January 13, 1559

Mary had been officially Queen of England for a little over a week now and the festivities began to settle down. Ever so slightly Mary began to show, causing gossip around court about if she's pregnant. She decided to make no formal announcement, just in case she lost the baby early on. As a whole court was very boring, even Elizabeth hadn't caused trouble with one of her outrageous threats.

On a snowy morning Mary Grey was just walking around the palace out of boredom. Soon Charles made his way over to her," Lady Mary!" He smiled.

She curtsied with a warm smile," Your highness."

"Please just call me Charles, we are friends," he said then his smile faded," Which I suppose makes this harder."

Mary grew worried," Charles what is it?"

"My mother wishes for me to return home to France, it's time to begin looking or a wife," he explained.

"A-a wife?" She asked sadly," But you're still just a boy!"

"I am thirteen, and most are married on their fourteenth birthday," he said and sighed.

"Who are you to marry?" She asked him almost tearing up.

"We have not picked someone, but there are plenty of eligible ladies for me to marry," he told her and looked down sadly.

"Like me," she blurted out.

"Wait what?" He asked her slightly confused.

"W-what if we got married?" She asked him nervously.

"Us? Marry? Well that would be splendid, you're smart, beautiful, and kind," he said as he smiled at her," But you're not a princess, unfortunately."

She looked down and sighed," Yes I suppose you're right. When do you leave?"

"I leave later today, this is my final goodbye," he said and she began to cry." But you will have the bracelet to remember me bye, I just wish I had something to remember you."

She stood there sobbing softly. When he spoke," You can have this." She leaned in and kissed him on the lips." Goodbye prince Charles." She gave a smile then hurried away, she didn't want to be seen crying.

Charles stood there still in shock of the kiss," G-goodbye Lady Mary."

Meanwhile in Mary and Francis's chambers they were speaking with Catherine de Medici. She too was delivering the news of going back to France with Charles." Catherine, I never thought I'd say this, but I need you to stay," Mary said.

"I am sorry, but I must worry about my other children, Charles still needs a wife," she explained to them.

"How about Lady Mary?" Francis suggested," She not a princess, but she's royal and in line for the throne. Plus Charles will be safely near us."

Catherine shook her head," No. Henri got a formal letter breaking off your sister's engagement to the Spanish king, so we need to find a way to ally with Spain."

"Can you not do that here?" Mary pleaded," We need your help against my cousin Elizabeth!"

"Do not worry dear, I will keep contact with Marie de Guise about how to handle the situation, we've already spoken about it," Catherine replied.

"I don't want her dead," Mary replied.

"It is either her, or you, and I choose to get rid of her," Catherine said to Mary," Besides, you wanted my help, well this is it."

Mary rested her hand on her small baby bump. She already loved this child and would do anything for it. She didn't want this child to grow up without a mother, but she also didn't want to end up like Mary. She didn't want to push her cousins away." I do not want her dead," Mary said.

"Well fortunately for all of us, the choice isn't yours," Catherine said then walked out of the room.

In the gardens Lady Catherine Grey was walking with Edward Seymour. Lately they had been getting close, and Catherine thought soon there would be a proposal." The people seem to be accepting Mary." Edward said.

Catherine nodded," Yes, she is doing a great job as Queen. The only issue is Elizabeth."

Edward nodded," Yes, rumor has it she has invited Lord Robert Dudley to court as a potential husband."

Catherine grew confused," Wait are you sure about this?" She asked urgently.

Edward nodded," Of course! All of court is talking about it, how they might ignite a rebellion against Queen Mary."

"Forgive me my lord but I think I should got tell her majesty about this," Catherine said knowing this is important information for Mary to know.

"Of course but not without a kiss," he said and kissed her softly.

She smiled and nodded," Thank you my lord." She then rushed off to Mary.

Later that night Mary was up pacing her room. Francis had snuck from his separate bedchamber to hers. Most couples, especially kings and queens, slept separately, but Francis and Mary always liked to sleep together. He walked in to her pacing the room," Mary what is wrong?"

"Earlier today my cousin Catherine told me Elizabeth is looking at Robert Dudley as a potential husband, what could she be planning?" Mary asked frantically.

"Who knows," Francis said and walked up behind her wrapping his arms around her," But it doesn't matter. What matters is sleep. It will be good for the baby."

She leaned back into his arms and nodded," Have you thought of any names?"

"Well I don't want to name a boy after my father if that is what you're asking," he chuckled.

She smiled softly," Yes I suppose not, but oh how I wish for a son."

"Do not stress about it. God will bless us with many children. Besides, even a female heir could inherit both the english and Scottish throne."

"But not the French, and if I don't produce an heir for all three nations, then I am useless," she said and began to tear up.

"'Mary never say that, I will always love you, child or not," he said and kissed her softly," Now lets go to bed."

That same night in her chambers Lady Mary slept peacefully until she was awakened by someone shaking her," Whats going on?"

"Shhh!" Elizabeth said," He's here! Philip is here! Get dressed and get ready, I am going to be married!" She said and smiled," I will meet you at the castle gates, hurry!"

Elizabeth then rushed out, soon after she did Marie De Guise entered Lady Mary's room," Mary I am the Queen's mother."

Lady Mary looked at this unfamiliar woman confused," Why are you here?"

"My daughter informed me about your deal with her, about watching Elizabeth," she explained," Go to this wedding and when they celebrate with wine slip this in her drink."

"Is this?" She couldn't even bear to say it.

"Yes foolish girl!" She snapped back.

"Wait how did you know the wedding was tonight?" Lady Mary asked.

" Catherine de Medici has eyes everywhere, so now, I do too," Marie said and handed Lady Mary a small vial," For the sake of all that is good put this in her drink."

As Marie rushed out Lady Mary looked at the vial one fear. She had the power of life and death in her hands, but was she willing to use it?