ENJOY!
It took Mary a few moments to get her breath back as the two rulers strolled back to their tree. Francis was over joyed that Mary had met him but didn't know what to say or more like how to say it.
"It hasn't changed in the slightest, has it?" Mary admired the large tree with its plump branches creating a wild shadow under the sun.
"No, it reminds me of all our times here when we were younger. How we used to run and hide here…Can you remember when our nanny reported us missing? My mother was so worried but we loved the adventure." Francis laughed both of them creating a heavenly chorus of laughter.
"Yes I remember; we even refused to tell Catherine where we had been determined to keep it a secret."
"And so we did. Even till now…maybe one day we shall show our children." Francis hoped so.
All was silence. Mary was uncertain she would ever find the strength to be able to let a man touch her or if she could even conceive a child. Francis noticed her silence as stress creased her angelic face.
"Mary. It was just a thought." Francis touched her hand in comfort and was surprised to see she didn't bolt back. "I'm sorry." Francis removed his hand.
"It's okay." Mary smiled. "I am healing slowly." Mary slid her hand into Francis's hand as he smiled admiringly.
"Shall we?" Francis gestured at their natured door.
"We shall." And so they both ran through the door, hands clenched as the leaves ran over their heads.
Mary saw heaven as the flowers beamed around her ankles and the sun shone shimmering the tree tops.
"It's beautiful." Mary muttered.
"I know." Francis said but wasn't entirely talking about the scenery.
A few leaves had got tangled in each other's hair as they entered the door so Francis slowly untangled the leaves from Mary's hair and she did the same for him as they giggled at their knotty hair.
"Hold on…almost there." Francis commented.
"See the thing with being a girl is you have hair problems where ever you go." Mary giggled.
"Oh well, it's out now."
"It's easy for you…being a man. You're strong and don't have to deal with problems, it's a hard struggle for women at court." Mary's comment flowed much deeper than hair problems.
"I know Mary and I truly am sorry, I will do anything to help you." Francis said seriously.
"You said earlier about children. I don't know if I can give you that at least not now." Mary said.
"Mary, right now my concern is you. In my note I said we could start from the beginning. What I meant by that is we could court one another like normal people our age do. Just are friends if it's helpful." Francis encouraged.
"I want us to feel like we did when I came back to French court. When it was just me and you; a team…So if that means we begin our relationship again, so be it." Mary smiled.
Francis took both of Mary's hands in his. "Mary Queen of Scott's will you do me the honour of courting me like any normal girl?"
"It would be an honour." Mary giggled.
Francis couldn't help himself; he picked her up and spun Mary around as if she were a light child. He felt Mary stiffen immediately then she relaxed in his arms and smiled in his ear.
"I'm sorry I didn't think."
"No Francis you shouldn't have to think, it's just the memories." Mary said.
"Do you still blame me?"
"I think it is your duty to care for me, but you weren't even in the castle. So no I do not blame you anyway I feel safe with you…you let me forget." Mary was the one touching Francis's hand.
"Well then…what would you like to do?" Francis asked.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Lola, Greer and Kenna paraded around Mary as they changed her into an evening dress seeing as there is a party to celebrate the rise of Scotland against England which Kenna had organised because Lord Boyd had given her all the details on Queen Mary's intentions. Mary just regretted not telling Francis herself instead of hearing from rumours…they had been so wrapped up in each other Mary had forgotten to speak to Francis of her recent news on Scotland.
"Yes he is simply handsome! Oh and his accent; he gives me shivers." Kenna said.
"I am sure you are married to the Kings brother." Lola laughed.
"I can still look!" Kenna argued her case while all the girls laughed.
"What does this mean for Scotland though?" Greer asked.
"This is top secret for the safety of Scotland but I have asked Lord Boyd to gather up all of the most trusted Lords in Scotland or Clan followers to plan a revolution to win back England."
All the girls looked surprised and excited at the same time.
"This is top secret…no one must know." Mary commanded.
The girls nodded.
"Isn't this life threatening though?" Greer asked.
"My life itself is life threatening, Greer. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith, isn't that right Kenna?" Mary remembered Kenna's words from earlier.
"Exactly…now what dress shall you wear?"
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Mary entered the party in a red laced corset dress which showed her slender shoulders and back. Mary wore cherry juice on her lips while her hair framed her face with pearls and plats. Lola wore a green dress with sequences with her front strands of hair pinned back, Kenna wore a white silk dressed that flowed behind her with a messy platted bun and Greer wore a black corset dress like Mary's. All girls entered at the same time and all heads turned.
"Mary Queen of Scott's and France also her ladies in waiting." The page boy announced.
Soon enough Lord Boyd walked over to his Queen.
"My Queen! You didn't have to do this all for me Las, Oh but god blesses you Lassie!" It was obvious Lord Boyd had had a bit too much to drink.
"The pleasure is all mine, Jeffery." Mary smiled and walked around the party with him. "Tell me Jeffery, when do you plan to go back to Scotland to fulfil the requirements I need." Mary spoke in code because there were a lot of prying ears.
"At dawn my Queen, I shall be back as soon as your requirements are ready." Jeffery said seriously.
"Thank you Jeffery but do be careful, French court isn't always safe."
"Aye I caught on Las, don't worry your pretty little head about it my Queen. You can trust me." Jeffery said in a comforting fatherly tone.
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