Chapter 1

Arrival to French Court

JAYNÉ

APRIL 1558

I absolutely abhorred sitting in these stuffy carriages, I began feeling as if I could smell the air itself because of it. Of course, I could make an exception for this matter as I was finally going to see my sister, well, half sister I suppose, Mary Queen of Scots. Only a couple of weeks ago she suggested I serve as one of her Ladies in waiting, although I didn't really see the point myself, I agreed to leave Scotland and travel to France to meet her, perhaps to discuss the matter in more detail or such. My very obstinate aunt sat across from me, lecturing me. l resented the abominable stuffy space I was in, and now my aunt was lecturing me, saying the same things over and over again.

See, I was the illegitimate daughter of James V and Rosa de Castillé. My mother was of Spanish origins and was a former lady in waiting of Mary I, of course she was released from her duties sometime after I was born, leaving her a woman with any title you would give her, almost an assumed title: whore, slut, ungrateful bitch and the list can go on. I would prefer not to call my mother a bitch, no matter how evil and cold blooded she may be.

"Jayné, I think you'd better tidy your hair up. I doubt you would want to meet your sister looking like this," I heard my aunt point out. "I mean, half sister."

I glared irritably at her. "Why don't you tidy my hair up? You have told me I am completely useless at completing such tasks, remember?"

"Oh, don't be bitter. I've warned Mary that you've changed," My aunt told me, letting out a sigh only moments later. "Sit beside me, I will try to fix you up."

I obeyed and sat beside her. I felt her grasp my hair while she began brushing the top of my scalp with a hair brush, the brush began making its way down my hair as my aunt held my hair. She gathered my hair together before coiling it on top of my head, leaving only a few strands of my curls hanging over my face. Finishing off, she put a small hair piece underneath the bun.

Before another word could escape my mouth, the carriage stopped dead in its track. The door opened, revealing a huge stone structure in front of us: French court. My aunt stepped out of carriage first, taking the guard's hand which he had offered. I, on the other hand, completely ignored the delightful gesture and lifted my dress up, stepping out of the carriage. I looked around slowly, I caught a glimpse of a woman walking out of the castle and into the courtyard. At first, I didn't know who it was, but making out from the details, I realized that it was Mary, my sister!

I grabbed my dress and lifted it up, running to my sister. I felt her arm wrap around me as we fell into a warm embrace. I let go before we both began laughing, "I've missed you, sister." I told her, euphoria fillings my voice.

"And I you. It has been years since I last saw you, hasn't it?" Mary inquired.

"It has been almost six years, six years growing up without my sister," I told her, deeply upset over the fact that I hadn't seen my oldest sister in years, growing up without a good example. "And now my sister is a queen, I cannot justify how proud I am."

"It doesn't change the fact that I love you, nothing ever will. I love my little sister, and being a queen will not change that." Mary assured me, I let out a small laugh knowing that fact before her word.

"Well, I do hope so. Shall we go inside?" I asked, changing the whole topic. I realized Mary was looking at something behind me, gesturing for me to look. Already knowing what was happening, I sighed before turning around. Of course, my aunt was speaking to one of the guards, getting a little too close to him – I assume being a whore runs in the family.

Mary and I entered the castle, I immediately noticed two men standing together – one was blonde and the other had dark hair, I was unable to identify whether it was black or brunette. Mary clapped her hands before speaking up, "and there is my husband and the future king, Francis."

"So, who's the other one?" I asked, looking at her.

Mary looked back at me before she spoke quietly, "Sebastian, the bastard of France. He is very charming, and I think you're going to like him."

"Because we're both illegitimate?" I teased Mary. I could see she was becoming a little uneasy at my remark. "I'm only joking, don't worry."

Mary nodded in before we began walking towards them. I was quite hesitant to speak to them, but since I was going to stay here, I had to get used to this. As a matter a fact, I wasn't used to meeting new people. My mother didn't really bother to ever introduce me to others, leaving me to introduce myself. Of course, who would be interested in the king's bastard daughter?

"Ah, this is your dear sister. I see what you meant by beautiful," I heard Francis say, I turned to look at him. I was as dazed as I could get, still in confusion about what he had said. "And very out of it, I suppose."

"Out of it?" I asked. "Well, I suppose I am. I am just really tired, I haven't slept in almost two days."

"Two days? Wow, that is quite a ride," Sebastian began, or that's what I thought his name is. "Oh, I'm Sebastian, the king's bastard."

"Well, at least we have one thing in common. I'm Jayné, also the king's bastard." I smiled. His exquisite blue eyes glistening in the light that spilled into the room.

Mary led my to my chambers after a quite long introduction. The room was in the east wing, and I had a perfect view of the gardens and I adored it. After the maids had unpacked my things, I dismissed them to have some alone time. Being as exhausted as I was, I flopped on the bed and closed my eyes, hoping for some much required sleep.

