If you guys have Kindle Unlimited, you can now read my published book for free and there are other options as well. Heartbreak at Rose Street is available just for a quick read for the times I don't update on time, haha.

Anyway, onto the story. We have some drama upon us.

Replies to reviews:

elder 441 [chapter 14]: Yeah, he's trying to be loyal to Mary but at the same time, Catherine is his mother and she is a part of who he is now.

Guest (1) [chapter 14]: Thanks so much! Next chapter has the swimming as the kids get up to something in this one.

Guest (3) [chapter 14]: I will not spoil anything ;)

Mary's eyes opened and she could feel an unsettling feeling at the pit of her stomach. She turned her head to see Francis fast asleep, their journey finally catching up to him.

"Francis?" She whispered gently, nudging his shoulder.

Without opening his eyes, he replied, "Yes, Mary?"

"Something's not right," she said, sitting up. "Do you know the time?"

She turned to the wall herself, looking at the golden grandfather clock against it. It was just past eleven at night.

"Mary?"

She shook her head. "I don't know what it is. Something isn't right."

She got out of bed, slipping her robe over her nightdress and slipped her feet into velvet slippers. She then headed towards the doors and opened them, heading towards the children's bedchambers.

She found Rose fast asleep in her bed, but when she got to Anne's bedchamber, it was empty.

She searched everywhere, her heart leaping inside her chest. She then headed towards Robin's bedchamber - his bed was also empty and unkempt.

"Guards!" She called out, running out of the bedchamber.

The guards immediately reacted, asking her what was going on.

"Did you see the princess and earl leave their bedchambers?" She demanded as two guards entered the chambers.

"No, Your Majesty-"

Then it dawned on her and she went back into Anne's bedchamber, heading towards the wall the bed laid against.

As a girl, she would use the secret tunnels to escape the castle with Kenna. They knew Kenna's parents discovered their little disappearing acts, but the couple never scolded them.

They were heavily guarded and the tunnels led to the dining rooms and gardens. They were safe.

Going through the tunnels, she headed down the steps and kept going until she could smell the seawater from the sea surrounding the coastal castle.

She opened the latch of the trapdoor and found two shivering children sitting meekly by it outside.

"Marie Anne and Robert Francis!" She scolded, breathing a huge sigh of relief as she brought them to her chest, "What on God's Earth possessed you to leave your bedchambers?"

She slipped her robe over Anne's shoulders and hugged Robin tighter so he could also have warmth.

At least the rain had stopped.

"Grandpapa told us stories of you and Mama escaping the castle to play. We wanted to see the fireflies," Robin explained, his nose reddening in the chill air. "The door closed shut behind us."

"You won't get any fireflies in this weather. Also, there's a trick we learnt after the third time being locked out," Mary replied gently. "Come along, inside."

She let the children go through the trap door first and followed behind, shivering as she closed the door.

Silly children, she thought, amused.

When they came through the secret door in Anne's bedchamber, they found Francis pacing. He turned to them in relief, bringing the children to his chest tightly.

"Mary, you just left leaving me confused. When I met the guards, they said you disappeared as well," he told her, kissing Anne's head.

"I should have known they would use the escape doors. I never knew my uncle told them," she replied, retrieving blankets to warm the children. "I'll have fires prepared for both of them."

"Robert, Anne, promise us you will never leave without our say so," Francis said, kneeling down to reach their eyes. "Anything could have happened to you. Do you think your parents would be happy if something happened to their only son, Robin?"

Robin shook his head. "No, Uncle Francis. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Francis told him, brushing Anne's cheek. "The world is a dangerous place and not always can we, your parents, protect you."

Robin looked up at him. "My papa will always protect me, he promised."

Francis shared a look with Mary. Well, they couldn't tell a child that their parents would break their promise if it was out of their control.

"Well, I know my brother," Francis said to the boy. "And he never breaks his promises."

Mary nodded. "As for you, Anne... You need to be careful. Scotland may be my home, but I do not know the dangers that lurk beneath the surface. It has been a very long time since I have been here."

"I know, Mama," Anne said, her eyes watering. "I'm sorry."

"When we wake up tomorrow morning, we will visit the lake again. The Duke is hosting a party in your honour," Francis told the children. "Let's get you to sleep."

"Can you read me a story again, Papa?" Anne asked sweetly.

Mary raised an eyebrow. "Don't push it, Anne," she said lightly. "But if you promise to never sneak out during the night, we might see what we can do."

