The morning came with the young Queen awake and alert earlier than usual. She drew the large curtains wide open on both ends of the room waking her husband in the process. He smiled at the sight of her, seeing her was all the medicine he needed. Of course she'd argue him on that, she'd say that the only way he could get better was with rest and herbal brewed tea, she was right, but he needed her by his side as well. Watching her just poke the fire, and keep the room warm for them both was comforting in itself, and he wished that she could stay with him all day, uninterrupted. But every dream has it's end, and Mary was expected to be Queen just like any normal day. Francis would rest for the week, as his wife would continue as Regent.
"You are so beautiful." He greeted, as she realized he'd awoken. His words instantly making her heart beat faster.
"And you are so tired," Mary told him, "If the physician found out you aren't sleeping, we'd both be in trouble."
"If I sleep, I miss seeing you." Francis justified, "And I can't have that."
"You are injured Francis, this isn't a game." She said, sitting beside him on the bed.
"I know." He nodded, "I just can't believe I nearly left you, nearly as a widow, the Queen Mother."
"You didn't leave, you're alive, and healing." She smiled, cupping his pale face in her hands. "That is why you must rest," Mary stood and walked towards the window, looking out into the gardens. "So you can get better and be King."
"Do you have to leave?" He sighed. She turned her focus to him, looking sympathetic.
"I have to assure the Nobles you are well enough to rule, and discuss some matters with members of the Privy council," She explained. Mary walked over to the bed, picking up the last of her dress, "But I'll send for James, and Anne, I think they'd both benefit from seeing you."
"That would be lovely, nothing can heal a man quite like his children."
"I won't send for them if you don't promise to rest." Mary informed him, sternly. "France may need her King, but I just want my husband."
Francis watched her dress, smiling. "You are such beauty." He restated, as she tied her bodice. "The people are wrong with most things but not that."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"One hears things." He said, "Every man in France thinks you're a bewitching beauty."
"Is that so?" Mary chuckled slightly, "Few man have even seen me in person, I doubt they all see me like you do."
"You're right, no one in Europe sees you the way I do, I see this head strong, stubborn woman, and a powerful loving mother, the Queen of two nations." He expressed. He pulled the fur blanket, and sheets off his body, attempting to get ready for the day. "No one on this Earth has the pleasure of loving you the way I do."
"What are you doing?" Mary questioned, she rushed over and helped him back on the bed. "You are in too much pain Francis, stop pushing yourself."
The young King gave in and layed down, as his wife covered his body with the blankets on their shared bed, "Keep me informed on all your business today." He spoke, "I don't usually like having nothing to do." His weak body, clearly disappointed with his current situation.
"Of course," Mary agreed, "I'll have lunch sent to you after my affairs are sorted, then I'll come and see you and the children."
"I look forward to it." He smiled, she leant in, kissing him softly on the forehead, before leaving and going about her day.
It was odd how in one day the castle could go from a mad panic, to the natural calm it was today. Noblewomen gossiping in the corners, the men laughing and bragging about their lands and riches. It was like the previous week hadn't happened, and the day was just like any other. Of course, it never was the same for Mary, she faced new horrors, and new problems every day, and besides the constant threat England has on her throne and crown, nothing ever repeated itself. So as she walked into the throne room, and towards the Privy council, she wasn't rehearsed and was always expecting another burden, and like everyday, she was not surprised when she realizes she is right.
"Your Majesty." The men bowed. "We called for this meeting to discuss the King."
"The King is alive and on the mend. I don't see what there is to discuss." She spoke, taking a seat at her throne.
"We mean to discuss Sweden." One man explained. She recognized him as a Duke, one she hadn't taken much notice of before. "The fact that due to the events which have led us to this moment, his Majesty never made it to Sweden, in turn that has delayed the conversion of King Charlie and his royal bloodline."
