Tampered Beauty

Hacked

"Leith! Bash!" Francis yelled, storming up into the Palace's hallways from the dungeons. From their perch at the curved windows, the French nobles lunged from their perches at the window seats, taking double quick steps to get over to the blonde haired King, who was infuriated in a way neither had seen in a long time. Francis' face was set and stony, dark and growing stormier by the second.

"Brother, what is it?" Sebastian asked. His brow was furrowed and a hand was placed on the grey satin and red embroidery of his doublet. A crease was in his brow, his own mouth set in a frown, although his was more confused than angry. "What did she say?"

From beside him, Leith took another step closer. Green eyes were a dark emerald as he observed the King of France, who was damn near trembling in rage. He and Bash shared a look before glancing back at the Emperor, who spoke quickly.

"That damned, stupid little girl! How could she do that?! Francis growled, walking away from the two deputies of France and over towards the hallways once more.

Even more confused than ever, Leith and Bash trailed their King, who was muttering angrily to himself. They went through corridor after corridor, each one all stone walls, large portraiture and burning candles, walking against the red velvet carpeting. The trio finally stopped when Bash tired of chasing his little brother like his little brother had chased another, gripping his shoulder and spinning him around.

Francis' face was now slightly red and blotchy, his eyes swollen and expression still as stony and dark as before. Sebastian inhaled as he watched the younger breathe in shakily.

"What is it?" Bash asked slowly. "What did she tell you?"

"I'm such a fool." Francis said.

"What?" Bash frowned.

"All this time, she's served her own agenda, using me for all I could give her, again!" he snapped. "Why am I so stupid when it comes to her, good God, what is wrong with me?" he gripped his own curls.

"Stop blabbering." Bash smacked his brothers' elbow. Francis lowered his arms. "I may be pagan, but I am not a seer, nor a telepath. What on earth are you talking about?" he asked. Leith gave him a look. "My mother was a pagan." he clarified. "I take it you didn't know?"

"No." Leith said it like a question.

Bash turned to Francis. "What is it?"

"Lola." was the only word. Sebastian frowned.

"What of her? She's sold off to the Sir-" Bash trialled off. "I can't remember his name." he shook his head. "But that's not the point. She's sold to him, lives with John in Wales. What on earth could she have to do with your mother?"

"Foolish little girl," Francis grumbled. "She's been plotting against us!" he declared. "Against us all for months!" he said, his voice loud.

"Lola?" Bash frowned. "How?"

"The Hapsburg's." Francis started. "They've been secretly organising an engagement between John and one of their young daughters!"

"But John's a bastard." Leith pointed out. The Valois blooded brothers gave him a look of their own."I mean no offence, but he is. He has no future. Why would a powerful family such as the Hapsburg's set their sights on an illegitimate child of a King who has brought controversy to Europe?" Francis took a step closer. "You gave me this position that allows me to speak freely!" he said, his voice louder than usual, but not by much. Francis stopped his advances. "The Hapsburg's are powerful because they marry into monarchy, I highly doubt they'd waste a Hapsburg womb that would produce only bastards." he started. "Even a branch of them, such as the Von Amsberg family, wouldn't stoop to lower themselves to marry below their station. I mean this in the most politest of terms, but your eldest is nothing compared to them." But, his second to last sentence -more specifically the last ten words- held more bitterness, being on the receiving end of such a phrase when they were younger.