Chapter 66

This Chapter will be the end of the year Fifteen Sixty-Three. Please let me know if you all like the six month Chapters. Personally, I do and i hope we can get more Chapters out and cover more of the story. Please Read and Review and enjoy Chapter Sixty-Six!

3 July 1563

France

King Francis I sat behind the desk in his study with his wife, Queen Mary, beside him. The day before two ambassadors from England arrived with documents from King Henry IX requesting to open formal betrothal negotiations between their son, Prince Robert, Dauphin of France and Duke of Rothesay, and the Princess Elizabeth of England, daughter of his sister, Elisabeth, Princess of Wales. The documents outlined what the English were willing to negotiate with, including an offer of the Port of Le Havre, as part of the infant Princess' dowry. They obviously wanted to stake their claim on the heir to France and Scotland, as he was only six months old, and traditionally, such negotiations wouldn't occur until after his first birthday. Francis and Mary had studied the documents separately, with their own nations in mind as they read them, then came together to discuss the offerings as co-rulers of each nation.

"I just don't know Francis," Mary said, honestly. "He's so young. It almost feels like the situation I was in all my life."

"You mean where you were betrothed to the Prince of Wales, but never met him?" Francis asked.

Mary nodded. "I know it's the way these things are done, but I don't like the idea of our son marrying a girl, even a princess, that he's never laid eyes on before his wedding day."

Francis sighed. He didn't like it either. He and Mary had known each other only a short time before their own marriage, but he knew he felt a connection with her from the moment they met. He couldn't guarantee the same for his son. "Well, it will be quite some time before either he or Elizabeth are old enough to understand what's going on. If we do accept the betrothal, we have years before either of them will even remember their first meeting," Francis replied, then thought for a moment. "We could make it a condition of the betrothal that they meet every so often while they are engaged."

"What do you mean?" Mary asked.

"Well, my earliest memory is one where I was around five years old," he began, "so we could make it part of the betrothal contract that they meet sometime during the year Robert turns five, and they could practice their penmanship by writing letters to each other while apart. Then as long as the contract stands, they meet every two or three years thereafter."

Mary wasn't sure she liked the idea of her infant son being promised to anyone just yet, but it was a reasonable concept that his father was proposing, allowing the children to get to know each other somewhat through meetings and letters. "Do you think they will agree?"

Francis nodded slowly. "I don't see why they wouldn't. France was, after all, part of Elisabeth's childhood. Surely, she would agree to wanting her daughter to know her homeland. As for Edward, I cannot say, but I don't see why not."

"Let's add that to the documents then," Mary confirmed. "I think it's a reasonable request."

Francis took a quill and wrote the suggestion on the document. "Now, the only thing left to discuss would be the Princess' jointure once the wedding happens and is consummated."

Mary shook her head. "I want to send the princess ladies from both France and Scotland to help acquaint her with the customs of both nations as she grows up in England," Mary told him. "Scotland will cover the salaries two Scottish attendants, if France will do the same for her French ladies. I want to find her younger teenage girls who can teach her to speak Gaelic. Her mother can already speak French fluently, so as long as your sister agrees, her French ladies can be girls her age."

Francis nodded and wrote that in the notes he was making. "As for her jointure, I think that lands in both nations would sweeten the deal for the English. My mother has agreed to presenting the princess with Chenonceau as her private residence here if we agree to the betrothal, and the village nearby will provide enough income for her to maintain the chateau with some extra for herself."

Mary thought for a few moments. "I could settle the Shetlands on her as part of her jointure from Scotland, as long as it is the incomes from the islands and not the land itself," Mary said. "Methven Castle can be given to her as her private residence, but it will need a few repairs and some modernization. No one has lived there for a while."

Francis smiled and made the notation. He looked over what was written. "I think we can have our secretary draw this up as a proposal to the English King for the Princess Elizabeth's hand."

"When can he have it ready for us to sign?" Mary asked.

"Tomorrow at the latest," Francis replied, putting down the quill and standing. He walked over to his wife and kissed her forehead, then motioned to the door, suggesting that they leave the room.

Mary started to walk towards it, then turned. "Francis, we're forgetting something."

"What's that?"

"Robert and Princess Elizabeth are first cousins," she reminded him. "We have to send for a dispensation from the Pope to make this final."

