Chapter 21

I slept as close as I could to Francis. His arms were wrapped around my body, making sure that I couldn't get away. I didn't mind though. Being apart from Francis those few days only made me want to be in his arms even more. Whenever I was next to Francis I felt so safe. That was a feeling I hardly ever felt so being next to him, and this close was the best feeling. Falling asleep was much easier when he was this close.

My body was forced awake by hands that were on my shoulder, gently pushing me back and forth until my eyes slowly opened. When my eyes managed to finally focus in the dark room I found Francis sitting on the side of the bed, looking down at me. I assumed it was still night time since the candles were still lit and there wasn't any light coming through the windows. Francis and I had a room where in the morning the sun would shine brightly in the windows, creating beautiful little reflections on the walls. It was something I had always looked forward to in the mornings.

"King Henry requests your presence in the throne room." I heard. I looked toward the door and found Bash in the doorway. He had his arms behind his back just like how a servant would when they would announce someone coming into a room. It was obvious something was happening and Bash was not happy about it. He had a very serious expression covering his face. I could also see his veins popping from his arms because he was holding onto his hands too tightly. Francis got off of the bed and took a step toward Bash. "What's going on?" Francis asked Bash, curiosity filling his voice. Bash didn't move, nor did his expression change. "Just, come to the throne room." Without another word Bash turned and left. Francis looked over at me. We were both full of questions. Francis and I only put our robes on, thinking that it was just an announcement or something along those lines. When we reached the throne room my legs were frozen stiff from the sight. A priest stood on top of the small stage where the two thrones sat. Henry stood next to him, a smile almost from ear to ear. He looked as though he had just discovered something extraordinary and everyone was going to be thrilled when they heard the news. Kenna and Bash stood there facing each other. I could hear small cries from Kenna, but Bash was emotionless still. He was staring past Kenna, his arms still held tightly behind his back as if they were bound together.

Catherine arrived in the throne room only a little bit after Francis and me. She immediately stopped when she saw the priest standing in front of Kenna and Bash. "What is going on here?" Henry turned toward all of us who were huddled together at the entrance of the throne room. He took a few steps down from the stage then stopped between Bash and Kenna. "I am glad you could make it!" He said cheerfully. It's not like we had a choice since the king requested our presence. "Now we can start the wedding!" Henry shouted with delight.

My heart sank to my stomach. It was almost as if it dropped and turned into a weight that prohibited me from moving. Kenna's cries got even louder after Henry spoke. She didn't want this. Neither did Bash but here we stood, watching the two of them as they grabbed hold of each other while the priest took a step down to get ready to begin the ceremony. Before he could start I took a step forward. "Why are you doing this? They do not want to be wed." I protested. Henry's happy expression fell and a much scarier one replaced it. Francis grabbed onto my hand as if to protect me from what was to come. I watched Catherine take a step forward. She rubbed her eyes before saying anything and yawned. "Seriously, Henry? You woke us all up for this?"

Henry glared at Catherine then he turned toward me. I could see then the madness that was in his eyes. "The next person to speak up will be executed." My eyes widened from the sudden threat. How could he do something like this? Bash and Kenna hated each other, yet he didn't care. He wouldn't have even cared if they loved each other. He was just toying with their loves because he could. Everyone had to follow him or else they would feel his wrath.

The priest began the ceremony very hesitantly. Kenna was uncontrollably sobbing at this point. Sometimes she would look over to me, almost as if she was waiting for me to do something about this. But I couldn't. If Henry was true to his word I would be executed. I had to watch as my friend was forced to marry a man she did not love. Somewhere inside of me felt like this was my fault. My ladies were brought to France to serve me, but yet they were dragged into so much drama and problems because of the French.

