𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter seventy-three; In The Night
" But you are my friend. And I am here with you. And I will not leave your side until you ask me to. "

**TW for mention of Rape**

THERE WAS A party that night. Elspeth knew Demetre, Sebastian, and Francis wouldn't be in attendance. She had been told, briefly, of their plan, and knew her part unfortunately was to continue business as usual. Play the part of a clueless fiancee, dress in her finery, dance, and drink and laugh with Mary and Kenna and Greer and Lola.

  It made her ill, but she did it nonetheless.

  "Is your corset too tight?"

  "No," Elspeth breathed out as Kenna joined her side, linking their arms together, "Have I been breathing?"

  "Hardly," Kenna responded simply, glancing around the party, "What's wrong? Where's Demetre?"

  "Business with Francis and Sebastian," Elspeth said, feeling her heart constrict at the mere idea of keeping anything from Kenna, "I only hope he's not working too hard. Not to mention Claude isn't too fond of me, and I can feel her glares every few moments."

  "Well, she isn't fond of me, either," Kenna pouted slightly, "She's ignored every invitation I've sent."

  "My advice is stop sending them until she matures to match her age," Elspeth mumbled.

  Kenna's brows raised, glancing at Elspeth as the woman sipped her wine quickly.

  "What makes you say that?"

  "Only the most pleasant interaction we had earlier," Elspeth sighed, patting Kenna's arm, "She had such wonderful things to say about me, my lowly station, my relationship with Catherine, my monster of a husband, and my cruelty that matches even his."

  "Your cruelty?" Kenna laughed, "My word, she must have truly gotten under your skin, Ellie."

  "One can do so quite easily by speaking ill of Demetre," Elspeth admitted, "I know that most of the world thinks him a monster, but I won't sit idly by while they say it."

  "He isn't a monster, and anyone that sees how he acts with you would know it in an instant."

  Elspeth looked to Kenna, smiling lightly as she squeezed the woman's arm.

  "Elspeth, Lady Kenna."

  The women both looked up at the greeting, only to be met with the kind smile of Louis.

  "Louis," Elspeth smiled in return, "How are you?"

  "As well as I could be," He said politely, "Your fiance isn't around, again?"

  "He's out with Francis and Sebastian. Duty calls when you least wish it to," Elspeth breathed.

  "But we're quite lucky to have each other for company," Kenna said in an attempt to cheer up Elspeth, squeezing their arms together, "Will you be staying in France a while? I hear there will be a rather important wedding soon."

  Elspeth could see Louis's face shift into one of surprise, his eyes sliding to her.

  She hadn't heard anything more about his proposed engagement to Claude, her opinion on the matter booted her from any further conversations about it with either Mary or Catherine, so Elspeth wasn't sure if the engagement was still an idea or not.

  But Louis's face made her believe it was. It also made her believe Louis was some amount of nervous about it, and perhaps slightly hurt that she would share that information with a woman he didn't know.

  But Elspeth hadn't told anyone about it.

  "I hardly believe Louis would stay in France only to attend Demetre and I's wedding," Elspeth laughed lightly, shaking her head, "We are only nobles, Kenna, it won't be as extravagant as you're thinking."

  "With Catherine involved, I doubt that," Kenna mumbled.

  "I would stay in France for your wedding. Or return for it, if I had to leave before."

  Elspeth turned back to Louis, his expression softer. Apologetic. As if he was sorry for even thinking she would've shared personal details of his.

  "Good, because you were already on the guest list," Elspeth said matter-of-factly, earning a chuckle from Louis, "I'll need people there that will make it lively. I can hardly bear the thought of a boring wedding."

  "I doubt any event with you present could be very boring," Louis noted.

  "Very true," Kenna agreed, "There was this party Ellie's parents held, and she--"

  Elspeth felt her face warm as she recognized the horrible story Kenna was about to tell very proudly.

  Thankfully, Kenna was halted by clapping, the party quieting as Mary stepped into the center of the room.

  And as Louis left her side, Elspeth knew what it was for.

