Falling Out Of Favour

Chapter 6

Mary spent the following weeks avoiding everyone at court when time spared her. When her availability was essential she allowed herself to interact with the royals accompanying her at court, but almost always never Sebastian. The castle had been full of bustling individuals excited for the holidays and the events that followed. Mary had ordered her gowns in advance, as she knew the tailors would be busy around the festive period. King Henry had procured an enormous feast for the occasion of Christmas and as tradition allowed, Mary had swapped sentimental gifts with Francis. Admittedly, she had done it half-heartedly. In the moment of gaining Francis's gift, she felt the eyes of Sebastian scorching the back of her and quite rightly too. It was now New Year's Eve and folks were arriving from all over the country for the end of year ball. Some were staying in the deserted rooms of the castle, which made it almost impossible for Mary to continue her beloved ignorance.

On the morning of New Year's Eve she found herself hiding away in what was left of the deserted rooms of the castle. She flicked through the completed works of Chaucer, her mind not fully intent. That day she had encountered a couple of awkward happenstances with servants and one stable conversation with Aylee. Both Lola and Greer had been missing all day and Mary had not heard from either of them. That evening she had to get ready alone and it displeased her. She always got prepared with her ladies and especially on New Year's Eve it made her feel alone. She told her servants to take their time in getting her ready and that afterwards they could get ready themselves. Her hair was the hardest feature to tame after her long soak in the bath. So after a short while she decided to let it naturally flow down her back, with an elegant headband keeping it in place. Her ball gown was white and featured gold embroidery along the corset. It swayed like a church bell as she moved.

Once ready she entered down towards the ball room alone. The hallways were decorated in festive decorations that were tainted gold and silver. The euphoric music from the ball room bounded up the stairs towards her. It enveloped her soul dramatically. She paused momentarily at the top of the stairs to endure the familiar sensation and subsequently sucked in as much air as her lungs would allow her. As she breathed out a sigh of relief she began walking down the stairs. At the bottom stood Francis, looking up at her in admiration. She smiled slightly, accepting his pleasant gaze. When she reached the bottom she placed her arm on top of his and together the two entered the ball. However, being in such close proximity after the past few weeks made her feel slightly uneasy.

"Mary, I am content in your presence," King Henry nodded out of obligation.

"As am I, your majesty," she curtsied lightly out of respect, whereas Francis stood tall and gazed elsewhere. "I wonder have you seen my ladies?"

"I dare say they are here somewhere… two of them entered just moments ago," he replied confused as to her request. He then averted his eyes to behind her. "Please, excuse me." He finished instantly, bowed and moved on to welcome the next lot of guests that were beginning to enter.

"And this…" Francis began and Mary glanced towards him, "Is where we part ways."

"Are we not to stand together?" She enquired and he smiled.

"Why should you have to endure my presence?"

"Endure? You mean that in the negative sense?"

"Well it wasn't positive was it?" He replied and glanced away. "Besides… your ladies have found you." He nodded behind her and she glanced. "Excuse me, Mary." His lips touched her hand momentarily and then he walked away. Mary sighed and forced a smile onto her face as she turned to face Greer first.

"I could do with one of those," Mary nodded towards Greer's goblet.

"Well, fortunate for you I have twofold," Greer replied supplying Mary with a small goblet full of still scarlet liquid. Mary glanced at the goblet briefly, scrutinising how small it was and then bumped the small amount of liquid that it contained back. It laced her throat with a short burning sensation. Her eyebrows furrowed temporarily as she sighed sourly.

"It is not yet dark, how am I to survive tonight? Lest it be so long!" She said putting her goblet down on the stall next to her, leaving her eyes to lazily glance around.

"I beseech you Mary, have a virtuous time," Greer sighed, "I will not articulate this… yet again."

"A good time relies upon good company," Mary replied observing her ladies in unison, taking another goblet from a servant passing by without looking. This goblet was slightly larger, but still filled with the same toxic beverage.

"I'm sorry Mary, I was with Leith. I'm relishing those moments," she snickered into her goblet.

"And I had errands to run," Lola replied glancing at Aylee, "I'm guessing Kenna's under the kings supervision now," Lola glimpsed around and found Kenna talking to the kings men. She sipped from her goblet, it only contained spring water, as did Aylee's.

"Speaking of which, I must depart… majority of the castle employees are here. I'm going to continue relishing," she smiled in a criminal manor and placed her goblet down beside her.

"You devil!" Mary teased as Greer scurried off. She then turned to face Lola.

"You should take a foliage from her book," Lola nodded as Greer disappeared through the open doorway.

"I think I actually need a romantic individual for me to take anything from anyone's book."

"Things are that bad with Bash?" Aylee enquired as Mary slowly sipped the wine in her goblet. Lola took notice of how slow she was drinking now.

"What about you ladies?" Mary asked avoiding the interrogation. Aylee shook her head.

"No luck here either, everyone is too deceitful in this court and foreigners are never here long," Lola scorned.

"I am sure whomever you choose will have my blessing," Mary's smile was warm.

