The Heir (TV Series 'Reign') #2

The End of Mourning

Conde's POV

Roaming around the castle grounds, I walk into the grand room, where I see my brother and Lady Kenna exchanging smiles.

"Lady Kenna. Come on. You said you needed a partner."

"Not you! It's not appropriate. I've got more weight than any of those ladies you're trying to recruit, and it helps with the speed." She says.

As I entered the room, I see Bash walking behind me.

"No! Oh, Bash, you're here!" She laughs.

"How wonderful!" Antoine whispers.

"I'm sorry I can't stay. I have some business with the kingsguard... someone needs replacing." Bash adds.

"You're the king's brother. I thought the whole point of being a royal was to get other people to do things for you."

"I'm not a royal, and I doubt our king would agree with you. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your hands off my wife." Bash says, confronting my brother.

"Bash, stop it! You're embarrassing me."

"Excuse me, brother. A word?" I say, interrupting.

"It's about your wife. You know, if you did anything other than work, things like this wouldn't happen. Whatever your grudge is against Bash..."

"He maimed our brother and caused his death." He says.

"You won't settle it by ruining his marriage."

"True. It's just a start, but it might bring me pleasure. Great pleasure, I would guess. I'm leaving court for a few days to go to my estate."

"Leave with me and go home to your wife." I say.

"What?" I add, confused by his look.

"It's made more complicated by the fact that she's ill."

"Ill? With what affliction is she ill?" I question.

"There's a growth. Pain. The physician said it won't be long."

"Jeanne is dying? Why aren't you with her?" I ask.

"She's a private woman and wanted only those closest to her near. What can I say? I didn't make the short list, given our unhappiness."

"I am sorry, Antoine."

"So you'll forgive me if I seek distraction elsewhere."

"Find a hobby or a whore or something other than revenge to occupy you. You risk both our lives going after the king's brother. If I have to, I will stop you myself."

"No, you won't."

"The House of Valois against the House of Bourbon, brothers against brothers... for that is what it would be. There would be no choice. I would die for you, Louis, willingly. And I believe you would do the same for me." He says.

"Enjoy your holiday. I'll be here when you return." Not looking back at him, I leave to my chambers.

~

Eliana's POV

"Mama, why are you and King Francis spending so much time with each other?" Julius asked, as we both sat on a blanket outside the castle grounds.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I see you with him most of the time. He comes out of your chambers in the morning, and then he comes back to check up on you? Are you sick?" 

"No..Julius, I'm fine. It's just..King Francis and I are very good friends, and I have been dealing with some issues. Issues, to which you don't need to know."