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Chapter Text

Mary is sitting on the balcony of her chambers, inside they're people coming in and out, repairing her bed. This morning the terror striked, the young queen woke up with a stag's head hanging about her, blood dripping out it's nose, neck, covering the lovely satin white sheets staining red. The queen woke up with horror and fear. The fresh air from outside the castle walls did the queen well, doing nothing just staring into the woods and waters that were placed in front of the French court. Closing her eyes didn't do anything good, she saw her bloody fingers and when she looked up, the stag's head was staring down at her. Francis and Bash were sure that it were the pagans that did this to her, both of the brothers shared feelings for this girl. Francis was sure that whatever Bash needed to do, that he should do it, for her, for the queen of Scots. She remembered them fighting in the hall, hearing snippets of their conversation. The queen itself cared for both, but one more than the other. It was always Francis who popped up in her dreams, that made her laugh and blush more than Sebastian ever could.
"The King and Queen are asking for your presence in the Queen's chambers." A pager said walking into the balcony finding out that the queen wasn't inside. The future queen of France nodded once to the pager showing him that she understands and that he could leave the queen back dreaming alone in her thoughts. The pager turned around and left her. Mary turned back to the landscape of the French court and prepared herself mentally for what might be the conversation.
Walking into Queen Catherine's chambers she found not only her and the King, but also the dauphin, her fiance. She was surprised to see him, trying not to show her surprise. She looked sharply at him. The young queen didn't like the way he was shutting her out and being with Olivia, the girl he had so much history with, his first love. When Mary looks at Francis she sees it, the betrayal that she felt so dearly in her heart that was totally inexperienced in the area of love, but he showed it to her, bit by bit. Now, it was all over, he went back to the girl who taught him all about it.
Soon her eyes found Henry's and Catherine's. The room was tense. Francis was looking at Mary he cared for her deeply. His thing with Olivia is different, everytime they are together they kiss, touch, are close with one another. With Mary they're always fighting, fighting for stupid reasons, but still they can't let those confersation let go. He as Mary had no idea what was going on. His parents called for him as sudden as they did to her. Now that Mary is here it must be an important conversation.
"Mary, nice of you to join us," The king began, Mary nodded sharply once at him, her eyes slowly finding their way to Francis, seeing him staring at her. "As you know, this morning there were some unfortunate events, whoever did it will be dealt with." The king continued, grabbing the young queen's hands, showing sadness in his face as a comfort for her. She found it an uncomfortable gesture, the queen noticed the king's behavior and the dauphin did too. He looked away quickly, trying not to show his jealousy slowly creeping up to him, he turned to his mother who was standing next to him. "Your bed is at the moment in repair, there is a risk that the canopy of the bed could fall down. Also we will make sure that this intruders couldn't come in as easily as they did at night." The king walked closer to his wife, letting go of Mary's hand. Now Francis and Mary were standing next to each other both facing the King and Queen of France. "So, now you can't stay at your chambers, the guest chambers are all unavailable because of the English and some guests that are staying here at our court. So my wife and I agreed that you would share your bed for the following few days with Francis." Francis and Mary turned to each other immediately, both confused and mixed with feelings.
"Why can't I just stay with my ladies?" Mary asked immediately, feeling very uncomfortable about the idea of even sleeping in the same bed as Francis.
"Oh dear, you can't stay with your ladies, their chambers don't have the room and space that queens need, and they're commoners with no royal blood flowing through their veins. And you and Francis are going to be married soon, it would be a logical thing to do. Also if now any intruders would want to hurt you, they couldn't find you because your not in your old chambers anymore and if they did find you Francis could protect you." Catherine blended into the conversation. She looked at Mary with a reassuring smile. Francis was very confused about this. Mary sleeping in his bed? Next to him? He couldn't breathe the idea of it. His future wife was shaking by the idea of it. They both couldn't believe what these two rulers did to them. They're both not even speaking to each other.
"The servants are already transfering all of your belongings into Francis' chamber." Catherine ended and they left, leaving Mary and Francis standing alone, still next to each other breathing in and out trying to process the news they just got. Mary couldn't even look at him in the moment, she breathed in keeping that air in her lungs and left the room, leaving Francis alone, he watched her leave.

[-/-]

"How is it going with you and Francis?" Kenna asked Mary, who was resting on Kenna's bed. Kenna was sitting next to her seeing that something troubled her. She assured it was Francis, he was showing Olivia off, it seemed. Of course that hurted Mary because she admired this young man.
Mary inhaled deeply before speaking about her situation. "Catherine and Henry decided that I should stay at his chambers for the following few days. I can't stay in my own bed because it could be dangerous and now I'm in this tricky situation with Francis who's Olivia, and I don't know what more surprises I could expect from the King and Queen of France." She exhaled looking up to Kenna who was gasping at the information she just received from her queen.
"And Francis is obviously with Olivia and now I need to sleep at night in the same bed that he does, perhaps even where he sometimes sleeps with his beloved Olivia." Mary was disgusted by the young girl who perhaps would ruin her marriage that she perhaps once will have with Francis.
"Mary, I have the perfect idea." Kenna said, standing up from her bed and pacing back and forth on the stone floor of her chamber. Mary got up out of curiosity and looked at Kenna who was processing this idea of hers.
"What?" Mary asked, looking at her friend. She truly wanted to know what this idea was of hers.
"I have an idea how Francis gets rid of Olivia because he would much rather be with you." Kenna said standing still in front of the queen and smiling with the idea, Mary was dying to know what the idea was.
"You have to be irresistible." Kenna spoke, Mary's eyes grew of what she thinks Kenna meant with that.
"Kenna, you don't mean that I-" Mary almost didn't dare finish that sentence.
"No, no of course not, you need to look irresistible at night, when he walks in late in your chamber and he sees you lying on his bed, in a nightgown, sleeping that would do something tricky to his mind. Or when he wakes up and sees that your face is just inches away still sleeping as a beauty." Kenna smiled at her own idea. Mary was intrigued in the idea of her trying to seduce Francis into choosing her over Olivia.
"You need to be the only thing he thinks about the entire day. You could also turn around in your sleep and accidentally touch his hand or arm, you have no idea what that would do to him." Kenna tells her queen this, while thinking about her affair with the king and what he likes. Like father, like son, right? Mary grinnes at the idea.

