A/N: This is the first part of 'posion' so no worries we will have way more Frash in the next chapter of' posion'
Sebastian de Poitiers has always been good at judging people. He always had a feeling for who he could trust and who he couldn't. And he was rarely wrong in his assumptions. He wasn't a Nostradamus who could see things beforehand, but he knew when he couldn't trust someone. And right now that person was Lord Matteo from Italy. First he had no problem with the young Lord but he grew to misstrust him. Francis and Lord Matteo had grown close the past few weeks and thats when Bash started to notice things. They were to similar. And not in a good way. In a way that made Bash look at every move from the young Lord closely. Like right now.
Bash is standing outside with a close look at his brother and Matteo. They were chatting. Bash knows they want to go hunting soon and a training fight was also talked about earlier. Bash is so cought in thoughts that he doesn't even notice the person next to him appearing.
,So what did Lord Matteo did to you for you to look at him like that?", asks one of Bashs closest friends in a jokely tone. It's one of the knights, Louis de Jeurre. They know each other since their both been little boys and Louis grew up to be a talented knight. Bash lets out a sigh.
,Nothing yet.", he answers shortly, looking back at the two men a few feet away from them. Louis follows his eyes again and sighs as well as he leans against the wall next to them.
,Alright what's your suspicion then?", Louis asks as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Finally Bash turns his full attention to the knight and makes a frustrated sound.
,I don't have anything. He hasn't done anything wrong. It's just... do you not have an uneasy feeling towards him?", asks Bash back wondering if he is growing paranoid. Louis looks at them for a moment and seems to look for anything abnormal. It's a thing Bash admires about the knight. He never told Bash that what he says is nonsense. He always considers what Bash says and takes it serious.
,I don't know. But I did notice that he is rather close to the Dauphin. Is it that worries you as well?", says Louis after a while and looks back Bash. For a second an almost relieved smile apears on Bashs face. He isn't going crazy. But the relieve leaves just seconds later.
,That's what I thought as well. They're to similar. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for Francis that he has a friend and it's clearly positive for the alliance with Italy but something is off about that Matteo. Call me a paranoid older brother but I do not have a good feeling with them going hunting alone. Without any protection.", rants Bash relieved to finally share is thoughts on the matter. After all no one at court would talk like that about a Lord. For a second Louis frowns before a little smirk creeps onto his face.
,Well as a good knight of France I can't allow that. The Dauphin of France is always in need of protection. Surely the King would agree that someone should go with them. To which I obviously volunteer since the royal family should be safe by any cost.", explains Louis and in Bash face grows a smirk as well. He knew he trusted the right person with his thoughts. Louis grins as he continues. ,Especially the Dauphin. Surely I'll have an eye on him."
,I agree strongly with you Louis. You're brilliant, come on lets go to them immediately.", says Bash with a satisfied smirk on his face and with Louis following close behind he makes his way to Francis and Matteo. Both look rather surprised to suddently see the Kings Bastard son and a knight approaching. As they come to a halt infront of them both, Bash and Louis, bow quickly.
,You're royal Highness, My Lord.", greets Bas quickly before looking back up at the two men. Both give him a rather confused look at his sudden appearance. Louis stays in the backround for the moment. Bash feels the judging eyes of the Lord Matteo. God how he hates being looked down at.
,Bash? What are you doing here? Matteo and me where just on our way to get ready for hunting.", explains Francis and looks at Bash like he should hurry up. Bash doesn't like that. Not at all. Ever since the Lod came to court, Francis and he had been getting more distand.
,Ah yes I was informed that you do that. I was wondering who of the knights is comming with you since I wanted to practice with a few of them.", says Bash. He knows himself that there probably would have been hunderts of better lies but it was the first one to come up in his mind. Suddently Francis mimic changes from confusion to suspicion.
,No one. Lord Matteo suggested that we go hunting just the two of us.", explains Francis and crosses his arms. A clear sign that he is starting to understand what Bashs plan is. But before Bash can say anything Louos jumps in.
,Without disrespect your Grace but I do not think that this is a good Idea. Someone should follow you for protection.", explains Louis and Bash feels the slowly annoyed glare from his brother on the side of his head. Lord Matteo gives him a similar look but there is something else in it. Bash just can't say what it is yet.
,I won't need protection from Lord Matteo.", argues Francis almost immediately actually rolling his eyes. Bash would like to do the same but the Italiens glare pierces through him. Now Bash is the one to interrupt Louos before saying something.
,That might me true, though we don't know that for sure, but you're the Dauphin of France Francis. Going hunting with just one man is very dangerous.", explains Bash and Francis looks at him like he just said the most disrespectfull thing ever. Alright it was but it was true. Lord Matteo raises and eyebrow at Bash.
