Morning Glory-Francis (Reign)

Chapter Twenty-Two

As soon as I had settled in my room, I dismissed Anfisa and Elizaveta to go rest and prepare for the wedding later that evening. The 'competition' for an alliance with France had officially begun and tonight was the first event. Even though I was confident in my standing, it was important I made a good impression on the court.

To my delight, after only a few minutes of sorting through the gowns I had brought, a knock sounded at my door.

"Come in," I looked up from the fabric in my hands. A servant entered, bowing her head politely.

"The Dauphin, Your Majesty." I nodded my head, unable to hide the smile on my face as Francis appeared through the doorway and the servant quietly excused herself, closing the door behind her.

"I'm so, so happy, right now." Francis whispered against my hair as he pulled me into his arms. "Nothing could ruin this right now." He added, as I turned my head to press my face into his neck.

I had taken my crown off, leaving my hair flowing freely down my back. I shivered slightly, as I felt the gentle tug of Francis twirling a few of the strands around his fingers.

"My heart is beating too fast." I murmured, my face still hidden against his skin.

"I will take that as a compliment." Francis said, his tone cheeky. I didn't have to look to know he was smirking, and my blush deepened as I felt his fingers gently probing my neck, like he was searching for my pulse point.

"Come on, I want to show you something." He pulled away from our embrace, but kept a soft grip on my fingers.

Never letting go of my hand, Francis led me through the hallways, and up several flights of stairs. Emboldened by his excitement, I didn't try to pull my hand away from his as we passed several servants. I almost took my hand back when I spotted one of Mary's ladies at the end of the hall, and my footsteps faltered slightly.

Almost as if he sensed my hesitation, Francis glanced back at me. After he followed my gaze over to where one of Mary's ladies stood, one with long dark curly hair, he stopped and picked up my other hand turning towards me.

"I applaud you for your consideration towards Mary." He smiled down at me. I was amazed at how quickly he could pick up on my thoughts. Mary's ladies reported to her, and so she would obviously hear about me and Francis skipping down the halls hand in hand. I know she is my competition, but she also could be a friend and I don't wish to be insensitive. "But, if we ever are going to marry, we cannot only show affection for each other while we slink through the secret passageways." Francis gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Thank you." I whispered. I bit my lip nervously as he pressed my hands to his lips. With one more smile, he dropped one of my hands and continued pulling me down the hall. Even with Mary's lady watching, I couldn't hold back a laugh at his childish antics.

Turned out, Francis was taking me up to some of the rooms he used to play in as a child. All of the furniture had been covered in sheets, but one table was free from dust, indicating it had been recently used. Stepping closer, I could see the table was filled with various tools and blades in varying stages of completion.

"Francis, are you learning to make knives?" I asked, picking up one to examine it. "Why?" I turned it over in my hand. The blade was good, obviously not made by an expert, but made by someone with potential and dedication.

"I'm not sure. I feel like I should have some skill, something that no one can take away from me." Francis walked over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and setting his chin on my shoulder. "Besides, if the monarchy is overthrown, the two of us can go live as peasants. I can be a bladesmith, and you can be a seamstress." I laughed at his words, putting down the knife and resting my hands on his.

"That would be a dream." I said, allowing myself to relax and lean back against Francis' chest now that we were away from all of the servants and spies of the other royals' in the castle. "No jobs, responsibilities, crown budgets." I scoffed, swaying slightly in his arms.

"I'm sorry I can't take those things away from you." Francis said quietly, swaying with me.

"You don't need to apologize." My tone turned serious. "It's part of who we are, Francis. Royal blood, chosen by God, the whole thing. And I would love you with or without all of it."

Francis stopped swaying. Panic flashed through me, and I quickly ran over my words to see if I had said something wrong. I would love you. Scrambling for my bearings, I turned around to face Francis, pulling my body out of his arms.

"I'm sorry if I crossed a line, Francis." My gaze remained at the floor. I was unable to meet his eyes. I couldn't believe I had let that slip out. My whole life I had been trained to hold my tongue, not say anything I was unsure about. Oh, how I had let my guard down around Francis.

"Anya," Francis reached out and grabbed my arms. At the exact same moment, the door to the room creaked open.

"Oh, am I interrupting something?" Mary's voice rang out through the room. While I hated to leave Francis like this and with Mary of all people, I saw and out and I took it.

"Of course not, Queen Mary, I was just leaving." I shrugged Francis' grip off my arms, and walked as confidently as I could from the room.

As I passed Mary, I gave her a polite nod, which I was glad to see she did the same. Walking down the stairs, I heard Francis say before the door swung shut, "What are you doing here?"