Just a small author's note. I have been dealing with many personal things in my life and will try my best to get chapters out. Thank you to all who still continue to read my story, and follow it even after my break. I will give everyone a heads up next time in case I must leave for a while. But so far, all is well. Thank you. Xx
Chapter 9: A Royal Seduction
Kenna walks along to Henry's chambers. The job before her is not one Mary wanted her to do. All she asked was for her to ensure Catherine's freedom and safety. But Kenna knows deep down that if he says no, she is the only one who can do something about it. Since Mary and Bash's wedding, Henry has grown more... difficult. He has gone mad and she is unsure why. But what she does know is she must look past this, for Catherine's sake. Kenna raises her fist to the door and knocks softly. Not a second later, Henry is swinging open the door. He pulls her in, slamming the door. "Kenna, you have been gone from me for far too long."
"I understand, you were only doing what you thought best," Kenna says, draping her leg over one of his chairs. "Are you really going to forgive Catherine for killing Diane?" Kenna knows the best way to Henry's heart and mind is to just agree with him. Make him believe you are on his side. But long ago she was done with him. Especially when he paraded Diane around Court. Kenna had been cast aside and made to serve her in Mary's absence. Henry pretended she did not exist and that nothing ever happened between them. "I am still thinking about it. Losing Diane has been difficult," he says.
"Then let me take your mind off her. Shall I?" she asks. "You can still divorce Catherine." Henry snaps around, looking at her confused. "Who? Who would I marry? I don't need any more alliances France is strong." he says. Kenna steps closer to him, letting her beauty and brains distract his inner thoughts. "Me. Marry me. I'll have my station, my money. And you will have me. Henry knows this offer is tempting. And he wishes to refuse. Meanwhile, Kenna has something planned. For Mary's sake. For France and for Scotland's sake. "Kenna, I may hate Catherine but I need her Italian supporters. That is the reason I married her. This Scottish bitch screwed so much up!"
"Then make Catherine your Italian Ambassador. Divorce her, and give her that position. That way your alliance is secured, her children are safe, she can live, and you can have me." Kenna says. Henry wraps his arms around his new fiance. "I have to wait for my mourning period to be over. First I will divorce Catherine, and then I will marry you." Henry says. He starts to kiss her neck. Kenna thinks quickly. "Your marriage is technically annulled. A second divorce will take longer." Kenna complains.
"Fine," Henry starts. "After my mourning period, we shall be married." Before Henry can begin to savor every next minute with Kenna, she backs away. "Very well. You will just have to wait for our wedding night, future husband." Henry hates this, but in a way loves every moment. Kenna leaves his chambers and walks down to the cellar. waiting for her there is a man behind a pillar. A cloak covering his face. "Is it done?" the familiar voice says. Kenna nods, wondering if what she did was right. She hesitates with her answer she thinks. "You saw what he is like Kenna. How cruel and insane he has become. For Mary and Bash, we must do this. Or he will hurt them."
"I know." She responds. "It is done. He will marry me after his mourning period. He will go along with the annulment story just as we planned." she says. The man steps out of the shadows, pulling the cloak from his head. Golden curls bouncing from the soft velvet hood. "Then it is settled. In a few weeks, we will hold your engagement party. On the same date, Henry plans on making his announcement about England. We save my brother. We save Mary." he says.
"Yes, Francis. We must save Mary." Kenna whispers.
