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Guest (1) [chapter 35]: ;) I'm not saying anything.

BlerBlerBler [chapter 35]: We are all with Catherine and she more or less has left them to it! We'll have to see how they get themselves out of this one. Yeah, I can't remember if he died on the show, but I've killed him off anyway because I hate him. Love the actor because I watch him on another show and he's amazing!

Guest (2) [chapter 35]: I am not saying anything ;)

Guest (3) [chapter 35]: Here's the next chapter! :)

Guest (4) [chapter 35]: Here's the next chapter! :)

I rewrote this so many times because I want to speed things up a little bit. I hate the bad stuff because I mostly wanted this to be all happy, but obviously there has to be some drama and bad things. I will clearly state where the family are at in their lives. Also, I am really busy for the next couple of weeks and I am almost ready for the 2nd November release of my new Frary story. I will actually be dropping that and another short story on that day (I have an exam on the 1st, so can't put it then unless I manage to find some time). I am really excited for you guys to read my Frary story. It's a Modern AU (I think that this is enough for the 'real universe') and God, I'm just so excited for you guys to read it! That means that this story will take a little bit of a backseat in terms of updating. Royaume is updated when I have a chapter written and to be honest so is Unrequited, but my new Frary story will be updated frequently as I want to focus a lot more on Frary because I can't get enough of them. Wow, that was long! Onto the story! And don't hate me! It's not for long, I swear!

Francis looked up from his desk, hearing the door open. He sighed in relief when it was just Bash, his paranoia already taking place following last night's infiltration and warning for his wife.

Neither of them had slept easy, preferring to have all three children tucked in between them in their bed. It wasn't as if the children were complaining, milking the most out of the situation to be able to sleep in mama and papa's comfortable bed.

"You look better than I feel," Francis said lightly, gesturing for Bash to enter as his eyes went back down onto the paper.

"How is Mary?" Bash asked.

"Paranoid," Francis mumbled, feeling a headache come on. "We all are, but we can't show that."

"What do you really think about what she did?"

Francis sighed, looking up to meet Bash's eyes. "I don't fully approve. I can't tell her that, she is already stressed out enough. We don't want to risk her health nor the baby's health either.

"What do you need me to do?" Bash asked. "I'll round up some men, patrol the grounds-"

"I need you by my side at all times," Francis cut him off. "Well, not at all times. You understand what I mean."

"You need me close," Bash said, nodding. "I'll send Leith then."

Francis swallowed deeply, joining his hands and resting his chin on them. "Am I a horrible husband?" He asked quietly, looking down as if he was a shy schoolchild.

"I wouldn't know, we're not married," Bash replied lightly.

Francis smiled a little, his eyes finding his ring with both his and Mary's coat of arms imprinted on it. "You once told me to be a bad king in favour of being a good husband. As an outsider to my marriage, do you think I am a good husband?"

"Francis, I seriously can't judge," Bash said, shrugging. "Especially as my own marriage has faced many, many downs. Let's just say that we're-"

"We're 'what'?" Francis asked, looking up just in time to see his brother fall to the ground, blood spilling out of his chest as Antoine stood behind him.

Before he could cry out, his eyes snapped open.

...

"Francis!" Francis heard, halting in his steps to turn to face Bash. "I've been looking everywhere for you. The guards said you went for a ride. I went to look for you, heard you went to spar and-"

"You need to return to Avon with Robin. As soon as possible," Francis quickly said.

Bash frowned. "Don't you need me?"

"I do," Francis breathed out. "But I need you alive."

"Alive?" Bas questioned. "Francis-"

"Divide and conquer," Francis cut him off, patting his shoulder. "I trust you."

Bash laughed. "Then shouldn't I be here? As one of the only people you trust?"

Francis nodded stiffly. "But I have Leith and I am sure your lands need seeing to. We have been away from France for a while and Kenna must have overlooked a few things or two when she did the books."

"Francis, you're acting suspicious," Bash said, crossing his arms. "Tell me what's going on."

"Nothing," Francis said, his eye twitching.

Bash narrowed his eyes. "You're lying. Is it about what happened last night? I can assure you, I will be more vigilant next time. None of Navarre's conspirators will ever step foot in this castle and threaten Mary or the children again, I swear-"

"We can't speak here," Francis said, his eyes darting about. "Let's go for a ride."

A good few miles away from Court later, Francis got off his horse and inhaled the fresh air. He pinched himself, making sure that he was awake and his brother was really standing before him, alive and well.

"I need you to take the children and Mary to Avon," Francis told his brother. "From Avon, the Duke will help take them on the first ship to Scotland."

Bash face fell. "You think the French will try to overthrow you?"

"They've already tried to kill one of us before," Francis said, staring at him pointedly.

Bash rolled his eyes. "That was my mother's fault. That had nothing to do with the rest of you. They love you, not me. That's fair enough, but surely they wouldn't turn on you? I am a bastard, an easy target. You, Charles and Henri and legitimate Valoises, they won't touch you."

