I DO NOT OWN REIGN.

French Court. Later that evening.

Simon had been questioned and he hadn't talked. As furious a so was at Simon, I was equally fearful of breaking the news to Mary. I couldn't afford forever. I saw her later and pulled her aside to talk.

"The English Envoy has been questioned, he had an alibi for everything." I reported.

"I'm not surprised." Mary admitted solemnly.

"I hope you know I take your position seriously and I want to help as best I can." Mary nodded as squeezed her hand before walking away. While she had her meeting with Clarissa, I needed to have words with Bash. I found him having a glass of wine on his chamber balcony.

"So, how are you finding royal life, my peasant friend?" Bash teased, earning a eye roll.

"I'm doing my best, but it's hard, especially with all the shit that Mary is going through. The English are threatening her with Catherine's blessing." I remarked as I sat next to my half brother.

"I know that she is a serpent, but she does not unleash her venom without motive; what quarrel does she have with your betrothed?" Bash inquired.

"I don't know for sure...maybe she feels that she can't control a daughter in law who's a queen in her own right." I lied as Bash put his hand on my shoulder.

"What about you Nolan...do you love Mary?" He asked as I shook my head.

"I wouldn't say that I love her...but I do care about her and I don't want to see her harmed." I insisted as Bash nodded his understanding. I felt it was too early for love. Part of me still saw her as a character. If I did come to love her, I wanted to love Mary for Mary; not for Adelaide Kane playing Mary.

"Then you'll have to tell Catherine that she must leave Mary be...or lose her son's love." He replied as I nodded my head. I honestly didn't believe that Catherine di' Medici had it in her to love anyone; but what else could I do?

I managed to find Mary after she had confronted Simon and his skank. She was clearly shaken up about the ordeal, so I brought her some wine to wet the tongue.

"I thought you looked thirsty." I said, offering the goblet. The Scottish Queen took with the ghost of a smile on her face.

"What's wrong?" I asked as if I didn't know.

"With Colin fleeing the country, in have no proof against my enemy." She replied as she looked me in the eye. "I came here to marry you, a marriage that will protect both me and my country and it scares the English."

"They fear your country's power and Those brits are going to fear it a hell of a lot more when I'm King, I promise you." I vowed, thinking of Simon's treachery.

"And I would wait, for our marriage, for the chance of your country's support...If I had some faith that I could survive your mother." Mary said with fear in her voice.

"Mary, do you realize that you're accusing the Queen of France of attempted murder; among other things.?" I asked, even though I knew she was right.

"I can't prove it. I have no one who will speak openly, no evidence that you can hold in your hand." Mary pleaded as she held my hands. "I have nothing but confirmation from an enemy And someone else, a girl, who I believe more than anyone."

"Mary, I swear that I believe you and I refuse to let anyone, even Catherine get between us!" I insisted as I cupped her face. "I won't let anything happen to you. If you don't have faith in my father or in France...have faith in me. Because I have faith that once we wed...our life will be beautiful." Mary looked at he with a sad smile as she felt my cheek.

"I believe you Francis...I've always had faith in you." Mary promised as we held each other tightly. In that moment, it was just us. The outside world didn't matter.

I knew that it was a bad idea, but the serpent queen needed to be put on notice. I sent a servant to tell Catherine to meet me in the throne room. A half hour later, she came. I steeled myself to face the mythic bitch.

"I hope to be a good King someday, which is why I will never put anything, any love, ahead of the love for my country." I said as I admired the thrones before turning to Catherine. "Why do you doubt that?" I asked.

"What makes you think I do?" She asked as I moved towards her.

"Clearly you think that my judgement is so inadequate that I can't handle my own marital issues." I remarked as I stared at her. "We can't prove it...but Mary and I know that you were on league with Simon to torment her into leaving."

"If Mary told you that, she is wrong." Catherine said flippantly.

"No, it is you who are wrong for thinking that she is no good for me!" I barked back. "Mary has been my betrothed since we were 6 years old. We are going to get married."

"Francis...listen to me..." the Queen mother started to say.

"You listen to me Catherine!" I shouted a saying her name caught her off guard. "Whatever schemes you have planned against Mary, stop them now! If a single hair on her head is harmed, I will suspect you and all you will receive as reward for your efforts is my hate."

"She brings death to our home Francis...I can bear your hate as long as you live!" Catherine declared as I took a deep breath.

"You have brought death to more homes that Mary has and that's a fact." I teased, getting under her skin. "Leave Mary alone!" I stormed out of the throne room, feeling strong and vulnerable at the same time.

The Next Day.

I had not slept well that night. Images of Catherine di'Medici with the fangs of a snake filled my nightmares. I knew that I was playing with fire, but I had to make sure that Mary knew I was on her side. Early the next morning, I found her outside on the grounds and I took her hand in mine.

"I believe you and I'm sorry for all that you've been through." I quoted as I looked Mary in the eye. "I believe that your life is safe here...at least from my mother.

"How?"' Mary inquired.

"You'll just have to trust me, and I'll have to trust her love for me."

"You told her?" She asked in surprise.

"I raised my suspicions, not yours." I clarified.

"Even if putting your mother on notice was enough, I have more enemies than you can count." Mary reminded me.

"Isn't that why you came here, for an ally?" I asked.

"I know that you want to be one for me Francis...but your parents..." she started to say before I put my index finger to her lips.

"Are done running my life. If I am going to be King of France, I need to start making my own choices." I said as I squeezed her hands. "I choose to be at your side against foes seen and unseen, as your ally."

"Is that what we are now?" She asked coyly.

Well, I'd rather be your husband but...we gotta start somewhere." I shrugged as Mary squeezed my hands back.

"Yes, it is a good place to start." She agreed as we looked out over the horizon. The more I changed things, the more uncertain the future became. But Mary was a constant and one I was damn lucky to have.

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