Author's Note: Hello Readers! Back with another chapter. I know it's taking me a while to finish this story, but I've had a lot of stuff going on lately. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 11

Francis was already drunk. Catherine frowned as she watched him slur through his marriage vows. She grimaced as she thought of the nobles watching this display. This was not the image she wanted for her son and future king. Olivia looked positively terrified.

What a pair they make, mused Catherine.

The priest, sensing the moods of the bride and groom, hurried through the rest of the ceremony.

The wedding feast that followed spared no expense, but the atmosphere, Catherine noted, was positively funereal. The gossip had spread across French Court that this marriage was not desired by the Dauphin. Olivia's condition was the worst kept secret in all of France. Catherine pasted on a fake smile as she greeted several of the visiting Italian nobles, her mind working on her own schemes instead of taking in the conversation around her. She had to figure out how to make sure the Court heard the newest gossip in a few weeks, that the Dauphin's young bride had, tragically, lost her child.


Olivia lay in the bed, staring at the ceiling. The room was dark, the fire had long burned to embers. Francis was fast asleep, the drink finally catching up to him. He had begun snoring almost as soon as the witnesses had left the room.

Olivia had been surprised when she was told there would be a consummation ceremony. The entire court had heard that she was with child, so a consummation seemed less than necessary, but King Henry had insisted. Francis was the heir to the French throne and his marriage must be deemed valid so that the legitimacy of any children could never be questioned. The whole ordeal had been humiliating and Olivia wanted nothing more than to sleep and try to forget it completely.

Sleep wouldn't come. Her thoughts spun as she lay awake, waves of guilt crashing over her until she felt physically ill. When dawn broke she still hadn't slept, but she had made a decision. She would tell Francis she was not with child. She knew he would try to undo the marriage, but she could no longer live with the guilt.

She waited until Francis began stirring, allowing him to wake on his own. As he squinted in the morning sunlight, Olivia felt her heart clench. She truly loved this man, and what she was about to reveal could cause her to lose him forever.

"Francis, there is something I need to confess to you."

A half-awake Francis blinked confusedly at her.

She spoke before she could lose her nerve. "Francis, I'm not with child."

Francis's gaze drifted to the white bed sheets. "You lost the child?" He asked.

Olivia shook her head. "There never was a child."

Francis's eyes narrowed. "I see."

Olivia sat on the bed stunned by Francis's calm manner. Francis rose from the bed, pulling on his clothes.

"I will go speak with my father. I'm sure we can get this annulled."

Olivia's eyes filled with tears. "Francis I want to be your wife! Can't we just start over? I know this was wrong, but we've loved each other before."

"Yes, before." Francis stated, walking out of the room and slamming the door behind him.


Francis burst into his father's chamber, ignoring the guards outside.

"Father, I need to speak with you about my marriage."

"Trouble in paradise already?"

Francis turned at the sound of his mother's voice, stunned to find her in his father's chambers this early.

"Can I speak to Father alone?" He asked.

"Nonsense," King Henry said, "You can speak with both of us."

Francis sighed, "I wish to have my marriage to Olivia annulled. She is not with child. She admitted as much this morning."

"I don't see why that means you have to annul the marriage." Catherine stated, walking over to her husband. "Surely you can perform your duties as a husband and get the girl with child. Besides, do you really want to heap more embarrassment on this Court by admitting you fell for a woman's schemes. Our enemies would see it as weakness. We would be a laughingstock."

King Henry's eyes flashed dangerously and Francis knew his cause was lost. His father would never submit to being seen as weak in the eyes of others.

"I agree with your mother. This is no reason to undo a marriage. It is a good match for France. You are both young and capable of producing an heir. You will learn to live with her as so many other kings have done before you."

He waved Francis away dismissively returning to the map spread across his desk, his attention no longer on his son. Francis seethed. His life had been ruined in a few short months, all because of his bastard born brother.