Replies to reviews:
BlerBlerBler [chapter 37]: Turns out Luc was as cunning as the other Narcisses were.
Guest (1) [chapter 37]: Here's the next chapter!
elder441 [chapter 37]: Mary owes a lot to Francis at this point. She's risking his life for her country's needs. It sadly doesn't get better for Claude.
Guest (2) [chapter 37]: Yeah, my heart breaks for Francis! And Kenna, she's honestly the best person for the role, protecting her family. Bash will never throw Francis to the lions because he's been protecting him since they were kids. I loved Leith's return as well! It seemed fitting since he and Francis became good friends.
Guest (3) [chapter 37]: Not spoiling anything regarding what comes next! ;)
Guest (4) [chapter 37]: ;)
Unfortunately, for the Queen of Scots, Scotland was not a welcome sight. She tentatively got out of the carriage and entered Castle Barton first, guards flanking her every side.
She had no reason to fear anything, not when she gave her subjects what they wanted, their loyalty to her increasing by the day as nobles sent her gifts of appreciation. It was all in vain, her husband now suffering at the hands of his own country because of her actions.
"Your Majesty, crop yield has decreased-"
Mary raised a hand to silence one of her advisors based in Scotland. She slowly turned to him. "Not right now," she snapped. "If you have any matters for me to attend to, at least do so after I have eaten and rested from my stressful journey. In fact, run me a bath."
"M-Me?" The nobleman asked in surprise, looking around.
"Yes, you," she said. "Run along."
The man nodded in confusion, running off to get her bath sorted out. Mary sighed heavily, cursing herself mentally for her short patience and temper. She turned when she heard footsteps walk towards her.
"Cousin Robert," she muttered. "Are the children settled? I couldn't stand another nursery rhyme."
"The carriage ride was full of them," he said lightly. "They are confused, upset and obviously miss their fathers. And mother..."
"What plan is this?" Mary asked, starting to continue to walk to the elder Robert's offices. "Kenna could get herself killed. This could get our husbands killed!"
"If they do not stick to the plan," Robert assured her. "I am sure your husband is very smart. He knows what is best for him if he wants to see his family again."
Mary bit back a sob. "What if we fail and France is lost forever?"
"The Scottish people hate the French. Except your children and you, of course. They won't be too approving should Francis permanently be Consort and rule Scotland in your stead," Robert explained. "We are in times that men rule and women bear heirs. But you have your people's support, he doesn't. They see him as a conqueror and his brother, a usurper. There is no easy way out of this without someone getting scathed."
Mary placed her hands on her bump. "I just want him with me. France or Scotland or somewhere else! Sometimes, I wish we were just normal people. No politics or crowns, just two people in love who have children they love just as much. Why did my father have to die?"
She started to sob and she stepped forward to hug her cousin tightly, her tears soaking his cloak. It wasn't Francis's arms around her, but she was thankful for the comfort. She just needed to feel like a child for once, someone comforted by another by the touch of a warm hug and a kiss on the top of her head.
She only had the hug though and her cousin's reassuring words that her husband would prevail once again in the near future.
...
Claude's eyes widened when she witnessed her brothers being led away by Francis's own guards. She shook her head in disbelief, pushing through the nobles in time to catch the blonde's wide eyes.
"Francis!"
"Claude, get back," he warned her, but she stopped in front of them, head held high.
She eyed the guards that held her brothers and Leith cooly. "What do you think you are doing?!"
"Control your wife, Luc," Antoine snapped.
"You are guards loyal to the Valoises. If my mother was here-"
"Your mother isn't here," Luc snapped at her, pulling her arm back into the crowd.
She pulled away, angrily staring him down. "How dare you?"
"Would you like to join them Lady Narcisse?" Antoine asked, crossing his arms as he stood before her.
Claude stood her ground. "Release them. You are making a mistake."
"Is this because one of them is your lover?" Luc asked her. "Or shall I rephrase? Two of them?"
Claude faltered, visibly paling as she saw Bash's eyes begging her to stand back. "We were kids. I am not ashamed," she said firmly. "Release them or I will have the wrath of the de Medicis on you all!"
"Oh, Claude," Antoine breathed out, ashamed. "This will not remove your sins from your part in the Princess's and Earl's kidnapping."
"What?" Francis asked, turning to her in horror.
"Francis, Bash! I-"
"It was you?" Bash asked her. "You... My son was beaten!"
