Chapter 19: Frenna
Francis walks up to us as we wait outside the King's chambers. "Francis," Catherin catches his arm as he walks by us. "He won't survive this. There are pieces of the lance stuck in his brain." She says. She gets up, looking at both of us. "Isn't this what we wanted?" She asks. Francis looks at his mother coldly, but he also is trembling. "It isn't, his fall was out of our hands completely. Is that not god's will?" I say. "Now, no more blood needs to be spilled."
"None but my father's," Francis says, staring off at the ground. Catherine releases my hand and takes both of Francis's. "We should say goodbye," she says. Both walk away and I am left in the hall. I walk away and down the hall to where Kenna is. She sits in her wedding dress, staring at the wall. "It is finally over." She says. She looks up, tears in her eyes. "He hurt me, Mary. And I tried- you don't understand. I tried to do what was right for me and my family." she says. I sit beside her, pulling her into a hug. "Kenna you are so strong. But never sacrifice your life for a man ever again. I do not care the reason. Bash and I will always support you." I say. She then breaks down, thanking me and crying into my shoulder.
Meanwhile
Francis walks out of the room. "The King is dead. Long live the King!" a guard shouts from the room. Francis is not the heir, but he knows from this day forward he will always protect Bash. Bash walks up from the steps down the hall. He looks at his brother and they begin to walk to each other. Francis dips down to bow, but Bash pulls him up and to a hug. Both boys stand in their embrace. After an eternity later, both boys let one another go and walk down the hall together. The walk up on the girls huddled together on the floor. Bash takes his wife up from her spot, and they begin to walk away. Francis takes Kenna and they both walk into the nearest room.
"Are you alright?" Francis asks. Both hug, a rush of relief floods both of them. "I'm so glad you are safe," Kenna says. She looks up at the man that was the mastermind behind the whole plot. "I am so sorry for what I put you through," Francis says.
"Shush, I willingly agreed," Kenna says. Francis pulls her hand up and kisses her red knuckles. "You are now the Dowager Queen. A wealthy widow," he says. Kenna laughs, wiping her tears. "I have grown to hate Henry so much. I do not care anymore that he is dead. But, I was worried about you." she says. Francis realizes that the tears she is shedding are not for his father: they were for fear for him. "Kenna I-"
"Francis I know Mary will forever be in your heart. I am not trying to make any moves on y-" Kenna is unable to finish before Francis swoops her up into a kiss. "Let me court you, Kenna. I am not talking about sleeping together, I know men tend to use you for that. I just want you. And getting to know you these last few months, its been fun. You are free and fun and understand me and care about me. You are the only woman not to go after my brother." he says. She smiles, pushing her forehead to his. "Because in ways I think about him as a brother. Besides," she pauses and thinks. She laughs to herself. "If Mary had chosen you who knows, maybe Henry would have forced me to marry Bash. I don't think we would have made it, I wouldn't want it," she says. "I have certainty with you. Someone who has given themselves blindly to others, make actions without thinking beforehand. You and I are one and the same."
"Always, my Kenna," he says. They kiss once more, both soaking in the joy they both have brought each other in this dark time. They both have saved their family and friends. And France can move ahead in peace.