,I won't let any harm come to the Dauphin though I don't need to justify myself infront of a Bastard.", says Matteo strongly and glares down at Bash. At the word 'bastard' cringes Bash slightly but it goes unnoticed.
,Of cause my Lord. France and Italy are allaince and I trust you have the best interest for Francis. I was saying that it's less dangerous and easier if you have a man with you. The two of you can concentrate in hunting while the man makes sure that the two of you will be safe.", says Bash and cringes at his own words. Everything in him tells himself to not trust the Lord but he puts on a good facade for them to take Louis with them. Lord Matteo seems to think about those words and though he doesn't seem satisfied he tries to look otherwise.
,Yes how thoughtfull of you. But where should we get a knight or guard without anything to do?", asks Matteo back and Bash has to stop himself from smirking. Good Francis won't be alone with him. If he is wrong about the Lord he would regret this but if he is right, he knows he'd regret it if he doesn't do something.
,Oh I have the perfect man.", says Bash as he puts on a smile and winkes Louis over to stand next to him and not slightly behind him. Lord Matteo looks closely at Louis. Bash tries to concentrate in that and not his brother killing him with his eyes.
,This is Louis de Jeurre. A fine knight. We wanted to train together but I can train with other knights. The Dauphins and Lords protection is a priority.", he Says and Louis bows slightly again. And agiant Matteo looks him up and down before a smile appeares in his face. Bash can't tell if it's genuine or fake.
,Well thank you. The get your horse knight so we can go hunting soon. Right Francis?", the Lords says now friendly again. Francis looks at him quickly and smiles himself and nods. Bash and Louis give each other a quick knowing grin.
,Of cause and I am very sorry for the interruption Matteo.", apologizes Francis but Matteo just waves it off and walks off to get his own horse. Bash wants to go as well but suddently his brother grabs his shoulder causing him to turn around. To a very angry Francis. Great.
,What in the name of France was that about?! Do you want to embarrasse me or something??", says Francis almost yelling. Bash is taking back for a moment but not long. Quickly he gives Louis a look and he disappeares to get his horse.
,I have know Idea what you're talking about.", says Bash rolling his eyes at his brothers anger. Which causes Francis to get even angrier obliviously.
,Of cause you do! You make me look like a little princling who needs every protection in the whole of France just for a little hunting trip!", complains Francis yelling causing Bash to get a bit angry as well. He is doing that for Francis.
,Oh stop complaining! You're the Dauphin of cause you need protection! Especially from him!", argues Bash back crossing his arms angry. Francis for his part clenches his fists and glares at Bash.
,What do you mean especially from him?? He is a friend of mine!", yells Francis back glaring down at him. That angers Bash even more. He want to protect his stupid brother and this is what he gets as a thank you??
,He may be but I have a bad feeling about him! Something is wrong with him, I just can't say what! God damn it it won't kill you to take Louis with you!!", yells Bash back at him now defenetly glaring himself.
,It's a hunting trip! You're getting paranoid! He is a friend and an ally to France! Stop being stupidly paranoid, you are embarrassing me and make me look weak infront of a Lord!", argues Francis back looking deadly at Bash. Bash sighs annoyed.
,I am doing this to protect you!", yells Bash back. How can't Francis not understand that? And even if he wouldn't have had an uneasy feeling about Matteo, it still would be dangerous. Francis just glares at him.
,I don't need my bastard half-brother protecting me like I am ten years old! I can make my own choices!", yells Francis his head red from anger. But all the anger suddently leaves Bash. It makes place for a new emotion. Hurt. Bash is used to be called bastard. Everyone does. But not Francis. No never Francis. He had never called him Bastard or his half-brother before. He was always just Bash his brother. Never the Bastard, never the half-brother. From yelling he goes cold. This was a step to far.
,My apologizes, your Grace.", he simply says, turns around and starts walking away. He is doing everything to protect Francis. Being called Bastard isn't that hurtfull anymore. It's who he is. But still out of Francus mouth it hurt. He doesn't want to continue this conversation.
,Bash wait!", yells Francis already regreting what he just said. He is sure his anger is valid but he knew he took it to far. Bash was never formal with him. What he said really must have hurt. But Bash doesn't turn around and disappeares into the castle. For a second Francis follows him with his eyes before he remberes that he has to get his horse and starts walking.
Matteo can't express his annoyance as he runs to his room. It could have gone so well. No one would have suspected him if he had said that the Dauphin of France had a terrible hunting accident because he himself barely survived. But then that bastard had to get involved. He would leave the day after tomorrow. Now he only had the poison option to get rid of the Dauphin. The prince hadn't done anything to him directly, but he could have stopped the king when he had Matteo's sister burned for witchcraft. Revenge on the king himself was too difficult, so the heir to the throne was the best choice. Also Matteo always had a dislike for the Dauphin.