I heard someone call my name, although it was distant, I could hear that it was my name. I began opening my eyes slowly, soon adjusting to the light in my room. My name was called again as the person nudged me, I sat up and began scratching my head whilst I yawned. I turned to look at the side of my bed to see my friend, one of my favorite friends!

"Kate, what are you doing here?" I asked, getting off my bed. "Not that I'm not glad. It's just… How?"

"Well, we thought it be best to keep it a secret. After your carriage left, my carriage left only a few hours behind." Kate told me. I picked my dress up off the ground and ran to hug her.

Kate was honestly a very desirable woman, with her green eyes that beamed in the light, her light, wavy brunette hair that went past her chest, her full lips and heart shaped face, consisting of her rosy cheeks. I had known many men who wanted Kate, not only in bed, but in marriage. However, she didn't let herself down and didn't fall for the first man at her very feet.

"Did Mary see you arrive?" I asked. The both of us sat down on the edge of the bed before Kate spoke.

"Yes. As a matter a fact, we had tea. She told me that you didn't come out of your room since you arrived, and assumed that you were asleep. But, that wasn't going to stop me from seeing my friend." Kate smiled, showing her perfectly straight teeth. Oh, how many girls envied the girl.

"Right, I was asleep." I told her, still sounding very out of it.

"Either way, we have to get ready for the feast."

"Feast?"

"Yes, Catherine is throwing a party. But, it isn't a welcoming parting for you, or at least I don't think it is." Kate told me, beginning to sound quite unsure about her statement.

I clapped my hand loudly before I stood up, "well, we better get ready." I told her. A few maids walked in, one of them holding a lavish dress covered in various beads.

I stood in front of the mirror, looking at my dress. I couldn't lie, the dress was gorgeous. The base color was red, covered in black patterns. I saw Kate enter the room, looking as beautiful as ever. It was no secret that I envied my own friend, purely because of her beauty. But, I couldn't become jealous and bitter because of that, that wasn't called friendship.

Kate and I entered the ballroom, where the music was live and many were already enjoying their time. I saw Francis and Mary standing together, drinking their wine and looking around. However, the king and queen were nowhere to be seen. Quite weird it was, enjoying a feast without the two monarchs. Especially since it was Catherine who organized the feast itself.

Kate excused herself after a few minutes, leaving me to wonder about. I drank my wine, still looking around the room. As I put the glass down, Mary walked over to me. "Jayné, why don't you join Francis and I? I noticed Kate has already gone her way." I nodded slowly as the two of us began walking towards Francis.

"Mary, where is Catherine and Henry? I mean, wasn't it Catherine who organized this feast?" I asked as we stopped. Mary looked around the room quickly.

"They're always having problems. I suppose they need to sort some things out. Either way, it is very quiet without her constant hissing, so why don't we enjoy that?" Mary smiled, picking up a wine glass off the table and handing it over to me.

I took the glass before speaking, "I suppose so. How are things between you and Francis? Is he as amazing as you make him out to be?" I asked with a slight smile. "Or are all the rumors about him being sick and weakly true?"

"Well, you've seen him. He can walk and talk, and also is quite a charmer. I think that's the answer you were looking for." Mary told me smugly. Speaking of, Francis walked to Mary and I to join out conversation.

"It is a nice evening, isn't it ladies?" Francis asked us. His smile melted my heart, I cannot undermine Mary's luck with men, honestly.

"Yes, very. Even better without your mother constantly hissing in my ear, she is going to ruin Jayné." Mary complained. I saw her roll her eyes in disgust in Catherine's mention.

"I wish I could say the same about my mother, but she is my mother. Anyway, Jayné," he began, looking at me. "How is French court so far?"

"Better than most castles I've been to. Honestly, I cannot even imagine how bad Catherine may be. I don't mean to be rude, but is she that bad?" I asked. My curiosity began getting to the best of me.

"It depends who she is speaking to, I suppose. Either way, I don't think she will bother you much at all." Francis told me. I smiled at his answer before speaking up.

"Makes sense," I began. Before I could speak, I could a glimpse of someone entering the room – Catherine and Henry. "Speaking of, isn't that the king and queen?"

"Ahh. The star couple of the evening arrived." Mary said sarcastically. I rolled my eyes as Catherine made her way to us, Francis cleared his throat before walking over to Henry.

"Mary, is this your sister?" Catherine asked with bane in her voice, her smile didn't end as she spoke to us.

"Yes, Catherine. This is Jayné Millicent Navarre." Mary smiled, looking at the both of us.

I saw Catherine look me up and down as she smiled, "well, she does have your fashion sense. I don't suppose you're like Mary, are you?"

"I don't suppose I am. I am my own person, not a copy of another person." I informed her. I wasn't going to back down, my voice was filled with venom and a fire had lit up in my eyes.

