Mary was dying from excitement. Tonight King Francis will announce her pregnancy. Common people already adored her, and she was sure that once they found out that she is carrying France's future in her womb they will love her even more. Her life in France was relatively good. Henri, her husband, still favored Diana and claimed that she is the only woman who will ever hold his heart, but he visited Mary's bed almost every night and didn't scorn her. During the four months, she is here he warmed a little bit toward her and she thought that they even became friends and he definitely lusted after her. Mary still remembered his face when he saw her body for the first time. She could see that he was in awe. During her whole life, Mary thought that her fate was to become the first Queen of England, but now she knew that her actual destiny was to be the mother of the most powerful King of France. If God forbids, something happens to Prince Edward her future son will be an heir to both England and France. Mary was sure that people would support him against Elizabeth who is a bastard despite her place in the Succession. Her son would return true Faith in England. She was sure that it was God's plan. She already chose the name for her boy. She knew that many people expected her to name him Henri, after her husband and father, but his name will be Francis, after his grandfather and the man who always showed a respect toward his mother. King Francis II the Catholic monarch, it sounded perfect.
Mary dressed carefully for tonight's event. She chose a beautiful deep blue gown with sparkling and elaborate gold lace embroidery on sheer illusion mesh adorn the sweetheart bodice. Shimmering embellished lace decorates the long sheer sleeves of this ball gown and cascades from the bodice onto the wide skirt with a long train. Her hair was combed to the perfection into an elegant bun and her head was adorned with her wedding tiara that many people now called Dauphine's Tiara. She also wore a magnificent sapphire necklace and the matching earrings.
When she came into the Great Hall, which was decorated for the banquet, the people gasped when they saw their Dauphine. She came in gracefully with a smile placed on her face and head held high. She looked as if she was the Queen already.
"My dear daughter." the King said and pulled her into the embrace. Mary was very thankful to him because he always tried to make her comfortable in a foreign country. Queen, who was her relative though her dear mother, gave her a bright smile. Her husband parted from Diane, who, Mary had to admit looked magnificent in a deep green gown, and came toward her and kissed her hand.
"Lady Wife, you look very lovely." He said, but she could see that he was looking toward his mistress.
"Thank you for the kind words my Lord husband; you look very dashing as well." Mary returned a compliment.
"May I have this dance?" Henri asked and she nodded. They always shared a first dance.
"How are you feeling?"
"I m little tired but other than that I feel really well." She responded with a smile.
"My father is very pleased that you managed to convince so quickly."
"I am very glad that I managed to please him and I hope that I pleased you too."
"You pleased me very much, Mary. I won't lie to you, at first, when I heard about our match I was really upset, but Diane convinced me to give you a chance and I am thankful for that because I found out that my lady wife is a kind, generous, devoted Catholic with a great ambition and I am glad to call her my dear friend. We may not love each other, but we surely make a great power couple."
"I am very thankful for your kind words. One day, our son will be the greatest King who ever lived."
"We will make sure of that."
/
Anna of Cleves just wanted to disappear. She just received a word that English envoy has arrived. The whole Cleves Court was shocked when they found out that English King was sending his former wife and her new husband, who is a brother of his third wife, to collect his new bride. He even granted them a title of Duke and Duchess of Pembroke and their son was now called Viscount of Beauchamp. Anna heard many stories about infamous Anne Boleyn. Some people said that she is an evil witch and some worshiped her, Anna didn't know what to think about her predecessor, but she was sure that there must be something truly special in that woman. She wasn't stupid or deaf, she has heard that the King still loved his former wife despite all and she knew that she must come to woman's bad side. Anna was determined to befriend the former Queen, whom could give her many useful pieces of advice.
Anna disliked the gown that her mother chose or her for tonight's event. It was really unflattering and the dull brown color was clashing with her skin tone. She wasn't a vain person, but she didn't want to look like a complete mess.
Anna looked at her sister Amalia, who looked magnificent. It wasn't a secret that their mother favored her youngest daughter over Anna and Sybille who was now Electress of Saxony. Even their brother favored Amalia. The only person who ever showed Anna true affection was her dear dad, but he was very sick now and he rarely left his chambers.
A sudden herald announced their guests.
"Their Graces Duke and Duchess of Pembroke and His Lordship Viscount of Beauchamp.
Edward Seymour was a really handsome man with a blond hair and piercing blue eyes. He dressed richly for this occasion. In his arms, he held a cute young boy, who looked like he was barely a year old. The only trace of the father in the child was his blue eyes. Next to them walked the woman who was known as the Scandal of Christendom. Anna had to admit that Anne Boleyn was a beautiful woman and she could see why the King fell in love with her. What made her so gorgeous were her dark brown eyes. The former Queen of England was wearing magnificent light blue dress and her hair was adorned with a majestic pearl headpiece. She noticed a slight swell of Duchess's belly and understood that she is once aging with a child. Anna knew that she wanted to look as good and confident as her when she becomes the Queen.
"You're Graces; it's a pleasure to welcome you at Cleves." Her brother William greeted the guests.
"It's a pleasure to be here." Edward Seymour, Duke of Pembroke responded.
"Allow me to idroduce you to my mother Maria and my dear sisters Amalia and Anna."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to introduce you to my dear wife Anne Seymour and our son Edward." Edward said to three ladies.
"England is eagerly awaiting you Lady Anna." Anne Boleyn said
"I am eagerly waiting the day of my marriage to the King." Anna replied and she spoke the truth. She couldn't wait to be away from the people who always called her ugly and stupid. Finally she will have some power over her own life.
AN: I hope that you like my portray of Mary. I am imagining her as a milder version of Margaret Beaufort in Philippa Gregory's novel The Red Queen. We finally met Anne f Cleves whom I will refer as Anna to avoid the confusion. What do you think of her? Review please.