The Golden Years

by melanietudor312

With Henry VIII now dead and his son,Henry IX now on the throne, how will the Tudor Family live through the Golden Years? (Sequel to A Change For The Better)

52. Chapter 52

Chapter 52

I am so glad you all are still here supporting this story. We still have a long way to go, but I hope you all stick around for the end of the story. I appreciate you all so very much and love reading your reviews and reactions, so keep them coming. There will be a sexual scene in this chapter, so please be advised. Here's Chapter Fifty-Two. Enjoy!

1 September 1558

Scotland

Marie de Guise was about as happy as any mother could be. Her daughter, the Queen of Scotland, was safe in France and betrothed to the heir to the French throne. When they had children, France and Scotland would be united permanently, and Marie's grandson would rule the two nations as if they were one. She had succeeded in that much, but now she had the Scottish council to deal with, as they were still not content with the match she had made for her only living child.

Marie closed the doors to her bedchambers and proceeded down the corridor to the council room, stopping at the top of the stairs, where she found her late husband's brother, Prince Arthur, Duke of Albany, waiting for her. "Your Highness," she acknowledged, "I am just on my way to the council chambers now. Was there something you wanted to speak to be about before we started?"

"Aye," Prince Arthur said, "you must know that although your plans for our Queen's marriage have succeeded, it has caused the council to be wary of your actions. I think it best that you resign as Mary's co-regent and allow those of us who were born to rule this nation do so."

"Are you out of your mind?" Marie questioned. "For the first time in Scottish history, there is actually some hope of taming this barbaric land! Why on earth would I resign?"

The Prince was enraged by his former sister-in-law's suggestion that his country was barbaric. "How dare you?" he said, accusingly. "This nation is one of spirit and vigor, unlike the tame, dulcet atmosphere of France. Just because we are different does NOT mean we are barbaric or uncivilized."

Marie snickered at his outburst. "That is PRECISELY what it means, your Highness! You Scots are quick to anger and unwilling to compromise, even when the outcome is best for all concerned. Your mother could not see that through her desires to have a Stewart on the English throne, despite France having a better army, not to mention the fact that she betrothed my daughter to her cousin, the late Prince of Wales, without thought to Mary's age. The Dauphin is much more suited to her disposition, as well, and, in case you haven't noticed, as her mother, who she married was my decision, not yours, and certainly not your mother's." Marie paused to catch her breath. "Now, if you will be so kind as to step out of my way, I have a meeting to attend on my daughter's behalf."

Arthur stood firmly in her way. Marie moved to step around the Prince, but as she did, he grabbed her arm forcefully, causing her to turn to face him once more. "Listen here you ungrateful wench, my brother, our late King, married you against our mother's wishes because you had two sons from your previous marriage and Scotland needed an heir," Arthur said to her sharply. "You have no power here, even if you deem yourself to be co-regent, nor are your French antics wanted in Scotland."

"My French antics, as you call them, are civilizing this hellhole of a country, Your Highness," Marie spat at him. "Keep that in mind and civilize your tongue. Regardless of what you believe, I am still the Dowager Queen of Scotland and Queen Mother."

"I don't care what you call yourself," Arthur argued. "You are nothing more than a harlot who would do anything to seize power for herself."

"How dare you!" Marie shouted. She grabbed Arthurs hand from her shoulder and removed it, then threw herself into his shoulder, trying to make the point that she was just as strong natured as he was. As she did so, Arthur lost his balance. He grabbed the railing of the staircase, but the old wooden beams collapsed as he did, causing him to fall into the stone post at the top of the stairs. The action caught him off guard, and Arthur fell backwards, tumbling down the stairs.

As he landed at the bottom of the spiral staircase, his head hit the marble flooring hard, with a loud crack. Blood seeped from the back of his head onto the floor. Marie, still at the top of the stairs, frozen from the sudden movements and the noise. When she regained her senses, she rushed to the bottom to see if Arthur was still alive.

He raised his head slightly. "You've killed me. . . you've killed Scotland," he whispered, "but this is not the end for you. . . Go ndéana an diabhal dréimire de cnámh do dhroma ag piocadh úll i ngairdín Ifrinn." Prince Arthur, Duke of Albany, closed his eyes and there, gave into the calling of death.

Marie didn't understand much Gaelic, but that particular phrase was one she had heard her husband use a few times against the English, wishing them an eternity of damnation in hell. It was rumored amongst the Scottish that anyone who spoke that curse towards another on their deathbed would haunt the other person for a lifetime and ultimately be the death of them.

---

2 September 1558
Warwick Castle, England
Lady Elizabeth Brandon, Duchess of Clarence's Bedchamber

Lady Elizabeth was sitting in her bed, reading a book. She was in her confinement and the birth was coming soon. She was doing all she could to make the best of her situation. Lord Edmund wasn't unkind to her and she did like Warwick Castle, but she was hoping to be the Princess of Wales. Her beloved William was dead and their unborn child would never be recognized. She was thankful that her unborn child would have a legitimate life.

One of her maids, Lady Robsart, came up to her.

"Your Grace, are you well? Aren't you excited to have the child?" she asked.

Lady Elizabeth sighed.

"The child is a blessing, but the life it will have I'm not so sure." she said.

Lady Robsart sighed.

"I know the Duke is notorious for having many trysts with women, but since you have been in confinement, he hasn't. He's been very polite and he inquires about daily." she said.

Lady Elizabeth nodded.

"He is kind to me, but we do not love each other. My parents loved each other. Now, I am in a marriage where if my husband decides to have a mistress, I must look away and wait for it to be over." she said.

Lady Robsart nodded her head.

"Love can develop, my Lady. You have wealth and this lovely estate. Soon you will have a healthy child and God willing, many more to follow." she said

Lady Elizabeth sighed.

"If God found favor with me, I would be living a much different life." she said.

Suddenly, she felt a gush of water between her legs and a strong cramp, which made her cry out.

Lady Robsart touched her mistress.

"Has your time come, My Lady?" she asked

Elizabeth nodded and began to breath through her pain.

Lady Robsart ran to fetch the midwife.

---

Several hours later

Lady Elizabeth was sweaty and sore, but was happy, as she held her newborn daughter in her arms. The new child had a mixture of Elizabeth's red hair and William's brown hair. She was truly a beautiful child.

Lady Robsart smiled.

"She wasn't the son we all hoped for, but she is a pretty child." she said.

Lady Elizabeth smiled.

"She's perfect in every way. She looks just like her father." she said.

Lady Robsart looked at the child.

"I think she resembles you more, Your Grace." she said.

Lady Elizabeth ignored her and was captivated by her newborn baby. Her eyes were a deep blue. The same shade and color Elizabeth fell in love with not long ago. Although she missed her lost love, she had to keep living for his child. William's child.

Lady Elizabeth looked up at Lady Robsart.

"Inform the Duke that the child will be named Anne, after our late Queen." she said.

---

10 September 1558
France

Mary, Queen of Scotland, was settling into life at French court quite well. Her fiancée, Prince Francis, was attentive and charming. They had spent a lot of time together since her arrival two weeks prior. They had been riding together, spent time in the gardens walking, and simply getting to know one another. The King and Queen of France were equally attentive to her, and she was becoming more accustomed to the ways of life in France. Although it was different from her native Scotland, she could see why her mother had went on about its charms.

She was sitting in the garden with her ladies, stitching, when her page approached her. He bowed. "Your Majesty," he said, "a letter from Scotland." He held out a folded piece of parchment for her to take.

"Thank you," Mary said. She opened the letter.

'Dearest daughter,

It is with great sadness that I write to you to inform you of the death of your Uncle, Prince Arthur, Duke of Albany. His Grace fell down the castle stairs, hitting his head on the floor below, and died before help could be mustered. His funeral will take place at the end of September. There is no need for your return. You will be represented by others in the family.

Your loving mother,
Marie'

Mary reread the letter; the shock obvious on her face as a tear slipped from her eye.

"Your Majesty?" Mary Flemming questioned.

Queen Mary looked up at her ladies. "My Uncle Arthur has died."

"When?" asked Mary Seaton.

"Will we return to Scotland for the funeral?" Mary Livingston wanted to know.

Queen Mary just shook her head and stood up. "Excuse me, I need a few moments." The four other Mary's just nodded. However, Mary Flemming knew their queen shouldn't be alone. She also stood, as Queen Mary walked to the edge of the water nearby and ran towards the castle.

Minutes later, Queen Mary felt a light touch on her shoulder. She turned in shock to discover Francis standing there behind her. "Your Majesty?" he questioned.

"Your Highness," she replied, wiping the tears from her face.

"Your lady told me what happened," Francis said. "Were you and your Uncle close?"

Queen Mary nodded. "He was like a father to me," she admitted.

Francis gave her a gentle nod, then held his hand out for her to take if she wanted to. She did. She wanted to curl up in a ball in her bed and cry, but queens couldn't do that. Emotions could be deadly for royals.

Francis sensed how she was feeling and led her closer to the trees that surrounded the lake so no one else could overhear them. "You can always be honest with me, your Majesty," he said. "I don't mind if you cry for your uncle."

Mary smiled a little towards him. He was so kind to her. He placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her slowly into his side. She put her head on his arm and let the tears fall. She had never known her father, but her uncle had been the closest thing she had to one. He was always looking out for her, even when she defied her grandmother. She imagined that was what a father would do too.

After a while, Mary wiped her tears away and turned to Francis. "Thank you, Your Highness," she said. "I needed that."

"Please, call me Francis," he replied. "There's no need for the formality when we are alone."

"Francis," she repeated, "then you must call me Mary. After all, we will be wed soon, and should be on less formal terms, at least in private."

