"Mary? Mary are you listening to me?" I hear Mother's stern voice through the fog of my thoughts.
"Yes Mother I am listening." I say in the respectful way a queen must always use. Or so I've been told.
"Look at me while I speak to you Mary." I raise my head and look Mother in the eye.
"Yes Mother."
"As I was saying Mary. Our country needs help. It is not strong enough on its own. Since you are the queen is it up to you to put the needs of your country before anything else. Because you are still so young I have taken it upon myself to make a decision for you. The King of France and I have been in contact for these last few months and have finally come to a deal. When you are older and the timing right, you will wed Francis, the heir to the throne of France. It is the best thing you can do for your country. Do you understand Mary?"
"Yes Mother, I understand." And I do understand, even though I am only six. The whole affair makes quite a bit of sense but my only worry is the age of this Prince Francis.
"Mother?" I say quietly. She sighs as though dealing with me is quite inconvenient and it makes me sad. What I would give to have a mother who was warm and loving instead of cold and distant.
"How old is the heir of France?" I wait, worried that I will be given the answer that I fear most, that he is already a grown man while I am still a child.
"You are quite lucky Mary. Francis is less than a year older than you. Not many queens have such luck. Just keep in mind that royals do not have love matches. Marriage is just politics. Do you understand that Mary?"
"Yes Mother, I understand." I say once again. I swear that it is the only thing I ever say to her.
"Good. You will leave tomorrow for the French court, the maids are already packing your things." My heart sinks at the realization that my own Mother is sending me away. She's sending me to a place I know nothing about, away from the country I love. I know it is futile to argue so I stay quite.
"You may bring your four ladies in waiting; Lola, Greer, Kenna, and Aylee with you. For now, head to bed. I shall see you off on the ship tomorrow morning. Until then, goodnight Mary."
"Goodnight Mother." I then turn and make my way to my bedchamber with hundreds of thoughts running through my head.