Tampered Beauty

Acclimatisation

"Mama!" an enthusiastic little chirp erupted through the serene mountain tops. A seventh arrow landed close to her others, and she beamed excitedly at it, lowering the bow she held in her hand, turning to the small boy who held every inch of her heart. The young Empress turned from her target practice to look behind her, seeing Kenna, Greer, her elder half brother and beloved little son coming towards her. She smiled wide at all of them. Greer held her newborn baby girl, Rose, in her arms, whilst James walked with the little fifteen month old product of Kenna and Bash's love, tiny Meredith. The sweet little girl held Bash's eyes and Kenna's hair, the perfect mix of the two of them.

Almost six months had passed since their return to Scotland. France had made them all so unhappy towards the end of their tenure there. With the whole Lola-Francis-Jean fiasco, the Empress craved to leave it behind. So, she did. The day Francis announced he was claiming his bastard, Mary had packed up her household and set sail to Scotland, all without the King figuring it out. It wasn't so hard, really. He was too distracted by the little bastard boy anyway. But, it had proved into a blessing in disguise. He could focus on  his little, sinful family and his country, whilst Mary could focus on her heir and her empire. Besides, the little boy who held her heart wouldn't be missing out on much. He had father figures, and had never accepted his father anyway, plus, the child never contented as deep as he did when he and his mother were in the land of their Scottish blood. Mary had never felt more at peace than she did when in the land of her blood, so deeply connected to her father and the Kings before her. It made her feel like a better ruler, which in some ways, she was. France was behind her. She would assist her whenever France needed it, with the might of her combined army and the power and money of her empire, but France directly linked her to Francis, and she would happily spend the rest of her life not living with the reminder of his betrayal and her pain.

Mary now had complete focus on her empire, with France being steadily governed by it's very alive King. With intelligent governing, tolerant ruling and some risky treaties equalling religion that seemed to have became fruitful. The Pope hadn't been too happy with her, but some specific bribes had made most of her troubles go away for the time being. Those who were uneasy about her French upbringing had been silenced, as well, resourceful actions, bribes of gold and jewels, land and titles had silenced those who resented her for the whole ordeal with Darnley -who lived comfortably in southern Wales in a small manor house with a generous income and a comfortable title, the option of wedding whomever he wanted making him do whatever he could to assist her in making the mess go away. The man had powerful connections, after all. And, as long as she kept Lady Lennox away from her impressionable, sometimes naive, son, he would continue to do so.

However, ruling an empire alone had proved to be a large challenge. Her time with James was vastly limited, especially with her boy starting casual lessons with the best governess in the country. However, knowing full well the consequences of a lack of mothering and a mother figure in life -Mary's own mother's coldness throughout their lives and the fact Catherine had always disliked her- the Empress always made sure to see him at their daily meals and before he went to sleep, no matter how busy the day became. To this day, their connection remained as strong as ever.

Mary beamed at him, kneeling to accept his little running body as he released his half-cousin's hand to rush into the arms of his mother. He rushed into the silver ball gown she wore, the tight bodice with white lace embroidery becoming crushed by the little boys' tight embrace. Mary heard Greer laugh as James pressed a kiss to her cheek, enjoying every moment he had with his mother. She picked him up off the ground, resting him on her hip and the slight puff of her skirts, placing the bow and arrows on a near bye table and walking over to the contingent of those she loved.

"Mary," the Earl of Moray said, leading the triplet of bows, before standing tall and smiling at his young namesake as the boy started to play with the lace that fell down Mary's skirts and the silver satin belt she wore, tied in a bow at the front.

"I am glad to see you. How was your trip to London?" she asked her elder half brother.

"Fruitful, sister. The slight animosity to your throne that couldn't be helped by Lord Mason was quickly dissolved." James smiled softly.

"I am glad." Mary replied.

"Shall we have some tea? I have much to discuss with you." Kenna said, gesturing to the small table being set up by servants, more carrying chairs, others carrying trays of cups, pots and small cakes.

"Of course," Mary nodded, as Lady Eva, her handmaiden, tied a white fur lined silver and white cape around her throat. Little James squealed and waved at the heavily freckled, red headed, green eyed young woman. The young Lady chuckled and waved back at the Crown Prince.

Mary dismissed everybody except the guards and sat down on the chairs as they were set up and pulled out for them. Kenna and Greer followed, before her half brother finished the small squared-circle of seats. Mary sat her beloved son on her lap as he eagerly reached for the little cakes held on silver trays.

"So, what has happened?" Mary asked Kenna, who had massively tamed herself over the last little while. Ever since she became a mother, in fact.

"Well, you know that I spent a few weeks in France with Bash?" Kenna asked.

"Of course," Mary nodded, crumbling a piece of cake on a small tray for James.

"He sends word from Francis," she revealed.

"Oh?" Mary replied, hating how her body tensed at the mention of her estranged husband.

"Yes, he wishes to come and see you and James." Kenna revealed. Mary laughed.

"I highly doubt that. He's had six months to send word, and nothing." Mary rolled her eyes.

"He's a King, he is a busy man. Plus, he's dealing with his mother and the mother of his child." Kenna added. Mary frowned.

"You don't refer to her as Lola anymore?" Mary asked, curiosity peaking.

"No. She betrayed you, committed treason. Everybody in Europe knows about it, she's labelled his whore, nobody will marry her. You know what the Flemming's did when they found out just after we returned. I may have done something similar in the past, but I was young and stupid, what she did is different and worse. Plus, Henry and I never had a bastard together. A lifetime ago, I congratulated her, told her a mistress was a great title to have, but not anymore. She's brought shame and disgrace." Kenna shrugged. Mary smiled at her.

"How you've matured," Mary smiled.

"One must, being a mother. Plus, the crown changes everything," Kenna smiled back. Mary chuckled. 

"Besides the point, why now? Why does he want to see his son now? James doesn't know him." Mary replied, smiling down at her little son as he looked up and around at the mention of his name, face and dirty with cake and sugar. Mary smiled down at him, kissing his raven curls, before helping her half brother clean up the little Prince.

"I think he realised his mistake, the fact that he shouldn't have claimed him. You proved to him he was wrong, proved to him that if he claimed John, you'd leave him. And, you did. I think he wants to make it right. If not for you, than for your son." Kenna finished.

"I won't keep him from James, he's welcome to see him. Growing up without a father is hard, but as far as I am concerned, he's lost me. His choices have ruined us. And we can never go back." Mary finished. She knew she believed and felt what she said, but there was still a tiny ember of uncertainty alight in her heart. The part that still believed in fairy tale love and true romance. She knew she'd have to quell that part of her, and quickly. 

For, happily ever afters do not belong in the history books.