BOOK 3: One True Destiny

Chapter 3

                                                                                           Atonement

It has been days since Mary went missing but they still have no clue as to where she is and who took her. The court did not receive any message or note from the perpetrators. Everyone can only speculate as to why someone will take away a queen from her country. If it is ransom that they want Scotland is more than happy to pay. But the motive of her captors remain obscure, leaving the court to think of the worse. Francis has been out searching around Scotland all day and sometimes even all night. The prince vowed that he will not stop searching for her up to his very last breath. He seeks for atonement for what he had done. He broke Mary's heart and now that she is gone, he can no longer take back the hurtful things that he had said. Perhaps dedicating his life looking for her and waiting for her return will give him some form of peace. Bash feels the same way. If only he did not kiss her and if he had his emotions checked, then this situation may have been prevented. The brothers have not spoken about the incident prior to Mary's abduction. It is already painful that they both lost the woman they love so deeply; a talk about the possible reasons of her disappearance is adding insult to injury. But they both know that soon, they must have a serious discussion... They cannot keep avoiding each other. Bash is just staring at the garden fountain and engage to his deep thoughts. He is so occupied thinking about Mary that he does not even notice his fiancée who is sitting right next to him. "Bash, I need to tell you something" Says Lizzy. He then turned to her. The English queen took a deep breath and said, "I've always known that you love Mary." Upon hearing this Bash bows his head. He knows that Lizzy deserves better than a man whose heart and soul belongs to another. She then placed her hand on top of his', looked him in the eye and rested her head on his shoulder. "Are we still up for the wedding, Bash? Or would you rather be honest to yourself so we can both publicly call the engagement off." The Pope had already granted Bash's legitimacy. He is now France's second in line to the throne. Marrying Lizzy is now optional. He placed his head on top of Lizzy's and asks, "Are you willing to wed a man who can promise you everything, but not his heart?"

                                                                                      The Duke of Guise

Francois, the Duke of Guise is Mary's uncle. He is a man of extreme wealth and power. He is a well-known figure in France and in his native Scotland. He served the French army for quite some time as a young foreign Duke acquiring the best military training, then worked his way up as an excellent general. He had proven his undoubted loyalty to the French court by winning battles against Spain and Italy. Currently, he serves as a prominent member of France's Royal Council and is considered as King Henry's most trusted adviser. The Duke, like the rest of the court is appalled regarding what had happened to Queen Mary. As the first born of the House of Guise, he considers Mary's abduction as a grave insult. He vowed to bring back Scotland's honor by retrieving his niece by any means necessary and punishing severely those who have tarnished their family name. Mary of Guise together with the council members are patiently waiting for his arrival outside the castle. Not long, they saw the carriage approaching. As soon as the Francois emerge, the court cannot help but admire his confidence and charm. "Welcome back brother." Says Mary of Guise as she proceeds to give him a hug. "Sister, it has been too long." He replies. Together the siblings enter the castle with the rest of the nobles behind them.

                                                                                            Last Farewell

Today is the day that Queen Elizabeth of England is traveling back to her country. The cancellation of her engagement with Bash caused both sadness and disappointment to her subjects. Bash could have been their most excellent King Consort. Lizzy bid the court a last farewell, knowing that she will never set foot to Scotland again. Bash is present to see her off. He held her hand as he escorted her inside her carriage. He is about to walk away when Lizzy says, "Bash, I will be forever thankful to you and to Mary for showing me what true love is all about. You will always have a special place in my heart. You are going to be a great king someday." She then gives him one last kiss. He smiled. "Thank you Lizzy, for saving us both from a marriage that is based mainly on politics. You will be England's greatest queen and history will consider you a legend." As the carriage moves away, he thought of the moments that he had spent with her. Bash hopes that Lizzy will find her one true love someday, like he did with Mary.

Francis heard about Bash's disengagement as soon as he came back from his search for Mary in the remote villages. The prince proceeded directly to Bash's chamber. As soon as Francis opened the door, "You just lost France's most powerful ally!" He exclaimed. Bash immediately walked towards Francis. "The Queen of England deserves better! I made a promise to Mary that I will always be honest to Lizzy!" He replied with a hard tone. Francis  stood up in front of him. "Oh, Is that so?! Is that really the reason Bash?! Or is it because now that you are a crown prince of France, you think that you can take my fiancée away from me?! You are wrong to think that!" Out of anger, Bash replies, "You have ended your relationship with Mary the night that she disappeared little brother, or don't you remember?!" Francis is stunned. He gave him a questioning look. "Yes, I was there. I heard your entire conversation. I had witnessed how you broke her heart that night! That means that you can no longer claim Mary as your fiancée! When the queen comes back, she will have the right to choose between us!"