A/N: So this is the first official chapter to the story. I just wrote whatever came to my mind so I'm terribly sorry if this is a horrible chapter. Happy reading! -Gem
Queen Catherine sighed and glanced over the letter one last time. A close friend of hers, Alessandra Biancardi, wanted to send her daughter, Roselia, to the French court to help her stay out of trouble and mischief back home. Apparently her friend thought that Catherine could control her wild hearted daughter. No one could control that girl. Even as a child she would rather be riding the horses than sitting in a room, knitting. Whenever the Biancardi would visit the French court, Catherine and Alessandra would find the girl climbing trees with her brother, Francis, and Sebastian. Sometimes she would even get Mary to join her on her adventures. Then Mary had left and the Biancardis had followed, leaving the castle seemingly empty. This girl was more like a daughter to Catherine and would not be a pawn in her games. No, she would not be touched. Not by anybody and whoever dared to harm her would face the wrath of the queen herself.
"Your Majesty? Your son and her majesty Mary, queen of Scots, are requesting permission to enter. Should I let them in?"
Catherine rolled her eyes at her guard. She swore they were becoming more idiotic.
"Yes, yes, bring them in."
The guard opened the heavy oak door and in walked her son and his wife. They both looked exhausted. Perhaps it had something to do with it being the middle of the night.
"It is the middle of the night, mother. What is so urgent that you woke us up for?"
Catherine smirked at the pair and gave the letter to her son to read.
"My friend Alessandra Biancardi is sending her daughter to the French court to keep her out of trouble. Apparently she has been causing a lot of mischief of late. Even as a child that girl was spirited."
She watched as Mary try to read what it said. She turned to her daughter in law and smiled.
"If I recall, you and Roselia were great friends during your stay here as a child." Mary could only stare at the queen in surprise, no doubt surprise that Catherine wasn't making fun of her. Roselia had been a great friend towards Mary during their brief childhood friendship. She was looking forward to reconciling their friendship. Suddenly Francis started laughing.
"Did she really ride her horse into the castle?"
Mary had a small smile on her face by the end of the sentence and Catherine could only roll her eyes. She sat down at the edge of her bed.
"Apparently it would appear so. God only know how her mother didn't have a heart attack."
Francis looked at his mother with laughter in his eyes.
"What did her father do?"
Catherine frowned at her son.
"I would imagine he thought the entire thing was funny. How his son grew up to be a gentleman I have absolutely no idea. Now, if you would leave, I am quite tired."
Francis smiled at his mother.
"Goodnight mother. Let's go Mary."
Catherine heard a soft goodnight from Mary before the door completely closed. She sighed and blew out all the candles, except for the one resting beside her bed. As she climbed into bed she started to imagine the chaos this girl would bring her and as she blew out the last candle, she could only think of one thing, how was she going to keep Roselia away from the deranged king? As she slowly drifted off to sleep she swore on the stars that she would keep her safe. Whatever the cost.