Bash hates feasts. It's something for Kings and Princes and not for a Bastard. He never found feasts at the palast really interesting. Sometime there would be a pretty girl but nothing more then that. He never really felt comfortable at those events as well. Of cause the court respect him as the Kings son but they alway let him know that he was worth less since he isn't the Queens son. So yeah if possible he keeps a good amount of space between himself and those feasts. But today is Lord Matteos last day at court so Bash has only one day left where he has to take a close look at his brother. And that's what he is doing. Watching closely as Francis dances with another daughter of a ruch woman who hopes her daughter could be Queen or at least Lady in waiting one day.
Bash holds some casual conversation with a few people but nothing interesting enough to catch his attention long enough. When he was a bit younger he enjoyed feasts more. Back than all his friends he grew up with where still close. The only one left close now is Louis. Ever since feasts got more annoying where he feels like he is in the wrong place. After all his is life the forest and hunting. Not a ballroom. He is eyes fly to Matteo quickly. The man is playing with the handle of a wine glas. ,Something is wrong about you...", whispers Bash to himself before pouring another drink. The eine always was the best part of feasts.
Finally Francis is seemingly though with dancing for now but before Bash is able to get through to his brother he heares the sound of glas and Matteos voice calls though the room. ,I would like to give a toast on the alliance of France and Italy. Isn't it a blessing for those strong countries! So now, raise you glas everyone. And Prince Francis, my now dear friend, would you like to join me?", says Matteo and holds out a glas of wine for Francis. Bashs eyes wide slightly as his eyes turn to Francis who smiles slightly. He has an awful feeling. Truly horriable. He needs to think quickly.
,Wait!", he interrupts and every pair of eyes land on him. Quickly ruches to the front. He needs to think of something quickly. The allaince is Importand and so is Francis life. He needs to find a way to protect both. He sees the confused look from Francis, the annoyed one from Queen Cathrine and the shock one from everyone else. When he finally reatches the two of them he points at Francis cup. ,May I?", he asks with a little smile. Francis looks at him even more confused but carefully hands his older brother the glas.
,Sebastian are you doing?", asks King Henry and you could hear the strict tone piercing through the air. Bash cringes slightly. He'll get into so much trouble if he is wrong. But if he is right... this might be the last thing he ever did. But thats how he had always imagin it. Him dying for Francis. Carefully he looks at his father.
,My apologizes father.", he says and lowers his head for a moment before looking up again. ,As you said my Lord we should raise our glases for the alliance. I want to join your toast as a deep apology on my side. I was ill-mannered and I want to proper apologize to you. So lets raise or glas to show not only the allaince but also the respect between the countries. May get the Dauphin a new glas and we can toast.", says Bash and he was impressed with himself how quickly he came up with the lie and how good he delivered. Though he isn't sure if Matteo belives him, the rest does perfectly. For a second he sees the discomfort in the Lords eyes before he puts on a smile.
,We could get you a new glas as well. It was for Dauphin after all.", says Matteo giving Bash a look that was a mix of annoyance and a smirk. Bash just smiles slightly. ,Is this your way of saying no to my apology? I took glas to Show that I take the apology very seriously which is why I took the princes glas. A exoensive glas for a deep apology.", says Bash knowing that this isn't as compelling but should work as well. Again that same look on the Lords face. ,Than surely get the Dauphin a new glas.", orders the Lord and turns is attention away for a moment.
,What are you doing?", asks Francis in a whisper and slightly worried as means closer to Bash for a moment. Bash is acting strange it's scaring him a bit. He has to think back to what Bash said to him the other day. Bash sighs. ,What I need to?", he whispers back but before Francis can voice his confused look another glas of wine is passed to Francis.
,To the allaince!", says Lord Matteo though it doesn't sound as confident anymore. The three of them toast their glases together and start to drink.
As the wine runs down Bashs throat he feels the anxiety rise in him. He doesn't want to die. He has so many things left he want to do. Now is to late though... If he was right at least he did it for Francis. For Francis... Everythig for Francis. When he finally finishes the cup he puts back down. Matteo and he catch eyes. It takes nothing more for Bash to know he was right then the anxiety in the mans eyes. For a moment he feels nothing before everything happend very quickly.
,Bash?", asks Francis worry deep in his voice. Bash suddently looks deathly pale and his hands move to his throat. Immediately Francis looks at Matteo for a second and sees in horror as the Italien Lord backs away slowly. But his whole attention is on Bash.
Bash knows Francis says something but he can't make out what. He ears are ringing. Slowly his vision starts to get blury as well and his head is spinning horriable. A sharp pain is going through his throat and stomach. Every second passing, everythig gers worse and worse. It is like he loses the control of his own Body before he suddently feels himself falling. Both physical and mentally. Its like a dark nothing is pulling him closer as he falls...