George had enough of Queen Mary's petty demands. He and Katherine were quietly resting together when their servant had interrupted them for some complaint from the Scots Queen. Katherine being the good hostess attempted to get up and deal with it but George stopped her. He would not have his wife and child's health be put at risk for that woman. At first he thought to bring this to his nephew but then George thought better of it. So far Francis was completely unaware of Mary's affections for George and the young Duke of Calais wanted to keep it that way.
Mary was laying on her bed eating some strawberries when George had barged in. Pleased to have the opportunity to speak with him she immediately dismissed her ladies so she could be alone with him. George didn't like the idea of being alone with her, "You should have allowed them to stay. People like to gossip."
"Why George?" Mary arose from her place and attempted to put her arms around him. "Do you plan on doing something inappropriate?"
George immediately shoved her hands of him. "Do you have no shame? My wife is carrying my child…"
"Lots of men seek pleasure elsewhere when there wife is with child." Mary interrupted with a seductive smile.
George however only felt disgust at Mary's words. "Your wedding vows may not mean anything to you but they mean a damn sight more to me. I will not betray her and I will not betray Francis either." George spoke with conviction, "My nephew has been nothing but devoted to you and yet you shun him over a childhood fantasy."
"Is it a fantasy to follow one's heart and marry for love rather than duty?" Mary spoke sadly looking at George full of longing. One of Mary's fondest memories was George playing the hero in their games. It was during these games George had given Mary her first kiss. After that George had suddenly became distant. Mary merely thought George was simply denying his feelings because he was a bastard.
"You don't understand Mary." George shook his head with pity, "I love Katherine, we're having a child together and all I wish is for you to find happiness in your marriage as I have in mine."
"You're lying." Mary shook her head in denial. "I'm a Queen, she is the daughter of a traitor. There is no possible way for you to love her and not me."
George was furious with the Scots Queen's statement. Titles and status meant nothing when you love someone. His father the King of France told George that shortly before he had died. The love King Francis had for Mary Stafford was anything but convenient and yet they had loved each other anyway.
He was about to explain this to the Scots Queen but he was interrupted by a servant bringing an urgent message from England. As he read the message George's face became white as a sheet. Queen Mary seemed genuinely concerned for George's distress, "What is it?"
"I must go." George spoke quietly trying to keep his composure, "If you see Francis tell him I want to speak with."
"Is there anything I could do to help?" Mary offered but George ignored her and walked out without so much as a glance in her direction. Whatever was in that message can't have been good.
When the King of France received a report regarding his brother the Duke of Orleans' banishment it took everything in him not to lose his temper. After everything his father had done to improve relations with England Charles had destroyed it in a single night. When the ambassador left after given his report Henry couldn't hold his rage anymore. He threw an ornament across the room smashing it against his brother's portrait. Henry only wished the ornament had hit is actual brother's face and not his portrait but fortunately for Charles he had not arrived home yet.
Henry morbidly wondered if Charles would make it home at all considering most of the shipping ports were on George's land. Henry knew for a fact George wouldn't forgive Charles for the treatment of his sister. Henry privately wondered if George would forgive him for making this marriage possible. George had argued against the match but Henry's advisors had stated it would be good to join the Valois family to the Stafford family in an official capacity since George had already married into the Tudor family through Katherine Grey. Henry didn't dare tell his advisors that the Valois and the Staffords had already joined in marriage thanks to his father and Mary but that would have caused new problems.
George had gained a degree of popularity in the Protestant faction though George never officially claimed allegiance to either religion. Henry never doubted George's loyalty but the King of France was still worried that others would use George against him whether the Duke of Calais wished to or not. However there was one thing both Catholic and Protestant factions agreed on was that they wanted a French man ruling France. Thanks to George's dual citizenship he would never get the French lords full support which George exploited ruthlessly. Whenever it looked as though the Protestant faction would use George in their schemes George took a trip to England to visit his cousin. George would come back full of praise for the English court thus alienating his Protestant supporters. This tactic could so easily have backfired but George was willing to take that risk to protect his family.
If only Charles had shown the same consideration then maybe they wouldn't be in this mess. Henry wanted to throw something else but was stopped when his wife entered the room. Catherine had already guessed something was wrong, "I can tell from the English ambassador's abrupt exit and the damage to the portrait that my brother in-law has done something stupid."
"You guessed correctly madam." Henry sat down in front of the fire glaring angrily into the flames and began to explain what happened.
"That stupid fool!" Catherine paced angrily, "Does he know he may have started a war?"
