AUTHOR'S NOTE a characters name has changed from REBECCA to MARIE for historical accuracy.
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"THEY SAID HE was involved in an English plot. I don't know who to believe or to trust. I–I am so sorry, Lola," Mary spoke gently, her voice cracking with emotion.
This had been her first encounter with disappointment at the French court — something I knew she would grow accustomed to. Colin had been executed at the order of Queen Catherine and King Henry, which left all of us shaken, besides myself, as I remained calm under pressure. Equanimity had been the most important component for royals.
I couldn't erase the thought of Catherine's involvement with the events that had taken place recently; her reckless behaviour when getting something she wanted was dangerous – and I couldn't help but take my thoughts back to Nostradumus' warning of Mary's involvement in Francis' eventual death. It appeared to me as though Catherine had motive to remove Mary from court, but at what cost?
"You're the reason he's dead. Anyone who's close to you lives in constant danger. We're disposable, all of us!" Lola exclaimed, her angered tone irritated the bones that held me together, but at this moment, it was my patience that held me together.
Lola had been so far from the truth.
Mary's face dropped, her skin paling over at the thought of her closest ladies betraying her, "No, you're not. I need you, you're my friends!"
"Kenna's my friend. Greer and Aylee are my friends. You're my Queen, and we're your subjects. We're here in service to you, whatever that means; whatever it costs us," Lola spat, her crystal blue eyes glazing over with gentle tears.
My hands tightened around my gown, knuckles growing white with vigour as I boomed, "Mary is your Queen, you are correct. Your attitude alone is considered treason. Be careful of the enemies you make here, Lola. This was not Mary's fault, and you must learn to hold that tongue of yours in your mouth before I send you back to Scotland in a heartbeat." I crossed my arms angrily, her eyes meeting mine with fear.
Lola turned to Mary, awaiting some words of solace as tears trickled down her cheeks.
"I will protect you," Mary responded quietly, her eyes glazing over with a layer of tears.
Lola scoffed, before looking back at me with fear in her eyes, "Mary, you can't even protect yourself."
"Out," I suddenly ordered, though remained gentle and soft in my assertion.
Fearfully, Lola peered up through eyes that spilled with oceans of tears, "Pardon me, Your Grace?"
"I told you to watch your next words carefully. You made the wrong move. Leave," I spat at the girl.