After the ceremony Kenna collapsed to the floor, tightly holding onto herself as if they would protect her. She watched as Henry walked down the small steps. You could tell she was filled with rage. "You promised me a man with a title!" Kenna shrieked at Henry. Henry rolled his eyes, but then he stopped and his eyes lit up. "How about the title; Master of Horse and Hunt!" Henry clapped his hands together cheerfully then quickly left the throne room. Leaving us all bewildered and speechless. Bash managed to snap out of his daze and kneel down next to Kenna. "I'm sorry, Kenna." He tried. Kenna whipped her head up and glared at Bash. She was acting like this was his fault rather than Henry's. "At least you get to marry someone like me!" She shouted at Bash. "But I get a man with a made-up title, no land, nothing!" She quickly covered her face and sobbed into her hands. Bash stared at her for a moment. I think he was debating whether or not to defend himself. Instead, he turned and started to head out of the throne room. Before he could leave I reached out and grabbed onto his jacket. He turned toward me, expressionless. This was hurting him as well but he wasn't showing it. That was just how Bash was. I looked over at Kenna on the floor then back to Bash. "I'm so sorry," I whispered. He nodded. "There is not much we can do." And with that Bash walked out of the throne room but Francis ran after him. Hopefully to talk to him. I walked up to Kenna and kneeled down next to her. I hesitated to touch her at first because I didn't want to anger her further. I slowly placed my hand on her back and gently rubbed her back. "I'm sorry, Kenna. I know you didn't want this." Kenna continued to cover her face with her hands. Her cries were finally slowing down. "You were right. You told me this would happen." She muttered through her hands. I didn't say this was going. No one could have expected to be woken up in the middle of the night to attend a wedding. I shook my head even though she couldn't see me. "It doesn't matter now," I said. "Maybe, you could give Bash a chance. He is an extremely kind man." Kenna slowly took her hands away from her face, then dropped them onto her lap. "He has absolutely nothing. He is a bastard." I stared at her for a moment. I wanted to get mad at her and defend Bash like how I did with my mother. I hated when people talked about him like that when they didn't truly know him, but I stayed quiet. She had enough to deal with already. "I'm sorry," I whispered to her again.

Everyone went back to their chambers for the night, but after what just happened I wasn't able to sleep. Even Francis was tossing and turning throughout the night. Sometimes he would ask me if I was still awake. The answer was the same every time. I just felt horrible. I didn't know who I felt worse for, but it didn't matter. It was already set in writing and there was no way I would be able to change it. Bash and Kenna were married.

When I finally drifted off to sleep I was awoken only minutes later by my ladies to get ready for the day. I groaned and covered my face with my arm. I didn't want to face a new day, not now. I was almost terrified of what was to come. With a person like Henry ruling you never knew what was going to happen. Mu ladies were quiet as they started to pick out my outfit for the day. I forced my body up and out of the bed so that I could face this new day and get it over with. I looked around at my ladies to find it was only Aylee, Greer, and Lola. They looked scared to talk to me but after a while, Aylee spoke up. "Did Kenna really married to Bash?" She already knew the answer but she asked anyway, wanting further clarification from someone who had attended the ceremony. "Yes," I responded as I wiped my eyes. "We heard there is going to be a party for the two of them today. We didn't understand why " Lola said. She sighed. "I guess now we do."

"Have you seen Kenna?" I asked them. They shook their heads. I wanted to know how she was doing but at the same time, I didn't want to bother her. I wanted her to take as much time as she needed to process all of this. I also wanted to know how Bash was doing and how he was handling this. Kenna was a good girl, but she didn't seem like a good match for Bash. At least, not at the moment. Hopefully, as they spend more time together they start to grow feelings for each other.

I was sort of nervous to go to the part for Bash and Kenna. I was assuming it was going to be a little awkward for everyone, since the two were forced into a marriage neither of them wanted. But when I entered the hall it was quite cheerful. People were dancing and having a grand time. I spotted Kenna in a small group of women. She was tightly holding onto her glass of wine as she spun in circles. She looked like she was laughing hysterically. When I reached her she didn't notice me and spun right into me. Her free hand slapped my upper arm. She quickly turned toward me. Her face lit up when she saw that it was me. She was completely unfazed that she just slapped my arm since she was already moving on. She laughed and grabbed onto the arm she had just slapped. "Mary! Welcome to my wedding party!" Her breath reeked of alcohol and every word was like a cloud hitting my nose with furious power. "How many glasses of wine have you had?" I attempted to grab onto the glass of wine she had in her hand but she pulled it away from me. "I have not just had wine." I raised my brow, waiting for her to tell me what else she has had. "One of those nobles offered me some strong stuff." She winked at me as if it was some juicy gossip. I nodded questionably acting as if I knew what she meant. "Kenna, maybe you should get some water?" I suggested. Kenna rolled her eyes and patted my shoulder with her free hand. Then she turned back toward the other girls giggling away next to her. Women like Kenna never acted like this but it seemed like she no longer cared. She was married. She no longer had to impress anyone. So she drank her feelings away. I thought I was going to be able to talk to her without her crying, but now I have to wait until she is sober. I found Francis and Bash near the corner of the room chatting. Before I was able to walk over toward them I was surrounded by my other ladies. Aylee wrapped her arms around me and giggled. "Look!" She said as she pointed at a man that was eyeing her every so often. "Isn't he handsome?" I looked at him for a moment, examining his looks. He had a sharp face that was covered in small brown stubbles. His jawline was chiseled like, but his eyes were warm and inviting with a light brown color. His hair was a very dark color, almost black but as the sun filled the room you could see a tint of brown. While everything was darker, his skin was pale. "He is," I responded to Aylee. She turned toward me and squeezed my arm in excitement. "He's invited me on a walk through the gardens!" She smiled happily and turned back toward the man. "I think he likes me." I smiled and grabbed onto Aylee's hand. "I'm sure he does! Just look at the way he is looking at you." Aylee laughed then almost skipped toward the man. I couldn't help but smile while watching Aylee walk toward him. "She's so happy," Lola said, admiring Aylee. Greer scoffed and turned away from the new, cute couple. "Now it's my turn to find that!" Lola and I snickered at Greer's jealousy.