Francis stretched and looked back at his desk. He was tired of sitting. "That can wait until tomorrow. The documents won't be ready for the English envoy until then, and we can take care of the dispensation request once the English ambassadors are on their way back to England. It will undoubtedly take them longer to reach London than for our messengers to reach Rome."

Mary nodded. He was right about that. "Shall we take a walk in the garden before dinner then?"

"That sounds perfect," Francis replied. He offered Mary his arm, which she took, then led them both out of the castle and into the fresh air of the French countryside.


14 July 1563
Palace of Geguti, Kutaski, Imereti
Crown Princess Amadea of Imereti's Bedchamber

Crown Princess Amadea, known as Aimee, was sitting in her Chambers with her five year old daughter, Princess Anneliese and her twelve year old stepdaughter, Princess Maria. They were doing their needlework and enjoying each other's company.

Aimee looked at her stepdaughter.

"Your pattern is beautiful, sweetheart." she said.

Maria gave a small smile.

"Thank you." she said

Aimee looked at her, in concern.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

Maria sighed.

"I hope that I have a brother. I do not want you to die and leave me, like my mother did." she said quietly.

Aimee looked at her, sadly.

"I am the future Queen. It is my job to keep bearing children. I love you and your sister so much. I know you lost your mother so early in your life, but I am here for you and I will always be here for you, as long as the Lord wills me to live." she said.

Maria hugged her stepmother so fiercely, that she nearly tore her veil off.

"I love you. Please do not die." she said.

Aimee kissed her.

"I will not. Do not fear. Pretty soon, you will have a marriage and you will have children. Do not fear the pains, since they will bear precious fruit." she said.

Maria smiled. Little Anneliese walked up and hugged her mother and half-sister.

"I want hugs too, Mama." she said.

Aimee smiled and hugged her only surviving biological child back.

"Of course, my little imp." she said.

Suddenly, Aimee felt wetness under her dress and she could feel her first contractions. Not wanting to alarm her daughters, she smiled.

"You two go take a walk outside. I have affairs to attend to. I love you, my darlings." she said, as she kissed both of their cheeks.

Both girls smiled and left Aimee's Bedchamber. When she knew that they were a good distance away, she let out her cry of pain, alerting her ladies-in-waiting.

"Fear not, Ladies. My time has come. Alert the King and my husband." she said, as she was led from her chair to her bed.


Outside Crown Princess Amadea's Bedchamber

Crown Prince George and his father, King Bagrat III of Imereti, sat outside Aimee's Bedchamber, as her labor progressed. It had been ten hours and the moon was high up in the sky.

George sighed.

"The child is taking awhile to arrive." he said.

Bagrat nodded.

"As long as it is a male and healthy, it can take as long as it needs." he said.

George looked at his father.

"I want Amadea to survive as well." he said.

King Bagrat sighed.

"We should look into other alternatives for a wife, if she can not provide a son." he said.

George glared at his father.

"No. I am not repudiating my wife. If we never have a son, my brother can succeed me. I love my daughters and I love Amadea." he said.

Suddenly, a loud cry was heard. Both Bagrat and George looked at the door, excited.

The door opened and the midwife came out, smiling and wiping her bloody hands.

Bagrat walked closer.

"Well?" he asked.

The midwife smiled wider.

"It is a boy! A Prince has been born, Your Majesty." she said excitedly.

Bagrat laughed and clapped his hands.

"It is about time! Seven years and you finally have a son, my boy! " he said.

George smiled.

"How are my wife and son?" he asked.

The midwife looked at the Prince.

"They are both well. The birth went well." she said.

George breathed a sigh of relief.

King Bagrat looked out the window.

"Free wine shall be handed out to celebrate the birth of Prince..."

"Michael." George said.

Bagrat looked at his son.

"Prince Michael it is, son."


21 July 1563
St. Hilarion Castle, Kyrenia, Cyprus
The Royal Nursery

Queen Christina of Cyprus smiled, as she looked down at her two month old son, Prince Raul. He was so healthy and was quickly gaining weight. She was happy that she had provided her husband an heir and a spare.

She took her baby son's hand.

"My sweet and healthy boy." she cooed at him.

The door opened and King Janius walked in, smiling at his wife.

"I knew I'd find you here, sweetheart." he said.

Christina smiled.

"I just love to look at him. He's perfect." she said.

Janius walked over and kissed her passionately.

Christina smiled even harder.