"I don't see the urgency, Sweden is strong enough to withstand a war, Francis will recover, then they can convert to our faith." Mary shook her head, not understanding the importance. "My son is not of age to wed, the agreed date has not been set, it is not of dire importance to have Sweden in our hands yet, not for a few more years."
"France needs the alliance with Sweden, slowly we are creating an empire and the longer it takes, the weaker we look."
"The only members of the royal family that can leave France are her King and Queen, and with him injured only I can take his place. This simply is not the right time for travel."
"But my Queen, I argue that it is." Another spoke, "France is strong, and powerful, what better time to grasp the other nations."
"Are you suggesting we go to war?" Mary stood, furious. Everyone in the room stopped their conversations, intrigued as to what was happening amongst the men and the Queen. "For the possibility of power, you would have me send out men, innocent men onto a battlefield. And for what? Another country, another strength, at what price? The blood of innocents? We as rulers cannot go to war, unless we have the stability and a promising outcome. And right now the only outcome we'd have, is blood and death. So we will go to Sweden, when the time is right, when God himself wants us too." She announced, everyone clapping as she sat back down, fuming. The man backed away, no longer having the courage to argue his point.
By the time Mary had finished her dealings with the Privy council, she was exhausted, sitting at her throne with only her thoughts. Mary thought about how they ask for too much and expect even more. They believe as rich men, they have a power, something like a sword to hang over the crown. Other rulers bow to the nobles, scared to disrupt the normal ways of their life, but why be a Queen, or a King, if you aren't going to do right by the people. Why have such a grand celebration at a coronation, if royalty is just a facade for the richest and the most ambitious men. It was not a joke to her, it was her life, and it was her husbands as well. The men they sacrifice, the choices they make as leaders, will taint their rule for as long as they live. And others won't be bothered by this, because the blood is not always on their hands.
Mary shook her head, knowing that the longer she sat on her throne the more likely she'd fall asleep. The last few weeks had been busier than usual, and sleep wasn't easily come by with a new daughter, and with all of the festivities that had been happening of the late. She stood up, looking for some company within the throne room. Everyone now had families and lives to busy themselves with. She glanced around, before locking eyes with Greer, she was reading peacefully, a welcoming sight. Mary smiled at her, walking down the steps to the cushioned seat the young lady was sitting at.
"Greer." Mary said, taking a seat next to her, looking forward to some other company then her thoughts.
"Mary, I was about to come over to you, ask you about Francis." She replied. Her book was now closed, placed beside her.
"He's doing well I believe," Mary told her, "He's encouraged to rest, but like the man he is, he refuses to take a break."
"At least he's home, safe and with you." The blonde smiled, "But unfortunately, that was not all I was coming to talk to you about."
"Oh," She said, "What is it?"
"Aloysious has been released from his prison, you might have already known." Greer spoke softly, ready to ask for something. "I can't be married to him anymore, the unnerving feeling I get when I speak of him, the trouble he brings, I just can't."
"You're asking for an annulment?" the young Queen answered.
"I know it goes against the Church and our faith, he was the reason you were,-" She hesitated for a moment.
"-Raped." the word spoken harshly, "I don't blame you Greer, or your husband."
"I understand if I'm asking too much of you and Francis."
"Of course not." Mary assured, "I can talk to Francis, and I'm sure he'll agree."
"Thank you Mary, you are too kind." Greer responded, a weight off her shoulders. The two of them spoke happily and freely, something both of them appreciated, no politics, no family to worry over, just general conversation.
As they spoke, a mans voice interrupted, both of them looking up to see the familiar Pirate, "Majesty, Lady Greer." Jacob bowed, "Pleasure seeing you both here."
"Jacob, has your reward not been delivered?" Mary asked, curious as to why he was there.
"The gold came through, yes." He nodded. "But I am here for your Lady. Greer may I?" He held his hand out with Greer taking it within an instant.
"Thank you for agreeing with the annulment Mary." She hesitantly stated. Standing now beside the tanned, ragged man.
