I DO NOT OWN REIGN.

That evening.

As I wrestled with myself about how to handle Olivia's pursuit of Francis, I remembered that Aylee was going to get caught stealing one of Mary's rings and subsequently blackmailed by the Medici serpent. I had thought about intercepting Aylee before she stole the ring; but to be honest, I had more to worry about then a kleptomaniac. I looked at the letters that I had penned. 1 to Leith Bayard, the other to Lord Castleroy. They were anonymous, telling them to come to the wine cellar at midnight. I didn't want to reveal that I was behind the Varden until I had them where I needed them. I summoned a servant and instructed him to deliver the letters without being seen. A few minutes after he'd left, there was a knock at my door. I opened it and there stood Mary, looking distressed.

"Mary, come in." i said as I motioned her inside. She came in and I closed the door after her.

"Francis..I just had an..interesting conversation with Olivia." Mary said as she wrung her hands uncomfortably. "Did...you propose to her?" she asked anxiously as I groaned. Francis had said that and now I had to clean up his BS. I took Mary's hands and sat down on the couch with her.

"We did discuss marriage once, a moment of weakness." I had to admit.

"Lovers, dreaming of a future together." Mary remarked as her voice stung like a wasp.

"I was caught up. Plus, my father was losing faith in the Scottish alliance." I explained as i felt so guilty as I looked in her beautiful brown eyes. "It seemed like he was going to call the whole thing off. If he had...I could have taken Olivia as my wife." Catherine be damned."

"Caught up with a noble girl and a very rich one." Mary reminded me as if i needed it. "Not one with a country in need, hanging around her neck. It's ironic, isn't it? That the very alliance that forged our engagement has always complicated it terribly." She took a deep breath as she struggled to keep composed.

"It has, but that is beyond our control." I admitted as I leaned over and cupped Mary's cheek. "And the fact of the matter is, I am committed to you now."

"I am glad to hear you say it, and towards that end, the Viscountess Demarchelier has offered to house Olivia in Paris." Mary replied as she revealed to me her plan. She has a very lavish estate."

"In Paris?" I asked on script.

"I thought it best she go, Olivia still has feelings for you." Mary insisted as I heaved a sigh at the thought of her making a move on Francis. "She only confided in me to stake a claim. I know that you feel responsible for her, but I wanted to help you find a comfortable arrangement."

"I'll let Olivia know." I said with a weak smile as Mary returned it.

"I should go." Mary said as she stood up, but I quickly pulled her back.

"Mary...please, will you stay for a bit? I just...I really need to be around you right now." i asked as I needed her desperately in that moment. The fear that I might give into my lust for Olivia was terrifying me. I didn't want to lose what I had found with Mary.

"Of course Francis, i'll stay." Mary replied with a smile as I opened my arms and she snuggled up to me on the couch. I held her and felt her warmth, smelled the perfume on her skin. It felt like a home that i'd never known i needed. Mary noticed how deep in thought I was and touched my cheek.

"Are you all right Francis?" she asked as I looked at her face.

"I just...I don't ever want to fuck this up..." I whispered as Mary leaned in and kissed me deeply, not saying a word.

The Next day.

I was a bundle of nerves the next morning. I knew that the next major run in with Olivia was coming. The previous night, i'd had a dream about being with her, her blonde hair, her porcelain skin, the taste of her lips on mine. I used to have dreams like that about Mary and they had been glorious. Now, I felt like I was betraying the woman that I had promised my heart to. Eventually, the moment that I feared came upon me.

"Lady Olivia d'Amencourt requests an audience, My Lord." A servant said as the blonde bombshell waltzed right in.

"Olivia, I was coming to find you, actually." I lied as she revealed a bottle of French wine from a old timey hand warmer.

"I couldn't resist." She said with mischief in her voice.

"We've been old enough to drink for a while now." I reminded her.

"Yes, I know, but smuggling it in was always half the fun." She countered as I couldn't help but chuckle at the truth of her words.

"Touché." I conceded as she popped the cork.

