My Life As The Dauphin

Litir Bho Lola

I DO NOT OWN REIGN. IF ANYONE IS WILLING TO BE A BETA READER FOR THIS STORY, IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED AS I AM IN GREAT NEED OF A SOUNDING BOARD FOR IDEAS.

Craigmillar Castle. Edinburgh, Kingdom of Scotland. 3 days later.

Eventually, the anti French sentiment seemed to calm down with Mary's appointments. One of the appointees caught me off guard when Mary added Lord Bothwell on her Privy Council. After watching season 4, I'd actually gone on Wikipedia and I was legit surprised to see that Bothwell had been a real person.

Apparently, James Hepburn, 1st Duke of Orkney and 4th Earl of Bothwell was a big ticket noble. After that douche bag Darnley lost his shit, mentally speaking, he and Mary ended up marrying. They were each other's 3rd and final spouse. Bothwell got charged for Darnley's murder, which already earned him my begrudging respect, but he managed to beat the charge.

Now my main issue was what actually happened after that. In the show, Bothwell genuinely loved Mary and she him, but Wikipedia says that he might have forced the marriage upon her. Marrying the widow of the guy he was supposed to have killed was social and political suicide. After Mary's enemies overthrow her, Bothwell hauled ass to Norway and he ended up dying in a Danish prison.

Therefore, I wasn't too sure what to make of the guy. He was respectful to me in our interactions, which I was thankful for. I was hoping Bothwell would be less likely to make passes at my wife if he had a good opinion of me.

Meanwhile, we heard no news from France. I knew that Henry was going to make a move for Calais eventually; but without me, Catherine wouldn't be able to convince Henry to forget it and the French army would get its ass kicked. Part of me wanted to go back and get back on track with the mad king plot, but I knew that I couldn't leave Mary; not now. I was her consort and I needed to endear myself to the Scottish people and the Scottish nobles. I did feel guilt about abandoning France to Henry's madness and Catherine's cruelty, but my place was in Scotland with Mary.

I was dealing with all of these conflicting feelings when I received a letter from a servant who had fetched it from a rider. As I broke the deal and began to read it, I saw that it was from Lola. I hadn't spoken to her since I threatened her if she didn't halt her pursuit of me; so naturally I was surprised to see her reaching out.

Dearest Francis,

Let me begin by saying that if you do not respond to this letter, I shall not write again. I wrestled with myself about writing this letter to you. Our last conversation was so wretched and for the longest time...I was frightened of you and furious at you all at the same time. The idea that you could have murdered a man, even one as cruel as Tómas, was unbelievable. To be honest though, it shows the strength of your love for Mary. I have never met a woman more fortunate than her in all my life. I wanted what she had so badly because I felt like she had taken what little I had.

Francis, even though I allowed greed and anger to take control of my heart, you need to know that I never saw you as merely a conquest or a tool to pay Mary back for her slights against me; real or imagined. I loved you Francis...I still love you and I fear you always will. Maybe it is grotesque of me to say this, since I am married to and I do care deeply for Lord Julien, but you still have a hold over my heart that I can not shake.

I offer my sincerest apologies for how I blackmailed you and caused you such grief. I wanted your affection and I saw no other way to get it. If my regret is worth anything to you, than take it; take it with all my love. I pray you will write back, even though I would understand if you did not.

Yours as long as life endures,
Lola

I read over the letter several times as I felt a mixture of feelings swirling around my brain. Her friendship had been great comfort to me and despite the cruelty of her blackmail, I could understand why she would be jealous of Mary who had power, wealth, and a husband who put her needs first. As the show had progressed, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for Lola. She was kind hearted and beautiful, but yet she fell into ruin because of one night of misplaced passion. The fans hated her guts because of the wedge she drove between Frary.

At the time, there had been a method to the madness. Francis was having a quarter life crisis and he assumed that his relationship to Mary was over. Could he really be faulted for wanting some comfort? I knew was playing with Hellfire, but I had to write Lola back; I just had to. She'd poured out her heart to me, so I felt that I owed her that much.

Dear Lola,

I was surprised to receive your letter. I owe you an apology for the threat I made. I was desperate and I felt like you would ruin my marriage with Mary. I appreciate your apologies and accept them freely. I would be lying if I said I didn't understand why you are jealous of Mary. She has things that so few women have and frankly, things you deserve.
Lola, you are a wonderful woman and your friendship was of great comfort. It hurt to lose it. I wish that you could be my friend again; that you could have a place in my life. But such a thing is not possible. I am needed in Scotland and I can not leave it for the foreseeable future. If you can't give Lord Julien your heart, give him your friendship at least for he seeks to be a good man. I wish you a good life in this world because you are good.

Respectfully yours,
Francis

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