A/N: Thanks again to all my reviewers

Mexico today Thursday plays against FRANCE! WE HAVE TO WIN ! If anyone is mexican or knows the whole sham of how France got in (nothing against the French but that was very unfair for Ireland, pleaes it was a friggin hand!) support Mexico.

~Marcela Narcisa (believe it or not that is my name!)

"We are destroying an innocent girl's future you do realize that?" ~Sebastian Valmont -Cruel Intentions

Because you asked for it...

Simmerm

Duke of Savoy's Residence:

Chapuys had been shocked that the past Princess of England's copy cat had resulted in something completely different from what he had heard of her. The nobles whom he had met in Savoy had told him that the Queen's eldest daughter was haughty, arrogant though also sweet and very kind to everyone. Her smile was the most distinctive feature, that was what he heard.

Clearly they had been mistaken, or maybe they hadn't been talking of the Princess of Brandengurg at all. King Phillip I had united most of the low countries and what used to be old Germania (from the times of Roman Empire) under his rule. Before him there had been four major countries in Europe, those that controled everything like Spain, England, Scotland and France. Portugal could not count as it was in constant dominion with Spain. When he had been Ambassador to England he had met one of the very few Ambassadors he knew from Portugal, he could not remember his name but he had said that by the way the things were going on Portugal they would end up in Spain's dominion officially.

It had not happened ... not yet but he knew it was only a matter of time. He had been receiving reports from many merchants who traveled to Portugal. They said that the King's greatest mistake had been to close the explorations to the East. Those could have made his Empire richer instead of focusing just on Africa. But Chapuys saw more benefit in the slave trade from Africa than in the new world. Ther Americas Spain had found, could not be administered, unless they had laborers who wouldn't charge or pose any threat to their Empire, the Holy Roman Empire that is.

Alexander VI, the Borgia Pope in the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1498 had made a terrible mistake dividing the world in half for Spain and Portugal. Though Portugal controlled most of the slave trade it hardly knew how to administer it, in the end Spain got the upper hand cheating Portugal once more of its business.

Now both had colonies in the New World, but how long would those last now that England was planning to enter the slave trade as well?

The slave trade ... it was not something Chapuys was proud of, but he did business with some vile men for the sake of his plans to come into fructition. He no longer believed in heaven or hell, but if there was an afterlife he knew he was never going to see heaven now. He was doing business with not only vile men, but he was contributing to the explotation of innocent human beings, if God existed and he was as merciful as they said, he thought he would surely not take my side when I have aided many slave trafficers reach the new world.

How much longer will my vegeance consume my heart, when will I succumb to God? Ha! Chapuys roared in laughter at this. Never.

He had lost everything believing in his master, and by master he did not mean the Emperor or his former Princess, he meant God of course. God was gone from his heart and his mind, all he had left was his desire for vengeance.

He would never juxtapose that wish for vengeance. This was who he was and he was alright with that, because in finding vengeance he had found his true self.

And he was at peace, ironically, with that. Much better when his head was full of voices and conflict that had to do with his master and his conscience.

"What do you think of the Princess?" Fleming asked a little too bold.

Chapuys smirked shaking his head. "I don't see anything especial except she needs proper manners" He said ocassionally, that might have worked with a stranger but not with Fleming who knew Eustace like the palm of his hand.

Yet the man servant did not say anything to contradict his friend's opinion of the young german Princess.

"Are we really going to use that loud mouthed Princess? She will stir much trouble if her eyes are as quick as her mouth"

Chapuys chuckled.

"Mouth and wits Fleming are two different things." He said.

Fleming nodded but put himself in front of Eustace. Three hours ago the introductions had ended and all of the guests had left to their respective states or territories. There was no harm in raising their voices now.

"Probably but the Princess possesses both it seems. You did not see how her eyes were lilke a hawk when they landed on you. She asked me several times where you came from, she even asked me your exact birthdate, the whole time she didn't take her eyes off you or me Eustace when I told her of my false identity"

Chapuys raised an eyebrow. A spoiled brat who thinks, that was certainly something ... unexpected.