"I have noticed that he's trying to put his foot in his mouth already." she said.

Janius laughed.

"My mother said that I was similar. I was sucking my foot by the time I was four months old." he said.

Christina chuckled a bit.

"My mother said I did the same thing and I was trying to walk by the time I was only eleven months old." she said.

Janius looked at his wife, in surprise. His wife barely talked about her childhood, due to the fact that her father, King Federico of Naples, died when she was an infant. Her early life was dominated by her eldest brother, the current King and she was fiercely loyal to him.

He held her by her shoulder.

"Raul, just like his brother and sister, will be loved and he will thrive and grow. They have both of us. I know we are King and Queen, but we are a family. That will always be first." he said.

Christina smiled and kissed her husband.

"I love you so much and thank you." she said.


7 August 1563
Russia

For several months, the Tsar of all the Russias, Ivan IV, had worried over the dwindling health of his wife, the Tsarina, Anastasia. She had taken to her bed with a cough and a slight fever in late spring. The court physicians had never seen anything like the symptoms she experienced and were baffled at the cause. The Tsarina was thirty-three years old and should have been healthy by all accounts. She had given Ivan six children, though only their sons, the Tsarevich Dmitri and Grand Dukes Ivan and Feodor, survived infancy. The sudden onset of her illness was a complete surprise.

She had complained of headaches in the month before, then she began to forget things that she normally would have recalled without effort. Around June, the tremors started, which concerned the Tsar enough that he brought in medical experts from other nations, who also remained confused over her decline. In the past two months, she had only gotten worse.

The morning of the seventh of August, Anastasia's memory seemed to have returned to her fully, and she summoned her eldest son and her husband to her bedside. She knew, somehow, that she was dying and made no qualms about telling them that, despite their objections to her conclusion. She had to put her foot down to make them both see reason.

"Ivan, listen to me," she said in a still weakened state. "I will not live to see the next dawn. You have to be prepared, for yourself, but also for Dmitri. He is only eleven and will need your support and guidance more than ever if he is to become as great a ruler as you are."

"Darling," Ivan responded, "you will not die. God will not allow such a wonderful mother and wife to be taken from this world so young." He kissed her hand as he knelt by her bedside.

She shook her head. "Do not argue with me, husband. I know what is to come." She paused for a moment. "His marriage to the Swedish Princess, Astrid, must take place as we have arranged. It will bring good fortune to Russia. I have seen that too. And they will come to love each other, as we have, during their marriage. She will be a great helpmate to him and a wonderful mother to their children."

Ivan nodded. "I have no intention of destroying that treaty, Anastasia." He assured her.

"Bring my son to me," she commanded. He nodded at the guard, who turned to open the door for the prince. Dmitri walked into the room slowly, not knowing what to expect. When he saw his mother, he ran to her bed and knelt down beside his father.

"Dmitri, my darling boy," she said, running her fingers through his hair, "the coming days will be some of the most difficult you have had to bear thus far, but you will get through them with God's help and your father's."

Dmitri looked at his mother with sad eyes. "And yours mother."

"No, sweetheart, I will not be here anymore, but I will be watching over you from heaven," she told him.

"You are dying?" he questioned.

"Yes, Dmitri, I am dying," she confirmed.

"I do not want you to die mother," he replied, starting to cry. "You must be here when I marry Princess Astrid."

Anastasia shook her head. "I wish I could be, but God has other plans for me." She paused. "I want you to promise me that you will treat the Princess well, my son. Do not allow others to persuade you to treat her badly. She deserves your respect as your wife and one day, as the mother of your children."

"I promise, mother," he said through his tears.

"Do not mourn for me long," she told him. "Be sad that I am no longer with you physically, but know that I will always watch over you, whether you can see me or not. Cry because you miss me, but then when you are finished crying, live your life to the fullest and be happy. Help your brothers understand what it means to be Russian and a part of this family. That's all I can ask."

"I will, mother," he replied.

She smiled at her son. She knew it would not be long before God called her to his side. Anastasia had always been a strong woman, and she knew there was a lot more to say before it was her time, but for the moment, she needed to rest. She closed her eyes and fell asleep as her husband and son kept watch over her.

Anastasia awoke just as the sun was setting. She looked around her and found her husband and son sleeping in the chairs in her room. She did not want to wake them, but she knew it wouldn't be long now. "Ivan, Dmitri?" she said, both of them waking immediately and rushing back to her side.