"Have a drink with me." She commanded.

"All right, just one." I said, even though I knew I was pushing it.

"Ah, but that's what you said last year. Do you remember?" Olivia asked in teasing.

"I remember nothing of last year." I said, which was the absolute truth for once.

"You were spongy with liquor." She explained. "I had to keep you hidden from your mother all day. God, how she hated me." She poured us each a glass and we toasted. Truthfully, I was thankful for the wine; hoping it would give me some liquid courage.

"I should tell you my news while I have the chance." I said as I looked at Francis's former flame. "I've arranged for a very well-regarded family in Paris to host you for as long as you need."

"What?" Olivia asked in shock as it was clearly unwelcome news.

"Surely the rumors have not reached as far as Paris." I reasoned. "It's far away from here, far from your home. The Demarcheliers will make valuable introductions to society, and from there..."

"But you said I could stay here." Olivia replied, cutting me off. "Why are you changing your mind?"

"I think you know." I said with a glare, letting her know that I knew her little power play with my betrothed. "This is best for all parties involved."

I don't see why I can't just stay here, for a time, anyway?" Olivia asked, trying to plead her case.

"Mary told me that you told her that you still care for me...is she telling the truth?" I asked, putting Olivia on the spot.

"I did say that, because it is true." Olivia said, without a hint of shame in her voice. "I made such a mistake leaving."

"Olivia, we both knew that you would." I reminded her. "I've been engaged to Mary for over a decade; we have a valuable alliance."

"Engagements break, alliances end." Olivia pointed out.

"This one hasn't, the only thing that's changed are my feelings for Mary...I love her." I pointed out in return.

"The man I knew put his country first above all else." Olivia insisted as she looked at me, trying to bring me back to my senses. "I so admired that about you, your sense of duty. That's the man I fell in love with. It's the man I love still."

"Olivia, I am sorry...but the man you love is not here." I argued by telling her the truth. "I'm not that man anymore. I know that I will be king someday, but I shouldn't have to sacrifice everything in my to be a good one. There are more important things than France. You can't believe that I will just send Mary packing and walk down the aisle with you?" Olivia didn't love me, she loved Francis and he was lone gone.

"I have to!" She pleaded as she looked up at me with her bright blue eyes. "Francis, this year has been torture, and not because of the scandal, but because I had to endure it without you."

"I know and I'm sorry..." I muttered as she put her finger in my lips.

"Do you know how many nights I would lay in bed and remember how you used to touch me?" She asked as I felt my list growing out of control. "I want to stay; if not as your wife then as your mistress. Because I would rather have some small part of you, than none of you at all." I didn't know what to say as Olivia leaned in close. In a split second, I closed the gap and we kissed. Her lips tasted wonderful as we wrapped our arms around each other.

We were both hungry for each other as we continued to make out. For a moment, I tricked myself into thinking that I was kissing Mary. When I opened my eyes and saw Olivia pressed against me, I was horrified and quickly broke away from her grasp. I had betrayed Mary, I had kissed Olivia. All of the arousal turned to shame immediately. There was only 1 things to say in that moment.

"SHIT!" I exclaimed loudly as we glared at each other in frustration.

"You want me and I want you!" Olivia declared in anger.

"You think I don't know that?" I asked in equal rage. "What do you want me to say Olivia, that I want you? Fine, I want you. Happy now?"

"I'm telling you you can have me any way you want." Olivia insisted as I shook my head.

"I can not, if I have you, I will lose Mary." I insisted as I struggled to calm myself. "Maybe Catherine is content to share her husband, but Mary is not and she shouldn't have to be. Mary should be enough. If I were to take you as my mistress...I would sever myself from Mary and that is fate worse than death."

"Scotland would still be in an alliance with France, she could not just leave." Olivia reasoned with me.

"I would. It lose her physically...but emotionally, it would be like I sent her back to Scotland in shame." I explained as I felt myself tearing up. "Olivia...if you truly love me as you claim, you will not ask me to spit on Mary's heart; because I will not do it. She is too priceless a treasure."

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