𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter eighteen; The Future King of France
" I will love you until my last breath, Elspeth Liens. "

  ELSPETH LIENS HEARD the news on the way to her chambers. Francis had departed to meet with Mary, assuring Elspeth she'd receive her own explanation soon.

  But Elspeth already knew why Mary and Sebastian had left. The thing gnawing at her was that they'd been caught, that they were back. She fiddled as she went to her chambers, no doubt to await a summons, only to overhear whisperings in a closed-off alcove.

  Whisperings of an ultimatum that threatened a life she held very dear.

  She only had to fester with her own thoughts for a mere two hours before her summons finally came.

  Elspeth hurried quickly, holding her skirt up to avoid tripping as she made her way through the castle.

  She finally came to the room, pushing the doors open quickly to see Mary.  

  Wordlessly, Elspeth hurried to her, pulling the woman into a tight hug.

  "Elspeth," Mary breathed out, holding the woman tightly, "I am so sorry."

  "You have nothing to be sorry for," Elspeth said quietly, "You are trying to save the man you love."

  Elspeth pulled back, brushing the hair out of Mary's face with a pained smile.

  "I've put the one you love in danger in the process," Mary said, tears welling, "I have failed you, Elspeth."

  "As long as Sebastian breathes, you have not," Elspeth said, shaking her head, "There has to be a way to save them both, there has to be, Mary."

  Mary couldn't hold back a tear as it fell. She'd thought of a plan, one that would save them both, but it left Elspeth in a place Mary knew she never wanted. One Mary hated to put Elspeth in.

  "We can think of a way," Elspeth nodded, gently wiping Mary's tear, "Us, together, we will find one, Mary."

  "I have to marry the next king of France, and lay claim to the English throne," Mary whispered thickly, "If I marry Francis, he will die."

  Elspeth felt the breath leave her lungs as she realized what Mary implied.

  "There is no other way to spare them both," Mary let out a soft sob, "I do not wish for this any more than you do, Elspeth, and I am so sorry that this is what it has come to."

  "He would have to be King," Elspeth mumbled, stepping back only to take a seat on the stone stairs in the room. "Sebastian would have to be king."

  Mary nodded, trying to stop the tears free falling now.

  "I know it is never what you wanted, Elle," Mary said, "But, if Sebastian is to be king, you can be made his Mistress, the two of you sharing a room--"

  "You would be in a loveless marriage. . ." Elspeth whispered, looking up to Mary through her own unshed tears, "Mary. . ."

  "But I would be happy, so long as the two of you remain together," Mary sniffled, taking a seat by her friend, "The two of you would be together, living, having children; Sebastian and I would only rule side by side, that is all."

  Elspeth didn't dare voice the long list of complications that came from what Mary said. She couldn't argue with her, not now, for Elspeth believed if she told Mary this plan to foster love would never work, Mary might break entirely.

  This was not a good choice, for anyone involved. It wasn't desirable or exciting or happy, it was merely the lesser evil of any option they had.

  So all Elspeth did was grab hold of Mary's hand, and squeeze it tightly as the two shared in the silence of being just at arm's length of their loves.

  "Do what you must to save their lives," Elspeth finally said quietly, "We will sort out the rest when we get there."

  "Together?"

  "Or not at all."

↬

  Elspeth was holding it together. At least, this is what she was telling herself, as she made her way through the castle silently. She was holding it together, for Mary if no one else. 

  She stopped only once a guard held out his arm.

  "I'm sorry, Lady Elspeth, but King Henry--"

  "I just wish to speak to my betrothed," She breathed out, "Allow me this, at least? Just for a moment, I swear."

  The guard shifted uncomfortably.

  "Let her through," A voice cut through, quick footsteps approaching, "By the Queen's Order."

  Elspeth turned, raising a brow at Demetre's stony expression.

  "Lord Langlois, I--"

  "Queen Catherine has granted Lady Elspeth permission to see Sebastian, do you dare defy that?" He rivaled, "Take it up with her, if you prefer, I couldn't care less."

  The guard quickly sidestepped, pushing the door open for Elspeth.

  "Thank you," She said with a nod, giving Demetre a tight-lipped smile before making her way through the dark halls.

  Demetre ensured another guard quickly open Sebastian's cell, before departing to wait for Elspeth while giving her and Sebastian the privacy they needed.

  Sebastian looked up, his expression falling as he saw Elspeth approaching slowly.

  "Ellie--"

  His heart sighed as Elspeth's arms wrapped around him in the tightest embrace he'd ever felt. The man's posture relaxed, bringing his arms around her, pulling her impossibly closer.

  "I am sorry."

  "You've done nothing," Sebastian whispered, "I agreed to go, you did not force me. This is not your fault."

  Elspeth held him tighter, refusing to let any tears fall.

  "Have you heard Mary's plan?"

  Sebastian pulled back, only far enough to see her teary-eyed expression. A hand came to cup her chin, his thumb running over her cheek gently.

  "I have."

  "What do you think?" She asked quietly.

  "I think I have never wanted my brother's crown."

  She let out a sad laugh, nodding in agreement.

  "What do you want?" He questioned softly, "I won't put you in a position where you will be unhappy."

  Elspeth brought her hand over his, unable to hold back as the first tear fell.

  "I want to be with you," She admitted, "I want us to get married. To go on that great adventure you promised. . . to find a home, with a wide expanse of land. . . to be free of all of this."

  She smiled weakly, rubbing the back of his hand.

  "But what I want cannot happen without the loss of a life," She whispered, "I'm not a fool, I know that. . . I know that if this plan comes to fruition, that I would only ever be your mistress. That, even if we share chambers, and love one another, we would never wed. That you would have to lay with Mary. . . that she would have to carry at least one of your children."

  Sebastian's expression showed everything he couldn't say. That every word she said pained him just as much as it did her, for Sebastian De Poitiers wished only to be with Elspeth. To marry only her, to be with only her. 

  "I will be at your side so long as you love me, Sebastian," Elspeth continued, "No matter what title it gives me."

  He closed his eyes, pressing his forehead to hers silently, wishing only to stay in this moment with Elspeth as long as possible.

  "I will love you until my last breath, Elspeth Liens."

  "Then do whatever you must," Elspeth said quietly, resting her hand at the nape of his neck, "And I will be here."

  Sebastian pulled her in for the sweetest kiss, admiring the woman for a long moment. These moments he believed would be their last as them alone, he savored.

  "I know this is a choice neither of us is making happily," Sebastian said, "But I will spend every day making up for it, Darling."

  She smiled, smiled because she believed it.

  "I love you, Sebastian."

  "And I, you, Elspeth."

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
this part of the story really
hurts tbh so i apologize for that