Chapter 6

Francis had left the tent to consult with the generals about Calais. I was left alone with only my thoughts, but I wasn't even able to think. The amount of soreness and pain pulsing through my body made it hard to focus on anything. I just decided the best thing to do for me was to close my eyes and rest for a little while. When I woke, later on, I found Francis entering my tent.

He told me that he was talking to the other men about finishing securing Calais for France. Men would stay behind until Francis was able to send more men to keep it in France's hands.

"Are you ready to go home?" Francis asked me as he kneeled down next to me. I smiled and nodded, but stop. "How are we going to get out of here without anyone noticing me?"

Francis stood up and moved to the very back of the tent and moved the small table to the side. Then he lifted the back of the tent's material to reveal a carriage. "We're leaving now. We are going home."

Those words were the best thing I had heard in a long time.

Francis had managed to get a carriage behind the tent while I was resting, that way no one would be able to see. Francis helped me dress properly, minus the corset. I don't think I would be wearing one of those for a while. Francis helped me up and into the carriage as gently as possible, making sure not to touch any of my wounds. When we were both inside the carriage was off. We were finally heading home.

I sat close to Francis. I finally felt like we were both safe and that nothing could come between us now. When I first got to the camp I half expected to die in battle, I won't deny it. It was either that or someone would find out my identity and I would be arrested and killed. I knew I was weak and inexperienced and my chances of survival were quite small. But here I was. I was sitting in a carriage with Francis next to me and he was alive. The only reason I did this crazy suicidal mission was to make sure Francis came home alive.

I rested my head on his shoulder and grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly in mine. Francis slightly looked down at me and grinned. "I hope you know that now I'm never letting you out of my sight." He leaned in and kissed my forehead. I laughed and looked up at Francis. "I'll never let you out of mine either."

I focused my attention on the moving landscapes outside. I could see small specks of snow begin to fall from the sky, then as time passed it became heavier. I was hoping that the snow would start to melt soon, but I suppose that wish won't come true anytime soon. I was tired of seeing snow and the death it brought with it. All sorts of death; the trees, plants, the people… My mind suddenly flickered to the images of men lying dead on the snow. Their blood dyed the white sparkling snow into a dark red color. I lifted my arms and wiped my eyes, attempting to push the images out of my mind for now. "Are you tired?" Francis asked me worriedly. I lazily nodded my head. Francis couldn't help but smile. He pushed his body up a little and made room for me on his lap. I lightly laid my head down on his lap and closed my eyes. Without warning I felt Francis' hand on my head, brushing the stray hairs away from my face.

"You know we have to keep this a secret, right?" Francis piped up.

"You mean I'm not going to get knighted for saving the prince?" I said playfully. Francis chuckled and rubbed my cheek with his thumb. With his other hand, he lightly drew circles on my shoulder. "I can tell you every day how you're my hero if that helps." He responded. I pulled the blanket closer to my body, even though my body warmed up from what he said. "But what about the title?"

Francis leaned in, his lips were almost touching my ear. "Is wife a good enough title?"

My heart started to beat quicker from his sudden words. Just the thought of being Francis' wife made me feel overjoyed. Although, both Francis and I knew that it wasn't up to us to decide when and if we get married. But just thinking that someday it may happen made me happy enough. I closed my eyes and imagined what married life would be like with Francis. We'd wake up every morning lying close to each other, our hands entangled with each other's bodies. Maybe we would even have children. When I tried to imagine what our child would look like I could only think of the cute blonde hair and blue eyes they could have.

With that, my body drifted off to sleep, but I felt like not soon after I was awakened by Francis. "Mary. Wake up."

My eyes slowly opened. They tried their best to adjust quickly as if there was something wrong and I needed to be awake immediately. My body was starting to get used to that sort of awakening. But Francis was not in trouble, quite the contrary. He was out of the carriage and smiling like a child. "We're home."

Francis helped me out of the carriage and to stand properly. I stared at the stone castle before me, the one I had started to call home. I use to dread coming here, but now I wanted nothing more to go inside and wander the halls even if my body was telling me no. Francis held my hand tightly as we stood there, staring at the entrance. "Are you ready?" He asked me. "What do I tell people when they see my wounds or ask me what's wrong?" I asked Francis, almost panicking.

"Tell them your carriage was attacked by bandits. You were severely wounded. You went to your relatives and they helped you heal. But I was told of this attack and came to pick you up and take you back to the castle." Francis explained. I stared at him a moment, stunned that he came up with something so quickly. But it just didn't seem too believable, although I didn't have anything better at the moment. "You were supposed to ride in with the other soldiers, Francis. Aren't people going to suspect you of something?"

Francis sighed and almost rolled his eyes. "I take a bath and people suspect me of something." Francis turned to me and smiled. "Don't worry, Mary. I'll tell them that when I heard of your attack I was more worried about you than riding in the front gates with the soldiers." Francis kept his arm wrapped around me and gently squeezed. "Everything will be alright."

The doors were opened and we slowly stepped inside. I guess now I can find out how well my lying is.

The only reason I made Francis and Mary unmarried was so that I could continue the main story here. It does seem a little weird that Mary would risk her life for Francis when they aren't even together, but hey they love each other. That's all that matters lol. If you think I should continue the main story here or start a completely new story let me know! I'd love to hear what you think.