Claude's tears started to slide her cheeks as she begged them. "I didn't know. I... Luc read my letters to you, the ones I sent to Scotland. I never meant-"
"They impaled our nephew with an arrow and your excuse is 'I didn't know'?" Francis asked, shaking his head. "I knew you resented us all, but not this much, little sister."
The guards continued to walk away, pushing the men forward as Claude dropped to her knees, sobs escaping her lips. She angrily looked up at her husband and glared at him.
"Arrest me too. You said it was the end of the Valoises. I will never be a Narcisse! I am and will always be a Valois!" She screamed at him. "You and I are done."
...
Kenna tensed up when she felt arms wrap around her waist. She relaxed, the tensity still in her heart as she turned her head to the side to meet Antoine's eyes.
"It's done."
"What is?" She asked breathily.
"As of now, France's ruler is in jail with his radicals."
Kenna nodded. "And what will happen next? Who will become the next King of France?"
"Who do you think?" Antoine whispered, resting his chin on her shoulder. "What strong contenders of blood and politics do you know?"
His lips connected with her neck and she gasped, trying to feign a lustful emotion. She couldn't, tears stinging her eyes as Antoine became harsher in his moves, almost ripping her dress down from her body.
She closed her eyes tightly, memories of Henry's touch all over her body. She tried to think about Bash instead, willing her brain to believe that they were performing rough bedroom antics, but she couldn't.
She squealed when Antoine groped her arse and she quickly turned, stopping him.
"T-The guards... They were talking about me," she said, swallowing deeply. "Rude things. I daren't say-"
"What did they say?" Antoine demanded, readying his sword.
"Oh, it's nothing I haven't heard before. I just remembered those words and... I'm sorry, I can't love you without hearing those words... Calling me whore and slut. They say things about my past - bedding the king and his bastard son. Antoine... I'm so sorry."
Antoine sighed, cupping her cheek. "Oh, Kenna. It is fine. You came here to escape the Valoises and the Poitierses. They never treated you with the respect you deserved. Your own queen couldn't protect you when Henry abused you and married you off to his bastard. That is the reason why I will have them beheaded for treason against France next week. They will haunt you no more."
Kenna's eyes widened and she quickly closed them when his lips met hers. Silent tears fell from her cheeks and she pulled away, quickly burrowing her face into Antoine's shoulder.
God, save my husband, she begged. Save Francis, save anyone who has no reason to die except support the true king and his family. Please don't make my children fatherless.
This time, she didn't fight or withdraw when her dress slipped down from her hips and Antoine grabbed her by the back of her neck to press a kiss on the side of it. She flinched, glad he couldn't see her reaction.
She had seven days to save Bash, Francis and the whole of France. Seven days to make sure that the Scottish and English armies were exactly where they were needed. She knew that it would happen very quickly, but not this soon. Especially with Antoine's new promise to kill her beloved husband. Not that he knew that she and her husband were still clearly in love, having conceived their third child weeks earlier.
She stopped Antoine's hands and undressed, pulling his head so their lips met. It repulsed her, but she couldn't complain. Not if she wanted to join her husband and brother-in-law in death.
"I need you," she whispered into Antoine's ear.
He pulled back to read her eyes and he smiled. "Shall we take this to my bedchamber?"
She nodded.
...
Mary rubbed her bump, turning to her most trusted men. Her three male cousins, an old friend of her father's and the Duke's, Nostradamus... She had no words, no words of comfort or anything, but she had strength and determination.
"Where are the English army right now?" She asked her eldest cousin, the Marquess.
"Reaching the French borders as we speak," he replied, bowing his head slightly. "Our army hasn't quite reached there."
"Francis will think we've completely abandoned them!" Mary cried out. "Why are ours delayed? This will cause tension with Elizabeth if she believes that we are sending her soldiers to their deaths and keeping ours back!"
Douglas cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, the weather is not on our side. The distance from England to France is far much less than the distance from Scotland to France."
"Shorten the distance!" Mary demanded, rubbing her head. "Your sister lays with the man who wants our husbands dead. If you want her to come home without injury, I would advise you get out there and make sure my armies are doing what I need them to."
"You can't hurry-"
"Are you seriously questioning me?"
Douglas shook his head. "No, Cousin. Of course-"
"You are!" She cried out. "And you will put it down to my being with child. You know what? Get out, I only want those-"
"Who will lie to you and feed you false hope?" Douglas retorted. "Cousin, my sister is there, risking her life and morals in yours and France's names. I want to do everything I can to save her!"