Fleming continued to comment how she had, since entering the Castle, taken close observation to everything inside of it, including the carpets. She had said that she knew of such fabric for her father had given once similar to her as a gift for her sixteenth birthday. She had been correct in her guess when she said to Fleming the fabric was from Ghana. How she knew of Ghana, Chapuys wondered, was a mystery. Princesses were seldom taught of the mysterious Kingdoms of down south Africa where it had opened its doors for the slave trade.

There was more to Mary Eleanor than met the eye the former Imperial Ambassador, now a Duke, concluded.

"You realize if she is as smart as she looks she will not be controlled that easily. Maybe you should reconsider your plans my friend." said Flemign.

Chapuys turned away from Fleming and went for the glass of wine that was next to the flower vase in the furniture next to him. He finished drinking the wine and then gazed on Fleming's cold brown eyes again. Those eyes had lost their sparkle and poor Fleming had trouble walking, he was not as fast or as old as Eustace remembered him.

He was getting old, like most men age was catching up at him and the sight was not pretty, but what could they all do? Two things no men like them could escape was sorrow and death. Fleming was suffering from both, and though Eustace never admitted, it pained him to see Fleming look so broken from the young and strong man he used to be when he had been at his service in England.

"We will use her" Eustace concluded bringing his sleeve to wipe the the residues of wine from his perfectly treamed beard.

Fleming's place was not to question his orders but on this ocassion and on many others were it would concern a daughter of the past Princess of England he would.

This was not some thing they were talking about, this was a German noble and Princess who if she decided to open her mouth about her suspicions regarding the three of them, Eustace, him and Raphael they would all be done for. Phillip might be a fool but when it came to protecting his family and their honor he was as cruel as his late father in law.

His cruelty to his enemies had made him famous in all of Europe. When they tried to overthrow him for trying to unite all of the low countries to what once had been Germania before the old Roman Empire, he had ordered them (without a trial) to be disemboweled and their properties taken for benefit of the German crown.

He had not shed a tear, and neither had his wife for that matter for the rebels had not only had planed to kill him but his entire family as well. It was the first time that the Country had seen a new facet of their Queen. Mary Wittelsbach nee Tudor made it clear that when it came to her family, she would spare no one, and she would shed as much blood as possible ...

The granddaughter of Isabella had lived to the Castillian Queen's name. Wherever that woman was she must sure be proud to be the grandmother of one very strict, yet wise Queen. Consort only in name, but everyone knew that she and Philip's councilors where the ones who really ruled the Country, Phillip was just a face to show the public.

"Are you really sure she will not notice"

My dear Fleming she is a spoiled Princess who has had everything handed down to her by her late grandfather, and her entire family since she was brought into this world. She is loved by the people, nothing has been denied to her and as far as she thinks then we will have her right where we want her" He said nochalantly.

Fleming walked towards Eustace. They were once again very close. There was pasion in his voice as he said to Eustace, protesting "We are destroying an innocent girl's future you do realize that?"

Chapuys rolled his eyes at Fleming. With old age came a growth sprout of conscience. A great nuissance -he thought.

"She is just a pawn, we are all pawns Fleming you said that yourself"

"You are right Your Grace" he said to Eustace his title in a mock tone. "then you know you are also a pawn of your own revenge, are you not?"

Fleming smiled slyly. He clapped his hands together. "Very good Fleming" he said "You finally figure it out. I am a pawn like the little brat except I am a higher pawn who has the upper hand and the greater chances of winning and stepping over my enemies"

As Chapuys finished he went to his chambers leaving an angry Fleming and a confused Raphael.

Bavaria

Royal Household

"Mother there is a letter for you" John yelled at his mother.

The German Queen immediately came running downstairs. While their father was away in Brandenburg overseeing the properties of their daughter, here she was acting as Regent for all the Bavarian region.

"John give me the letter" She said to John who quickly gave it to her. "You can leave now" She said to John who nodded and went upstairs to his room.