  "Ladies and gentlemen of the court, I have an announcement to make," Mary said, "With the king's blessing, it is my honor to announce the engagement of his beloved sister, the Princess Claude, to Louis, the Prince of Conde. Their union will be eternal, and their love unbreakable. Wish them well."

  Sparse applause scattered around the room as Louis grabbed Claude's hand, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it.

  "What?"

  Elspeth only breathed out a laugh at Kenna's whisper.

  The rest of the night went by peacefully. Elspeth didn't see Louis again, but she tried to force her mind onto other matters. After all, Louis was a man, he was of age and held power, and if he truly didn't wish for the union, it was only he who could stop it.

  So Elspeth danced with Kenna and drank wine and spoke briefly with a clearly frustrated Catherine.

  And then when the night dwindled and Elspeth felt her limbs grow heavy, she found Hugo and returned to the Langlois wing.

  It was large and lonely without Demetre. Even with the staff bustling between rooms, even with Alex and Hugo informing her of minimal happenings around the castle. The halls were too long, the ceilings too tall. It felt chilly without the Lord Langlois present.

  "Do you wish to retire for the night, Lady Elspeth?"

  "Yes," Elspeth sighed as she finally reached her room with Hugo and Alex in tow, "You should get rest, as well."

  "We will be stationed outside of your chambers, as we always are," Alex said, puffing his chest out.

  It was clear he had been trying to make up for his mistake of allowing Claude to enter the wing. He'd been working twice as hard as usual, which Elspeth hadn't even believed possible.

  "Sleep," Elspeth said softly, "You are tired, Alex."

  "My lady--"

  "The castle is quiet," She urged, "Even if you do not need it, allow some of the men to rest. Take a half shift at the entrance; I do not need extra guards simply because my Demetre is out for the night."

  Alex shifted anxiously at the idea, but he glanced at Hugo for confirmation. Being the most senior of the guards, it would be Hugo's call on whether to obey Demetre or Elspeth for the night.

  "Four scouts have begun their shifts on the castle grounds," Hugo sighed, "Two men are stationed outside the main doors, and three stand inside. Another three patrol the halls, and we are the final two guards active on night shifts. The remaining ten have already bunked up for the night, My Lady. If you are comfortable with the amount, then Alex and I will switch with two of the men patrolling the halls."

  Elspeth knew there were a lot of guards in the Langlois wing, but she had never been given an exact number before. She spent most of her time with Hugo and Alex, anyhow, whether it be day or night.

  Realizing she was protected by no less than ten men at any given moment made her eyebrows raise.

  Did Demetre truly think there was that much danger? She wondered if he had always had twenty guards, or if bringing her into the wing caused need for more.

  Few people ever even attempted to enter the wing, save for Claude clearly, so Elspeth found it excessive, if not endearing, that Demetre had ten men, a day and night shift, to protect the wing they called home.

  And that two of them were solely for her chambers. As if someone would blaze in, managing to avoid scouts that slunk in shadows all around the castle, and get past the two guards outside without alerting the three inside the door. And even then, they'd have to fend off the three men patrolling the halls before reaching Hugo or Alex.

Elspeth figured there wasn't a single person who could make it past that many lines of defense. She wondered if even Demetre would be able to.

  "I'm more than comfortable with that," She breathed, shaking her head, "Demetre and I will have to speak about security when he returns; we have little need for all of this."

  "My lady. . . I do not intend to overstep, but there are many reasons Lord Langlois has such a strict structure when it comes to his guards and scouts. I assure you, he has lessened his intensity over the years."

  Elspeth felt her heart squeeze at Hugo's gentle reminder.

  She felt horrible for judging him in the slightest.

  "Of course," She said softly, "Regardless, I will be okay for the night. And if I need a thing, I'll call on one of you."

  Hugo nodded, dipping his head in respect as Alex did the same.

  Elspeth gave them a weak smile, before retreating into her room for the night.

  She quickly completed her nighttime tasks, exhaustion following every step until she sunk into the too-large bed by herself.

