I DO NOT OWN REIGN. PLEASE DO NOT LET LOLA'S BULLSHIT STOP YOU FROM READING.

Lola, Frederick, and I were stuck waiting around the Burgundy House as we racked our brains to think of a way out. I already knew how to smooth things over, but i wanted to time things just right. I didn't want to risk upsetting the natural order any more than necessary.

"What are we supposed to do?" Lola asked in frustration. "I refuse to sleep with that horrid man."

"Tell Monsieur Bisset that you can play him double the debt." I offered as I took Lola's hand in mine to comfort her. "I can bribe someone to go back to the castle and tell Mary. She'll get the money together, but it might take like a week or so."

"Come with me, please?" Lola pleaded as I couldn't say no to her when her brother had landed her in such shit. We went back to Maurice and got back on script.

"I've made some arrangements. I can pay you double the debt, but it'll take a week to assemble the money." Lola offered in vain.

"I don't think so." Bisset refused as he watched a dude win some weird ass game. I knew what was coming next. "Well done, what incredible luck you must have." The man was smiling until Maurice brought a hammer down on his hand.

"Shit!" I exclaimed as the cheat was drug away.

"He's a cheat, just like your brother." Monsieur Bisset explained to Lola.

"Was that really necessary? " She asked, horrified by the discipline.

"He's lucky I didn't crush both his hands. That's the penalty at most establishments, but I prefer to be merciful." He answered as he locked his eyes on my friend. "Your brother begged me to spare him that fate. He said that your family was wealthy, and that he'd make it worth my while. I had no idea how worthwhile until I laid my eyes on you."

"Why me?" Lola asked in desperation to avoid getting into bed with him. "You can't make this offer to many. It's not good business."

"You're a lady of title, I've taken money from many a noble, but none ever treated me as an equal." Bisset explained. "I'd like to know what it feels like to touch what only they can touch. Do we have a deal?"

"No, we don't." I insisted as I stood my ground. "Lady Lola is my...mistress and I won't pimp her out like a common whore." I fought the urge to upchuk as I called Lola my mistress.

"Then you leave me no choice but to exact justice upon her brother." Maurice threatened as I decided to make my move.

"Your business is making wagers, so I'm going to make a wager so ridiculous, you'll have to accept." I said as I got his attention.

"What do you consider ridiculous, my Dauphin?" He asked.

"16 times Frederick Fleming's debt, plus Lola...on 2 cuts of the cards." I challenged as both Maurice's and Lola's eyes lit up in amazement.

"Francis, you can't!" Lola pleaded as she grabbed my arm.

"Do you agree or is the owner of the celebrated Burgundy House is afraid of a simple wager?" I taunted as I knew he would have to take the wager to save face.

"2 cuts of the cards." He insisted as we made our way to the table. 15 times the debt, plus your mistress if I win."

"And if I win, the debt is forgiven, and Lola is mine." I reminded as our game began. Maurice drew a Jack of diamonds and I drew a 4. I kept my poker face as Lola looked nervous and Maurice looked thrilled as he cut once again. As the show predicted, Bisset drew a queen of clubs and I drew a King of hearts. Lola was beyond relived as the patrons gathered around applauded me. But Maurice has other plans in store for me.

"I feel that this feels wrong." He remarked with a smirk. "I won the first cut, you the second...we should have a tie breaker!"

"That was the deal, 2 cuts of the cards; that was it!" I demanded angrily as he refused to back down.

"My house, my rules. Tie breaker." Bisset demanded as I knew I was trapped. It was moments like these where I lost my nerves. When I was thrust into something the show didn't prepare me for, but I had to keep Lola safe for Mary's sake. I nodded my consent as we played another round. This time, Maurice drew a 1 of spades. I carefully drew my card which thankfully, was a 7 of clubs. Lola happily wrapped her arms around me as Maurice was crestfallen.

"Well-played, my Dauphin." He muttered.

"Luck of the draw." I replied with a shrug as I turned to Lola. "Shall we retire to my room, my lady?"

"We shall my love." Lola said gleefully as she hooked onto my arm and we retired.

Once we were in the room I had rented for the night, I was able to relax at having avoided disaster. Lola too was pleased with me for having saved her from being Maurice's Bisset's fucktoy.

"Francis...you saved me from whoring myself out to that dreadful man. I'm so thankful that you care so much about me." Lola said, tearing up from gratitude.

"Of course Lola, you're my friend." I said as I wrapped her up in a hug. I was enjoying how warm her embrace felt that by the time I realized she was kissing me, it was already too late. Her hands were on my cheeks and I could feel her tongue touching mine. I immediately pulled away in shock and anger.

"What the fuck Lola?" I asked angrily as she looked at me on the verge of tears.

"I love you Francis, from the moment I got off the carriage and saw you coming to greet us on our first day at French Court!" Lola exclaimed desperately as I could hardly believe my ears.

The show had never made any mention of Lola having legit feelings for Francis; although the hookup had come right out of nowhere though. I wasn't against the idea of the show runners doing something unexpected, like Francis cheating on Mary. But here's the thing: even if it's unexpected, it still has to make sense and the Frola hookup at the Burgundy House didn't. There had been no build up.

"I don't love you Lola." I said as I wiped the taste of her lips off mine. "I love Mary and when we return to French Court, I am going to marry Mary. But for right now, I'm gonna find another room to sleep in, because I can't be around you right now. I quickly stormed out of the bedroom as more than anything, I wished that Mary could be here to rock me in her arms and ensure me that she still loved me as much as I loved her.

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