Lady Mary Grey nervously made her way to the courtyard to meet her cousin Elizabeth. She fiddled with the vial of poison in her hands trying to decide what to do. As she approached Elizabeth she hid the vial in her sleeve." Hello cousin." She said softly.
Elizabeth smiled and hugged Mary," Cousin let us go!"
They rode in the carriage for about an hour to the coast, where a Spanish ship had landed. As they stepped out of the carriage they saw a few tents set up like a military camp." Elizabeth, are you sure about this?"
Elizabeth nodded as she began to walk to the camp," Of course! Now lets go!"
Once at the camp they were announced then led to the biggest tent of them all. When they walked in they saw a man sitting there." Hello Elizabeth," he said in an accent, easily recognized as Spanish.
Lady Mary and Elizabeth curtsied," Your Majesty," Elizabeth said to him." This is my cousin, Lady Mary Grey. She is going to be the witness, she is loyal to me."
Mary curtsied once more. She placed her hands behind her back to hide the shaking. She had never been more nervous in her life." Hello Lady Mary," King Philip said," Pleasure to meet you. Now it is time for the ceremony."
The ceremony took place outside and Mary stood a little bit away watching her cousin get married. She pulled out the small vial and looked at it, at that moment she knew what she had to do. At the end of the ceremony she came over to her cousin smiling a bit. She gave the king and her cousin goblets of wine to celebrate." Congratulations Elizabeth," she said and curtsied," Or should I say your majesty."
Elizabeth laughed," Oh cousin no need to be formal. Now let us raise a glass to celebrate!"
Mary smiled," Long Live Queen Elizabeth!"
The next day Lady Mary returned to the palace and was scheduled to meet Marie De Guise. She went to go get them both a glass of wine then waited for Marie. As she waited in her room the herald announced," The Dowager Queen of Scots!"
Lady Mary smiled and handed Marie her glass of wine," Welcome your highness."
Marie took a sip of the wine," You foolish girl! I was walking around this morning and do you know what I saw?"
Lady Mary smiled slightly," The Lady Elizabeth I assume?"
"Why didn't you kill her like I told you?" Marie asked almost yelling.
"I will not kill my cousin nor would Queen Mary, your daughter," Lady Mary replied.
"You will pay for this! You will regret making an enemy of Marie de Guise. I promise you I will see your head on a stake!" She yelled," Now give me the poison, I'll kill the bastard myself."
"Oh I'm afraid I can't do that," Mary said then let her eyes slightly move to look at Marie's glass of wine.
Marie looked at Mary confused then gasped, dropping her goblet of wine." You tried to kill me!" She said and fell back into a chair.
"Do not play dumb Marie, everyone knows you take a dash of poison a day to build immunity, I knew it would not kill you," Lady Mary said and sipped her glass of wine," Consider this a warning, because next time you try and hurt me or my family you won't see my head on a stake, you'll see your power drifting away. I will tell Mary what your tried to do if you try and cross me."
Marie looked up at the thirteen year old girl in front of her. Marie had to admit she was impressed with the girl's courage and intelligence. Marie stood up shakily," Ok I will play along for now, but it's a shame to see a girl loose her innocence so easily."
Mary looked at Marie confused," What?"
"You will see my lady, now I must be going," Marie said and walked out of the room.
After Marie left, Lady Mary quickly rushed to Queen Mary's room to tell her about Elizabeth's marriage. As she burst into the herald announced," The Marquess of Dorset!"
"Lady Mary!" The Queen said as she walked over to her cousin," What brings you here?" She asked with a smile.
"Last night Elizabeth married King Phillip of Spain, she is now Queen Consort of Spain!" Lady Mary said and sat down on the couch.
"What? So soon?" Mary asked as she began pacing the room," Did Philip bring an army?"
Lady Mary shook her head," No, just a small force to serve as guards but nothing big, however I think they are planning on sending an army," Lady Mary replied to the queen.
"We must write my father-in-law King Henri of France, we will need his help of Spain tries to invade," Queen Mary said trying to think of a good plan," Cousin, see if you can find out any military plans."
Lady Mary sighed," Your highness I do not think I can do this anymore," She said softly." My loyalty is to you as my queen, but Elizabeth is my family, I cannot betray her."
Queen Mary sat down beside her cousin on the couch," I will not force you, but you are England's best bet at the moment, the choice is yours."
In the gardens Elizabeth walked alone, she was supposed to meet a friend. As she reached the tree where they were to meet she saw Robert Dudlet sitting there," Robert!" She ran up to him and kissed him deeply.
He smiled and kissed back wrapping his arms around her," Elizabeth my love, I am so glad to see you!"
She smile but then it faded when she remembered why she had called him here," Robert we can not be together."
"Why not?" He asked her and slowly let go of her.
"I am married," She replied almost in tears," But i had to for my crown! It was my only choice." She sighed," However I will need your help in claiming my throne."