Out of all her children, John was the only one who didn't make a fuzz over who got what and he was the more obedient while his sibblings always had something to protest against their parents, but never John he was docile and though he would make every commoner mother proud, it was different for his mother. She was the Royal daughter of the late King of England, no matter what everyone said, she still considered herself a Princess and she would always do so until the day she died. She was sure that it had all been a mistake on the pope's side. Her parents marriage was valid before the eyes of God, she was not the product of incest, it was crazy that after all these years people still called her behind her back the bastard Princess of England.

It was a gross insult but she put up with it for her children's sake and because she had greater things to carry to what people said, though what they said was at times important if she wanted the Germans to respect her, especially the Bavarian whom lately she was having trouble ruling over them while her husband was away in Brandenburg.

He had insisted to go to his daughter's States to see how she was doing, but Mary knew the true reason. Mary Eleanor was everything Mary had been in her youth, she had her spirit, her beauty, her audacity and her empathy as well as her good heart but she also had another side of her which the German Queen did not like. She was cunning, bad mouthed, impetuous, she always went against what her parents told her, she always had the need to question everything (ever since she was little she would not stay put, it was always a problem when she and her daughter were put in the same room) for Mary Eleanor would start arguing with her mother about the limited freedom she gave her.

The Queen attempted to be fair with everyone, but Mary Eleanor always made it difficult with that big mouth of hers. What was more surprising of that mouth was how many thoughts could go through that little head of hers. She could think a million thoughts in less than a second and voice them with perfect eloquence, and ironically why people complained about her behavior, at the same time they loved her for it.

She had won the hearts of the people by showing the same caring spirit as her mother. She constantly went to help the poor and helped her mother finance the schools for young women. It was one of the things they both agreed on, education for women as influencing others to help them in their charity work.

Her father, Phillip thought that Mary Eleanor was a great example for their younger daughter, but former Mary Tudor thought all the contrary. While Mary Eleanor was beautiful and a great scholar amongst their gender, she didn't posses the lady like manners that could help Princess Amelia secure a good marriage in the future.

Another subject they "loved" arguing, marriage. Mary thought she was too good for marriage, she was afraid with marriage she would loose independence, she as her mother tried to convince her that this was just some silly nervous thought she had. No woman like them could ever be tamed, she only had to look at her. A former Princess of England, she had been born with everything but one cruel twist of fate she had lost her father's love, favor and her title and had been demoted to Lady Mary, the bastard daughter, product of incest, of her the King of England. Still, she had gone against her father's will when she met Phillip and insisted that they be married. The harlot Queen had not been happy but they had wedded anyway, and who knew that Phillip would get lucky when all of his family left no male heirs, and those that did died quickly. He had inhertied half of the low Countries and most of what was once Germania. He had restored these territories to its greatness and united most of them under a single flag, his command and hers leading the battle by his side.

Many times she had helped him conquer a new territory that would rebel against his rule. They had reformed the territories, and unlike the official religions that had once ruled these city state, she and Phillip let everyone practice the religion they wished as long as they swore loyalty to their new King and Queen. Most had, and though the transition had not been easy, they had done it.

Their new Country, Germany was finally united after many years of fighting with itself.

If only her daughter could see or appreciate what future her mother was trying to give to her. She would be Queen or co ruler of somewhere someday, she better learn to behave. The best way to enslave a man was not by acting rebellious but to act submissive, making him think it is him who has the upper hand while the woman is playing the puppet master. She always did this. The former Mary Tudor considered herself a puppet master, but more than that she considered that what she had achieved in (now) Germany was what her grandmother had for Spain when she married Fernando bringing all of Spain together under their one banner and banishing all of the moors from Granada and the other conquered territories they had held on for some many years on their nation.

Phillip was a warrior at heart as was Mary. He had defended his territory during the second siege of the Turks in Vienna. Mary had been there with him, she had been awarded as he had many years ago the order of the golden fleece. It had been in this point when the people had finally accepted her, because she had defended Vienna with great passion. She said she had done it for her people, all of them for her adopted land was her family. She had won the hearts and minds of everyone with her speech after the battle of Vienna was over.

