I DO NOT OWN REIGN.

Later that evening.

After I had pulled myself away from Olivia, I had a strong urge to call off the whole Varden meeting. I couldn't though, I had summoned Leith and Castleroy and I had to see it through. When night came, I went to the wine cellar along with Bash.

"Are you sure that you want to do this Nolan?" He inquired as i steeled my nerves.

"We have to protect Mary and we can't do it alone." I reminded my false half brother. After a few minutes of waiting, Lord Castleroy came down the stairs into the cellar, followed closely by Leith Bayard.

"Your highness?" Castleroy asked in shock as Leith looked equally perplexed.

"Welcome Lord Castleroy, Leith." I replied as I looked at Bash to explain our purpose.

"We've invited you here because we believe that you can be trusted. France is in danger." Bash explained as our guests looked stunned.

"What is this danger?" Leith asked.

"We can not reveal it all to you yet, but know that the house of Valois has powerful enemies and we need to establish a line of defense against them." I added as the men were listening to us with rapt attention.

"My brother and I are creating a network of spies to wage a covert war against the enemies of the Valois line." Bash finished as he stared both men down. "We will be called The Varden."

"We can not force either of you to join our army, but know that you would have the eternal gratitude of the next king of France." I begged them as Leith and Castleroy were both silent for a few moments as they thought it over. Leith was the one to go first.

"Your highness, I am honored to be asked to join you." Leith said as he pledged himself to the Varden.

"As am I, I am loyal to the crown and to you." Lord Castleroy agreed as we clasped hands.

"Thank you, your loyalty shall not go unrewarded." I promised them both as the Varden was beginning to take shape.

The next day.

The following day was when everybody sent off their regrets on the boats. Everyone was excited, except me. Not only was a confrontation with Mary coming, but she was going to get sauced and kiss Bash. I had tried to avoid her as long as I possible, but eventually she found me.

"Mary, there you are." I said, trying to keep my cool as she looked at me with judgement in her eyes.

"Have you moved Olivia into the castle?" She asked in fear. "Tell me it isn't true."

"I was coming to tell you." I lied as I forced myself to look at my bride to be. "I've had word that the home of the viscountess is no longer an option. She's learned of Olivia's reputation."

"But perhaps you could insist?" She pleaded.

"I don't want to make Olivia live with people that will resent having her." I pointed out.

"But I resent having her." Mary pointed out in return.

"I understand that and I'll find her somewhere else to stay. It just might take a little time." I pleased as I felt the guilt eating me up like a flesh eating virus. It didn't get past Mary as her BS detector must have been off the charts.

"Has something happened between you two?" She asked anxiously as I didn't know how to tell her what I'd done. "Francis, tell me or I'll imagine the worst."

"I am not talking about this here." I insisted as I drug Mary out of the pavilion where we could converse privately.

"Tell me what happened." She demanded again as I groaned in shame.

"Olivia came to my room, I told her that we'd found suitable arrangements and she...admitted her feelings for me." I explained as I felt the sweat run down my forehead. "She begged to be my mistress and when I tried to refuse her...she kissed me."

"She kissed you?" Mary asked in a mixture of shock and anger.

"it was for a moment...but when I opened my eyes and saw that I wasn't kissing you...I pulled away in disgust." I insisted as I touched Mary's cheek only for her to pull away.

"I want her gone." She demanded angrily.

"She will be." I promised, but she wasn't having it.

"Now, I want her gone now." Mary declared.

"As much I wish I could, I can't just snap my fingers and make her vanish into thin air!" I protested.

"You just told me she kissed you!" My bride to be insisted.

"It won't happen again, I'll lay down the law with her."

"It's already happened again."

"Mary, enough!" I cried out in frustration. "Until I can find somewhere for her, Olivia is staying here."

That's it, then?" Mary asked with hurt in her voice. "You can just decide?"

"Yes I can, actually. I know it sounds bad, it I need Olivia here for now." I argued. I couldn't tell Mary, but I was hoping to turn Olivia into a double agent. If I could bring her into the Varden, I would have eyes on the side to help spoil Catherine's schemes. "And I'm the future king of France."

"And I'm your future queen." Mary countered.

"Then you need to respect my decisions!" I exclaimed.

"Respect goes both ways!" Mary shouted back. "I will not have a relationship like your mother and father." That got to me. Henry was a pig and she was comparing me to that piece of shit.

"I am nothing like that pig bastard and for you to compare me to him is beyond insulting!" I growled as she was way out of line.

"Then why are you acting like him?" She asked as I lost it. I had tried so hard to save Frary from the unnecessary drama and heartbreak and she was treating me like some fuck boy who had no qualms about cheating on her.

"Screw you Mary!" I screamed angrily as I stormed off, feeling like a giant piece of shit.

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