I DO NOT OWN REIGN.
French Court, Kingdom of France. 3 days later.
As per the show, Mary had been sure to invite dozens of Scottish nobles and warriors to French court. They proceeded to get shit faced and make arses of themselves; which Mary didn't mind so much as it lowered Catherine's suspicions.
"If she finds out, if she's even suspicious, she could do anything." Mary said after Catherine had grilled her about her missing flying squad girl.
"She's just irritated that we've invited every Scot within a hundred miles of French court." I assured my wife as I held her hand.
"All to hide our interest in just one: Lord McKenzie is concluding a deal with the French military to provide wool for their uniforms. He's expected to go home any day now." Mary exclaimed as I saw the man in question doing some type of sword dance.
"Anyone we trust to make the news public in Scotland could go straight to Marie de Guise instead and demand payment for their silence."
"Years ago, he fought with my father against the English. He is a loyal man."
"Years ago, he was a loyal man." I quoted as we looked at McKenzie. "He has spent the time since then becoming a wealthy, comfortable man.Will he want to anger the French government? Risk losing his business deal?"
"I suppose we'll find out." Mary whispered as I could see a sliver of doubt in her eyes. As the ball was winding down, I went over to Lord McKenzie and sized him up.
"Your queen wishes to have a word with you; Just you." I said as the lord motioned for his men to follow:
"My men like to stay close." He argued as he followed me out the ballroom.
"The queen wants privacy." I insisted.
"Oh, it'll be private, they'll be just outside the door." He assured me as I caught up to Mary and we went inside the King's study.
"Mary, I don't like this." I said as I knew that those men were all but dead once Catherine found out our plan.
"Well, you're right. We don't know if we can trust Lord McKenzie, or anyone." She replied.
"I know, but..."
"Change of plan." She said quickly as Lord McKenzie arrived with his men. "Lord McKenzie why do your men stay outside? They can hear what I have to say."
"Well, lass why am I here?" He asked once all the Scots were assembled.
"You fought with my father at Solway Moss. What was it like?" Mary asked.
"It was hell on Earth." McKenzie answered with a grave voice. "I listened to the screams of men impaled with arrows as they died on that marsh; and at day's end, your father limped home and died."
"And did your heart die with him?" She inquired. "For the past ten years, you have lived here, in the safety of France, and I've seen too much suffering at home."
"And you would ask of my heart?" He asked incredulously. "Ask me that question when you have earned the right!"
"The day of my marriage, a secret contract was slipped in amongst the others." Mary said as she addressed all the men. "The French arranged it with my mother. It gives Scotland to France, if I die without an heir. I cannot allow it to stand. Do you understand what I'm saying? I cannot allow it. I may live in France, but I have the heart of a Scot. France has betrayed us! So I charge you men to take the news with you, tell the world...but most especially, tell Lord Hardie, the leader of the Protestants who oppose my mother. They will raise such a stink, the contract will never survive."
"You'd defy Marie de Guise?" Lord McKenzie asked in surprise.
"I would defy the Devil himself if he tried to buy and sell my country!" Mary exclaimed. "I will not risk Scotland's freedom. So like my father, I ask you to give up your comfort; to do what is right. You will lose your business deal. You will earn the anger of my mother and I have nothing to give you in exchange, except my gratitude." Lord McKenzie at that moment, knelt before Mary and held out his sword; as did all his men.
"Your Majesty, we have waited a long, long time for you to rise." He said solemnly. Mary's as overcome by the show of loyalty and to be honest, so was I. It was 1 thing to see it on TV, but having it happen in real life...it just felt so...powerful.
Later that night.
"That was amazing." I said in earnest as I walked with Mary through the halls after getting McKenzie on board. "In France, the queen is the person who is married to the king. But to those men, you are their liege lord, the one to whom oaths of loyalty are made."
"No one's ever looked at me like that before. I can still feel it, like a weight in my chest." Mary said as she took rapid breaths. "All my life, I have been a chess piece in other people's courts. But now I have the responsibility."
"Mary, your people have been ruled by a regent for too long. They are ready to give their hearts to you, the true queen." I said as I cupped her face and looked into those eyes that owned my soul. "There is power there, if you can take it and keep it."
"I'm so thankful that you are by my side, I wouldn't want to do this without you." Mary said as she kissed me deeply upon the lips. I knew that one day, she might have to unless I could figure out how to avoid Malcolm's assassins.
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