a/n: first off, sorry for the long wait! school's been busy and i've been gone, plus i'm going through a little bit of a writer's block! although i do have an idea for a frary au as well as a stiles/lydia fic if you like teen wolf which is my main project now! although i hope to finish this story by at the latest early march!

some things i want to note is that the Queen loves Mary as a daughter, especially at this point in time, i also think of Francis as a bit shy, especially growing up around outgoing Mary although i do write him as very possessive of her, which is canon to me! and no Mash at all in this story! I don't mind the ship but i don't really like it or think it's necessary, especially in this story!

please review i could use some inspiration! and will hopefully update soon!

i'm on tumblr at stilescavanaugh!

what a way to love

part four

an arrival

The King and Queen sit stiffly in their respective thrones. The Queen simply looks on edge, her eyes displaying at least a semblance of kindness as the pair enter the room. The King looks agitated, and somewhat angry. His father is the one that scares Francis.

His mother, well, hopefully she'll keep him even headed. Bash has always had their father, and Francis has always had his mother. Maybe she can be protective of him, but it's only because she cares about him and Mary.

It will be fine; it's a mantra in his head. Mary's hand squeezes his hand as she gives him a slight smile. What would he do without Mary? If anything were to take her from him now he knows he'd go insane

Standing before his parents, both of the pair bowed respectfully. "I heard that the two of you spent the night together in Mary's tower, what is the meaning of this, you didn't have sex, did you?" The King asked, his voice calm but dangerous and his words straight to the point.

Before Francis could even respond Mary was quickly shaking her head, "No, I know that we must wait for marriage. We both respect that, right Francis?"

Francis looked wide eyed at Mary's insistent look and nodded eagerly "Definitely."

"Good." Sighed the King, the Queen shook her head, giving the couple a broad grin "And it has been set, the two of you will marry on Mary's fifteenth birthday. Preparations won't be made quite yet, but we will begin to prepare for the two of you for marriage, and to lead this country."

Mary gave his mother a smile, running up to hug the woman she considered her mother in many regards. "I'll finally be your daughter for real!" Mary exclaimed, the older woman laughed "I already consider you my daughter, you know that. Now I believe it is finally time for you to send for your ladies in waiting. I must have a few words of Francis."

Rushing from the room, Mary quickly pecked a kiss on Francis's cheek before leaving.

His mother's eyes became fiery "Now, if you have sex with her you could compromise this marriage, so don't let that happen. We want your marriage to be successful. That is why after you marry the two of you will spend a year in Scotland, help forge alliances in another country. The two of you will have to become more involved in political workings. You were lucky enough to find love with this girl and you must hold onto her. There will be no mistresses, as my son, I will not allow you to have that marriage."

Francis nodded, watching his father avert his gaze "I'm not my father."

His mother let out a scoff of approval "No, you are my son. I want the best for the ruler of this country."

He'd do his best.

The day Mary's ladies in waiting arrive in court the two of them are locked in a passionate embrace in Francis's room, her tongue tied up with his and her hands beneath his shirt.

Their political lessons have become more and more demanding, their time together less and less, and any free moment between them was highly looked forward too.

Francis had started to feel the stirrings inside of him, and Mary would always laugh when she'd feel him against her body. He wished he could help it, but whenever he thought about him and Mary like this, he couldn't help it, he wanted her.

Pressing kisses to the hollow of her neck, sucking gently beneath the neck of her gown so if he left a mark no one would be any the wiser, she let out a sharp gasp. "Francis" her eyes locked with his silently urging him to turn around.

Bash.

"Get out of here!" Francis nearly yelled, trying to cover part of Mary's partially exposed chest.

Bash laughed "The ladies in waiting are here, I encourage the two of you make yourselves presentable." He mocked, leaving the room.

As soon as the door shut, Mary curled into Francis, laying her head on his chest. The two of them began laughing. Getting up from the bed Mary looked at her reflection in the mirror, her make-up was smudged and she looked disheveled.

"Francis, I look to be a mess! We're lucky it was Bash who caught us and not a servant! What do you think my ladies would think if they saw me like this?" Mary bemoaned, Francis gently combed his fingers through her hair until it appeared to be less of a mess. "Well they won't, we won't let that happen. They'll think you are beautiful and wonderful, what else could they possibly think?"

Mary let out a sigh "It's always been me and you, and although I love you and you'll always be my best friend, I'm nervous and excited of course. I'll finally be around girls my own age, although you're mother has always been a lovely confidant, I'm excited to have friends my own age."

"I know, and although I hope desperately I won't lose time with you for these ladies" Francis joked, somewhat serious at the same time, causing a smile to form on Mary's face, "I'm happy for you, no one should go without many confidants in court."

She shrugged "As long as I have your knowledge and faith in me I assure you I will be fine." Pressing a kiss to his cheek, she grabbed his hand, pulling him with her to go meet her ladies in waiting.

Mary greets them with grace, as she always has in everything she does. But as Francis watches he can see her excitement shine through at seeing her ladies again.

"I can't believe I'm finally seeing you all again!" Mary exclaims excitedly her motions showing her excitement.

This is her moment, her friends and her people. So Francis simply watches as she eagerly greets her friends.

One day France will be their person, which amazes him, and scares him at the same time. He knows Mary will be amazing, but what about him? He's not special, not harsh like his father, or cunning like his mother. Mary tells him he's sweet, caring, and kind, all qualities him father has pegged as weak and Mary has pegged as strong.

He desperately wants to be a good ruler.

As he watches Mary as she smiles and talks to her ladies, briefly meeting his eyes. He knows one thing. He'll only be a good ruler if he has her.

That night a feast is held in honor of the arrival of her ladies. Of course feasts and parties are not a rare occasion in the castle. But Francis can't but feel disappointed when Mary prepares for the feast with her ladies, despite the fact that they will make their entrance together. Ever since they were younger it's almost been like tradition for Francis to keep Mary company as she prepares for the feast.

Maybe it wasn't proper, especially now, and he knew at some time it was a tradition they'd have to give up. Especially after they started to do intimate things, all he had to do was wait until Mary's fifteenth birthday. Then they would be married.

The feast is wonderful, as always, but nothing compares to the radiance that is Mary in her black dress. Her arm is interlocked with his, her lips come up to his ear as she whispers "I'm sorry our tradition is over." She gives him a small pout and he smiles and whispers back to her "only two more years until forever, I can wait". Mary shakes her head, a smile covering her face. He loves her smile, it lights up the room.

"You're too perfect. You know that?" Francis scrunches his nose and leans close to her, kissing her until he remembers where they are.

When their lips' disconnect she pivots away from him and rushes to the dance floor, which is currently empty. She uses her hands to beckon to him, but he shakes his head, content to watch instead.

Mary gives him a disapproving look but runs to her ladies instead, who she pulls with her to the dance floor. The five of them twirl and spin but he only has eyes for one.

As always their eyes meet, her smile is his sun which he will forever follow blindly.