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elder 441 [chapter 20]: He is! I rewatched an episode recently and Francis said that Bash deciding to be a bad king in order to be a good husband made me think about Bash being a faithful and loyal, loving husband. He would do anything to make Kenna happy. I have so many ideas, sometimes the chapters get long and I have to cut it. I'm relieved that they're longer on their own though!

Guest (1) [chapter 20]: Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Kenna bit her lip, eyeing herself in the mirror. Her dress was tight-fitting, long and flowers had been placed intricately around her waist, acting like a border between the lace bodice and satin skirt.

"Well, for starters, this dress is way different to what I wore at my first wedding," she told Mary, turning around to look at her. "How did you feel when you married Francis?"

Mary smiled fondly. "I felt happy. Overjoyed, even," she replied. "Although our marriage was an alliance between Scotland and France, it felt like it was for us."

Kenna nodded. "Did your wedding night feel like it was for you when-"

"Kenna..."

"I know," Kenna mumbled. "You and Bash are securely in the past, but sometimes I do think about you."

Mary stood up from her seat, placing her hands upon Kenna's shoulders. "And then you remind yourself that the only woman he tells 'I love you' to is you."

Kenna's eyes watered. "I've never felt like this before, so in love. I thought-I believed I loved Henry, but that was just lust and infatuation. I guess he's done me a favour by forcing me to marry Bash because I can't remember the other names of the people I've been with. Bash helps me to forget, he helps me move on, his touch heals me."

Mary kissed her cheek softly, squeezing Kenna's shoulders before backing away and fixing the back of her dress. Nothing was going to be out of place, everything had to be perfect for her perfect friend.

Kenna scoffed. "I remember my wedding night. I was in the bed and Bash was on the floor by the fireplace - both of us scorned and distrusting of the other. Small mercies that we weren't a spectacle to be watched and pin-picked on, what a sight that would have been."

"It is quite daunting for your first night as man and wife to be watched," Mary replied. "But your first time, was it as you expected?"

Kenna blushed furiously. "Well, I wasn't expecting it that's for sure. He came out of nowhere, claiming that he didn't want to take things slow anymore. It felt like I was reborn, that the man I gave myself to truly loved and cared for me. He gave and he never took unless I wanted him to. Mary... As girls, did we ever think we'd end up where we are today?"

Mary shook her head. "I stopped believing in fairy tales, thinking that I'd be married off to someone I would have to force myself to love. I always knew that there was a chance for Francis and me, I wanted it to become real and it did. I am happy it did."

Kenna laughed softly, fixing a flower crown onto the top of her head. "You're wearing our ancestral fabric," she noted, turning around fully. "You look beautiful, Your Majesty."

"Enough," Mary said softly, smiling widely. "You look stunning, Lady Kenna."

"I'm not a lady anymore, am I?" Kenna replied. "A duchess. God, I hold the same standing as my father."

"What a journey it was to get there," Mary teased her. "I'm so happy for you, Kenna. You're one of my oldest friends and I feel for Catherine. She once told me that she did not need friends as she had a crown on her head. I am relieved to still have you in my life."

Kenna nodded politely. "Thank you. Do make things right with Catherine. I wish I had with Diane despite everything we did to each other involving Henry. Now, she never answers our letters and I feel guilty that Bash doesn't have his mother in our children's lives. Mothers are everything - fathers come and go, but mothers stay because at the end of the day, they gave us life and they are the reason we can also make life."

"So, I should sincerely make things right with Catherine?"

"I am saying that do not let your guard down but respect her. She's a mother and she's hurting as well," Kenna explained. "A more beautiful queen came into her home and took her son away from her through marriage and bearing his children. Just see things from her view."

Mary stood, heading over to Kenna to hug her tightly. "You're so selfless at times, I wonder what happened to you."

"I got married to the bravest and most selfless man in the whole of France and Scotland," Kenna replied happily. "We taught each other a few things along the way."

"Well, let's get you downstairs in time for him to teach you more things," Mary told her. "Perhaps, time management."

"Mary!"

Mary laughed, shrugging coyly. "You never were one to manage your time efficiently. But when it came to parties..."

"Alright, you're right. Now, let's go before I am actually late for my own wedding."

...

The wedding went swimmingly well, no tears of grief but happiness. From both parties, much to Mary's amusement.

It was a far cry from the wedding she witnessed all of those years ago, seven or was it eight years ago? She couldn't quite remember, despite the event being vivid in her head. Her friends and she had helped Kenna forget most of it, by getting her drunk or helping them with other activities.

Mary watched on, her closest allies and friends staring lovingly at each other as if they were the only ones that existed in the world. She turned to Francis who held the same smile on his face as she did.

Discreetly, not that she needed to be, she took his hand and squeezed it. She soon felt his lips connect with the back of her hand and she gave him a warm smile.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked her under his breath. It wasn't like the other couple paid them any mind.

"My heart leapt in fear for both of them the first time," Mary replied just as quiet as her husband. "This is marriage, it cannot be undone and now, they're getting remarried in front of God and King."

Francis smiled wryly. "A sane king at least."

"Indeed," Mary replied, chuckling softly. "I'm just happy for them. Happy that they found ways to make it work despite how they were brought together."

