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Guest (1) [chapter 34]: Their marriage will now go through a bumpy ride. They try to support each other, but this sets open a can of worms that they can't come back from. Now, with tensions rising in France and Scotland's happiness at independence, Francis is torn between Mary and France and obviously, that will lead to drama.
BlerBlerBler [chapter 34]: She's gone and done it! This will set things up for a bumpy ride in their marriage now that she's broken his trust.
"Mary, do you know what you've just done?" Francis asked, gripping the back of the chair tightly. "First trusting Elizabeth by renouncing your claim to England and now this?"
Mary looked down. "Francis, it was a smart idea. Now England is not threatened by us and Elizabeth will stand down. We shared a moment. We are cousins after all. The future of England affects the future of Scotland and France. This way, our countries remain united despite whatever comes against them. James with France and Anne with Scotland, we would be unstoppable. Relations can now improve!"
"Have you any idea about the risks you are taking? The damage you've done? When we return to France, I will be seen as weak!" Francis cried out. "That I have more or less lost Scotland-"
"Francis!" Mary snapped. "Scotland was never yours. It's mine and our children's. France has to accept it. We have children, we have two countries between us - Scotland no longer comes last for me. I had hoped that you of all people would understand what this means for me, for Anne and for all of our children present and future."
Francis met her eyes. "You have given away our daughter as if she is a prize."
"No," Mary said gently. "I've given away a future queen. Not a prize, but a force to be reckoned with, a piece of the puzzle that joins our nations together as one. Anne will never be a prize, but a woman and queen in her own right. A protector for France and most of all, James. Our son will have allies as strong as him - his sisters."
"I don't know what to say..."
"I've trusted Scotland in the wrong hands long enough. It's time to change that," Mary told him. "Being back home has brought some things to light. Has brought me back to my roots. Trusting the Beatons or my half-brother is not enough. I must personally fight to make Scotland prosper."
Francis shook his head. "Am I not enough for you? Is that what this is?"
Mary frowned deeply. "Francis, that is not what is going on here! Look, Rose and Robin were taken due to your people's reactions about France. I never want that to happen in Scotland. I must look favourable to my own country as well as to France. You said it yourself, I have a duty to Scotland before France... I needed to show everyone that I am just as powerful in my own right."
She walked over to her husband, cupping his cheeks. She searched his hurt eyes and sighed, pressing a long kiss onto his lips as a way of apologising for acting so hastily and impulsively.
"I love you with all of my heart," she told him. "Forgive me for caring about my country."
"I won't forgive you," Francis whispered, making her face fall. "There's nothing to forgive. I have been selfish and I am so sorry, Mary. Of course, this is the only solution that our countries remain united as one. I am even ashamed of myself for not seeing it clearer in time."
Mary breathed a sigh of relief, hugging him tightly. She smiled when he wrapped his arms around her waist just as tightly before pulling away and placing a hand on her stomach.
"This will strengthen our family. I truly hope it works for all of our sakes," he said, kissing her cheek. "You should rest."
Mary shook her head. "The Duke has organised an intimate dinner to celebrate the children. They are adamant to see Robin despite everything."
"Then, we'll rest after and perhaps, we should speak to each other first before announcing shocking plans to the world."
She laughed. "Yes, definitely. I really am sorry."
"I know. I just fear what we're expecting when we go back to France," he said, sighing. "The French people once said that I couldn't control my queen... Is that the case?"
Mary tutted at the turnaround of their conversation. "Francis, before I was Queen Consort of France, I was the Queen of Scotland. You were the Dauphin and I had a kingdom on my shoulders. Scotland, she needs me just as much as France needs you and if the French nobility can't see that... then that is their problem."
"Alright. Enough of this, we need to go," Francis said, quickly kissing her to let her know that he held no hard feelings.
As he left her arms, Mary was certain he still did.
...
Kenna sighed when Robin hid behind her skirts, pressing his face into her lower back. "Darling, your cousins want to see you."
"No, thank you, Mama," Robin mumbled against the fabric. "May I go to sleep now?"
Kenna turned, kneeling down to look up at him and cup his cheeks. "Your grandfather has organised this lovely little dinner for you and Rose. We mustn't disrespect Grandpapa now, should we?"
