chapter 10

June 1778, Edinburgh castle...

Lady Anne watched her son dancing about, and her heart bled, he was so handsome and such a delight, a very happy child, and everyone loved him genuinely and dearly, he was six already! how time flies, she wished this day won't come, she hoped the day will never ever come, but it was here, he had to leave them, she banished her son to a far away land!, it was her fault, if she had known that they king would really send messengers on the day he was born, or they would give him a knighthood, she would have stopped at seeing signs only..., she didn't see any trace of tyranny in him, he was so intelligent for his age, he could read and write properly, and his swordsmanship was impeccable for a child, his father taught him things early, because he knew they would part ways soon, he knew the history of their family by heart, and how many successors there is before him...

"Stop it!, Naya shouted at her brother as he poked her and laughed, they were best friends, and although she was two years younger than him, she gave him hell, just as good as she got from him,

"Naya, act like a lady!, her governess chided her immediately, and she looked angrily, at her brother who was laughing Theodore watched her face,, she was the loveliest girl he had ever seen, and since he was always around Francis, he got a chance to see her, her dark hair and creamy skin, she really looked like a fairy, or to him,

"Francis you should really stop bothering your sister, she does not like it, Theo said to Francis, and he stopped laughing, and looked at her angry face...

"Okay.., I was only joking, I am sorry, he said and opened his hands for a hug, and she threw her gaze away ignoring him, but he kept coming closer to hug her, she moved away, and he chased her, she was running and laughing, and lady Anne laughed happily..

Theo was a good influence on her son, just like his father is to her husband, with him around she was rest assured, then she wondered why they say he will be a wicked brute, he was such a sweet child!

Philip was coming in and caught his daughter, twirling her in the air, she was a real beauty, just like he had known, she was also a sweet girl, and at her age, she knew most of the herbs by heart, and what their uses were she was just so smart, and he loved her so much, but he always wondered why lady Anne pushed her to learn the herbs at such a Yong are, he asked her countless times, but she didn't reply him, always dodging...

"Francis are you teasing your sister again?, he asked him

"No, papa, Francis lied, and squared his shoulders,

"I think the birthday boy is being naughty, and I remember him promising me to be of good behaviour, Philip said, and almost immediately Francis shoulders fell,

"I am sorry papa, he apologized,

"It's okay boy, you are forgiven!, Naya proclaimed and laughed

"Naya!, Philip warned her and she smiled at him, with that cute dimples, he couldn't help himself he smiled...

"Francis that was a joke, you are the best son ever!, he said putting Naya down, and I present this gift to you my honourable knight! , he said and brought out a sword, it was so beautifully decorated, and with the best steel, and a Ruby stone engraved in the handle, he stared at his father with grateful and loving eyes as he collected it..

"With this sword, you have made a promise to me that you will always use this to protect, and nothing more, never for evil reasons, he said as he patted his handsome son's shoulder.., "Do you promise?, he asked him..

"Yes father, he said with a strong determination and serious eyes, but he was dying of excitement inside, he always wanted a sword, but his father told him a solid no! each time, and he wondered why? all the young boys his age had one, and each time he asked anyone if they knew anything, they looked at him with fear in their eyes and kept quiet, saying nothing to him, now he gets to have one, and a very beautiful one at that, he was overjoyed.

Francis carried the sword, staring at it in awe, but it was so heavy and he tried to hold on to it, Philip laughed at that,

"Okay, son let me help you, it will be with you always, but you can't start using it now, it's for when you are older, he said and Francis nodded before hugging his father, and lady Anne couldn't help when the tears fell, she quickly wiped it, a duchess can't let anyone else see her cry..

"Theo can you see that!, I am now a knight!, I have the most shiniest sword ever.... Francis said to his best friend in a boastful tone, as they ran to play with Naya hot on their heels...

Philip walked to his wife as she smiled, at him, she didn't bound her long curly hair, she let the golden curl down, and it framed her lovely face, she was really a lovely lady, and he was a lucky duke...

"I don't want to let him go, he said as soon as he got to his wife, he is such a good boy, I doubt he can ever be bad, but we have to follow the prophesy, he said with a sigh

"What if we keep him, it's not a bad thing, you said it yourself , he is a good boy, she said with a pleading gaze, and Philip stared at her,

"Anne no, all you said have come to pass, what if not sending him makes him become the tyrant duke, will you take responsibility for it?, he asked her and she sat quiet, unable to tell him the truth, that she lied, everything had been a lie, so she kept quiet in agony..

"You are right!, she said to him, I was just sad to see my son go, she said and smiled weakly, it was the same fake smile her friend taught her, a friend she heard was dead leaving a little girl behind, she was suddenly tired relaxed on her husband's shoulder..

"It's okay dear, we have to be strong, he said and she nodded...

Three days later....

"Mama please I don't want to leave you, I don't want to leave papa, and my sister, please, Francis begged again, it was on the evening of his birthday that he was called by his parents to their bed chamber, he always wondered why his parents were so hard on him, in training him, and teaching him things when he was little, when his mates were playing and swimming....

When they told him about a castle where he must go, he was sad and refused to go, but his parents persuaded him, promising him to send Theodore with him, and that he will be comfortable, but Francis was so sad, he couldn't eat, after he was dismissed he went to his bed chamber and slept, not having appetite to eat or do anything else,

The next day Philip asked for Theodore to go with Francis, seeking permission from Andrew and his wife, who agreed, as the boys were inseparable..., although they look different, Theo had a red hair, and a gray eyes, he was a very handsome boy, and Francis was blond just like his mothers very golden hair, with green eyes, very deep, they did everything together, so although sad Andrew and his wife agreed, for they knew they would be miserable without each other.....

Now three days later, Francis pleaded one last time as the horses was ready, and although lady Anne didn't cry, her face was blank, and she was crying an ocean inside her, she took him by the shoulders...

"When you are older, you will understand why I did what I did, I love you son, I will always come to visit you, she said and hugged him, Philip couldn't bear to look at him, he didn't like saying good bye he was really sad about this, the whole village watched as Francis begged in tears.

"Francis! he turned and saw Naya running towards him, her hair flying about her lovely face, and he wanted to run to her, but his mothers hand stopped him,

"You have to be strong my son, she said trying not to cry, I believe in you!, you can do this Francis, she said, and he stopped crying, he glanced at his sister as she hugged him, crying...,

"I will visit you, I want to go with you Francis. please let me come, she begged before her mother signalled one of the ladies to take her inside, she cried kicking her legs wailing as she was dragged in, Theodore watched every thing in silence, his father told him his duties as a right hand man, you never let your emotions out, and right now he wanted to run to Naya and console her, but he held back, he had no time for that, he was now to serve his bestfriend in the world, and he will do right by him..

"Francis, we have to leave now, he said to him, holding his shoulder, and Francis turned to him and nodded, they entered the coach, and the servants mounted their horses, Tessy was amongst them, and she took one last look at lady Anne and bowed...

she didn't want to leave the duchess, but she had to, she was sent on a mission, and by God she will see to it!, she thought as she kicked the horse into movement, and it galloped to join the others...

Lady Anne watched them leave and her heart broke into pieces...