Mary's lips wavered and she nodded shakily. "Yes. I..." She was about to apologise, but queens didn't apologise. "I see your point. Pardon my behaviour."
"Nothing to be pardoned for," Douglas mumbled, looking away. "As I was saying, we can't hurry our forces. It will be a while to even get the canons over the water - our ships are weak."
"I will send a letter to Elizabeth then," she said, calmer than before. "Anything else?"
"Yes," the Marquess said quietly. "My father has written back. Francis, Bash and Leith Bayard were arrested for crimes of treason against France. The plan is obviously in motion but..."
"But?"
"They arrested a pregnant Claude Narcisse," Robert informed her. "And they are all set to be beheaded in seven days time."
She took a sharp breath. "We have people established in French Court. Have them plan an escape to Italy."
"What about Kenna?" Her youngest cousin asked.
"I trust in her to have her side of the plan sorted. She's smart, I do not worry about her."
"Mary-"
Mary felt light-headed, her hand coming up to silence whoever spoke. "Leave me," she demanded. "We will convene tomorrow when we have more information about what is going on."
After they left, Mary sank to the ground in grief, her sobs leaving her body shaking violently. All she wanted was her husband's arms around her, his presence beside her and their children, both here and unborn.
"Come home to me," she breathed out in the air, trying to control her tears. "Don't do anything stupid. Just come home to me..."
...
Kenna swallowed deeply and turned to face Antoine in his bed. She cupped his cheek and pressed a kiss on his lips.
"I apologise. I fell asleep. I must have been more tired than I thought," she told him. She swallowed deeply, her mind straying to her unborn child and their effect on her body. She hoped her bust hadn't flourished just yet. Everything needed to be timed well and precisely.
"It's fine," Antoine said, brushing her hair from her eyes as he hungrily eyed her bare chest. "I enjoyed watching you sleep."
Kenna wanted to push him away, but instead, she slid closer to him and traced his eyebrow with her finger as she said, "I was thinking... Francis should at least get to say 'goodbye' to his children."
"Kenna-"
"I hate the idea of children suffering. They should see their beloved father one last time," she whispered, kissing him deeply before he could say anything. "They were nowhere to be found at Court. Perhaps they followed Mary to Sweden?"
"I should give a dying man one last wish?" Antoine asked her.
She nodded. "Yes, you should. Start off your reign as humble and gracious. The Valoises have ruled for decades, it will be a bittersweet end for them."
"You're right," Antoine whispered in slight surprise. "I will push back the day of their deaths and have my soldiers find the Scottish Queen and her heirs. I honestly cannot believe that Scotland abandoned France in her trying times."
"Do you think that Francis's and Mary's marriage was just a front?" Kenna asked coyly.
"Well, she clearly didn't tell her husband about her plans to make Scotland independent from France. She is smart, your sovereign queen," Antoine replied. "Too smart."
"Mary has always taken the smart decision for the better of Scotland," Kenna replied.
"Hmm, right. And what do you think your dear husband's last wish would be?"
Kenna blinked, brushing her finger over his lips. "To see that his wife warned him all this time. I want you and me to be the last thing he has in his mind as his life ends."
Antoine grinned. "Is that right?"
"Announce our marriage to him. There won't be a need for an annulment when I'll be widowed," she quickly said, not quite believing what was coming out of her own mouth.
She needed to delay this as long as possible. Manipulate him into thinking he got her pregnant, that she was his. She couldn't let him kill her husband, she needed enough time for the English and Scottish armies to arrive.
"A good few months, to court and strengthen our love for each other and then when Mary returns with the children to say 'goodbye', I will be there telling Bash that I have already got my next husband. That no tears will be shed at his funeral, not even our children's," she continued.
Because there will not be a funeral for Bash, no need for tears or sadness. The only funeral to take place will be for Antoine Bourbon and there will definitely not be any tears shed, she thought.
Her fingers gripped his chin and she forced her lips onto his, straddling him before his lips trailed down her neck and she kept her composure, willing her body not to throw up all she had eaten inside her.
"It's you and me against the world, Kenna," Antoine said against her skin, leaving red bites.
She choked back a sob.
Think again, Navarre.
It will always be her and Bash against the world.
...