Mary Eleanor dreamt of the same things, but she wanted to be a ruler without any ties. Her mother understood her, that was what Mary wanted once, but then she had met Phillip and at a time where she thought she would never get married and end up an old maid, she had discovered that there was no greater joy than to spend the rest of your life with your significant other. Nobody wanted to end up alone, and she was sure that deep down her daughter wanted to find true love, have a family and lost of children like all girls her age wanted.

Alas though, her daughter was a mystery, one she could not understand and at this point she didn't hope to understand for every time she tried to reach her daughter it would just end up in another big argument with her.

After John went to his chamber, Mary went to hers. She closed the doors of her bedroom and began to open the letter.

It was from the Duke of Savoy's personal Secretary.

Your Majesty,

My master Your Grace the Duke of Savoy humbly asks you that since a year has passed since he has done business with Your Majesties, if Your Majesty could be so kind to renew our contract. Recently my master has been aware of the peace you have achieved with your husband. It would be a great honor for Your Grace if you would allow him to buy a property next to the castle since he feels that in this way he would be closer to you and your husband and he would not have to travel all the way from Savoy to Simmerm.

The Residence would be temporary of course, a year maybe less if the partnership between Your Majesties and my master keeps going as smoothly as it always has.

...

The letter went on to praise her and Phillip for all their achievements. Whoever this secretary was he sure loved long speeches. If Mary hated one thing in politics was long speeches and praises. They were all done to get her favor or Phillip's. She and her husband were smart enough to know whom to trust and Phillip had the best advisers in the world.

However as soon as she finished the letter, she was shocked as she put it in her drawer and got pen an ink down. She sat in front of the desk and on a blank piece of paper she began to write to Phillip, stressing the importance that their daughter be present when he receives this letter.

The Duke of Savoy striked her as a very intelligent person, why on Earth would he ask for her daughter, her oldest and more rebellious to receive him on Bavaria?

She would ruin everything like she always did. She was kind and very generous to the poor, but put her in front of a noble or royal crowd she spoiled everything when she opened her big mouth.

Everything that came out of her mouth was with the purpose to make fun of all their dignitaries or to criticize others like their own nobles.

Her daughter had a lot to learn like knowing when to use sarcasm.

Brandenburg,

Princess Mary Eleanor's Household:

Princess Mary Eleanor had been eighteen last week. And everyone made a big scandal out of it because she refused to attend her own celebration that her parents had throwed for her in Bavaria. She said she would not go back.

Her father had been furious as expected and her mother had expressed her fury though other means, the only way that would prevent them from having a headache, though letters demanding that she leaves her land of Brandenburg to come back to Bavaria.

She had explicitly told her mother 'No'. She would not go back to Bavaria, not even if her father were to be here again and command her.

What was so especial about the Duke of Savoy that they had asked for her ESPECIFICALLY to receive him?

Why don't they ask John or their favorite dear Phillip, she thought sarcastic. Phillip as the crowned Prince of Germany would do much better than her. Already he was the invested Duke of Saxony and crown Prince of Bavaria (a title only the royal heir receives), if anyone was to receive the Duke of Savoy was him, not her. Who was she anyway? Just some washed up Princess whom her mother was trying to sell her to the highest bidder in Europe along with her dad.

She had been there when the letter her mother sent to her father while he was visting her arrived. Her father following her mother's instructions had read the letter to her aloud and she had been furious that her mother was not asking politely but blinded by arrogance she was commanding her to return to Bavaria. Her father had that silly look on his face, a smile, the same one that he used to convince everyone to bend to his will. Unlike his subjects she was not that easy, she needed more than smiles and words such as please, or love, or sweetheart to convince her to return to her parents.

If she returned she would hardly be free of her older brother's torment. Now that he was crowned Prince heir of Germany he had not stopped rubbing it in her face. She was sick and tired of having hear boast of how he would one day be King and sell her, if she wasn't married by then, to the lowest bidder. An impoverished German noble, he often taunted or maybe a beggar so she would learn her lesson.

