She blinked her eyes open slowly, as she watched the sun rays pour into her bedchamber, lighting the room in warm golden tones. Mary cautiously scanned the room, sitting up to admire the luxurious size of it and the lavish decorations hanging off the wall. She appreciated the beauty of it, but couldn't shake the feeling of the unfamiliarity of it all.
Her mind wandered back to the day before, when she first stepped foot into the French Court, a place she would now call home. She was warmly welcomed by the French (something she hoped was genuine), her ladies by her side and the appreciating stare from Francis and the other Royals followed her, but the tense feeling wouldn't go away.
She knew how much first impressions mattered, her whole life had been in preparation for this time and as she gazed towards the impressive marble door, the entry to her chamber, she felt trapped. Paranoia and suspicions were swirling round her mind; she had a lot to get used to before she was ready to call this place home.
Mary pulled the silky cotton sheets off her, wrapping a sheer white dress robe around her tiny frame, shivering slightly, already feeling the crisp Autumn morning air encasing her. She padded over to the window that overlooked the castle's gardens and the green rolling hills behind them, France.
"It's certainly a beautiful sight," Mary said quietly to herself, cringing as the sun shone in her direction, "I wonder if I shall ever find time to explore the gardens, a walk may help calm my nerves slightly…" tapping the window slightly as if to free her.
A gentle knock at the door startled her, she spun round, embarrassed to be spotted talking to herself. Two brunette maids smiled to her kindly whilst holding some linen and sweet-smelling glass jars in their hands.
"Good morning Your Grace, we thought we heard you awaken, and wondered if you would like to bathe now..?" Both gave her a questioning look, a little taken back by the Young Queen's surprised expression at them.
Mary recovered herself quickly, she would have to get used to this type of treatment. She was a Queen, and these were typical routines a Royal would be accustomed to. She sniffed the air appreciating, and focused on the jar in the maid's hand that seemed to be full of lavender, her favorite scent.
"Yes, thank you… a bath would be lovely" She said brightly walking over to the privacy of the corner of the chamber, where the bathtub stood, the warm water already turning a calming shade of lilac. As she relaxed, trying to ignore the uncomfortable twinge that she felt from the maids washing her body, she gathered her thoughts into adapting to her new life. New customs and traditions were waiting for her, and she had no option but to agree and embrace them. Scotland depended on her corporation to this alliance, and her behavior was of the utmost importance. She closed her eyes, breathing in the heavenly lavender scent.
"Your Grace," Mary felt a tap on her shoulder, she was now sitting at her window-seat, once again gazing out towards the open wilderness of the countryside below her, draping her white bath robe tighter around her body, and she turned to see her maids holding up two gowns.
One, a beautiful copper colored long-sleeved dress, embroidered with light brown and orange material draping gracefully at the waistline. She noticed the small delicate Autumn Leaves threaded through the sleeves, and smiled at the exquisite and unique design of it. The other dress was a striking aqua blue color; it was a more modern cut than the other gown , with white lace showing seductively at the dangerously low neckline, but the beautiful array of emerald and sapphire shades that were shining on the lower half of the dress caught Mary's attention, and made her picture the turquoise beauty of The Sea, a place she wished she could visit, but had only had the chance to see in paintings much to her dismay. Her eyes flicked between the two dresses, trying to make her mind up on which to wear. She couldn't help feeling slightly vain at the choices, in Scotland she wouldn't have ever put this much effort or thought into her appearance but she knew that now, how she presented herself would very important to her survival here.
"Hm, I think I shall choose-"Mary started, still feeling anxious about making the right decision, when the sound of her door opening, stopping her mid-sentence.
"Oh, Kenna! Greer! Lola..and Ayelee, Good Morning."
She smiled, hurrying over to her ladies-in-waiting, happy to have been interrupted momentarily and to see familiar faces. Already, in such a short amount of time of waking, she felt slightly overwhelmed.
Perhaps her ladies could help her come to a more settled decision when it came to her appearance; she had forgotten that she was not alone in that department.
Kenna grinned at her Queen, her eyes bright, as she gazed around Mary's Chamber in admiration and envy.
