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Sav.129 [chapter 58]: So sorry about that! Here's the next chapter!

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"She's pure evil," Francis said, downing his wine and slamming the cup onto the table. "I've never met anyone as devious as her."

Bash started to laugh, almost choking on the ale he drank. "What did she do exactly?"

Francis's cheeks reddened. "S-She blindfolded me..."

"Seriously?" His brother asked, rolling his eyes.

"That's not all!"

"Tell me more."

Francis narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You don't happen to know where that journal has got to, do you?"

Bash's eyes darted away from his brother. "Not at all. Ever since the children found it, Kenna disposed of it."

"Sebastian..."

"I'm being honest!"

"You tell a lie."

"Well, be assured that Mary didn't use it," Bash said. "Now tell me what she did."

Francis sighed, covering his face before his hands moved to his cheeks. "She... left me high and dry."

"Dear God."

"What I said," Francis muttered. "She said she had forgiven me for the past two month's events and Lola is settling well with her new man friend so I believed that Mary and I would go back to normal and by normal, I mean have sex."

Bash snorted. "But she had other ideas?"

"You don't even know the half of it..." Francis groaned. "She said it was meant to be exciting and thrilling. We kissed and touched and she tied me up and blindfolded me, telling me that she was going to please me for carrying out her wishes regarding Lola. But then, she left and I was pulling and yanking for three hours until she returned, acting as if the devil hadn't smiled at all."

Bash started to laugh, slamming his hand on the table before drinking more of his drink and pouring them both full cups. "That is definitely something she learnt from Kenna."

"Your wife punishes you?"

"All the time," Bash replied, shrugging. "Even for the smallest of reasons. Leaving one boot out of my trunk, discarding my clothes on the floor even though she put them there. Not making the fire hot enough and other silly reasons. I think she just craves the power she has over me. Huh."

"What happened to us?" Francis whined.

"Children, definitely," Bash said. "And marrying the most insane Scotswomen in the whole damn world. Too bad we can't complain to their fathers, they're both dead."

Francis sighed, letting out a smile. "Or their mothers."

"Hmm."

"No one to blame for their unfair ways."

"We do love them at the end of the day," Bash said proudly. "I don't know what I'd do without Kenna. I never knew that we'd end up like this. I disliked her passionately you know?"

"Why?"

"I don't know, she was selfish, vain, hedonistic and I ought not to continue because her hearing is sharp," Bash said, lowering his voice. "She complained a lot during the earlier days of our marriage. Cried a lot. Laughed maniacally a lot. Cursed a lot. Threw a lot of things... God, she was beautifully tragic then."

Francis smiled. "Look at you, all lovesick."

"Says the man who didn't know his own wife was taking him for a fool. And it's even worse that you're a king. Does this stupidity fall on the second sons?"

"Bash!"

"You can't deny it," Bash said lightly. "Anyway, after Kenna and I made love for the first time and she was asleep, I saw bruises on her body."

Francis winced. "Father?"

"She never talked about them and I never asked. We wanted to put that behind us," Bash told him. "I wish I asked. We would have fallen in love sooner rather than later. What about Mary? What was she like before now?"

"You know..."

"I mean before," Bash said, a light blush on his cheeks.

"Oh," Francis mumbled. "Well, she said she was quiet, read a lot of books and well, tended to the children on the nunnery she was hidden at. That's how she's very good with children. She's a lot more defiant now. Stronger. Smarter. I value her."

"Good. Keep doing so otherwise, you'd end up like me, waiting for five hours every other week," Bash mumbled, making his brother laugh.

Francis shook his head. "And you called me the fool!"

...

That night, Francis nervously entered the bedchamber. He looked around suspiciously when he saw rose petals on the floor, leading up to the bed with candles lit all around and other romantical items.

He found his wife waiting patiently on their bed, a bright red lace nightdress on her body, hugging every curve tightly. He mentally cursed and rolled his eyes.

"Teasing me more? I thought I made up for everything."

Mary giggled. "No, I'm being serious now. Kinder."

Francis began to take off his clothes. "Are you?"

"Mhm," she hummed, tilting her head and watching him strip. "I'm sorry about last night."

"Where did you sleep?"

"With the boys. They had night terrors because of the terrible storm," she told him.

Francis smiled. "I'll check on them tomorrow."

"Read them a story whilst you're at it," she said. "They're awfully jealous that you're spending time with the girls. I've tried telling them that it's to prepare them for marriage but you know how little boys get."

Francis removed the last article of clothing from his body. "I do."

Mary beamed. "Come to me," she whispered and he walked over, getting onto the bed as her arms wound around his neck, her lips brushing over his lightly. "Hello."

"Hello to you too," Francis said, before gently pushing her away. "No tying me up, Your Majesty."

"As you wish, Your Majesty," she breathed out before kissing him deeply. "I will make it up to you. I promise no ropes."

Francis grinned against her lips. "Who said anything about no ropes?"

Mary's eyes widened. "No!"

"You're being unfair," her husband sang, flipping them so she was underneath him.

Out of nowhere, he had a long stretch of rope in his right hand and Mary furrowed her brows, trying to work how when the hell he got that. Unsuccessfully fighting against him, he had her bounded up and got off the bed.

"I think the boys are calling for me now," he said.

"Francis Valois-"

"'Papa'? Yes, I can hear a faint 'papa'," Francis said, grabbing some clothes. "You know how children are. Very demanding. They get it from their parents."

"Francis!"

"My love, I might just read them five stories. Oh, I might read one to Ana as well! And Xander! Oh, might even stop by for drinks with Leith," Francis continued. "Leith has been very busy lately, he needs a night off."

Mary let out a frustrated scream. "I will get my hands on you and I will-"

"Ask Bash if he wants to go for a midnight hunting trip? Oh, my love, you do give me the best ideas!" Francis said, letting out sputters of laughter through his lips as he put his clothes on. "My half-brother has the best eyesight in the dark. Might catch us some wild animals for supper tomorrow. You like rabbit don't you?"

"I hate you," Mary squeaked out, a smile threatening to break out. "Touché, you arse!"

Francis bowed low. "Excuse me, Your Grace. I have a whole night's worth of duties to perform, from reading stories to midnight hunting. I bid you, a good night."

He left the bedchamber, hearing Mary scream out in annoyance, cursing his name. He grinned, turning to the guards.

"She's not hurling abuse at you. I apologise for your eardrums in advance," he told them. "Please, feel free to not do anything at all and I will pay you both extra for your troubles."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the guards said, shaking their heads in amusement. Never get between a king and his queen wife.

He began walking backwards. "She should fall asleep very soon. Her body's like a clock. See you soon, gentlemen."