"I have a feeling that is exactly what he wants." Henry knew Charles was still angry that he was forced to give up Elizabeth thanks to the loss of Boulogne to the English. However Henry VIII did offer to share Boulogne with France provided that he got his daughter back. Charles had never forgiven his father for giving up to the English King so easily. Charles didn't understand that France would not go to war with the English over Elizabeth just like Henry knew France won't go to war over Anne Stafford either. "I doubt the lords would go to war for Charles though."
"I don't suppose they would, considering how he treated their daughters in the past." Catherine agreed. Most lords would consider it an honour to have their daughter be a mistress to a Prince of France. At first it was kind of common to see a noble lady wear things in a similar style to the English Princess but after news came of Elizabeth's marriage to Brandon word had spread that the Duke of Orleans had been kind of rough with his bed partners. George knew this too that's why he practically begged his brother the King of France to reconsider the match with Annie. "You shouldn't have allowed him to marry Annie."
"I thought that with them being childhood friends he would be more lenient." Henry confessed sadly thinking of the bright bubbly Annie Stafford and what Charles had turned her into. The King had noticed that Annie no longer smiled like she used to and became very guarded in her interactions with people. George hadn't known as he been somewhat distracted by his own wife's pregnancy and what would Annie's mother Mary Stafford think? "I thought once Annie had produced an heir he would learn to love her."
"Not everyone is like us my love." Catherine reached over and squeezed his hand. "Based on what you have told me Annie was lucky to even conceive a child after such treatment." During her own struggles to conceive Catherine had studied the topic closely.
"Until we know of the Lady Anne's health we shall wait and see what there is to be done." Henry decided, "However I will not allow Charles to disgrace me further by allowing him to remain in court."
Catherine looked at her husband helplessly. She knew her husband should have been more firm with his brother years ago and now she couldn't help but feel that Henry was too late. The damage had already been done.
Prince Francis thought that spending some time with his uncle would help sooth George's anger. They had played tennis, went out hunting but George's mood hadn't improved. It had only become worse when George had found Katherine making some arrangements with the servants, "What are you doing?"
"George," Katherine tried to reason with her husband, "I know you are angry with you brother…"
"That man is not my brother!" George raged, "He and the Pope already decreed that when they arranged his blasted marriage." George was still hurt by Charles' declaration that they were not true brothers. King Henry did his best to try and include George in family gatherings but the marriage that the King of France helped to arrange only proved to George that he was never really one of them to begin with.
After seeing how hurt his uncle was Francis also tried to reason with George, "I'm not happy with what Charles did either but he is still a Prince. To refuse him entry could be seen as a insult to the King."
"And just how insulted would my brother the King of France would be if I beat the Duke of Orleans into a bloody pulp?" George shrugged Francis off glared angrily at his nephew. "If I allowed that man into my home that is exactly what would happen. So in the interest of maintaining peace with my brother the King I will not allow the Duke of Orleans to enter my home. I will not allow him near my wife and unborn child. As far as I'm concerned the Duke of Orleans can find lodgings elsewhere."
Kathy watched in concern as her husband stormed away in a rage. Francis saw this and placed a soothing hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry. I'll write to my father and make sure he understands George's reasons."
"Thank you, your highness." Kathy nodded in gratitude and continued with her work.
Francis watched as Katherine worked diligently arranging things for the household. "I must say my lady I kind of impressed with the way you're handling things considering the situation."
Kathy smiled politely at Francis' observation, "Sadly I'm used to situations like this."
"My uncle doesn't mistreat you does he my lady?" Francis didn't want to believe that George was capable of that but Charles' treatment of Annie had shaken Francis' faith in his family.
"Oh no your highness. George has always treated me with love and respect." Kathy defended quickly hoping that she hadn't given the Prince of France the wrong impression. "The experience I was actually referring to was my mother."
"Your mother?" It was hard for Francis to comprehend such things. His own mother Catherine de Medici adored her children and would destroy anyone who would dare to harm her children.
Kathy nodded sadly, "My mother expected the best from us, Jane especially. If we made a mistake in any of our lessons we would receive a beating. My uncle the soon to be crowned King of England never knew exactly what was going on but he suspected. That's why he asked Elizabeth who was Princess at that time to offer us work as her ladies in waiting."
"He wanted to shield you from your mother's wrath." Francis was beginning to understand what kind of man the yet to be crowned King of England was.