The Ladies were extremely precious to Mary. They would give her friendship, loyalty and company whilst she was in France. They were all from her home, Scotland, and though she missed her country already, she felt better knowing her friends were by her side, also sharing in the discomfort of a new, though exciting, beginning.
All were very different, Kenna being the most opinionated, but spirited one, she was surely the one to stand close to at Balls or Social Gatherings, at the cost of never getting tired of her company. Lola, held a strong maternal instinct. She was the lady that would certainly 'Mother' all the ladies, and was undoubtedly the one with the most sound and fair advice. Mary knew she would come to Lola if she ever needed help with judgement of a person, as Lola tended to be fairly quiet - but extremely perspective in nature. Greer was the only lady without a Title, making her the most charismatic and charming Lady. She was constantly on the lookout for suitable men, and Mary knew she would be very focused on that desire, now she was in the French Court, and options would seem to be fairly endless. She was a bubbly and romantic girl though, and tended to know exactly the right thing to say at the right time. Ayelee, was the youngest of the Ladies, and the most shy. She adored her Queen, and was still in slight awe of her, and her power. Ayelee had very clear eye to detail, and would be invaluable when it came to choosing aesthetics and outfits for the Ladies and Mary. Ayelee felt rather lost now in the French Court, the familiarity of Scotland now gone, but knew her duty was to help her Queen feel settled, and she hoped in the process she would come to that feeling of contentment as well.
"My Goodness, Mary," Kenna gasped, focusing her eyes on the dresses in amazement, "have you decided upon which dress you will wear today? You must choose wisely, from what I've heard, there seems to be a lunch banquet being held, sort of a bonding introduction between the Royals I assume… you need to look your absolute best. " she exclaimed confidently striding over to the Copper-colored dress, fingering the detailed embroidery in the sleeves.
Greer nodded in agreement, swishing her golden hair behind her,
"It is of the utmost importance Mary that you make a good impression, yesterday didn't really count you know, today and all the tomorrows after that is your real chance to settle your place."
Mary inwardly cringed at that remark, remembering the events of the day before, and how both she and Francis had seemed rather awkward at the greeting. The smiles felt a little too forced, it was all very formal in manner and the eyes surrounding them had made her feel vulnerable in the public . It hadn't gone badly, but Mary knew she must shake off any timidness and shyness, and continue reminding herself that this was the man she was to marry, and to make a solid foundation with him in order to keep a happy alliance between the two countries, and themselves.
"Well, I was just deciding upon which dress when you all walked in actually, though I hadn't come to a decision just yet." Mary turned to Ayelee, who was staring at the dresses in front of her agape, and smiled kindly. "Ayelee, I would like your opinion on which I should choose for the day? I value your input on matters such as these greatly."
"Uh - I would choose the blue dress Mary," Ayelee started off nervously but soon feeling confident in her words, "The blues and greens in the dress would look beautiful in contrast to your skin, and though the air is cool, the lacing underneath, should keep your warm." She smiled at Mary shyly, but happy with the compliment, and that Mary trusted her when it came to her presentation.
"Well," clipped Mary, "I think that is a lovely fit, though I do hope you are correct about me being warm, Ayelee," winking at her Lady in good nature and nodding at the maids to take their leave.
As all five girls sat around the grand mirror at the end of the chamber, mixing different colored leaf gums with water, creating a delicate paste to pat on their lips turning them pretty shades of ruby reds and baby pinks, their hair being twisted and twirled and decorated with pearl pins, soft black kohl pencils lining and defining their eyes and powdering their delicate peach and rose complexions giving the appearance of their already flawless skin, the girls stood confident, ready to go face the people and the Royals of the French Court, to show off a Scottish elegance and demeanor, to be proud of the way they presented themselves in good grace and high esteem.
Mary looked round at her ladies, content. She smiled at her appearance in the mirror, and for what would be the first time, she no longer looked like a scared young girl, she looked like the confident and beautiful Monarch she had always hoped she would eventually become.
"Perhaps," Mary thought to herself, turning to see every angle of her dress, delighted to see it hugging some of her slight feminine curves, "I may become the Queen I need to be, sooner than I originally thought."