"No..." Robin whispered, covering his face with his good arm. "They'll think I'm a monster!"
"They love you so much, Sweetrobin," Kenna told him, pulling his hand away and looking over his frame. "Don't they, Bash?"
Robin gasped and left her grip to run and jump into Bash's arms, the man immediately lifting his son up as Kenna stood up.
"They do," Bash agreed, pressing a long kiss on their son's head. "Only a few minutes. A quick 'hello' to your uncles, aunts and cousins and of course, Grandpapa Robert and then you can go."
"Fine..." Robin said, jumping down from his arms to enter the room.
Kenna smiled at the sounds of cheering and excitement, turning to face her husband. "Scotland's Little Hero," she said proudly.
"You mean France's Little Hero."
"He can be both," she said, her eyes falling. "I didn't know that Mary would do that. If I did, I probably would have stopped her so she could speak to Francis about it first."
Bash shrugged. "That's the thing. When you belong to one thing but your heart's in another place, it can be difficult. Lines are unclear and you do everything you can to get that thing back despite the puppet strings that pull you."
"Are you saying that Mary was right?" Kenna asked softly.
"All I am saying is that you both have been happy to be back in Scotland. You felt like girls again, joyous and lighter... France is home, but it will never be home to the both of you," Bash replied. "You are your father's light in his life and he was overjoyed to have you and Mary home, in Scotland. So much has happened in France, I guess we all needed to escape and find ourselves again. Remind each other exactly why we love each other."
Kenna walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I want to stay in Scotland for a little while longer. Robin can go with you, I am sure he is sick of Scotland for now. But I need to do something I've been putting off for a long time," she shakily said, her eyes watering. "I need to grieve the things I've lost."
"Your mother," Bash whispered, cupping her cheek.
"I was thrust into a position of taking care of my siblings so soon, guiding them through their grief. I never felt that I needed to grieve until now. Almost losing Robin, I can't stop thinking about the 'what if's," she whispered back, nervously eyeing the closed doors where everyone was celebrating.
Bash brushed her tears away. "I understand. I will miss you and Ana, and so will Robin. You do what you have to do and we'll be waiting for when you return."
"Thank you," she breathed out, kissing him deeply before pulling away and meeting his eyes once again. "I think I'm ready."
"For what?" He asked, confused.
Kenna smiled. "Another baby. Not now, but in the future definitely. I think I am better, healthier. Coming to Scotland was exactly what I needed."
"Kenna, are you sure?"
She nodded eagerly. "I most certainly am. We have our little hero, our princess... I think we can swing for one more."
She squealed when she was lifted into the air, her lips meeting Bash's lips once again. Before either of them could deepen the kiss, even more, the door opened and they heard Francis groan.
"We are all celebrating your son in there and you are here, ready to undress and bed each other," the King of France said, grinning. "Robin's popular. The children are very happy to see him."
Kenna giggled, nodding. "We're coming."
"Make that the case," Francis said, winking before going back inside.
Bash rolled his eyes. "I am not excited for the next few months with him teasing me about you and your lack of presence all the time."
She chuckled. "Well, it won't be for long. Good luck in France. I highly doubt anyone will be happy about the split."
"We'll find a solution. I'll keep our bed warm for your return."
Kenna licked her lips, turning to the door. "They won't miss for us for a few minutes..."
...
A month later, Mary and Francis were back in France. From the moment they neared the castle, Mary felt the tension and she immediately tightened her grip on James and Rose as Francis protected Anne.
"I'm sorry," Mary whispered into her husband's ear.
"Mary, it's fine. We will deal with whatever comes our way," Francis said, turning to face the windows of the carriage.
They jumped when they heard something hit the window. Some vegetable or fruit, Mary didn't know. But she did know the hate that soon came after as the words, "Down with Scotland!" were chanted.
"Oh, dear God," Francis muttered darkly. "Mary-"
"This is all my fault," she whispered in shock as James started to wail at the sudden sound. "It's alright my sweets, the people are just upset."
"Why, Mama?" Anne asked.
"Did we upset them?" Rose also asked, eyes wide.