He nodded. "Would you like to return to the castle, or would you prefer to stay here a while longer?" he asked her.

Mary looked around. "I think I'd rather stay here for a bit, if that suits you," she admitted.

Francis just nodded at her again, offered her his shoulder once more, and together they watched the sun set over the lake.

---

16 September 1558
Hampton Court, England
Lady Rose Fitzroy, Baroness of Windsor's Chambers

Lady Rose Fitzroy was being prepared for her special day. The twenty year old half sister of the King was getting married today and King Harry insisted on it being a public wedding. Rose was hoping for something simple in her chapel on her country estate, but her brother insisted.

Lady Catherine Tudor, nee Parr, Duchess of Somerset was helping her prepare for the wedding. She had been Rose's former governess as a child and her guardian after King Henry VIII died when Lady Rose was only nine years old. The two were extremely close.

Catherine smiled.

"You are so beautiful, darling. John will melt like ice on the Thames in December when he sees you." she said.

Lady Rose smiled.

"He is a wonderful man. I hope we always remain happy. I will definitely miss him when he's out at sea." she said sadly.

Catherine nodded. Lord John was her stepson and he was also a sailor in the King's Navy. He would have to sail back on the waters for an unspecified amount of time in a couple of months, so Rose and John decided to get married as soon as they can.

"He's his Father's son and I don't doubt that you will happy. Your uncle Edmund has definitely made me happy these last fifteen years." she said.

Lady Rose smiled and stood up, looking at her dress and hairstyle for the wedding. She wasn't a vain woman, but she knew that all eyes would be on her. She was a very beautiful woman, but her taste was pretty simple.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Lady Rose looked over at it.

"Come in." she said.

The door opened and Rose's uncle, Prince Edmund, Duke of Somerset. He smiled at his niece and former ward.

"You look so beautiful. John will be so proud to have a beautiful bride." he said, as he kissed her forehead.

Lady Rose smiled.

"Thank you for escorting me down the aisle today. You aren't just my uncle. You both are like parents to me." she said.

Edmund smiled and held his arm out.

"It's time. Smile and show the entire Court what an angel you are." he said.

Rose smiled and they began to make their way to the Chapel where her new life and destiny awaited her.

---

Later that evening

Lady Rose Tudor was being attended to again by Catherine and the rest of her ladies. The wedding had indeed been very beautiful and the feast was magnificent. Rose definitely wanted to have a small wedding, but she had to admit that it was very fun and she felt so much love. Now, she was being prepared for the part of the day that she wasn't ready for: Her wedding night.

Catherine was brushing her hair.

"Don't fear. It will be just fine. You're married for love. This night will not be a disaster. John will not hurt you." she said.

Rose sighed.

"I hope not." she said.

Suddenly, the priest and Lord John walked in. John was only wearing his night shirt and his robe. He beamed when he saw his wife, while she blushed.

The priest blessed the bed and their marriage once more, praying that the union would be fruitful and that John and Rose would have many children and enjoy a lasting marriage. After the blessing, John and Rose were put to bed and the people began to leave. Catherine kissed Rose's forehead one last time.

"Everything will be just fine." she whispered, as she closed the doors behind them.

John looked at Rose, with hunger in his eyes, but also love.

"Sweetheart, you are so beautiful. I thank the good Lord above that he personally sent me an angel to be my beloved bride." he said, as he began to caress her cheek with his finger.

Rose smiled.

"You are so kind. I feel as if the love will last between us forever." she said.

John began to kiss her shoulder and neck. Rose felt herself melting as her husband's lips kept making contact with her body. John looked at his wife.

"My love for you will never fade. It would be slap in God's face for me ever to disgrace you." he said.

Rose and John made eye contact and they began to kiss. It was much more passion than their wedding kiss. This kiss was full of longing and fiery desire for each other

John started to undress, as they still kissed. He got in front Rose, completely naked. Rose was captivated by her husband's nude form and they continued to kiss, still burning for each other.

Rose stopped and stood from their bed. John first thought he had offended his wife, but he became more intrigued as Rose let her robe and nightgown fall to the floor, revealing her flawless nude body. The seed in his loins was burning, aching for release.

Rose got back in their bed and the kissing and touching soon heated up and before they knew it, John was on top of her and she could feel him hard against her. She opened her legs wider and with her eyes, gave her husband consent.

John gently began to push himself inside of her, which made her cry out in pain. John stopped moving and began to kiss her gently.

"You're fine, sweetheart. Just breath. The pain will go away soon. I love you so much." he said.

Rose began to breath through the sharp pain. After a few short breaths, she nodded and held on to him as he slowly began to thrust gently, listening to her body's signals. Rose found herself moaning and nails slightly digging into his back. She heard John moaning . The pain began to subside and then she found herself wanting her husband more and John began to move more vigorously and making Rose moan louder and their bed began to creak.

John began to grunt more and suddenly he cried out and Rose felt a warm feeling filling her and an odd sensation that made her moan out at the exact time that John spilled his seed.

John laid his head on her breasts and both began to catch their breath. Rose held him close to her.

"John, they have to collect our sheets now." she said.

John shook his head and passionately kissed her.

"Sweetheart, nobody is coming in here until morning. You're all mine tonight." he said.

Rose smiled and kissed him again passionately, feeling a second wind coming consuming her.

---

21 September 1558
Madrid, Spain

Luis, King Consort of Navarre and Prince of Asturias, sat by the bedside of his grandfather, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain. Charles' health had declined severely over the past several months, and he had begun planning for his own death, including staging his own funeral. The arrangements had all been made, the acts rehearsed, except for the last rites, and everyone knew what was going to happen once God called Charles to His side. It was only during the last few weeks that Charles' mental state had declined, and Luis knew the end was coming for the only real father he had ever known.

Luis sat in silence, wondering what would happen once Charles was gone, when there was a knock at the door. Charles' page entered the room, telling Luis that his uncle, Juan, Duke of Franco, had arrived. Juan and his wife, Infanta Catarina, Duchess of Franco, had left Spain some time ago to spend time with her parents, the King and Queen of Portugal, and to heal their marriage after Juan's indiscretions were revealed to his wife while she was with child. Juan entered the room, knelt by his father's bed, and crossed himself, then stood and greeted his nephew.

"Juan, it is good to see you," Luis said.

"You too," Juan replied. "I wish it was under better circumstances." He looked at his father, who was sleeping.

"Of course," Luis answered. "How is your wife?"

"Catarina is well. How is Elizabeth fairing? I hear you are to be a father again, soon?"

"Yes, she is in Navarre, angered that she could not accompany me here, but it is best with the child being due so soon," Luis told him.

"How are your children?" Juan asked.

"They are well," Luis answered with a smile. "Isabel is proving to be quite intelligent, as is her brother, Eduardo, and little Juana is the sweetest child you could imagine. She has Grandmother's disposition from what Grandfather has said."

Juan looked again at his father. "I'm sure she is the light of his life if that is the case."

"I know he says he does not have favorites, but I have a hard time believing that," Luis admitted. "How are your children?"

"Ah yes, Sebastian is as arrogant as his father, unfortunately, and our little Maria is one of the most beautiful children I've ever seen," Juan told him.

"She must take after her mother," Luis chided.

Juan laughed. "That she does." He paused. "I really messed things up with Catarina," he admitted. "I did more than just betray her, Luis. I broke her heart. She honestly believed that men were bound to be faithful to their wives once they were wed. She gave me her heart, and I destroyed it."

Luis nodded. "Have things improved?"

"A little," Juan said. "We can talk civilly to each other, especially about the children. She doesn't deny me anything, but I can tell that she is guarded. I wish she didn't have to be." He paused. "I know what I did was wrong, but I don't know how to make amends for it. I want her to trust me again. I want her to love me as she once did."

"Give it time, Juan," Luis said. "It may take a lifetime, but if she is worth it to you, you will be patient with her and show her that you are truly sorry for what you have done."

"She's worth more than that to me," Juan told him. "She is worth more than any riches in the world, more than all of the riches in the world. If someone told me that I could change what happened if only I gave up my titles and fortunes, I would do it in a heartbeat."

"Then be patient. Time will heal what has happened eventually," Luis assured him. Little did they both know that Catarina was standing outside the room and heard their conversation. Hearing what her husband had said caused her to reconsider what had happened between them, but now was not the time to discuss such things. She chose to return to their rooms without interrupting the two men. She would speak with Juan later.

Inside Charles' chambers, the two men sat and continued to talk about their families. The conversation must have woken the sleeping king, who began to speak more clearly than he had in weeks.

"Juan, it is good to see you my son," Charles began. "I am not long for this world, I fear. I have dreamed often of your mother of late. She is beckoning me to her side."

"Father," Juan said, sadly.

"Do not mourn me," Charles commanded. "I will be in a better place, reunited with your angelic mother, and with my own parents soon. God will show me mercy, and I have seen my legacy for this world continue in your, in your siblings, and through your nephew and his family." Juan nodded. Charles turned his attention to Luis.

"Luis, you remind me so much of your father, but also of your grandmother," Charles said. "And you are right, I should not have favorites, but your little Juana is a gem in the world. Make sure she is protected when I am gone."

"Of course, Grandfather," Luis replied.

"You will be King of a united Spain soon," Charles told him. "I have decreed that my brother, Ferdinand, shall be the next Holy Roman Emperor, and I have received word that the Pope agrees with my reasoning. Not that your virtues are lacking, Luis, but he understands the need for God in the lives of our subjects more than a man of your tender years could. I have no doubt that you will eventually succeed to that title as well, but for now, you must be content with being King of Spain and King Consort of Navarre, as well as leading the other nations that will be under your rule."

