February 3, 1559

England,

It had been a little less than a month since Elizabeth ordered the attack on the castle that made Mary, Francis, Catherine Grey, and Edward Seymour go in to hiding. No one had heard from any of them, so Elizabeth had spread the rumor that they had been killed.

Elizabeth was holding a meeting with the lords at court. She sat on her throne, with Lady Mary Grey standing at her side." I think it is vital to eliminate the Scottish threat, they loom over us constantly."

"Scottish threat?" One of lords the interjected," The Scottish aren't a threat to us at all."

"Yes they are," Elizabeth replied," They have a long standing alliance with France, which could be our downfall."

"An alliance they had to make to defend themselves from us!" The Lord replied," We are wasting lives on a pointless war. If Mary were still here-"

"But she is not here!" Elizabeth interrupted and shot up from her throne," She and that Catherine Grey are both dead! I am queen now! Everyone leave us."

Once everyone left Lady Mary said," You try to hard to take their respect, but respect is earned.

"Is that what Mary told you? Well see where that got her? She is dead, and I am here!" Elizabeth said and sat back down into her throne.

"We both know that is not true," Lady Mary replied," No body was presented, and Mary was pregnant, they would not kill a pregnant woman."

"Have you heard from Scotland?" Elizabeth asked her." Yes I know of your correspondence with Marie de Guise, but has she mentioned her daughter? No she has not."

It is true, Lady Mary has been corresponding with Marie, and she knew Elizabeth was reading the letters, but they were coded. Lady Mary did know that Queen Mary was alive, but of course she wouldn't say anything." I have not heard news about Mary or my sister's survival, but talk at court still doesn't believe your little story. You claimed to have burned the bodies, but that looks like you have something to hide. And your husband, the king of Spain, hasn't even acknowledged Mary's death either."

"My husband is in Spain, trying to ease France about the attacks," Elizabeth said confidently but then it faded," And he does not think she is dead either."

"Well even if she was, many people see you as a bastard, your reign is still threatened," Lady Mary responded.

"That is true, but the only other person with a claim is you, and you wouldn't go against me." Elizabeth smile at Lady Mary.

At this moment Lady Mary realized she had a certain power over Elizabeth. To the Catholics, Lady Mary was the only legitimate descendent of King Henry VII still left alive." But I could," she said much to Elizabeth's confusion," If I wanted to, I could rally a powerful following, probably all of Mary's supporters."

"But you are Protestant, the Catholics wouldn't accept you as Queen," Elizabeth said slightly confused about what Lady Mary was up to.

"You forget, Catherine and I officially converted to Catholicism during Mary's rule, so she could officially name us her heirs," Lady Mary told Elizabeth.

"But still, you couldn't gain enough support to defeat my followers, I am already on the throne," Elizabeth said and stood up, looking over at her cousin.

"To be frank, your majesty," she said throwing in the "your majesty" just for spite," You are hardly secure on your throne. That crown is about as secure on your head as your mother's head on her shoulders. I would have Scotland and France's support to my claim."

"I do not see why Scotland and France would support you, and besides I'd have Spain's support for me," Elizabeth said very skeptical of Lady Mary.

"Would you? I mean your husband has practically abandoned you, he will probably try and annul your marriage," Lady Mary told Elizabeth," And Scotland knows you wish to attack them, so they'd back me, and France would take my side, because I would marry prince Charles. And if Mary and Francis are dead like you say, he's the future king of France. However, I would never do that, or would i?"

Elizabeth walked over to Mary," What are you saying, cousin? Are you going to overthrow me?"

Lady Mary shook her head," No, of course not, but I have a deal for you. I promise not to try to overthrow you, if you don't make me marry the prince of Spain."

"Well who else would you marry?" Elizabeth asked confused.

"Why prince Charles of France of course! Let me marry him and I will stay out of your hair," Lady Mary said. She usually wasn't this bold, but even attempting to kill Queen Mary, was unacceptable. If Lady Mary could tell Elizabeth just how fragile her reign is, then Elizabeth would probably end up destroying herself, in the process of trying to secure herself.

"Deal," Elizabeth said," No leave me."

Mary curtsied," Yes your majesty." She said then walked out.

Scotland,

Mary, Francis, Catherine, and Edward were all I'm Scotland living at a small estate to keep their survival a secret. Mary was now about four months along, and she was starting to show much more. She couldn't help but feel nervous that the stress of the whole event would cause her to loose the baby, but she tried not the think about it." Mother we have been here for almost a month, and still we have no plan to retake England. Perhaps we should give up the fight, stick to ruling Scotland."

"Are you mad?" Marie asked her daughter as they walked through the garden." You promised Mary Tudor you would be queen and now you are. You have made a commitment to your people, you cannot just give up on this."

Mary sighed, her mother was right, how could she just give up?" But mother we have no plan, if the people believe I am dead, they may rally behind Elizabeth."

"Nonsense, with France's support we will be able to retake your throne, do not worry my daughter," Marie said and hugged her daughter." You will be Queen of three powerful nations."

"Support from France? We cannot even contact France for help, how are we going to expect them to help us?" Mary said and nervously placed her hands on her baby bump.

"Actually we can contact France. I have a," Marie paused momentarily," Well lets call her a spy. I am corresponding with her, she will ask France for help."

Mary already knew who her mother was talking about and she smiled widely," Lady Mary! She's alive! Oh that is fantastic!"

"Unless you want all of Europe to hear, then settle down," Marie said and chucked a bit,"Yes I find the Lady Mary to be a good spy. She acts timid and innocent but I sense that deep down she has the heart of a lion."

"When will she contact France? I believe the sooner the better," Mary asked her mother.

"Oh my dear, she already has."

England,

Elizabeth sat in her study reviewing some documents when the herald came in and said," You Majesty, a ship from France has just arrived!"

"From France?" Elizabeth asked," Why would they let a French ship dock here!" Elizabeth said and marched to the docks.

Elizabeth watched the ship carefully to see who would exit, then she heard," Well well, if it isn't the bastard queen, what a progressive era we live in."

Elizabeth sighed," Who invited her here?"

Catherine De Medici walked off the boat with her son Charles," I didn't think I needed an invitation since you slaughtered my son."

"He got in my way," Elizabeth said," Maybe you should raise your sons not to marry Scottish whores, like that Mary."

"My dear the only whore I am aware of is your mother," Catherine said," Now, will someone show me my room?"