"Mother," Dmitri replied, taking her hand.

She smiled at her son. "Listen to your father, Dmitri. You may not always understand why he tells you to do things a certain way, but he cares about you greatly and wants you to be a great leader for our people." The boy nodded at his mother slowly. She turned to her husband. "Ivan, you will miss me, I know, and I will miss you, but you have a tremendous job ahead of you, preparing our son to rule when God calls you to heaven. Teach him well. Should you remarry. . ."

"I won't," he vowed.

She smiled and continued, "Should you remarry, do not marry a pagan woman. She won't do either of you any service, nor will she be good for the people of this nation. She will try to turn you from God, and that will lead you down an unstable path. Stay on course, my beloved. For Dmitri's sake, for Ivan's and Feodor's, and for mine. I want to be reunited with you one day."

Ivan nodded, allowing a tear to fall from his eyes. He kissed her forehead, which was burning up. She was saying her goodbyes, and he didn't want to hear them, but he would not argue with her on her deathbed. They were silent for a while, just looking at each other. Then, she broke the silence.

"Oh my," she said, looking above her, "can you see that?"

He looked in the direction of her gaze and shook his head. "What do you see, my love?"

"That light is so beautiful, so warm," she responded. "I see my parents. They are waiting for me." She paused. "I can see our other children too." She reached out her hand towards the canopy on her bed. Ivan watched her as she rose slightly from the bed, appearing to sit up, but then, her strength gave way and she collapsed.

Ivan brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, then put it on his son's shoulder. "Come Dmitri," he commanded. "Your mother is no longer here. She is in heaven with your brothers and sisters and your grandparents. She is finally at peace."


17 August 1563
Hampton Court Palace, London, England
Queen Lillian of England's Bedchamber

Queen Lillian of England winced, as she stood up.

"Lady Mary, Lady Charlotte?" she called out.

Lady Mary Brandon, the Duchess of Suffolk, walked in and bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" she said.

Queen Lillian smiled.

"Where is your sister?" she asked.

Lady Mary walked forward.

"Charlotte is with her husband." she said.

Queen Lillian nodded.

"Of course. Would you prepare me for bed? The summer heat is getting too me and I just started confinement and is is stifling in here due to the fire." she said.

Lady Mary chuckled.

"I understand, Your Majesty. Confinement is the worst part of childbed, in my opinion. Did they do confinement in Spain?" she asked.

Queen Lillian shook her head.

"Not like this. I do remember my eldest sister, Maria, God rest her soul, would retire from Court, before she was due to give birth." she said

Lady Mary nodded.

"Unfortunately, we have to be shut away when we are simply performing our duties." she said.

Queen Lillian sighed.

"The child will arrive in about six or seven weeks. I will be here awhile." she said.

Lady Mary smiled.

"Do not worry. We will all be here for you, Your Majesty." she said.

Queen Lillian winced again and felt sharp pains in her back and stomach. She suddenly felt wetness between her legs.

She looked up at Lady Mary.

"My time has come. It is too soon. I need a midwife." she said, fearfully.

Lady Mary nodded.

"Right away, Your Majesty." she said, as she ran from the room.


Queen Lillian screamed, as another contraction hit her. Her ladies were doing their best to comfort her. The midwife was between the thirty year old Queen's legs

"Your Majesty, I know it is early, but you must push. You have progressed to far to stop." she said.

Lillian kept pushing and she glanced down and she saw a great deal of blood.

Lady Mary grabbed Lillian's hand.

"Do not focus on the blood, Your Majesty." she gently said.

Lillian nodded and continued to push hard. She was praying that her child would survive this horrific birth.

" The head is nearly out, Your Majesty." the midwife said.

Lillian clutched her rosary and pushed as hard as she could and she felt the child finally expel from her body.

The midwife cut the cord and carried the child away. The baby was not moving or crying.

Queen Lillian stood up.

"My child. Tell me how my child is. Why is there no crying?" she asked.

The midwife was bathing and rubbing the baby, trying to get a reaction. Finally, the baby let out a cry that was similar to a kitten.

The midwife brought the crying over to the relieved Queen.

"You have given birth to a Princess, Your Majesty. She isn't as strong as Princess Mary or Prince Charles, but she shall thrive." she said, as she handed the baby girl to Queen Lillian.

Lilian smiled, as she took her second daughter into her arms.