[-/-]

The evening slowly falls, Mary will go with Kenna's ideas and will see where they throw her. She is very nervous about the entire 'sleeping with Francis' thing but she hopes she will go through it and hopefully after these few nights Francis will want her, only her. The young queen walks through the halls of French court, turns around the corner, seeing Francis' chambers at the end of the hall. She hopes that he isn't there yet, so she could change into her nightgown before he would walk in, she opens the door making a light sound, it's dark, cold no one's here. all of Mary's stuff is transferred to this room, it's utterly full. She walks over to the huge closet, taking out her nightgown. Usually the servants would do this for her but now she just wants to be alone with her thoughts, she needs absolutely everything goes as planned, seducing Francis that shouldn't be too hard, Olivia can do it. Searching for her most prettiest nightgown, all white with satin patterns. The nightgown hugged her figure perfectly. She braids her hair into a messy braid and lays down on Francis' bed, it feels weird, it's still cold but if she wants this plan to work she needs to lay on the covers not under so Francis would be head over heels for Mary. She blows out the candle letting darkness take over the cold room, her and Francis' room for a few days.
After a while she hears the door open and a shadow lands on her, Francis' shadow. He closes the door, stopping the light from the halls letting into the room. He's searching for a candle and lights it up, he looks into his room seeing Mary lying in his bed. He breathes in sharply and looks away quickly. Mary hears his change of breath and opens her eyes seeing Francis in the corner of her eye, he grabs his nightshirt and changes, taking off his doublet and the shirt under it leaving him shirtless.
It's more like he is seducing me, Mary thinks. He walks shirtless around the room leaving out of Mary's sight he walks back and puts on his nightshirt. He stares at Mary for a while and she is trying very hard not to open her eyes, she feels the mattress shift and Francis lies down next to her. He stares into the air above him also lying on the covers. He doesn't close his eyes, he can't not with this siren lying next to him, he hears her slow breath. Mary tries to keep her breath steady but sometimes he can hear some pauses or acceleration in it, for her it's hard as well no one has ever laid next to her. Mary turned around, after a long hesitation now facing Francis, she would look right into those blue eyes if it wasn't so dark and if her eyes were open. Francis gasps lightly by the change. He turned his head looking at Mary, her plumpy pink lips slightly opened, her eyes both closed, her face porcelain white even in this darkness.
God, what are you doing to me? Francis asks himself. He stares at her for a moment, trying not to move or make a slightest bit of noise not wanting to wake this beauty up. She started moving her hand to his arm. He stares at the gesture and knows that she isn't intending to do this if she was awake. Mary's hand is resting on his upper arm feeling his muscles over his shirt. She knows he's looking at her shocked. And she tries not to bite her lip so hard. Francis' breath is increasingly unsure how to act, she's playing with his mind. Mary moves her hand lower, now touching his hand, fingers. She rests her hand onto the fingers. He entangles his fingers with hers, he thinks that she is asleep and wouldn't even notice it. Mary gasps at his behavior and her eyes flicker open. Francis notices and lets go of her hand at the same second. Mary's eyes find Francis' he's looking right at her and so is she. They both can't look away being hypnotized with each other. They can't see a lot in the dark but still they found each other, they would always find eachother only they had to know that first. Mary breathes in and holds onto that air for a while.
"I- I'm sorry I woke you up." Mary said, turning around, stopping their stare. Francis snaps to reality. Turning his head again to stare above him, his breath unsteady.
"It's- It's fine." Francis said, whispering so that she still would hear it. Mary's eyes were wide open and staring at the room, not seeing a lot. Francis turned around, still lying on top of the covers.
He grabbed my hand, he held my hand, Mary thought to herself, she truly thought that that was the last thing that he would do. The light of the moon was shining onto them, both turned away from each other, both gasping for the things that just happened, both thinking about each other.
Francis... Mary thought. Mary... Francis thought.

Chapter Text

It's a warm morning. The sun covers Mary and Francis as they're both still asleep. It's early, most of the servants are all awake and they're doing the best they can do to keep it down, not willing to wake up any royals without permission. The two royals both fell asleep on top of the satin sheets. Francis' eyes slowly fluttered open, the first thing his ocean blue eyes saw was Mary, her lips slightly apart, both her eyes closed, he could feel her breath on his lips and probably she could feel his too. Francis was hypnotized by the young woman lying in front of him. The dauphin turned around after much hesitation of lying there longer, he got up and changed clothes, he put on his doublet and then when he was just about to walk out of the door a bunch of servants were knocking on the door, he opened the door and the female servants went working, putting Mary's corsets and dresses down for when she would wake up. Francis left his room after the rest was interrupted. He walked through the stone corridors on his way to the dining room. On the way there Olivia saw the handsome young man and walked faster to catch up, Francis heard the almost running heels and turned around to see that it was the woman who was trying to be his mistress. He was a little bit irritated but that changed fast when he noticed her big smile on her face that Mary had when she just arrived at court. "Francis!" Olivia said enthusiastically, she caught up to him and kissed his lips fast, Francis was unsure about the gesture but before he could do anything it was already over. Olivia smiled big and entangled her fingers with his. The dauphin didn't like it so much and untangled his fingers with his, she looked hurt by the act. "Olivia, we can't, not in public at least." The dauphin said with a bit of an attitude making the girl shrug. She was surprised to hear this from him, he usually was very admired by the small but meaningful touches that Olivia gave him. Now, he was very concentrated with his place as a royal, he didn't want to be humiliated. For Francis it was an entirely different story for him it was unnecessary to show the entire court his relationship with Olivia and most of all he didn't want any rumors that Mary couldn't make him happy in the way that Olivia apparently could. He had some kind of admiration towards Olivia and he had feelings for her, but when he looks at her his heart doesn't skip beats as it does with Mary, and he would love if Mary gave him those small touches, because the realm would accept it and he would feel the bond between them. "What's happened?" Olivia asked after a while, when her enthusiasm shrunk and coldness was left at the surface of her face. She knew that something was wrong, she knew that something was troubling him, she couldn't read it from his face. He stopped walking and turned to her now, finally facing her probably for the first time in this conversation. He took a deep breath not knowing how to answer the question, of course he had an answer. Mary. But he couldn't tell her that without hurting her, but she knew where she was getting into after she arrived back at court and told him her feelings about him. "Nothing." Francis said, but he immediately regretted his answer, now she definitely knew that something was wrong. Olivia turned away now looking at the ground, she swallowed hard not wanting to punch on anymore buttons. "Can we talk?" Francis knew this question was coming except he didn't prepare an answer, he wasn't looking forward to this 'talk' but he knew he needed to get over it before she would ask more and more questions and would get madder about it. Olivia was looking at him, they were both now standing in front of the door to the dining room. Olivia was impatiently waiting for his answer, Francis sighed and then looked at her concentrated, his jaw tense. "Fine, first I will eat my breakfast and then we can talk." Olivia smiled again and kissed his cheek before Francis could stop her, after she walked off leaving a clicking sound of her heels. Francis sighed once more and then walked into the dining room seeing his father and mother, Mary still wasn't there, perhaps she wouldn't come, if she would've he should've seen her walking past him and Olivia but he didn't. [-/-] "So Mary, how was it sleeping next to Francis?" Lola teased, while helping her queen with her hair. Greer and Kenna were also eager to know what happened with the two royals that admire each other. Mary looked at Lola through the mirror, trying to hide a smile. Mary remembers it all, and she probably will never forget what happened between the two of them. "Well," Mary started and immediately she had all the girls' attention, they all looked at each other smiling before looking back at Mary who was starting to tell her story. "I did what Kenna told me to do, lying on my covers with a nightgown, he stared at me for a while before he took off his shirt." Mary blushed completely red as she relieved that moment, Francis walking around shirtless showing his muscles, thinking that Mary would never see, at least not now. Her ladies that surrounded her were all in gasp and were laughing at the situation, Kenna was proud of how bold Mary acted, she never was like that at the convent, but this isn't the convent, it's her future life. "Then he laid down and I wasn't facing him, till I turned around, I don't know what he did I needed to keep my eyes closed and then I touched his arm-" Mary was totally feeling her sensation that she felt yesterday while doing it, she was so ashamed if he would've founded out that she wasn't asleep. "Mary! You touched his muscles?" Greer asked, gasping and smiling widely, interrupting Mary from dreaming away in those thoughts of yesterday. Lola was laughing at the boldness of Mary that none of them thought she would have, but she would do anything to get what she wants even if it would hurt someone. In this case Olivia. "Yes, I did and then I moved to his fingers and then he grabbed my hand." All of the ladies gasped and shouted in happiness at Mary throwing all kinds of questions in her face, she didn't know what to answer. "I was shocked and let go of his hand and turned around." Mary answered, making her ladies quiet. "At least there was something. He grabbed your hand at night one what will happen tonight?" Kenna said, all the ladies were shocked at Kenna's words, Mary turned around now looking at her directly, not through the mirror. "Kenna!" Mary shouted and Lola went back into finishing her hair and jewels before Mary left for breakfast, leaving her ladies to clean some things and then they took off as well. [-/-] Mary walked into the dinning room, a few guards followed her into the room, Ctherine and Henry pushed on it, in fact she couldn't be left anywhere alone, she from now on needed to be accompanied by at least three guards or a royal with good skills, Maru itself thought it was ridiculous but if it would please Henry and Catherine she would be happy. As she walked in all eyes were on her, Catherine was still eating not paying attention, but Henry and Francis were staring at her, some servants were hypnotized by her and stood still just looking at her while she walked down the stairs. She bowed in front of the King and Queen and sat down in front of Francis, he looked at her and when he was snapped back to reality he looked down at his food and noticed the sudden loss of appetite, Mary made herself comfortable while some servants brought her plates with food. "Mary, Catherine and I leave today, we have some urgent matters in Italy. We will stay there for a week or two, in that time, you and Francis are responsible for anything that happens at court or in France. I'll try to do as much work as I can from Italy." Henry announced he just explained it to Francis, who was shocked because he wasn't ready to act like a king yet but with a good Queen it will certainly work his father stated. Mary stopped chewing for a few seconds processing the news. "Allright, I also heard that there is a ball tonight. I saw all kinds of preparations but I didn't know anything about it." Now she got Francis' attention, if his parents truly would leave after an hour or so, that meant that he and Mary were responsible for whatever happens at this party. Also the dauphin had no knowledge of this, no one had told him that there would be a ball tonight. "Yes that's true, for the Bourbon brothers, one of them the King of Navarre and the other his brother Lord Conde." Catherine stated, saying something for the first time today. Francis looked at his mother and they shared some signal, Francis sighed and looked down at his food. He knew very well who they were, Louis, Louis Conde was known for multiple things, somewhere that he was very loyal to his country, somewhere that he was always very interested in taking women. The last one was a burden on Francis' chest, he was with Mary, everyone almost knew that the Queen of Scots was taken by the Dauphin of France, but that would bring pleasure into Louis' heart. Antoinne, the King of Navarre always wanted something, he never came on a visit just 'retaining the peace between France and Navarre'. Mary knew something about these men, she had heard from them back at the convent, some of her friends there told her that they were rather handsome gentlemen. Mary looked up at Francis and he looked at Mary. Mary saw insecurities in his eyes and he saw it in hers. [-/-] After the informative breakfast Mary and Francis parted ways, Francis found Olivia already waiting by the lake for him. It was warm outside, the fresh warm air blew at French court, feeling that the summer was nearing. Olivia was sliming at the man and Francis smiled politely at her, not wanting to show any distress. He is worried about the ball and his cousins and most of all, Mary. "Francis! I thought you wouldn't come." Olivia narrated enthusiastically, Francis smiled lightly, forcing it really. Olivia immediately entangled her arms with his, like she did this morning, Francis wasn't surprised by the gesture, he went with it, not willing to cause her any more questions from her. "I know that something is bothering you, tell me what it is?" Olivia asked the dauphin after some minutes of silence, just the two of them walking over the green grass and enjoying the fresh air and no responsibilities outside the castle walls. Francis sighed before he answered her question. "My parents are leaving today for Italy. Making me and Mary to be responsible for what will happen this week." Francis said he still couldn't believe it himself. He knew that he would have so many responsibilities one day but now he only realizes how much responsibility that is. Olivia looked at him simply as if she expected more to come out of his mouth. "Is that all you need to tell me?" Olivia asked. She wanted to know more, something where Francis was very confused about, it seemed like she knew more information than he did. He looked at her and they stopped walking. "What do you mean?" Francis asked her genuinely, trying to know what the woman in front of him knew, Olivia sighed and was obviously doubting if she should tell him. She looked at him with flames in her eyes, like she was mad about something that she knew but he didn't. "A friend of mine told me that Mary left your chambers not long after you did." She said, with pain in her voice. Does she really think that I made love to Mary? Francis asks himself. He was shocked about the words that came out of Olivia's mouth, making him frown his brow deep. Olivia was still standing in front of him, with sadness and anger mixed over her face. "Yes, she left my room, but it's not what you think." Francis said he couldn't change the answer, he knew how bad it sounded. He still couldn't imagine that she truly believed that he slept with Mary. Olivia breathed in, realizing that it was true. Mary slept with Francis, the Francis that she wanted so badly. "What other reason could she come out of your chambers in the morning?" Olivia shouted in his face. He didn't change his facial expression, he just looked at her and waited for a few seconds so she could cool down. Francis changed his posture now, realizing how jealous she was. "My parents forced us to stay in the same chambers, day and night. Because Mary's life is in danger here at court." Francis now shouted in her face, she immediately took in the information and was still in disbelief of Francis' story. Francis was done, he understood that she was jealous but that doesn't mean that she could just jump at conclusions. He walked away, walking back to his chamber to get ready for the ball. [-/-] Mary was standing in front of the window seeing Francis and Olivia fight, while her ladies made her ready for the feast. Greer was helping her in her underskirts, the queen was now standing in the chamber with her corset wrapped tight around her, and her underskirts. "You see, Olivia and Francis aren't lasting long, because of you. Francis would want you much rather than that girl." Kenna said while doing her queen's hair and nodding into Olivia's direction in the gardens. Olivia was now standing in shock as she watched Francis leave. Mary looked at Olivia standing alone. Mary smiled lightly, feeling some kind of victory. [-/-] "This would look gorgeous on you Mary!" Aylee said, grabbing out a white dress with gold details. Mary and her ladies were deciding on what Mary should wear to impress everyone the most. Kenna, Lola and Greer were also suggesting other dresses. Mary laid down on the bed, looking up while her ladies were discussing. The door opened, Francis walked in, seeing four ladies with different dresses in their hands, all gasping when they saw Francis walking in. Francis also saw Mary laying on his bed, showing a lot of skin. She heard the door open and sat up, seeing Francis staring at her. He was in shock, not sure what to do. After much time Francis finally got words out of his mouth. "I'll- I'll leave." He stuttered and left the room leaning with his back against the door just processing what he saw in his room. Before he knew it the door opened and he almost fell back, but he caught himself steady by his feet, he turned around and saw Mary still standing with just a corset in front of him, trying to use the door to protect her from any spectators that may walk by. "Francis, I'll change quickly and then the chamber is yours." Mary told him, before he could answer, the woman already closed the door, leaving Francis to wait in the hall for Mary to finish. The dauphin was still in awe of what just happened. A few minutes later she walked out the door again, now dressed, in a stunning red dress that hugged her figure perfectly. "Francis, you could come in if you'd like, I only need to put in some earrings and wear some jewels, then the room is yours." Mary said smiling, Francis nodded and walked into the chambers with Mary. Mary's ladies were arguing about marriage and men, it was a very inappropriate subject now Francis had walked in, Mary was a little bit ashamed and tried to get the girls attention, it didn't work. They were still arguing about how their husband should act if they were married. "Please ignore them." Mary whispered in Francis' direction and he laughed lightly before answering 'It's fine' in her ear, making Mary blush. Now, her ladies turned around and saw Mary blushing furiously and Francis was something whispering in her air, all of the girls looked at eachother and all of them knew what that look meant. Mary returned to her ladies and Francis went to his part of the closet and grabbed his doublet and a black shirt. Mary knew that she should probably leave, but something inside her didn't want to. Her ladies kept rumbling on and on about the subject while Mary tried to glance a peek of Francis through her small mirror. Mary tried to give her ladies a look that would make them leave, Mary wasn't very sure if Francis would like it if 5 women would see him bare chest. Kenna saw Mary's signal and stopped talking, making the ladies surrounding her notice. "We should get ready for the ball as well, Mary will you be fine?" Kenna said, grabbing Greer's and Aylee's hand to be ready to leave. "I will be fine. I'll see you there." Mary said to her ladies, Kenna winked at her and then nodded in the direction of Francis who was drinking from a silver goblet and staring out of the window, he was probably waiting before Mary's ladies would leave. When the four women left, it became quiet, Mary was finishing her jewels and was still looking at Francis who was now walking to the other side of the room, fortunately Mary could still see him change. He took off his shirt and Mary's heart skipped a beat, she only saw his back, but that was already enough for her to make her stomach flip. She tried to keep her breath steady just like she did last night. Francis put on his black shirt making Mary snap back to reality. She looked back at herself in the mirror and fixed her hair a little bit, just to waste time so that she could leave the chamber with Francis and that she wouldn't need to walk alone around the castle to wait for the ball to start. Francis put on a doublet and looked at the mirror fast. "Shall we go?" Francis asked. Mary was quite surprised by the question, he already thought that they would go together. Francis saw Mary's facial expression and immediately knew what was wrong that he said. Mary would think that he wasn't wrong but that she just didn't expect to say it. "I think they would want us to go together as I'm accompanying you." Francis said, hoping to make himself clearer. Mary looked at him and smiled softly. "You're accompanying me now?" Mary said referring to the last normal conversation they had, when he was telling her that he might take Olivia as his mistress. Mary's anger comes back as she thinks about that conversation. He said it like he was forced to do it. Francis couldn't answer; he was just stunned at what tone she just spoke at him, and while he was searching for the right words Mary was already to make another attack at him. "Remember Francis this isn't what I would want either but to make this alliance work it is what we have to do." She snapped at him, she had no reason to but this was her way in revenge of what he said to her, threatening really. That she couldn't make him happy as a wife so he had to take a mistress, that he did love. Francis was about to answer but the Queen walked away, leaving him alone in his chamber, stunned. [-/-] The ball already started, Mary and Francis didn't talk the entire time since they had the argument. Mary was talking with everyone, she already met Conde and Antoine, both of them were trying to get the woman's attention. Mary was laughing with her ladies and drinking some wine, Francis was standing in the corner of the room, some nobles were talking to him but he didn't pay much attention to them, his fiance was his attention more worthy. The dauphin also looked at Conde and Antionne at the time, looking if they weren't bothering anyone, or enjoying the ball too much. A lot of people were dancing around, dresses floating in the air, laughing people, everyone seemed so happy. "Excuse me gentlemen, I think these ideas are all wonderful, at another moment I will look into them more." Francis said goodbye to the nobles who were surrounding him, he walked over to the other side of the room to Mary, Mary. As he got closer, her ladies noticed him walking over to her. Mary noticed Francis when she looked in the same direction her friends looked, she was still a little bit mad at him, but she also deep down regretted it, she couldn't admit it though that would make her weak she thought. "May I have this dance?" Francis asked, so that he could talk with Mary and that he could be for a moment free of politics. Mary looked at his hand and then at her friends who all nodded vigorously that she should take it. She looked at him and then grabbed his hand. He led them over to the dancefloor and then the music started,the people that surrounded them slowly left the dancefloor leaving the two of them alone. All of the argument seemed to leave, Mary clenched to Francis' shoulders as he tilted her up, her twirled around touching Francis' legs. When Francis sat her down and grabbed her waist tight against his own, Mary's nerves crept up in her. She wasn't uncomfortable; she was just in shock at how close they were. Francis was looking at Mary in total awe, how he loved to do this. He knew that somewhere in this room Olivia and the Bourbon brothers were watching them, but he just didn't care. All that he wanted to do was kiss her, she wanted to do the same. When the dance finished they both left the room. The hallway was dark and lit by only a few candles. There were no guards surrounding them. Francis still held Mary's hand. He looked at her face, her lips were slightly opened, she breathed heavily out of them. Francis kissed her, hard. Pushing her against the stone wall, attacking her lips, he stopped looking at her. Mary couldn't take the distance and kissed him, he was slightly in shock but pushed her against the wall again. Mary's hands were traveling in his air and were on his back feeling the fabric of the doublet. Some guards walked out of the room where the feast was happening. Mary quickly pushed him off her and held her hand against her swollen red lips, breathing heavily. Francis was fast snapped back to reality and went immediately to ask what the guards wanted of him. "Your grace, intruders, they got in the castle." One of the guards spoke. He immediately got Mary's attention. She walked up to them and stood next to Francis. Francis immediately felt ill, how did this happen? This is exactly what we tried to avoid, Francis said. "Find out who they are and take them to the dungeon and inform me immediately." Francis spoke angry against the guards standing in front him, the two men nodded at their future king and went to work immediately. When the guards left, the dauphin still stood still looking at the same spot where the guards just stood. Mary walked up to him, grabbing his shoulder from the back slowly massaging it. She had no idea if it was working, but apparently it did to him. "Francis, they'll deal with them, let's just go to your chambers." Mary said, trying to comfort him. He looked back, to see her face with a little smile drawn upon her lips. He grabbed her hand, he found it comfortable, Mary just went with it. When they came to their chamber Mary started picking out one of her nightgowns out of the million she had. Francis went to change into his nightwear. Mary started to take off her jewels first and Frncis was already done, so he laid down in bed and pretended that he read. He looked at her most of the time and drank some wine. Mary took off her upper dress, then she slowly started to untie her corset. Mary was very uncomfortable with it because she knew that Francis could see her. When the corset was very loose she put on the nightgown so that she wouldn't show any inappropriate skin, she then untied her under skirt and let that and her underskirt slide down her legs. Francis saw the entire process, he tried to look away, it wasn't doing any good to his body, seeing the woman he wanted do such a thing to him. Mary... Francis' thoughts are for the rest of the time. Mary laid down next to him, she grabbed her book and started reading it as well. Francis' eyes traveled from the sentence in his book to Mary. It was all quiet and peaceful before someone knocked on the door. Mary and Francis looked at eachother, both not expecting anyone. "Come in!" Francis shouted hard enough, so that he shouldn't need to climb out of bed. Immediately two dark haired men walked in, one of them was looking around the room under the bed. Francis and Mary were both confused about what was happening here. The two royals didn't know one of them, never saw them. Mary immediately got it. There are intruders. "Do you know where the Queen of Schotland and the Dauphin are?" The other asked. They don't know who we are? Mary and Francis wondered. Francis looked at Mary before he'd answer. Mary stopped him. "The two royals left not soon after the King and Queen left." Francis looked at Mary more confused than ever, but then he got it too. Francis agreed with her words. Understanding what the meaning was behind it. "Hm, alright, we'll leave you newlyweds alone. '' Where the last words of one the men before they both left, Francis laughed at the words that he spoke and looked at Mary whose cheeks turned red. Newlyweds? We'll be that once, Francis thought. Not soon after Francis informed the guards and later Mary and Francis got the news that they're in the dungeon. The couple was now laying in the bed. Francis was holding Mary's hands. Mary herself was pretty in shock. She had so much faith that it wouldn't happen again, and then it did, she was pretty lucky that nothing bad happened. Mary closed her eyes and fell asleep quickly, dreaming about Francis. Francis fell asleep not much later, dreaming about Mary.

Chapter Text

The sun slowly rised, the servants started doing their jobs at court. Most royals still slept, like the future King and the future Queen of France. Both lying under the covers entangled in each other's embrace. The young queen lying in the warm arms of her future husband, he was protecting her with one arm, shielding her from everything bad that was happening at court, or what could happen. The Queen's leg was lying on the young man's hips. His hand was supporting the one leg with his other arm. One of Mary's hands were pressed against his chest, feeling the secure heartbeat, the other was tangled up in his hair. Both weren't conscious at the moment when the appropriate position -that only husband and wife could share, or mistress and man- happened. Their breath had a rhythm only a rhythm that these royals could share. If they would be found like this, everyone would think of something scandalous, something that lovers do.
The sun had risen higher, high enough to shine to the couple's chamber, shining the light on them, like a spotlight, trying to show everyone what was going on here, what was going on inside the dauphin's walls.
When the sunshines reached Mary's face, she startled, seeing in what inappropriate position they were lying in. She ran out of his arms. Both thinking it was either a dream, or it was the wine from the feast that was still hanging in her system. With her jump out of bed she woke her companion up as well. He saw his future Queen standing beside the bed looking shocked and breathing heavily in the disbelief and most of all the hope that she was dreaming. All kinds of scenarios were going through her head, 'What if servants came in?' or 'What if someone else saw it, and will tell everybody?'. While her future king was still lying on the bed, not knowing why she was so shook off, he slowly rised, now sitting up the bed still looking at Mary confused. He wasn't aware of the situation that Mary found them in.
"Is everything alright?" He spoke eventually, his voice low, still sleeping. His eyes were slightly opened, looking at the woman in front of him. She was still breathing heavily, but less. She looked at Francis and then didn't do anything, just staring at him, while processing everything in her head. Her eyes were wide open and she only looked into his blue eyes, trying to find some explanation.
"Uh. When I awoke, I was- we were sleeping in a very interesting and inappropriate position." The words left her lips. Francis was looking at her, opening his eyes more and staring at her more passionately, knowing exactly what she meant.
"Oh, I'm sure no one saw us." Francis said, trying to worry the Queen less and to let the subject go. Mary frowned at him, she didn't believe him.
"How can you be so sure of that?" Mary questioned him. She sat down again on the bed where she just slept. The white sheets are wrinkled, showing the position the Queen just laid in.
"I can't, but I know that I locked the doors yesterday evening. The only person that could've seen us, would be someone who would've sneaked in through the window or balcony." Francis said as he laid down back in the same position he was laying before, now grabbing a pillow and hugging it, like he did when Mary was there. He closed his eyes and slowly sleep claimed him once more.
Mary got out of bed and started dressing. She unlocked the doors and asked the guards to fetch her ladies. While The Queen of Scots was waiting for her ladies she walked over to the sleeping dauphin, she grabbed the blanket at his feet and covered the prince till his torso. The dauphin felt the movement of the sheet and turned to Mary. He was still sleeping.
Someone knocked on the door and Mary walked slowly to the door, opening it to see her 4 ladies standing in front of her, all already dressed and happy to see their one and only queen. They were all giggling and were all curious to ask where Mary has been up to, with the entire Francis-is-sleeping-next-to-me situation.
"Goodmorning, you all must be quiet, Francis is still sleeping." Mary said, before letting the girls in. They all nodded.
Before they knew it Mary was sitting on a chair, Greer combing her hair, Lola and Kenna were whispering/fighting over which dress Mary should wear, Aylee was searching out which diamonds and jewels Mary should wear. Everyone was busy and everyone was whispering, following the Queen's request.
Francis awoke by the sight of five women in his chamber all laughing quietly and they're discussing all kinds of subjects. He rubbed his eyes slowly, trying to make his sight better of the females. He didn't have many visitors and definitely almost no women, he was surprised at the sight of this busy morning. He sat up and Greer saw it, whispering something in Mary's ear. Mary turned around to confirm Greers words. She catched Francis' sight and smiled at him lightly.
"Girls, you can talk now." She told her ladies, all the ladies turned around to see Francis awake sitting on his bed and talking now, with their normal volume. All the ladies were talking at the same time, creating chaos in the chamber. Francis got out of bed and walked over to the part of his closet, walking past the girls, they all bowed to him before they left, leaving Mary and him now alone.
"How did you sleep?" Francis asked her, he still didn't forget about the 'inappropriateness' of this morning. Mary turned to him, smiling lightly and put in her second earring.
"Wonderful, I was exhausted from yesterday." Mary said to him and stood up, stroking over her dress with millions layers, trying to remove the wrinkles on her dress. Francis put on his doublet and smiled at her. She was so beautiful in the eyes of the prince.
"About the intruders, I got word from them yesterday late in the evening that they were executed, everyone has been informed about the attack so there's no need to hide it." Francis said, Mary gasped lightly, processing the news in her mind, she can't even think about what the consequences would've been if they knew who they were and if Mary was alone.
"I'm not sure if I should be relieved or worried." Mary said seriously, making Francis look at her and see the worry in those brown orbs.
"I would suggest you do neither, I don't. And most importantly, they can't hurt you anymore, they're gone." Francis said, with a voice that was supposed to sooth her. It worked a little bit, her expression softened and her eyes left their worried state. Mary smiled at him and he did too, making her heart flutter.