  And then that exhaustion disappeared. Right when she needed it most.

  Unease crept in, concern and worry as she tossed and turned.

  Tonight would be the final page of this chapter, Elspeth tried to remind herself. Once this was over, Francis would be free of Narcisse's control, Demetre would feel as though his business was cleared, and they could finally put it all behind them.

  But her mind ran wild.

  Elspeth wondered where they were now. If they had found Montgomery yet. She wondered if Demetre was safe and unharmed. If they had been forced into a fight.

  She turned onto her stomach, scooting to the corner of the bed and pushing back the airy curtains covering a large window. Elspeth rested her chin on her forearm, staring out into the dark night, into the looming Blood Wood and the stars speckling the sky.

  She wondered if Demetre was looking at the same sky right now. If the stars and moon made him think of her, as they made her think of him. So bright and unmoving. A permanent fixture in the sky; even though the moon morphed and changed, and the stars didn't remain in the same place all year round, they always returned. Always followed.

  She wished Demetre wasn't involved. Or that he didn't feel the need to resolve it. That he didn't shoulder the burden alongside Francis. That Narcisse was a less-prepared man. Or a less power-hungry one.

  Most of all, Elspeth Liens wished she was back in Scotland. Back with her parents and her brothers and Blair and Nessa. She wished to be in her bedroom. In her home. Perhaps they'd all still be up, playing games and drinking and laughing.

  But she was here. In France. Alone.

  And there were very few things Elspeth Liens hated more than feeling lonely.

  "My Lady!"

  She was shocked into reality as Alex burst into her chambers-- Elspeth sat up in surprise, yanking covers over herself.

  How long had it been since she retired? Mere hours, if that; Alex should still be on patrol for a good while longer before swapping with one of the other guards.

  And yet here he was, flustered and panicked, inside of her chambers.

  "Alex, what--"

  "There are assassins in the castle-- they're searching for Francis, and have entered this wing--"

  Elspeth paled, quickly scrambling out of the bed as she heard commotion making its way down the hall. Alex placed a hand on the door, barring it against entry with only himself, as Elspeth grabbed a heavy robe, tying it around her waist.

  "How and why?"

  Alex paled just slightly but pushed past the panic creeping up his throat.

  "They believe due to the relationship between Lord Langlois and His Majesty, that Francis may be here," Alex said, "Four men arrived here-- dressed in French guard's attire. They attempted to enter; unaware this wing is separate from the rest of the Court. . . They forced their way through; two of our men have been killed, three of theirs were taken out, but the final one escaped in the scuffle-- we have yet to locate him."

  Elspeth felt her mouth run dry at the thought.

  "We are not to leave this room," Alex said, "All of the men are searching the wing thoroughly-- I will remain inside with you, Hugo stands outside at the ready."

  "Is Mary okay?"

  "Every guard or scout employed by House Langlois returned to this wing the moment it became hostile," Alex said, his jaw tightening as he glanced back at Elspeth, "We have no word on the queen."

  Elspeth put a hand to her chest, attempting to soothe her racing heart.

  There was no world in which guards had not made it into Mary's chambers if they had made it into the Langlois wing. No world in which men had not woken Mary from her sleep.

  No world in which Mary was safe.

  "Someone must go to her. Now."

  "Elspeth--"

  "If her guards have been killed then--"

  "My Lady, it is our sworn duty to protect you and Lord Langlois," Alex informed, "We cannot leave you right now-- we should not have changed the stationing Lord Langlois--"

  "Lord Langlois is on business outside of this castle, meaning I am the head of House Langlois until his return," Elspeth cut off quickly, her voice filling out, losing the nervous shake to it as she took a step toward Alex, "And as head of House Langlois, I am ordering you to send men to the queen's chambers. Immediately."

  Alex turned again, his face twisting in sadness and hurt.

  Elspeth knew Alex cared for her outside of her being a member of House Langlois. Just as the other guards, scouts, and servants did. She knew Alex wasn't protecting her because it was his sworn duty. He was protecting her because he wanted her safe.

