July 19th 1514
Chateau Blois, France
King Francois I POV
I am hearing disputes today and I can't help but remember why I wanted to become King of France.
Flashback starts
December 23rd 1513
Mary and I were enjoying a stroll when I heard that Katherine's family is pushing for four-year-old Louis to take the throne, but I do not want him to as I have the power as long as he stays off the throne.
There is whisper that Princess Rachel of England will be Queen of France as Louis has decided not to wed Princess Anita (Russia had a better betrothal agreement) and that he will wed the babe Princess Rachel when she comes of age.
I see my influence growing weaker and weaker and decide I need to take what is mine. The throne of France and I will have many wives who shall give me many children.
End flashback
I knew if I did not do what was needed, I would have lost the throne to a four-year-old Spaniard who does not deserve the throne.
And so, I drafted the will and betrothal documents that say I am King and my wives are the Queens and our children are the heirs to the throne of France.
Mayhap if Katherine gave birth to only girls, I would have been King sooner as Rosalita only gave Louis one legitimate heir to the throne. As I know Rosalita had a lover who she wed and made her husband.
Arabella d'Orléans nee Naples POV
I have a grudge against Mary Boleyn yes. Because Francois' first wife was my sister and Francois lost my sister, Claude only two months before the betrothal to Mary Boleyn.
I believe Mary should have married someone else and not my sister's widow.
At least that is my view as I think about my sister.
Flashback starts
August 10th 1511
Claude has summoned me as she is deathly ill and thinks she might die.
''Dear Arabella, little sister if Francois remarries make sure it is of happiness. As I have failed to give him heirs, he needs to remarry for sons.''
''I will make sure he remarries for happiness and heirs within the time limit that is needed.''
''You cannot make sure of that. Men see beautiful women and will flock to them like moths to a flame. He will make his own time limit sister.'' Claude said before she breathed her last.
I swore I would make him wait before marrying and it was going well, until Mary Boleyn attracted his attention.
Flashback ends
And so, I swore to do anything and everything within my power to make Mary's life miserable.
Francois does not know that I spread the rumors of Mary having been mistress to King Louis and sleeping with another man who will remain nameless lest that they corner him to tell them who told him to say Mary slept with him.
He is safe from their clutches and Mary is soon to die as I have acquired a poison that is tasteless and cannot be detected as the cause of death.
Francois will never know and I will have him all to myself as the other Queens have either perished from the sweating sickness (Marie, Belle, and Anne), have been assassinated by Spain (Chatelaine, Claude, and Francoise), so that leaves me, Mary, and Jasmine. I am carrying the babes of Marie, Belle, and Anne while a maid is carrying the babes of Claude, Chatelaine, and Francoise.
They might be a little cramped but we had to save the babes even if it meant using a witch to do it.
October 12th 1514
Birthing chambers
Mary Boleyn POV
I hold Arabella's hand as she gives not only to her child with Francois but Marie's, Belle's, and Anne's.
She pushes and pushes until all four girls are born.
''Four beautiful daughters my Queen.''
''It was supposed to be sons.''
''Send for the King.'' I tell the midwife.
Ten minutes later, Francois comes in and sees the little newborn girls.
''Name them what you wish.''
''Your names...''
''I meant Mary.''
''Your names shall be Claude, Marie, Belle, and Anne.'' I told the four beautiful newborns.
Arabella's face then goes pale white and I call in a midwife who calls in a physician and makes sure we leave with the baby princesses.
An hour later
The doctor and midwife come out only to tell us that Arabella a Queen of France has gone into a coma and might not make it.
I go to Francois and tell him the news and he looks grief-stricken for a moment until he puts a mask on.
Within the next hour Arabella passes away and is buried within a grave in her family's mausoleum instead of the Royal mausoleum.
October 20th 1514
Birthing Chambers
The maid carrying Chatelaine, Claude, and Francoise's babes pushes and pushes as she gives birth to them. Delivering three healthy little princesses.
''Francois will not be happy.'' I say as I know my husband and his desire for sons.
As if hearing his name Francois comes in and once he finds out that he has daughters once again lets me name them.
''Your names shall be Lillian, Chatelaine, and Francoise.'' I tell the newborn princesses.
The maid survives the birth and goes back to her husband to have his heirs.
December 1st 1514
Birthing Chambers
Midwife POV
''Push my Queen push.'' I told my Queen as I see the crown of the babe's head. Another push and the shoulders are out and another and the babe is out. A baby boy. Queen Mary starts to push again and by the time she is done she has triplet sons and passed the afterbirth.
''Three sons Your Majesty.'' I say to my Queen.
''Send for the King.''
And with that, I go to the King's chambers to see him comforting Jasmine, who must be terrified of losing Mary like she lost the other seven Queens.
''Your Majesty, Her Majesty has given birth to three sons.'' I say.
''How is Mary? Is she okay? She will make it won't she?'' Queen Jasmine fires one question after another.
''Queen Jasmine, Queen Mary is fine and yes, I believe she will make it. She is just tired and sore but childbirth makes you tired and sore so she will be fine.''
''Oh, thank you Lord thank you.'' Queen Jasmine thanked the Lord for Queen Mary's health.
With that, both King Francois and Queen Jasmine rushed to the birthing chambers to check on Queen Mary.
Queen Mary POV
I lay propped up nursing my ravenette son, the oldest of them and suddenly the doors swing open.
''Oh, Mary thank God you are all right.'' Jasmine said.
Jasmine has no hate in her heart. I believe she cannot hate anyone except of course, the demons and the Devil but that is different as they are not mortal.
''They are handsome Mary.'' Francois and Jasmine say.
''Who is the oldest?''
''Our ravenette my love and sister.''
''Our ravenette shall be named George, after his uncle.''
''Thank you, my love. I was thinking of naming our second born, the brunette James.''
''It shall be so.''
''And our little blonde shall be named Draconis.''
''As you wish Francois.''
''Mary, you really want to name him James?''
''But of course, sister. I could never hate you and if you were male, I have a feeling you would be named James.'' I told Jasmine not knowing the truth about her.
Jasmine and Francois leave after a while so I may get some rest. I close my eyes to get much needed rest knowing that with Arabella gone I am safe and sound.