The cold, harsh air whipped against the faces of the five young women who stepped down from the now, broken carriage.
"Your Highness, I apologise for the inconvenience. We will fix it immediately." Said a man, wearing with the get up of a royal guard, adressing his queen.
"Please do so quickly or we will freeze to death." A lady with luscious long, black hair, a kind smile and rosy lips wearing a red gown ordered.
"Why does France has to be so cold with its welcome, Mary?" One of Mary's, the Queen's ladies whined. "Its just a little cold Kenna." Said another one of her ladies. "I am not as strong as you, Lola." Kenna said, rolling her eyes, making Mary smile at their loving banter.
Mary had known the five ladies in her presence almost all her life. They had stood by her through difficult times, which she had faced quite often, what with being the queen of Scots.
"We are ready, Your Highness." A guard came and informed and all of them got into the carriage, continuing their journey to the French castle.
"Do you remember Francis, Mary?" Asked a woman with short brown hair, dark, curious eyes and a serious look on her face. "I almost forgot you were here." Said Aylee, another one of Mary's ladies.
Mary smiled softly as she answered," I do, Aurora." How could I not? She wished to add but didn't. "Do you remember him?" Mary questioned, Aurora, her confidant, her closest friend, who also happened to be her sister.
"No I don't." Sighed Aurora, Why would I? she wished to add but thought better of it. She simply closed her eyes and sank back to her seat, pulling her shawl closer.
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"Mary, Aurora! Get up! We're at the castle!" Kenna's excited voice woke Aurora and Mary from their sleep. Aurora could not understand why Kenna was so overjoyed. She is probably planning to marry some French noble thought Aurora, stifling a smile.
Mary got down first followed by Kenna, Aylee, Greer, Lola and finally Aurora. The first thing that captured Aurora's attention was the crowd of people standing on both sides of the stone pathway that led to the doors of the hauntingly beautiful French castle.
The second thing was how Mary's eyes searches for Francis amongst the crowd. "There's the king." Pointed out Lola and Aurora followed her eyes to find the king standing beside a woman dressed in a black gown, smiling politely.
"Is that the Queen? She's beautiful." Said Greer. "No, she's not Catherine." Said Mary with a frown and soon enough, another woman, with a crown appeared beside the king.
"She's his mistress." Aurora pointed out, dryly. Mary started walking towards them while her ladies followed and the people cheered on.
"Your Majesty." Greeted Mary and they all bowed together. "Mary, my child. It's been so long. You've grown into a beautiful woman. Let us all go in." Said the King.
They all followed. "Where's Francis?" Whispered Kenna, but apparently it was loud enough that Catherine heard it. "Its my elder daughter's wedding tomorrow. We have all been preparing for it."
Mary simply nodded and they were led to their respective chambers. There was a grand dinner being kept in their honour. So Aurora decided to rest before heading out for the dinner.
Aurora tried sleeping but sleep refused to come. Maybe, I'll explore the castle thought Aurora and set out to wander around the castle.
It was indeed as beautiful as it was rumoured to be all around the world. The stone walls were cool under her fingertips. She could smell the delicacies as she passed by the kitchen.
Finally, she came across the room she had been searching for all along. The sight of knives, Cortanas, swords and shields of all shapes and sizes made Aurora smile.
She pinned up her chopped brown hair-- hair that used to be long not two moons ago which she chopped much to Marie De Guise's disgust.
She grabbed a set of knives and rolled back her sleeves. Throwing knives was something that helped her relaxed. Again. Not very lady like.
She grabbed the first knife, feeling at peace as her fingers gripped it tightly. Closing an eye, she examined her target. The wooden incomplete target board placed in the corner of the room.
She let herself feel everything. The sound of her breath, the way her fingers were curled around the blade, its coolness under her fingertips, the slight roughness of the corrode part and she flung it across the room. Slack! As usual her aim was perfect.
She threw the rest of them in quick succession, forming a circle out of the blades. She liked this. Felt at peace when she was reassured that she did not need another man to defend herself or Mary for that matter. She could protect her sister and herself.
"You're amazing, Miss?" Came a husky voice, making Aurora look up at the door. A man with cropped black hair and beautiful, dark grey eyes was standing at the door, smiling at her.
"Aurora." She informed, and the man walked in. "Sebastian. You can call me Bash though. I have never seen a woman who was so good at throwing knives." Said Sebastian.
And even though there wasn't any hint of superiority in his voice, Aurora felt the need to clarify things. "Maybe because women are only ever taught how to be good wives and because nobody thinks that a woman needs to know how to fight because its completely fine for woman to be dependent on a male for her protection, when most of the times its really men they need protection from."
"Wow." Said Sebastian. That is all he could manage. This woman standing in front of him was unlike any other he had met in his life. When Aurora started to leave, he called out," Wait, who are you?"
"I already told you. I am Aurora."
"Well I am Sebastian. And I am the king's.. well bastard son."
Aurora's eyes widened in surprise. She had totally forgotten about the king's bastard child. She thought it was funny, that they both met this way.
"Well, coincidentally enough, I am Mary's illegitimate sister." Said Aurora, making Sebastian smile. "Well, I would love to talk to you but I have got some errands to run. So,I have to go. But will I see you at the dinner?"
"Considering the fact that its been kept in honour of my sister, you may." Said Aurora with a small smile. "Great. The dinner will be worthwhile." With that Sebastian left the room, leaving Aurora thinking that maybe, her time at the French court wouldn't be all that bad, if she found a friend.
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Reigning The Ruler
Historical Fiction👑 Mary, Queen of Scots, got engaged to Francis, next in line for the French throne, when both of them were kids. Now, her she has arrived at the French court to marry Francis, the man who holds the key to stability of her homeland and maybe the key...
