The last six months have been the happiest of King Francis and Queen Mary's lives. Their daughter, Genevieve had been born and grew into a beautiful baby, with a tuft of hair as dark as her mother's and eyes as blue as her father's. Both parents were wrapped around her little fingers. Presently, Francis picked a crying Genevieve out of her crib.

"Oh Evie, don't cry princess," Francis cooed. "You are a Valois, and we don't cry, right? Mama will be here soon so you can eat, and Papa has a surprise for the both of you."

The baby princess slowly stopped crying while Francis wipes her tears away. When Mary entered the nursery, Genevieve cooed loudly and stretched her arms out toward her mother.

"Hello princess," Mary smiled and took her daughter from Francis's arms. "Did you miss me? I missed you, too. I bet you're hungry, aren't you?"

Mary sat in the rocking chair and pulled out her breast, where Evie happily began to eat. She had chosen not to have a wet nurse, finding nursing beautiful and a wonderful way to bond with her daughter.

"So, I have a surprised for you and Evie," Francis happily said to his wife.

"You do? What is it?"

"I have arranged for us to have the next week off. We leave tomorrow for our estate on the shore."

"Oh, that's wonderful, Francis! Evie will love the sand and water."

"That's what I thought. She's half a year old now, it's high time she left the castle."

"I completely agree. As soon as she is done eating, we shall pack."

"Already done, my love."

…

The next day, the royal family set out to their home for the next week. Genevieve was surprisingly calm in the carriage, sleeping for most of the way. As soon as everything was to their liking, Mary and Francis took their daughter to the shoreline.

"This is so peaceful," Francis said as he laid a blanket on the sand and sat down. "I wish Court was like this."

"I do too," said Mary as she sat down with Genevieve.

The princess crawled to the edge of the blanket and curiously looked at the sand. Slowly, she stuck her hand into it and picked it up, giggling as it fell out of her hands. Soon, she was scooping up handfuls and showing them to her parents, who were smiling fondly at her.

"I can't believe she's growing up so fast," her mother sighed as he picked her up. "Soon enough, she'll be getting engaged and meeting her future husband."

"She isn't getting married," said Francis.

Mary laughed. "Francis."

"She isn't. She'll be a nun."

"If you say so."

Evie giggled in agreement, creating a perfect moment for the family.