I DO NOT OWN REIGN. I KNOW YOU FRARY SHIPPERS ARE GOING TO BE PISSED, BUT BEAR WITH ME HERE.

French Court, Kingdom of France. 1 week later.

Things began to move more rapidly for us. The wedding was ready and I received a letter from Claude saying that she would arrive at court any day. Thankfully, now that Bash wasn't an option for the throne, Charles and Henry were not in any more danger than they were naturally. Mary had told me about the frost fair in the village and how much the boys would love it. Despite Bash not being an issue, I knew that Clarissa might still owe Catherine a spite. So I allowed Mary to take the boys, (behind Henry's back), as long as she had guards go with.

Meanwhile, I was concerned about Lola. She had surely gotten the letter from her brother and would be going to the Burgundy House in Paris as the plot required. I didn't want to leave my wife, but without Francis, Lola would have to fuck the owner to get out of there. Besides, she was my friend and I couldn't leave her hanging. I luckily managed to reach her as she was heading for a carriage.

"Lola, where are you off to?" I asked as she turned to face me.

"The Burgundy house in Paris. My brother has got himself in a bit of a jam and he needs my help getting clear of it." Lola replied as I opened the carriage door.

"I've heard that the Burgundy house is of ill repute; Mary would be furious if I let one her ladies go to such a place unaccompanied." I said as Lola rewarded me with a smile.

"Then come with me." Lola beckoned as I called for a servant and charged him with informing Mary where I had gone. Once this had been done, I got in the carriage with Lola and off we went. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry about sleeping with Lola since she didn't seem to show any interest in me as a lover.

Bergundy House. Paris, France. 2 days later.

It was long ass carriage rides that made me miss cars. Thankfully, Lola kept me entertained with funny stories that she had heard around court until we finally arrived at the gambling house.

"So, your brother gambled more money than he had?" I asked as if I didn't already know.

"Yes, it's one of his more unsavory habits; I'm afraid." Lola said as we exited the carriage. I offered her my arm, which she took and we made our way in. Seeing a gambling den/whorehouse on TV is one thing, but it's something else to see it in person. Luckily, we didn't have to look very far for Lola's burden of a brother.

"Lola?" He asked as he came into the main foyer. He had a shiner from breaking house rules, but he otherwise seemed OK.

"Fredrick, are you all right? Have they mistreated you?" Lola asked with worry as she embraced her brother. "I'm fine, as long as you brought the..." Frederick started to say.

"I brought the money." She assured him.

"Thank God, sorry you had to come all the way. You wouldn't believe the string of bad luck I've had at the tables." He said, trying to defend his habit.

"If you're in a hole, maybe stop digging?" I offered as Frederick gave me a look.

"Who the Hell are you?" He inquired annoyingly.

"Francis!" Lola cautioned me as she turned to her brother. "Let's just get you out of here. To whom do you owe the money?"

"Maurice Bisset." We turned and looked as the owner of the Burgundy house presented himself to us.

"Please excuse the trouble my brother has caused. Here's the sum he owes, plus interest." Lola said as she produced what was owed.

"How lucky you are to have such a lovely sister willing to go to such lengths to secure your release." Maurice said as he took the cash.

"Shall we?" Lola asked as I didn't move because I knew we weren't going anywhere.

"Unfortunately, this debt is more complicated." Monsieur Bisset pointed out as 2 bouncers blocked our way.

"What do you mean?" Lola asked anxiously.

"In addition to lying about his means, your brother attempted to cheat at my tables; a very serious breach of house rules." He explained.

"Perhaps an additional sum would help smooth things over?" She offered in vain.

"Such a grave crime requires more than money to repay it, don't you think?" Maurice asked.

"What are you suggesting?" Lola asked in return.

"I admire the passion you have for your brother; perhaps you would consider sharing some of that passion with me." Bisset suggested as I quickly stepped between them.

"I am sorry, but I'm afraid the lady isn't on the table." I insisted to Maurice.

"You are neither her father nor brother, so I fail to see how this is your concern." Bisset said as he sized me up.

"This is Francis, the Dauphin of France and I am his mistress." Lola said, outing me and shocking everyone in the joint; most of all me. I had to cover my mouth to stop from gasping. Mistress? Where did she get the ovaries to say such a thing. The very idea of taking a mistress when I had achieved perfection in Mary Stuart made me sick to my stomach. But Lola begged me to play along with her eyes; so reluctantly, I did so.

"That's right, Lady Lola is my...mistress." I could barely force the word out.

"Forgive me Dauphin, but I thought you were set to marry the Queen of Scotland." Maurice said, a bit taken aback.

"Do you really think that the Dauphin would flaunt his indiscretions?" Lola inquired as I realized this had gotten way out of hand.

"The point is, we will get you any sum you wish, but you will not take her to bed!" I insisted feverishly.

"I will have satisfaction for this breach of house rules and none of you are leaving until I do." Bisset declared as the bouncers stood in front of the door. Once Bisset had left, I quickly took Lola aside.

"What in the Hell was that?" I asked angrily as I grabbed her arms. "You are not my mistress, I don't have a mistress; I don't want a mistress!"

"I had to think of something!" Lola exclaimed as she tried to calm me down. "I thought that if I told him that I was yours...he would halt his pursuit of me."

"That's...actually not a bad idea." I growled as I hated to admit it.

"Just play along until we can get out of here." Lola pleaded as i heaved a sigh.

"Fine, but if word of this gets back to Mary, you're going to answer for it." I insisted as I stormed off to get a drink. Now I knew why a lot of Reign fans hated this episode. Lola had seemingly lost her shit!

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