said, deciding not to berate her because why should she bring her phone? Before now, she didn't expect to leave her hotel room. "Right. I'm going to get out and find-"

"Don't leave me," Kenna croaked out, tears springing to her eyes. "Please."

"Babe, I need to," he said, undoing his seatbelt with difficulty and releasing the pressure on his arm. "I need to find help."

"Where?" She cried out. "We're in the middle of nowhere!"

Bash knew that but he also knew that his security guards had their location before when they took that stop. They were fifteen minutes behind by the time they left but barely got a chance to continue their journey before being rammed off the road.

"Remember, they have our location," he stated, adjusting himself so he could kick the broken windshield and get out from the front of the car. "Just stay calm."

"How can I?" She whispered, her eyes fluttering down to her legs that were so bloody, she couldn't see where her leg began and ended. "Oh my God."

"Kenna-"

"Oh my God."

"Kenna," Bash said, getting back into his seat and cupping her cheek. "Stay. Calm."

Kenna nodded, her brown eyes searching his green eyes. "Y-You said they were coming. S-So stay."

Bash sighed. He knew she wouldn't let him go without a fight so he nodded. "I need to stop the blood."

"My scarf's in the boot."

Crawling his way out of the windshield. He lifted the hood and retrieved her wool black scarf before shutting the boot and going over to her side to pull open the door.

Once he had the door open, he could access her injuries better and she kept her gaze forward, tears streaming down her cheeks. He reached up and wiped a tear before using the scarf to tie around her thigh to stem the blood.

"Argh," she cried out, squinting her eyes shut when he accidentally caused her pain. She knew he had to tie hard, the blood wouldn't stop with a measly loose tie.

"What should we name our children?" He asked, taking his jacket off and putting it over her shoulders.

Kenna shrugged. "W-Why are we-"

"Go on, suggest some names."

Kenna swallowed deeply. "Uh, Robert after my d-dad."

"That's a nice option," Bash easily said, wiping sweat from her head as he knelt down beside her, shivering. He didn't care, as long as she was warm and the bleeding was controlled.

Kenna smiled a little, a sob escaping her lips. "G-Give me one, then. W-What if we had a daughter?"

Bash sniffled. "Anastasie."

"That's your grandmother's-"

"Name, yes," he said. "Save your strength. Don't talk."

Kenna bit her lip and nodded, her tears still falling.

"I will find out who did this," he promised her, taking her cold hand and kissing it. He looked up and saw her eyes blinking slowly. "Stay awake for me."

She nodded, trying to stay alert.

"I've got to go and see where they're at," he said, letting go of her hand and getting up. "But I will be back very soon. Just stay awake."

"Oh-kay," she breathed out.

Bash sighed in relief and headed up the ditch, almost slipping but he kept his grip and ignored the pain in his left arm as he scrambled up to the top and breathed heavily, resting his head on the road.

When he had enough strength, he stood up and walked a few metres down, hoping to hear any sign of life. All he could hear were animals, birdsong and he looked around, his green eyes wide and alert.

He winced when his head began to throb and he squatted down pressing his fingers against the side of his head. More images from earlier coming back to him, the number plate on the car as it sped past them, the face behind it...

"Antoine?" He breathed out in confusion before succumbing to the darkness.

...

By night, Mary made her way to her and Francis's bedroom at Versailles. She had just petted a distraught Elisabeth to sleep and left her in the care of Margaret who promised to take care of her twin sister.

Mary yawned and smiled at Michel when he passed her.

"Going to bed, Miss Busy Body?"

Mary laughed. "I could have you sent to the dungeons for that!"

Michel grinned. "Nothing gets past me, Your Highness," he said. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Mich-"

She was cut off by Michel's phone ringing and his eyes furrowing in concern as he answered the call. He took a sharp intake of breath and turned to Mary as the person on the line spoke.

Mary was about to leave, to give him some privacy but he held up a hand to stop her. She watched as he mumbled replies back in French before ultimately hanging up and turning to her.

"We need to find the Dauphin," he said quickly, scrolling through his phone urgently.

Mary's heart jumped. "What is it? Is it his mother? Is she okay?"

"It's not his mother," Michel said as they started walking towards her and Francis's bedroom. "I have just received news from the security team my father organised for the Duke of Orléans. He and your cousin were involved in a car accident in Sweden. Both are in critical condition."

Mary gasped in horror and the next thing she knew, she saw black as her head hit the floor.