Happy soma week everybody! This is a story that is based on the series "Reign". I hope you all will enjoy this fic of mine!

A Queen Meant To Reign

Fairytale

Queen Kathrine Evans footsteps echoed in the stone corridor in the secret part of the dungeon only a selected few knew about. The torch lit up the track as she confidently wandered toward the end of the corridor. She came to a stop in front of a particular wooden door with a faint light from a candle lit up the room through the small prison window. Without a knock, she opened the door and entered. The figure within the room turned toward her.

"This better be alarming news for disturbing a queen from her beauty sleep," Queen Kathrine muttered as she held the torch in her hand.

"Believe me, your majesty; I would've never summoned you if this wasn't of upmost importance." Eibon, the queen's personal seer spoke as he bowed toward the queen.

"What is it this time? The plague? The Englishmen going to war against us? Or is it your personal favourite: first-borns dying from unknown illness?"

"Far greater danger to the French court than that and it is personal to you." Eibon clasped his hands behind his back and straightened his back. He exhaled loudly. "This is not easy to inform you about."

"Out with it before you try my patience," Queen Kathrine hissed.

Eibon paused. "I saw a glimpse of your first-born son's future."

"Soul?" Queen Kathrine asked. "What about him?"

"It's…"

"Out with it!" Queen Kathrine raised her voice sternly.

"I saw your son's future: his engagement to the Queen of Scotland. She will cause his death."

Queen Kathrine's eyes widened as she pursed her lips. "Specify."

"Their union. If they are wed, it will cause his death."

A heavy silence lay between them. Queen Kathrine pulled at her silk robe. "Very well. That means I have a queen to take care of." She spun on her heel and headed back in the stone corridor to retire for the night.

…

Queen Maka Albarn of Scotland sighed heavily as she gazed at the green mountains and the blue sky. The carriage rocked gently side to side and the horses' steps soothed her racing heart. She inhaled a breath of courage as she placed her palm on her chest, trying to sooth her galloping heart.

It had all gone so quickly. She had awakened in the convent like usual, eaten her breakfast and before her chores had begun, she had escaped with her bow and shot a few arrows. Something to freshening her mind before she had to return and milk the goat. It seemed like it would be a normal day, except at lunch, at the far end of the table sister Marie had been staring at her. She had waited for her to say something— anything but she never did. Maka waited for her to speak, but she didn't. A gasp had left her lips when suddenly blood dripped from her lip and Marie coughed blood. Soon chaos was unleashed. The children catapulted from the table, screaming in horror when Marie collapsed in her food, blood gushing from every orifice in her body. Before she knew it, the plate was ripped away from her her and she was pulled away inside of the convent.

When she woke up that day, she sure didn't think she would be returning to French court to marry her fiancé. That was what was agreed. When she was six, she was already engaged to the heir of the throne in France and to show their alliance, she was to live at French court. The King and Queen of France took her under their wing, cared for her as if she was their own and once the threats on her life came from the English, they protected her. When she was thirteen they sent her away to a French convent to hide her, keep her safe to the day she became of age and could wed. She had already become of age, but still she had been hidden in the convent. It simply was not the time for their wedding quite yet. Only now when the Englishmen had found her and her life was threatened, she had to return to French court.

She exhaled loudly as she rested her head against the wall of the carriage.

She was so nervous. Incredibly jittery. It had been years since he was at court. Years since she last saw her fiancé. Not to forget how they parted. Her fingers touched her lips before grabbing her hand, yanking it away from her mouth. She couldn't think about it. She would get her answers in the near future. She bit her lower lip.

But she wanted to think about it. Her stay in the convent had given her a lot of time to think about her fiancé left at French court. More time than she wanted.

As more time went by, the mountains grew more distance and were replaced with trees, meadows and then cute small houses and before she knew it, the French court came into her view. The prideful trumpets announced her arrival and her heart kept on beating more rapidly. The carriage came to a stop and her fingers tingled with nervousness. The carriage door opened and she stepped out of the carriage.

Armed guards stood with trumpets high in the air with the French flag swaying in the wind. A red carpet was lain out for her and the King and Queen of France were waiting for her by the castle. Beside the king stood his bastard son, Wes, who he had gotten from a mistress. He sure looked taller and broader and his blonde hair was neatly combed as always.

Her breath was stolen when a man rounded the royal couple. He surely didn't look like the boy she left behind. Prince Soul Evans… he was taller than her for once. Broad shoulder, longer white hair messily ruffled and his chubby face was now sharp. He was… he had truly grown up and become a man.

A smile spread on her face when he came to a stop in front of her.

"Your grace," he bowed toward her. "It's a long time."

Even his voice was different. His voice was now smoother and deeper, but still very familiar. Still fitting of him.

