Thanks Antagonist406 for your reviews it's very appreciated. Everyone please review and give me ideas for anything you want to happen in the story. I have an idea in my head but I need some extra bits to just fill in the gaps.
I apologize if the chapter isn't the best. It was really good but over like six times it didn't save and I lost the whole thing and had to redo it. You don't understand my frustration with this I have re wrote it over and over again. Ugh I hate my laptop, but anyway thanks so much you guys I love all the positive reviews and I feedback :) You guys are my light... Too much? I tried haha.
A long six months had passed since Mary had her miscarriage. During these months life for the king and queen felt slightly more normal then usual, making them both feeling better about their jobs as rulers. Of course there were times where Mary was down about the loss of her unborn child but overall Mary wasn't to bad. As parents they looked after James, putting him first above all rest. When they both had a free moment they would spend it together in bed or out taking walks in the castle gardens but at that moment Mary and Francis were to busy supervising the preparations for the countries ball. The countries ball was a three day celebration where ambassadors and royalty come from different countries and all unite as one in France. There were feasts, festivals and parties all day long. Both king and queen thought it to be a nightmare.
"Mary look over there" Francis pointed across the room "That's the king of Spain my sister Elisabeth's husband"
"I see" Mary acknowledged
"Ah and over there is the Ambassador for Protestant Germany" He continued.
"Francis I know I was in here introducing myself before you arrived" Mary laughed.
"Where's James. We should be introducing him here as well." Francis asked.
"He was sleeping when we left our rooms, I'll go get him." Mary walked out before Francis could change his mind. She walked into her chambers and got James and then continued to walk back to the throne room. When she arrived back Francis had moved across the room and was now talking to Bash. The talk they were having must have been serious because of the look Mary could see on Bash's face. Mary ignored it hoping it was nothing, she went and sat on her throne with her son while she waited for Francis to finish his conversation. Mary sat and watched nobles, ambassadors and even some rulers enter the room. She noticed Catherine standing alone watching everyone enter. It made sense because Mary was sure people disliked Catherine. Mary walked over to her still holding her son.
"Catherine I thought you'd be planning and helping set up what I hope will be a very memorable ball" Mary stood beside her smiling at the entering guests as they walked past.
"Oh Mary I plan parties that are fun and interesting, these type of balls either end with war or arguments" Catherine said "I personally would rather not be here but I am the queen mother and I have to put on a very positive act."
"Well you don't look happy to be here" Mary joked
"I have an idea, let me hold James" Catherine reached out her hands.
"Catherine I need to hold him, I'm going to introduce him to everyone" Mary stepped back
"Mary what better way than for me to be caring about my grandson" Catherine insisted
"Alright fine but you need to follow me so I can introduce him to people" Mary gave in
Catherine reached out "He's getting big isn't he?" She picked him up and held him securely
"Very, He's started moving a lot more freely" Mary smiled
"Has he crawled yet?" Catherine asked as they headed towards Francis and Bash
"Nearly but not yet" Mary replied as they stopped by the men.
"James!" Francis smiled
"What's wrong? You two seemed very serious" Mary asked curiously.
"Nothing that you need to worry about" Francis replied.
"Francis anything that bothers you bothers me so what is it?" Mary continued.
"The budget is running low" Bash interrupted noticing the tension.
"That's it?" Mary wondered.
"We're sorry but we didn't want you to stress over something that little" Francis lied.
"I know you're not telling me everything but I will find out eventually" Mary finished "Catherine I need James" Catherine handed the boy over straight away, she knew that when Francis kept something from Mary it wasn't a joking matter.
"Mary we'll go introduce him now so he can go rest afterwards" Francis led Mary away from the others.
"Only if you tell me what you're hiding" Mary tried
"I'm keeping nothing from you Mary and if I was there would be a good enough reason." He was getting frustrated
"You're right sorry" she sighed as they stopped at a group of men.
"You men are my new Scottish ambassadors I'd like to introduce James the heir to our beloved Scotland" Mary smiled
"It's lovely to finally meet you and James." One of the men spoke up returning the smile.