"I understand," Luis answered.

"Luis, be wary of the Ottoman Empire," Charles instructed. "Their Sultan is known to be a fair man, one of law and order, but he is an excellent military strategist. It would be better if you negotiated with him and learned the laws they live by, rather than trying to fight him if the situation ever arises. Spain is strong and can command many of the armies of Europe, but to take him on would be a mistake if it can be avoided."

"As you wish, Grandfather," Luis said.

Charles started to say something else but stopped. "I must rest."

"Sleep Grandfather," Luis responded. "Conserve your strength." Luis looked sadly at Juan as the King fell asleep once again. Luis and Juan both walked over to the window of the King's chambers, kneeling, and prayed for his recovery.

The two men sat silently on the benched seat beneath the window until right before dawn, when they heard raspy breaths coming from the bed. They reached Charles' beside just as he opened his eyes. "I love you all," Charles said, gasping for air, then his eyes closed for the last time, and with that, the King of Spain passed into his eternal rest, seeing the face of his beloved wife greeting him on the other side.

---

28 September 1558
Pamplona, Navarre
Queen Elizabeth I of Navarre's Bedchamber

Elizabeth winced in pain, as she was reading over important documents. Her fourth pregnancy was not going as smoothly as her last three had. Her belly was slightly bigger and her move was impeded alot due to it. However, she didn't ease up on her duties. She hated that after four years on the Throne, she was still seen as a fragile dynasty.

The door opened and Lady Jeanne, Duchess of Lautrec, walked in. She was finally content with her life. She had wealth, a loving husband and a healthy son. Queen Elizabeth had been good to her, when other monarchs would have imprisoned or killed her.

She bowed to Elizabeth.

"Im sorry to disturb you, Your Majesty, but a letter from Madrid has arrived. I believe it's from King Luis." she said.

Elizabeth nodded.

"Thank you, Jeanne. Go and spend time with your son. I'm sure little Albert is missing his mother." she said , with a smile

Jeanne smiled, bowed and left the room.

Elizabeth opened the wax sealing and smiled, realizing it was from her husband:

Dearest Elizabeth,

I know you may be happy to see my name on this letter, but I wish I was bringing good tidings to you. My heart is breaking as I am trying to figure out how to tell you. I pray that you remain calm and not react in a way that would endanger our unborn child.

My grandfather, Emperor Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, Lord of the Netherlands, has died. He passed into his Heavenly rest on the 21st day of this month. I am now King of all Spain and our son is now the Crown Prince.

Grandfather's funeral will occur on the first day of October. The nobility will pay their respects to him. Everything will has already been planned and will go as instructed. Grandfather made these instructions months ago, when he became ill.

I do miss you, my beloved. I crave your touch and your kind words and direction. I know you were close with Grandfather, but I must insist on something. I am insisting that you do not try to make it to Madrid. You will have to go through the mountains and I do not want you risking that journey when you are so close to giving birth to our child. We will be coronated together, but you must think of our child.

All my love,

Luis, King of Spain

Elizabeth had tears glistening down her face. She silently sobbed over the loss of Charles. She kept reading the letter over and over again. She wiped her eyes and stood up.

"Sancha?" she said.

Sancha walked in.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

Elizabeth handed her the letter. Sancha read it and crossed herself.

"I can't believe the Emperor has passed away. What shall we do now?" she asked.

Elizabeth took a deep breath.

"We must prepare to leave for Madrid. We mustn't delay. The King needs me." she said, as she went to leave.

Sancha followed her.

"Your Majesty, please think this. It's not safe to travel that far in your condition. The King even said not to do it. We must be prudent." she said.

Elizabeth shook her head.

"I have Isabel of Castile's blood within me. If she could command the troops into battle while with child, I can travel to my husband." she said.

Sancha walked a little faster.

"Your Majesty, it's not safe for the child. You could give birth on the journey. I beg you to reconsider." she said.

Suddenly, Elizabeth groaned in pain and doubled over, clutching her large belly.

Sancha grabbed her.

"Your Majesty!" she cried.

Elizabeth took a few deep breaths.

"Get me to bed. Fetch the physician when you do." she said.

---

Elizabeth was sitting in bed, as her physician examined her. She was praying that nothing was wrong with her baby. She chastised herself for being this reckless. She should have held her composure.

The physician and the midwife rinsed their hands in a bowl of water.

He turned to Elizabeth.

"Your time has not come yet, Your Majesty. The child is not in danger." he said.

Elizabeth crossed her self.

"Thanks be to God. You should come with me on our journey. You can watch me as we travel." she said.

The physician shook his head.

"Your Majesty, you are too close to birth to travel a great distance. The pains you experienced was due to the added pressure of your duties. You must rest." he said.

Elizabeth sighed.

"Queens never rest." she said.

The physician nodded.

"Expecting mothers need to rest. You must remain in bed, until you give birth." he said.

Elizabeth looked at him.

"You mean to tell the Queen of Spain, what to do?" she said.

The physician cleared his throat.

"Your Majesty, there is no difference between the womb of an expecting peasant woman or Queen. I'm speaking to you as a woman and mother." he said.

Elizabeth took a deep breath.

"Sancha, please hand me my rosary. If I am to remain in bed, I would like to say a prayer for the Emperor's soul." she said.

Sancha smiled, bowed and went to fetch the beads for Elizabeth.

---

30 September 1558
Caserta Palace, Naples, Italy
Queen Adriana of Naples Bedchamber

Queen Adriana rubbed her swollen stomach. At thirty-eight years old, she was pregnant for the ninth time. She and King Alfonso ignored her physician, deciding that since the birth of their last child, Prince Rodrigo, went well two years ago, they could resume their marital relations and expand their family, if God will it. She was proud that she had seven of her eight previous pregnancies become successful. She prayed this pregnancy would be the same.

Adriana looked at her two older daughters, as they spent time together. Her oldest daughter, Princess Lucrezia, was now seventeen years old and she had definitely matured into a beautiful and devoted young woman. Her beautiful skin, long, wavy reddish-brown hair, and gorgeous eyes made her catch eyes at Court. However, Princess Lucrezia was a pious and devout young lady and everyone knew she would never engage in a scandal.

Princess Maria was now thirteen years old and was maturing into a quiet beauty. She was denture, soft-spoken and was content in not being the center of attention.

Queen Adriana smiled at her daughters.

"Lucrezia, I hear your English lessons are excellent. Are you excited to meet Prince Owen next year?" she asked.

Lucrezia nodded.

"I am, Mother. I do pray that we have a happy marriage and I provide him with a healthy heir and spare. I hope we have a good family." she said.

Queen Adriana smiled and then took a glance at her second daughter and sighed.

"Sweet Maria, we will find a worthy husband for you. Your father is working on it currently." she said.

Maria smiled.

"I am in no rush, Mother. I trust my father, the King. I will wait on his decision." she said.

Adriana nodded and suddenly her door opened and her husband, King Alfonso, walked in.

Both daughters stood up and bowed.

"Your Majesty." both girls said.

The King smiled and hugged both of his daughters.

"My two loves. I need to speak to your mother alone. You may go." he said.

Both girls nodded and both girls left the room.

Adriana stood up and Alfonso kissed his wife of twenty years.

"I'm glad you came to see me." she said.

Alfonso looked at his wife, with sadness in his eyes.

"Sweetheart, I do not come with good news. I have to tell you something that may break your heart." he said.

Adriana looked at her husband.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

King Alfonso sighed and he sat her down.

"I'm so sorry, but your father has died. He passed away on the twenty-first of this month. His funeral is to be held tomorrow." he said.

Adriana felt tears coming down her face and she let them fall and began to son. Alfonso held his wife, as she grieved for her late father.

She looked at her husband.

"I want to go to Spain. I need to say goodbye to my father!" she cried.

Alfonso shook his head.

"We would never make it and sweetheart we can't risk the voyage." he said.

Suddenly, Adriana grabbed her stomach and cried out.

"Our baby! It's too soon! Alfonso, I need my midwife!" she screamed.

Alfonso turned towards the door.

"FETCH THE MIDWIFE! THE QUEEN'S LABOR HAS STARTED!" he yelled.

---

Queen Adriana was waking up and her midwife was washing her hands and she could hear a baby crying. She looked around and was in slight pain.

A hand touched hers and she came face to face with King Alfonso.

"Rest sweetheart. You had a difficult birth, but she is going to survive." he said.

Queen Adriana woke up a bit more.

"It's a girl? The physician said I wouldn't give birth for another month. Are you sure she's not in danger? I just lost my father, I don't want to lose our child." She said fearfully.

Alfonso shook his head.

"She will be fine. However, she is definitely our last child. Your life was in danger." he said.

Adriana shook her head.

"No, I'm just grieving my father. I will do better with the next child." she said.

Alfonso shook his head.

"No, Adriana. Three sons and five daughters is plenty. Naples is more than secure. There's no need to put you at risk again. I am doing this because I love you and I do not want to lose you." he said, with tears in his eyes.

Adriana knew Alfonso was right. They had a big family and she was thirty-eight now. She could still enjoy being a mother to her younger children and he thankful for them.

She touched her husband's face.

"Can we name her Joanna, after our grandmother?" she asked.

Alfonso nodded and smiled.

"Princess Joanna of Naples. The completion of our family." he said.

---

1 October 1558
El Escorial, Spain

Spain was in mourning. King Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, was dead. The nation felt his loss, as did his massive family. He had long been the ruler of Spain, along with several other nations, as well as leading those who followed the Catholic faith in piety and devoutness. Even those who were not part of his empire knew who he was and mourned him. The world had lost one of its greatest leaders.

