A Frary Tale

The Investigation

Mary went to her desk and took out a piece of parchment and handed it to Francis. Mary kept on eating the pears while Francis tried his best to decode the document.

“Mary, is this for real?” Francis was shocked in what he discovered. “Yes love.” Mary said while soothing Francis. “Wait, is she my sister?” “No. She’s Bash’s though.” “I can’t believe Diane is Lola’s mother, wait, is Lola an only child?” “No. She has a brother Frederick.” “Wait. Frederick? Isn’t he one of General Mckenzie’s lieutenants?” “Indeed love.” “You told me once before that Lola has a twin who died together with their mother” “That’s what covered it up. The truth is, Frederick’s mother, Lady Lara indeed gave birth to a son who lived for only 5 minutes but in the middle of the delivery then when Lady Lara found out that his husband was not in their house but with Diane witnessing the birth of Lola, she cried so hard that the bleeding didn’t stop, so she died knowing of her husbands betrayal. Then because Lola’s father, Lord Miguel knew that Diane cannot bring Lola to France because she is a girl and would have no use to gaining stability from Henry at court. So Diane requested that Miguel should take care of Lola that’s why the story of Lola had a twin and her mother giving birth to her then died occur.” Mary explained to Francis. “All of that for what?” “I really don’t know love.” “Now I understand the mistress tendency.” Francis said. “Don’t say that! Do you want me to say that you have a whoremonger tendency!” Mary said annoyingly. “Calm down. I’m just kidding. I wouldn’t need whores, I have you.” “So you’re saying that I’m a whore?!” “No. I’m saying that, you’re all that I need, want and love.” He kissed Mary’s forehead. “And you are mine.” Mary then placed her head in his chest while tracing his hand.

In King Henry’s study, he’s discussing some details with Catherine regarding the wedding. There has been a lot of kings and queens who want to witness the consummation ritual. Then suddenly a pager entered. "Your highness, Lady Marie de Guise requests an audience. “Let her in.” Henry said. “Ah Marie. Good you’re here. There has been a lot of royalty requesting to see the consummation of Mary and Francis.” Henry said. “I personally invited the King of Austria just to rub it in his face.” Catherine said. “I want to talk to you two about postponing the wedding.” Marie said. “Marie. You need this alliance.” Henry said. “I know. But have you seen our children, they’re in love.” Marie said. “I can see that. But that can change in time.” Henry said. “But I need my daughter strong.” Marie implied. “She is strong. She is smart and kind. She is a compassionate ruler loved by many. She will be fine.” Catherine said. “I hope you’re right.” Marie said. “Yes and if we cancel this wedding, I’m afraid that we’re going to have two engaged royals who will elope. It will be the first time.” Henry said. Another knock came across the King’s study. “Queen Catherine, Sir Sebastian wants to talk to you. He said it’s urgent.” The pager said. “Catherine? Not me?” Henry was confused. “I needed your son’s skill for something. Pager, tell him I’ll meet him outside.” Catherine then met Bash outside.

“Did you find anything?” Catherine asked. “I did.” Bash affirmed. “Then what is it?” “The note and the drink was really from my mother. It’s the same handwriting. The same parchment was also found in the desk of my mother.” “Have you confirmed it? I mean have a specialist check it?” “Not yet. I cannot seem to find someone in the village.” “No need. We can ask Mary to do it. I believe that one of the nuns in the convent was once a spy when she was young.  And Mary asked her to teach her.” “Alright. I think Mary and Francis are in Mary’s chambers.” “Those two. They’re never careful. Why do they have to be so reckless? Never mind, let’s go.” “Your Grace, can we not tell them yet that it’s my mother. I want them to think clearly.” “Of course. And please. Call me Catherine.”

And so they went to Mary’s chamber. They asked the pager for announcement and the pager said they’re asleep in the chaise. So they entered the room quietly.

“She must be tired. I heard pregnancy makes you tired.” Bash told Catherine. “Yes. It does. Actually, it is quite odd that she can already feel the symptoms. Usually symptoms are felt when you’re entering your second month.” Catherine said. Then they heard a quite drowsy voice. “The midwife said it is because the baby is very strong that’s why she feels weak. If only I could take all the burden from her.” Francis said. “Oh Francy, it’s not a burden. I like taking care of our child. And you taking care of me means you taking care of him as well.” Mary said. “Why are you two here?” Francis asked. Bash and Catherine explained what they needed Mary for. But they did not include the identity. Mary then inspected the letter and the note.
“It is well made. Very close. Although it could also be done easily by another person. The one who made this wants to frame your mother or either your mother herself did it this way to cinfuse us, but we don’t want that.” Mary said. “How did you know that it was Diane?” Catherine asked. “Because in this piece of parchment, here, is Diane’s handwriting.” Mary said showing the closed document. “This is the document Marie officiated? You read this son?” Catherine said. “Yes mother.” Francis answered briefly. “Mary, Francis can you tell us what’s in the document, it can help our investigation.” Bash said. “I don’t know how but I can’t tell you, but Francis can.” Mary said. So Francis told them everything that is on the paper. Then Mary told them the cover up. “Here, is this the same parchment?” Bash asked Mary. Mary inspected the parchment. “Is this the one on top of the  pile of parchment? When did you get this?” “It is on the top. I got it about a week after the attack.” Bash said. “Alright. Where was your mother?” “She was here the day of the attack then she left for Nice 2 days after.” “Hm. This is a long shot. Let’s just hope she writes with force or that she hasn’t used it since then.” Mary tried to get a burnt wood from the fireplace.. “Mary what are you doing, you might get hurt.” Francis said. “I need a charcoal or a pencil” Mary said. “You sketch. Don’t you have a pencil?” “I do, but Little Henry took it. He wants to learn how to draw.” “Fine. I’ll get it.” Francis then got one, and let it cool. Mary then shaded the blank parchment with charcoal. They were all shock when they saw the previous message ‘Drink this.’ come to vision. “So it is her?” Catherine said. “Apparently  Catherine. Although yes, it may seem to be her, but we can’t be sure. What is her motive?” Mary said. “That we’ll know soon, this is enough for an arrest right?” Catherine said. “Yes mother, but this will be a long trial and what if people insist on a Scottish trial instead of French, remember Marie de Guise is here, she may seem cold but she loves Mary and would kill for her.” Francis said then he looked at Bash sympathetically.