Francis shook his head. "Do not worry your pretty heads about it, my darlings. We will be home very soon."
After the gates closed behind them and they were escorted inside, protected at all sides, Mary saw Catherine march up to them. The Scottish Queen knew what was coming and she handed James over to a governess who took the children away just in time for Catherine to slap Mary's cheek.
"Mother!" Francis cried out, glaring at her as he shielded Mary away.
"What have you done, you stupid girl?" Catherine breathed out, angrily.
Francis turned around to see Bash enter with Robin and Duke Beaton. "Bash, Duke Beaton, Mother, my offices. Now."
Mary was first to walk off, keeping her head down as the whispers started to come. Her eyes stung with tears, but she wouldn't let them fall. She was humiliated enough.
...
"How could you let her do this?" Catherine asked, pacing the room. "I knew that going to Scotland was a bad idea! She's completely started an uprising! This is why I was in England, this is what I tried to prevent."
Francis sighed from his seat, warily eyeing his quiet wife. "Mother, we had a reason to do this."
"You were a part of this?" Catherine asked, eyes wide. "Would someone please speak some sense in this room? Sebastian, speak."
Bash raised his eyebrows. "Uh-"
"Oh, wonderful. I am surrounded by idiots."
"If you'd let us speak," Francis snapped, rolling his eyes. "We'd tell you that Rose and Robin were kidnapped before we returned."
"Rose and who?" Catherine asked in shock.
Bash glared at her. "My son, Robert?"
"Oh, you call him Robin, yes. Rose and Robin were kidnapped? By who?" She asked, crossing her arms.
"We don't know," Duke Beaton said, gaining her surprised attention. "Queen Catherine, a pleasure to formally meet you, may I say?"
"Oh, yes. A pleasure," she replied, smiling a little. "I tried to initiate communications with you, but your daughter-"
"Is a little protective over me," Robert said, smiling. "But within reason, I do not subject my soldiers to matters of politics. Nor do I take orders from a French dowager queen."
Catherine looked taken back. "I do not seek help from a rude widower," she said. "Anyway, we must solve this puzzle. We have many enemies in France, it could have been anyone. From Luc Narcisse over the deaths of his brother and father and with Claude's pregnancy, she will not be able to control his actions."
"If it was him," Mary mumbled, turning to her. "It could be Antoine Navarre or any of the Bourbons-"
"Because of Louis," Francis said quietly, getting up. "It was them. It has to be."
Bash frowned deeply. "That is not Antoine's style-"
"He ruined your marriage the first time by trying to pursue an affair with Kenna," Catherine quickly said much to Robert's alarm.
"My daughter did what?" The man asked, turning to his son-in-law.
"It was a misunderstanding," Bash assured him. "Our marriage is stable. I assure you."
"He tried to kill you," Francis added, turning to Bash. "And we killed Louis because of Mary. Bash, it has to be Antoine. Why else would Robin be taken if not for his jealousy that you and Kenna managed to fix things? He wanted her, but you had her."
Robert cleared his throat. "When did this happen exactly?"
"Before the children," Bash said softly. "Kenna and Antoine got close because I didn't give her the attention she needed. I was busy doing my duties as King's Deputy and she felt abandoned. There was no affair of any sort, but he did try to force things with her by offering something I couldn't."
"And what was that?"
"What does a woman of her status want?" Bash asked, shrugging.
Mary turned to him. "She still loves you despite everything. Even if you were the poorest man, she'd be happy to be yours. Don't feel disheartened over Antoine's jealousy. It makes sense for it to be him, we must start searching for him."
"He's a king," Catherine reminded them. "His poor wife... What a man she married, then again I know how it feels to be discarded over for the next piece of spirited arse."
"That's still my wife you're talking about," Bash told her. "And my mother."
"Hmm, don't you see the pattern of the women in your own life?" Catherine asked him. "You should rethink your life's choices."
Bash frowned. "What? I can't choose who gives birth to me. And I was forcefully married to Kenna. I don't see your point."
"The two women who were Henry's mistresses... Now, that's just unlucky, Sebastian," Catherine retorted.
