The sun rose in the sky to signal the beginning of a new day. Yet again, Mona felt a hand shake her shoulder gently.
"Hm?"
"Breakfast, my love," Bash leaned down to kiss her forehead, then stepped backward to give her some room.
She pulled the covers off and climbed out of bed to greet him. "Well, not who I expected, but I'm certainly not disappointed," she stood, stepping into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him. "Good morning," she leaned up to kiss him, which he happily returned.
"Good morning. Do you have anything planned today?"
She groaned, trapesing over to the platter he'd brought with him. "Even as a servant, I had a day off. What does French court have on the roster for me today?" she asked with a bitter tone, aggressively taking a bite out of a piece of toast.
He chuckled. "Now you're beginning to understand the hatred I have for being the bastard prince. That said, French court has nothing planned for you today that I'm aware of, though the king did mention there was some good that came of your translations. Anyway, it's… I'd like you to meet my mother."
"Oh. Well, I suppose I've met the rest of your family, it's only right. When are we setting out? How long should I pack for?" she asked, setting down the food to dust the crumbs from her hands.
"She's staying here, in the castle. It's only until the workers finish the renovations on the cottage on the castle grounds. Father has taken a new mistress, so she's moving," he explained. She raised a brow. Though she said nothing of it, her expression said it all. "My father flits from one pretty girl to the next, but this is the first time he's given the title of official mistress to someone new."
She nodded. "Kings may do as they please," she shook her head disapprovingly. "I would love to meet your mother. When is she expecting us? Or is she coming here?" she asked, picking up his ring from her nightstand, looping the necklace over her head.
"We'll be meeting her for lunch in her chambers this afternoon. Unlike Father, she has a bit more courtesy for other's time."
"Thankfully. Speaking of your Father-"
"Must we?"
She chuckled. "I was only going to ask about what you said earlier. You said my translations did some good after all?" she asked, taking a seat at the table and gesturing toward the other for him to do the same. "The sentences themselves were utter gibberish."
He pulled his plate from the tray, setting hers in front of her. "You saved several lives. Your translations last night helped our troops avoid an ambush today. Those gibberish sentences were all code for past and future attacks. Once Father's council pieced together what each word was code for from the older letters, they could understand most of what the newer ones meant."
"Clever! Well, I'm happy my efforts weren't for nothing."
The pair chatted as they ate the assortment of fruits and baked goods. She couldn't help herself as a smile crept onto her lips as she noted their purple hue. After they'd finished, he excused himself to summon Anne.
She dressed her in a deep shade of emerald green with golden embroidery today. The design was a bit simpler than its previous counterparts, but still soft to the touch. Instead of the usual corset, she opted for the black stay her mother had embroidered with gold thread.
"Hm… it doesn't feel quite dressy enough for meeting Diane du Poiters," Anne said before turning to rummage through the vanity desk. "Aha!" she cried in victory, holding up a long, thick golden chain. She scurried over to her to secure it around her waist, draping the excess chain down the front. "Sit," she commanded, pulling out the chair for her. Mona slid into the chair, looking over all the bracelets that had been pulled out in the process. "Pick some out while I fix your hair." When they were finished, her wrists and hair were adorned. The hair comb Anne found in the drawer had gems that matched her dress and sparkled in the sunlight.
"It's amazing what you can pull together for me in a pinch," Mona gasped and twirled as she saw her reflection.
"Merely doing my job," she smiled.
"Anne," she turned to face her. "Are you assigned to any of the ladies at the moment?"
"Not yet. I'm still in training," she admitted.
"Would you like to continue being my lady's maid? I could put in a word to Bash, if you'd like."
"I'm sure you'd rather have someone more experienced."
"I've grown rather fond of you," she smiled warmly. "I understand if you'd rather serve someone of higher status though, which is why I first wanted to see if you'd be interested."
" If you really mean that, then yes, I'd appreciate it if you'd put in a word for me," she returned the smile. "Now, I'm sure your betrothed is waiting for you. I'll bring these," she picked up the tray, stacking the dishes upon it, "to the kitchen."
After thanking her, she headed for Bash's chambers only to find him patiently waiting for her in the hall.
"Lovely as ever," he greeted her with a soft kiss. "Ready to meet Mother?"
