I DO NOT OWN REIGN.
Burgundy House. Paris, Kingdom of France. The next day.
I eventually found a couch to sleep on. It wasn't really comfortable, but it was better than risking Lola trying to get in my pants. When morning came, I woke Frederick's ass up and told him to roust his sister out so we could get on the road. I needed to get back to the castle and to Mary, as soon as possible. It was the ass crack of dawn and if we could get the carriage going at full speed, we might be able to shave half a day off the trip.
"Headed back to French court then?" Monsieur Bisset asked as he approached me. I groaned while Frederick and Lola revealed themselves.
"Yes, unless you have more demands." I snapped.
"I mean you no trouble, just wanted to ask the lady a small favor." Maurice promised as he tossed a sous into Lola's hand. "When the queen is led out to the executioner's block, throw that at her for me. Tell her to try to buy her way out of this one."
"Glad to see that you view my mother's death as a trivial thing." I growled as I'd officially had it with this prick:
"The king plans to behead her within the week and I, for one, will welcome the end of her Medici money rotting France." Bisset smirked as he stepped aside for us to leave the Burgundy House. "Oh, bring that coin back with her blood on it, and I'll give you a fortune in house credit."
French Court. Kingdom of France. The next day.
We had rode long and hard but we did manage to make record time in our return trip. It was a mostly quiet trip. I refused to speak to Lola and she didn't speak to me. Frederick tried to break the ice, but after a while, he just shut up and slept on and off during the trip. Eventually, we made it back home and my first thought was hugging my wife and never letting go.
"Frederick, go on ahead and tell them that the Dauphin has returned, I need to speak to Francis privately." Lola said as her brother got out and left us alone. Being alone with Lola made me feel uncomfortable as Hell and she knew it.
"What do you want?" I asked in annoyance.
"Are you planning on telling Mary about our moment of passion at the Burgundy House?" Lola inquired matter of factly.
"First of all, there was no moment of passion and second, you bet your ass Mary's going to know about how you threw yourself at me." I declared as Lola just say there with a smirk on her face.
"No she's not." She replied as I was caught off guard by the ovaries on her.
"Excuse me?" I asked incredulously.
"You're not going to tell Mary anything because if you do, I'll explain that you ravished me and begged me to become your official mistress." Lola explained as my jaw dropped.
"You really think that she'll believe you over her husband?" I inquired.
"She will believe her best friend, her best friend's brother, the owner of the celebrated Burgundy House and dozens of other witnesses who heard you refer to me as your mistress." Lola shot back as she grabbed my hand and kissed it. "You've struggled with lust before, it's reasonable for you to play with infidelity once again."
"Damn you, you planned this all along. You befriended me just so you could try to jump my bones!" I exclaimed as I pulled my hand away. I knew that she had ammo to use against me. The evidence against me was circumstantial, but if Lola was able to convince Mary of her version of events, the love of my life would leave me for good; alliance or no alliance.
"I'm not sure what bones have to do with this, but I know that even if Mary believes you and banishes me, there will always be doubt in her mind. Would you really do that to her?" Lola asked as I knew that she had me by the balls.
"What do you want?" I growled.
"For you to spend time with me, to become your secret mistress. A chance to make you love me as I love you." Lola insisted with a smile.
"I will not engage in carnal relations with you." I vowed as she leaned in.
"I can be patient, do we have a deal?" Lola asked as I knew that I needed to time to get rid of the evidence she had against me before I could tell Mary. I couldn't defeat Lola alone, I would have to call on the Varden once more.
"I'll agree to your terms." I conceded as Lola planted a wet kiss on my lips.
"Do not feel sad, my love. Mary took Colin, I'm merely balancing the scales." Lola told me as she exited the carriage. Once Lola was gone, I made my way out of the carriage and found my spirits lifted at the sight of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, running towards me. I ran to her and we caught each other in an massive embrace.
"Francis, I've missed you so!" Mary said with happiness as we peppered each other in kisses.
"I've missed you more than you could possibly know!" I exclaimed as I held her tightly as I felt tears running down my cheeks. Mary was the only good thing in my life, the only bright spot in a world of darkness and now she could be taken from me at any moment by a jealous bitch.
"Francis, why are you crying?" Mary asked as she gently wiped my tears away with her finger tip.
"I'm just so happy to have you in my arms again." I told her, which wasn't a lie. "Mary...I can't love anyone else but you. I won't love anyone else but you. You are strong and beautiful and way smarter than I am...I don't deserve you."
"Well you have me and we have each other." Mary assured me as she laid her head in chest as for a moment, it was just her and me.
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