Lochmore
When Marie awoke, she felt as though she'd been trapped in a terrible nightmare. Her entire life was so uncertain, but it hadn't been the day prior. She and Leopold had the world ahead and they were so excited for it. She was so excited for it, and for once in her life she felt like she was exactly where she needed to be, everything had fallen into place, only to crumble apart so abruptly. Marie was in complete and total misery. She mustered all of her strength just to slip out of bed. She tied her robe around her waist and stepped onto her beautiful hydrangea lined balcony. Tears pricked her eyes as she looked out at the kingdom. A heavy blanket of mist covered the rolling hills and she wondered what was going to happen...who would return to her? The devastating idea that neither of them would flashed through her fearful mind and suddenly everything was too much, the thought of that was too much to bear.
She quickly stepped into a lavender day dress and hurried towards the stables. She needed to ride away her problems. The stable boys readied Lune and as soon as he was able, they tore away. Away from the kingdom and towards the cliffs overlooking the sea. Her head was filled with a rapid slideshow of the memories she'd shared with Harry and Leopold...as the wind whipped against her cheeks and tears poured from her eyes, she let the weight of the world finally crash down upon her. Lune halted to a stop just before the steep decline overlooking the dark green channel. The water was rough and dark, the sun not quite ready to rise up above the foggy horizon. Marie's golden loose curls were blowing wildly in the wind and she did her best to breathe. Long, deep inhales and exhales, as the weight of everything really began to set in. But in that moment of fear and heartache, something else set in. Princess Marie began to plan for the Kingdom's future, if, heaven forbid, one or more of them failed to return. The pain in her chest was realer than anything she'd ever experienced, but she knew she had to persevere. She and Queen Louisa would have to take the reins if the unthinkable were to happen. They had to be strong for their people, it was their duty, after all. As Marie watched the channel churn angrily beneath her, she felt alone and afraid, and she prayed desperately to her god. "Mon dieu..." She begins to cry, "Please, mon dieu, guide them and keep them safe, I beg you." She strokes Lunes wild, silver mane. "I'll never ask for anything again. Bring them home to me. Just bring them home."
Spain — Five days later
The King led his two boys down the castle's dark corridors, following the Spanish guards. Leopold walked strongly beside his father, while Harry cowered close behind. He wouldn't admit it, but he was sick to his stomach. He was afraid, and not for any reason aside from the mere thought of never seeing the Princess of France again. If he never saw Marie again, if he were beheaded and left her in pain, that would truly be the very worst fate. But then, she'd never be his. So which fate was worse? A life of watching her fall further into his brother, her husband? Never being able to have her the way he wanted her. Never touch her the way he longed to touch her or feel her body become one with his. If he were to escape death, he'd have a lifetime of misery ahead of him, so really, death sounded almost better. Easier. It was a way out. A shortcut to a blissful afterlife.
"Keep your head down, brother." Leopold whispers through gritted teeth. "You must let father and I atone for your mistakes, you'll only anger King Charles if you speak." Harry stays silent, though Leopold's condescending tone should have earned him some sort of swift punch to the jaw. The corridors are winding and maze-like, but finally, they're lead into the throne room where a smug King Charles sits, looking as pompous and angry as ever.
"Frederick." He says, stoically.
"Charles." He gestures to Leopold and Harry. "I'm regretful this visit isn't under better circumstances, but you remember my sons, Leopold, my eldest and Harry, my youngest." Charles' glare is fixated on Harry and it is very clear he could care less about anyone else.
"You." He begins, "You killed my son."
"Your majesty, I—"
"Silence!" Charles booms, his voice echoes throughout the halls. "There was a duel?"
"Yes, there was."
"It mustn't have been fair."
"I believe it was, your majesty. I truly did not mean to harm your son, we were just...it just got out of hand."
"This matter needs to be settled, Frederick."
"I concur. How do you suggest we do that?"
"My son's head for yours." King Frederick's face pales, as does Harry's and Leopold's.
"King Charles, please, there must be another way!" Leopold tries to argue this, but to no avail. Two Spanish guards hold him back, while two more shove Harry down to his knees, their swords crossing against the skin of his neck. Fear is painted across all three of their faces. Harry's fear is clear in his eyes and Leopold watches in horror. Just before they cut off his head, two more guards lead someone into the room.
