Morning Glory-Francis (Reign)

Chapter Eighty-Four

"If I may ask, Your Majesty, what is this about? I apologize if I have offended Your Majesty." Georgina sounded worried. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see she kept glancing behind her.

"You have all offended me by invading my home and attempting to seduce my husband." I muttered, stopping at the door and allowing a guard to pull it open for me.

"No one has succeeded yet." Georgina commented under her breath.

"The gesture is still not appreciated." I sat down on a chaise and gestured for Georgina to sit as well. "Why are you here?"

"I suppose you already think I'm here to seduce your husband."

"Yes, but why are you here? Do you want the power that comes with being the King's whore? I assure you it is minimal. Or does someone else want you to get that power for you?"

Georgina swallowed uncomfortably and shifted in her seat.

"Please be frank with me, Georgina." I tilted my head, starting to get annoyed.

"My uncle. He brought me here to court. He wants me to seduce the King." I could hear some fear in her voice, and my heart broke a little for her. If I even had enough of a whole heart left to break.

"Are you afraid of your uncle?"

"Everyone wants their family to be proud of them." Lord, could I understand that.
"Do you want to seduce my husband?" I asked, sitting forward slightly, a plan forming in my mind.

"Your Majesty, what is going on? Is this some sort of trick question?" Georgina looked even more scared.

"Please, Georgina, just answer the question. Honesty would be greatly appreciated."

"No, Your Majesty." Georgiana glanced down at her hands, a different kind of nervousness coming over her figure. A small smile crossed my lips.

"There's someone else, isn't there?" She flushed darker. "Don't be embarrassed. You wouldn't believe how giddy I would get when someone would mention Francis before we were married."

"Yes, there is someone else, Your Majesty."

A moment later, my door opened and Natasha and Elisa stepped inside. They both froze when they saw I had company, but came in nevertheless cautiously when I waved them in.

"Ladies, this is Georgina. Georgina, these are my ladies Natasha and Elisa."

"Anya, what's going on?" Natasha asked as she and Elisa sat down on a couch. "I can tell when you're doing something that is a bad idea. Don't do it."

Rolling my eyes, I turned to Natasha. "I want all those women out of my home."

"Then send us all from court. You'll be Queen soon enough." Georgina spoke up, then immediately backed down when she realized she had raised her voice.

"And leave the role of Francis' mistress unoccupied? How long do you think they'd really stay away?"

"Then what is your brilliant plan?" Elisa asked.
"She," I pointed at Georgina, "who is only here because she is being threatened by her uncle," I quickly shot a look at Georgina, challenging her to say I was wrong, "will theoretically be Francis's mistress, and the rest of the whores will leave when they realize there is nothing left for them here."

I could see the wheels turning in Elisa's head, but Natasha stood up from her seat and came over to me.

"Anya, you need to rest. You're not thinking clearly. Please, come lie down." She tried to push me towards my bed. "Maybe it's best if you go," She nodded to Georgina who quickly stood, curtsied awkwardly and disappeared from the room.

"Why did you do that?" I furrowed my brow as the door shut behind her.

"Anya, do you really think that's a good idea?" Natasha sat on the edge of the bed. "I know Francis loves you more than anything, but do you really think enabling him to have a mistress with your own approval is a good idea? He's still...a man. They have their ways."

"People used to say King Henry was in love with Catherine, and look at what happened." Elisa added, referencing Bash.

"Francis is not his father." I spat quickly, sitting up in bed.

"I know he's not Anya, but still." Elisa sat down on the other side of me. "Would you be willing to share him?"

"I'm not suggesting they sleep together. Just for show."

"Even then, Anya. You want to watch Francis hold her close while they dance, have her stand next to his throne with her hand on his shoulder, have her sit next to him at dinner, have a room right next to his at night?"

"You don't understand, Elisa, that's happening anyway!" I shouted. "They hang onto the edge of his throne, they fight for a seat at the table, they brush up against him in the hallways when its 'crowded.' They wear low necklines and heavy perfume and follow him like dogs. Wouldn't it be better if it was only one? One who didn't want him? One who I could know it was all just for show?" My voice cracked, and tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Anya, you know this is just how things are."

"Shouldn't I be able to change it?" Natasha embraced me, and stroked my hair.

"If anyone could, it'd be you, but it's the way of the world, like how the sun rises, the moon wanes and men have their women."

"And a woman can't have the sanctity of her home and her family intact?" I mumbled, pushing a hand over my face. I heard the door open, but I didn't bother to look up.

"Your Highness," I felt Natasha and Elisa stand up from the bed. They quickly walked out of the room as Francis approached and sat down next to me, drawing me into his chest.

"Why so many tears, my darling?"

"I didn't think my heart would take anymore ache, but everytime I see one of those women, I feel another crack." I whispered. My words were muffled by his tunic, but I knew he could still hear me.

"Is your faith in me really so weak?" I could hear the hurt in his voice.

"My faith in you could weather the roughest of waves and the harshest of storms." I turned my face and pressed a small kiss against his neck. "But still everyone of those women here are like a reminder that I am expected to share you. That I should stand aside and let you have your pick, even though I am your wife."

"You will always be my pick." Francis took my face in his hands, gazing into my eyes.

"Still I wonder if it would be easier for you to simply pick one so the rest would leave."

"No. I can't bring myself to think about touching a woman besides you."

"I know." I whispered.