December 25, 1559

Rome

Mary's heart pounded in her chest as the carriage slowly made its way through the city. Today was the day she would see the Cardinal who was all but officially confirmed as Pope, and he would be making the decisions on who the Vatican would support. The Vatican had been a supporter of Mary's for sometime, but that was when Mary was fighting Elizabeth, a Protestant. However, the board was different now, and it seemed that Mary and Philip, both good catholic monarchs, were now the two sides of the conflict. She knew very well the Hapsburgs' strong connection to the Vatican would sway the Pope in to siding with Philip, even if it was subtle.

Mary was aware that the chances of the Vatican siding with her were slim, which is why she brought a secret weapon, Elizabeth. Disguised as a lady in waiting, Elizabeth would stay in Mary's chambers, hidden, until it was time for them to confront Philip. In all honesty, Mary did not know what to come out of their talk with Philip, but she hoped their unity would stroke fear into the Spanish king, hopefully convincing him to stand down.

As the carriage stopped Mary took a deep breathe, before she felt her husband's hand slowly take hers. She looked across from her at Elizabeth, who had been surprisingly sympathetic and supportive. Elizabeth gave a simple nod to Mary, but it was full of support. Mary then looked out the window and saw the welcoming party, a group of Cardinals waiting for them, and in the center, Cardinal Medici, the soon to be Pope.

The door was opened and Francis and Mary stepped out to greet the welcoming party. Before leaving, Mary turned to Elizabeth, who would stay in the carriage and ride to Mary's chambers. "Once you are there, do not leave the chambers, if you are seen, it could ruin everything," Mary whispered to her cousin and was met with an understanding nod before the carriage departed.

As a young queen, Mary was always told she was beautiful and charming, possessing an ability to charm foreign dignitaries like no other. Mary hoped this was true, because she needed charm and grace more than ever. When standing before the Cardinals, Mary did a respective curtsy before saying, "Saluti Cardinali, grazie per avermi dato il benvenuto a Roma. Inoltre devo dire, eminenza del Cardinale Medici, congratulazioni. Speriamo che la tua saggezza e pietà possano portare pace e prosperità, non solo alla cristianità, ma al mondo." She had been practicing that with the help of Catherine for weeks, hoping to impress Cardinal Medici. It translates into English as 'Greetings Cardinals, thank you for welcoming me to Rome. Also i must say, you eminience Cardinal Medici, congratulations. Let us hope your wisdom and piety can bring peace and prosperity, not just to Christendom, but the world.'

By the reaction of the Cardinals, it seemed that Mary's charm was already working. "Why your majesty, I am impressed, what perfect Italian you speak!" Cardinal Medici told the queen in awe.

"Well you do know what they say," Mary replied with a charming grin, "When in Rome."

"Your Majesty is to witty," Medici told the queen with an admirable grin, "The Vatican welcomes you Mary, Queen of Scotland and England, as well as you, Francis, King of France. You have both done so much for the faith, it was only right for you to visit us in person. Please, come inside out of the cold while we wait for the King of Spain."

France

With both the King and Queen in Rome, Christmas festivities were cancelled this year in French court, instead it was merely a family dinner, with the family members present. This feast included, Catherine de Medici, Prince Charles with his wife Princess Mary, as well as Cathrine's others children, Henry, Claude, Hercule, and Margaret. Many of Catherine children were still young at this point so there was not much room for political discussion, but it was clear by her wine intake, that Catherine was anxious with her son's meeting at the Vatican.

"Mother its Christmas, please try and enjoy yourself," Charles told his mother, noticing that his little siblings could tell their mother was upset.

"The fate of nations is being decided today, please do not tell me to enjoy myself," Catherine replied to her son but took his hand, as a small way to apologize for her rotten mood.

"Excuse me for interrupting," said a servant as she entered the dining hall, "but Princess Mary has an urgent message from the Queen of Spain."

Mary stood up happily as she heard the news of a letter from her sister. She took the letter and opened it hastily, she had not seen Catherine in so long. "Probably Christmas wishes from my sister, let us see what she said!" She began to read the letter and her bright mood began to vanish. She looked up, "Catherine, could you come with me to check on the children in the nursery?" She asked as she and her mother-in-law made their way out of the room.

"Mary, what it is?" Catherine asked as they locked the nursery door room behind them and looked over the children.

Mary was already in tears as she turned to Catherine and hugged her tightly, "My sister is going to make a grave mistake and I fear it is to late to stop her!"

"Pull yourself together, and tell me what is wrong," Catherine said trying to console the sobbing girl.

"She said when her baby is born, she is going to give it to one of her ladies-in-waiting to deliver the child here, so Philip cannot use her child as a weapon," Mary said as she was fighting back the tears so she could speak clearly, "But thats treason! He will kill her, and she knows this but she is going to do it anyway, she is going to be executed!"

Catherine was speechless as she heard what the Spanish queen was considering. In honesty she respected this decision, as a mother and fellow queen. "She is doing this for her child, we cannot stop her. We must care for this child as she instructs."

Spain

"Catherine, I beg of you, do not do this, there is another way!" Elisabeth told her friend.

Meanwhile Catherine, was preparing her chambers, because the midwife had told her that she would be close to giving birth, perhaps any day now. "I will be damed if that monster uses my child as a weapon against my own family. This is the best for my child, and the best for my country, it even saves you, my dear friend. Without an heir in his control, Philip cannot risk removing Carlos."

Elisabeth held her own stomach, a small baby bump forming, and she thought of her own child, safe from being considered a bastard. "But Catherine, he will kill you, he's a monster, he will not hesitate because you are the mother of his child, he will kill you."

"I know," She said and hugged Elisabeth tightly, "A while back I saw Marie de Guise give up her life for her daughter and her country. How could I forget such courage? How can I watch that, yet be cowardice in protecting my own child. Marie died for her daughter, and for me. The least I can do is die for my child as well. This is what needs to happen." Catherine then held her stomach and winced in pain, "Now call the midwife, the child is coming."

A short chapter I know, but its setting up the the drama filled storm that is the next chapter. That one will prob be looooong so enjoy this. Btw sorry if my Italian isn't perfect, I do not speak Italian so google translate does. Please review and/or message me :) thanks for all the love so far