Long May She Reign

Party (Ep 2)

Madeline had not left Owen's side until the festivities at Court began, then she took off running between guests with her fiancé.

Hudson stood beside his wife on the outskirts of the festivities, "Bedding, shelter and food have been sent to the fighters camped along our shores. Simon, the envoy, a s the ship's captain are being housed in guest suites here at Court."

"What do you think of the fact that Mary Tudor's best warriors were on that ship? There's plenty of then to go around and you treat them as if you are the kind host," Vanessa kept an eye trained on her sons, specifically her golden child.

"You are a woman, you know nothing of battle strategy. You must treat them like friends until they turn themselves into foes. Once they leave full and satisfied in a few days then we'll be all the better," Hudson stepped away to join in the celebrations.

Mara snuck up behind Vanessa, taking Hudson's place, "You know, I would have guessed that you would favour having the English here at Court?"

"You think only of their hatred towards Owen and Scotland. If they stopped there then I'd love their company but they want to rule the world, including France," Vanessa replied.

"A d so we see the need for an alliance with Scotland, the same alliance you wanted gone so bad that you blackmailed a boy into trying to diminish his Queen's reputation," Mara nodded slowly.

Vanessa faced her confidant, "I did what I must to make sure my son avoided the date you predicted for him. How do I tell him what you see regarding his union with Owen?"

"Acho would not listen to me, he does not believe in my ability," Mara glanced at the Dauphin across the room with a sigh.

"It does not matter what he thinks because I believe you. Out of the trust we share, I ask you to let this particular secret die with Colin McPhail," Vanessa sighed.

Across the room, Simon approached Owen, "Your Grace," he tipped his head slightly.

"Lord Westbrook, they say you reside in France despite being English?" Owen smiled her signature political smile.

Simon nodded, "You are right, while I love my home in Paris, I prefer to stay at Court as often as I can. Now, you must call me Simon so that I can be honest with you, unlike these French who say what you want them to whether they mean it or not. Tell me, how is your engagement?"

Owen's smile turned a little more genuine, "We are so happy, the engagement suits us quite well."

"If it is as well as you claim, why is there no set date? Charles is not the Dauphin and he and Madeline are both only seven but they will be wed the day she turns fourteen. This country has a hollow commitment to you at best and is playing you like a lute. If your little country was in danger, would France truly defend you?" Simon pondered in a condescending tone.

"That is the definition of an alliance Simon but I suppose that is something you already knew," Owen replied, her tone matching Simon's, he was reminding Simon who held the power.

"If I know only one thing it is that you are of age, meaning that you should be wed already," Simon took a drink from his chalice.

"Is that a proposal or a threat?" Owen did not back down from the Englishman.

Simon dropped his voice low, "If you want to survive then you and your pretty little friends should pack up and go back to Scotland the second you leave this room."

"I am not leaving, because when I do I do not know how long until your Queen attacks me for nothing more than my father," Mary saw her fiance off in the distance and that calmed him.

"Those nuns raised you to be brave when you were sent to them for protection. That convent porridge seemed quite bland so we sent the flavour of our intentions to season your bowl."

Owen did a double take, Simon just admitted that he had a hand in trying to poison him at convent, "You-"

"Hello Darling, I've been looking for you, you have been missing my game. Lord Antoine has had many cups of wine and every time he hiccups we too must drink," Acho wrapped an arm around Owen's waist, "Oh hello Simon. Back at Court I see?"

"Your Highness, yes I am very pleased to be back," Simon went to continue speaking to Owen but Acho didn't give him the chance.

"I have a game in mind for you. Au revoir Simon," Acho handed his cup to the Englishman and led Owen off by the hand.

Owen is pinned to the wall by Acho, "What is happening here? What do you think you're doing?" She tried to push star back.

"Do not try push me away, you are shaking and they can see that. You cannot appear to be scared of them," Acho held Owen steady, letting out a false, rather convincing chuckle as not to arouse suspicion.

"Simon threatened me, he wantrd it to be clear he was behind the assassination attempt from the convent," Owen breathed out quietly to Acho.

Acho nodded a little, "He has heard I am in no rush to marry you."

"Yes, and he is also aware that France is not truly protecting Scotland."

"We are," Acho noted how Owen was not convinced, "We truly are."

"Have you seen how many of the English are here and along your coastline?" Owen questioned, his eyes kept looking over to Simon.

"We will convince them that our engagement is strong before they leave," Acho stood back and offered Owen his hand.

Owen did not take the hand immediately until she noticed how many eyes were on him, including Vanessa and Mara's firm gazes.

"Can you trust me?" Acho asked.

Owen took star's offered hand, "Of course, but can you trust me?"

Acho nodded and led Owen into the dancefloor, smiling as Charles and Madeline were dancing together.

A guard approached Mara and whispered in her ear, she caught Vanessa's eye and flicked ger gaze over to the exit, silently agreeing to meet the Queen outside.