His funeral, which was preplanned by him, resulted in thousands of people arriving in Spain. Dignitaries from nearly every Catholic nation joined the Spanish people to bid him farewell. His surviving children who could be there had come home to Spain, including Prince Juan, Duke of Franco, who had been present when he died despite currently residing in Portugal. His grandson, Prince Luis, now unofficially the King of Spain, was also there, though hidden from the masses as tradition demanded.

A ship was stationed in the nearest harbor adorned with golden figures representing hope, faith, and charity. Royal guards, both present and past, aligned the streets with their swords aloft as his casket journeyed to the cathedral where his funeral was to take place. Behind his casket were his only surviving son, Prince Juan, several of his grandsons, Lord Carlos de Mendoza, Viscount of Narbonne; Prince Giovanni, the Crown Prince of Naples; and the Archduke Philip Habsburg, who was only ten years old. His brother, the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, also accompanied his casket to the church. Prince John Oldenburg, Duke of Viseu and Duke of Vendome, Charles' nephew, was acting as his chief mourner, and although he was not in the procession, he was awaiting their arrival inside the cathedral.

The casket was draped in black with the Habsburg flag covering the black cloth. It was plain compared to that of his mother, the late Queen Juana, who had died several years ago. It had been placed on a cart covered with more black material and surrounded by yellow flowers, as was Spanish tradition. The crowds that had gathered threw more yellow flowers as the procession passed them in the street until they reached the church, where the casket was placed on the dais by eight men of arms who had served Charles in the Spanish war with France.

Once the family of the late King had been seated, the Bishop and priests entered the church carrying their sigils of office. Prayers were offered for the soul of the late King, the future King, and the nation as a whole, as well as the Catholic Church, as Charles had requested. Then, Prince Juan, Duke of Franco, stood to speak.

"My father was a great King. He was a great Emperor. No one in his domains can argue that point. He was just, he was fair, and he was devout. But I knew him as a father before I even knew what a King or Emperor was. As a child, I thought he was harsh with his expectations, but now, I look back on my childhood and realize that he had to be the way he was in order to teach me to become the man I am today," Juan paused and looked at his wife. "I did not always follow his teachings or his advice. As a young man, I did as I pleased, but he never stopped caring for me as his son. His love was endless, just like the love we all feel from God. We make mistakes. We ask forgiveness. As God forgives, so did my father, our late King and Emperor."

"My mother, the late Holy Roman Empress, Mary, died when I was a child. I used to wonder what my father would have been like had she lived, but now, I realize that he would have been the same as he was before his death. He loved my mother very much, and after she left us to answer the call of God, he continued to love her. He was strong, true, and faithful to her memory as though she was alive still."

Juan paused again and looked at the people who had gathered. "It is with the strength of God's love that we will endure without his presence beside us. It is through the teachings of my father that my nephew, King Luis, will lead us forward into the future. It is through Luis' children that the light of God will continue to shine, as it did through my father, long after we are gone, and it is through them that our legacy of love, devoutness, and honesty will endure."

Prince Juan stepped off the dais and went to his father's casket. He knelt before it, crossed himself, then bowed. After a moment, he rose, kissed the coffin that held his father's body, then returned to his place in the congregation next to his wife, Princess Catarina, Duchess of Franco.

The Bishop stood on the dais and asked the congregation to bow their heads in prayer. The choir sang the Missa pro Defunctis, a song favorited by the late Emperor specifically for his funeral, after the prayer had been recited.

The Office of the Dead was recited by the Bishop, with the entire congregation participating, as Charles himself had requested prior to his death, then the twenty-third Psalm. The Bishop then signaled for Ferdinand to make his way to the dais and speak.

The Archduke of Austria, now Holy Roman Emperor, looked at the people gathered to pay their final respects to his brother, then began. "It pays testament to how loved my brother was to see so many of his subjects in attendance today from many nations, near and far. There are those who could not be with us today as we lay him to rest, but we know they are here in spirit and that their hearts mourn his loss as heavily as we do. Charles would not have wanted them to risk their health in order to attend his funeral, and I know that he is lifting them up to our Savior now in prayer for their recovery from their ailments."

"Charles was devoted to God, his Kingdom, and his family. He was a beloved son of the late Queen Juana of Spain, God rest her soul, and a grandson of the Catholic Monarchs, the late King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. He did them proud as he lived and as he reigned. He was a loving father to nine children, many of which became rulers of other nations through marriage, and some who were called to God before their time, never knowing their rightful positions as monarchs. We must believe that they are with him now as he joins them at the throne of our beloved heavenly Father."

"Charles will be missed by his family, his friends, and his subjects alike. Our world has lost another leader who served God devoutly, but heaven has gained a true believer."

Ferdinand did as Juan had, then took his place beside the Archduke Philip. Finally, another prayer was said by the Bishop and the congregation was dismissed, leaving the bearers to lower Charles' casket into the vault beneath the altar.

---

The Spanish palace was filled with music and dancing, despite the solemn occasion that had brought them all together. They had gathered to pay their last respects to the late King of Spain, Charles V, but his final wishes were not that of a funeral, but of a party, which were honored, regardless of traditional rites of the Catholic Church.

Luis, Charles' grandson and the unofficial King of Spain, stood on the dais of the throne room with one hand on the throne where his grandfather had sat, and his late great-grandmother, Queen Juana, before. He knew the heaviness of rule as King Consort of Navarre, but today he felt a much larger burden.

Navarre was a smaller nation that his wife had inherited through negotiation when the French and Spanish agreed to peace. Elizabeth was Queen in her own right in Navarre, but now she and Luis would rule a united Spain, as well as many other smaller nations in Europe. They truly inherited an Empire, regardless of their titles as King and Queen. It weighed on him heavily as he wondered if he could really be the ruler of such a large number of people. In addition to his duties as King of Spain, his family would look to him for decisions on private matters as well. He and Elizabeth would have to decide on a number of marriages for not only their own children, but the children of other royals whose positions mattered to Spain. He wondered how his grandfather had managed it all.

"It's a heavy crown to wear," Archduke Ferdinand said, approaching his great-nephew.

Luis turned to the old man. "I'm sure it will be. I don't feel like I'm wearing it yet though."

"Your journey has just begun," Ferdinand replied.

"I know," said Luis.

"How is your wife fairing?"

"Elizabeth is doing well," answered Luis. "She's expecting the baby any day now. Perhaps, if it's a boy, we will name him Carlos."

Ferdinand chuckled. "Seems fitting."

Luis just nodded.

Both men turned when the herald tapped his staff. "Announcing their Highnesses, Prince Guillen and Princess Beatrice, Prince and Princess of Andorra."

The Prince and Princess of Andorra approached the dais and paid their respects to Luis and Ferdinand, then after a brief conversation with both men, joined the crowd that had gathered in the ballroom, the doors of which had been opened for the evening to allow easier access to the guests.

"Beatrice looks well," Ferdinand remarked. Luis agreed.

The herald tapped his staff again. "Announcing the arrival of Her Majesty, Catalina, Dowager Queen of Naples, accompanied by her grandson, His Royal Highness, Prince Giovanni, Crown Prince of Naples."

"Excuse me, your Majesty," Ferdinand said, leaving Luis to greet his sister in a more private setting.

More guests arrived, including the Duke and Duchess of Cleves, Charles' niece, Princess Christina Oldenburg. Luis watched the arrivals of each guest and greeted them appropriately. Most knew why Elizabeth wasn't present, but he did end up explaining her absence to a few, who did not know they were expecting again. The conversations were all polite and most of the guests refrained from any type of political discussions due to the situation, but Luis could feel the crown growing heavier as the night went on.

Before the end of the feast, Luis was again standing on the dais in the throne room when he felt someone behind him. He turned to see an older gentleman standing there, watching him.

"May I help you?" he asked, not knowing who he was addressing.

"You don't remember me?" the man asked.

"I'm sorry, but no, I don't," Luis admitted.

"It doesn't surprise me. I have long been a relic of another time," the old man said. "I am Christian Oldenburg, former King of Denmark."

"My apologies, sire," Luis said. "I haven't seen you since I was a child."

"I know," the old man replied. He looked at the thrones on the dais. "The crown you wear can be a heavy thing, but one lesson that I learned from my life is that it can all be taken from you in a heartbeat." He paused, his eyes shifting back to Luis. "You will receive a lot of advice in your lifetime, but if you remember anything, remember this; a crown can be taken, money can be stolen, and a woman can leave you, but of all things, you will never lose your integrity and your reputation. Take nothing for granted and you will enjoy all things in life."

Luis pondered the words of the former King of Denmark as he watched the old man walk away. He didn't know what to make of the advice he had been given, but Luis knew that the old man wouldn't have said it if he hadn't needed to hear it. Then, as the guests were leaving, Luis saw the old man once more, and the meaning of his words dawned on the young King of Spain. Nothing in life is guaranteed, but the time you make for those you love will be remembered long after you are gone from this world, whether those you love are your family, your friends, or your subjects.

---

3 October 1558
Balnagown Castle, Kildary, Scotland
Lady Jane Grey-Stewart's Bedchamber

Lady Jane was smiling as her three year old son rolled a ball to her and laughed as his mother would catch it. Little Arthur was the highlight of his parents life. He was healthy and the joy in the household. Everyone was in mourning, due to the death of Prince Arthur, her husband's uncle.

The door opened and Lord Duncan, Jane's husband, walked in. He smiled at his only son and wife.

"How are my two loves?" he asked.

Jane smiled.

"We are well. Artie has definitely tired me out today. How is your father? Any news from Court?" she asked.

Duncan glared.

