Long May She Reign

s i x

"Very well then Mary. How are you feeling back here in Scotland? You don't really talk about it often." he asked her.

"Well I liked it here. This is my home. It's always gonna be my home. France can't change that as much as I love it." Mary answered honestly.

"Well I can't say I am disappointed by that. I hope this means you will stay here longer. I won't hide that we all were afraid that you will leave us for France. That was most people's first thought when your husband, the King I mean, arrived." he said exploring her reaction. To his surprise she started laughing:

"My God, Lord Culpepper! You are speaking as France is the end of the world and Fransic- an evil monster which will kidnap me there!" she laughed a bit more before calming down but still with smile on her face "No need to worry. We both plan of staying here for at least a little longer."

"I am sure that not only me but the whole country will be glad of that decision of yours. However, Your Grace, I don't have a way to know the whole country's opinion. So I will speak only for me when I say that I am more than glad to hear this decision of yours." The Lord finished. Mary only laughed and for the rest of the dance they talked about everything and nothing at the same time.

....

Meanwhile on the other side of the room:

Francis eyes never left his wife while she was making her way with her partner towards the dance floor. He had seen her hesitation to accept and had regretted the moment he agreed. But he knew very well that it wasn't really up to him. It was only a formal question with clear answer. Had he said no, the whole country would have turned against him, saying he doesn't trust anyone but his people. Watching her eyes scanning the room in search for someone, he wasn't sure who, made him doubt if the resentment of this country, which he called his now, wouldn't be better choice. He didn't even noticed when his brother has approached his side until he said:

"I see you still can't dance little brother." he teased him with a small smirk.

"Shut up, Bash. I am not in mood." Francis growned quietly.

"You were in perfect mood in the beginning of the night. What changed?" Bash asked even though he already knew the answer.

Francis growned once more and pointed at the dance floor where his wife has just started dancing with some other man. There wasn't need of more explanations. They stayed so for a few more minutes, Bash silently comforting his brother. After a while something caught his attention and he muttered so only Francis could hear him.

"What is it with your mother? She looks like she is ready to kill." Bash said making Francis' gaze to leave Mary only to found his mother in the corner. "Do you think it has something to do with Mary? The two of them have become closer since she left."

"I don't know but whatever had happened it seems that she takes it personaly." he paused before adding "She will get over it eventually." said Francis showing he don't want to deal with Catherine right now his gaze finding Mary once more.

Bash didn't dare to say anything anymore until he heard his brother again:

"She is laughing! Why the hell is she laughing?! Nothing he says could be that funny!"

"Brother, I am sure it's just a little joke. No need to do a big deal from it." Bash tried to convince him without any effect.

"Easy for you to say it. It is not your charming wife dancing there with practicaly stranger, being more beautiful than ever." he growned trying not to show his anger.

"Sure it's not my wife. But I can assure you that the reason for that is just that my wife is not going to dance for the next 9 months." Bash said with a smile remembering the reason why his wife couldn't dance.

"What do you mean? Is Kenna...?" Francis asked confused.

"Pregnant? Yes." Bash answereed his smile only growing bigger.

"Congratulation, brother. I am so happy for you." he placed a hand on Sebastian's shoulder. "Now if you excuse me I am going to get my wife back." he said turning straight into the direction of his wife, whose dance had just ended.

"Mary, darling, how was your dance?" he said taking her by the hand "You, of course, can tell me later in our chambers." he faked a smile to her previous partner "Excuse us, Milord, but with the Queen, we decided to retire earlier tonight. Now if you excuse us." he said before grabbing Mary by the hand and leading her towards the exit.

.....

The King of Scotland took his wife to their chambers, furious.

"What was this all about?", Mary asked angry when they were alone in the room.

"I'm asking you the exact same thing. Who was that man dancing with you? So intimate.", Francis' eyes got darker.

"He is one of my advisors, lord Culpepper", Mary explained more calmly.

"He is also young and handsome."

"What do you mean?", Mary laughed. This sounded ridiculous.

"Oh please Mary! Do not pretend that you do not understand!"

"You think that something can happen between me and lord Culpepper? Francis, you become pathetic.", Mary could not believe that her husband can even think of this.

"You call me pathetic, huh? Because you didn't look pathetic in his arms, laughing and your charm working on hundred percent. You surely didn't look pathetic", Francis said sarcastically.

"Who I dance with is none of your business."

"I'm your King and everything you do is my business. Why are you treating me like this, Mary? Do you think that I am blind, deaf and speechless? I see and I hear everything. And you are lying yourself if you think otherwise.", Francis started screaming. He hated being treated the way he was. They all thought he was stupid, having nothing to say but he actually was not. He was intelligent, loved to read and had all the qualities to be a good king. Mary didn't know what to say for she knew that her husband was right.

"Alright then! I will be meeting my advisors tomorrow. At one o'clock.", Mary informed and left the room. Francis was pleased because he understood the hint. He got to the bed waiting for tomorrow.

Mary returned in their room late at night. She was staying with Greer and Leith because she didn't want to confront Francis once more. She was getting tired of all of this. And wanted to relax with a calm night with her friends. Greer and Leith helped her forget all her troubles and Mary was grateful. She dressed her nightgown after going to her chambers. She lays in the bed next to Francis not facing him. After a while she fell asleep.

A/N: Please guys, let us know how you feel about the story. We are grateful to the people who are reading it! Xxx