"She is a beauty." she said.

The ladies proceeded to changed the blood stained sheets and bathed Queen Lillian, at her request.

Suddenly, King Harry walked and smiled.

"Our little Princess decided to arrive earlier than expected I see." he said.

Queen Lillian nodded her head.

"She is not as strong as our other children, but her crying is small but fierce. I had a name in mind, if you will allow me." she said.

Harry looked in at his wife.

"What is it?" he asked.

Queen Lillian sighed.

"Joanna, after my late grandmother." she said.

Harry looked at his newborn daughter. He knew that his wife admired her late grandmother very much, especially since she was only five years old when her mother died.

He smiled.

"Joanna is perfect." he said.


29 August 1563
France

"Sire," the page said, bowing to King Francis, "a messenger from the Imperial court in Turkey." The young man offered out his hand, which held a folded and sealed message. Francis reached out to receive it and the page boy put it in his hands before leaving the room. The King of France looked at it for a time before opening the message.

To His Majesty, King Francis II of France
From Suleiman I, Emperor of the Ottoman Empire

Your Majesty,

It was with much relief that I received your message concerning your sister, the Princess Joan. Allow me to assure you that she is healthy and well. She has been living here in Turkey, being raised by my late wife, then by my sister and daughter. The Princess has been treated accordingly, and she has been free to move about my palace as she sees fit, within the confines of the harem and its gardens.

I will be more than willing to return your sister to France, and due to the problems that we have had in getting her there until now, I will be accompanying her myself, along with several soldiers for our protection. My men will cause you no harm. We have no intention of conquering France. You can expect our delegation to arrive in France sometime in mid-October.

Sincerely,
Suleiman I

Francis read the letter once more to ensure he had his facts straight, then stood and walked out of his study, heading towards his mother's chambers. His wife, Mary, Queen of Scotland and France, was in the throne room as he passed through it. He looked at her. "Mary, come with me," he commanded. She handed the document she was reading to one of her ladies, then followed her husband, somewhat running to catch up with him.

"Francis?" she questioned when she fell in place beside him.

"We're going to my mother's chambers," he told her.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied, "I have news of my sister, Joan."

Mary said nothing more until they reached the chambers assigned to Queen Catherine de Medici, Queen Mother of France. Francis had her page knock, then announce their arrival. Catherine allowed them to enter, though it was possible that Francis would have gone in regardless.

Catherine turned around when she heard their steps. "Francis, Mary, what is this? What's wrong?" she questioned, standing suddenly.

"Nothing is wrong Mother," Francis replied. "Everything is right." He handed over the document he carried for her to read, which she did.

After a moment, Catherine's hand flew to her mouth and the tears fell. Francis knelt by his mother's side and hugged her, giving her what comfort he could. Once Catherine could speak, she looked at her daughter-in-law. "Mary, have you read this?"

Mary shook her head. "Francis saw me in the throne room and ordered me to come with him," she responded. "He told me only that he had news of his sister."

Catherine handed her the document to read.

"Oh Francis, Catherine, this is wonderful news!" Mary exclaimed. "Princess Joan will be home soon!"

Catherine just nodded. She turned to Francis. "I can't believe it. After all of these years, our little Joan will be home with us," she said, trying desperately to hold back the flood of tears. "If only your father could have seen this moment with us. He was devastated when they were taken, and I'd never seen him cry over anything happy until the day Victoria was returned." She paused for a moment. "I think part of him believed that when he died, he would see Joan there, in heaven."

"Obviously, if he did believe that he was mistaken," Francis replied. "Joan is very much alive."

Catherine nodded. "When your brother died, I accepted Louis' death without question because it was final. I saw his little body as they covered him and lowered him in the ground beneath the church," she told them both. "But with Joan, it was different. Oh, I mourned her, but I mourned her absence and the unknowing, not her death."

"Now she will be back with you, with all of us, surrounded by her family," Mary said.

Catherine nodded. "Victoria!" she exclaimed. "We have to tell her that her twin will be coming home."

"Of course, Mother," Francis replied, "but I think that should wait until we have confirmation that the Sultan is truly here with her."

"What do you mean?" Catherine asked.

"We don't want to get her hopes up and then Joan not materialize," Francis told her.

"Do you think that would happen?" Mary questioned. The Sultan sounded sincere in his letter.