[-/-]
The both of them left Francis' chambers, and walked to the dining room, where Catherine and Henry were already waiting for them. It was quiet and a silence hung between them, neither did know what to say to each other to remove it. Mary didn't mind it, what mattered was that Francis was at her side.
"Francis!" Or perhaps he's not, Mary thought. She immediately knew whose voice that was, Olivia. The girl who was relentless to find her happy ending with Francis by her side, and Mary far, far away from it. Mary sighed and looked at Francis who was looking at her, he saw her reaction and she knew that this was probably the last thing she wanted. Francis stopped walking and turned around to face the young woman. She ran down the few steps and ran to Francis trying to embrace him. The young dauphin stopped her by blocking his arms, she looked down confused and then at Mary who was standing next to him, she looked bitterly at the young Queen, and the royal did too, throwing poisoned looks at her, hoping that she would suffocate right there and now.
"Olivia," Francis said warningly, as he saw the stare between her and the woman he admired much more. Mary looked up at Francis and Olivia as they were trying to communicate by their stares into eachothers eyes, Mary knew that they didn't talk because she was there.
"I'll leave you two, I'll see you there." Mary said to Francis, he nodded at her and smiled at her, he would want to go with her but this must come in the way, they're way. Olivia smiled wickedly at Mary, feeling victory inside of her that she is now alone with Francis. Francis searched for Olivia's gase which was looking at Mary that was walking away.
"Olivia, what is the matter now?" Francis said, irritated obviously, you could hear it in his voice. Olivia was surprised by his attitude, her eyes widened and suddenly she felt powerless against the monarch. The woman was trying to speak but all that came out of her mouth were confused breaths.
"Did-, did anything happen between you two?" The woman managed to speak against the royal who she so deeply admired and loved. She was shocked, he had told her once -a long long time ago- that they could be wed, have a family together and now that's changed. Because in the eyes of Francis it wasn't Olivia he wanted to have a family with, it was Mary, his fiance and future queen.
"Would that matter? She is my fiance, my future wife, I think that whatever happens between us, it would be none of your business." He said sharply at her, keeping his cold attitude. She was now even more confused, how could the man that she once wanted everything with do this to her? He started walking away from her, not looking back.
"Francis?" She breathed out, barely a whisper, enough for him to hear, he turned around and walked a few steps closer. She didn't know what was happening. Was he truly acting this harshly against her?
"I think whatever this is, we should end it. I know a wonderful family in Normandie where you would be more than welcome to stay there with them, you'll leave today." He said to her, leaving her mind in utter shock. She gasped and looked at the figure that was walking away, away from her for forever.

[-/-]

"Where have you been?" The King stated as he saw his son walking to them sitting in front of Mary. Mary looked surprised at him too, she didn't think that he would come back so soon. He looked irritated in Mary's eyes. He was. Catherine didn't mind, she was enjoying her breakfast too much, she knew her son acted like this and knew that whatever was going on he could fix himself.
"I was busy, Mary, I have to talk to you." Francis said quickly, trying to lose his father's attention and gaining Mary's instead. She looked at him and drank out of her goblet and nodded at him, showing that that's alright.

[-/-]