"I promise!"

...

As Duke Beaton played with the children, pretending that they were pirates and he was the big, ugly monster, Mary and Francis took a stroll away from the party.

"I hate to imagine what things Anne and Rose will get up to when they're teenagers," Francis told his wife, offering his arm. "God, escaping castle halls with secret doors and trap doors..."

She linked hers with his. "Same here. I even believe James will be such a lothario, going around and breaking hearts..." She sighed wistfully. "Children are such blessings."

"It is Anne's birthday soon," Francis stated. "Six years of age already... It feels like yesterday we were welcoming her into the world."

"It most certainly feels like that, doesn't it?" Mary asked, a smile growing on her face. "Our little Anne."

"My mother would want to be there..."

Mary rolled her eyes. "Francis, she barely acknowledges Anne. If this is her way of making amends, I will not stand for it. I stand by my decision and we will let her know that when we return. Most of all, I will not allow her to step foot in Scotland."

"Mary, she's my mother," Francis replied.

"And Marie de Guise was mine," she stated nonchalantly. "Now, she's dead. I will do anything to protect my girls even if it means treating family like they are enemies. Speaking of family, Lola and John will arrive for Anne's birthday."

"Alright," Francis said quietly as they continued on. "How large of an affair will it be?"

Mary shrugged. "I do not want to be too boastful. My uncle has graciously offered to host it here and although it is a large castle, I do not want to overstep our welcome."

"We're the king and queen-"

"And there have already been English raids at Castle Barton and so many other surrounding estates," Mary cut her husband off softly. "Just the week before we arrived, Duke Beaton had to deal with an English convoy treading into his waters. If we invite many people, there is a strong chance that they will know we are here and will harm us. Hosting us is a huge risk to everyone"

"I understand," he replied, nodding. "What else is there to do here?"

Mary smiled widely. "There are a vineyard and orchard on the grounds," she told him. "We could perhaps make our own cider or wine..."

She wrapped her arms around his neck coyly, tilting her head to the side.

"Kenna and I used to use our imagination when we were growing up. I know we are adults now, but I'd like to be free..." She trailed off, studying his eyes. "Like how we were at the waterfall in Avon."

Francis pressed a kiss onto her lips, bringing her frame closer to his. "Just how free would you like to be?"

"Oh, I'd like to stay up and study the stars," she began. "Or play football! Remember when your mother scolded me for playing football when we were little?"

Her husband looked around and he finally spotted an acorn on the ground. Bending down, he picked it up and handed the small rounded object to his wife.

"Football it is," he said with a smile.

Mary lightly scoffed. "It's too small!"

"Use your imagination!" Francis told her mockingly, backing away from her. "Go on."

She giggled, dropping the acorn onto the ground and kicking it towards his way. She watched as it shot past him and landed a few metres behind him.

"Still got it," she said to herself, lifting up her skirts so she could volley the acorn when he kicked it back.

"Would you ever want to live in Scotland again?" Francis asked her, stopping the acorn from flying past him before kicking towards her.

Mary shrugged, relaying the acorn back to him. "Sometimes I think about that. You are the male, I follow you."

"No, Mary - we're equals. I've been thinking about it, I even mentioned it to Kenna's eldest brother when he told me he was thinking about doing business in France," Francis replied. "Six months in France and six months in Scotland, every year for the rest of our reign."

Mary halted, her eyes looking up to meet his. "W-What?" She breathed out.

"Scotland is your home. And think about it, we're closer to England here should anything happen in the future," Francis said. "What do you say?"

Mary didn't know what to say. She had been happy to once again step foot in Scotland and now, she had the chance to physically show the subjects of her strength and persistence to rule Scotland. Now she could show them that she was her father's daughter.

"I don't know," she whispered.

She could oversee her council physically, see the issues for herself and so many other things. She could even raise her children and allow them a chance to know the Scottish half of themselves.

"Mary," Francis called her name gently, standing in front of her now. "I want you to be happy. I want you to be the queen I know you can be for Scotland. Scotland is yours, it's home and you deserve to have somewhere else to be free and safe at. Like in this castle as I know you are uncomfortable in France... I think we should take that step."

"I do too," Mary said happily, tears leaking from her eyes. "Francis, you make me so hot and cold, and I love you for it. You make me so happy, thank you so much."

She kissed him and when she pulled away, she saw Rose standing behind him.

"Mama, Papa?"

"We're coming," Mary said, turning back to her husband. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome."