¹², A CLOSE FRIENDSHIP
𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter twelve; A Close Friendship
" Did your worries not go floating off along with your boat? "
ELSPETH LIENS WAS already quite tired of trying to make new connections in France. Everyone was lovely, but they spoke far too much of drama and rumors for her liking.
So when Greer told her that Sebastian was out drinking by the river with Mary, Elspeth found a sort of thrill bloom in her stomach as she snuck away from the Harvest festival.
"Elspeth!"
The woman stopped, curtseying respectfully to Francis.
"Wasn't expecting to see you out here, Your—"
"Just Francis, please," The man said, casting his glance down, "Come, let us enjoy the festival."
"Oh, I've grown tired of it," Elspeth laughed honestly, "I'm going to retrieve Sebastian and check on Mary, Kenna told me she's been in a mood all day and is quite cross with her."
Francis felt his heart fall further than it already had. Elspeth Liens cared so deeply for the both of them, he wanted nothing but to stop her from heartache and agony.
"I understand they can become boring," He smiled lightly, "Perhaps we can find Demetre and create our own kind of fun."
"As tempting as getting into trouble with the future king and a nobleman sounds," Elspeth smiled, "I'd really like to check on Mary, I'm quite worried—"
Francis stuttered as she began to walk, the girl smiling once she set eyes on Sebastian and Mary— the former of which was standing.
"You shouldn't—"
"Is there something the matter, Your— Francis?" Elspeth questioned, turning to the man.
And he sighed deeply, shaking his head before making a decision.
"Mary and I got into an argument and I came to apologize," He admitted, "Olivia being here has caused problems between the two of us, and I lost my temper. When I came across them. . ."
Elspeth's heart dropped.
"They what, Francis?"
"They were rather close," He spoke in a hushed tone, "It's just a bit concerning to see them. . . close with no supervision. . ."
Elspeth nodded silently.
"If you need anything, Elspeth, anything at all. . ."
"Thank you for telling me, Francis," She spoke honestly, "Your mother asked for me to join your family for lunch tomorrow afternoon, perhaps I could use a few pointers on how to survive both your mother and father's close watch."
Francis smiled lightly.
"I'll do what I can," He said quietly, "Would you like to join me at the festival, Elspeth?"
"I'd like to speak to them, first."
Francis nodded.
"Come find me if you need," He spoke genuinely, "It's unfortunate that this is what has found us so close, but I am looking forward to spending more time in the company of the woman my friends can't stop speaking of."
She smiled, thanking him once again, curtseying despite Francis waving off the formalities.
Elspeth's footsteps spooked Mary and Sebastian, their hushed argument halting as she approached.
"Elspeth," Mary greeted, blinking rapidly, "Are you— you're not at the festival?"
"I grew bored," Elspeth smiled, taking a seat between the two, "Mary are you. . . Drunk?"
The queen smiled, shaking her head.
"Perhaps just a bit," Mary noted, sighing, "I should send off my boat with Francis, you two have a lovely time."
"You, too," Elspeth smiled, falling into silence after Mary disappeared.
Sebastian could sense her discomfort, deciding it was up to Elspeth when she wanted to bring up whatever weighed on her mind. So they sat, the cool breeze ruffling between the duo.
"Francis seemed worried," Elspeth finally spoke quietly, "That you and Mary were so close."
Sebastian furrowed his brows, turning to the woman.
"Do you think. . ?"
"I wasn't sure what to think," Elspeth shrugged honestly, "Francis seemed. . . hurt. In a real way. It was strange."
Sebastian nodded silently, placing a gentle hand atop Elspeth's.
"I've been thinking about us quite a lot," Sebastian began gently, unnerving Elspeth's already pounding heart, "That you are giving up the chance of marrying a man far better suited to stand beside a noblewoman. I'm quite unprepared for this status, I do hope you're aware of that."
"Fully aware," Elspeth nodded with a small smile, "You have horrible manners."
"That wounds me, my love," Sebastian chuckled lightly, sighing in a more serious manner, "The last thing I want you to believe is that I would let anything come between the two of us. Nothing and no one matters more than you, darling. I have found a friend in Mary, and I do hope you're alright with that. If you aren't, I promise, I'll never find myself in her company without—"
"No," Elspeth said quietly, squeezing his hand, "It was foolish to believe you would ever be like a fickle royal. . . mistresses and the lot. . ."
Elspeth furrowed her eyebrows, looking over at Sebastian who found himself quite amused.
"Not to say that your father. . . or your mother—"
"I'm quite aware of the man my father is," He laughed, "That does not mean I want to be like him, Elle. I'm loyal to you alone for the rest of our lives."
And she smiled, leaning into the man who quickly welcomed this affection.
"I would beware of your brother's jealously, though," She advised gently, "He's asked me to join him at the festival. . . I think he truly believed the two of you were doing something."
"I can handle Francis," Sebastian said with a small smile, "Enjoy the festival, darling."
"Lovely," She smiled, standing quickly, "You'll find me later, I'm sure."
"I always will."
She grinned, pressing a chaste kiss to the man's cheek before leaving Sebastian to his own thoughts.
Francis greeted Elspeth Liens with a grin after he sent off his boat with Mary. The woman wasn't blind to Olivia Demancourt's crestfallen face as the dauphin joined Elspeth instead of her, but she chose to bite her tongue.
For now.
"So?" Francis questioned, "How did it go?"