Sebastian was currently standing a few feet away from Mary, unhappily at Francis's side. Olivia accompanied him from behind along with Kenna and several of the kings men. Francis scanned the room and nodded as people passed, but Sebastian only had eyes for Mary. He watched her enter and elegantly take her place beside her ladies. He observed as her goblet touched her fragile lips. He took a large gulp from his goblet and moved from Francis's side. He walked over to the table to hide his goblet from view, he took out his flask and uncapped it. After glancing around he poured in a refined toxic liquor and screwed the cap back on. Upon placing it back in his inside pocket, he turned to stroll around the room. The first he noticed was that Mary had disappeared further into the crowed. He suddenly felt airless and took his leave. Mary on the other hand was losing a fighting battle with Francis's mother. Catherine insisted that Mary's dress was too dull for such an occasion. The king rolled his eyes as such folly conversation. Frustrated and angry she subtly went out into the grounds herself. As the cold air hit her face, she felt cold and shockingly refreshed.

"We need to stop meeting like this," Sebastian said strolling past her and carrying on. His tone was playful.

"What are you doing out here?" She said following him unconvinced.

"Nothing is keeping me," he threw his goblet to the ground and sat on the bench against the castle walls. He noticed how the sun had now almost set. Mary took a seat next to him, but was cowardly and left a large space between them. "Shouldn't you be inside?" He asked lightly taking his flask back out.

"If there's one thing I can rely on you for, it's that you're carrying ale," She smiled and Sebastian chuckled passing his flask over to her, before even taking a gulp himself. She noticed that the cut on his brow had disappeared. His eyes met hers and left them just as quickly.

"It's rum actually," he jested.

"If it serves the same purpose, does it matter?" She supped on the brim, careful not to sup too much. The steel of the flask was icy to the touch of her warm lips. As she had expected the liquor burned as it travelled down her throat, lingering in her chest. The few seconds that followed were shocking. The burning sensation had grew on her and subsequently got too intense.

"To an inexperienced drinker, I guess not," he shrugged.

"There's no wrong in that," she replied, seeing no shame in not drinking alcohol often. However, it seemed like a custom at the French court. She sipped again this time frowning, "Gosh, this is positively revolting." The burn wasn't as bad as the previous one, but she heard the familiar laugh of Sebastian beside her.

"Certainly not," he nodded and she nudged him. He turned his head to look at her as she passed the flask back. Their fingers touched momentarily and Mary hesitated upon movement. "So as to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" He sipped from the flask himself and screwed the cap back on.

"Francis's mother," she grudged honestly and Sebastian smiled as he began listening intently, "but I want to apologise."

"No need," the simplicity of his speech soared through Mary's ears like chalk on a black board.

"There's every need, Bash."

"It's all for naught."

"No… I care for you Bash and my words were un-tempered."

"If your words were un-tempered mine were demonic," he replied wishing he could forget, "You were perfectly within your rights. I was a fool. I wasn't grateful enough to have even just a part of you." They both sat there side by side a few moments longer in silence. "I spoke to my mother," he started and Mary knew instantly the turn this topic had taking.

"And?"

"She spoke to my father, the king…"

"And?"

"After much consideration, he declined her request," his answer sunk deep into Mary's soul, "However..."

"However?" She jumped upon his connective.

"He called upon me a few nights ago and asked me if I'd have any hostility." Mary twisted in her seat to face him. Sebastian had obtained her full attention. He strained to view her face as night had now arrived. "I had no opposition, except…"

"Except what?" Mary asked frustrated at him prolonging the situation.

"No matter what happened, I would never take the throne."

"But…"

"I will not rule this country. I do not want this country. I just want to coincide."

"So what now?"

"He sent word to the pope last night, he's hoping for a trial."

"Well that's great Bash," she said, "why aren't you happy?"

"If it makes you happy, I am happy."

"I want you to do it for you," she noticed his hand was relaxing on his lap so placed hers hand on top of his and smiled civilly. He beamed back his teeth reflecting the moonlight and placed his hand over hers. He wanted nothing more than in this sweet moment to kiss her, but knew better than to do so when they were so close to the castle. She slipped her hand out of his grasp and got up from the bench. "I'm going back into the ball, have a virtuous night."

Mary wondered around inside accompanied by many others for the rest of the night. She secretly stole glances at Sebastian who was secretly doing the same with her. Their hearts fluttering at every gaze that met the others. He enjoyed gazing upon her beauty, it was overwhelming. The more alcohol he consumed the more he had the overwhelming sensation to stride towards her and kiss her. As a result he paced himself and eventually altogether stopped drinking any beverage that was alcoholic. After many hours of loud music, merry shouting's and careless stumbles, midnight arrived. Everyone was bustling with New Year excitement. Mary danced merrily with Francis and accompanied him with dismissing the guests to their quarters. Shortly after 2:00am Francis also dismissed Mary to her rooms. Her ladies willingly accompanied her and left her to settle down within her rooms. She sat in front of her fire place with a hand over her heart, thinking about Sebastian and how she desired him. The little alcohol she had drank that night was wearing off and a surge of fatigue overcome her. It also left her with the familiar stale breath that she could barely contain. Once her servant's had pulled back her blankets and unlaced her dress she dismissed them. She slipped out of her ball gown on her own and placed it upon the table. She made her way over to her bed blowing out candles upon her way. It was then that she heard a knock on the door. She put on her silk gown that was lying at the bottom of her bed and worriedly answered the door.

