Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"How could you?" Diane yelled

Bash rolled his eyes and brought his hands to his temples.

"Didn't you think about the consequences?" the woman began pacing the room from side to side, furious. "You knew that the king would not forgive such madness, even if you were his son!"
 

Bash snorted, Diane grimacing back and forth. “And you stand there doing nothing, Sebastian please, my son… you've gotten into the bed of the Queen of Scots! Don't you know what awaits you?"

“Mother, please keep your voice down. Yelling won't change the situation,” Bash said without a hint of concern.

Diane opened her mouth to retort but at that moment there was a knock on the door, they both looked at each other. Diane gestured toward the door.

"What if it's the King's men coming for you?" Diane de Poitiers exclaimed putting a hand to her chest.

Bash pouted. They knocked on the door again. This time a masculine throat clearing was heard. It was a guard.

"Who is he?"
“Her Majesty her, Queen Mary of Scots requests to see Sebastian de Poitiers”

Bash tensed before the eyes of his mother who put her hands to her face.

"Tell her I'll go see her"

A new throat clearing. "The Queen…"

“I'm here, Bash. We need to talk,” Mary whispered in a firm voice.

"Go ahead," Bash muttered despite his mother's annoyed look.

A moment later the guard flung the doors wide and stepped aside for Mary to enter the room, then retreated into the hallway leaving them in privacy.

Mary was regal, her steely temper displaying elegance and power. Her brown eyes searched Bash's. She jumped up from her seat and pointed at her mother.

“We need to talk…” Mary blinked at Diane's presence, she frowned.

Bash came forward "This is Diane de Poitiers, my mother"

Diane glanced at Mary briefly before giving her a bow. “Your Majesty of her…”

Mary nodded slightly. "It's a pleasure."

"She's leaving," Bash muttered hastily.

Diane snorted glaring at her son, she said goodbye to Mary and left the chambers.

Mary and Bash looked at each other after letting out a short sigh, Bash advanced towards Mary.

"Don't you think you're risking too much by coming to my quarters?"

Mary made a gesture with her hand- "I came to ask you what you thought about my offer"

Bash let out a laugh “Always straight to the point. And I thought you came to see me because you missed my company”

Mary rolled her eyes, barely resisting the urge to laugh. But she stayed regal. "Cut the nonsense" she stared at Bash "I want to know what decision you made"

Bash sighed after running a hand over his face “What do you want me to tell you? That I will marry my brother's wife to deliberately separate her from hers? What if I accept such an agreement will I have to settle for a woman who loves another man, that she never loved me?"

Mary's expression weakened. She knew that it was unfair for Bash to have illusions about her, which is why she had come to the absurdity of proposing an agreement to Bash so that he would marry her to save Francis. She had confessed to him about the prophecy, about her plans. She had also told him that even if they married, she could only aspire to have her body, because Mary's soul belonged to God and Francis.

Now she was there in front of him, demanding an answer.

Bash snorted and straightened her shoulders taking her time, Mary felt like shaking him, for he was running out of patience.

"I know that what I offer you is not what a man expects from a marriage, but you must also think about the benefits..."

"Which? If I accept your offer I would have to turn my back on my brother, my father…” Bash raised his hands to the ceiling “I would be tried for treason!”

"Would you do this for Francis, for his well-being…" Mary walked over to him and took his hands in a moment of outburst. "Don't you want to protect Francis?"

Bash turned away from her "But Francis wouldn't understand, neither would my father… nor all of France"

Mary put a hand to her forehead “Please! Henry himself told me that he should marry one of you…”

“Everyone expects it to be Francis! That's what you came for…”

Mary lifted her chin proudly, "I won't let anyone else dictate the course of my life."

Bash sighed sadly, he walked towards her and reached out a hand to touch her face, Mary backed away. "They shouldn't treat you like property..."

