Chapter 5 - William Wallace
"So, he's dead." Marguerite deadpans.
"Marguerite."
"What? He's dead!" she reiterates.
"Marguerite, William Wallace lived 300 years ago, of course, he's dead." Charles rolled his eyes at his sister.
"Francis, you said he fought for his freedom and his people from the English and he died because of it. Well, that is unacceptable! What good is fighting for freedom when he can't enjoy this so-called freedom?!" Marguerite was standing in the middle of Francis' bed, with her hands on either side of her waist. Henry was on his belly looking at Francis, Claude still attached to Francis while Charles was situated near the head board.
"Marguerite, William Wallace died fighting for freedom. But that doesn't mean he wasn't a free man. Come here, sit beside me." Patting his free side, Francis cuddled Marguerite to him.
"You see, Marguerite, when you fight for a cause, you believe in that cause, you are freeing yourself from the bounds that held you captive. William Wallace did that. He freed himself from the bad rulers-"
"Who weren't the real rulers of Scotland!" Henry exclaimed, making Francis laugh.
"Yes, not the real rulers. Bad people, who wanted more power and wanted the Scots under their rule." Francis continued. "And because of what he did, what he is- a good man, he gave the Scots the choice to freedom. He sowed the seeds and the Scots reaped the fruits."
"Still, he shouldn't have died. It was for a good cause. He should have enjoyed it." Marguerite pouted.
Charles looked at her. "Maybe there are causes worth fighting for. Even dying for. Peace. Freedom. Right, Francis?"
"Indeed, Charles, there are." Francis felt proud. Charles understood the lessons imparted by William Wallace. He hopes Charles will be a good king. Charles, will be the next heir as he cannot be one anymore.
"The Scots did believe in the cause and in William Wallace, but, what if they hadn't? What if the Scots didn't? What if they gave up on him?"
Charles was really thinking of the life led by William Wallace. He knows Francis didn't say how he really died, but he figured William Wallace must have been captured and then killed. For him to die before achieving the full freedom the Scots should have, made Charles think he could have been sold and betrayed. And its why Mary and Scotland are still fighting against the English.
"Well, if they give up on him? And if they give up on you, then they are not worth your time. Right, Francis? You could say, you'd give for your life for them, for the cause, but if they turn their backs on you, betray you, then they don't believe in the cause, don't believe in you and shouldn't be worth anything."
"Why should you fight or die for them when they won't fight for you?"
"Because, Charles, they are your people. And your people could have the knowledge, some might not. They might think it will not be good for them and others might. Some will betray. Some will be loyal. Some will die and some will live to tell the tale."
Francis paused. "All of you, listen to me. Some will also go far to embellish your truths and paint you in the most vile of ways. And sometimes, you can't do anything about it."
"But it is your duty to your people, to tell your people, to listen, to help them, to make them understand, to rule over them. Let France flourish and be bountiful. Be protected by the grace of God. That's what must be in your heart and in your mind. Understand?"
"Hmmph, if it was me and they betray me, I'll make sure to free all their deeds to the people. Even give them bad reputations. I won't kill them, I'll play with them."
"Marguerite! Don't ever do that." Francis admonishes her. "Never, ever do that. Once a person is ruin, it will be difficult to erase the blemish placed upon his name. If ever it can be erased." He kisses her hair as well as Claude's. He wishes so hard that his siblings won't ever ruin each other. He'll make sure of that. He won't let them have the waste of a relationship like he has with Bash now. No he's not Bash, not anymore. He's Sebastian.
To be betrayed by the one you look up to. The one whom he thought filled the void of their father's love. He thought it all was good.
Francis, with his capacity to love, held in high regard the closeness he and King Henry's first-born shared. That being close to their father's favorite is better than not knowing said father could be able to love a child like he does Bas-Sebastian. That he and his siblings might get a chance. Have their father see him. Really see him, Francis, his other son. See them, his other children. See them all and love them all.
Oh, what a childish thought. Time to wake up and live in the real world.
"Fine. Story time finished?"
"Yes. And now, you have to take your naps. Come on, up-"
"Francis, can we just sleep here? We can all squeeze in your bed?" Henry said. He was about to fall asleep and didn't want to move.
"Fine, we can all sleep in here." Francis relented and his siblings arrange themselves parallel to the edge of the bed, with Francis at the foot.
"Ah, Francis?" Marie called out from the couch where she and her daughter were sitting.
"Your majesty? I apologize, I forgot you were there and – "
"No, don't get up, Francis. Be with your siblings. We'll see ourselves out. And sleep. You need it."
"Thank you, your majesty. I do apologize – "
"Francis, sing!" Claude insisted as she clung to him, effectively cutting the conversation between Francis and Marie.
"Will you sleep after I sing?" but he's tickling her. The little girl giggles.
A chorus of Yeses was heard.
Francis sang to them, completely forgetting again the Scots, as Marie insistently pulled a stunned Mary towards the door.
Leaving the Valois siblings in relative peace.
"Get a hold of yourself, Mary. You're a queen. Wipe those tears!" Marie scolded Mary as she pushed her against the hidden alcove. "Don't ever let people see you crying. They will use that against you."
"Mama, Francis, Francis is – we can't – "
"Shut up!" Marie furiously wiping away Mary's tears, "This is not the place, nor the time to discuss that. Now, don't cry. Don't slouch. Be the queen. Come on."
Two or three chapters left.