LUXURY.
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"What if I want to marry someone I love? Someone I care about, someone who will make me happy?" He placed his hand over hers. "Anna, I want to be happy."
"That's a luxury we royals will never have."
in which Princess Annalise Stuart gai...
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Annalise shuffled her feet on the stone floor, standing outside of Mary's chambers nervously. This feeling was nauseating, the feeling of being distanced from Mary. Even during their years apart, Annalise had never felt so far away from her sister.
She rapped on the door twice, one of Mary's guards opening it after hearing her call out. "Come in,"
Annalise stepped in quietly, her eyes scanning over the young queen as she sat by the window, observing the blooming landscape of the castle grounds.
Mary brought her attention to Anna and brought her hands together, twisting the rings that decorated them. The Princess sat down next to her sister, bringing her knees to her chest.
They sat for a moment in silence, and Mary spoke. "How long have you loved him?" She dared to ask.
The truth brought on a wave of guilt, Annalise responding. "For my entire life, one way or another. It's come and gone for years,"
Mary chuckled, looking back towards the glass. "And when did you plan on telling me?"
"I didn't." Annalise furrowed her brow. "Your marriage has been arranged for years, almost our entire lives. I wouldn't ruin your happiness by sharing my true feelings. I couldn't do that to you, or Scotland."
"Still, you should have told me. We don't keep secrets." Mary paused pensively.
The sisters weren't used to fighting, due to so many years apart. Whenever they were able to see one another, usually on one of their birthdays, they were so excited and amicable.
They'd never learned how to be angry with one another.
"I'm sorry," Annalise apologized from the bottom of her heart. The guilt was overwhelming. "I never wanted to hurt you, Mary. I was never going to do anything about it, I'd even begun moving on! I was ready to let it go, but everything changed when our alliances shifted."
Mary nodded, looking out the window. Her eyes scanned across the night sky, analyzing the stars and moon carefully.
"All I ask is that you're truthful with me from now on, as your sister, and as your friend. I don't blame you for loving him, I love him too. Besides, one thing I've learned here at French Court is that you cannot choose who you love, despite valiant efforts,"
"He was supposed to be yours,"
Mary reached for her sister's hand, squeezing it gently. "Things have changed, now he's yours. It's not ideal for us to love the same man, but we can only accept what fate gives us, what God has planned. I am happy for you, just as you would have been for me."