Robin whimpered, his eyes clamped shut as visions flashed through his head at unstoppable speeds. He cried out for his parents, but none came to help. The flashes of memories kept on coming, his body going deeper and deeper into slumber.
His brows furrowed when he saw his mother, her eyes downcast as an older man forced her chin to face him. He pressed a kiss onto his mother's lips and the vision ended, leading to one where his parents were seemingly arguing. He heard his mother blaming his father for not being her knight in shining armour but his aunt's.
Then his vision flashed even further in time. His beloved mother was in tears, sad, heartbreaking tears as she gripped onto his father's hands tightly. That same old man was holding them at swordpoint, vows being recited from his father's lips.
Robin gasped awake, turning around in fear and confusion.
"Mama?" He called out, his eyes tearing up. "Papa?"
He jumped when the doors to his bedchamber opened, a guard rushing inside.
"My lord, are you well?"
Robin drew his covers to shield his face away. "Go away!"
"My lord, are you hurt?" The guard asked, taking a step towards him. "What is wrong, my dear boy?"
"I want my parents!"
The guard sighed heavily. "Shall I retrieve one of your uncles?"
"No!"
"Your aunt, the Queen?"
"No!"
"Earl de Poitiers... You see, the world is changing very quickly at the moment. Your parents are working to make the world a better place for you, your sister and your cousins to live in," the guard explained gently. "Are you having night terrors?"
Robin shakily nodded, eyeing the guard. "My mama was upset in them. Scared. Is someone hurting her?"
"I-"
"Is someone hurting my mama?"
The guard shook his head. "I have served your grandfather since your mother was born. From the minute she began walking, we all knew how strong she was. She was an early babe, you see. First to talk, first to walk... No one is hurting your mama because she will more than likely hurt them first."
Robin accepted his answer. "Can you get my aunt, please?"
"Aye, I will. There are two more guards outside to protect you. Don't worry, my lord, no one is hurting you or your parents."
A short while later, Mary finished reading Robin a story. She planted a short kiss on top of his head and brushed his tears away.
"Stop those tears, now, dear child. I speak to your parents," she said, obviously telling a little white lie. "They expect their little hero to be brave."
"I... I saw my mama in my dreams," Robin began quietly. "She was hurt in both of them. They both had this bald, old man. He kissed her in one and then held a sword at her and Papa's way in the other."
Mary gasped. They were clearly memories of Kenna going into the lion's den the first time and her and Bash being forced to wed. She didn't know what to say, but she knew that Robin was smart.
"That man was your grandfather, your papa's and uncle's father. He was very ill and he... he treated your mother and father wrongly. He forced them to do things he shouldn't have and he's gone now," Mary told her nephew.
Robin looked up at her. "Were my parents forced to marry each other?"
"Wh-what?"
"Did they have me... outside of their marriage? Is that why my grandfather was upset? Am I a bastard? Or-"
"Robin!" Mary snapped, quickly apologising. "Yes, your parents were forced to marry each other, but they fell in love. They fell in love and had you to show everyone their love for each other after. Oh, you should have seen them, they were like schoolchildren. They were and are in love. They put the whole world to shame. No, you are not a bastard because your parents were married when they had you. Their little hero."
Robin nodded. "Thank you, Aunt Mary."
"You're welcome. Now, sleep-"
"Why did Mama tell Papa that he was your knight in shining armour and would never be hers?"
Mary froze. Neither of them told their children of anything before their time. Only except for John's situation. But Mary and Bash's relationship prior to their marriages had been kept from all children.
Now, Robin had access to his parents' lives before his time.
"You don't need to know-"
"Does my papa love you?"
Mary cursed. How was this child so clever? So easily able to deduce things beyond his six years?
"No, he doesn't," she said.
Robin looked down. "I saw you and him running away from home in France. You were going to get married-"
"Robert, you need to sleep now," Mary snapped.
"Is this why my papa and I went to France without my mama and Ana?"
"Sleep. Now."
She got up before he could ask any more questions. She left, closing the doors behind her and made her way to her bedchamber. The second she closed the doors, she began sobbing.
That's all she did. Pretend and cry. Pretend and cry.
She couldn't believe that he'd ask those questions.
She felt sick and tired. She barely ate and she'd been told that she was looking pale and malnourished. How could she just get on with her life when her husband was in prison? How could she be strong with all of these problems arising?
She rubbed her bump and prayed that everything would work out.