If somebody needed to learn his lesson it was Phillip. He desperately needed a good touch with reality. He thought the world would always kneel for him, he was wrong. You needed more than good looks and a title to be King. A King was responsible for his people not just his family. The people were his family, and if his family wasn't happy with him then his reign would be cursed by uprising.
One of the things that Plato and other greek philosophers had argued was that Kings were above everyone, they were chosen by the Gods, in this case God to rule after their people, but if the Kings abused their powers than the Divine Power that had chosen them would take their favor away from them.

Phillip, Mary Eleanor hoped that if he got to be King someday that he would leave no issue, boy or girl for they would inherit their father's blindness and Germany did not need one blind King to destroy what their father had worked so hard to built all his life with their mother.

Mary was a good masker. When her father had finished reading the letter her mother sent them to her, he had asked her what was her final answer. She had said to him that she would never disobey them for that would cause her great grief. Her father had swallowed her lie and gone back to Bavaria to tell her mother, the Queen that Mary Eleanor would soon arrive. But surprise, surprise when she sent a letter back saying she was comfortable in Brandenburg and that she was planning to celebrate her birthday there and nothing they could do would make her change her mind.

Her mother had exploded. Her father had traveled to her palace again and marched up to her bedroom furious, screaming and demanding that she give him an explanation. The explanation had been simple: she did not want to.

In the end she had her way. Her father had finally gave up trying to convince her.

"There is no point in arguing with you! Why has God sent me a disobediet daughter?"

Her father was always one for melodramatics, she had resisted her great urge to laugh when he had said this before walking out her door and leaving for Bavaria again. You would think he was the Queen and her mother the King. Maybe they should switch places, that way it would avoid confusion to the question as who was really running this nation.

"Milady" It was her chief lady in waiting, Gertrude Heigl, bowing first before walking to her.

"What is it Gertrude?" They were always on a first name basis when they were in private. Gertrude was a great friend to Mary, she was allowed to come and go as she pleased into her bed chamber.

Gertrude hesitated, she wasn't sure how Mary would take it. She was a very easy one to upset. Gertrude never had the courage to say it, but the main reason why her mother had trouble controlling her daughter was because Mary would get upset over the littlest of things. Why couldn't she see that her mother, the noble Queen Mary Tudor only tried to make things better for her daughter? If only Mary Eleanor was not so stubborn and proud things would fare much better for her in her family. She had already won the hearts and minds of the people, why was it so hard to submit to the hearts of her parents?

"Gertrude!" Mary snapped fingers in front of her friend's face awaiting a reaction.

Gertrude jumped back at the sound of Mary's fingers snapping in front of her. She blinked several times as she finally heard her Msitress' voice now raised higher. "Gertrude what is going on?"

"Oh Mary you will be mad" She began to say but was soon cut by Mary.

"I am already getting mad and will get completely mad if you don't tell me now what is so important that you come to my chambers at this late hour right when I am about to go to bed!"

Gertrude stiffened.. Her mistress was already mad, but after she finished telling her this notice she would get furious.

Well, she said to herself, it is not like it is my fault, if she should be mad at anybody it should be herself for disobeying Their Majesties as always.

"Before I begin ..."

"Gertrude!"

"let me start by saying I had nothing to do with this but he tells me that your mother insisted that he come along with his secretary and well I could not refuse him when I saw his letter your mother wrote was in her handwriting and had your father's royal seal"

Mary's eyes widened she held her hand up.

"Wait. You are trying to tell me that ..."

Getrude nodded avoiding eye contact with her mistress.

Mary hissed "Gertrude why couldn't you tell him that I was asleep?"

Gertrude finally looked at Mary, anger invading her. "I did but he did not believe me. Sorry Princess but I hardly sound as convincing as you and I am not a skilled liar" She said boldly.

Mary smirked chuckling at the cowering girl in front of her. She put on hand on Gertrude's shoulder. "Then you have a lot to learn ... now let us go downstairs I am sure we have made the poor Duke wait too long, and Gertrude?"

"Yes?"

"Watch me, learn from the master" Mary said chuckling at her friend's expression.