"Well the pleasure is all mine, truly." Mary replied. Francis was still amazed by his wife's confidence around other people, it was one of many reasons why he loved her so much. They continued introducing themselves and James to all the people that were worth talking to. By the time they sat on their throne the first ball had commenced without them realizing. Francis turned and saw Mary playing with James on her lap. He smiled at her knowing that she wouldn't notice. Francis stood up and stood by Mary.
"Mary lets dance" He said holding his hand out to her.
"I would love to but first I'll take James to your mother" Mary replied happily. She walked over to Catherine who was now surrounded by a group of rich noblewomen who were all talking to her. "Catherine may we have a moment" Mary politely interrupted the conversation
"Ladies, Our beloved queen! Mary Queen of France and Scotland" Catherine introduced her while ignoring her temporarily. They all bowed except Catherine "Of course dear. Come" She led her to a slightly less crowded spot in the room. "I hate talking to women who only talk about their titles and wealth. And also gossip about other girls while they're not around. How ignorant?" Catherine said "Thank god you saved me"
"Oh really? I know someone like that" Mary smirked as she looked Catherine deep in the eyes
"Please I can at least talk without making rumors up about everyone and everything. Its like they have nothing better to do." Catherine added
"Of course" Mary rolled her eyes "I need you to look after James for a bit"
"Sure. You needn't worry I will take him to his nursery later so you and Francis can enjoy yourselves" Catherine was fine with it and carefully took James from her. "Francis is over there Mary" She pointed across the room to him standing alone waiting. Mary ran across the room and pulled him onto the dance floor. He spun her around which made her skirt spread all over the floor. Everyone was watching as they danced happily together. Eventually people joined in and were dancing around them with their partners. Mary could only see one couple that she recognized. She couldn't take her eyes off of them. Claude and Leith were quietly dancing in the corner of the room, it's possible that no one noticed them but Mary did. She turned her head and focus back to Francis who was smiling. He spun her around again and pulled her in for a kiss. That night was magical and unforgettable.
Slowly and gradually Mary woke up and got ready. She left her chambers and headed to Bash and Kenna's chambers. Kenna was eight months pregnant and practically bed bound. People came and visited her to keep her company but Mary and Bash were the only ones who came in to check on her everyday. Mary welcomed herself in and saw Kenna reading a book on french poetry. She greeted her with a smile
"Mary! How wonderful to see you" Kenna gestured for her to sit beside her.
"Yes I just wanted to check on you, make sure you're feeling well" Mary returned her smile.
"Oh Mary you don't have to check on me everyday, you have the duty's of queen for two countries and a ball to please many rich and titled men" Kenna replied.
"I have duty's to be a good friend too Kenna, and this is apart of it so tell me are you okay?" Mary took a hold on her hand.
"The kicking is sometimes overwhelming but everything has been alright but thank you" Kenna finally admitted.
"Well there is nothing I can do for that but tell you that it will get a lot worse in the next few weeks. Your unborn baby will start to get impatient" She laughed
"Thank you Mary you truly are the only one that has gone through the exact same thing." She went a bit more serious as she looked at Mary
"I know I just want to be here for you so you don't feel alone... like I sometimes did" Mary smiled
"Yes well at least I have Bash and he'll be here when the time comes" Kenna smiled back
"Francis was there by the end of it I just had to make it through the last few months on my own." Mary got herself comfortable in the ottoman beside Kenna "So what are we reading?." Mary stayed with Kenna for the day before leaving and heading back to her own chambers. She walked in an placed her earrings on the dressing table. Mary sat down on her bed until she heard a creak coming from the nursery. She flung up and pulled out the dagger hiding beneath her skirts. She slowly walked to the door and opened it. Mary was shocked to see who was sitting in the rocking chair holding her son
"Claude?" Mary lowered the dagger.
"Mary! I-I'm so sorry I just thought uh that James needed some uh company" Claude made some words up as she went along.
"No it's alright I don't mind, he is your nephew" Mary said
"I just thought I'd come see him, not for any particular reason" Claude handed James over to her.