"That French whore killed my uncle and had gotten away from it. She can claim that it was an accident, but none of us are fools. I should write a letter to my cousin, the Queen, and let her know the suspicious nature of our uncle and the behavior of her whore of a mother." he said.

Jane nodded at her son's nursemaid to take him to another room. She touched Duncan's arm.

"Darling, I'm not fond of her either, but we can't make statements like that. For all we know, it could just be an accident." she said.

Duncan sighed and nodded.

"You're right. I am going to leave for Court in a few days to see if I can find anything out with my cousins. You and Artie can stay here." he said, with a smile.

Jane stood up and walked to a window.

"Is there any chance you could delay the trip? At least until the New Year?" she asked.

Duncan looked at Jane. She normally was fine with him being at Court, especially since he was a faithful husband.

"Darling, I can delay if you please, but is something wrong? You and Mother get along well." he said.

Jane sighed.

"Well, I would like to wait until the quickening before you leave." she said.

Duncan listened to his wife and then heard what she said, in disbelief. Jane turned around and smiled at Duncan.

He walked forward.

"Are you with child?" he asked.

Jane nodded and he yelled in happiness, picking her up and swinging her in a circle and kissing her.

"How far along?" he asked.

Jane smiled.

"The midwife says I should be brought to childbed in May. I wanted to wait until I started to feel ill and tired before I told you. We've been trying for awhile and I didn't want to get your hopes up." she said.

Duncan kissed her.

"You are my angel. I love you so much." he said.

Jane hugged him tightly.

"I love you too, Duncan." she said.

---

12 October 1558
Pamplona, Navarre
Queen Elizabeth I of Navarre's Bedchamber

Queen Elizabeth was sewing in her bed and was losing patience with her confinement. She was terribly uncomfortable. She was anxious to give birth to her child so that this uncomfortable state would be over.

Sancha walked in, with her own sewing. She wanted to keep her Queen and dear friend company. She was so thankful for her friendship and was always close to her.

"Your Majesty, you seem melancholy. I wish you would cheer up. Is there anything I can do?" she asked

Elizabeth sighed.

"Can you finish carrying this child? I am miserable." she said.

Sancha looked at her, with pity.

"I would if I could, Your Majesty. I am shocked that you are do miserable. You have never been like this before." she said.

Elizabeth shook her head.

"He must be a boy. I've never gotten this big when I have been with child before. I hope he doesn't give me trouble at his birth. I hope that his birth will cheer Luis up. I know he must be so sad after the death of the Emperor." she said.

Sancha nodded.

"A new Infante would probably do the trick." she said.

Elizabeth nodded and then felt a pain in her back and her stomach and following that, she felt her bed become wet.

Elizabeth grabbed Sancha.

"My child is coming. Fetch my midwife." she said, as she felt a contraction come on.

Sancha was quickly on her feet and was running out of the room.

---

Elizabeth was on her bed, struggling to push her child into the world. She leaned back on her pillows and began to breath between her contractions.

The midwife tried to soothe Elizabeth.

"Your Majesty, you must continue to push. We don't want to loose the progress. You're doing so well. Your son will soon be here." she said.

Elizabeth continued to push and even let out a loud scream, which wasn't normal for her, even during childbirth. She was desperate to have this child out of her and was silently praying that she and her child would survive this birth.

The midwife smiled.

"The head is out, Your Majesty. Push again." she said.

Elizabeth pushed as hard as she could and finally she felt the child slide out and she collapsed against the pillow, as the child began to cry.

The midwife cut the cord and carried the child away to be cleaned. Sancha smiled.

"It's a girl, Your Majesty. She's beautiful." she said.

Elizabeth smiled. She expected a second son, but she was happy that the ordeal was over. She was only twenty-five years old, so she knew that she had time to have another son.

Suddenly, Elizabeth felt a pain in her stomach and began to grown in pain.

Sancha looked at Elizabeth, worriedly.

"Your Majesty, are you well?" she asked.

Elizabeth shook her head.

"I am in pain." she said

Sancha called the midwife over. The midwife looked between Elizabeth's legs and her eyes opened in shock.

"Your Majesty, your little Infanta has a twin! I need you to push again. The progress is still stable." she said.

Elizabeth, not having any time to react, began to push again. She was just anxious to bring this second child into the world and prayed that it was alright. She knew that twin deliveries sometimes didn't end well.

After several minutes, the second child was brought into the world and began to cry just as loud as it's twin sister. Sancha laughed happily.

"It's a boy! Your Majesty, you have a second son!" she said, as she cleaned Elizabeth's sweaty forehead.

Elizabeth smiled, although she was out of breath. She was the mother of five healthy children now. She thanked God for this unexpected gift.

"I guess that's why I was so big. Sancha, please instruct Lord Brandon to send a letter to the King immediately. I want him to know that I have been delivered of healthy twins. I want you to tell him I wish to name our new daughter Maria and our new son, Carlos, after his late grandparents." she said.

Sancha nodded and left the room. Elizabeth held both of her newborn twins, until they were taken away and then she fell into a peaceful slumber.

---

18 October 1558
Cigales, Valladolid, Spain
Residence Of Mary of Austria, Dowager Queen of Hungary

King Luis was pacing back and forth, waiting on his two visitors that he requested. He hoped that they would make it in time. His great-aunt, Mary of Austria, Dowager Queen of Hungary and former Governor of the Netherlands, was dangerously ill. This was a double blow, since he had just buried his grandfather, the late Charles V, threw weeks earlier and now he was losing his grandfather's younger sister.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps and turned and saw Two his cousins, Lord John, Duke of Viseu and Vendome and his youngest sister, Christina, Duchess of Cleves, walked up and bowed

"Your Majesty." they both said.

Luis sighed.

"I am glad you both made it. She has declined overnight. I just want you both to know that she has been given the Last Rites and written her will. I, as King of Spain, promise to honor the contents. Since the Queen of Poland, your sister, is currently with child again, we will send her the possessions which are willed to her." he said, trying to hide emotion.

Lord John nodded and Christina let her tears flow. Mary, although their aunt, raised her, her brother and their sister Queen Dorothea of Poland, on her own after their mother, Isabella of Austria, Queen of Denmark, died and their father joined a monastery in Madrid. John was just eight years old, Dorothea was six and Christina was only five. Mary, only in her early twenties, decided to raise her nieces and nephew in her household and was therefore their surrogate mother.

John offered his youngest sister his arm.

"Come, Christy. Let us go see her." he said.

Christina took her brother's arm. They both bowed to Luis and walked into the room of their ailing room. The room was filled with her household, fervently praying for Mary. John spotted a chair near his aunt's bedside and he led his sister to the chair, who was crying. Although he was forty years old, John knelt on his knee and stared at his aunt.

Mary of Austria was in her bed, sleeping and breathing shallowly. The fifty-three year old Dowager Queen of Hungary had suffered from a problem with her heart most of her life and losing two of her closest siblings only seven months apart caused her to have two heart episodes that were really severe. For weeks, she had been ill and feverish, but was thought to recover. Now, they had to say their good-byes.

John kissed his aunt on her forehead. Mary opened her eyes and smiled.

John smiled.

"You will be welcomed into Heaven, dear aunt. My sisters and I are thankful that we had you. You made us into the people we are today. You raised us and loved us. You may not have given birth to us, you are still the mother in our hearts." he said, as years rolled down his face.

Christina nodded her head.

"We love you, Aunt Mary. You are our mother. We are your three children.. Thank you for everything and although Dorothea is with child and unable to travel, she thanks you as well. Thank you for being our mother." she said.

After hearing the loving kind words, Mary of Austria, Dowager Queen of Hungary, breathed her last and was finally without pain.

---

13 November 1558
Hampton Court, England
Queen Lillian of England's Bedchamber

Queen Lillian was dressed in black and sitting in her chair by the fire, praying. She was still in disbelief that her beloved father was now gone. She did her best to compose herself, since her child was due any day now and she in her confinement. She was also in shock that her aunt Mary had recently died as well. She prayed to God that he would spare her heart anymore tragedy.

Lady Mary Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk walked up and bowed to Lillian. The two women had become close since Mary entered into Lillian's household. All the women used to be in the late Queen Anne's entourage and besides four of her own maids, which included two from Spain, one from Austria and one from Africa, Lillian's entourage was mostly English and the entire Court appreciated that.

"Your Majesty, is there anything I can do for you?" she asked.

Lillian shook her head.

"No, dear Mary. I will be fine. My melancholy heart shall heal. It just hurts. I've lost my stepson, two of my aunts and my father. It is foolish to feel like an orphan when I am a woman of twenty-five years and expecting my own child." she said.

Lady Mary shook her head.

"If I may speak freely, it isn't foolish. I am also a woman of twenty-five years and I have three children. However, I lost my mother when I was only five years old and I am so blessed to have my father. I would feel like an orphan as well." she said.

Lillian nodded and put on a smile and took Mary's hand.

"Enough about my sad days. Tell me, how is your new child?" she asked.

Lady Mary smiled. She had recently returned to Court after giving birth to her and her husband's Charles third child, Lady Elizabeth Brandon, named for Charles' late mother and half sister, who currently resided in Spain.

"She's a happy baby, although with a temper. Charles says it's because of her red hair." she said, with a chuckle.

Queen Lillian also laughed, but then paused and held her stomach. She felt a sharp pain and began to breath it through.

Lady Mary noticed her Queen's discomfort.

"Your Majesty?" she asked.

Before Lillian could say anything, another pain came and she knew exactly what was wrong.

"The child is coming. I need my midwife." she said.

Lady Mary nodded.

"First, let's get you in a nightgown and into bed." she said.

