The Heir (TV Series 'Reign') #2

Terror of the Faithful

Eliana's POV

Meeting in a private room, I walk in beside Bash, standing in front of Mary and Francis.

"What Cardinal Vasari and his Inquisitors have been doing since they arrived in France is barbaric. They wouldn't even be here if not to enforce your edict that every French subject publicly declare their faith." Mary said.

"Great they're already fighting.." Bash whispers to me.

"You are not the only one concerned for our people. I have written a letter to the Pope asking him to recall his representatives back to Rome."

"It's not enough. You need to take a harder line against the cardinal." She says.

"To defy him is to defy the Pope. And without the Pope's blessing, we would cease to be king and queen. If you insist on second-guessing my every move, there is a boat waiting to take you back to Scotland. As I said before. An offer that makes no more sense now than it did then." Francis says.

"How did we go from disagreeing to you trying to send me away? Do you really propose that we live separately? What would that even mean for our rule? Or our marriage?" 

"Mary, just-" I whisper.

"I'm not going. I have a duty to our people. I may have given up on trying to understand you, but I will not give up on France." She says, before leaving the room.

"If your goal was to alienate your wife, I'd say you succeeded." I added.

"Not enough to get her to leave."

"You want her in Scotland so she'll be safe from Narcisse's threats." Bash says.

"Narcisse has enough evidence of treason to put not just my head on a spike, but Mary's as well. Until we get rid of Narcisse, I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

"Be careful, brother."

"If you push Mary too hard, you might not be able to win her back." I whisper to him.

"I'd rather she were alive and in Scotland than here and dead."

Hearing as one of the guards, asked for Bash's presence. Francis and I stand alone in the private room.

"Did you ever defy Arius with his decisions?" Francis asks.

"..We had our arguments..but never about our country. Because we put our differences aside, and ruled together, as King and Queen."

"It's easier, having you here. You understand the risks that I am taking, to save Mary."

"Yes..because you would have done the same thing for me."

"Yet, you don't argue much when it comes to the right things.."

"Why would I? You're France's King..Mary is just your Consort. You have the right to tell her not to intervene, she's just too stubborn to see it." 

~

Catherine's POV

"Ah, rise and shine, Claude. The only people in bed past noon are drunks and reprobates." I say, opening the curtains, and letting light in her room.

"Mother, must you be so loud?"

"And so you? Your eyes are bloodshot and your hair is unsalvageable. You're in no condition to meet your future lord and husband."

"Husband? You can't have found someone already." She asks.

"Yes, I've made a match for you with the son of a Bavarian count."