Hey guys! This is my first story I've written so far. Nothing much to say except I hope you enjoy the story, and also Reign and all of its characters belong to the CW network!
Mary and Francis were walking away from a newly-carved boat that was docked against the edge of the river bank, as they were walking Mary couldn't help but notice that as they were walking Francis' eyes were strictly following her.
This just made her more and more thankful for Delphine and her healing gifts that bought Francis back after she was so sure he was dead. Thinking about this made her heart fill up with joy and the corners of her mouth began to rise into a smile.
"And what has gotten you so happy, my love?" Francis questioned. The answer she gave him caught him off guard with how love filled it was "I was just thinking about how lucky I am for you to be here, with me."
"I just remembered it's time for your medicine." Mary then pulled out a bottle from her pocket and took out a raisin like herb, "The doctor said you needed to take one pastel every hour for you to get better.
When Francis saw the so-called 'medicine' and gave a roll of his eyes "That is not medicine that's a weed, weeds that the horse have watered". "Now don't be a child, take and I'll reward you with a kiss" Mary said hoping it would sway Francis to take the pill.
"Fine" Francis said in a tone that was similar to one of a defeated child. He then opened his mouth and prepared himself for the worse. Mary gave a small giggle at his childish behaviour and then placed the pastel in his mouth to which he closed his mouth and very unwillingly swallowed it down whole.
"Well done, I know that you don't to like to take the pill but it is helping isn't?" Mary asked in a tender tone. Then in an effort to change the subject from Francis condition she changed her tone into an upbeat and happy one. "Well I guess it's time for your reward now."
"Yes, it is" Francis said as he took his hands and cupped her face in them. He then pulled her face towards his for a slow, but long passionate kiss that would've lasted for much longer if they had not been interrupted.
"Your majesty, I have important news from England for you that couldn't wait for an audience" ambassador Nicolas said as he approached the royal couple "And might I give my condolences for the death of your mother Marie de Guise, I heard she was poisoned by Scottish Protestant who wanted your half-brother James to be regent again.
"Thank you, ambassador, as you are most likely the only Englishmen to express sadness to the death of my mother. But, to answer your previous statement it was concluded that she was poisoned but we have yet to capture the perpetrator" Mary answered in a tone that masked the sadness she felt for the death of her mother.
"Well I didn't come here to discuss your mother's death I came to tell you about an offer my Queen, Elizabeth, has sent for you. "The Queen of England is offering you peace".
Both Mary and Francis stood there frozen "why would Elizabeth be offering peace, I mean there must be something in it for her. There is isn't there." Mary finished her sentence off in a confused state, what does she want from me, was echoing through her mind repeatedly until Nicolas answered her questioned.
"The deal is for you to give up your claim to the English throne and in exchange Elizabeth will withdraw her troops from the boarders ending the Scottish war."
Once all of what Nicolas had said had sunk into Mary's mind she gave a swift reply "This is not something I do in the moment so I will go and think this over and give you my reply at the end of the week." A simple yes was all the English ambassador gave in response and then made an exit to the castle to continue with his over works.
Meanwhile a carriage was slowly making its way towards the castle along the king's road held two noble ladies that were traveling to French court for the upcoming Harvest Festival. Inside the two women, Olivia D'Amencourt and Lady Maria daughter of the duke of Anjou.
"So are you going to be trying to gain the attention of the King again." Maria teased obviously aware of Olivia history at court.
"Actually no, I'm going to find my love Nostradamus we were meant to go to the new world together but he changed his mind last minute saying he had unfinished business" Olivia explained to her, with sadness gripping at her heart.
"Well at least you get a choice, my farther has sent for an envoy to watch over me to make sure I succeed in making myself the king's mistress. But from the rumors I've heard from court is Queen, Queen Mary is so beautiful and bewitching than men fall at her feet. It was said that when the traitor Louis of Conde attempted to take the throne of France by doing a coup, he did if for his love for the Queen" Maria contemplated whether or not even the most skilled woman in all of Europe wouldn't be able to seduce the king.
"When I went to French court, the time before last, the Queen Mother who is now said to be good friends with the Queen wanted me to remove Francis from her grip and to give her back the power she lost when Diane returned. Lets just say that it no matter what I did or whoever I was with whenever you spoke of his wife he would have this love striation face. Besides I didn't have the heart to do it and neither will you, Mary is so sweet and kind that the very thought of stealing away her husband will make your stomach turn" Olivia confirming what Maria had feared, why would she want to break the heart of such a kind person. This up coming week is going to be hell.
"We'll all you have to do is give a few attempts and then tell your farther he refused to take anyone as a mistress, and I'm sure he'll understand" Olivia said in an attempt to console her friend.
Maria was thinking that maybe if she did this her farther would understand and she wouldn't be forced to faced his wrath. A brief period of silence took place before she responded on a hushed whisper " I hope so"
Mary and Francis both retired to their chambers after the news from the English ambassador hit them. They both new that whatever choice they made would decide the fate of not only Scotland but France and England as well. They began to talk and soon it was clear what answer was the best one for them to make.
"If I refuse the offer Elizabeth will think I have every intention to make my claim to her throne and she'll hit on Scotland harder. The French army won't be able to hold out and Elizabeth will conquer all of Scotland." The idea of this even being a possibility frightened Mary deeply, but she new that renouncing her claim also had drawbacks. Drawbacks that could leave her supporters in England alone and even some of her supporters in Europe who want her on the throne. Mainly the Vatican and Spain, the most powerful country in the world.
Francis new how hard of a choice this was for her. The wrong choice could start a war with a country far more powerful then them and it would be an almost guaranteed that it would end with Mary dead. Francis took his hand from its resting position on his chair and moved it so it gently grabbed the base of Mary's chin and made it so he could look her in the eyes and told her what she needed to hear. "Mary I know that once word gets out about this offer people will try to influence your choice, so I'm going to give you this time to follow your heart and make the right choice."
"Thank you Francis, you always know what to say and do to make me feel better" Mary's tone was one that only could compare with one who was so in love with their partner that all else ceased to exist. However this was not all she had to say, after thinking it over and listening to Francis' advise she came to one conclusion that had the most positives and the least drawbacks. "At the Harvest Festival, two days from now, I will tell the court my decision. That I'm going to renounce my claim to the English throne".
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter, I try to have the next one up within the week. And don't forget to leave a review and advise me on how to better story as I don't really know how to write a story. See you next week!