Queen Lillian knew that Lady Mary had been through this three times and nodded her head and did exactly as she was told.

---

King Harry and three of his children were sitting outside of Queen Lillian's chamber, as her labor progressed. Harry knew that it was time for his child to be delivered, since he could hear Lillian screaming in pain. He suddenly felt fear grip him. It was in these same chambers that he lost Anne just two years ago. Losing Lillian and his child was on his mind and he felt guilty. He and Anne had six children. He didn't need heirs. If Lillian dies, it was his fault.

Edward walked over to his father.

"Father, the Lord will be merciful. Mt Lady Stepmother will be just fine as will my new sibling. This is a joyous occasion. We lost Mother and William, but look at what we are gaining. You have a new wife, who the people adore and a new child. No, this child will never take William's place in our family, but the joy of who this child will become remains." he said.

Prince Owen nodded, agreeing with his older brother.

"Edward is right, Father. I am happy you married the Queen. You seem so much more happier. I think this family needs new life. Someone to lighten our days." he said.

Harry smiled at his nineteen year old son.

"I was afraid you children would resent me for marrying Lillian. I want you all to know that my love for her does not take away the love I still feel for your beloved mother." he said.

Fifteen year old Princess Eleanor walked up

"Father, we could never resent you. We love you dearly. We know as King, you must do things we do not agree with, but you marrying our Lady Stepmother is not one of those things. She has never tried to take the place of Mother and even honors her memory. She's a kind woman and we know she makes you happy. That is all we wanted and we know that Matilda and Margaret feel the same." she said, with a smile.

Harry hugged his three children. He didn't get to have moments like these often, but after the death of William, he made sure not to take his children for granted.

Suddenly, they heard a loud infant's cry. It pierced through the closed door like an arrow. Harry looked towards the door. He hadn't heard a child from a newborn in nearly nine years, when Anne gave birth to Princess Margaret.

The door finally opened and Lady Mary Brandon walked out, looking slightly tired from the ordeal that lasted over six hours.

She smiled.

"You can go in now, Your Majesty. The Queen has given birth to a healthy baby girl." she said.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief and joy. He had a new healthy daughter. England had a new Princess.

"And the Queen?" he asked.

Lady Mary smiled.

"She did magnificently. Nothing went wrong. She's asking for you." she said.

Edward touched his father's shoulder.

"We will retire to our chambers. Give our new sister a kiss for us." he said.

Harry turned and nodded at his children and walked in Lillian's Chamber.

The room was had a fire blazing in the fireplace and carpets lined the floor. Tapestries were all throughout the room, revealing relaxing and peaceful images of and showing moments from the Bible. One window was open, which revealed a bright full moon which illuminated the womb-like dark room.

On the bed he saw his beautiful Lillian. She was in a fresh night dress, however her long dark auburn hair was drenched in sweat. She looked exhausted, but she was still so beautiful and in her arms was content and beautiful baby, who was cooing and looking at her mother. She had light brown hair and beautiful eyes.

Lillian looked at Harry.

"Come closer." she said softly.

Harry walked closer and sat next to Lillian and the baby. He was captivated by his new child.

"She's so beautiful, darling." he said.

Lillian smiled.

"I can tell she has your character already." she said.

Harry softly laughed.

"I know you were hoping for a boy, so you could name him Charles, after your late father. However, how would you feel about naming her Mary, after your late mother and my sister?" he asked.

Lillian teared up and smiled.

"I would be honored to name our new daughter Mary." she said.

Harry took his finger and traced Lillian's cheek.

"I love you, my sweet Lily." he said.

Lillian looked in his eyes.

"I love you too, my Henry."

---

14 November 1558
France

"I don't know your Majesty. The purple gown seems more festive," Mary Elizabeth Fleming, one of the Scottish Queen's ladies said, as she and Queen Mary and the other ladies sat in the gardens of the castle.

"Personally, I think you should wear the . . ., " Mary Seaton, who they all affectionately called May began, before her words trailed off into the air. The other ladies, as well as the young Scottish Queen quickly glanced up and followed her gaze, which was firmly fixed on the French guards running to where they were seated, embroidering.

"What is it?" Queen Mary asked.

"Forgive us, your Grace," the guard replied, bowing. "King Henry and Queen Catherine have sent us to fetch you and your ladies. There are Spanish soldiers in France, just a few hundred miles from here, and their Majesties have ordered that the Royal children and yourselves be moved into hiding for your safety. Your belongings have been packed and moved already. We are to escort you to the cottage you will be hiding in until the threats have been eliminated."

Mary stood, as did her ladies, gathering their sewing supplies. "We will come at once," she answered. The guards took their positions around the girls and headed towards the cottage on the east side of the castle grounds.

"Won't the Spanish search this place if they make it to the castle?" Mary asked the guard who had explained the danger.

The guard looked around to be certain he would not be heard by anyone other than the Queen. "The cottage holds the entrance to a series of tunnels where there are rooms awaiting you and your ladies, along with the Dauphin and his siblings. There is no need to fear, Your Grace. There will be guards around the door and stairways constantly."

The party reached the cottage and the guard knocked on the door three times rapidly, then once more, signaling that they had arrived to whoever was waiting inside. There was a loud noise and then the door flung open and the girls were ushered into the small cottage. The guard led them to a back room and pulled a book from a shelf nearby, but instead of retrieving the book, a door swung open. "This way, your Grace," the guard said, and motioned his hand at the doorway.

Mary and her ladies went through and found themselves face to face with a winding staircase, leading down several stories. Holding onto the railing, they began their descent. After what seemed like an hour, they arrived at the bottom and stepped onto a stone floor in an octagon shaped room containing seven doors. Mary noticed that there was also a large amount of food on shelves in the room and a great number of sealed barrels. There were guards sitting in chairs to the left of each of the doors, as well as two at the bottom of the stairs. The young man who had accompanied the girls pointed to the door straight ahead of them and led them to it.

As he opened the door for Mary and her ladies, she could see the large room with a great number of small beds. At the foot of the beds sat chests and beside them were small tables with candles on each. Prince Charles and Prince Eduard were sitting on two of the beds with Princess Marguerite and Prince Hercule beside them. Princess Claude was on another bed, talking with her sister, Princess Elisabeth. Missing from the gathering were the Princesses Victoria and Joan, the twins that were only two, as well as Francis, the Dauphin and Mary's fiancée. Victoria and Joan were probably being brought now by their nannies, but Francis' absence was alarming to Mary. Seeing the look on her face was enough for the guard to know what she was thinking as he watched her eyes scan the rest of the room.

"Don't worry, your Grace," the guard whispered, coming closer to the Queen. "The Dauphin will be here soon. His parents are giving him some last-minute instructions in case the Spanish reach the castle."

Mary smiled and nodded, her relief both immediate and apparent.

Within minutes, the heavy wooden door swung open again and Francis walked into the room. Mary smiled as she spun around and saw his face. "Francis!" she exclaimed.

Francis walked over to her and they were joined by Mary's ladies and his oldest two sisters, Elisabeth and Claude. "What did Father and Mother say, Francis?" Elisabeth asked the question that was plaguing them all.

"Nothing worth repeating, Lissie," Francis replied, using his affectionate nickname for her. They were the closest in age of their siblings, and Elisabeth looked to her older brother when she was scared or concerned. "They just gave me some instructions in case the worst happens." He glanced at Mary and bowed, "Your Grace, we are terribly sorry that you have become involved with our political matters with Spain."

"As your future wife, Francis, I was already involved," Mary replied, "and I thought we had moved past the formalities of our ranks."

"Of course," he answered, "Forgive me, Mary."

"There is nothing to forgive," she smiled at him in a way that would make any man, much less a boy of his age, go weak in the knees. Mary turned to her ladies and ushered them to the back corner of the room where they could continue their sewing and left the young Dauphin to his siblings.

Later that night, Francis was still awake, reading at the table in the room when he heard noises coming from the back corner, but saw nothing as he glanced in that direction. A few moments later, he heard them again, and slowly walked back to where Mary and her ladies were sleeping. Again, he saw nothing, except his sleeping fiancée who, if it were possible, he thought was more beautiful asleep than she was awake. He noticed how her wavy hair lay on her pillow behind her, but her face held a worried frown. Suddenly, Mary said "cold, dark prison" followed by "blood everywhere." She began to toss in her sleep and Francis realized that those were the noises he heard from across the room. She was having a nightmare, and he debated waking her to ease her grief.

Mary sat up and screamed, startling him and he jumped a little. Her scream was terrifying, and he knew that something horrible had happened in her dream. He eased himself down on the edge of her bed and whispers "Mary, everything is alright. We are all safe. There is no need to be afraid here. The guards are all around us." He took her into his arms, as his mother had with him so many times, and hugged her. "I'm here with you. Nothing will hurt you." He wiped the tears from her eyes as she looked into his.

"Francis," she said softly through her tears. "I was so afraid. I dreamt that the soldiers were killed and that the Spanish broke in the door to this room. They killed my ladies and . . ."

"And?" he questioned.

"Your hands were bound and you were kneeling on the floor and they had a sword to your throat," she continued. "They were going to kill you Francis . . . and all I could think about was that you would die without knowing . . ."

He looked into her eyes while still holding her, so she knew he was there, and no one had harmed him. "Without knowing what?"

Mary began to cry again, softly, and it took her minutes to regain her composure enough to speak. "Without knowing that I love you."

Her words sank in and Francis smiled at her slowly. "What?" Mary asked. "What did I say?"

