Disclaimer: This is the sequel to Valois Imperii Pacis. That being said at this point some characters are mine except for the characters that do belong to the CW's Reign. I have no right to their characters. I have also clearly taken historical liberties throughout. Thank you.
Chapter 1
-The Tower of London July, 1580-
"James will you quit your pacing everything is going to be fine," Isabella said to her husband. The death of his parents was a tragic and sudden event that left the country shook. Isabella and her husband had never found a deep love as his parents had but they had a unique friendship only a wife and husband raised together could share. She knew him like the back of her hand.
"I know, I just can't help it. This feels wrong," he sighed walking over to the window.
"What does?" Isabella asked.
"Being coronated in London, being coronated at all. This should be years in the futureā¦."he held back tears.
"James, honey it was God's will. The accident was horrible and your parents will be missed, but they raised you- well both of us actually- for just this moment. You were born to be emperor and you will be incredible. I will be here to support you as I always have been," she walked over to her husband and kissed his cheek."As for doing it in England, well you have been Prince of France all your life, you need to show the rest of the Empire you care for them as well."
"You are right my Empress, as usual. Are you ready for this?" he asked holding his arm up for her. He wore a blue uniform with gold accents, she wore a matching ball gown. He admired his wife, he couldn't have picked a better partner for himself. She was brilliant, funny, strong,regal, and beautiful. He never knew why he didn't feel more for her, but he was glad to have her by his side.
"To rule over half of Europe? I don't think anyone could ever be prepared for that," she laughed, "I just hope I don't trip and embarrass us on a world stage."
"You could never embarrass us darling, we both know it would be me who will do that," he smiled. Isabella looked at her charming husband and remembered how they used to bicker. The two were engaged since birth practically and they fought even in the nursery. When they were about ten it finally escalated too far and they ended up boxing right as the late Queen Mary was coming to introduce Cardinal Espinosa to the young couple. After they made an agreement, they may never love each other the way everyone wanted them to but fighting each other was only going to hurt them. They vowed to be each others partners and the rest was history. Now they were about to make history. She grabbed his arm and they headed to parade through London to be crowned Emperor and Empress of the Imperii Pacis. They decided to drop the Valois as is felt as overkill.
The coronation and the party afterwards were extravagant and lasted until early morning. A fact that did not stop James from being awoken as soon as the sun came up to begin with business. They had much to decide and settle. He and Isabella had years to discuss where they would live and while they both loved France, it made more sense to reside in London. It was the central kingdom and had the most access to all their citizens and allies. They would do progresses to each of the other kingdoms on opposite years and include parts of England in each one.
That night James asked Isabella to come to his chambers in their new palace, something that didn't happen often as their relationship was usually one without intimacy, but tonight he wanted to celebrate with his wife and hopefully finally produce their heir. When she arrived she was surprised to see the room lit with candles, she was sure he had some business to discuss or wanted to play cards. She was happy with the surprise though. James walked over to the open bottle of champagne and poured them each a glass, "Wow, you are stunning, I thought we should celebrate tonight together. It's been too long since I have shared my bed with my beautiful wife and what better night, than that as our first as Emperor and Empress."
"I am surprised husband," she smiled.
"Why is that?" he asked handing her glass to her.
"You aren't usually the romantic type," she said taking a drink.
"I know, you and I do not have a very affectionate relationship, but I do still love you in my own way and you in yours. I want to show you that more often. We will never be my parents and we will always be friends, but I vow as your Emperor and husband you will always know you are loved. I know I can take lovers and you cannot which is unfair, but I don't ever want you to be lonely." James explained wrapping an arm around her waist, hoping he wasn't making an ass of himself. Isabella just leaned up to kiss him and they spent the night in passion they had never felt in their marriage before. Neither knew if it would last but they enjoyed it for the moment.
In a completely different side of the castle four women sit crying and drinking, mourning their life long friend and Queen. What would the world look like for Mary's closests friends under the rule of James I?
