Cadeth stood on the balcony of her room, staring out at the distant shoreline. She wore a large fur jacket to protect her from the bitter cold winds. Large ships were docked on the shoreline, rocking into the sandy beach. French flags snapped back and forth in the wind on top of the mast. She could see the sea of men marching towards the castle, led by Scottish guardsmen on horseback. The French and their king had arrived for the formal meet and greet with the queen. Easily, Cadeth could pick out the king from the crowd. He was wrapped in luxurious brown fur to protect him from the weather. Beneath he had a bright red coat that stretched down to his shins. His hair was blonde and curled around his ears. On top of his head he wore a crown to symbol his royalty along with numerous rings on his fingers. He carried a smirk on his lips the entire stroll. Without having met the man, Cadeth already knew the type he was.

Scoffing, she shut the balcony doors behind her and stepped back into her chambers. She placed the fur coat back on her bed before glancing at herself once more in the mirror. Her hair was tightly pulled back into a bun, not one strand breaking free. She wore a light blue vest covered in stitched floral patterns. A gold trim raced down the center and around her neckline. Underneath she had a puffed white long sleeve with blue ribbon that swirled down her arms. Her pants held similar patterns to her top. Cadeth was required to dress similar to the queen, but not close enough to be mistaken as king and queen. The colors closely matched, symbolling to everyone Cadeth was her guardsman. She took a deep breath, straightening her vest before walking out. The halls were empty, only one guard stood at the end instead of the usual two. Majority of castle staff were tending to the gathering, ensuring everything was perfect. She could hear the faint mumbling and hustle of everyone downstairs. It would only be a few minutes before the king had arrived. Looking to her left, Cadeth glanced down the large hall to the only other door.

"Enter" Adelaide sung, hearing the two-knocks on her door. As the door swung open, Cadeth stared at the sight in front of her. Adelaide stood center of the room with Katherine and other handmaiden tending to her hair and dress. Adelaide was dressed in an exquisite ballroom gown, the same blue color as Cadeth's. Her hair fell into perfect curls over her shoulders. The handmaiden had given her a simple touch of makeup, but Cadeth could argue she never needed any in the first place. "Too much?" Adelaide asked, raising her eyebrows. Cadeth quickly shook her head, stepping towards the queen but giving space for the girls to finish their work.

"No. You look astonishing." She replied. The handmaiden all giggled around the queen as a pink blush grew on her cheeks. Adelaide gestured a "No. You look astonishing." She replied. The handmaiden all giggled around the queen as a pink blush grew on her cheeks. Adelaide gestured a nod to her to say thank you. Cadeth stood in the corner of the room, kicking the air as she waited for the girls to finish their last touches. As the girls left, Cadeth went to the queen's side. She was handed a simple crown to place on top of Adelaide's head. It wasn't the queen's official crown, but the gems still glistened under the lights. The royal beauty wrapped her arm around Cadeth's as they began walking down the halls towards the ballroom. Guards and castle workers would move to the side of the hallway and bow as they walked past. Adelaide gave each one a smile as they made eye contact. The sound of the music grew louder as they approached the ballroom. They both stood in front of the grand doors to the room. Scottish and French mingled with one another in the room. The king stood beside his close guardsmen sipping on champagne as they quietly discussed amongst themselves. Other French guardsmen and workers who traveled with the king indulged on party favors and drinks. Lord James had taken responsibility to welcome the French party and host the grand event until the queen's arrival.

Partially the grand doors were cracked, allowing Adelaide to peak inside. Her eyes combed over the room in front of her. She saw the back of her uncle standing on the platform, looking over at everyone. Taking a deep sigh, she glanced back to Cadeth who gave a supporting smile. "Let's get this over with." She spoke softly, taking Cadeth's arm again. The queens guard nodded towards the men who held the door. The two large doors swung open together, grabbing the attention of everyone inside. Cheers and praise erupted in the room for the queen's arrival as she strolled inside. She gave a shining smile to everyone. The orchestra changed pitch, bringing the music to a soft level of background noise. Cadeth escorted the queen to the middle of the ballroom where King Fredrick stood. As the approached, each gave a respectful bow as a greeting. Fredrick was the first to speak.