Mary realized what this meant, "You two are courting one another."
"No!" Greer quickly replied, "I mean, we spent the night talking but that's all, I'd like to get to know him more before anything serious happens."
"Do you not remember what happened last time you were with a Pirate?" Mary questioned, carefully not wanting to let out her secret.* "I only have your best interests at heart."
"Thank you for worrying about me Mary, but it isn't necessary. I can look after myself." The blonde smiled sincerely. "I'll see you later." She said, before the pair walked off, out of sight from the Queen.
After being introduced too a Noble woman that was very interested in her lands, and having a lengthy conversation about the young Queens Chateau in Anet, she finally had the pleasure of going back to her family, where she could rest, and eat. As she neared the door she sent one of the guards to call for their lunch. He left off in a hurry, leaving one guard at the door, she walked past him and into her chambers, greeted by the sight of her sickly husband smiling at James and Anne. Her son was jumping on and off the ottoman chair at the end of their King sized bed, and their one and a half month daughter sleeping soundlessly in her husbands uninjured arm.
"Mama!" James called happily, noticing her arrival, gaining the attention of his father and waking his sister. Anne's cries filled up the room.
"Here." Mary hurried over, taking her from her husband. She cradled the young girl, soothing her until eventually the noise quietened.
"You are so good with her." Francis commented, by now James had made his way onto the bed, sitting beside the cradling mother.
"You are too." Mary replied. "I've sent for lunch." She added as an after thought. "And how are you feeling? You've been resting I hope."
"As much as my body could endure." He replied, "How did the discussion go with the Privy council?" He asked, seemingly curious.
"It wasn't much of a discussion, more like me bellowing my thought on the subject." She stated. Carefully she sat back, resting her head against the backboard.
"And?" He asked further.
"They were suggesting, because you didn't make it, that I hurry and go to Sweden so we can have another country in our grasp, and when that didn't work they were suggesting we go to war."
"War with who? Sweden and France are on the edge of a marriage alliance, and England has too much strength." The man sat up, eager for more information. James, bored of his parents talk, feeling as if he was left out begun to distract himself with the ottoman again.
"The Privy council are power hungry, they don't care what war would cost France, or the lives that could be lost in the duration of it." Mary puffed, "It's been this way forever, taking advantage of the King and Queen, they are selfish and they are cruel to everyone around them." She couldn't help but let out a little of her frustration.
"As long as we don't bow to their needs they are helpless without our full support." he responded, "And we won't bow, not ever, war is not what this country needs."
"If only there was a way they could see that." Mary sighed. "And then there's Greer!" She cried, "I can't give in to that either, surely not." The woman placed the now sleeping Anne back in her fathers arm.
"Greer? What does she have to do with any of this?" He asked, cautiously holding his infant child. Mary walked towards her vanity, taking a seat in front of the mirror as she spoke.
"She asked for an annulment with Castleroy after my meeting in the throne room."
"In that case we can support her, I have no issue with it. Do you?" He questioned.
"I don't have a problem with it, well at least not at first, he causes more trouble than he's worth and I want to help free her from that." Mary told him, "And she needs her own life, I do want her too have one. But-"
Francis stopped her, "Why the worry then, she's one of your dearest friends, and you have the power to try and break her free from him."
"I'm not hesitant for the annulment, I will support her. But I'm worried what that'll mean for her future." Mary confessed, "If she's just going to go and wed another, she should at least take her time and not jump into something that'll lead her right back to where she is now, the Vatican will not grant another annulment after this."
"Perhaps you should let Greer decide what's best for her, not her Queen who may or may not know what she wants in her life." He smirked, receiving a displeased look from his wife in return. He stared at her as she lightly brushed her lengthy brunette hair, he couldn't help but admire her for everything that she was, the way she worried over her friends, keeping their best interests in mind every time.
"I just don't want her to be hurt."