  So she knew that being ordered to abandon her for anyone else was something terrible.

  "There is only one man in this wing," Elspeth continued, "I have enough faith that the men hired by Lord Langlois will find him. There is only one entrance unless he wishes to leap from a window. He will be cornered like the vermin he is, and arrested for questioning. You and Hugo may remain with me, but you will send five men to the queen's chambers, and you will not question my judgment again."

  Alex dipped his head, nodding once before knocking once on the inside of the door. He cracked it after hearing a returning knock, whispering to Hugo, who departed quickly before the door was shut again.

  Elspeth felt her nerves take over once more as they sat. Alex was stationed at the door, his sword drawn, leaning against the wood as if he, alone, could keep the world out. And she sat on the edge of her bed, holding her hands together to keep them from shaking.

  It took minutes until a knock sounded again, Elspeth jumped at it, but Alex returned the knock, and opened the door.

  "My Lady," Hugo said, quickly entering the room, "The assassin has been found. He took the life of another guard, and for the safety of our men, we could not capture him alive."

  "I understand," Elspeth said quietly, though it made her skin crawl, "And men were sent to Mary?"

  "Yes, five men left--"

  "Then let us join them," Elspeth said, standing quickly.

  She felt both guards jolt in panic as she shoved her feet into a pair of slippers, starting for the door.

  "My lady, this wing is secured, but the rest of the castle is not, I must suggest we remain inside until--"

  "I will not sit idly by and wonder if my friends are being attacked," Elspeth said quickly, "Mary is most at risk, but Catherine is as well. Lola. Her child. . . Many people could be threatened and may not have been as lucky as I to be so far removed from the rest of the castle, with a small army of men to protect them."

  Alex looked like he might be sick from the stress.

  "I am going, whether you two join me or not," Elspeth said, pulling open the door to her chambers, "And if there are any other assassins in the castle, they will known House Langlois is not to be messed with."

  She felt footsteps join her quickly as she marched down the hall.

  All of the guards had been woken up, she assumed by the amount of them lining the walls. They stood in shock, bowing in respect as she passed them.

  Some looked angry. Other horrified. And a few. . . a few had red-rimmed eyes and pink noses.

  Because their friends had been slaughtered.

  Elspeth steeled her emotions the closer they got to the entrance of the wing. A few spots of blood turned into puddles, turned into pools, turned into five bodies.

  Three were the assassins. But two were her people. Wearing the Langlois crest. Dead to protect her.

  "Hugo," Elspeth said quietly, slowing as she reached the scene of the fight, "Please notify any family or friends of their passing. We will pay for proper burials to honor their bravery and will speak with Lord Langlois about providing for their families. These men were honorable. They will not be forgotten."

  Hugo nodded, glancing at another man who stood by, attempting to hold back his own emotions. The man nodded, taking off into the wing, as Elspeth led Hugo and Alex outside of it.

  The halls were loud, guards shouting as they searched for the intruders. But people scarcely passed by Elspeth Liens.

  And every step she took towards Mary's chambers grew heavier. Every inch she got closer, worried her more.

  Until she saw a familiar crest on a guard.

  "Mary?"

  Elspeth took off quickly, hurrying toward the group, slowing only when she set eyes on Mary Stuart.

  "Oh, thank God," Elspeth breathed, parting the men to approach Mary, "I was so worried--"

  Elspeth faltered. She faltered because Mary was only in a nightgown. Because Mary had large, red marks across her neck. Because Mary was crying. Because Mary looked terrified.

  Even more so with the large men crowding her.

  "You've all done well," Elspeth said quickly, turning to the guards, shielding Mary from their sight, "Return to the wing, stay on alert, and send our scouts out once more."

  The men wasted no time, doing exactly as she said, save for Hugo and Alex.

  "You two as well."

  "My lady. . ."

  Elspeth turned, and it seemed Hugo could read her expression. This was not an order she was giving lightly. It was not thoughtless or reckless at all.

  "Of course," Hugo said, bowing.