"Grand as ever Queen Adelaide. Allow me to introduce my guardsmen." Fredrick had three personal guardsmen instead of one. "This is Cias, my first in command" he introduced. Cias had an intimidating stature, standing three inches above Cadeth. He had hair dark as night and a faint facial bead to accompany it. His clothing was all brown, but his collar carried a thick threading of gold silk. Each of the guardsmen had one, but the thicker the gold represented their status amongst the three. "My second, Hugh." Hugh was the smallest of the three with bright red hair, uncommon for French born. His hair was slicked back, shining under the ballroom lights. His face carried a heavy scar under his right eye that stretched to his ear. "And lastly, Guillaume (Gee-um)." Guillaume looked similar to Cias, but his hair was sorter and skin more tan. All three bowed towards the queen in unison, thanking her for their invitation in silence. Adelaide gave a glance to Cadeth from the corner of her eye.

"Greetings King Fredrick, welcome to Scotland and along with all your guardsmen and others. Let me introduce my guard Cadeth." Cadeth gave a respectful bow, but could not hold back the grin. As Cadeth rose from her bow, she could see the challenging smirks from the three men in front of her. She knew, if she had to, she would at least take two down with her if she couldn't get three. Cadeth didn't hesitate to share the same glare back. "Boys, entertain yourselves. King Fredrick and myself have matters to discuss." Adelaide instructed as she took Fredrick's hand and walked off to discuss the possible future. The four guards stood eyeing one another while the music picked back up.

"So," Cias spoke with his thick French accent, "this is the Cadeth Marie?" He asked, strutting around her. "I expected you to be bigger from what I've heard." He teased, his partners chuckling as they nudged one another. Cadeth simply shrugged, positioning herself where she could keep an eye on her queen. Regardless of being in their home castle, Cadeth wouldn't let the queen out of her sight without knowledge that someone else was protecting her. The queen only stood on the other side of the ballroom, but she wasn't going to risk anything. She knew her duty. "Well, it speaks enough to know you've heard of me all the way in France. Can't say I've ever heard of any of you." She bit back towards them, strolling with the three off the ballroom floor and to a side of the room. Cias's cockiness faded, humming back to Cadeth in response.

The party went on for hours, all visitors and Scottish people having a grand time. Champagne and other beverages were served, accompanied by various food items. The music never stopped. A joyful tune continued to play throughout the palace. The dance floor was never empty, bodies always swaying under the grand lights, even when moonlight began to pour in from the windows. Cadeth continued small talk with the French boys as long as she could before she simply lost interest and they went to entertain themselves. Afterwards she had found Edmon to chatter with while they blended in with the crowd of people. She tried her best to keep her eyes on the queen, but at times she would lose her in the sea of bodies. It didn't take long for herself or Edmon to spot her. They gossiped about the French boys and the way they presented themselves. In one of the few moments that Cadeth had lost track of Adelaide, the queen and her visitor had gone outside of speak in the quiet garden.

"I'm not sure if your uncle had told you this, but your mother had unified France and Scotland before when she married King Francis." The blonde king explained, walking slowly besides the queen. Adelaide held back from rolling her eyes at his comment.

"My uncle has educated me on everything he could about Scotland and my mother's reign. Although short, my mother's marriage to Francis benefited both countries well." Though she didn't say, after Francis and her mother's death France began to struggle. It was no longer the prominent and wealthy country it once was. Scotland had greatly surpassed it when Mary had returned to Scotland after her husbands death. France was no longer one of the high countries, it sat mediocre amongst many others. Regardless, Mary had sworn to keep peace with the French and provide to them what she could while always putting Scotland first. Adelaide knew that a marriage with France would mainly benefit King Fredrick's land and merely provide a stronger alliance to Scotland. There wasn't much for Adelaide's country to gain. Both of them knew she had other options that brought far more growth to Scotland, but she had to give each suitor a chance.

"Although cut short through tragedy, I believe we could unite our lands as your mother and Francis once did. Almost as if the split had never happened. I believe we both have much to gain." The king said, stretching the truth.

