𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝕺𝖋 𝕰𝖓𝖌𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖉 | 𝕱𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖎𝖘 𝖁𝖆𝖑𝖔𝖎𝖘

XX | 𝕽𝖊𝖌𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖘

Royal Court Of France

"And then you write your regrets on this ribbon, and you tie them to the stern and watch ad they sail away" "What a lovely tradition" I smiled up at the older man who was informing my ladies and i on the French tradition. My ladies and I woke up early this morning to come enjoy the harvest festival "Josette" I turned to see a bright and smiling Sebastian walk over to me. I'm brave barely spoken to him since the day I arrived at the French Court. A few words here and there, but otherwise, we have barely seen each other "Bash, nice to see you" I smiled "How is my doltish brother treating you?" He slightly swayed, indicating that he was definitely intoxicated "Wonderfully. Just like it seems that scotch is treating you" I chuckled at the wobbly man "Maybe that's enough of that" I took the metal jug out of his hand and set it on the table behind me as he tried to reach over me for it. I simply gave him a stern look before he backed off, but still gave a stern look before he backed off, but still gave me a pleading face "Go drink some water" "It's a good thing you're pretty" He slurred, making me choke a laugh. He began to turn away, but stopped and turned directly to Serena "You're pretty, too" He drunkenly nodded to her, before he wondered off into the crowd of people. I covered my mouth as I laughed, watching a bright pink color come over Serena's cheeks "Hand me the scotch" Serena spoke, reaching behind me, taking a swig of the substance in distress. Her face squished together in distaste as as the burning substance rolled down her throat "Serena, I think you have an admirer" Jade, Kamille, and I all grinned at the girl, seeing her obvious embarrassment "Oh, please, he is highly intoxicated" She shook her head, a chuckle escaping from her lips "You're never heard the old saying that dates back ages, 'drunken words are sober thoughts'?" Kamille spoke up, making Serena roll her eyes playfully "I would be genuinely surprised if something actually happened between the two of us" Serena spoke, playing with the hem of the long sleeves of her pale pink gown "Ans why is that?" Jade rose an eyebrow "It would be too easy. Ever since we got here, I've been somewhat attracted to him. For him to just all of the sudden have feelings for me, it would be too simple" Serena shook her head, trying to put an end to our jabbering "So, what if it simple?" I cocked my head to the side, now gazing over the many people around us "I wish I had simple" "What are you talking about? You and Francis are absolutely in love. Whether the two of you have actually said it yet, or not, it's obvious. You are probably one of the lucky ones who actually gets simple love, which is quite uncommon for people like you" Serena pointed at me. She does have a point, but it's more than that "It may look simple now, Yess bit it was nothing but difficult to get to the point that we are at now. You know, I can't help but think what if the alliance with France and Scotland couldn't be broken, and Francis would've had to marry Mary? He and I would've never been able to be together" I spoke, taking a sharp breath "Josette, aren't you the one who always used to say something about 'life being full of what ifs'?" Kamille spoke, raising her eyebrows "I suppose" I chuckled, recalling the many times I have said that. It seemed like a reoccurring theme "So, stop worrying about the what ifs and just realize that Francis is absolutely head over heels in love with you" I leaned back slightly on the table, still maintaining my straight posture and making sure to not knock over the cup of scotch I had previously taken away from Bash. A smile crossed over my face at the very thought of Francis loving me. We had yet to actually recite the three words aloud, but I couldn't help but wonder when we actually would. The thought kept me itching at me. I wanted to say it every time we were near each other, but I just can't bring myself to do it "Since it is obvious that you are dreaming about your beautiful love, we are going to go shop around and leave you to it" Kamille spoke, a slight smirk shown in my direction. I nodded for them to go on and the girls giggled at me, before leaving me alone. I clearly recall multiple times that I was so close to actually saying it. I almost regret not just spitting out the words at some points. On a few occasions it's been quite obvious we both wanted to say it. Although, maybe the reason neither of us have said it yet is because it hasn't been the right time, but hopefully the right time will come soon. Someone cleared there throat behind me, causing me to turn around. There Francis stood with one of the wooden sail boats in his hands "You bought a boat?" I smiled at him "No, I've made a boat" I smiled at him "Bo, I've made a boat" The familiar goofy smile crossed his face "For you" "Francis" I stood, mesmerized by the hand made boat "Ans I've christened it, too" He stood tall, obviously proud of his work "Josette" I read aloud my name that was christened into the little boat. Those three words pounded through my head again, practically screaming out at me. I love you. I just couldn't say it. I stared into his eyes, wishing that he could just read my mind. It was too
nerve-wrecking to actually hear myself say those three words aloud. Almost like it was untouched territory that was off limits "Do you know that your name means elegant, beautiful, and loving?" I really, really love you "I wish I could say I didn't, and this would be ten times more romantic, but mother had high hopes for me even before I conceived" I spoke feeling red rise to my cheeks "It's just fine" she crookedly smiled at me "Are you ready to go sail the ships?" "Of course, but I didn't get you one" I spoke, referring to the ships "Don't worry about it. I made two" His hands clasped mine before we made our way out to the dock. The people made way for the two of us, all smiling and clapping as we passed. Is this what it will be like? To be the couple that everyone adores? I smiled up brightly at the beautiful man next to me, before we sat at the table that held the quills and paper. I picked up a quill and pressed the tip to the paper, allowing my regrets to spill over the paper.
I regret being hostile towards my mother, especially now that she is on death's door. Although she may have done horrible things, she still is my mother.
I could say that I regret leaving the English Court now that my mother is severely sick, but I don't. I don't regret it one bit. Francis has made me more happy than anyone could ever understand. Nevertheless, it does still sit with me that the second time I left English Court, I left quite abruptly.
I regret not saying goodbye.
I could write that I regret not saying three famous words to Francis sooner, but I didn't. Before I knew it, my hands attached the paper to the boat and my feet carried me to where Francis was standing at the edge of the dock. I felt the eyes of the French people on us, but that didn't stop me from what I was about to do. Before Francis could set his ship in the water I grabbed his arm, causing him to glance to me "I love you" Did I really just say it? Thousands of thoughts were swirling through my head at this very moment. Did I sound like an idiot? Was it too soon? What if all of these emotions that I thought we both had for each other was really only a one way feeling? What if-. My constant jabbering inside my head was cut short just as a pair of soft, plump lips were pressed to mine. Knowing that all of my what ifs and second guessing was unnecessary, I smiled into the kiss "Can I take the previous gesture as a notion that mean that the feeling is mutual, or?" I wondered as soon we both released each other, although his hands were still placed sporadically around my body. One being in my lower hip and one set gently on the side of my neck. His lips left a lasting gentle kiss on my forehead, before he looked down at me, smiling like an idiot "Absolutely" "Oh, my darlings!" We turned to see Catherine practically racing over to us "Can we set the date for the wedding now? I can't bare to see the sight of you both without rings on your fingers for one more moment" "Mother, please stop" Francis hissed, embarrassedly. He looked down at me, making me laugh, before pretending to hide his face in the nook of my neck "That's it. The second Henry gets back from Spain we are having this wedding" Catherine puts her foot down before disappearing into the crowd of people "We. She says that as if it is her wedding" Francis spoke, causing me to chuckle as I rested my head of his chest. I felt his lips reach down to kiss the crown of my head, bringing one very wide smile to my lips.