"Enough," Francis said, biting back an amused smile. "We have figured out who took the children and we will carefully deal with this without starting any wars. As for Scotland's independence..."
Catherine groaned. "I really do try with you, Mary. I really do. You make it impossible."
Mary rubbed her face. "If Scotland and France remain united as one nation, two rulers, Scotland will forever be in France's debts. I was a queen married to a prince, not a king. This way, Anne and James can rule together, can defend themselves as opposed to James forfeiting one for the other. I am thinking about my country, about my children. Catherine, you may not care for daughters and I know you've lost some, but I love my children equally. What happened to Rose and Robin shook me understandably and it made me realise that although Scotland loves me, she doesn't respect me. She doesn't feel protected or loved by me and I had to show my subjects that I still think of Scotland as home. I never thought I'd explain it to you. Then again, you became queen when you married a king."
Catherine was stunned. "Yes, I was very young when I left Italy for France, but that didn't mean I'd turn my back on Italy."
"It feels like I've ignored Scotland's needs for France's. For you, for Francis and for any other person who seeks aid or needs something," Mary replied. "I am the queen of a country, they look up to me. They don't trust the French without me having to firmly make sure that we can trust the French. This way, our children are both French and Scottish and they can show their subjects exactly how unity is done."
"My wife puts forward a valid case," Francis told his mother. "What do you say? Let's stop this war of 'my country and your country' and start working together for the sake of James and Anne."
Catherine sighed heavily, nodding her head firmly. "If this fails and the French try to assassinate us and overthrow us, I will remember this day and I will tell you exactly what I think. That this was a bad idea."
...
Mary barely got back to her bedchamber in time to throw up in the chamber pot. Calming her heart, she jumped when she felt a presence behind her, turning to stare a stranger with wide eyes.
"Gu-"
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the man warned, a dagger in his hand.
Mary glared him down. "How did you get in?"
"I am here to deliver a message."
"Very well," she snapped. "Deliver it."
The man narrowed his eyes but spoke. "Your independence speech was heartwarming... That is only the first step."
"The first step?" Mary asked.
"Destroy all relations with France, Queen Mary of Scots. Delegitimise your children, and leave for Scotland or else..."
"Or else 'what'?" Mary spat angrily.
"Kidnapping one of your heirs is not all we'll do. Their bedchambers will be soaked with their blood, the child inside you cut from your womb-"
"Who sent you?" Mary shakily asked. "Why do you want to harm us?"
The man tilted his head. "It's not nice to toy with people, is it? Little Rose and her blonde locks. She favours the King, we can tell. You have a week to sort your affairs in order, Your Majesty." He mockingly bowed before turning around towards the secret door.
"Who sent you?!" She screamed at his back, placing a protective hand over her stomach.
"Navarre sends his regards," the man said before leaving.
Mary sank to the bed, breathing heavily as she covered her face. She started to shake, tears running down her cheeks. If he got in, he could take her children at any time. She had to close the secret doors up, make sure no one used them. Everyone must be seen and heard at all times.
"Mary?"
"Francis!" She cried out, running into his arms.
"Mary, what is it?" Francis asked, cupping her cheeks. "I know my mother was cruel. She certainly shouldn't have slapped you and I'll-"
"It's Antoine. He wants revenge," Mary whispered, sobs escaping her lips. "He threatened the children. Wants me to annul our marriage and return to Scotland. I-I think he wants to overthrow you and claim the French throne. The Bourbons are coming after us!"
Francis gasped, holding her tightly against his chest as she sobbed. Antoine despised the Valoises and now, if he could get rid of Mary's support, France would be an easy target.
"Mary, I'll never allow this to happen. We don't need to worry because we've got each other."
"Francis, what have I done?" She sobbed. "I just wanted to protect Scotland now they're using it against you!"
"Mary-"
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she said, hugging him tightly. "I'm so sorry..."
Francis sighed, closing his eyes as he pressed a kiss on the top of her head. It wasn't her fault, she was doing what was best for Scotland, something he never did unless she had to scream at him to do so. He'd acted in France's favour over Scotland many times and had expected the same of her.
He seldom forgot he married a queen, not a princess.
"We will fix this, Mary," he said quietly. "I promise."