"Oh, she had your personality. We're all going to have a lot of fun, aren't we?" Catherine exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

After the feast ended, I retired to my chambers. I cannot lie, I came to understand what Mary had meant about Catherine, she was a very spiteful woman but managed to hide it under a very warm, but deadly, smile. Unfortunately, I didn't really see Sebastian at the feast, I came to really liking him but I could even have one conversation with the man.

As the morning light spilled into my room, I began opening my eyes, slowly adjusting to the light. As I sat up and stretched the sleepiness out of me, I saw Kate sitting by the fire, which must've replenished overnight. She turned around and smiled, "you're awake, sleepyhead. How did you sleep?"

"Quite well, actually. What are you doing here?" I asked, sounding quite confused.

"Well, your mother is arriving to France. I just wanted to help you get ready to meet her." She smiled. I groaned out of frustration before I flopped back on my pillow.

After my complaining was finished, Kate helped me get dressed and ready to meet my mother. Although I wasn't the cheerful to meet her, I still had to make an effort. Kate had informed me about the man she had met last night at the feast, it almost amazed me how fast she could wrap a man around her finger. Oh, Kate, she never failed to amaze me.

Kate and I walked down to the main entrance, with my mind constantly wondering off to its own world. I honestly didn't see the point of meeting with my mother, and although I missed her, I felt it was best to not get attached to her again.

Kate stood next to me as the carriage approached us. I sighed deeply as it stopped dead in its tracks. I saw my mother step out, looking as beautiful as she always did. Her auburn hair was coiled up on top of her head, with a few curly locks hanging down beside her face. She smiled at the guards before she began walking towards me, her devilish smile not fading, "darling, it's a pleasure to see you again. Although, I'm your mother, I have to miss you."

"Yes, I suppose so. So, what bring you here, mother? I doubt it's to see your daughter, whom you haven't see in years." I spat with a venomous voice. I saw her begin to chuckle before she spoke.

"Darling, please. Don't act as if you didn't miss me, because believe me, you miss me. I came to stay at French court." Those words stabbed me in my heart. Stay? The devil who gave birth to me was going to stay at court?

"Stay? Why on earth would you stay? There must be something you need." I asked in disbelief. I honestly hoped that she would have come here for some certain reason so she could leave after.

"I've missed my daughter, sort of. But," my mother put her hands on my arms. "Now you and I can bond, and accustom our relationship."

I sighed deeply before turning around and walking away. No matter who she was to me, my mother managed to ruin my life. She managed to ruin everything with, or anything, she got her hands on. No doubt Catherine was going to hate her.

I sat on my chair, reading a book I had picked out. I occasionally put the book down to fiddle with the loose thread on the silky covers, which was thrown over the chair. Also drinking some wine to calm my worries down. The maids had come in and out, dusting random objects, folding some of my clothes and one of the changed me bed linens.

Getting bored of the book, I threw the book down and stood up. Before I could even do anything, I heard someone knock on my door. Without my consent, Mary entered my room. She dismissed the guards and maids before speaking to me, "I saw your mother arrived. Tell me, why did she arrive French court?"

"Honestly, I do not know. Also, I do not want to know why. I just hope she will leave soon enough, although she told me she was going to stay." I informed Mary. She looked at me, her face filled with confusion and befuddlement,

"Stay? Are you sure? She does realize that Catherine will resent her and will make her life a misery, right?" Mary asked me, quickly throwing random question at me.

"Yes, she does. However, she is Satan herself. Listen, don't worry about my mother. I'm sure she can handle Catherine better than any of us, my mother uses poison on whoever she likes. Believe me, she will be fine." I assure Mary. I heard her sigh before sitting on the ottoman.

"I'm not worried. I invited you so we could reconcile with one another, but your mother," Mary began. She looked around, as if thinking for words. "She is horrible and insane, and she ruins your life. As your sister, I worry about you."

"I'm flattered. But my mother won't get in my way. She is emotionless, deadly and cold hearted. If I tell her to leave me alone, she will. My mother won't crack and begin to cry, she won't even care. Don't worry about me, Mary." I smiled. Mary looked at me before she stood up, I did the same and we both hugged one another.

As we let go, Mary looked at me, "Jayné, I came to ask you something. Francis and I would like to have lunch with you tomorrow, and hope that you would accept. He wants to get to know you better, and you can invite another person if you wish. Except your mother."

"I would love to have lunch with the two of you. I will think about who I shall invite. Thank you for the offer."

After Mary had left, I flopped on my bed and closed my eyes. I just hoped to get some sleep.

Well, this is a short chapter. However, I promise they'll get longer if you enjoy this story. Please read, favorite, follow or review. Even if you don't review or such, I hope this story was enjoyable enough. Till next time. ;)