"Fredrick, from what I have heard you have done well for your country. Although I am a woman, do not mistake me for an idiot. I carry my mother's wits. My marriage is not simply for a husband, but for the future of Scotland. I have taken it upon myself to consider every option, I know what there is to gain from each union. We both know Scotland has much to offer. France not so much." She shook her head, giving a warning smile to the man. Fredrick stood silent for a moment, not expecting Adelaide to have done her research. As he preferred, all other queens he had spoken to knew little of their countries' situations. Though others had something to give to France, Adelaide had the most. He was grateful for the treaty, but he craved to make France powerful as it once was. Whatever it took.

"If my uncle had not died, your mother would had still wed my uncle. Our countries would still be united. I am simply imposing we reunite them as they were. It how it should be!" He stated bluntly, the gentle tone gone and replaced with a strict one. The act of a gentleman was all an act. Without the eyes of a crowd on him, he had no reason to pretend. Especially after Adelaide had proven to be less gullible than he had predicted.

"I am sorry for your uncle's death, but if he had not died then I would not be alive." Adelaide snapped back at him, angering the king further. Fredrick's fist clenched, his jaw drawing tight. His eyes were full of anger and frustration.

"Do not raise your voice at me! I am king of France and I deserve respect!" He ordered, his voice louder than before but still silent to those who celebrated inside the ballroom.

Adelaide scoffed in shock, "And I am the queen of Scotland. Must I remind you that you are on my land and you are not protected here under any law regardless of the crown you wear. I am not sworn to you Fredrick and the choice to is merely mine. I am my mother's daughter and from what I have seen I would never marry a man like you." Adelaide gripped onto the skirt of her dress, her face reddening in anger. She stared up at the tall king before her.

With furry growing inside of Fredrick, he did not hesitate when he spoke. "You're right. You are your mother's daughter. Born of royal blood and nothing more than a servant. Perhaps history shall repeat itself and you'll fall in bed with your watchman, dooming Scotland's royal line because you can't close your legs to the help. Is that why you only have one? Because of your dirty little secret?" With each sentence he inched closer to Adelaide as an act of intimidation until his face was an inch from hers. They could feel the hot, angry breath from one another on each other.

"Get out of Scotland." Adelaide spat through her clenched teeth. "Take your men and leave. Now. You're not welcome here." she ordered, snapping her head away from Fredrick. Her eyes held onto to tears that were moments from pouring over. The queen didn't let the king see her weakness; she didn't show her emotions as she disappeared back into the castle through a distant side door. She did not want anyone from the party to see her. A single guard watched as the queen ran past, he had attempted to ask if she was alright, but Adelaide waved him off.

Cadeth swung her arm around Edmon's shoulder as the two laughed loudly, holding champagne in their hands. Edmon had much surpassed his limit, but Cadeth's tolerance had matured greatly from her time in the service. They told jokes and stories about their past lives before coming to the castle. Cadeth did not mention her childhood or father, she kept her stories all about being in the queen's army. "Edmon, I struggle to believe you had two girls fight over you when I struggle to believe you're not a virgin." Cadeth teased, messing with Edmon's hair. Edmon rolled his eyes, but never stopped smiling. Cadeth's eye caught sight of the king's guards hastily walking across the far ballroom floor to their king. Cadeth slowly rose from her seat, eyeing the king with a glare. He was furious from what Cadeth had gathered. The guards tried to calm and reason the mad king, but nothing was working. Anger began to brew in Cadeth as she realized the queen had not reentered the room after Fredrick. After scanning the room once more, the king's eyes locked on her. He gave a hard gaze, though Cadeth didn't understand why, she didn't like the feeling it gave her. Without words, she gave her glass to Edmon and pulled open the ballroom doors. She quietly slipped out, unnoticed.

Cadeth begun to wander the halls, asking each guard she passed if they had seen the queen. She played with the fabric in her pockets as she walked, glancing down each long stretch hoping to see the queen. The longer it took the find her, the faster she walked; becoming a full job before she found her. As Cadeth reached the top step of the stairwell, she spotted her. Adelaide had cut around the corner as Cadeth turned, watching the light blue skirt slip around the wall. She was heading towards the chambers. Cadeth quickly ran towards the queen to catch up to her.

