Before this chapter begins, I apologize for my absence. I took a mental health break but am back. I have decided that Chapter 20 will be the finale. But I may come back and write all the missing years and such. But this won't be for some time. Thank you for all who have stuck around!

Chapter 18: A Bride, A Wedding, An Execution

I have possibly asked Kenna a thousand times if she is alright going through with this marriage. She tells me over and over again she is. But as I stand on her side of the aisle with Bash, watching her in her big poofy wedding dress getting married to a mad King, I can't help but worry. Her hair is worn down in heavy curls. Her sleeves are lace, a silver headband on her head attached to her long lace veil. She is undeniably gorgeous and I smile for my friend. But her smile slowly fades as the ceremony goes on. Once the bride and groom kiss, Henry takes her hand and they turn. I notice the redness around her hand. "Bash," I whisper. He leans in, also noticing the marks. "I know," he says.

"What do we do?" I ask. The room starts to leave. Bash takes my hand tenderly in his hand and we leave the room. "We must find a way to get Kenna away from him. Something is wrong I can feel it." Bash says. I nod, thinking of something. We walk out to the courtyard, Kenna, and Henry making their way to the jousting tournament. "Henry will possibly want to meet those who are jousting. I'll sit next to Kenna and see if there is anything we can do." I say.

"I'll make sure Henry does not see you talking to her. I'll see if he wants to joust maybe and show everyone his skills. He will appreciate the flattery and won't worry about anything else," Bash says. After a brief kiss, we go our separate ways. I know I won't be able to use the 'my corset is tight' excuse as she now is officially no longer my lady, but the wife of the King. I see Bash below the stands as I walk up to our spot. Catherine grabs onto my arm, smiling. "What do you have planned?" she asks. I look over at her. "Do you have a plan?" I say.

"Did you see Kenna's hands? They are like if a raspberry and a strawberry had a child." Catherine says, her remark coming off funny but also concerned at the same time. "We have a plan, Bash and I." I start. But I don't know how it will work. Henry makes his way to the joust, Bash talking to him. I get up out of my seat and sit next to Kenna. "Mary, I told you I am fine!" She exclaims. I grab her wrist and look at her hand. "Kenna. You are marked up badly. You cannot go through with the consummation. We can declare him mad. We will tell them he hurt-"

"Mary no!" Kenna yells again. Catherine comes and sits with us. "Dear I think you should listen to Mary. This is not worth it. The crown is not worth it. Trust me, I know." Catherine says. Kenna looks over at Henry as he mounts his horse. She mumbles something under her breath. I don't catch it but Catherine does. "What do you mean?" Catherine asks her. Kenna does not say anything to me. She sits back up straight and watches the joust.

"His Majesty King Henry and Lord Montgomery!" the announcer cries. The crowd claps, which I follow. Kenna all of a sudden seems enthusiastic. "Go Henry!" she cries. What has gotten into her? The first round breaks Montomery's stick. Kenna flinches when he gets hurt but he seems to shake it off. I look over at her, she has her hands clamped together in prayer. "Please. Please," she mumbles. I wrap my arm around her, holding her close. Catherine gives her a major glare. "Montgomery will have to take the blow since it's bad business to outshine your boss," Catherine says. They position themselves again on either end, the crowd roaring. They race towards each other, the horses seem to go in slow motion for me. Kenna begins to rise, joy but also fear on her face. Her hands clasp over her mouth, and I see her shake. Then Montgomery's stick hits Henry in the face, knocking his helmet off and knocking himself off the horse. Catherine screams beside me, and I almost fall out of my seat. "Go to the King! Is he alright?" Catherine shouts. I quickly stand up and glance at Kenna. She is shaking violently. But she quickly walks down the steps to Henry. I grab ahold of Catherine once I see the piece of wood in Henry's skull. "The King has been gravely injured!" one shouts. I watch as Montgomery walks away from the scene and back to the tent. Bash rushes up to his father but catches me staring at the tent.

"Montgomery." I mouth. He quickly gets up but doesn't make it far. Kenna gets up and hugs him while crying. "Catherine. We need to go. Don't see this, please." I say. But Catherine doesn't move. She just stays still in fear.

Meanwhile

The knight walks into the tent, stumbling over his own feet. He is paralyzed by what he just did to his King. He looks down at the ground, a beaten-up Montgomery on the floor. The mystery man pulls off his helmet in a single swosh. Francis lies underneath. "Forgive me," Francis says. He quickly changes out of his armor, his fists bleeding from when he beat Montgomery. Francis rushes out of the tent as planned, seeing Kenna with Henry. She looks up, a hand clutching onto her churning stomach. Francis looks at the horror at what he caused. But he knows one thing: Mary is safe. Bash is safe. His mother is safe. And Kenna is safe. They are all safe now and all can be normal.