"Mary, my sweet Mary," he began, "I love you too. I think I have since the moment I saw you standing on the dock when you arrived from Scotland. I've wanted to tell you that exact thing for weeks now, but I was afraid that our marriage was nothing more than a political alliance for you and that you wouldn't feel the same."

Mary blushed as he spoke. "I think I fell in love with you then too, right when our eyes met for the first time. It was like looking at myself in the mirror, only a much more warming feeling."

Francis took her hands in his and kissed them, then raised his eyes to meet hers once again. Slowly, as if some force other than his own will were guiding the moment, he leaned towards her and kissed his wife-to-be for the first time.

---

24 November 1558
France

Catherine, Queen of France, watched from the window as her two youngest daughters, Princesses Victoria and Joan, played with their nannies and the other children of the castle in the gardens. Their births were difficult and left the Queen unable to have more children, but it was worth every ounce of the pain she had endured to bring these two beauties into the world.

No one could deny that Catherine had finally fulfilled her duty to France. She had provided four living sons and five healthy daughters to the realm, thus ensuring that the Valois line would continue. Prince Francis, the Dauphin of France, was to be married within six months and would undoubtedly produce heirs of his own, despite his fragile health at the beginning of his life, and his marriage would make him King of two nations once his father was gone, France and Scotland. Her second son, Prince Charles, Duke of Orleans, was betrothed to an Italian Princess, and Henri was in the process of securing marriages for their other children who weren't already betrothed.

Catherine was lost in these thoughts when her head turned to the window again. What had she seen? Was it real or imagined because of the latest rumored threats from Spain? She looked past the gardens into the tree-line where she had seen the movement or thought she had seen it. Yes, she had. There it was again; a dark shadow appeared at the edge of the trees, near where her daughters were playing. She tried in vain to open the window and yell to the nannies to watch out, but the window wouldn't be budged. Her mother's instinct sprang into action as she ran from the room yelling for the guards to follow her.

She took the steps of the castle two at a time as she descended to the first floor of the castle, pausing briefly on the landing to gather her skirts so she could run faster. The castle doors were closed but she began yelling at the guards the moment she believed they could hear her and by the time she and her followers had reached them, they were wide open. The party ran through them and followed their Queen into the gardens to the right of the doors.

The sight they saw was one of horror. The nannies were all dead on the ground. They had been run through as if they were common soldiers instead of noble ladies. The children were missing, all six of them, and the shadows that the Queen had saw were gone. Catherine fell to her knees on the ground and her scream was one that would have awakened the dead, were it possible to do so. Moments later, Henri, Francis, Mary, and a dozen of Henri's personal guards entered the garden. Seeing his mother in the state she was in was more than Francis could handle. He instructed Mary to return to the safety of the castle so he could help his mother, and she did so, without question, not wanting to worry him further.

Henri knelt in front of his wife and wiped her endless supply of tears fruitlessly. "Catherine, what happened?"

The Queen looked at her husband blankly, as if she had no brain. She was in shock. "I believe the Queen is overcome, my King," one of the guards said. "If you will allow me?"
"By all means," Henri replied, as Francis ran towards the tree line with his own men.

"The Queen ran from her chambers and ordered us to follow her. We ran down the stairs and out the doors into the gardens, the whole way she was talking about shadows and the babies, which I presume she was referring to the twins and their companions. When we exited the castle, this is the scene we saw. The nannies, here, dead, and the children nowhere in sight."

Henri looked around for his daughters. 'Dear God,' he thought. 'Who would have done this so close to the castle walls with the guards nearby?' His thoughts were interrupted by the voice of his eldest son beckoning him to the edge of the trees. In a whisper, Francis nodded to his right and said, "Father, look."

Henri joined his son, leaving the Queen in the protection of his men, and once there, glanced in the direction of his son's gaze. He could barely make out what Francis was referring to, but then he saw it; a small, red something in the distance. Henri nodded to his men to follow and then held his arm out to stop his son. "No Francis, this is not the time to be the hero. Go, comfort your mother and if anything should happen to me, take care of this family."

Francis nodded and did as he was told. He knew this was not the time to argue with his father.

Henri and the guards proceeded towards the red presence that Francis had spotted, and it wasn't until they were upon it that Henri realized it was a little girl laying face-down on the ground. Her dress was torn, and her back was exposed to the elements, revealing three cuts on her shoulder. He knelt slowly and turned the girl over. It was Elizabeth duPage, the daughter of the Baron of Tome', one of the twins' companions. She was alive, but unconscious.

Henri turned to one of his men and instructed him to take the girl to the infirmary. As the guard lifted the little girl, Henri noticed something in her hand. It was a braided ribbon; one worn by pirates to remind them of home, if they had one. On the end of the ribbon was a medallion with the symbol of Osiris, the Egyptian god of the dead. Henri looked deeper into the woods. He knew who these pirates were. They were the same band as those who had kidnapped his father so many years ago; the ones responsible for his own imprisonment. But they weren't working for the Spanish; they were renegades from the Ottoman Empire and there was only one thing they wanted . . . gold, and a lot of it.

Henri turned to his men. "Comb the woods but stay close to the edge until the rest of the battalion joins you. Go in parties of five and do not stop until you find my daughters and the other three children. We have the Lady Elizabeth, but Lady Cecile and Lords Thomas and Louis are missing. Any man finding these children will be greatly rewarded, and those locating the Princesses will have their stations risen. Go!"

Henri looked back at the castle gardens where he knew Catherine was waiting for any word of what they found. They had their differences, but she was a loving mother, and this would break her heart . . . he knew this because his own was already there, and he knew the chances of finding their daughters still in France faded by the hour, if they were alive at all.

---

5 December 1558
Windsor, England
Lady Rose Tudor, Baroness of Windsor's Chambers

Lady Rose was doing her sewing, as a quiet snowfall fell over the land of her country estate. She loved her new country home and had been very very happy to return to it after she had attended the christening of the her new niece, Princess Mary. However, she also was very sad. Six weeks after her wedding, her husband, Lord John Tudor, had to go out to sea and there was no telling how long he would be gone. Thankfully, the King said he most likely would not have any more long voyages upon his return and that would give her and John the opportunity to have children. John had told her during their courtship he wanted a large loving family to come home to after being out at sea and she was determined to make that wish come true. She hadn't thought about children before, but she did adore them.

The door opened and one of her maids was bringing in her evening meal.

Rose smiled.

"I apologize, I must have lost track of the time." she said, as she sat down at her table.

The carver came with his knife and began to cut into the roasted goose. Lady Rose adored the taste of this particular bird, but she felt something wrong. She noticed that the smell was not sitting well with her and was beginning to make her feel rather queasy.

After everything had been served on her plate, Rose began to pick at her meat, but was not enjoying the taste of it at all. She sipped at her wine, hoping that it would dull the taste and help her get through the meal.

Finally, she said:

"I am so sorry. I do not have much of an appetite. I think I should retire to bed early this evening." she said.

The server looked at Lady Rose, in bewilderment.

"What should we do with all the good, Your Grace?" he asked.

Lady Rose looked at him.

"Oh, please serve the rest of the household and yourself. I do not wish to let good food go to waste, especially when you all serve me so well. Whatever you don't finish, please make sure that the poor and the orphans of the village receive these goods." she said.

The server smiled. Everyone loved serving Lady Rose because she made sure that they all had good clothes, plenty of food and she treated them like family.

"Yes, My Lady." he said.

Lady Rose smiled.

"Please send one of my ladies in to prepare me for bed, please " she said.

Several moments later, her closest lady-in-waiting, Lady Anne Seymour, walked in, looking worried.

"My Lady, are you well? Everyone is saying that you were taken ill at dinner." she said.

Lady Rose nodded.

"I should be fine. I am just very queasy and I beg your pardon, but my breasts are very sore." she said, looking slightly embarrassed.

Lady Seymour looked at her, in curiosity.

"My Lady, when was the last time you had your courses?" she asked.

Rose began to think and then a look of shock came upon her face.

"My last courses were before my wedding." she said.

Lady Seymour smiled.

"If I may speak freely, it seems as if the Baron left you with a gift before he set sail." she said.

Lady Rose smiled and placed her hand on her stomach. Of course she would have to confirm it with her midwife, but she was excited and silently thanking God if her womb was carrying a child so quickly into her marriage.

---

12 December 1558
Edinburgh Palace, Edinburgh, Scotland
The Royal Dining Room

Lady Jane Stewart and her husband were sitting across from each other, at a very tense moment. Marie of Guise, Dowager Queen of Scotland, had ordered the members of the Royal Family, to attend a dinner to mark the beginning of the Christmas holiday. The Dowager Queen had ordered no one
to wear black and most of the family listened, to not cause conflict. However, the late Prince Arthur's widow, Lady Sibylle, Dowager Duchess of Albany her three younger children, Mary, Robert and Elisabeth, defiantly dressed in black for their late husband and father.

Marie, dressed in bright red, looked at the mourning family.

"Dowager Duchess, I instructed you and your family to cease mourning. It has been three months. The time for lamentation is over." she said.

Lady Sibylle glared at her sister-in-law.

"I will mourn my husband however long I wish. You do not dress me as one of my ladies." she said.

Marie glared.

"You unsophisticated cow! I am the Regent and you will do as I say." she said.

Lady Sibylle stood to her feet.

"You, My Lady, are a murderess who was not punished for murdering my husband. You hated him and you were alone with him. It could be no other." she said, angry visible on her face.

Marie also stood.

"Your husband died in an accident, but I will not pretend and say I am not glad that the fat red-haired ogre is rotting in a crypt." she said.

The entire room, uncharacteristically, erupted in pandemonium at Marie's cruel words. Everyone was hurt and angry and it was finally coming out.

