Francis recovered and Victoria finally told him that he was to be a father again. Soon the news spread through out the court and France. Though that was not the only thing to pass through the lips of others. It was now noticeable that the King, though young was more than capable of fathering children and some began to speak that Mary was the problem. Mary watched as a nervous Victoria was on the arm of her husband through many trial and tribulation, as she was made a Duchess in her own right.

"Thinking about what could be?" Catherine taunted Mary "He shares his news proudly that he is to be a father again."

"He is happy, that is what is important." Lola joined them and too Mary's side.

"Ah, Lola the not quite former mistress. Come to console your Queen in time of jubilation?" Cathrine inquired "To watch on in everything the two of you are not?"

"Must you feel the need to rub salt into every wound?" Lola huffed

"I find it soothing actually." Catherine smiled and then went to join Victoria and Francis. She conversed with them and rested a soothing and on the young girls arm.

------

France was under attack from Louis who had got in over his head. Francis in a bid to save those he cared about had his loved ones sent away. Francis stood outside of Victoria's carriage she was now visibly pregnant and in danger.

"When everything is well once more, i will come for you."

"Not before John Phillip, I understand." Victoria leaned out and kissed Francis before sitting herself back in and the carriage took off. On her way out Victoria thought long and hard. Francis had been engraved on her and not just through carrying his children. She has always felt a connection towards him which was strengthened since she became a potential for being a mistress. She hit the top of the carriage as she made a result decision

"Take me back to the Astoria estate, with haste." she ordered

"Yes, your grace." she may just be a mistress, but she was a mistress with power, wealth and connections. She had cultivated it for years in the name of her family. Her father was right, many were loyal to her and now she decided to call upon that loyalty. She was taken back to her families estate where her father was.

-Victoria-

"Victoria, why are you here? I thought the King was sending you away."

"He was, but I decided not to go." I breathed stopping "Call for the General Devi, tell him that his lady requires his assistance. Go now!" the usher ran off

"Victoria, what is the meaning of this?"

"I'm riding back to help Francis, I'm taking Astoria's soldiers along with Toussanit, Monet, Beauchamp , Dupont." I sat down and wrote letters to them. "Together we will supersede Conde's men. Crushing them."

"You walk a very dangerous path daughter."

"My path became dangerous when I took to the bed of a King. While I am his mistress and have no husband so I will fight for him and my children. You can stay here and hide our you can join me." she scowled at him then finished her letters sending them off.

"General Devi, your grace." the General entered and bowed to her

"Your grace."

"General." she nodded then glance to her father who made the decision to stand by his daughters side. The two talked and Victoria mobilised quickly. As the made their way back to the castle, on their way other household joined them and soon Victoria had amounted 2,000 men. She stood with the generals from each house and they spoke of Conde's army.

"Is there a way we can get word to Francis that he's not alone?" Victoria inquired

"no safe passage. to get to the castle we have to get through the army between us and them General Devi voiced

"Fine, then we move at first light. But we don't go in with half measures, Conde is a traitor to France, by siding with the English Queen and as noble and loyal Frenchmen it is a duty to eradicate the threat. We send a message are we agreed." the nodded "Get some rest." They left and so did I.

I rose early and watched as the men readied themselves before we marched ahead and eventual came to a stop near by their encampment.

"Your grace, we have word that Queen Mary is in the camp." General Devi informed me

"You're serious?" he nodded and i sighed "Have a small group bring her here quickly, the last thing we need a dead Queen. Even if this is her fault." a group of riders were sent out and within the hour Mary was brought into my tent

"Victoria?"

"Your majesty." I bowed my head

"But I saw you leave? Are all these men with you."

"We are and I raised them in the name of France. We will eradicate Conde's arm quelling the threat till the french troupe return from Scotland.

"I have a plan."

"I don't care, France is in this mess because of you. Catherine was right all you've done is crippled the country you claim to serve. I may not be a Queen but I am just as good. Now sit down and shut up!" Victoria yelled "Keep her under guard, the King will want to know she's safe when we're finished. Are the men ready?"

"Yes, your grace." Victoria left and mounted the horse she gently road to the men.

"Today, you serve France in its hour of need! You are the hand of God to stamp out the threat not only to the King but to the people of France. We show that just because the main army of France is across a ocean. Does not mean that she is defenceless. We fight!" the men cheer and they march ahead. Victoria raised her hand and then dropped it down. Cannons aimed at the encampment. Then the first land of soldiers stormed the camp attacking any solider that did not bare the crest of a noble family . Bash and Francis seeing the remnants of what was going on gathered their men and joined the fight. Francis fought his way to what he believe was Conde's tent only to find him wounded and tied up with general Devi gagging him.

"Who are you?"

"I am General Devi, I serve under the Lady Victoria, Duchess of Aquitaine. She rose a army to fight in your name."

"Victoria sent you?"

"She has a great reach amongst the nobles who owed her a favour on which she collected. A woman of many talents." He lifted Conde to his feet. "Your majesty." he shoved the traitor forward and the battle was quickly won. Most of Conde's arm was killed but some including Louis himself were taken prisoner. A couple of hours later Victoria rode through the gates of the castle with Mary Queen of Scotts in tow.

"You had a army all this time and only now decide to use them?" Mary questioned as Victoria was helped down from her horse.

"i had a garrison, not a army. I had favours not a army. It took my a moment of contemplation to figure I could put the two together to make a army." Victoria retorted "I told you once that I did not wish to step on anyones toes. The sentiment was true, but I renegade on it in the name of my unborn child and their father. I don't know what happened between the two of you and frankly its none of my business, what is my business is that your torrid affair spiralled out of control and became a threat to my country and my family, that I will not forget so lightly." Victoria headed inside.

"I am Queen." I turned

"i name only, just as you are a wife. In these past months I have done more than you and I did not need the title of Queen to do it. What purpose do you actually serve right now? Other than a figure head?" Francis met up with me and kissed me passionately. Then the two made the entrance. Francis formally thanked me and the men for rising to their aide.

When all was quiet Francis asked me come to his chambers.

"You wished to see me?" I questioned entering. Francis held out his hands for me to take and I did, he kissed them softly.

"Yes I did." he lowered them but still kept them close but guided me to sit down "Theres something i need to tell you." he paused

"Francis what is it, your worrying me" he moved a hand away to rest against my cheek.

"These past few months you have been a solace to me when I have needed it. You have been the guiding light when I found myself in darkness" i held his hand there "But I fear that it will not last."

"It will last as long as you wish it."

"I wish it forever, but I do not have forever." his hand took my and lowered it "The physicians told me that my recovery was a miracle. But should the pain every return then...then it would be fatal." tears began to well up in my eyes and the realisation of what he was trying to tell me, hit me.

"No, no. No its not fair. It's not fair."

"It is not, but it is happening. It is happening and i must prepare, make sure that when it does happen all my affairs are in order. Will you help me do that Victoria." I took a deep breath and nodded