𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄. chapter forty-nine; Long Live The King " I said nothing back. "
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DEMETRE LANGLOIS PACED silently. Mary had been previously uneasy at his presence, but Catherine had been the one to summon him so she chose not to question it. And after Demetre didn't so much as greet either woman, he quickly became a background piece in the room.
"A hundred men dead like that. Life so carelessly taken, I feel like I'm the one losing my mind."
"Mary, there's something you should know."
"Catherine--"
The Queen raised a hand, silencing Demetre. Mary looked between the two of them in confusion, a knot forming in her stomach.
"Henry asked for an annulment once more," Catherine said, "It can only mean he wishes to end our marriage and turn to someone else. You."
"No."
"I saw what he did to you."
"It came out of nowhere," Mary said, "He's never shown the slightest bit of interest."
"You are Scotland. Henry wants you to be England. Three countries for a King who has lost his mind."
Mary looked to Demetre, her mind reeling at his emotionless statement.
"So, he's decided to wed me and keep all three crowns for himself," Mary said after a moment.
"Thus his suddenly generous acceptance of the fact that you are not pregnant. . . yet. He wants to give you an heir himself."
"And the spectacle, the carnage. . ."
"A botched display of his prowess."
"Does he honestly think that Francis and I would agree to have our marriage annulled? It's ridiculous!"
Both women seemed to realize Henry's intention at the same time.
"No," Demetre said, his jaw tightening, "He'll have Francis killed."
"No. Even he wouldn't," Catherine said, though it was clear not even she believed her words.
"For three crowns, three countries-- the death of his son is a small sacrifice to a king without a mind."
Demetre felt his anger rising.
"If you're right, our only chance is to overtake him and his guards. Assuming Francis is able to persuade the generals to join us in the coup. If Francis comes back at the head of an army, we'll know he succeeded. If he comes back alone, we have no protection from Henry. And neither does Francis."
Demetre had been busy. He'd hardly had time to think, let alone breathe, but somehow against all odds he'd arrived just in time.