"What do you know that I don't?" He asked curiously. James ran over to his mother, now bored of the ottoman. She picked him up and carried him over to Francis, where he could rest on his mothers pillow, and hopefully, peacefully fall asleep.
She returned to the vanity. "Your friend, Jacob. He and Greer have found company in one another."
"You are worried about his reputation as a Pirate." He realized, nodding as the facts fell into place. "Greer is fine Mary, let her be."
"She is just going to repeat the same mistakes she's made once before." Mary sighed, slowly applying powder to her cheeks, with small brush strokes, "Obviously I see the attraction, but that's all it is, he's handsome and charming." She stopped and turned to face him.
"Is that so?" Francis grinned, "Handsome and charming?"
"He is also a Pirate, cunning and manipulative." She added on, ignoring his comment jokingly, "I don't trust him Francis, not at all."
"Have faith in your friend Mary, maybe Jacob could surprise you."
"I know you are right, but unfortunately you don't know about Greers past, that is why I worry." She informed him. Mary placed the brush down, walking over to the bed.
"What could have possibly happened in her past that has you so worked up on protecting her?" he asked, his wife joining the rest of her family on the bed.
"I can't say." She begun, before giving in, "You can not judge her for the choices she's made Francis, Lola once tried going through with the same procedure," She waited for his nod, "Greer was with child a few years back. She had it aborted before it progressed any further." The woman blurted the answer out, feeling as if she'd betrayed her friend. Before Francis could reply, the servant entered with their tray of food. "Thank you, you may leave us." The servant nodded, placing the tray on the table of draws.
Francis spoke when the door was closed shut, "Did Lola try to rid herself of that night, that mistake when she realized?" He responded, not thinking of Greer in that moment, "And I wasn't going to be informed?"
"It was a long while ago Francis, you couldn't have blamed her for it." Mary explained, standing up and bringing over their food, "But I stopped Lola before it was too late, Greer went through with it without telling anyone."
"She's lucky to be alive." He shook his head in disbelief, "When did you find out?"
"She confided in me when she was keeping me company in the infirmary. After Anne was born." Mary reclaimed her seat next to James who was finally asleep.
"I wonder if she's told Kenna and Lola." He said aloud.
"I wouldn't be able to tell you if she had or not. I'm not going to bring the subject up, it's Greer who should tell them." She lay on her side, staring at Francis.
"Your Ladies are strong, they've been through plenty of hardships over their years in France, I think Greer has made a mistake, and will learn from it, and I do have faith in Jacob, he isn't like most Pirates."
"He has to prove me wrong then."
The pair spoke for a long while, interrupted multiple times by their children. They gave in after a while, giving their son and daughter the attention they were seeking, Mary started tickling her son just to hear his soft laugh, and Francis, continued to cradle his daughter, whispering soothing poems to her as she fell asleep. It was moments like these Mary enjoyed the most, when her life wasn't being controlled by the Vatican and the Nobles, when her only concern was for her husband and her children. She didn't wish for a normal life, a simpler one. But she cherished the simplicity of spending the afternoon with the company of her loved ones.
Mary knew that as the Regent in Francis' absence that perhaps she should have been with the Privy council that afternoon, or dealt with some of the dealings with ambassadors she had been pressured to do, but the rarity of that lunch was not so easily come by and nothing in the world was more important. They sat together for the rest of the day, playing with the children and talking about anything and everything until the sun had finally set and the servants came in to poke at the fire. James and Anne were taken back to their nurseries and Francis and Mary had time to rest, ensuring that her husband would finally sleep and allow his injuries to heal the right way, with time.
AN: *Forgotten fact from earlier in the chapter, Greer explains to Mary that Martin got her pregnant and she had it aborted, this part of the story is in chapter 24, sorry for any confusion.
Also the next update won't be soon, it may but I'm beginning to go back and edit the whole story, so I'll try to get the next chapter done soon but considering I've done this much I'm still impressed with myself.
Thank you again for reading, it's very much appreciated -bp xox