She bowed with her head. "Please, it's only Maka. Formalities aren't needed."

A smirk grew on his face, a smile she knew all too well. "Of course, Maka." He cleared his throat. "Your Ladies In Waiting arrived here a couple of hours before you. I'm sure they are on their way here immediately to greet their queen. If you want, I can take you to their quarters." He offered her his arm.

"I would like that." She grabbed his arm and Soul escorted her toward his family.

"Queen Maka, welcome back to court." King Alistair greeted her with a respectful bow.

"It feels good being back, your majesty." Maka politely greeted him back. "And you too, Queen Kathrine." She bowed gracefully toward the queen, but to her surprise, Kathrine didn't welcome her as warmly as she thought. Eyes cold and no smile, face not showing a shred of emotion.

"It seemed like it was only yesterday you left, Queen of Scots." Wes smirked and bowed with grace. "However, for my brother I fear it was a lot longer."

"Wes," Soul cleared his throat. "She has journeyed far. I think the queen is tired and would rather be shown to her quarters where she can get comfortable and meet her ladies."

"Yes I have and if you do not mind, it would be a pleasure if I could retire to my quarters where I could get settled in."

"Not at all. Politics can wait till tomorrow. My servants will show you to your quarters." King Alistair informed.

"Thank you, your grace." Maka excused herself, feeling Soul's gaze on her.

She followed the servants who showed her to her quarters. It wasn't her old rooms she had stayed in when she was younger. It was a far grander bed chamber decorated for a queen, not a child. A smile spread on her face as she went up to the large bed with silk sheets and a dozen of pillows neatly decorating the bed. It was years since she had slept in such a fine bed. She had grown accustomed to sleeping in her single bed with linen sheets. Sleeping in a bed like this again was very welcomed and somewhat foreign.

There was a knock on the door and a maid stepped inside, curtsying. "Your majesty, your Ladies In Waiting."

Joy incited in her stomach when her three dearest friends entered her bed chamber. Liz Thompson, Patty Thompson and Tsubaki Nakatsukasa curtseyed before her as they lowered their heads respectfully. "Majesty," they all said.

"We all know formalities aren't needed. We are friends." She opened up her arms. "I've missed you so much!"

"We too!" Tsubaki embraced Maka. "Scotland wasn't the same without our queen."

"It was colder than usual!" Patty wailed as she hugged her.

"And not to forget everything was rather grey without you to brighten our day," Liz spoke as she hugged Maka from the side.

"We got to catch up! I want to know everything that has gone one in Scotland," Maka cheered.

…

Chatting with her friends was a delight. Catching up on everything that had been going on in Scotland during her isolation in the convent was exactly what she needed. To her fear, the English was pressing them more than before. They were pushing their boundaries and Scotland needed help from their allies. It only confirmed she needed to marry Soul and retrieve help for Scotland. But for one evening, she wasn't going to worry about it. She had a years old promise she needed to keep.

After her ladies had retired to their own chambers, it was time for her to leave her own quarters. Cautiously she wandered the corridors to make sure she wasn't seen by guards or servants. It was hard not to relive memories. As she ascended the stairway, she could remember her and Soul running up the stairs when they were younger or playing hide and seek in the corridors of the castle. There were so many memories.

She reached the door at the top of the stairs which was left slightly ajar. She slipped inside and she was surprised to find toys she had played with when she stayed at the castle still in the room. Toys were littering the floor as if it was only yesterday she had played with them. A soft smile spread on her face as she went deeper within the room to find the door to the bed chamber she had slept in.

She pushed the door open and just like they promised years ago, Soul was present. His head snapped up when she entered the chamber, a huge grin grew on his face as he rose from his seat behind a desk.

"Maka…" he breathed. "I was starting to think you had forgotten."

She shook her head gently. "I was catching up with my ladies. It took longer than I thought."

"I see." He rounded the desk and strolled up to her. "I hope you don't mind I redecorated your old bed chamber."

He did. It was no longer a bed chamber but more of a library with a modest bookcase with a few books and a large desk with papers, quills and ink.

"I am a mere guest in your home. You can do as you please," Maka spoke.

"Still. I hope your new quarters are to your satisfaction," Soul said.

"It is. It is beautiful and far larger. Your family was very kind gifting me with them."

"Only the best for the Queen of Scots." In the heavy silence, she could hear the unspoken words 'and my fiancé' or it might have been wishful thinking.

Soul leaned against his desk and cleared his throat. "I hope the nuns in the convent took care of you."

"They did. They taught me how to milk a goat and archery."

Soul chuckled, much deeper and huskier than when they were younger. His voice was far deeper and smoother than she remembered it, but it wasn't a bad thing. Quite frankly, it was quite enchanting.