Lady Jane, in all the chaos, began to feel sharp pains in her abdomen. She placed her hands on her three in a half month pregnant belly and moved away from the table and began to walk toward a chair by the door.

Suddenly, her mother-in-law, Lady Isabel D'Albret, Duchess of Ross, let out a loud scream. Everyone stopped arguing and looked at her and she was staring at the floor. A trail of blood was leading toward the door. Jane also noticed and her eyes followed the trail. Her face grew pale when she noticed the trail was in her direction. She pulled her skirt up and was in disbelief, as she saw a small puddle of blood, pooling on the rug and her shoes.

Lord Duncan rushed to his wife, as she collapsed into the chair and began to cry. Her mother-in-law also rushed to her.

Duncan hugged her.

"Darling, don't weep. We'll have more children and we still have our Artie." he said.

Lady Isabel looked at her only son.

"We must get her to her chambers." she said.

Duncan nodded and picked up his wife and carried her out of the room, leaving a room full of shocked relatives, who couldn't help but feel slightly responsible for this unexpected tragedy.

---

17 December 1558
Konigsberg Castle, Konigsberg, Prussia
Grand Duke Albert Hohenzollen, Grand Duke of Prussia's Chamber

Grand Duke Albert, the current leader of Prussia, was walking to his second son's Bedchamber. He had finally secured a worthy marriage for him and was proud to say that he would be married in just seven months time. This marriage was very much needed. This Princess dowry would certainly improve his wealth.

As he got closer to his son's, he heard the unmistakable sounds of intercourse and he rolled his eyes. His nineteen year old son was unfortunately known in the Court to be very promiscuous and was known to have a mistress in his mother, Grand Duchess Anna-Marie's, household .

The sixty-eight year old man pushed the doors opened and saw his son with his mistress bent over the bed. Both of them were moaning loudly and the bed was hitting the wall and the young woman calling her lover by his name.

Grand Duke Albert cleared his throat loudly, causing the two young lovers to stop and quickly cover themselves, in slight embarrassment.

The older man looked at the young woman.

"Lady Helga, if I wanted my son to ride something as much as he rides you, I would provide him another horse from my stables. You are here to care for my wife, the Grand Duchess. I suggest you gather your dress off the floor and attend to your duties." he said, coldly.

Lady Helga turned red and rose from the bed. The beautiful blonde dressed, bowed and went to attend to her mistress, before her absence would be noticed.

Grand Duke Albert's young son, also called Albert, sighed.

"Father, should I get dressed?" he asked.

Grand Duke Albert shook his head.

"No, sit in your disgrace. If you are to act like a dog, I want you to sit in your filth like one. I will be brief with you." he said.

Young Albert sighed and nodded.

The Grand Duke cleared his throat again.

"I have come to inform you that you will be married in seven months time. You are the Duke of Konigsberg and you need a worthy wife and the Princess I have selected for you will be a worthy asset to our family. I expect you to treat her with respect." he said, with a stern tone.

Duke Albert looked at his father.

"Why do I not get a say in my marriage? My older brother, Frederick, is your heir and he already has children. You praise him for being the 'Golden Son.' Why can't I marry the Lady Helga? As you can see, we love each other." he protested.

Grand Duke Albert put his hand up.

"Lady Helga is a whore on her way to the depths of Hell and she will not drag my son with her. Do you not forget that she already had an illegitimate child already? You will marry who I tell you to marry, even if I have to tie a rope around your member and drag you to the Vicar myself." he said, dangerously.

Duke Albert looked away from his father and the older man began to walk out.

"Who is the Princess, Father?" he asked.

His father turned from the door.

"Princess Cecilia of Sweden, daughter of King Gustav. She is said to be one of the most beautiful out of his daughters." he said.

The young Duke nodded and his father finally left his son alone in his room.

---

24 December 1558
Christmas Festivities in the Court of King Henri II and Queen Catherine of France

King Henri looked at his wife and frowned. He knew that Catherine's heart was broken, still grieving the disappearance of their twin daughters, Princess Victoria and Princess Joan. The twins were the last and final children to be born into their family and their birth had taken its toll on the French Queen to the point she would never be able to have more children without severe consequences to her life. They had been kidnapped a month ago today, and Henri knew his wife was sinking deeper and deeper into a depression.

He and his men had searched for the missing Princesses for nearly three weeks before finally accepting the fact that the girls would not be found in France alive. Catherine had locked herself in her chambers for days before emerging, and that was only to see to some details of their eldest son's upcoming wedding in April to Mary, Queen of Scots. She completed her tasks and had not emerged again until the preparations for the Christmas feast needed her guidance, two days ago. She was here, now, only because they had foreign dignitaries attending and it would be unseemly for a Queen not to attend, regardless of the circumstances, unless she was heavy with child.

Henri resigned himself to asking his wife to dance and was about to walk over to her and show her some kindness when the doors of the hall burst open and startled everyone. A man, looking tattered and road weary approached the King, but was stopped by his personal guards. The man sunk to his knees and said, "Your Majesty, please tell your guards to release me. I have news of one of your missing daughters. We must speak."

The gasps could be heard throughout the hall at his announcement. Henri nodded to the guards and they let the man approach. Henri looked at the crowd that had gathered and wanted to take his wife's feelings into consideration should the news be bad. He looked at his son and said "Francis, Mary, come with me." He then walked over to his wife and held out his hand, "My Queen."

Catherine understood. He was protecting her reputation should she break down over the news this man brought. She took his hand and the four of them, along with their guest walked into the King's study. Before closing the door, Henri waved his hand and the musicians began to play. Two of the guards he trusted most stepped into the room, and the King closed the door behind them.

"Let me warn you before you begin sir," King Henri said, after turning around to address the man, "If you have come here with lies and disrupt my family further than the pain we all feel already over the loss of our daughters, I will have your head."

"I understand your Majesty," the man replied, "but the news I bring is not false and I have proof of that." He held out his hand and produced a button. Catherine gasped at the sight of it, as she knew it well. Her daughters' clothing had all had the same buttons, which were crafted by their blacksmith from the finest silver. It was her unique design.
Henri walked over and took the button from the man. Catherine was more familiar with the children's clothing, so he handed it to her, knowing the design but not as well as she did. "Is it . . .?" he asked his wife.

Catherine was speechless, but nodded. Henri turned around to face the man again as Francis put his arm around his mother's shoulders to comfort her. "Tell me what you know. If the information proves true, you will be rewarded."

"I will tell you everything I know, your Grace, but I do this for no reward other than your Majesties forgiveness for my failures." Catherine looked at the man with grateful eyes, while Henri smiled. "I was in Calais two weeks past and overheard three men talking. They were about to board a ship bound for the Mediterranean and mentioned two infant girls that would be taken to Istanbul and sold for a high ransom. I was unaware that these men were pirates at the time, but soon figured it out when I saw the chests that they were loading. As I watched, I saw another man and a woman with a veil over her face approach the ship with two girls dressed in fine clothing. Both girls were crying and the man started to smack them, which only made them cry louder. He told the woman something in a foreign tongue and then went on board the ship. She must have gotten bored with standing there because she left the girls for a few moments not long after the man went onboard. While she was gone, I managed to work my way over to the girls and when I saw the buttons on their dresses, I knew they were the princesses. I pulled out a piece of candy that I was taking home to my own children and the girls came with me. I was going to bring them both here, but as I put the first one on my horse, the woman came back and began shouting. I had no choice but to leave the other princess behind if I was going to save even one of them. I was out of their sight by the time they mounted their horses and hiding in a thick grove of trees with the little princess." He looked at Catherine who had tears in her eyes, but she had not let them fall; not yet. "I am deeply sorry, your Majesty, but I can't tell the two apart to know which of your daughters I have with me."

Catherine perked up and the tears fell down her face. "You have one of my girls with you? Here? Now?"

"Yes, your Grace. She is with one of your nannies at the entrance of the castle. I didn't know how my news would be received or if I was even correct with assuming that the girls were the missing princesses."

Catherine looked at Henri for a split second and darted out of the room, with much amazement from their guests. Henri, Francis, Mary, and the man ran after her, following her closely down the long corridor leading to the entrance to the castle. Catherine stopped in her tracks when she saw one of Mary's ladies holding a young girl and playing with her. When the girl heard the commotion of the adults to her side, she turned her head. This was all Catherine needed. She dropped to her knees, crossed herself, thanking God that he had returned one of her daughters to her, and held out her arms. The princess ran into Catherine's arms, crying "Maman," and allowed herself to be swooped up by her mother. She was immediately covered with kisses by both of her parents, and Mary touched Francis' hand with tears of happiness falling down her face. Francis kissed her on the forehead and went to greet his little sister. Even the King, who was normally emotionless when it came to his children, had tears in his eyes, watching his daughter returning to his wife's arms.

King Henri turned to the man who brought the princess home and was shocked to find that he had vanished without a trace. The only door he could have left from was in front of where Henri was standing. It took several moments before the King regained his composure, but he turned to his family and watched as his daughter fell asleep on her mother's shoulder. He was thrilled at the return of one of the twins, but couldn't help but wonder what happened to his other child, the one that the man had to leave behind. He silently prayed that she was still alive and that they would be able to recover her as well, now that they knew where the boat was heading. He walked over to where his wife stood and kissed his daughter's sleeping forehead, grateful to the mysterious man who had brought his Victoria home.

A/N Thank you all ad I hope that you all are still staying warm and safe. The support you all have shown is amazing and uplifting. This is the final chapter for the year 1558! The year 1559 will be next. What will happen? Who will appear? You will find out in the next few chapters of the Golden Years. Please Read and Review and Chapter 53 will is currently in production.