"I don't know, Mary," Francis responded, "but I know I don't want to be the one to crush Victoria's hopes over her sister being returned. Do you?"

Mary shook her head. He was right.

"The day they arrive, I will ride out with guards to meet them," Francis said. "Once I have confirmed that the girl is indeed Joan, I will allow them into the castle and Victoria can be told. I don't see any other way around it, other than to devastate her if the little girl is not Joan."

Catherine agreed. Mary didn't like having to put Joan through that, but she understood why her husband wanted to protect his other sister. With a plan in place, Francis and Mary excused themselves, leaving Catherine to her ladies. He led her around a corner and then backed her into the wall of the castle, his hand between her and the masonry.

"Do you have any idea how happy I am right in this moment?" he asked her after releasing her from one of the most passionate kisses they had ever shared.

"I would say quite happy since you don't normally grab me in the hallway and kiss me like that where others could see it happen," Mary responded.

"Oh, you liked that kiss, did you?" Francis teased his wife, who nodded. "Just wait until you see what I have in store for you tonight, your Majesty." With that, he kissed Mary's hand, then ran off down the corridor, leaving a very excited, but very bewildered Queen behind.


6 September 1563
Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain
Queen Elizabeth of Spain's Bedchamber

Queen Elizabeth sat by her mirror, while Lady Sancha brushed her long brown hair and prepare her for bed. Princess Giovanna was also going through her jewels for Elizabeth's banquet the next day that was to celebrate her thirtieth birthday.

Princess Giovanna turned towards Elizabeth.

"Would you like to wear the sapphires, Your Majesty? I know you love them." she said.

Elizabeth nodded.

"Yes,and I would like to wear my blue and black gown that has diamonds on the sleeves." she said.

Princess Giovanna smiled.

"You will look very beautiful, Your Majesty." she said.

Sancha nodded.

"Indeed you will." she said.

Elizabeth smiled.

"Thank you both so much. I know it is not easy to dress me, especially since I am so close to being brought to childbed." she said.

Elizabeth then started to stand up and walk to her bed. Sancha helped her uo from her chair.

"Will the King be joining you tonight?" she asked.

Elizabeth shook her head.

"No. I am restless most nights and I do not want to keep him up. He has to address the Council first thing in the morning." she said.

Sancha nodded her head.

"Very well. I will stay with you tonight." she said, with a smile.

Elizabeth smiled.

"Thank you. I am not used to sleeping alone." she said.

Sancha nodded her head and smiled.

Queen Elizabeth looked at Princess Giovanna.

"You can retire for the night, Giovanna." she said.

Princess Giovanna nodded.

"I will see you in the morning, Your Majesty." she said.

Suddenly, Elizabeth winced and she felt wetness drip down her legs.

She looked at Sancha and Giovanna.

"It is time. The child is coming." she said calmly.

Sancha grabbed Elizabeth's hand and proceeded to help her into bed. Giovanna immediately left the room and went to wake Elizabeth's ladies, King Luis and summon the midwife.


Early the next morning- 7 September 1563

The moon was still high in the sky, as Queen Elizabeth screamed, as she was giving birth to her eighth child. She held her rosary firmly against her belly and was silently praying that this birth would go well.

The midwife looked up at her Queen.

"Everything is going well, Your Majesty. Keep pushing." she said.

Elizabeth nodded her head and pushed harder, one hand was clutching Sancha by her hand. Elizabeth took a few deep breaths. She had taken every precaution to make sure this child would survive and be born healthy. She could not bear another loss.

The midwife looked up again.

"The child's head is nearly out. I need you to push as hard as you can, Your Majesty." she said.

Elizabeth pushed as hard as she could, almost letting out another scream. She could feel the child moving and being pulled from her body. She was hoping it would not end in heartbreak.

Suddenly, a baby's loud and piercing cry filled the room. Elizabeth let out a verbal cry of relief. Her child was alive. She had not failed.

The midwife took the crying child and began to clean it. Elizabeth was trying to see the child. The only thing she could see was that the child possessed her chestnut brown hair.

Finally, the midwife brought the child over to Elizabeth.

"It is a girl, Your Majesty. A healthy Infanta and might I add, a beautiful one." she said, with a smile.

Elizabeth smiled and took her crying daughter into her arms, looking at her as if she were not real.

"Thank you, Lord. Oh, thank you." she said, crying.

Lady Sancha and and Princess Giovanna smiled.