"Yes." Kathy nodded her head in agreement. "Unfortunately despite the distance mother's hold on us was much too strong for Jane. My sister gave away her mistress' secrets to appease mother and got killed because of it. That's why when my mother got executed for treason I felt nothing for she was the reason my sister was dead and I will never forgive her for it."
Francis could hardly blame the Duchess for her feelings towards her mother. Francis had heard things regarding Frances Grey but hearing about her from Katherine gave him a cold feeling down his spine. Katherine was Frances' daughter and yet even the Duchess could not bring herself to love such a woman. Francis decided to send a silent prayer in thanks to God who had provided him with a good mother like Catherine who had raised him with all the love and support he needed.
Mary Stafford had just read of her daughter's condition in a letter from the Duchess of Richmond. Apparently Elizabeth had been too distressed to write to her aunt of Annie's condition so Mary Tudor had done so. The Duchess of Richmond had tried to assure Mary Stafford that Annie was well protected and that Charles had been sent home in disgrace.
This should have soothed Mary but it did not. The Pope had blessed this sham of a marriage and it could cause problems for England should Elizabeth intervene on Annie's behalf. However Mary wasn't just going to convince her daughter to reconcile with Charles. Mary had decided that something else needed to be done.
"Madeline." Mary called for her friend and cousin by marriage. After Brigitte had left for England Mary was in need of a new servant and Sir Francis Bryan's wife was loyal. Madeline proved that when she had saved Mary from the poison. "Summon your husband. I have need of his services."
After Madeline had left Mary she stared at a portrait of her deceased husband the late King Francis. "I'm sorry my love. I know he's your son but I love my daughter and will not allow him to hurt her anymore. I know you won't forgive me for this but I will not lose Anne by standing around doing nothing as I did when my sister was the one in danger."
"Mary?" Sir Francis Bryan arrived to see his cousin staring the late King of France's portrait. She had only done this when she was deeply upset by something and needed some of the late King's strength. "Is something wrong?" Mary handed the Duchess of Richmond's letter to Francis and he began to read. He looked up from the letter and looked at his cousin in concern. "I'm so sorry cousin."
"You suspected that this would happen." Mary turned to look at him. "You tried to warn us but I stupidly thought Charles would be kinder to her."
"They knew each other since they were children." Sir Francis tried sooth Mary, "It was not unreasonable for you to think like that. I'm sure the King of France believed that as well."
"That marriage shouldn't have taken place." Mary growled aggressively and began to pace. "Something must be done."
Sir Francis wasn't sure where cousin was going with this. "What are you suggesting?"
"I'm suggesting that we kill the Duke of Orleans." Mary confirmed seriously.
"Are you sure that is wise?" Francis knew even speaking of such an act was dangerous but to actually set out to kill someone much less a Prince of France could lead to ruin.
"You're an expert in these matters." Mary approached her cousin, "Can it be done?"
"I'm not saying it can't be done but I want you to be sure." Francis tried to reason with her, "Should we fail it won't be just your life that would be destroyed but the rest of your family will be as well."
"You don't think I know that?" Mary raged, "I wouldn't be here right now in this place if it hadn't been for my father's failures regarding my sister but I won't fail my daughter by doing nothing." Mary then held onto cousin's hands begging him, "I can't do this successfully without your help. Please cousin, help me."
Sir Francis Bryan still had reservations about this but he could tell by looking into to Mary eyes that she would try to find a way even without his help. Francis nodded his head in agreement and Mary responded by hugging her cousin relief. At least with Francis' help they were less likely to get caught. Sir Francis looked over Mary's shoulder and noticed the late King's portrait staring back at him in judgement. The late King had loved Mary and now she was plotting with her cousin to end his son's life.
AUTHOR'S NOT: Hi everyone I'm back. My mother has finished her last treatment and things are going well. Though her cancer treatment was put on pause at one point because it was discovered that she had a heart issue that needed to be operated on. Thankfully the operation was a success and the heart issue wouldn't have been discovered if it weren't for the cancer which is really strange when you think about it. My mother is doing a lot better these days and it won't be long till she's back on form.
I've been doing a lot of Game of Throne's short stories at the moment since Season 8 was done so poorly. I have seriously read fan fiction that was better than what these paid idiots managed to produce. I now feel motivated to continue on with this story but I don't want to let my readers down by writing something badly unlike the paid idiots who don't seem to care about what the fans of the show want. It has also reminded me why I got into writing fan fiction in the first place. There have countless times when I have been unsatisfied with canon and thought about the what ifs. I've enjoyed exploring the what ifs in history with this story because it's different to what has been written before and I hope you enjoy it too.