The celebration ball lasted for hours, but the new English Queen was reluctant to attend. She sat in her study still shaken up by Elizabeth's words. In her study Francis, Catherine de Medici, and Marie De Guise all joined her to talk to her." She's all words that is all," Marie said to her.

"She seemed very convincing to me," Mary replied to her mother.

"As of now Elizabeth has a similar claim as you do," Catherine said," At this point your only advantage is the fact you have already been crowned." Catherine said and walked around as she thought," But she only has the Protestants to support her, she has no chance."

Francis leaned over and whispered in Mary's ear," I think we should tell them the news."

"Which one?" Mary asked him curiously.

"Both," he replied and held her hand.

Mary sighed and nodded," Elizabeth told the Grey sisters that she is planning on marrying King Philip of Spain."

"Wait what?" Catherine asked infuriated," He is supposed to marry my daughter Elisabeth! That traitor!" She yelled and clenched her fists in anger.

"Let him marry the bastard, it is his loss," Marie chuckled as she picked up a goblet of wine and took a small sip from it.

"He plans on leading an army to overthrow me, in exchange for Elizabeth instating freedom of religion," Mary explained to them as she sighed, sitting back in her chair.

"How exactly are you figuring all of this information out?" Catherine asked.

"I learned from you it's best to have spies," Mary replied to Catherine," For their safety, I will not tell you the name."

Catherine smiled a bit impressed by Mary's methods." What is this other news you mentioned?" Marie de Guise asked her daughter.

A small smile crept across Mary's face as she looked at her mother," Recently I have found out, I am pregnant!"

Marie de Guise smile and rushed to embrace her daughter," Mary I am so proud of you! This is amazing!"

Catherine smiled," Let us pray it is a boy to serve as an heir." She said overjoyed to have her first grandchild on the way.

Meanwhile in the ballroom Lady Mary Grey impatiently waited for Charles to ask her to dance. Though she was anxious she concentrated to look as if she didn't care either way. The she noticed that handsome boy began to walk over to her," Your majesty." She curtsied and smiled.

"My lady would you care to dance?" He asked and offered his hand to her.

Right before she could accept she heard a voice say," May I borrows my cousin for a moment?"

Charles nodded and smiled," Of course!"

Mary turns around and saw Elizabeth standing there." I hope you are not getting attached to him, our cause is not going to be helped by marriage to Francis's brother."

Mary sighed," Please tell me that is not why you've come here."

Elizabeth shook her head and smiled," No I have news! It's happening! King Philip shall be here within week's time for the wedding!"

Mary grew nervous, she didn't realize it would happen so soon," How will he arrive undetected?"

"There will be a secret landing for the wedding ceremony, I'd like you to come along and be the witness," Elizabeth said and smiled.

"Why me? Why not Catherine?" Mary said fiddling with her hair nervously.

Elizabeth sighed and looked at Catherine dancing with the Earl of Hertford." She is not devoted to our cause, she will pay for that," Elizabeth said and turned back to Mary," You're my only friend."

Mary could hardly take the pressure. She had lied to her cousin, and Elizabeth just threatened her sister. All Mary could do was nod.

"Do not worry cousin," Elizabeth smile and hugged Mary tightly," Tomorrow a glorious age is dawning. I know you will welcome the Elizabethan Era!" Elizabeth said then slowly walked away from Mary.

Charles made his way back Lady Mary," May we dance now?"

Mary couldn't answer. She was to shaken up by Elizabeth and all of the pressure in her family. She slowly shed a single tear and looked down.

"Milady are you alright?" Charles asked concerned.

"I'm sorry," Lady Mary said and hastily made her way out of the main hall and to a bench in the gardens.

Then Francis and Mary finally made their way to the great hall to attend the party. As soon as they entered Charles walked up and bowed," Your majesty, I have something to discuss."

Francis grew confused by his brother," What is it?"

"Lady Mary has run out of the hall sobbing," he explained," I thought to go after her but she had just gotten done talking with Lady Elizabeth so I figured it was a family matter."

Mary nodded," Thank you Charles. You have been a good friend." Mary then turned to walk outside to the garden. It was still snowing outside and there were already three inches of snow on the ground. Mary then saw her cousin and sat next to her on the bench," What is wrong?"

Lady Mary just shook her head," If I don't tell you I betray you, if I do, I betray her. I cannot win!"

Queen Mary nodded," I understand your situation. You are unaware which side is the best choice for you."

"It isn't that, I know I need to side with you," Mary explained," But I care for Elizabeth and I don't want her to get hurt."

"Then tell me so I may stop this before it begins," Queen Mary said and grabbed her cousin's hand.

"King Philip and Elizabeth are to be married in a week's time," she said.

The Queen nodded and hugged her cousin," Thank you, now lets get you inside. Charles was very disappointed he didn't get to dance with you."

Lady Mary blushed as she followed the queen inside. She smiled and walked over to Charles," Would it be ok for the lady to ask the gentlemen?"

"I suppose it's as proper as a lady playing sports," he replied as they began to dance," I saw you were wearing the bracelet I made you at the coronation."

Mary nodded," Well it is my most prized possession."

Meanwhile Catherine de Medici and Marie de Guise stood by each other watching the people at court dance and celebrate." You know what we must do correct?" Catherine asked.

"Of course I do!" Marie replied.

"The better question is, are you willing to do it?" Catherine asked again.

"Of course I am! I'll do anything to support my daughter," Marie said and looked at Catherine,"I will do whatever it takes."

"Even killing the lady Elizabeth?" Catherine asked for reassurance.

"Especially that," Marie smiled then walked away from Catherine to speak to some nobles.

"I do hope you are correct," Catherine said then went to go find her son.