The Heir (TV Series 'Reign') #2

Reversal of Fortune

Eliana's POV

Lifting my head from the side of the arm chair, I see Catherine hovering over Francis.

"Why won't his ear stop bleeding? Is there nothing you can do for him?" She asks.

"It's the infection. Until his body overcomes the disease, it will keep pushing blood into the ear." Nostradamus said.

"What if he can't? Will he never stop bleeding?"

"Will he never wake up?" I ask, slowly rising from the chair.

"Tell me the truth." I add.

"Well, if he can't overcome it, if his fever won't break, and soon, the king will die."

Pressing my arms closer together, I walk over to the window where the icy wind blows through the trees.

"You should rest...spend time with your son.." Catherine says.

"If I do, I can't help but think of Francis."

"..But if you don't, your son will feel neglected." She says.

~

Mary's POV

The feeling of soft skin wrapped around my neck awakes me, as I open my eyes, I see I am laying next to Louis.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I can't believe I'm here with you. That you're mine."

"Yes, I am."

"But... ?"

"Do I sense regrets?" I ask.

"No. No regrets."

"You helped me find myself again. Part of myself I thought I'd lost." I say.

"Why do I feel like a servant who's located some missing earring for you?"

"Don't be like that, Louis. I love you. You must know that. You've risked your life and your future for me time and again. You turned down Elizabeth, the chance to be a king for me. I know that you feel my husband's presence while we're here in France, but soon we'll be gone, in Scotland together. I promise." I whisper.

"Well, then, the sooner we get back, the sooner we'll be on our way."

~

Leaving the cottage, I see myself walking towards Lola.

"Lola, what's wrong?" I ask.

"It's Francis. He fell terribly ill last night."

"How? Tell me everything." I say.

"Apparently, he collapsed. He was burning up and fell into unconsciousness. He hasn't woken."

"Is it an infection? Are they worried he has some kind of brain fever?" I add.

"I don't know, but everyone's very worried."

"Then I must go to him."

~

Entering Francis' chambers, I see that Eliana and Catherine are beside his bed.

"Can he hear us?" I ask, as I approach to see him.

"No. The physician was asking how the king seemed before he collapsed. He says it could help him treat Francis." Eliana says.

"Was he eating? Did he seem weak? How was he sleeping?" The physician asked me.

"You don't know the answers, do you? Knowing a husband's well-being... that's a wife's job. And you have chosen not to be a wife to my son." Catherine says.