Gertrude mentally groaned. Why couldn't she just be sent to the Household of Princess of Ammelia, she bet her sister Diane was having it easier dealing with the gentle and docile younger Princess than she had dealing with the high spirited and hot tempered Princess Mary Eleanor. Though she loved Mary for she was a good mistress to her and a generous friend who had always favored her out of all her ladies in waiting, she always found it difficult to deal with the aftermath of all of her mistress' arguments with her mother. Whe her mistress was mad she would not only take out her anger at everything was around her, people were included too. She would never physically harm her subjects but she would lash out on them for no reason.

Gertrude was lucky she was on her good side, for as long as she could remember being placed in her service, she and the young Count Orliesger were the only ones she (to date) never lashed out on.

They walked downstairs.

Whatever really was her mother thinking sending the Duke to her Household? Mary thought. This was her house, her state, her rule, her mother and father had no authority here. She didn't care if they were Gods themselves no one came into her house at this unholy hour and expected her to treat him like a guest?

Besides, who was this Duke anyway to barge into her home uninvited. Her mother was Queen of Germany not of Brandenburg. Like Phillip was being taught to rule in Bavaria by her mother, so she was taught to rule in Brandenburg, at least that much she owed her mother that she had trusted her with one of the most important territories in their nation. Her mother had promised her, but now Mary knew better than to trust her mother again for she seldom kept any promises to her, that she would let her rule Brandenburg without any intervention from her or her father.

It was clear that her mother was intent on emphasizing to Mary that no matter where she went she was still subject to her parents like the rest of her siblings, even arrogant Phillip who must be boasting -she thought, imagining how angry I must be.

On the living room there he was the Duke of Savoy and standing next to him was his Secretary whom she remembered his name Shultz.

The Duke of Savoy smiled at the young Princess. The Princess smiled back, it had been over a year since they had last seen each other, he had not changed much.

Judging by his callous stare at her inspecting her entire attire from the embroidery in her green and silver dress to the splicing of Flemish and French fashion on it, he finally met her eyes. He was not just any politician, this she realized by the way he had stared at her (paralleling their first meetings) was an experienced man. She looked closely at him either without revealing her true thoughts about his appearance.

He looked to be in his mid forties, yet there was something strange about him and for one that was his health. Most of the men that age were plagued by many diseases mainly ulcer or gout. Her own father was beginning to develop gout. Yet this man still bore strong, broad shoulders and strong healthy cheekbones plust his legs looked free of illness.

"Your Highness forgive me for coming at this unholy hour but your mother said that I could find you here, and she has told me that you would be a great tour guide of Brandenburg since it is your territory after all" He said, his voice full of caution. He had already been warned by Raphael and Fleming as well as in a letter from the Queen (he was lucky he had not met her face to face, for it was not yet the time) of the elder Princess' hot temper -how she was quick to become angry.

He had dealt with much worse, he was not going to be scared to anger a silly eighteenth year old who like all people her age had her head stuck in the clouds instead of reality.

Mary Eleanor wanted to tell him that no he had not interrupted anything and that she was not mad at all, on the contrary she loved when people burst into her Household at the middle of the night!

She kept her posture still not revealing any of her thoughts.

"If my Her Majesty sends you then who am I to refuse I am her subject after all as much as everyone who resides in our good nation" She said contrasting her true emotions and thoughts about her mother's decision to send this man here and on top of all to choose her to play the Ambassador to him.

She was going to have Orliesger for this, if he wasn't so nervous he could have easily handled the situation better in Savoy a year ago, and he would be the one asked to deal with the Duke and not her. But no he had to be shy, why did men have to be so shy and let women do all the fun? -she thought using her mental sarcasm once more.

"I am glad that I was not disturbing anything" Eustace said showing her a small smile.

Mary Eleanor returned it. "Of course not Your Grace now tell me where will you be staying?" She asked, she mentally had fingers crossed that he would say far from here, your mum allowed me to share one of her cottages that is days away from your Household, however she wasn't that lucky.

The Duke responded "I have nowhere that is the reason for my visit your mother says that as your Household is one of the biggerst in Germany and seeing how it is Your Highness, she had asked you to let me stay in your Household at least until the duration of my short stay" He said handing the letter the Queen had sent through her servant to him to the young Princess.

