Reluctance

by Wendymypooh

Francis ponders on his engagement to Mary Stuart and what is expected of him as the heir apparent to the France throne. Told in Francis's P.O.V. This is a one shot.

Word of Mary Stuart's imminent arrival filled me with dread. Not of Mary herself, but what her appearance at French Court meant for me. I wasn't ready to marry anyone, let alone a girl I hadn't seen since I was six years old.

I liked Mary well enough. She and I had had many grand adventures together when we were younger. Having her as a playmate during her time at the castle was among the happiest days of my life. Even though I cherish those childhood memories with Mary, it didn't lesson my reluctance about seeing her again.

I didn't want to be married. I didn't want what limited freedom I possessed to be further curtailed. I wanted my life to go on as it always has, but I knew what i wanted didn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

Over the course of the past couple of days, Father had made it a point to remind me how important the treaty with Scotland was to France. He wanted Scotland, and Scotland he would have regardless of my own personal feelings.

I wish I had more say in how my life was to play out, but I don't. It is my duty as heir apparent to the throne to make certain France's tenuous alliance with Scotland was secure. If the only way to do that was to marry Mary, then I would marry her.