Got a new story out for you guys! Frary story is still in the works, getting closer each day! Unrequited will be updated very soon!
By the way, made a little mistake in chapter 16 and reworked the dates a bit. The ages (in relation to the month now being August) and birthdays of the children are as follows:
Princess Marie Anne, the Duchess of Maine and Glasgow, 17th June - 6
Robert Francis 'Robin', the Earl of Avon, 8th August - 6
Princess Mary Rose, the Duchess of Calais and Edinburgh, 25th May - 5
Prince Francis James, the Duke of Anjou and Aberdeen and Dauphin of France, 30th January - almost seven months (so James is not turning one soon, that was my mistake lol)
Anastasia Joanna 'Ana', the Viscountess of Avon, 13th February - almost six months
Replies to reviews:
elder441 [chapter 33]: The enemy won't be revealed just yet. I have plans for that ;) And Robin really does!
Guest (1) [chapter 33]: They will be returning to France soon but with consequences ;) Read on to find out!
'12th August. It's been a day since the children returned home to us. A lot has happened overnight. The Duke was in better spirits and ordered for a celebration to be made. An intimate one, mind you. We still do not know who took them, Francis and Bash having to kill all the men before questioning them. I understand, if I were them, I'd shed blood first and ask questions after. I am starting to believe that Francis wishes to return to French Court. After all of this drama, I have to say the same. We plan to return by the end of the month and come back to Scotland next Summer. I am starting to feel the baby move somewhat, I am only two months gone. He must have sensed my fears and worries over the children. I am excited to see our bundle of joy very soon. By next March, our family will be complete for now. I highly doubt we would be able to have another child so soon after. We should wait a few good years to focus on Scotland and France. Anyway, I should go and find Rose and make sure she is feeling better, my sweetling. Adieu, Mary.'
Mary smiled warmly when she felt arms wrap around her shoulders. She placed a hand on Francis's arm, closed her eyes and told him, "I wish we knew who orchestrated this."
"The Beatons have it covered. All you need to think about is our children," Francis told her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Our beautiful children who are safe and well."
She nodded. "How is Bash? I saw Kenna earlier, poor Robin was attached to her hip as she went through the duchy's books without Bash."
Francis sighed. "He blames himself. We went for an early morning ride, that's why you were alone with Rose when you woke up. He needed to vent and I haven't seen him since."
Mary turned her head to face her husband. "We all blame ourselves. But what matters is that the children are home safely."
"Not without punishment," Francis told her. "Robin had an arrow in his arm! We should thank God it didn't get infected, that those men were decent enough to tend to his wounds. Imagine being a parent and seeing your innocent child not the way you last left them. It haunts me, I couldn't sleep."
"Neither could I..." Mary trailed off. "I just stared at Rose throughout."
"I went to check on Anne and James a few times during the night. I thought you didn't notice," her husband said.
Mary smiled. "Oh, I did. I don't blame you, I still think I'm dreaming."
"The children are desperate to see Robin. I don't have the heart to tell them they can't," he said. "Surely, they won't be frightened of him. The swelling has gone down somewhat."
"Rose will blame herself. You heard her say so multiple times," Mary said gently. "I will see to Robin myself and give him anything the children have made for him."
Francis gave her a nod. "Very well. I ought to get our business in order and plan our journey back to France. I've requested Duke Beaton to come along with us. I could use his help in finding out who did this."
"Did he accept?"
"Of course. He is also glad to spend time with Kenna, Bash and the children as well," Francis said. "And that is one more face you trust in French Court. There are vipers and I am sorry to say, I don't trust anyone at Court currently. Not with what happened. Everyone says that whoever did it is closer to home than we think. Home is France and they preyed on the fact that we didn't know Scotland as well as we thought we did."
"It's all my fault," Mary mumbled. "I shouldn't have wanted to come back, to come home. I-"
"No, Mary it's not your fault," he cut her off, cupping her cheek. "If I was from another country, I'd want to go home as well, to overlook my country. You have a duty to Scotland, not just France and we need to show everyone that you are powerful in your own right. You don't need me to protect you, you can protect yourself."
Mary beamed. "Organise a party for the Scottish nobility. I have to speak to my subjects."
...
Mary used wined to calm her frantic heart. Normally, she wasn't scared but with the past few months plaguing her mind, she was nervous at public speaking. It seemed to her that everyone knew what happened, that they judged her and questioned her abilities as a mother and a queen.
She stood up from her throne, gave Francis a look before the hall quietened down for her to speak. She swallowed deeply, eyeing as many people as possible, to make them know they were noticed and valued and she thanked them for their loyalty to her.