"Well, Sebastian had interesting things to say," Elspeth admitted, "I'm not sure if you will hear them."
"Like what?"
"There's nothing going on between the two of them," Elspeth spoke honestly, clasping her hands at her waist, "They're simply friends."
Francis pursed his lips, nodding silently.
"I trust them both with my life," She admitted after a long moment, "Neither would do anything to hurt either you or I, Francis."
"Perhaps you're right," Francis mumbled without much conviction. But he could see clearly that what Elspeth said was the truth, at least to her. And there was no point in worrying the woman who'd done nothing wrong to him, so Francis just smiled, "Bash is my brother. I've never seen him settle, but I truly believe he loves you."
Elspeth fell silent, halting her walk and admiring the French castle for a long moment. Francis stood beside her, allowing himself to stand in the silence.
"I hope so," She admitted, opening a part of herself she had yet to, "I've longed to love someone the way I love him. And to be loved in the way he says he loves me. I can only hope what I've found so quickly is not fool's gold."
And Francis nodded along sympathetically, suggesting they find something to snack on in the kitchen and chat about how their lunch the day following would go.
Elspeth was sure that Sebastian nor Mary had done a thing but sit and chat, but what she had divulged to Francis was nothing short of the truth. She and Sebastian's love was burning so bright, Elspeth worried there was something she wasn't seeing.
But perhaps this was just another worry that flew around Elspeth's mind.
↬
"Petal, you seem very. . . wilted today."
Elspeth laughed as Demetre jogged quickly through the stone corridors, slowing his pace as he joined her side.
"Did your worries not go floating off along with your boat?"
"I'm afraid it's not so simple," Elspeth smiled lightly, shrugging, "It's nothing, Demetre. What of you, is this tradition too silly for a man such as yourself?"
"Ah, just as you said, it's not that simple," Demetre pointed before sighing deeply, "How does painting sound?"
"Oh, will you paint alongside me?"
"I have no talent for that," He grinned, "What, do you have no inspiration today, Petal?"
Elspeth blew her breath out, tilting her head to the side.
"Francis seems to think Sebastian and Mary are sneaking around," She admitted with finality, "Sebastian told me they aren't and I believe him, I truly do. . ."
"But?"
Elspeth looked up, briefly surprised at the genuine worry melting in Demetre's eyes. He looked so. . . gentle. Kind. Nothing like the man she met her first night in France— this one was her friend.
"But marriage has always scared me. And these feelings, this excitement, it's filled my mind, I had no time to think of the things that have never left my mind and now—"
"Wait you're— why are you scared of marriage?" Demetre questioned, furrowing his brows, "I can understand the patience you have, I'm in a similar situation of not wanting or needing to rush, but. . . fear? Why?"
Elspeth thought over the question for a moment. She wanted to be angry that he didn't understand her situation as a woman— but how would he? It was the way things were, men had always had more freedom, and Demetre had an isolated life. . . she could forgive him for not thinking.
"Because I'm a woman," She spoke bluntly, "Once I marry, everything I own, everything I am. . . it becomes someone else's. Entrusting that to someone, to anyone. . . it's terrifying. Not to mention if I marry the wrong one, it'll not only affect me but my parents, my brothers, their wives, and children. . . everyone."
Demetre frowned, burying his feelings deeply just for her sake.
"He's not the wrong one," Demetre said quietly, "I can promise you that. People may have their own opinions about a woman of your station marrying a bastard but as a man. . . well, he's the only good one I've ever met."
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you actually care."
Demetre smiled at the sound of her laugh, shaking his head as she started towards that familiar art wing. He quickly worked to follow her, ever eager to share space and time with Elspeth whilst she did the thing she loved the most.
↬
"Elle, wait a moment!"
The woman turned quickly, smiling as she set her eyes on Sebastian. Though, the smile fell noticing his panicked expression.
"What's worrying you, Sebastian?" Elspeth quickly questioned, meeting the man halfway, "You look so troubled."
"Can you make me one promise, one you can never break, Elle, it's important."
"Sebastian," Elspeth spoke quietly, resting a hand on his arm, "I'm going to be your wife one day, that will be a promise, don't worry yourself sick. Just tell me what is wrong, and I'll help in whatever way you need."
Sebastian took a deep breath to settle his nerves, nodding gently.
"You must promise me you'll never enter the Blood Wood," He spoke sternly, "Under no circumstances, no matter what anyone tells you, no matter what you believe. It's far too dangerous."
"What is inside it?" Elspeth questioned, her curiosity getting the better of her, "It's where Demetre killed the Grim."
"Many more horrors lay beyond those trees, many horrors I worry will become of you," He said quietly, resting a hand on her cheek, "Please, Elspeth. If you grow too curious, I will tell you. If you grow too scared, I will hold you. And if anyone tries to force you there, I will fight for you. Just promise me you'll never step foot in those woods."
"I won't," She assured instantly, "Sebastian, I promise you."
The man nodded, pausing for a moment before pulling Elspeth into a tight hug, cradling the back of her head against his chest.
For it had grown too much. And Sebastian was terrified he would lose her to the thing he'd found himself so deeply tangled in.
( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
absolutely could not follow through
with the canon storyline here!
I wrote it as canon originally, but
it would make no sense at all looking
at Sebastian and Elle's relationship
and future things I have planned!
But Francis being jealous is the same
because we still need a LITTLE bit of
the original drama.
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