Francis and Mary finished their breakfast early and found themselves in the gardens, enjoying the fresh sommer air. Mary kept a little bit distance with Francis as she noticed that he was tense, she didn't want to bother him. He was looking at the green grass beneath his walking feet. Mary looked at the prince and then at the landscapes in front of her. It had been a long time since she last walked her. The last time was when Francis kissed her for the first time. She still remembers the moment, like it was yesterday. The memory made her spine shiver and her cheeks heat up. Francis sat down now on a bench that was not far away from the spot. He looked at Mary and eyed her to sit down next to him. She sat down next to him, fidgeting with the fabric of her purple dress. She was too curious to know where this conversation would go about, will it go about Olivia? Or about them yesterday, the kiss that they shared and never got to speak about again? Or about them, as royals? She had so many scenarios running through her head.
"I need to tell you that I send Olivia away, she's still here packing her stuff but she will leave by sundown and-"
"You're serious?" Mary interrupted him, she knew it wasn't probably the best thing to do but she couldn't keep her mouth shut. The last time they talked about Olivia he made it pretty clear that he wouldn't let her go very easily, and now he sended her away. She was confused and feeling wonderful, there was no barrier for them now, but if one mistress already popped up, would that mean that another one would come too? She couldn't help but wonder.
"Yes, I don't even know why I let her stay here for so long." Francis said, looking at her, meeting her gaze. He saw her beautiness and stared at her eyes. Mary saw him staring but didn't say anything about it. Francis get back to reality, he said to himself. He snapped out of it and looked at the grass once more. Mary remained quiet, looking at the castle.
"I want to show you something." Francis said before he stood up and smiled at Mary. She looked at him and stood up as well, following him. They walked past hundreds of trees, there was a fallen tree covering a brook, it was the only way to pass the streaming water. Francis was standing on it and held out a hand for Mary so he could lead her. Mary stood up and took it, she knew she could surely do it alone but she liked the gesture.
After she jumped off the fallen tree and let go of Francis' hand, the boy she admired started to run. Mary looked at him, he was already yards away and stood still now looking at Mary, she smiled at him and grabbed her skirts so she could run and not trip over it. Francis saw her and started running as well, before they knew it Mary was almost catching up to Francis, he was trying to run faster but Mary was going to catch up to him if he would slow down. Mary loved these moments, she felt free and with Francis by her side and feeling this freedom she could overcome everything she wanted and he could too, only if she would stand there next to him. Mary ran and ran, trying to avoid roots that were growing out of the ground and trees that stood in her way, Francis was doing the same.
Francis suddenly stopped and Mary did too, he was looking at the landscape, Mary walked up to him, and saw the view. They were standing on a cliff, seeing the gorgeous waters, and the castle looked like one that was written in fairytales. It was like a dream. Mary walked closer to the edge trying to see more. She knew they were running up a mountain but she didn't know that it would be so perfect. Francis was filled with more and more worry as he saw her going closer to the edge of the cliff. He walked up at her and grabbed her hand, before she could fall. Mary jumped at the gesture and lost her balance in Francis' arms, as he tried to keep her steady they both fell backwards, Francis laying on his back, Mary between his legs, his hands wrapped around her shoulders. Mary's breath got faster and he got too. If the position they found themselves in this morning was inappropriate, this would be so inappropriate it could be a scandal. Mary slowly got up, stroking her dress to make it a little bit less messy. It didn't work. But it didn't matter to her she sat down, leaning against a tree. Francis was still laying down, in the same position, he closed his legs a bit and stretched his shoulders before he came closer to Mary.
"It's beautiful here." Mary said, still admired by the view, she could never get the hang of this. The sun had started to set, and it made everything glow. Francis looked at Mary and stared at her, actually. He didn't care that she would notice, she did. But it didn't matter to her as well, she turned to him and smiled. His gaze went to her lips, those pretty pink plump lips. His lips got closer to hers, Mary felt his breath on her lips, making her skin full of goosebumps. He closed the distance and kissed her passionately. Mary's hands slowly rose up to his hair. He stopped the kiss and rested his forehead against hers.
"I know." He breathed into her mouth, there it was again, that flutter in her stomach. If there was no tree that Mary was laying against he would be on top of her. He looked away from her and stared at the view.
"How many girls have you taken here?" Mary asked, she knew it would be a big number because, well, this place and him everyone would be head over heels for this young man.
"six, including you." He said looking back at her, the sun shone in his hair and made him even more attractive than he already was.
"Just six?" Mary asked, surprised. She thought that it would've been more, much more. He looked at her grinning.
"Did you really think that I took all my girlfriends here?"
"Well who knows."
"No, I didn't, none of them have been so magical as with you. Most of them didn't even want to go up here, it would be far too much trouble and their skirts would become a mess, or their shoes would be ruined, and I even had one girl that wasn't amazed by the view. She thought that more was coming." He said, laughing lightly at himself and thinking about those memories, how different life had been then, and how much better it is here with Mary by his side.
"Well, they weren't mistaken about the shoes and dress, but definitely about the view." She laughed looking at her skirt and taking off her shoes to show Francis how they're doing. He laughed at her. He loved how free she was, how carefree, how free.
They spent another hour talking about all that they had been through before walking back to the castle, it was already dark and Mary was scared that she would trip over anything. It was too dark to see anything. Francis was holding her hand and walking in front of her so that she could follow him, he was trying his best to find the way. When they got to the fallen tree, Mary didn't see where she needed to step on, she couldn't see, only hear the streaming water and Francis' directions that he gave to her. He got of and walked behind her, he put his hands on her waist and tilted her up, putting her on the tree, he lead her to step further, he got up now too, still holding his hands tight around her he pushed her bit by bit to set a step further, when they finally got to the other side Mary was holding Francis' arm tight, not willing to let go.
"Come on, we're almost there." Frncis said and held her hand, they finally saw the lights of the castle, they ran back to the grand doors and ran to their chambers.
Mary closed the door when they finally got in. She got out of her dress and only stood in a corset and an underskirt by a bowl filled with water cleaning her face with a towel. She was too tired to take a bath and it was too late. She changed into her nightgown and watched Francis now, his hair a little bit wet and standing with no shirt, Mary was biting her lip to the view.
[-/-]

Both of them are laying in bed, Mary blows out the candle and gets under the covers, looking at Francis who was staring at her. He got closer to her, the white sheets made sounds as he got closer to the girl. Mary could see him a little bit by the moonshines that were shining out of the window, Francis lowered his lips on hers and looked at her eyes first, dreaming about the taste of those lips. When his lips finally touched hers Mary's hands found his neck and hair once more, Francis slowly got on top of her, his hand on her waist and sometimes on her face, the other hand to support him from standing upright. Their kisses became messy, but intense, it wasn't sweet now, no it was love.
"I love you." Francis breathed in her mouth, Mary opened her eyes to look into his eyes, she smiled at the words and kissed him, kissed him hard. He laughed at the reaction and was waiting for the same words to come out of her mouth.
"I- I love you too." Mary breathed now in his mouth. He smiled and the kissing session began once more. The covers slowly came on the end of the bed, both were warm by each other's company. The kisses were hard and intense. Francis went over to her neck sucking the sensitive skin softly, not willing to leave any marks. Mary gasped at the feeling. She moaned his name and her fingers were combing his blond locks.
"Tell me when you want me to stop." Fraancis said, not willing to bring her the wrong impression or pushing her into things that could cost her her head if anyone would find out. He needed to know what she wanted, did she want him, did she needed him as much as he did her. He looked her in the eyes. Her eyes were dreamy just as his. This woman made him crazy and he didn't know how much longer he could keep this up.
"Never."

~E N D~