"Forgive the interruption, your highness..." Charles rolls his eyes and looks to the new arrivals. "But the Grand Duke of France is here, Sir Sebastien. He says the matter is urgent and he must speak with you immediately." They watch the Grand Duke make his way to the center of the room, stopping just before the throne.
"France has gotten word of Prince Filipe's death, and we are very sorry for your loss." He stands between Harry and the guards. "But we cannot let the prince pay for his mistakes in death. Spain is a great ally to our country, but England is as well. We will sever our ties with Spain immediately if Prince Harry pays with his life. That is not up for discussion, and this is straight from King George himself." Charles bites his cheek and eyes the Grand Duke. "We agree to never let something like this happen again, and we all go our separate ways, remaining to be three of Europe's strongest allies. Our countries will forge together and we will be a force to be reckoned with." Sebastien clearly knew the way to the power-hungry King. Charles looks back to Frederick.
"Prince Harry is hereby banned from stepping foot on Spanish soil. If I see him, Frederick, I'll kill him myself. You have my word."
"And you have my word, Charles. You'll never see Harry again, not here." The energy in the room has drastically lightened in intensity and Leopold helps his brother up.
"Thank you, your majesty. Today, progress has been made and this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Sebastien says, proudly.
"Yes, well...tell George to send over a few more maidens and we'll be square." Sebastien's smile is now very clearly forced.
"Of course, your majesty." As the four of them are lead back out, Sebastien falls into step with Frederick and Leopold.
"How did you know?" Leopold asks him, to which he chuckles.
"Princess Marie can be very...persuasive. The urgency of Marie's letter and the passion in which she explained what had happened, we knew something had to be done." Harry and Leopold look to one another, both silently grateful for the girl they so desperately loved.
"Now, she is a force to be reckoned with, my wife." Leopold says, pridefully and Sebastien shakes his head, chuckling again.
"I've never met anyone so fit to lead, though she doesn't know that yet."
"Thank you, Sebastien. You saved my son's life today."
"What matters to Marie, matters to France. We'll always stand behind her convictions."
"How can England repay your haste, Sebastien?" Frederick asks him.
"I'd be happy to spend some time at Lochmore, if you'll have me. I think, with my help, France and England can do great things. We can start being great, not months from now or years, but today. Right now." Frederick shakes his hand as they walk towards Lochmore's ship. The crew is preparing for their trip back and Sebastien instructs them to load up his horse and his baggage.
+
Leopold leans against the bow, watching Harry, who's clearly lost in thought as he sits on the deck stairs, when Sebastien leans down beside him. "He reminds me of my own brother."
"Was he as reckless and stupid as Harry?"
"Maybe more so. He got himself killed in a similar duel with some Portuguese soldiers. And still, to this day, I feel so much anger at him for not being better, but if someone had given him the chance, maybe he could have changed." Leopold sighs and turns around, watching the water and the distant shores of Lochmore come into view. "This will make him better. His life flashed before his eyes today. It'll force him to grow. Trust me, your highness."
"I hope you're right." He says, shaking his head. A few minutes pass and Leopold changes the subject. "So, you speak of Marie like the two of you are close."
"Marie and I...we were very close growing up. I was raised in the castle and her parents tried desperately to shelter her, but that girl..." Sebastien shook his head and chortled, clearly enjoying reminiscing. "She was so...imaginative, and quite the trouble maker. So I was always dragged into a bit of her mischief." He shrugged as Leopold observed him. "I'll tell you this much, that kingdom is much dimmer without her light."
"Marie and I just returned from our trip to France, the day we found out what happened with Harry and Philipe. Were you not in France during our visit?"
"I was on my way back from Rome, I tried desperately to get back in time to see you both, but I couldn't. Then she wrote to me and I knew it had been too long...besides, I was happy to help. Like I said, it reminded me of my brother's mistakes. And I wish he was here today. If I could aid in the bettering of this outcome, I knew I'd feel a bit of closure." Leopold claps his back.
"Well, we're very lucky to have you, and I'm sure Marie will be overjoyed to see you, my friend."
"And I her." Leopold noticed the sincerity in his smile, and he hoped the Grand Duke would stay for a little while. He was confident that it would lift his wife's spirits, though they already had reason enough to be joyful, seeing as Harry was alive and well.