The Scottish Princess

Six

Francis' Point of View
I woke up with Mary next to me. I could feel her warmth. I gently moved off of her then pulled the covers further over her. I began to put my clothes back on. I went over to the window and saw it had snowed a great deal. Mary and I don't have warm enough cloaks for this weather, or gloves. I quietly opened the door and locked it behind me. I went down the stairs where I saw several men passed out drunk. I've definitely been there before. I went outside into the snow. It's freezing. I went into a shop. I picked out a two fur lined coats and gloves. I went and paid then made my way back to the inn. I am nervous about traveling back to the castle, Mary and I don't know the way back. If I follow the kings road back we should be good. I went back into the inn and up to the room. I opened the door to see Mary pacing by the fire. "Where were you?" She asked, she looked like she was on the verge of crying. "I was just getting us some warmer cloaks, it's very cold. It's okay." I said "I'm sorry, I thought you left. I didn't know what I would do on my own." She said "Mary I wouldn't leave you, I'm going to get you back to the castle safe." I said, she smiled. "I'd do this for anyone." I said, her smile disappeared. "I should get dressed." She said. Why does she seem upset? "Do you need help tying your dress?" I asked "No, i'll do it." She said. I turned around facing away and she got dressed. I put my cloak and such on to stay warm. I turned around and say Mary still trying to tie her dress. "Sure you don't need help yet?" I smiled "No, I do not." She said, she is so stubborn. I went over and moved her hands out of the way. "I said I didn't need your help." She said annoyed. "Hmm, sure." I finished tying it. She turned around frowning at me. "Now is where you'd say thank you." I said "It is?" She asked putting her cloak on. "Yes." I laughed "Can we just go? I want to be back with my Father." She said "You know how you said you were jealous of me because I have a big family?" I asked "Yes..?" She said confused "I'm jealous of your relationship with your Father. You two are so close, I can barley stand my Father." I said "Why?" She asked "I see the way he treats my Mother, it disgusts me. I've never been able to look at him in a positive light." I said "Well wouldn't you have mistresses once you get married?" She asked "No, I plan on loving my wife. That's why I refuse to entertain arranged marriages. I'm not going to marry someone I'm not in love with." I said "But you entertained the possibility of our arranged marriage." She said "Because when I met you I wasn't meeting the princess, I was just meeting Mary. And I like Mary. When she isn't bullying me." I smiled "I'm nice to you! Sometimes." She said "Sure you are." I smiled "Let's just go." She wrapped her arm around mine. This is nice. We walked out towards the stables. I got the horse off then helped Mary on. I know she can get on by herself. I know she must like me a little if she is willing to let me help her. I got on the horse behind Mary. She adjusted herself so she was closer to me. I couldn't help but smile a little. I wrapped my arms around her so I could hold the reins. "Ready?" I asked "Yes." She said
Hours Later
As I rode I could finally see the castle in the distance. "Hey Mary, you're home." I said, she didn't answer. "Mary?" I asked "Hmm that's good." She mumbled. "Are you okay?" I asked, no answer. I felt her forehead and she was burning up, she has a really high fever. Mary must have caught something at the inn. I stopped the horse. I took my cloak off and wrapped it around her. "Does this feel better?" I asked "I'm so cold." She said, I could see bags under her eyes. "Just stay with me okay? We're almost back but you need to stay awake." I said as I rode faster. I got to the gates. "State your business." The solider said. "It's the princess, she's sick." I said, he came over and looked at her. "Lower the gates! Get the physician the Princess is sick!" He shouted, I road through the gates and got off the horse with Mary in my arms. "Mary you're going to be okay." I said rushing towards the infirmary. I kicked the doors opened and laid her down on the bed. "What's going on?" The Physician asked "It's Mary, we escaped the attack and on our journey home she became ill." I said, I stood there frozen while he gave her medicines. "Where is she?" I heard shouting down the halls, it was James' voice. I went out in the hall. "Francis where is my daughter? What happened to you two?" He asked "She is right in the infirmary. Our carriage was attacked and we escaped to a near by town. On our journey home she became extremely ill." He said "Did they touch her?" He asked "No, I killed them before they laid a hand on them." I said "Thank you Francis, I'm truly in your debt." He hugged me, then went towards the infirmary. God I hope she's okay.