"For almost six years, Scotland and I have been strangers. Today, that is no longer the case. I have been here since March and despite the challenges I faced, I came out stronger. For myself, for my family and for you. Scotland needs a monarch who can defend her. I defended her, but I didn't announce that to the world. You need a queen who does not make false promises. I do not make false promises. You need a queen to be here, to overlook her government and council. I will now be personally overlooking the going-ons of Scotland, my half-brother, James Stewart, standing down from his position. Scotland, I am coming home and I am staying home. For next year onwards, you have me for six months each year. I will personally see to any and all of your issues and worries. I will make sure you get the attention that I give to France. France is not first for me, you all and everyone else in Scotland are. That is why, my first daughter, Princess Marie Anne, the Duchess of Maine of France and Glasgow of Scotland, will be feasible for marriage when she turns sixteen to one of your sons. To whom my husband and I will see fit."
Mary heard everyone gasp and talk in excitement, planning to bear sons or planning to break marriage proposals they'd already made. She felt Francis touch the small of her back briefly and turned to face his confused face.
"I'll explain later," she whispered.
"Mary, I thought-"
"Please. I need to do this for Scotland. I can't only think about France," she whispered, cutting him off with pleading eyes.
She turned back to the crowd, smiling when they hushed down. Her eyes saw the confused glances of her family, those who understood as opposed to the children who blatantly ignored everything and danced around their governesses.
"Furthermore, I declare Scotland an independent sovereign state separate from France," she announced.
"Dear God!" She heard.
Again, Francis's hand on the small of her back, but she ignored him.
"Yes, that does mean that one of your sons will be married to the Queen of Scotland when I pass," Mary said. "Her brother, James will be the King of France and France alone and relations between the two countries will be one of peace and unity. Sister and brother working together in perfect harmony. That is all, thank you. Enjoy the wine and the food. Scotland, we deserve it."
"Long Live The Queen! Mary, Queen of Scots! Anne, Princess of Scots!" The hall chorused, leaving Mary stunned.
Mary let out a shaky breath, giving her people a wide smile as tears sprung to her eyes. It was the right decision. One that needed to be made, her country needed to be protected.
...
"Mary!" Kenna called out, Lola and Greer following her as Mary stopped in her tracks.
"What just happened?" Lola asked in shock.
"Francis... No one knows what he's thinking," Greer told her.
Mary rubbed her stomach. "Ladies, can I vomit before I do all over you all?"
"Go ahead," Kenna begrudgingly said, the three women following after their queen as they made their way to Mary and Francis's bedchamber.
After emptying her stomach and sipping some wine, chewing a few mint leaves and fixing her crown, Mary turned to her friends and gestured for them to let it all out.
"You've more or less declared war!" Kenna cried out. "On our husbands' country!"
"France and Scotland have always been a political unity. I am trying to make it more than that," Mary said gently. "This way, Anne can be the queen I know she can be and James can also rule as the king I know he will be. I want to take politics out of this, I want to make a family. That and France's power over Scotland is too much."
Greer rubbed her head. "Oh, Lord. You should have spoken to Francis at least-"
"I know, it was wrong of me. I've put my marriage on the line, but he should understand that it's for our children," Mary told them. "What happens when I die and James decides to favour one country more than the other? I don't want my children to die for wanting different things than Francis and me. My children are not only France's but they are children of Scottish blood. Anne, Rose, James Valois-Angoulême-Stuart. If what happened to Rose and Robin taught me anything is that I do not want to fall out of favour with our country. I want our people to love us and to never want to betray us by using our children against us. It's the only way."
"But a marriage proposal as well?" Lola breathed out. "Mary, have you thought this through?"
Mary turned to her. "Lola, would you rather John marry a Frenchwoman and distrust her or a Scotswoman and trust her? I love Francis and France, but our children must come first along with Scotland."
"Well, good luck talking to Francis," Kenna said. "He looked beyond betrayed."
Mary shrugged. "I love him, but even he knows how dangerous his family are. At least my daughter is protected from Catherine's wrath."
"We can't argue with that," Greer mumbled. "Group hug?"
Mary laughed, hugging them all tightly. "We really must schedule our week away. Perhaps when Greer can visit. Even if we don't know when..."
"I'll try-"
"I will find a way to clear Castleroy's name," Mary cut her off. "I'm sure Bash can do something, anything. We all know the type of man Castleroy is and he isn't a murderer but a man with a kind soul. We will be reunited one day, one way or another."
"And Scotland will be stronger," Kenna said. "I love you all."
"We love you too," Lola replied.
Mary blushed lightly. "You three women, I trust with my life and my children's lives. Never change, any of you. Whatever happens next, we'll always be friends."
She let go of them, stepping back from the hug. She needed to find her husband and explain herself.
Actions did have consequences.