"You look a little bit weary Mary," Greer mentioned as she placed my crown atop my head. "Are you with child?" I couldn't help but sigh at the notion. It seemed that the only topic for discussion was whether or not I was blooming with children to lead nations in the future.
"No, i'm not." I gave Greer a soft smile through the mirror, rest assuring her that I was fine.
"Well whatever it is you must cheer yourself up for the ball in a few hours. Surprisingly I feel as though this one will have not scandalous events, which is a shame at the same time it is a relief."
"Yes, and Bash and Kenna will be making their first debut as a wedded couple."
"I hear that their consummation hasn't yet happened, in the hopes that an annulment may occur." Greer said in hushed tones. To my surprise I was slightly delighted by this revelation, but quickly told my heart not to care. And my mind to remind my heart that it wasn't their place to be concerned with such matters.
"I hope this news doesn't reach King Henry." Was all I could push myself to say. Given his mental state, his actions have become unpredictable. Which only worsens the prospect for blood shed.
"There have been rumors about the King that question his sanity Mary."
"Yes, I have heard such rumors. Lets just pray they don't reach further than France, for if they do I fear we might no longer be safe within these walls."
...
Masked affairs always make noblemen turn into scandalous children. There is something about the animosity of such situations that can turn a rather uneventful night into something full of mystery. I didn't dare question why Peneople, the elected Bean Queen was still hovering around King Henry, for my attention was drawn to the dance floor where Bash and Kenna were wistfully entwined as the music progressed.
"Shall we join the dance?" Francis asked from beside me. I nodded.
Joining the throng of people as they moved amongst each other in coarsely choreographed routines had always brought me a sense of enjoyment. But not tonight, not with Bash only mere steps away. It is cruel for me to be jealous of my friend in the arms of someone I have loved, but it is the 'have' that makes the emotion curious. As Francis and I twisted and turned in the flock of others, switching partners every few moves, I found myself partnered with the object of my attention that evening.
"Married life seems to suit you, Bash." I tried, for a conversation starter. His hand gently rested against mine as we moved in circles.
"Happiness is easily played Mary when you have onlookers that rely on such a facade." His blue eyes peered into mine as he spoke, spearing my heart just a little that it skipped.
"In time the facade becomes reality Bash, it has for many others and it shall for you too."
"You know very well Mary," oh, how he says my name, "that will never happen. Not whilst I see your eyes seek me out across the room, and not whilst your breath begins to quicken when I touch you so slightly." I dropped my hand from his as quickly asI could before being pulled away back into the throngs of people, finding myself paired with Francis.
"Bash and Kenna seem to be rather happy given their circumstances." Francis whispered low into my ear. I wasn't able to respond before getting moved around again, finding myself in the arms of Bash.
"Meet me." He began to say, looking off into the distance. It was only a murmur across the sea of people, but its meaning drummed hard into my chest.
"You shouldn't ask of me such things" I managed, after regaining a steady heartbeat.
"I don't ask out of nowhere Mary, I only ask when saying such things is needed. When they are wanted."
"You have become so blunt Bash in expressing such things. I am unsure of how these ideas have plagued your mind but you are married, as am I.."
"Meet me." Was the last words he said, but he said them staring into my eyes as he brushed his thumb softly across my hand.
...
The night moved on with a blur as those simple words wouldn't escape my conscience. How many time had I told Bash that nothing would ever happen? How many times had I put him through so much turmoil? How can you break someones heart so completely, that they desire to come back for another incision? What is it about tonight that has made him so rash, so unpredictable, so desperate?
Maybe it is these questions that drove me to follow him as he left the hall. Maybe it is these questions that made myself turn around when I lost him as he turned a corner. But I walked on steadily regardless, until an arm reach out behind a curtain and pulled me in to a softly lit corridor hidden within the walls of the palace.