Mary was touched by Bash's words. She stood her ground and went back to the gates. She stopped before leaving. "I await your answer, Sebastian"

Chapter Text

The sunlight filtered softly through the windows, illuminating the chamber where Mary, Queen of Scots, was lost in deep thought. The prophecy of Nostradamus weighed on her like an ominous shadow, and the only way she had found to save Francis was to force a radical change in her life. But there was a cost to be paid.

Bash entered the room, admiring the elaborate tapestries that adorned the walls. His gaze met Mary’s, and the serious expression on her face made him frown.

—What’s going on? —Bash asked, uneasy—. Your expression says we should probably be worried.

Mary took a deep breath, preparing for the inevitable. —Bash, I need to talk to you about our situation. There’s something I must propose.

—Can we talk about something less... dramatic? I don’t know, like what flavor of fruitcake we should serve at the next party. —Bash replied with a puff of irony, trying to break the tension.

Mary shot him an annoyed look. —This isn’t a game, Bash. Francis’s life is in danger. And the prophecy says the only way to save him is if I marry someone who isn’t him.

—Um, you marrying someone who isn’t Francis... that sounds fun, but I don't think I want to just be a "spare" —he replied, crossing his arms.

—It's not like that. —Mary stepped closer to him, her voice trembling slightly—. I need you to marry me. You must be my king consort. It’s the only route left. If I marry you, I can ensure the throne is protected and that Francis will be safe... for now.

—I understood that correctly the first time you mentioned your... proposal? I’m just a simple lord who would suddenly be a king. And what does a king consort even do besides smile and sweep the floor? —Bash said, raising an eyebrow sarcastically.

—You’ll need to learn how to govern. I need you to start training in every aspect. Your position must be more than just a title. —Mary knew she needed to keep him content, but her impatience was beginning to grow.

—Great. So I'm in for a summer full of studying and reading. I can’t wait. —Bash made an exaggerated gesture, clearly indignant.

Mary decided to be more serious. —I’m talking to you seriously. I know this seems crazy, but there’s no time for doubt. This is our only chance.

—What about Francis? —Bash asked, scratching his head—. Don’t you think that could complicate things a bit more between you two? How do you think he’ll react to your... choice?

—Francis has to accept it. I can’t drop this in his lap, especially when he’s dealing with the court’s troubles. The more worn out he is, the easier it will be to keep him away from me.

Bash looked at Mary, noticing the concern in her eyes. Despite the awkwardness of the situation and the craziness of the plan, he felt an urge to protect her. —So, what’s the first step? Learn to be condescending and smile like a marble statue? —he made a dramatic grimace, and Mary rolled her eyes.

—No, I need you to be strong and sensitive at the same time —Mary said, determined—. You’ll look good on the throne, and at the same time, you’ll show that you’re a worthy protector of Scotland.

—A challenge, then. —Bash smiled, but there was something deeper in his green gaze—. But what about what we wanted? About our story, our dreams?

The mention of their dreams made Mary feel a weight in her heart. —I know, and I haven’t forgotten. But right now, the kingdom and Francis’s life are at stake. Don’t you think that’s worth fighting for?

Bash moved closer to her, honestly. —I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect you and Francis; he’s my brother, don’t forget that. But I’m concerned that ending up like this could steer us away from our path.

—It won’t. This is just another stage. After all, what matters is that we face this together. —Mary forced a hopeful smile, attempting to convey false security.

—Together, huh? I just hope that the word “together” doesn’t mean I’ll have to read “How to Be a King for Dummies” cover to cover —Bash joked with a wink.

They both laughed at the image, easing some of the tension. Although the road ahead was complicated, they knew that facing it together was what truly mattered.

—So, do you accept? —Mary asked, her voice softer.

Bash looked into her eyes, feeling the weight of his decision. —Only if you promise there will be dancers and banquets at the wedding. After all, I’m a prince, or something like that.

Mary gave him a friendly jab on the arm. —Bash, you have no idea what’s in store for you.

—I know, but I’ll do it anyway. Everyone will play the role they’re meant to —Bash joked.

And so, as the fate of a kingdom hung by a thread, along with Francis's life, both Bash and Mary embarked on an unexpected adventure that would bring them closer than ever.