𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter twenty-eight; We Leave Tonight
" Travel safely, Elspeth Liens. "

  HANS LIENS SET off back to Scotland before Mary and Francis's wedding began. 

  He had things to set in line, for a wedding and a welcome, so he departed the moment Elspeth shared with him her conversation with Catherine.

  Elspeth busied herself easily, packing and preparing; she could not find it in herself to see Mary before the wedding, but she managed to pull herself together to attend.

  Her nerves heightened when she saw Demetre waiting for her instead of Sebastian.

  "Where--?"

  "Speaking with the King," Demetre said, holding his arm out, "He sent me in his stead."

  Elspeth let out a long breath, resting her hand in the crook of his elbow, "Is it a positive conversation?"

  "I would tell you if only I knew, Petal."

  Elspeth frowned but allowed Demetre to lead her down the twisting corridors of the French castle.

  The wedding was lovely. Simple, quick, but lovely.

  Sebastian was nowhere to be found, and this concerned Elspeth greatly, but once Kenna began to gossip about her deal with the King to find a suitor, her nerves wore off.

  Once the wedding was concluded and the festivities traveled elsewhere, Demetre found Elspeth and told her Sebastian was still occupied, though packing early wasn't a poor idea. She agreed, only after he promised to seek her out when he had more news, and with that, Elspeth slunk back to her chambers.

  Packing up her life. Her Scottish clothes and Parisian dresses, her books and journals-- it felt so strange.

↬

  "Ah, Elspeth."

  The girl whirled, eyebrows shooting up at Henry's abrupt entrance into her chambers.

  "Your Majesty--"

  "Sebastian and you will leave. Tonight."

  "I'm meant to speak with Her Majesty before--"

  "Are you questioning me?"

  Elspeth recoiled at his approach. At their isolation. 

  She may be strong, but he was King. 

  His word would always carry more weight than hers. 

  No matter what happened next, people would only know the story Henry spun.

  "Of course not."

  "Good."

  Elspeth stood with bated breath, praying he would leave. That he would turn around and walk away, or that someone else would enter so that she would not be alone any longer. 

  Because something had changed. Yes, Henry was cruel and foolish and an ill-fitting King, but now, looking into his eyes. . . Elspeth was sure he was the devil.

  "Petal."

  Elspeth's shoulders fell as Demetre entered, rounding the king who had become clearly irritated at the intrusion.

  "Demetre," Elspeth breathed.

  "Sebastian is waiting. Come."

  Elspeth slid her eyes back over to Henry, his gaze a still sharp blade. But she curtseyed, hurrying to Demetre and accepting his arm.

  "What did he say?" Demetre questioned only once they were out of the room.

  "Just that Sebastian and I are to leave tonight. . . Demetre, he's unwell," She whispered.

  Demetre placed a hand over her own as they walked.

  "You will be far away from him, Petal. Do not let your mind linger on this."

  She let out a breath, a smile gracing her features when she spotted Sebastian, alongside Francis and Kenna.

  "Here to see us off?"

  The trio looked up, though it was Kenna who took off toward the girl, nearly tackling her in a hug.

  "Oh, I'll miss you, Ellie."

  "Forever more, Kenna," Elspeth breathed out, hugging her tightly, "Write me, as often as you can."

  "I promise," Kenna said, pulling away only enough to see Elspeth, "And once I am wed to a man with a title, I'll just have to convince him to visit Scotland once in a while."

  Elspeth smiled, pulling Kenna in for another tight hug.

  "Take care of yourself," Elspeth whispered, before finally letting Kenna go.

  The girl nodded, wiping a tear as she took a step back.

  "To think, you'll be my sister and I won't even be able to attend the wedding."

  Elspeth smiled weakly at Francis.

  "You are welcome in Scotland anytime," Elspeth urged, approaching the man, "I expect a letter from you every so often, as well."

  "Of course," Francis smiled. "I wish the two of you safe travels. And a long and prosperous marriage."

  Elspeth smiled, throwing all manners aside as she tugged Francis into a hug. The man laughed, but caved, hugging her tightly.

  "Have you seen your mother? I didn't want to leave without speaking with her."

  "I haven't," Francis frowned, "But my father. . . he insisted the two of you leave as soon as possible."

  Elspeth frowned, pulling away from Francis.

  "I'm sorry," He whispered. "I tried to reason with him, but. . . he's punished Bash with banishment after all that transpired."

  "Do not be," Elspeth attempted to smile, "Tell your mother how I'll miss her for me."

  Francis nodded, squeezing her hand once more before Elspeth turned to face the last person she had to say goodbye to.

  Demetre Langlois stood stoically, with his shoulders square and his arms tucked behind his back. He donned his cloak today, the heavy fur resting over broad shoulders, and the proud Langlois House crest glimmered on his chest.

  "Do not shut yourself off in my absence," Elspeth said quietly, "You are a wonderful friend, Demetre. Allow others to discover this."

  Demetre did not speak. Because he knew if he did, it all might come tumbling out. 

  For all he knew, he would never see Elspeth Liens again. 

  And all his words, all his emotions, were clawing at the inside of his throat, begging to escape now before they never could.

  But she looked so happy.

  "Travel safely, Elspeth Liens."

  Only Demetre saw how his words stung her. Only Demetre knew how his cold presence hurt the only girl who had known his warmth.

  But this was better for her. If she knew it all, if he said what he wanted, he'd ruin the happiness she'd just gotten back.

  So Demetre said nothing as Elspeth allowed Sebastian to wrap her up in his cloak. He said nothing as Sebastian rested an arm around her shoulders and Francis told them their belongings would be sent to Scotland after them. He said nothing as Francis and Kenna joined his side to watch the couple exit the castle. He said nothing as Elspeth and Sebastian mounted horses alongside Francis's guards. 

  He said nothing, his face a slate clean of all emotion, as Elspeth Liens craned her neck to find him when they began to depart.

  But he felt it all when her expression fell to sadness, and she turned away from him for perhaps the last time.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
 writing Demetre breaks my heart sometimes
ALSO I'm lowkey thinking about

changing Demetre's fc.... I love daniel 
sharman don't get me wrong but the more
I write this story/him specifically the more
I see Demetre as a taller bulkier guy

with that like 'hunter/soldier' kind of build
and idk if daniel necessarily gives that vibe
(like i said, love daniel sharman, but I'm

starting to imagine more of a Henry Cavill/
Sam Heughan kind of vibe, but not
necessarily them specifically. . . 
if that makes literally any sense... ) but also
idk cause I really see Daniel's face
as Demetre. . . why are FCs so hard 
sometimes lmao, tell me what you guys think
please cause I'm clearly super indecisive