Mary snatched the letter from the Duke's hands quickly. She didn't care much for etiquette now. She had the gift to know when someone was lying or not, but she always thought it was wise to give someone the benefit of the doubt. She quickly read all of her mother's letter. He had been telling the truth. She looked and met his cold blue eyes.

She had no choice, she did not wanted her father or worse her mother all the way from Bavaria to scold her on why leave another stranger outside her home.

"Very well" she said faking sweetness. "you can take the guest room on the right wing, I will call my servants to help you and your secretary Herr Shultz get you settled"

Minutes later servants came flocking after her mistress called them.

Mary saw that the Duke opened his mouth to say something, but before words could be uttered she turned away form him quickly and went back to her chambers, Gertrude following her.

By short stay she really hoped he meant it, because if this turned out to be more than one month, she didn't care if her mother was Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, she would her complaints.

"Milady?" She heard her best lady in waiting and friend ask her. Her voice drowned in curiosity after Mary had jumped on her bed, landing in complete exhaustion.

Mary looked at Gertrude. She smiled at her she said to her friend -"I am alright Gertrude and you can go back to your chambers."

After Gertrude left Mary collapsed her head and shoulders on top of the large set of pillows. She had always had the bad custom of sleeping with her casual clothes on. This was a very especial dress because it had been a personal gift from her brother and favorite sibbling John. Thinking about John and the importance of this dress she quickly began to take off all of her clothing except her undergarments. She went back to bed after she had put on a nightgown.

Tomorrow was going to be some interesting day. The Duke of Savoy's eyes had been cold but not smart enough to hide his feelings. His eyes revealed for a second after he had let his guard down, that he was a man who attempted to make friends out of anyone even converting enemies to friends.

Mary was not going to be his friend, she was only having him here because her wanted to renew the contact and since he knew now how well his daughter had done last time that it ended in a full business partnership with the Duke of Savoy.

She was going to play the game of the Duke of Savoy for now ...

If she found out though -that he was not completely honest about his business contract wth her father or that he was taking all of the Wittelsbachs for fools then they he could rest easy and be afraid because at one part she was not the type to tattle, but if add the right provocation and she could make you wish you would have to deal with her parents instead.

Noble yes but in her character, not in blood. She didn't care a lot about the bloodlines of royals or nobles. She often dreamed about being a country girl with no worries and no responsibilities to carry. But even country girls were subject to their fathers ... no matter how hard she thought about it, Mary's choices would end up leading her to her destiny -be married to some foreign Prince or a prominent German noble.
Either way she was going to fight it until she would no longer have any will left in her, which she doubted could happen since she had won all the battles against her parents, especially her father so far.

People said she did not seem like a Wittelsbach and Mary Eleanor liked this for it made her feel unique. She was the spitting image of her mother, that she knew very well but unlike her she wasn't plagued with the burden of destiny, she believed everyone had a choice, including Royals.

Why stand in the doorway waiting for Prince Charming to rescue you and bring you to his Kingdom when you could rule on your own? Her mother always stressed of the importance of a boy over a daughter but Mary didn't think that a boy was more important, their seed might be because without there would be no humanity as with no womb from women, but looking over that small fact, there was nothing that could prove boys were more necessary than women. Her great grandmother had ruled Castilla on her own right and she hardly needed Fernando of Aragon except maybe to provide heirs.
The only good thing a man could give -heirs and sexual pleasure that was it. Mary wanted none, she wanted to be free of a future of children and sex. You didn't need either, especially marriage a social contract she viewed that could be compared to slavery for you sold yourself to your husband giving the best of you to him, the phrase until death do us part was enough to bound a woman to the man for all eternity.

No man would ever breach the walls of her heart ... no one. She had a heart of iron that no sword that represented gentleness or a gentleman's preserverance that intended for her hand in marriage could ever win..

She finally let sleep over take her and she traveled to the land of dreams where she found herself standing in front of a broken man, very old and weary limping inside his cell.