Francis winced at his brother's description of himself. Easy target. "Mary is protected. If they arrest her, she'll be exiled to Scotland. If they go for her head, Scotland's nobles will rain heavy fire on France with England's support. I need you to do this for me, Bash."

"What will happen to you?" Bash asked quietly. "Francis, you are my brother. My whole life, I've been protecting you. I won't stop now."

"I don't need protection," Francis said. "Mary does. I need you to look after her should anything happen. Be there for her and the children. I am sure you'll find a place in Scotland, the Duke is fond of you."

"France is our home, they can't drive us out," Bash snapped.

"A revolution is brimming, Bash!" Francis cried out. "Ever since Mary's declaration of independence, I knew we lost our throne. It's over."

Bash shook his head. "It's not over until we make it over," Bash told him. "We have allies in Scotland-"

"Allies?" Francis scoffed. "They're on my wife's or my children's sides. Not mine, and most certainly, not France's. Mary's given them exactly what they wanted! Now France will vie for independence and a complete collapse of the monarchy."

"I will take Mary and the children to Avon. From there, I will return back to Court and I'll be by your side whatever happens," Bash said. "It's my fault that Antoine came after us in the first place. I killed his brother."

"And I killed his other brother," Francis mumbled. "We're both as damned as the other, but you have a chance. You were never truly a Valois, you can escape and be protected by the Scots."

"I hate repeating myself," Bash replied. "Francis, I'm staying. We're done with disputing that."

Francis sighed heavily. "Everyone already hates you. Are you sure you want to be seen siding with me?"

"You're my king," Bash replied simply. "But most of all, my brother. I'll side with you even on your worst days."

He offered Francis his hand but the blonde pulled him in for a tight hug. "Whatever happens, we'll always be family."

...

Francis knew that they had to be clever with this. He didn't act out of sorts, carrying his duties out and comforting his wife whenever she needed to be comforted.

Mary felt like everyone's enemy. Francis and Bash being the only ones she could count on. A month had passed and nothing was out of the ordinary since then, except the extra guards from Scotland arriving with Kenna.

"I see your brother got my message," the Duke said, greeting his daughter with a kiss to her cheek as they followed Mary inside. "It was Mary's orders for extra guards."

"We can't trust anyone at Court," Mary said quietly, giving Kenna a warm smile. "Where is Ana?"

Kenna blushed. "I asked my brothers to take care of her as I came to France with the guards. Mary, I am not staying for long."

"What do you mean?"

"We have a plan," Kenna told her. "Care for a walk in the gardens? I need to stretch my legs out."

The three of them ended up in the gardens, slowly strolling through the autumnal grass. Mary was cautious, placing a protective hand on her bump as Kenna linked their arms.

"Mary, we are doing everything in Scotland to protect you. We've even consulted with England and should anything happen, Elizabeth is willing to play in our favour," Kenna told her. "But it requires months of planning and deception."

"You are good at that," Mary said lightly. "Go on, tell me."

Duke Beaton cleared his throat. "I have positioned myself within the French nobles. No one knows me here, my accent is easily adaptable for my needs. Years of covert training to thank."

"Uncle?"

"Antoine Navarre has friends in high places. There were talks of him seeking the Pope," Robert revealed. "Two things. His ascent to the throne of France and an annulment of marriage. It was a good and a bad thing that you declared Scotland as an independent sovereign."

Mary gasped in shock. "Then what is the plan? Whose annulment does he seek?"

"Yours and Francis's," Kenna told her. "He wishes to marry you, but as you are with child... I've decided to take your place. He doesn't know that we know, and he already has somewhat of a relationship with me. He should find it easy in a manner of speaking to convince me to leave Bash for him. He's tried this once with one queen, he knows he will fail with another if he is not careful."

"Kenna, I can't-"

"You've already sent me into the lion's den once, I can do it again," Kenna told her, clutching her friend's hands. "This is to save France, to save Scotland and England and stop Navarre from ruining what you and Francis have built."

"Catherine and her children will go to Italy. I have made arrangements for you, Robin and the children to go to Scotland tonight," Robert said. "I will stay, but the Marquess should meet you on the ship. You'll go through England, Elizabeth's forces are stronger than ours should anything happen, God forbid."

Mary placed a hand on her spinning head. "Is this something you planned with Francis?"

"Yes," the Duke confirmed. "But Mary, it is for your own protection."

"We have to play the long game," Kenna said gently. "It just so happens that it starts right now."

...

Mary breathed Francis in, her eyes closing as she tried to imprint everything about him in her head. She had no idea when she would see him next. Everything was done so quickly, false children to act as their own already in place and a false statement that she is visiting Sweden announced already.

There would be no French guards, only Scotsmen and they would send word at each checkpoint on their journey back to Court, through word of mouth. If one was killed, the next checkpoint would have a warning.

"I love you so much, Mary," Francis said, kneeling down to kiss her womb. "And our child. Stay safe."

Mary looked down at him, her fingers curling into his blonde locks. "You too. Stay safe for me, for our children. Have you said 'goodbye'?"