"I don't think milking a goat will ever come in handy, but I sincerely hope you will never have to use a bow in defence."

"Maybe not, but the nuns made sure with all the threats in and outside of court, I will at least have a chance to protect myself."

"You're lucky you will never have to. That's what guards are for."

"I disagree," she commented and braced herself. "You as the heir of France have to learn swordplay so you know how to defend yourself both against unexpected foes and defend yourself at the front lines. Women do not have the same privilege to learn how to defend ourselves so how will I defend myself when a foe gets pass our defences and reaches me, then I will have no skill to use to defend myself."

"I didn't mean to offend you. I simply meant I hope you will always be safe and will never face any danger," he paused. "I don't want you to end up hurt."

"Unfortunately, both you and I know that's a fantasy that could end up costing my head," she sighed heavily. "Even in the convent I wasn't safe. My taster was poisoned when she sampled my food. We both know England will stop with their attempts on my life once I'm dead."

"They will never take your life." Maka's head snapped to meet his eyes when his hand gingerly reached out and touched hers. "You're under France's protection. France will protect you― I will protect you."

A loaded silence hung between them as her breath was stolen. His hand more boldly held hers, entwining their fingers together as she stepped closer, which she all welcomed. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest and his face was so close to hers. An approximate that could only consider inappropriate between a man and a woman.

"We are engaged. I will protect you myself as your future-husband and the heir of France," he whispered.

She didn't know what to reply. Even though they had been apart for five years, she recognized that glimpse in his eyes she witnessed on the morning of her departure in court. The glimpse she had thought about when she went to bed and during her chores. The glimpse she thought so much about, and hoped would still be there when she returned.

"The day when I left…" she began.

"I have to apologize," he murmured as he cupped her cheek delicately with his free hand. "I was very frustrated with your departure and I was confused about my feelings. I shouldn't have kissed you."

That day had haunted her in more ways than one. Her own feelings had been scattered and when his lips touched her own, she had been shocked and the moment she had welcomed the warm sensation of his chapped lips, he pulled away, bided her goodbye and left in a hurry.

The kiss had confused her so when she was at the convent. She wanted it. She wanted the sensation again and she wanted to kiss him again. Not just that. She wanted it to be him. Soul had been one of her closest friends at court. He was the one she could trust and rely on. She knew if there was ever anything she needed, Soul could help her. He was the one who always was willing to stand beside her and she had grown fond of him. For the man who she was engaged to.

"Are you of clear mind now?" she asked.

He nodded slowly. "I am."

"What does your heart say?"

"It says… I want to kiss you again. But not until I know you want it."

A smile spread on her face and she rested her forehead against his, their noses gently touching. "I was also puzzled from the sudden kiss, but I am too sure and… it's something I want to share with you too."

His eyes widened slightly. "You want it? You want to kiss me?"

"I do."

Her eyes fluttered shut and his lips met hers. It was far more different than her one and only kiss. It had been a shock, but now, this one she welcomed and was not ambushed on her. Her body heated and her stomach was filled with butterflies. Their lips slanted against each other's and he pulled at her face, clinging onto her as if their lives were depended on it.

This was better than their first.

She pulled away and panted, having lost her breath. He chuckled and caressed her cheek.

"That was a marvellous kiss," he murmured, his lips feathering over hers.

"It was." Her hand settled on his shoulder. "Far better than I imagined it would be."

The prideful smirk appeared once again. "You have thought about this?"

"I have. Haven't you?"

"Of course." His hand ran through her blonde locks. "I have thought about you a lot in your absence. I regret not telling you when you left for the convent."

"You can tell me now."

"I like you," he murmured gently. "More than I ever thought I could like someone I didn't choose to be my future bride. You are really special to me and I am grateful you are the one I'm engaged to."

She smiled wide, feeling the sincerity in his words and the mutual feeling within her own heart. "I agree. The time in the convent I had a lot of time to think about you and I realized I have grown feelings for you too."

He bestowed her with a gentle kiss. "You are the woman I want. Not because we are engaged or because of the alliance between France and Scotland. But because I hold you dearly."

"Are you saying you are committed to me and only me?"

His smirk only grew as he pulled away from her. "I haven't only been committed to you from now on. I have always been committed to you from the moment of your voyage to the convent." He rounded his desk and pulled out a drawer, retrieving a bundle of letters. "Since your location was of the upmost secrecy and no letter could be sent to you, I decided to still write to you so when you finally returned to court, you could read them."

"That's very thoughtful of you," she said as she accepted the bundle of letters. "I will read them very carefully."

"I hope you do and once you are finished, please either hide them well or destroy them. There is information that is only to be shared with you." Her hand lay above her own on the letters. "Please, take good care of them."

"I will." They shared a quick kiss before Maka returned to her quarters.