A Frary Tale

Secrets Revealed

The next day Queen Mary asked for a meeting with King Henry. Francis, Catherine, Marcus, Nicholas and as to Francis request Bash is present too.

“So what is it?” Henry asked. Mary took a deep breath, Francis held her hand and she spoke. “I am the heir apparent of England.” Henry was about to speak but didn’t, he was speechless. “I am here to speak to you in behalf of Queen Mary Tudor regarding an English-French Alliance. Here is a proposal, name your demands.” Mary said and handed a scroll to King Henry. Bash and Francis shared a look and wanted to laugh at their Father’s reaction. “I’ll review this and Catherine shouldn’t you be holding a gala already.” Henry said. “There will be NO announcement of such. Not yet anyway, not until our union.” Mary said. “Why is that my child?” Catherine asked. “Because of my mother.” “Marie de Guise?” “Yes Catherine. She loves me. Yes. But, she’s not really a mother, she thinks like a ruler, and after she finds out that an alliance with France is not greatly needed as compared to before, she would do anything so that I would not marry Francis. She sees love as a weakness, that’s why she never put her guard down.” Mary said. Francis looked at her intensely, he didn’t know about this, and now he realized that is why when they were young Mary was always excited to have lessons with Catherine. “Alright we will announce this on your wedding and that is when exactly queen?” Henry inquired. “In two weeks, on the 24th of April. With that you would have a honeymoon on Spring and I know where Francis wants to bring you, and I know you know where.” Catherine said. “Two weeks? Isn’t that too fast? Are they pregnant or something?” King Henry asked. The two teenage royals face where flushed in red. “You two are? Of course you are.” Bash said. Francis eyebrows furrowed and Mary was shocked. “Is this true?” Henry asked. The two looked at each other and was amazed by how Catherine handled it. “Yes they are, and what are we gonna do about it? Do you wanna wait until she’s showing. You cannot terminate this pregnancy, they are both royals, you will be committing treason to three nations! And I don’t know if I can forgive you for that!” “I’m just asking if this is true and by the way, Good Job son!” Henry said. And Mary and Catherine rolled their eyes. “No one must speak of this even to my ladies. Do you understand?” Mary told them. And they all agreed. The meeting ended with Mary and King Henry agreeing on the terms of the alliance.

“Good job son!? Seriously! This discriminating world!” Mary said. “What do you mean by that Shrimp?” Francis asked. “If a boy got a girl pregnant wed or unwed he is said to be a God’s gift! Good job! Great work! But if a girl is pregnant unwed, she is destroyed, considered a sinner, a hypocrite, a slut, a whore and prostitute. Even if she did it with the one she loves.” “I see your point. Well, let’s just hope that they wouldn’t know maybe at least after we got back from our honeymoon, I don’t want you hurt by gossips.” Mary nodded. “And by the way Shrimp, the things you do, you are not a whore, slut and a prostitute. You my love are a goddess.” She smiled at how Francis thinks of her. “Francy, why did Bash said that of course we are pregnant?” “Well, remember that time that we did it in the stables? Apparantly he and Marcus were there.” “What? Even Marcus? Why didn’t he say anything?” “Well, because you are his queen. What I was worried about is he nearly punched me. You see, he treats you how Bash treats me, he treats you like a little sibling.” “Oh my goodness. In the stables?” “Yes honey, that was the first time you rode me like a horse.” They both turned red and laughed. “Oh Francy, how can I ever look them in the eye.” “See that’s why you are not a whore and a slut, because you my shrimp have a conscience and dignity.”

“Bash?” Catherine called him. “Yes your grace?” “Have you found anything regarding the woman in a black cloak?” “Not yet my queen. Why is that?” “Do you have the letter left together with the sleeping potion?” “Yes, here.” Bash handed the paper to Catherine. “Come with me Bash.” They went to Catherine’s chamber. “Bash, you need to sit down for this.” Catherine gestured to her chaise. “Look at this letters.” She handed a set of letters, Bash inspected it and it is quite obvious that the letter was written by the one who made the note. When he looked at the name, he was quite scared and shocked at the same time. “It’s from my mother? Why do you have letters from her?” “She’s my cousin, yes she’s older than me, but she is my cousin, and she helped me before but then he stole my husband’s affection and have you.” She said it with bitterness in her heart and Bash feels for her. He knows that she has a lot of sorrow in her heart, that is why when Catherine requested that he will be sent away for schooling, he followed her orders without question, because she doesn’t want me lectured by the same people who would lecture Francis. And because even though Catherine doesn’t show it, she’s hurt and she’s the victim here. And he feels bad that it was his very existence that brings her that sorrow. “I’ll see what I can do to prove her guilt. You have my word for it. She may be my mother but Francis is my brother and I promised father when I was young that I would protect my brother at all cost.” “Thank you Bash.” Catherine said that with smile on his face. It was the first time Catherine ever smiled to him truly.

That afternoon, Mary was having tea with her ladies, and Catherine with her ladies as well. “So, it has been decided that Mary and Francis will be wed on the 24th.” Catherine said. “Oh Congratulations Mary.” Aylee said. “Well at least finally, I know that you have been postponing your engagement because you want me to wed first.” Mary said. “Wait you know?” Aylee asked. “Of course I do. Do you really think Lord Marcus would dare to court you if I didn’t allow it?” Aylee was shocked. “It’s alright  he told me of your deal with him not to tell me, but that is just nonsense. He’s a good man. Loyal. Respectful. And I trust him. I just hope that you wouldn’t go tired of me ordering him, since he’s my secretary and all.” Mary said with a smile. “Thank you Mary. You really are a true friend.” Aylee said. “Alright back to business. Aylee please pair up with my Lady Janine fix the guest list and the seating arrangements. Greer be with Lady Sylvia and take care of the flower arrangements and design. Kenna and Sarah you will handle the food. Everything will come in approval by both Mary and I. And for us Mary we will take care of the dresses. And Mary, I asked Francis he wants feathers how about you?” Catherine stated. “Stars.” Mary said smiling.

For a week they fixed everything. All invitations were sent out. Guests are already arriving a week before the wedding. Kings and Queens from different nations arrived early too. “Francis?” Mary called him. “Yes?” “My mother wrote to me. She’s coming. She will be here in a day.” “Don’t worry, I won’t leave your side.” “Promise?” “Always.” They nudge their nose then suddenly they heard the fanfare. “Who’s that?” Mary asked. “Let’s find out.”