"I'm still fighting and I don't know why," Sebastian said as soon as the door opened. He stumbled slightly as he had been leaning on the door as she opened it. Mary would have found it funny any other time, but at the moment she found it improper.

"You need to go back to your quarters," she hesitated still holding the door firmly in her grasp. Admittedly, trying to convince herself more than him. "I'll call for my guards…"

"They're gone, I beseech you, let me say this," he took a step towards her and she lifted her hand off the door. His face and tone were sincere.

"Please, stop there… don't come any closer," Mary begged holding her distance. She was unsure as to whether she would be able to control her sanity. Sebastian stood strong in his step, but spoke powerfully.

"If our love is to be explicitly tragic, then why… heaven forbid… are you my clarity?"

With his words came Mary's heartfelt sigh, she adored what he had just alleged. Her sigh was matched instantly by Sebastian's swift step towards her. Her heart submerged as her mind competed rapidly. They left no moment for clarity. Her mouth opened slightly in adamant astonishment and as she gasped his parted lips met hers compellingly. Their eyes closed in unison with the sealing of the kiss. The impact of Sebastian's lips hitting Mary's knocked her back promptly and the two flooded into her bedroom. The first thing her hands went for as he kissed her passionately was his hair. She loved how thick and soft it was between her fingers. Sebastian daringly glided his tongue into the tip of her delicate mouth and was surprised that hers met him back. The door clicked shut behind them as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She took comfort in the sound of their lips meeting over and over again. As she kissed him she felt the stubble on his face touch the skin surrounding her lips. It made her pours feel sore, but she still didn't desire to let go. He positioned his hand resolutely on her cheek and the other on the bottom of her back. Mary felt lost as to where to put her hands next and her lips lifted from his. As their lips parted and eyes opened they glimpsed into each other's eyes.

"How improper it is that I should be in your quarters," he joked and she snickered in return. They kissed again, this time slow and lovingly. "I've said what I must… I've stole my kisses from your lips… now it's time for me to depart." He pressed his lips casually on her forehead and let his hands slip from her body. As he did so her body fell flaccid and as a result she sat unsteadily on the edge of her bed. He'd made her body weak without his presence. He was her stability. As his hand touched the door handle her voice echoed around the room.

"Don't leave," she requested cautiously. She knew she should not ask and her feelings towards the enquiry were reflected upon his face. He tilted his head to look at her properly, his skin beaming auburn in the flickering candlelight. Her natural hair was tangled over her shoulders and looked unkempt. Her white garment was covered by her long silk gown. He took momentary pleasure at the luxury of witnessing her physique like this. "Just... Lie with me?" She finished and he smiled again. He admired her innocent intentions to his heart's content.

"Are you certain? Your servants…" he began.

"They don't accompany me until 6am," she grinned and he walked towards her convinced. Mary slipped beneath her winter blankets with her silk gown still on and blew out her candlelight before settling down. She felt the mattress move beneath her as Sebastian glided on and lay beside her. Noticeably, on the outer side of her blankets. She slipped a hand under her cheek as to see him better. His head rested on the pillow next to hers. A small smile grew on his face in the form of a smirk. "Are you warm enough?"

"Inexplicably," he grinned, his teeth showing this time. In reality, he wanted to tell how warm he indeed felt. His insides felt like they were burning like the sun because of her radiance.

Mary grinned in return and began admiring what she could observe in the dark. His hair was in the same condition it always was and his eyes were on her. They took pleasure in being in such close proximity of one another. Mary admired that they could do so without anything else being implied. Daringly, she moved closer towards him under the blankets, as if to indeed keep him warm. As she did so, Sebastian's heart started beating rapidly and she could hear it through the night's stillness. Altogether, he was excited and fearful. He pressed his lips lovingly on the top of her head, her hair sticking slightly to his lips. Mary closed her eyes completely and inexplicably wrapped in the comfort of Sebastian's presence. It wasn't long before Sebastian closed his eyes. She'd dared to move close to him and he felt ashamed that he was too timid to hold her. Her head lay by his shoulder, so he took the liberty of sliding his arm beneath her and wrapping it loosely around her delicate body. He didn't notice but she began smiling like a child on a summer's day. She snuggled into him closer and nested her head on his shoulder. He could feel her breath on the exposed skin of his chest. He balanced his head on the top of hers. They both began breathing in time with each other. Sebastian felt over washed by sleep that would captivate him any moment, his body felt heavy after the night's events.

"I'm happy I got to start this year with you," Mary sighed and the two fell innocently to sleep. Mary coddled by Sebastian's arm.