As I walked toward Bash and Francis I could feel Henry's eyes watching my every movement. Even when I reached them his eyes were still on me. "How are you feeling, Bash?" I asked him. He shrugged and took a small sip of wine. "I feel like my wife and I are complete opposites." He took a larger sip this time. Francis turned toward me and frowned. I could tell Francis didn't like seeing his brother like this. He had always looked up to Bash. Now, Bash was surrounded by depression and it didn't leave any room for anything else. At the same time though he was taking it in stride. He was trying to show the people around him that it didn't bother him and that he would listen to the king, but Francis and I could tell he wasn't happy. "Kenna is a unique girl," I told Bash. "At first, she seems self-centered and cold-hearted. But as you get to know her you will find that she is so caring. She's extremely brave and adventurous." I laughed as I remembered the many times Kenna had gotten scolded for going somewhere she wasn't supposed to. "She hasn't matured quite yet, but she's getting there." Bash slowly nodded as he watched Kenna dance with the other woman. Then suddenly Bash walked toward Kenna. When he got to her it looked like she was reluctant at first to do what Bash was asking but then they both began to walk out of the hall. I sighed and looked over at Francis. "I hope everything works out for them." Francis nodded in agreement. "Bash can be stubborn. And I know Kenna can be too. I wish them the best."

Francis gently slipped his hand into mine and pulled me toward the dance floor. "I think a dance is long overdue." He smiled at me. When we got onto the dance floor we smoothly joined the rest of the dancers that were following the tune of a violin. Francis moved harmoniously as he followed the sound of the music. This reminded so much of the night of our wedding. It wasn't too long ago, but remembering the happy day was always nice.

He gently pushed me away and spun me around, but suddenly that sickening feeling from yesterday returned. This time it was slowly creeping up. I paused mid-dance and held my stomach, hoping nothing would happen right it were I don't think I would be able to make it. "Mary, what is it?" Francis asked. Concern was wrapped in his voice. "I need to sit down," I mumbled, trying my best to cover my mouth just in case. Francis grabbed hold of my hand and placed his other hand on my back. He led me to the nearest chair and slowly sat me down. "Do you feel sick?" He asked me. I felt a nauseating feeling in my stomach and my head was pounding. I attempted a nod but every time I moved my head it would pound fiercely. Francis stepped away from me for a moment only to return seconds later with a plate of food. I looked down at the plate to find a small piece of meat. "Here, maybe you're hungry?" Francis attempted to hand me the plate but as the aroma of the meat filled my nose I was almost sick right then and there. I quickly pushed it away from me and covered my nose. "That smell is disgusting!" I cried through my hand. Francis stared at me blankly. "But you've always eaten this?"
Francis sat the plate away from me then kneeled next to me while I sat in the chair. He examined me for a second, searching for some kind of answer behind all of this. Then his eyes lit up. "Do you think you could be pregnant?"
I stared at Francis, as my head was quickly attacked with questions. What if I was pregnant? Lately, I've been having so many headaches. And this feeling of sickness is quite new. But I wasn't sure. I never quite knew the symptoms of a pregnancy.
I opened my mouth, wanting to give Francis some kind of answer but nothing came out. It seemed like Francis didn't need an answer because his face immediately brightened as the biggest smile I've ever seen crossed his face.
"Mary-"
Francis' excitement was cut off when Henry approached us. He stared down at me as if he expected something from me. "Mary, let's go for a walk." He said to me. Francis quickly stood up and I watched as his excitement was quickly replaced with anger. "Father, she isn't going anywhere-" Henry lifted his hand in front of Francis' face, forcing him to stop talking. "I let you speak out once against me. I will not tolerate a second time." Henry turned his attention back toward me. "Shall we?" He reached his hand out to me. I didn't want to go with him. I wanted nothing to do with this man. I turned toward Francis. He looked scared of what was to come, but he couldn't do anything. Not this time. I slowly reached my hand out and let him pull me up. My stomach was still reeling and my head was pounding even worse than before. "Excellent." Henry chuckled.