"I couldn't do that to them. Tell them how much I love them every day," he replied, standing back up to kiss her lips.

Mary tried to deepen the kiss, but he pulled away and shook his head. "I have to go," she said sadly. "I love you."

"It's time," the Duke told them, entering the bedchamber. "My guards will see them to each checkpoint and beyond. They will return by tomorrow night if all goes well. Pray hard."

Francis shakily nodded, pressing another kiss on Mary's lips before she finally left his side. He wanted to cry, but he held his tears in and stood tall like the king he was.

As she reached the door, Mary mouthed, "See you soon, my king."

Then she was gone.

...

As they got redressed, Kenna felt Bash's chin on her shoulder. She lifted a hand to curl around the back of his neck and sighed heavily, tears springing to her eyes.

"After tonight, we can't have any more nights together," she whispered sadly. "I want you to know that I love you and it's all part of the plan. If I do anything out of the sort, anything that makes you doubt my love for you..." She turned, taking her ring off. "Remember that one day, I'll return for that and we'll be happy with our family."

Bash cupped her cheek, pressing his lips against hers desperately. "I can't let you do this."

"It's better a lady of waiting than a pregnant queen," Kenna told him. "Antoine will kill their child, you know that."

"And ours?" Bash asked, pressing a hopeful hand onto her womb. "If he finds out-"

"Babies come early. Both of ours did, and they turned out to be yours. You know how good of a liar I am, but I can never lie to you, my love," she said. "This child that we've hopefully made will be enough to fool him into thinking that he's got his heir. After Jeanne lost theirs, his life has never been the same. He is hungry for power, which makes him blind to what's happening underneath his nose."

Bash sighed. "Kenna, I'm not going to Scotland."

"W-What?"

"I'm staying, for Francis."

"But-"

"Kenna, he's my brother, my king. I can't leave him to suffer alone," Bash said gently.

Kenna's eyes watered. "They can use this as a reason to kill you. First trying to claim the throne, now supporting a king they see as weak? Bash, I know you love Francis, but you need to make the right choices for our family."

"I can protect you."

"Buried six foot under the ground? Or in a prison cell?" Kenna asked, shaking her head. "Bash, don't do this to me. Stick with the plan."

Bash searched her eyes. "I don't think our efforts were enough," he whispered, kissing her neck as he began to undress her again.

Kenna knew that it was meant as a distraction, that he'll use their lovemaking as a way to sway her. What annoyed her is that she didn't even fight against it, finally accepting the new spanner in the works with a quiet and breathless, "Fine."

...

"Give up and surrender. Don't fight it, it's all part of the plan to destroy the Bourbons once and for all."

"Are we sure about this?" Francis asked Bash and Kenna as they sat by the fireplace in his lonely bedchamber.

Kenna nodded. "We willingly give France up, unite our forces with England and come back twice as strong. You'll reclaim the throne, give some inspirational speech for your people to get back in their favour and instead of claiming Scotland again, you'll claim England."

"How do we know that she won't go back on her word?"

"Elizabeth knows she'll never have children," Kenna told him. "A deal with the French and Scots is looking favourable as opposed to her people revolting against her in the future and killing her, declaring a dictatorship. She has strong allies in Scotland and soon, France. She would be wise to take them up on their offers for protection."

Francis downed his drink, wincing at the taste. "How can you see into the future when I have no hope that I'll ever see my children again? What if Antoine orders for our heads the minute he barges in and takes over? His allies are stronger than ours right now, he won't hesitate."

"He's a narcissist," Bash said. "He'd want to torture us. You by saying how his plan worked for Scotland and France to separate. Me by dangling my wife in front of my eyes as his new bride."

"Queen of France," Kenna said lightly. "Now that's more like it as opposed to small Navarre. He's already annulled his marriage, he's coming for a better bride soon enough and I will be there with all the right words in his ear and intel for our people."

"And who are 'our people'?" Francis asked her.

Kenna sighed. "As much as Scotland loves her independence, Mary still is the Queen Consort of France. The Scottish and French people are both her people and mine. My children do have French blood after all."

"I hope we are having our third. I really do not want his child in you," Bash told her, kissing her hand softly.

"The only children that I want to bear are yours. If it doesn't work, I'll keep visiting you. As I said, the long game, gentlemen," Kenna replied. "I just have to delay his attempts to annul our marriage as he tried to the first time... I have to go."

She stood, kissing Bash softly before placing a comforting hand on Francis's shoulder. Francis placed his hand on hers and squeezed it, turning his head to give her a small smile.

"Stay safe Kenna," he said. "You may be Scottish, but you are family."

Kenna smiled, cupping her husband's cheek as well as Francis's. "I'm a strong woman, I can look after myself. Don't try and play the hero, because we don't want to chance anything. Good luck."

After she'd gone, Francis sighed heavily and turned to Bash. "So, it seems like my mother was right."

"When has she ever been wrong?" Bash asked. "Now we just have to wait until it all starts falling."