Chapter 1 - Because Marie de Guise is formidable.
Marie de Guise's entrance was anything but greatly received.
The King and Queen of France, her brother, her lovely daughter Mary on the other side, every nobility at the French court. All looking gloomy. Like she was the dark rain to their festivities. Except there's a chopping block with a shiny axe on where the thrones used to sit.
A beheading to commence. She arrived just in time.
"I see much has changed since I was here. Love the new decor. I'm glad the thrones are out. They were hideous. I'll ship in new Iron thrones. Catherine, Henry. No need for pleasantries, though I do like a feast this evening, celebrating my arrival and the wedding of my daughter and the dauphin Francis." She wrinkles her nose. "And whose head will roll today, Henry? Who has betrayed the crown of France? My brother?"
Without waiting for an answer, she goes to her daughter. "My dear Mary, come here. Let me look at you."
Marie pinches her daughter's cheeks, putting color on Mary's pallid face. "You've been well fed but you look exhausted. Pale. Quite unhappy. And where's Francis? Shouldn't he be here? Where is your fiancé, Mary?"
"Francis is not here. He won't be." Catherine said, matter-of-factly.
Marie swivels her head at an angle towards Catherine. "And why is that? Is he sick? He's dead?"
Everyone gasped at Marie's words. Except Mary. Mary trembled and swayed on the spot. Bash took a big leap to get to Mary, but Mary shook her head. She didn't need his help. Somehow she stayed upright, albeit shakily.
Marie looked around the ballroom. Some heads shifted to avoid her gaze. Others were looking at the floor. Henry looked totally clueless. Catherine's flashing eyes pierced through her though.
"What? Mary, your last letter was full of Francis this and Francis that. What happen-" Marie frowned at a trembling Mary.
"Mary! Why are you trembling? What have you done? Did you kill, Francis?"
"Mother! I could never! He's alive. But I am not marrying Francis, Mother. I can't."
"Mary! You cannot refuse to marry the dauphin! The alliance-"
"Oh the alliance is still intact." Henry proudly says to all. "Mary is going to marry my son, Sebastian. And claim England."
Maniacal laughter ensued. "I beg your pardon? You want my daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots, marrying your bastard son? You've lost your mind." Putting her arms around her daughter, as if to console Mary. "Don't you worry, my dear, we'll get Francis back. Now, Henry, honor France's promise. My daughter will marry the dauphin Francis. So where are you hiding Francis?"
"She's not marrying Francis. Francis is not the dauphin. I am." Bash words rang loudly. He wasn't going to let Marie de Guise wrestle her way into this.
Rolling her eyes, "This is too low, even for you, Henry. Making a bastard claim he's the dauphin. Don't mock me. Don't mock the alliance."
"He'll be the dauphin, Marie. Once I get him legitimized."
"So he's still a bastard."
"I won't be one anymore, your grace. The Pope will legitimize my birth. I am learning to be the dauphin. I will be the dauphin. I am the dauphin!" Bash was growing in confidence with the tutors and Mary's tutelage on ruling the country. He feels he must let Marie de Guise know he is capable.
"Oh, dauphin, tell me, what have you learned of Adalberon?"
"Adalberon? It is a small town. Near the waters."
"Who gave the title Dauphin?"
"France. My father."
"Bash, what do you know of Scotland? Its people?"
"That you are fighting with England because they want to take your country from Mary."
"Have you ruined Mary?"
"Mother! I am not sleeping with Bash!" Mary was completely mortified. She only slept with Francis.
"That's good to know, dear. Keep your virtue intact. I heard rumors, rather, the towns were buzzing about your escapade with Bash."
"And what of Francis then, bastard? What of your half-brother?" going to stand in front of Bash.
"He'll be free of me." Mary said in the background.
"Silence! I did not ask you, Mary. I am asking you, bastard. What will you do to Francis?"
"Mother, Bash won't do anything to Francis. He's his brother-"
"Have you ever learned from your studies of the histories of countries, Mary? Of our beloved Scotland? How many brothers fought each other? How many died against the swords of their own kin? How many families betrayed each other because of power?"
"Bash won't do that, he's-"
"And yet, he's here claiming he's the dauphin. A title only, the real heir of France can claim. And that is Francis."
Marie then walked towards Henry. "He has already betrayed his brother, Mary, as has everyone in this court."
"That's enough, Marie. The only traitor in our midst is Catherine and that axe will take her head off." Henry was livid. This woman doesn't know anything. "Mary will marry Bash. Once he's legitimized, they'll be married. That's final!"
"No! Not final! The alliance stated the real heir to France, the real heir of the King and Queen of France, will marry my daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots. Your bastard is not the real heir. He's not the son of Queen Catherine, whether she has betrayed your bed or not! You are breaking the alliance!"
"Then once I find Diane, I will marry her after Catherine is dead! And Bash will be the real heir of France." Henry roared.
"We cannot afford to wait for your delusions to happen, Henry. Who knows when the Pope will legitimize your bastard. Or where your mistress is. My daughter's 17th birthday is in three days. She must be married by then.I won't have her married to a pauper. Honor the alliance, Henry. Mary must marry the real heir of France, and that is Francis!"
"No, she can't. I already ruined her."
I tweaked the ages: Mary's 17, Francis 16, Bash is 21. which is appropriate to how Reign has made the actors look.
Also Fanfiction doesn't have Marie de Guise in their characters slot, WHY?