"I think I know why" Mary admitted as she thought about what she saw between her and Leith the night before. "Claude is it because you want to marry Leith and have a family of your own?" She wondered
"No!" Claude sharply replied
"Claude?" Mary smiled knowing her true answer
"Fine alright I want a family with Leith but it'll never happen anyway so just forget it" Claude turned for the door
"Wait Claude. I am the queen, Francis and I have final decision on who you will wed. Maybe I could accidentally tell Francis that I want you to marry Leith because of his loyalty to us. It might just happen Claude but don't get your hopes up" Mary offered
"You would do that for me? But all I've done is cause you and your ladies trouble" Claude was in disbelief
"Yes but we are family now and you haven't caused me any more trouble than expected. If you knew what your mother was like when I returned to court you wouldn't believe that I was still alive." Mary laughed remembering Catherine's attempts to murder her "She never succeeded"
"Yes I think everyone has had a near death experience with my mother" they both laughed.
"Well when I see Francis I will tell him and hopefully he will agree" Mary smiled as Claude skipped out the room. Claude deserved to marry for love, Mary did so it was only fair. She walked back into her room and sat down with James. She accidentally fell asleep and missed the festival. She woke again when Francis entered the room.
"Mary are you feeling okay? I didn't see you at the festival, no one could find you?" He wondered as he dropped his sword at his dresser.
"I just lost track of time and fell asleep that's all. I'm sorry I missed it." She replied wiping her eyes and sitting up. She placed James on her lap who must have slept next to her.
"I see. Well I do have some interesting news!" He smiled getting dressed into his night wear.
"Yes what is is?" She asked
"I found some infant girls around the age of James, I thought they could be potential suitors for him" He answered walking over towards them.
"James isn't even a year old. Is it right for you to be already planning marriage alliances when he's still only a babe?" Mary questioned his response
"France is in dire need for more marriage alliances, we only have Scottish and Spanish alliances at the moment, James could marry the princess of Italy she is only a few months older than him. I talked to her father the king and they happily agree under your consent. And also there is a Portuguese princess. Ever since Tomas died their family went into ruin and someone took over the crown there is a princess who was recently born in the new line and they will happily agree as well." He explained.
"I need to work on the finer details Francis. This is my only sons future I can't just go ahead and say yes it needs to be carefully thought out" Mary looked at her boy.
"Yes I understand and it's also not like I haven't got Claude, Charles and Henri. Charles and Claude are both at the age to wed so I should really arrange something with them" He sighed.
"Yes about that" Mary started "I would like Claude to marry Leith. He has shown loyalty to us time and time again and what better way to keep him near us." She added. Francis got into his sheets and took James off of her.
"I do understand you Mary and the reasons but I need her to marry someone with title and wealth, someone with an army" He sighed.
"Yes but you can give him title and he can develop wealth Francis. And you do still have your brothers." She tried convincing him. Mary realized that she was still in her dress so she quickly got up and got dressed into her night dress.
"I'll think about it overnight Mary but like you said it needs to be carefully thought over" He replied.
"Thank you Francis" She felt a bit better.
"Mary!" She turned and Francis was smiling very cheerfully.
"He's crawling!" Mary gleamed. She ran over to them. James was slowly crawling over his fathers legs. It was extremely cute and made them both laugh a little when he stumbled slightly. They sat there with him until Francis took him back to his nursery. He came back and wrapped his arms around Mary as they both fell asleep happily.
It was still night perhaps early morning when they were harshly woken by the sound of a dozen swords being drawn. Mary looked up at Francis who seemed a bit confused.
"What is that?" She asked
"Mary put on a nightgown and get James please" Mary did as he ordered. Francis put on his nightgown as well and walked over to their balcony. Mary put on her silk gown with gold embroidery around the sleeves and the waist line. She then got James and hurried over to Francis. She looked down below into the courtyard and saw eight of their guards with swords drawn out to a man surrendering with his hands to the sky.
"Who would be here at this time in the night" Mary wondered. Francis had a thought on who it could be. The king and queen hurried out into the courtyard. Mary was keeping a hard grip on James. As they approached the man Francis noticed who it was for sure. It was the moment he had been dreading since Bash told him at the ball that the man was returning back to court. Mary was still confused until she recognized the man surrendering to them.
Mary turned to look at Francis and he sighed when Mary spoke up "Conde?!"
Well here it is Finally! I hope this was good, I kinda like it. I hope that you guys review this and tell me what you think and please tell me if bringing Conde back for a bit wasn't a bad choice. That would be greatly appreciated :)