I DO NOT OWN REIGN.
French Court. Kingdom of France. A month later.
After 2 blissful months of honeymooning, we got the long awaited letter from King Henry II, insisting that we return to French Court. Thus, we packed up our shit and got on a carriage back to the castle. Mary and I were both miserable at having to return to the place that had caused us such torment, but she was a Queen and I was a king to be. We couldn't just tell the court to piss off; no matter how badly we wanted to and believe me, we did want to.
"You're very quiet, are you warm enough?" I quoted as Mary looked out the window. There had recently been a snowfall and the entire estate was caked in white.
"I just wish that we could go back to two months ago, do it all over." Mary lamented as I rubbed her hands. Me in my wedding gown, walking down the aisle to you at Notre Dame.
"But instead, we have to come back to reality." I groaned.
"Politics, backstabbing, murder. Just another day at French court." Mary groaned before turning to me hopefully. "Francis, can we turn around and go back to the country house at Anet?"
"If we did, my father would tan our hides." I remarked.
"Everything we felt there alone, away from court. Somehow our love seems so fragile, suddenly." She said anxiously.
"Things are different now." I said. "We're married, the future king and queen, My mother is no longer an obstacle; Nostradamus's prophecy no longer a threat..." I almost talked about Bash being in Spain, but thanks to me, the rift never happened and he was still loyal. "However, there is one thing that people will be expecting from us."
"A castle full of little royals?" Mary asked with a chuckle as I leaned and made out with her. We shared as many kisses as we could as the castle grew nearer and nearer.
The entire court came out to greet us as Mary and I entered the castle. Bash and Mary's ladies were on center stage. I saw Lola making eye contact, letting me know that she expected me to make up for lost time. Luckily, Bash flashed the Varden hand sign and came over to me.
"I've missed you brother." Bash said with a smile as we embraced.
"Varden business?" I asked quietly as I leaned in his ear.
"Much has happened since you were away, Nolan."
"Do I have to hear about now?"
"No, it can wait until dusk."
"What about Leith and Lord Castleroy?" I inquired.
"They've both been summoned." Bash assured me as he patted me on the back. I nodded, knowing that whatever was going on, it would have to wait.
"I missed you all!" Mary exclaimed as she embraced her ladies in waiting.
"You both look happy." Greer remarked with a smile.
"We were, we are. I'm sure we'll be just as happy here as we were in Paris, and Anet, and every castle from here to the Loire Valley. Oh, which reminds me: I found a wonderful suitor for you, Greer."
"Oh."
"And there's one in Paris who is very keen to meet you, Lola." Mary said with excitement.
"Wonderful." Lola said with forced gaiety as she stared at me, the both of us knowing that a suitor was the last thing Lola wanted if she felt that there was still a chance that she could steal me from my wife.
"Mary, Oh, how I've missed you!" Catherine said, coming just in time to end the awkwardness. She kissed us both on our cheeks before leaning into my ear. "A word."
"And so the politics and backstabbing begin." Mary complained as she went off with her ladies, leaving me with the Medici bitch. Before she followed suit, Lola leaned in and hugged me.
"I expect you in my chambers tonight." She whispered before walking away.
"You must tell me all about your travels, later." Catherine insisted as she looked in my eyes with utter exhaustion hiding behind them.
"What's wrong mother?" I asked, wondering what she had gotten into this time. In the show, she told Francis that Bash had killed his guards, but since I hadn't banished him, that sub plot never happened. So, I didn't really know what she was going to tell me.
"I think that your sister has been at court long enough and she should return from where I sent her." Catherine insisted as I remembered that for a while, she had despised Claude for believing that she had killed Francis's younger sisters; when actually it had been Diane De Poiters.
"What exactly has she been doing to vex you so?" I asked, hoping that she hadn't gone too wild in my absence; although that was most likely wishful thinking on my part.
"She drinks, she gambles, and she lays with every man that she can get her hands on: noble and low born alike!" Catherine growled as I closed my eyes. To be honest, I had been worried that something like this would happen when I brought Claude back to French Court early. Luckily, while I was on my honeymoon, I had come up with an idea to try and keep Claude under control: I was going to bring her into the Varden.
"Don't worry mother, I will deal with Claude's behavior; but for the time being, I need her to remain here." I said, firmly but kindly. Before anyone tells me how awful it would be if Claude were to be a member of the Varden, hear me out. In the series, she always wanted a purpose. Plus, the princess had certain skills that would make her an asset.
"Why on Earth do you need Claude?" Catherine asked incredulously.
"Because she is family." I replied as I walked away, not wanting Catherine to know I was building up a spy network under her nose.
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