"Adelaide!" Cadeth called, after glancing around and ensuring that no one was near to hear.

Adelaide quickly wiped away her tears when she heard her voice. Clearing her voice, "I'm fine Cadeth. Go back to the party." She didn't turn as she spoke, only continued towards the chambers down the far hall.

"Adelaide what is wrong? What happened?" Cadeth had caught up to the queen, matching her speed as she walked right behind her. Although she could not see her face, her eyes roamed over her trying to understand what was wrong. Wondering what the king had done or said to her.

"Jesus Adelaide!" Cadeth groaned, gripping her arm and spinning her towards her. Perhaps it was the effects of the champagne that caused the sudden act without thought or possibly it was fueled by the ideas flooding her head of what the king could have done.

Adelaide gasped as she was spun around, her eyes glancing at Cadeth's hand on her arm. "I am your guard, talk to me!" she pleaded, releasing the queen's arm. Deep down she knew the consequences she could face for how she had touched Adelaide, but punishment was the least on her mind right now.

"I had a guard, and he was murdered because of who I am! I watched him die. I cannot watch someone suffer merely because of the blood in my veins and the crown upon my head. So I am sorry if I am cold with you or refrain from telling you everything because I can't lose someone like that again. I didn't realize why I acted as I do with you. I couldn't understand it until Fredrick spoke it into existence but-" she paused. Cadeth stared at her with worrying eyes, her lips slightly parted. She panted quietly from the run through the castle, licking her dry lips. "Well, he's right." She spoke. Cadeth stared confused, uncertain on what the king had said. She felt as though she was missing something that was written out for her. "I am my mother's daughter."

Slowly, her hands moved up Cadeth's chest and around her neck. Cadeth stood frozen, her hands hovering over Adelaide's sides. Adelaide's eyes darted between Cadeth's eyes and lips, hesitating. Cadeth's heart was pounding in her chest. She knew this was wrong. She knew she wasn't who Adelaide should be kissing. She knew if she allowed this to happen eventually she would know the truth. She had silenced all possible feelings deep inside, putting her duties first. Every small glance or shy smile she played off as the queen being nice. Each faint touch that brought her butterflies she mistook as a spark or nausea from breakfast. Never did she allow herself to think it could be so much more, but her heart knew all along these weren't simple instances. It was much more than that. They glanced to each other's eyes once more, feeling a magnetic pull between them. Urging for them to touch, to close the distance between them. Cadeth wouldn't allow herself to move. Even though her body was screaming to jump at the beauty in front of her. This had to be her decision.

Slowly, the queen pressed onto her toes to reach Cadeth's lips. Gently their lips pressed against one another. The castle for that one moment was silent. Nothing moving besides them. Cadeth's hands lowered onto the queen's hips, gently holding her. Her touch sent chills up the queen's spine. Neither moved, their hearts filling with bliss from the kiss both had starved for. Adelaide slowly pulled away, her heart racing. Her soft pink tongue brushed over her lips as she pulled away. Their eyes fluttered open, both out of breath from a gentle kiss. Neither spoke, staring at each other waiting for the other to make a move.

The queen's fingers inched their way into Cadeth's loose bun, slowly tightening their grip. The guard softly firmed her grasp on the queen's waist, pulling her back towards her. Their eyes filled with lust, unable to break away from one another. Then, as if on que, both pulled the other towards them mashing their bodies into each other. Their hands tightly gripped onto the other, trying to close all space between them. Cadeth's mind was racing with a thousand improper thoughts, ones he could be hung for. Adelaide's fingers curled and pulled on her watchman's hair. As fast as it started, it ended. The queen pushed Cadeth away, creating space between them. Both were a mess. Hair loose, crown lopsided, shirt wrinkled, dress crumpled. They stared at one another, both attempting to catch their breath. Cadeth feared for a moment that it had been a test or that the queen had changed her mind.

Clearing her throat, Cadeth opened her mouth to apologize. Adelaide shook her head, placing a finger on her lips. Slowly she intertwined her fingers with Cadeth's then turned, leading her right into her chambers.