Your Infidelity: Allowed It, Because I Love You

The Truth

Perspective d' Marie

I have been queen since I was only six days old. Every year the burdens placed on a royal's shoulders are being proved to me by monarchy itself. I'm always being pressured by my mother and uncle, scrutinized by protestant nobles and frightened to death of the horrors of the future.

I never thought that the tiring and heavy pressures I have to live with every day would be eased up until Condè's lips work with mine. However, it is not until I am woken up by somebody that I realize all that has happened with Louis was just a dream. He was not seen anymore by anyone after some time during last night's festivities.

I wonder where he's gone. With Claude, perhaps?

"Mary. What happened?" A familiar voice ponders. As difficult as it is to see against the Sunlight, I urge my eyelids to flutter a little wider so that I can visualize the face of the personage in front of me.

Once I could see just a bit clearly-- I make up something. Blue eyes and dark hair-- it's Sebastian.

I try to get up from the concrete. Where am I? Where did I end up going after last night when I was trying to escape from Francis and his want for explanation? And possibly, want for me as a wife.

In a few seconds, Bash answers my question. "Why have you slept here in the balcony of your old chambers?"

"I was--" The intensity of my misery could not be any more palpably obvious, so I make little an effort to sound rather normal. "I wanted to visit my old chambers. I was a bit shaken up the by attack in the castle. Mine and Francis' chambers were almost interrupted, but they weren't. The guards never made it in."

"And for that, I am relieved and extravagantly thankful." I see the worry in his eyes, so I best believe his concern is genuine. I will be getting many of this sort of comment today in court.

"Thank you, Bash."

"You're welcome. Now, get up from this uncomfortable concrete, and if you need more sleep, you should go back to yours and Francis' cham--" before he could suggest such the extreme horror I cut him off instantly.

"No," I protest louder that I'd intended. "I uh-- I--" my voice is beginning to shake uncontrollably, I might combust into tears. "I will be fine here, Bash. Will you please fetch a group of servants-- women-- and have them bring me today's wardrobe?"

Bash's brows furrow at my emphasizing 'women.' "As you wish, my queen." His rather charming approach at calling me 'his queen' makes me smile widely.

My mood is ruined when he mentions Francis. "However, your husband's looking for you. He is itching to see your presence."

I manage to give him a half smile. "He will see me soon enough. Thank y0u, Bash."

"He asked me to look for you."

"Oh. Why couldn't he do it himself?" Not that I'd want Francis to.

"Some king's business he has to attend to. And you have queen business that you have to get to, so I urge you to start your day soon enough. I hope the scare of last night will begin to go away."

"Ah. King's business? Hasn't he done enough of that lately?" I say more to myself rather than Bash.

"Well, I should get back to my job as the king's deputy, and inform him of my finding you before he starts to worry too much."

"Francis always worries about me. Quite ironic really. Just mere days ago he was insisting on my going back home to Scotland. How is that an act of affection? He needn't worry if he wants to live separate lives." I say with an unpleasant tone.