She smiled and nodded, looping her arm in his. The pair of them headed for a door further along the hallway, closer to the king's chambers.
"Bash?"
"Hm?"
"About my lady's maid-"
"I'll be setting up interviews next week, I promise," he assured her.
"I don't think that'll be necessary. Is it possible for Anne to stay on permanently?"
He smirked. "I see you've taken a liking to her. Are you sure? I could find you one with more experience."
"More experience, yes, but I feel what I truly need in a lady's maid is a friend. I need someone who will tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear."
"Agreed, however, I'd like her training to continue nonetheless. To survive at court, you must have a proper guide."
"I have you," she furrowed her brow, looking up at him.
"You just spoke about wanting to make friends. How are you to make them with me constantly at your side?" He pointed out. "I think a good place for you to start branching out is with Mary and her ladies, but you'll still need to understand how to engage with the less-than-savory members of court as well."
She nodded in agreement. "You've got a point. Her training continues, and thus, my own."
As they strode up to the door, the guards announced their arrival. With Diane's permission, they opened the doors.
As many sons tend to, Bash seemed to take after his mother in many aspects, including her onyx-colored hair. "Welcome! So, this is Mona then?" His mother smiled at the two of them, gesturing to the chairs on either side of her own. "Sit, sit."
Mona curtsied, her head bowed. "Lovely to meet you, Madame du Portiers."
Bash strode over to the table, pulling out a chair for her. She slid into it and folded her hands neatly in her lap. He sat in the other seat across from her.
"Please, Diane is fine." Though there was warmth in her smile, something about her eyes seemed similar to Catherine's in a way that put Mona on edge. "So, let's see it. I've longed to see that ring on a hand other than my own."
Mona brought her hand up, plucking the ring from its hiding place. "Bash is going to have it put on a band that will fit me, but I've kept it safe and close to my heart every day since."
"Oh, how sweet!" she exclaimed. "So, how did come to meet my Sebastian?" she asked, leaning towards her.
"Mother, I already-"
"Hush," she cut him off. "There is a man's version of events and there is a woman's. I'm sure hers will be the more romantic of the two." She turned her attention back to Mona. "So?"
As they dined, Mona recounted the story of how they met and how the feelings grew. As she spoke of the sunset they watched together, Bash couldn't help but smile. She then explained how his true identity was revealed to her.
"He was injured on a mission for the king and wound up in Nostradamus's chambers, so it was only a matter of time" she concluded her story.
"To be fair, I was about to tell her before I was called away," he countered.
"Then it would seem as though fate played a hand in bringing the two of you together after all," Diane rested her chin in the palm of her hand.
Mona felt a smile grace her lips as she reached across the table to him. He took her hand in his. "It would seem so," she agreed.
"Well, I can't say I approve of your station," Diane said, straightening up. She noticed Bash open his mouth to speak, then held up her hand to stop him. "However, I can see that you make my son blissfully happy. What more could a mother want?" she shrugged. The pair felt as if a weight had lifted.
"Well, we should probably get going. I'm sure Mona will want to attend at least one lesson with Nostradamus this week," Bash announced as he stood.
"It was wonderful to finally meet you, Diane," she smiled and followed suit.
"You're welcome back any time," Diane nodded to her before turning her gaze to her son. "Bash, now that I'm so close, I don't want excuses as to why you haven't visited your mother."
"Of course," he leaned in to kiss her cheek.
The pair of them exited and made their way towards Nostradamus's chambers.
"I appreciate the polite exit, but how did you know I'd want to attend a lesson today?"
He chuckled softly. "My dear, you are many things, but I've learned that most of all, you're predictable. You like a schedule and you entire day is thrown off if you're unable to stick to it. I thought you might seek a bit of what was previously your norm for comfort," he explained, stopping in front of Nostradamus's door.
"Am I really so easy to read?" she asked, slightly offended.
"Yes, but that's something I enjoy about you. You don't mince words, even when you're being polite. If your mouth doesn't say it, your face surely will. The problem with everyone else here is that they'll lie to your face with a smile while finding some new way to stab you in the back," he explained bitterly before, his lips broadening into a smile. "You, my love, are a breath of fresh air amongst a bog of poisonous flowers."
"I can live with that," she said, wrapping her arms around him. He leaned down to kiss her farewell, then headed back the way they came.