  Alex sputtered, but Hugo elbowed him to follow suit.

  The moment they departed, Elspeth turned back to a still-shaking Mary.

  "Take this," Elspeth said, untying her own robe, "You are with me, now, Mary, no one will hurt you."

  Mary's wild eyes met Elspeth's. She flinched as Elspeth reached out, but allowed the woman to place the robe around her shoulders. Elspeth retreated after this, understanding the need for space, but her heart eased slightly as Mary pulled the robe around herself tightly.

  "Come, let's get you somewhere less public," Elspeth said quietly, "We'll take a moment, just a moment, away from everything, alright?"

  A new wave of emotions washed across Mary's face, hesitant and scared.

  "Mary, I won't ask you about anything," Elspeth said quietly, "If you want to speak, you can, but until then, I won't pry. But you are my friend. And I am here with you. And I will not leave your side until you ask me to."

  Mary's eyes met hers again, another tear spilling down her cheek as she nodded.

  Elspeth nodded in return, offering a hand out. Mary hesitated again, but placed her shaking fingers in Elspeth's, tightening her grip after a moment.

  Elspeth began walking as Mary did, hand in hand, down the castle halls. She was leading Mary to the Langlois wing, as she knew it to be the furthest place from any and all prying eyes.

  But as they turned a corner, they were met with Catherine De Medici.

  "Stop," Catherine said, halting her guards, "Get back to your posts. The Queen will be with me."

  Catherine rested arms around both girls, hurrying them back to her own chambers. She spoke only once they were inside, the door closed.

  Elspeth felt her heart rise as Catherine questioned Mary, the truth coming out bit by bit. And when Catherine asked for full clarification on what transpired, Mary sank onto the floor, tears overcoming her.

  And Elspeth's throat burned as Catherine spoke. As Mary's panic raised at the idea of facing the court now, after what she had just been through.

  But finally, Catherine extended a hand, offering her help, and Mary took it.

  They moved carefully. Slowly. And Mary allowed it.

  Elspeth and Catherine helped as much as they could, before giving Mary space and privacy to step into a high-necked gown.

  "Were you harmed?"

  Elspeth looked to Catherine at the quiet question. She only shook her head.

  "Why were you out?"

  "Four men entered the Langlois wing," Elspeth responded quietly, "I knew Mary couldn't have been safe. I sent guards to her and came looking myself once the wing was secured but I. . . I only wish I would've gone sooner."

  "All we can do is help now," Catherine said, grabbing Elspeth's hand, "We must focus on that."

So that is precisely what Elspeth Liens did. She thought only of Mary, only of her friend. Elspeth kept distance when it was clearest that Mary needed space, and once they departed from the chambers to face the rest of court, Elspeth stayed close to her side when it was clearest she needed this comfort.

They walked in stride, Elspeth Liens, Catherine De Medici, and Mary Stuart, flocked by guards toward the throne room.

Everyone was already gathered, whispering in the dim light, uneased and confused.

But as the queen entered, the room parted, every person bowing to her.

Elspeth stopped short of the steps the thrones sat upon. She gave Mary an almost invisible nod, standing aside as Mary took a seat on her throne, Catherine at her side.

Looking out at the crowd, Elspeth spotted familiar faces; eyes focused on the queen, and some danced to her in confusion.

And Elspeth steeled her features as she met Narcisse's eyes. Because Elspeth knew very well that entering alongside the queen, standing at the foot of her throne, it meant something more.

It meant something that Elspeth wasn't ready to think about. Something that involved her in politics and arguments and threats.

When in reality, all it meant to Elspeth Liens, was that she refused to let someone who had been her friend for so long, go through this trauma alone.

"My loyal subjects. . ." Mary began, "I reassure you that your king and your queen remain untouched.

The room rang out with scattered sighs and murmurs of relief, but Elspeth felt her stomach churn.

"These murderous traitors, who have invaded the castle tonight, have achieved nothing, have altered nothing, and will die for nothing."

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
this episode rips my heart out every time
I watch it. Cried writing this