The Heir (TV Series 'Reign') #2

Banished

Eliana's POV

"I'll see you soon, I promise." I whisper to Ofelia, who was crying.

"I'll write to you..everything that happends.."

"Will you also tell me about the small little heir growing in your stomach?" I whisper.

"How?"

"You didn't eat your favorite deserts last night during dinner...and I also never forgot the glow a woman gets when she is pregnant."

"We're hoping for a boy.." She says.

"As all future Kings and Queens are...I want to be the first to be invited to the shower. No matter how far I am, I will come home for you." I say.

Saying our last goodbyes, Talia, Lydia, Julius and I ride back to the ocean coast, as our ship sails back.

~

"Eliana. I was wondering where you were when you didn't come for breakfast." Francis says, as I sat down in the library.

"I was weary from my trip. I've been in my chambers."

"Not avoiding me? It's been two days. I know that you want distance, but.."

"I saw you... the night I returned. You were sleeping with Lola. The two of you and your baby." I said.

"Well, the baby refused to sleep for days. Lola and I were just exhausted."

"There's no need to explain. I know the feeling when a child doesn't get enough sleep at night..."

"Gave me a glimpse of the happier life you could have, with Mary." I whisper, looking up at him as he stood beside the chair.

"I want a happier life with you." He says, kneeling down.

"I'm sorry. It's not you." I say, getting up from the chair.

"If any man comes close, I... I get uneasy. I still can't bear to be touched. Even the sound of a man breathing near me..."

"I wish I knew how to help."

"Just give me time." I say.

"All the time you need, of course."

"And how can I help you? I hear that you've been parceling out Narcisse's land. That can't be easy." I add.

"It's a feeding frenzy, truth be told. Impartial advice is difficult when every counselor wants a piece of the prize himself. I have more lands than I could ever need."

"Perhaps I could help." I say.

"I'd love that."

~

Bash's POV

"What took you from our bed so early this morning?" Kenna asked me, as I entered our chambers.

"Francis sent for me."

"Ah, did he want you to do his dark bidding again, or was it simply a ménage à trois with your sister Claude?"

"Well, he wanted to offer me lands and a title, but I said, 'My wife wants a husband with honor, so I must decline.'" I say, mocking her voice.

"That's not funny.

" She says, throwing a pillow at me.

"Perhaps not, but it's true. The lands and title part anyway. I wasn't stupid enough to refuse."

"Wait, you're serious? Really? Oh, Bash! And all this time, I've been bowing and scraping to countesses and barons, and now you're saying they can bow to me? Who will bowing to me, by the way? Countesses? Do we get a duchy? Are you even aware you're undressing me?" She says, pacing around the room uncontrollably.