A/N: Hey everyone, I'm back! So this was really hastily written, and I apologize for mistakes or inconsistencies, but I had to write! I'll be updating more frequently now that I've gotten some schoolwork out of the way, so I hope you enjoy the rest of the story! Leave a review if you like the chapter (but please not a nasty one, I've gotten more than enough of those)
Over a week had gone by and acceptances had poured in from all over Europe – the first Catholic-Protestant wedding was going to be the most popular event of the decade. Mary had left the rest of the planning to Greer and Kenna, not having enough time to attend to any details herself, as she was constantly spending time with Louis, helping him settle into his new role as King.
"This wedding will be the biggest expense of the year – we're housing hundreds of royal guests, along with their personal guards and entourages. We'll have to find the money somewhere," pondered Mary as she sat across from the court treasurer.
"There are many lords who might be willing to lend us the money until the Crown is in a position to pay it back – which we will be, if Queen Elizabeth agrees to the trade agreement we're going to propose," replied the small, fat man.
"Trade agreement? Between France and England?" asked Mary, turning to her husband-to-be. "Once we are married, France and Scotland will be allies once again. You will be King Consort of Scotland – you can't make a trade agreement with the one country that opposes our alliance."
"I have had the plans drawn up for a treaty – "
Mary looked as if she was going to speak, but Louis continued.
"Which will be proposed only if Queen Elizabeth accepts our wedding invitation and you decide she no longer poses a threat to Scotland," he finished.
Mary nodded slowly. "Very well. We will see if she accepts."
Once the meeting was done, Mary and Louis made their way to the King's study, where a host of nobles were waiting to meet with the King. Mary had heard whispers that many of the more radical Protestant nobles were unsympathetic to her, and were trying to convince Louis to withdraw French troops from Scotland.
"Your Majesties," began one man, who had become prominent as one of the most radical protestant Lords, "We are happy you have graced us with your presence today."
He turned to Louis.
"We have many matters to discuss, most of which I believe would be quite uninteresting to her Majesty Queen Mary, perhaps –"
"My Lord, do you propose that I leave, so that you may discuss the removal of French soldiers from Scotland? By all means, I would like to hear your reasons," exclaimed Mary.
When the man could not respond, Mary looked him straight in the eyes.
"You may remember hearing of Catherine De Medici's extensive network of spies. You should know mine is just as large, spanning entire nations."
"Could I please have a moment alone with Queen Mary? Please my lords, wait outside," said Louis as a dozen or so people filed out of the room.
"Mary – I know our engagement makes France and Scotland allies, but until we are married, you are not Queen Consort of France, and until then, maybe it best if you let me handle my own nobles –" said Louis.
"I'm sorry. I forget that I am not still Queen of France. But you must know, Louis, the Catholic lords doubt you. They are looking for some way to replace you with another of the Valois line, but my refusal to convert has kept them at bay for now," said Mary. "I cannot look weak in the eyes of any of your Lords if we are to hold our alliance together."
"Mary, neither can I – and a foreign Queen deciding the matters of France does not do either of us much good. Let the nobles think you have left matters to me – but I promise, I won't make any decisions without speaking to you first."
His words echoed Francis' from so long ago.
"Alright, but only until we are married, after that –"
She stopped as Lord Narcisse barged into the room, startling both the King and Queen.
"Your majesties, I have wonderful news!" he exclaimed as he bowed. "It's from the Vatican."
"Yes, what is it?" asked Louis, taking Mary's hand in anticipation.
"You majesties, the Pope has granted his blessing for your marriage, under the condition that there be a ceremony officiated by one of the Vatican's own men. A high-ranking cardinal is being sent here to perform the service. He is due to arrive in the next two weeks," explained Narcisse.
Mary let out a sigh of relief she didn't know she had been holding in.
"This is truly wonderful news. The coronation must take place then, while the Cardinal is still here. You will be the first King crowned by God in both the Catholic and Protestant faiths."
Louis pulled Mary in close and kissed her.
"It's all coming together – all we need now is –" he said, looking down at Mary's abdomen. "Well after our wedding there will be nothing to stop us from trying as hard as we can."
Narcisse cleared his throat.
"Is that all?" asked Louis, not letting go of Mary but turning to look at the man.
"Not quite. I have received word that King Philip of Spain has plans to lay claim to the French throne in the name of Catholicism through his wife, Elisabeth of Valois," said Narcisse.
"What?" snapped Louis, letting go of Mary.
"I thought you said you were having the remaining members of the house of Valois disposed of," exclaimed Mary. "And no matter how much it pains me to say this, it is necessary for our rule to be secure."
"Elisabeth is unreachable because she is queen of Spain – murdering her would be an act of war and we cannot afford a war against Spain right now, not without the assured support of England," answered Louis. "But it isn't possible – his claim is illegitimate. France in under Salic law, which forbids succession through the female line. Besides, she ceded her claim to the throne when she married King Philip."
"Nonetheless, he will attempt to make the claim, especially if a son is born to him before one is to you – I believe the Cardinal is coming not only to officiate a wedding, but to see what your intentions are as a Catholic queen married to a Protestant," said Narcisse, turning to Mary. "If he doesn't see that you have Catholic interests at heart, he may urge the pope to support King Philip's claim when he makes it. And he will make it."
"I will convince this Cardinal of my intentions. As for providing a son – well, my lord, you have been privy to a private conversation between your King and Queen. What was it Louis said?" asked Mary coolly.
"That after your wedding, there will be nothing to stop you from trying as hard as you can to provide an heir. I understand, your Majesty."
Narcisse bowed and left.
"When you say things like that, you are irresistible, you know that?" asked Louis, beginning to kiss Mary's neck.
"Louis, not here…" she murmured as his lips travelled down her neck to her chest.
The minute he heard her, he snapped out of it. No matter how long they had been together, it was his first instinct to stop when she told him to – he promised himself he would never forget what had happened to her.
"I'm sorry, Mary. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable," he said.
"You didn't, but we both have duties to attend to. I'll see you tonight then," replied Mary cheekily, leaving Louis chuckling and breathing heavily.
