#REIGN
King and Queen stood in the gardens awaiting the Scot's arrival like the French court once awaited Queen Mary. The caterers had organised the garden like they did only two years ago for their Queen now the only thing missing were the carriages. Personally Mary couldn't wait for their arrival; she was meeting her people for the first time or at least the Scottish Lord and Ladies but it seemed Francis's mind was else where even though he stood beside her; supporting his partner.
"Francis, what is troubling you?" Mary sounded sincere but her eyes stared at the road hoping to see a carriage. "Nothing dear, I am just nervous your people won't like me the way they will you." Francis made up an excuse.
"They will, Francis. You're too charming to dislike." Mary said. "It seems like forever ago you were waiting for me in this garden." This caught Francis's attention.
"I think I knew from the moment I saw you; we would end up together." Francis said.
"If only you would have made it easier." Mary teased him causing him to laugh. "I guess I was a little single minded." Francis said.
"Just a little." Mary laughed as did Francis but loon he returned to his troubling thoughts. What was really troubling him was Bash and their conversation yesterday.
"Francis, may I ask something of you?" Bash said entering the Royal study.
"Of course, Brother. What can I do?" Francis looked up from his finances only to see Bash's red eyes from what he guessed; sobbing. "What's happened?" Francis had a million and one thoughts zooming through his mind.
"Kenna wants a divorce; King Antoine has caught her attention so he asked her to join him tonight on his trip back to Navarre… She doesn't love me, brother." A tear dropped down his cheek causing Francis to retire from work and embrace his brother.
"Oh Brother; I am dreadfully sorry. I thought the two of you were getting on…What happened?" Francis was concerned; he had never seen Bash cry. As man or Brother.
"I guess a man like me isn't enough for Kenna, she has always wanted riches and money and Antoine can give her that so… I am letting her go."
"Oh Brother." Francis squeezed his arm caringly. "So you want a divorce document?" Francis guessed.
"Yes."
"I will try my best." Francis said sadly.
It seemed Kenna had left last night as well because as Francis searched the crowd for her; Kenna wasn't about in the garden. Bash stood a few steps behind him, with Claude and Catherine representing his title as 'Kings Deputy' but Francis could see Bash didn't want to be here, so the King of France decided he would release Bash from his duties after the arrival they were still awaiting. Minutes later the sound of carriages traveling on the gravel woke them up from their day dreaming. Francis held out his hand for his Queen to take; once Mary took it the two walked down the path as did everyone else a few minutes later, respecting their King and Queen's space. Mary stayed relatively calm but had a huge smile on her face as the first carriage stopped in the centre of the garden, then Mary began to walk faster.
"Mary." Francis warned. "You have expectations to live up to." He gestured to the French court following metres behind.
"I know and I have done that for France." Mary dropped Francis's hand and lifted her skirts ready to run. "But right now I want to meet my people." The young Queen blossomed in to a butterfly as she ran towards the carriage smiling with glee.
"Mary!" Francis shouted behind her; seeing as she didn't stop Francis walked on his own. He glanced back to see his family's reaction only to see Catherine nodding her head in shame, Claude laughing with Bash; his two siblings encouraged him to join her and so he did. Once he caught up in his own fast-walk. Mary was speaking with Jeffery.
"Ah Lass it's good t'see ya." Jeffery bowed to his Queen and once he noticed Francis did the same for the French King. "Now let me introduce some Lords from back in the Highlands."
As Mary looked over to the carriages every man, woman and child had lined up and were already bowed as she walked along the line of her people.
"This is Lord Bruce and his wife Stella also his little mites" Jeffery ruffled a young girls head and a smaller boys head as well while their parents bowed.
"It's an honour." Mary said. This same greeting was done with many men and women also some small families like, Lord Comyn, Lord Dupplin, Lord Wemyss, Lord Duncan, Lord Duffagan, Lord Falkirk and Lord Eroll. However once they reached the end of the line a certain someone close to Mary's heart was standing there.
"No, it can't be!" Mary smiled in disbelief.
"Mary!" The girl looked the same age as her the two embraced one another shocking Francis.
"I knew you would want t'see her again Lass." Jeffery smiled.
"Sorry, but who are you?" Francis asked.
"Oh Francis; this is my Sister. Annabel." Mary smiled still looking at the girl with dark hair and blue sky eyes.
"It's a pleasure."
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