After the ceremony, they were treated to a wedding dinner. It would have been a dance, but it was an intimate affair.

"I have a gift for you," Mary heard Bash tell his wife. She looked up from her meal to see her friend presented with a large velvet jewellery box.

Kenna gave her husband a look of slight disapproval. "You didn't have to get me anything, this whole affair was enough."

"Then it's a wedding gift from me," Francis cut in, raising his glass. "Considering it was me who was able to get it brought here in time."

"Oh, really?" Kenna giggled, cupping her husband's cheek fondly. "Well, thank you both."

She retrieved her hand and collected the box, opening it to reveal an emerald jewellery set. Earrings, rings, a necklace and a bracelet. Kenna's eyes sparkled at the sight and she smiled softly, running her hand over the large gemstone on the necklace.

"It's beautiful..." She breathed out, holding it up to show Mary. "I don't know what I've done to deserve this - I haven't even got you anything, Bash."

"It's fine," Bash replied, kissing the side of her head as she continued to stare intently at the gift. "You are enough."

As they continued to eat, Mary stole glances with Francis. She felt slightly unwell and used the wine to keep the bitterness from rising up her throat so she didn't ruin the dinner.

She knew that Bash and Kenna would not have minded, preferring to consummate their marriage again anyway, but she should stay as one of the two guests at their wedding.

"So, what were you going to tell us about Robin?" Francis asked, cutting into her thoughts.

Yes, Mary thought. I have been meaning to ask following earlier's strained conversation.

Kenna seemed relaxed though, turning to her husband for an explanation. She gave him a look when he seemed to inwardly battle with himself regarding letting the other couple in on their family situation.

"Tell them, Bash," Kenna finally said, giving him an encouraging smile.

"Robin has... he has visions," Bash quickly said, taking a gulp from his wine. "Of events that occurred long since before his birth and even existence."

Now, Mary really wanted to throw up, but she pushed it down. She gave the couple an affirming nod, letting them know that she understood what was just said to her.

"So, he's like Nostradamus?" Francis asked them. "I-Is that a problem?"

Bash nodded, then stopped. "If you both remember, there are not only Catholic or Protestant worshippers..."

"Pagan worship," Mary said firmly. "Why would he...?" Her eyes widened. "Oh, dear God."

"We can handle this," Kenna quickly told them. "He won't ever know about that side of his lineage. Especially now that Diane keeps avoiding our contact. Robin and Ana are Catholic and that is the end of it."

"And what if Robin tells someone about his visions?" Francis said, rubbing his head. "He's barely six, he will not understand that watching what one says is important."

Bash shrugged. "Well, it's a good thing we're not at Court. I had to let you know, just in case..."

"In case of what?" Mary asked softly. "You can't believe someone will harm a child for having night terrors?"

"We intend to keep them as those," Bash assured them. "We'll be fine."

He stroked Kenna's cheek and she leant into his touch, placing a hand over his. As long as he had his wife and children, he would be happy and safe. He will protect them, provide for them and love them until his dying breath.

"I have my wife, we'll get through this and we'll be fine," Bash said.

...

The minute the newlyweds stood from the table to spend time alone, Mary hurried towards the chamberpot, the room adjacent to her and Francis's bedchamber. She had barely reached it before everything left her stomach, her face firmly inside the chamberpot.

She felt terrible, her head was heating up and she was sweating horribly. She had never felt like this during her first three pregnancies and everything seemed to weaken her. She didn't even feel attractive enough to make love to Francis, not that they hadn't done that prior to her quick turn in health.

"Mary!"

She reached out for Francis to take her hand, his other hand firmly intent in rubbing her back as she sobbed.

"It's horrible, Francis," she said, crying. "I feel disgusting."

"Do not be silly," her husband scolded her gently. "You are very much a beauty, even in your current state."

Mary chuckled bitterly before more came up her throat and she hurled, drips of sweat following into the chamberpot after. She didn't feel like a beauty at all.

"You're burning up," Francis whispered, feeling her forehead. "You must rest."

"I cannot go a few minutes without feeling as if I want to throw up," Mary explained. "I feel weak."

Francis kissed her back. "Shall I carry you?"

She didn't have the strength to reply so she nodded meekly, feeling dazed when she was suddenly lifted into her husband's strong arms. She rested her head against his chest as he walked her into their bedchamber, placing her onto their bed with care.

"I will retrieve a fresh chamberpot in case you-"

He didn't even finish his sentence when she threw up onto the carpet, laughing slightly at her mishap. He didn't even bat an eyelid, smiling softly as he promised to return soon.

Mary reminded herself of what her late mother told her about whilst the dowager queen was expecting her. She had the most severe sickness and nothing could stop it. It made her disheartened. Not even Catherine's special prune juice helped.

"Mary," Francis called out to her, placing the chamberpot onto the ground on his side. "I'll move you onto this side so that the handmaidens can clean the carpet."

She nodded, being shifted onto the other side by her husband before he handed her a letter. Curiously, she opened it up and scanned its contents.

"It's a wedding invite," she told her husband.

"Whose?"

Mary looked up at him. "Catherine's."