The Glow

Although her mother would beg to differ, Mary believes that the two aren't official until they've gone on their first date. As commoners, this would've been slightly easier. As a queen and a lady in waiting who are both very close to the desperate king, the task is much harder.

And so after Mary had finished her morning studies, she spends the remaining hours before lunch roaming the castle. Going through every single one of her passageways to find the perfect spot. The girl isn't naive, she knows how long this would take. And how long her mother's date would most likely take. This spot has to be perfect. 

It can't be anywhere outside castle grounds. Though, either way, the princess isn't allowed outside the palace without accompaniment, and she'd never think of breaking that rule. It could be one of the rooms only Anne was assigned to, though if she spent too much time in there, it'd get awfully suspicious. No one wanted the date to take place in their chambers. The two already spend the nights there, and various servants come to clean the room as well. 

That's when Mary spots an opening. She'd passed through this particular passageway multiple times, but whenever she did, there were guards at the entrance. She quickly looks around for any sign of replacement guardians. Nothing. Being the small, quiet spy she is, Mary sneaks through the door to come face with a set of stairs.

Clearly there was no other way to enter, and the doorway was the only thing being guarded. Mary swiftly makes her way up the stairs as softly as possible, to come face to face with a view of the kingdom. Well, not exactly the entire kingdom, but the view of the town-center, the plaza, the forest, all of it just splendid.

Private if timed correctly, beautiful view, classically on the rooftop.

This was it.

~     ~     ~

Mary had spent a good deal of the next few days figuring out the schedule of that doorway. Around ten the guards would leave, presumably for a lunch break, then came back at twelve exactly. Not a second late. Though, they could probably see down the hall, so about 3 minutes before should suffice. Their next break was from 6-8, which would be a bit too long to be stuck on the rooftop, so the 1 hour and 57 minutes would have to do.

Almost no one went through this hallway except the guards, a group of ladies in waiting, almost always at 3 or within the hour, and some courtiers at 5. Their date would be in the morning, so this wouldn't be an issue. Plus, Mary would keep watch in case something happened. Well, Mary and Jane.

She hadn't expected Jane to show up behind her, nor had she expected Jane to have known everything. Absolutely everything.

"You haven't told anyone?"

"Of course. It's not my place, and it surely doesn't bother me. The two go quite well together, don't you think?"

"Yes, thank you Miss Jane."

"No worries. If there's anything I can do, let me know."

Catherine and Anne are still a bit embarrassed to talk to the twelve year old about everything, let alone allow her to set up the date. Their embarrassment only grew when Mary had told them about Jane, who also had helped set up the date. Though, they had to admit, the child is very good at planning. A trait shared with her mother, Anne always notes. 

The actual activities, however, were left up to the couple, as Mary isn't one to intrude. Though, her previous actions could say otherwise, she likes to think she's one to abstain.

A simple lunch would do. There isn't much that the lovers could do in secret after all.

Anne is one to worry. She had been pacing in the hall for quite a bit, anxious for the events to come. Jane, who Mary had asked to comfort the green woman, had been giving her words of encouragement.

"Anne, breathe." The French woman inhales very shakily, holding it for a few seconds before releasing her breath. "Everything's going to be fine."

"But Jane, what if I mess something up and she changes her mind about me? We can't go back to being friends again, we'd be back to square one!" Unsurprisingly, the younger of the couple starts to spiral once more. "Jane, I'm going to screw this up!"

"Anne, I'm sure her majesty knows how you can get and will understand if you slip up a little. She's married to the king and still wants to go through this with you. I'm sure everything is going to be fine." There's somewhat of a calming essence about Jane. Not the same as Catherine, nothing could compare to her, but perhaps it's just the way the blonde was.

"......Okay."

Catherine isn't one to break down into a panic. Though, clearly Anne is otherwise proof that she does. Inside their chambers, the gold woman is pacing the floor as well, her daughter being the one attempting to calm her down.

"Mum, I've never seen you this worked up before." Upon hearing this, the Spaniard reminds herself to breath; eventually she's calm enough to stop pacing and sit next to her daughter.

"I just....don't want anything to go wrong. I don't want Anne to stop liking me, I don't want Henry to find out, I don't want to be left alone. I don't want a lot of things. But I mostly don't want to lose her." Since the two became friends, Mary has noticed her mother is more open about her emotions. Another thing that the twelve year old is grateful for. And another reason why she ships Baragon. Bolagon? Aleyn? The name she'll have to come up with later.

"First off, mother, the two of you were friends before confessing, I doubt Anne will ever stop liking you. Second, he won't find out because we're going to be very sneaky and Miss Jane and I will make sure nothing happens during your date. Third, you won't be alone because Anne isn't going to leave you. Plus, you have me." Both of them giggle slightly at this comment. "You won't lose Anne because she loves you just as much as you love her."

"You act so grown up."

"Only because you act like a child sometimes..." Mary mutters to herself, only to be heard by her mother and receive a very judgmental look. "Sorry...." Catherine takes a deep breath before embracing her only child in a comforting hug.

"Thank you." The queen kisses the princess's crown before walking out the door to meet her date. Mary is dazed for a bit before quickly following. This should be interesting.

The four of them make their way to the entrance, unguarded just as Mary had predicted. Mary and Jane lean against the wall as Catherine and Anne head into the doorway, neither of them knowing what to expect. The youngest of them hadn't told the couple what was inside, simply explaining that it existed. The green and gold women cautiously walk up the staircase.

The two are blinded by the sunlight for a few seconds before their eyes adjust. Both are absolutely shocked that the castle had access to the roof.

"It's....beautiful." The Spaniard breathes out.

"Not as beautiful as you." The French replies with a wink, earning her a playful shove.

"Oh hush, you."

As they set up their early lunch, their nervousness subsides. They end up talking about anything and everything, just like before. The only difference this time is the little side compliments or subtle flirting they end up making. Somehow the conversation turns to a small contest to see who was the more wild child. Much to Anne's surprise (and dismay) Catherine ends up winning this.

The laughter and conversing eventually dies down, however, leaving the two in silence. Though, it's a much more comfortable silence. A safe feeling. Where they wouldn't be judged, or ridiculed, or even beheaded. Anne had scooted her way toward Catherine, snuggling up into her side as the older wraps her arm around the younger. It's impossible to tell how the two haven't come to the same conclusion the young girl has.

Nevertheless, silence must be broken eventually.

"Catalina?" The brunette hums in response, having gotten used to the nickname coming from Anne's mouth. "Thank you." Catherine turns to make eye contact with her lover. 

"For what?"

"For agreeing to this. To all of it. I really appreciate it." A real smile escapes and forms on the gold woman's mouth.

"Of course." There's only a short beat of nothing before the two women meet each other halfway, cheeks red from blushing. Their lips are just as soft as they imagined, pushing just the right amount that it's not so much desperate as it is passion. Neither of them want to stop, but at the tugging of their lungs, begging for oxygen, they let go, gazing into their lover's eyes.

The world can wait.

But it's a good thing that Mary and Jane were watching the door. If not, the king would surely have them beheaded on the spot.