I DO NOT OWN REIGN.

Later That Day.

I wept silent tears as I returned to my chambers. My carelessness had cost a life and most likely my marriage to Mary as well. I knew that she was packing her bags to return to Scotland this very day. I then realized that I couldn't just sit on my bed and cry like a little bitch. I refused to just let Mary ride away as Francis had. I had to fight for the woman that I loved and by God, that's what I was going to do.

I collected myself and went into the throne room where King Henry II was discussing his battle plans for when Bloody Mary Tudor eventually kicked the bucket. Henry invited me over to discuss the planning, but my mind was elsewhere. Eventually, Mary stepped into the throne room and I braced myself for the heartbreak.

"As Queen of Scotland, I have made a decision: I lay no claim to the English throne." Mary stated as she looked Henry dead in the eye. "There are too many lives at stake, and I have a duty to those who would die for me, who believe that I would die for them, regardless of my personal happiness."

"Wait, Mary..." I started to say before she cut me off.

"I know your terms, I know this will cost me the man I love." Mary continued as she forced herself not to look at me.

"Mary, no!" I exclaimed as I saw Henry develop a silent rage within him.

"You're risking everything, everything you've spent your life waiting for." Henry declared in shock.

"I know." She replied.

"You're walking away from England, from more power than you could ever imagine." He insisted as Mary gave him a cold look in return.

"I'm walking away from France." The Queen of Scots clarified as she stormed out of the throne room.

"Mary, You're frightened, now is the time for courage!" King Henry called out as I ran after her & grasped her hand.

"I don't understand." I lied as I squeezed Mary's hand.

"Please don't, I've made up my mind." Mary insisted.

"Without telling me?" I inquired incredulously.

"I told you I was afraid, I told you I wasn't sure if this was the right choice for my country." Mary pointed out as I refused to let her go.

"What does that have to do with marrying me?" I asked as I fought back my tears. "I told you, I have no term, I only want you."

"I can't trust that." Mary lied as I saw the love in her eyes. She knew I loved her, she was just trying to defy the prophecy.

"I don't believe you, if you really want me to let you go...then look me in the eye and tell me that you don't love me and we'll call this whole thing off; right here, right now." I challenged as I saw Mary's resolve all but crumble.

"Please Francis...don't do this..." Mary begged as I held her hands tightly.

"If you want me to let you go, you need to look in my eye and say that you don't love me." I commanded as Mary struggled with what I was asking. She eventually close her eyes tightly.

"I...don't...love you..." Mary stuttered as she fought hard to utter the lie.

"I told you to look me in the eye!" I exclaimed as the lie cut deeply. Mary forced her teary eyes open as I gazed into them.

"I...don't...Mary gasped as if each word was a stab wound.

"You don't what?" I grit my teeth as Mary finally caved.

"Please Francis, please Stop!" She wailed as I took her in my arms.

"Then tell me the truth, do you love me?" I demanded as i cupped her face

"You know that I love you, you know it!" Mary screamed as I kissed her deeply. We made out passionate for a few moments before I pulled away.

"You're upset, about Aylee." I quoted as I kissed each of Mary's tears away. You can't make decisions now, but I can, and I love you forever."

"All I ever wanted was you." Mary said as she stroked my cheek. I needed time to explain to her what I knew and it wasn't safe to do so here.

"Then go away with me." I said as Mary looked at me with confusion. "There are secrets we must share and we can't share them here. We'll find somewhere safe, we'll say what we need to and then we'll figure all this shit out. I just need to gather some supplies; I don't know how long we'll be gone. Mary please...wait for me?"

"I'll wait for you." Mary promised with a weak smile as I kissed her before running to my chambers.

I ran to the treasury room and gathered all of the gold coins that I could fit in a saddle bag. When I returned, I was so relived to find that Mary had stayed. To be honest, I had thought that Mary would have left as the script demanded.

"Mary...you stayed..." I said, unable to hide my relief.

"I told you that I would." Mary replied as I grabbed her hand and led her to the stables. I was amazed that it had worked. Maybe I had changed the timeline by opening myself to Mary's love from the start, unlike the real Francis who did everything to keep the Scottish Queen at arm's length until it proved impossible. When we got out to the stables, there was a stable keeper overseeing the horses.

"Your majesties, may I be of service?" the stable keeper asked as we tried to keep cool.

"We're going for a ride, we'll be fine." I said.

"I'll alert the guards." the stab

"Please, uh, don't." Mary said quickly and anxiously.

"But it's not safe for you alone." the stable keeper pointed out.

"We're fine here." We turned to see Bash approaching us with 2 horses. He was fleeing French Court before the Medici bitch could tell Henry that Diane was trying to legitimize his ass. "I'll be glad to accompany the Dauphin and Queen; I have horses ready for us."

"Horses ready?" the stable keep asked in confusion. "But you just offered..of course." Bash gave the guy a look that screamed walk away. Once the stable keeper made his way out, Bash turned to us both.

"Where are you going? What's wrong?" my false brother asked in quick succession.

"We're leaving, we are going away." I explained as briefly as possible.

"And if you love your brother, you will not stand in our way." Mary added with seriousness in her voice.

"Away where?" Bash asked for the 3rd time.

"Far." Mary answered

"That's my destination as well." Bash admitted with a look of knowing on his face.

"Then we can go there together." I decided as Mary and I got on a grey horse and Bash upon a black one. Mary held onto my torso tightly as we galloped out of the stable and onto the King's road. I had no idea where we were going, but I was to go to the ends of the Earth to keep Mary for my own; because I knew she would for me.

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