"She is so beautiful. She is so exquisite." Giovanna said.

Sancha nodded her head.

"Giovanna is right. She definitely is a beauty." she said.

Elizabeth looked at both of her good friends.

"Would one of you tell the King to come in?" she asked.

Giovanna nodded her head and she left the room. Elizabeth looked down at her newborn daughter and still had tears falling down her face.

King Luis walked in and smiled.

"Oh, my. She is a beautiful baby. Giovanna was not exaggerating." he said.

Elizabeth looked at her husband.

"I am just happy that she is alive." she said

Luis kissed Elizabeth on her lips.

"What should we name our new little Infanta?" he asked.

Elizabeth looked at her daughter and she knew the perfect name for her.

"I want to call her Bianca." she said.

Luis smiled.

"Bianca it is. There is something I want to tell you." she said.

Elizabeth looked up.

"What is it?" she asked.

Luis kissed her passionately.

"Happy Birthday, darling." he said.

Elizabeth smiled and looked back at her baby girl.

"It truly is a happy birthday. Bianca is the most precious gift." she said.


17 September 1563
Prague Castle, Prague, Bohemia
Ferdinand of Austria, King of Bohemia's Privy Chambers

Archduke Ferdinand of Ferdinand, known as Andy, was going over some important documents. One year prior, his Father had him crowned King of Bohemia and several months ago, he and his wife, Isabella, decided to live in the capital of Prague, so their subjects could know them better.

Andy sighed.

"I hate all this work. Damn it to Hell." he muttered to himself.

The door opened behind him and his wife, Isabella of Austria, Queen of Bohemia, walked in and placed her hands on her husband's shoulders.

"Sweetheart, what is troubling you?" she asked.

Andy smiled and took her hand.

"I am just tired. We did a great deal of traveling. I really want to return to Vienna." he admitted.

Isabella sighed.

"I know you do, but Prague is so beautiful. We have to show the people who we are." she said.

Andy nodded.

"I know we do. I just prefer Vienna." he said.

Isabella kissed her husband on his cheek.

"Are the religious policies bothering you?" she asked.

Andy nodded. Andy, like the rest of the Hapsburg family members, was a devout Catholic, but he did not like the or agree with the persecution of Protestants or Jews in Hapsburg lands.

"We do not have the right to judge the souls of Man like the Almighty." he said.

Isabella sighed.

"Do not let it get to you. We are Catholics and it is not an issue at the current time." she said.

Andy smiled.

"You are right. How is our little Catherine?" he asked.

Isabella smiled. Three months earlier, she has given birth to their twelfth child, little Catherine of Austria, in an uncomplicated birth.

"She is well. Her nurse says she feeds well and is growing every day." she said.

Andy smiled.

"Good. I have to meet with Father's ambassador soon." he said.

Isabella smiled and squeezed his shoulders affectionately.

"I will leave you to it. I love you." she said.

Andy smiled, as Isabella walked out of the room.

"i love you too." he said.


28 September 1563
Sweden

Queen Matilda sat in the throne room, as requested by her husband, King Eric XIV. She did not know why she was there or what was about to happen, but she knew her husband well enough to know that whatever it was, it would be a show for the court.

After nearly half an hour, the doors to the throne room opened and Eric walked in with nearly twenty-five guards behind him. In the middle of the guards, chained like a dog, was his half-brother, Prince John, Duke of Finland. Matilda stood with her hand over her mouth in horror at the sight, but she dared not say anything, as Eric's temper could be set off by anything.

Eric marched the troops and his brother into the center of the throne room. He made a spectacle of bowing to his wife. "Your Majesty, Queen Matilda, I give you the traitor, Prince John, Duke of Finland, my half-brother, who, along with many other charges, has betrayed our persons in a most grievous manner," Eric announced, causing the courtiers to gasp.

Matilda had to think quickly. "What offences has this person committed, your Grace, so that the whole court may know and beware?" she replied, pretending to play along with Eric on the subject.

"He has, on many occasions, spoken of his desire to rule this kingdom as if it was his own. He also refused to name his first child after our beloved King, and he refused to change it even when commanded by the King. He also, when captured, was in the middle of holding drills of the Finnish military to use against our monarch, your Majesty. What say you to that?" Eric said in a loud, clear voice.

Matilda thought. "I will speak to the prisoner," she said, Eric nodded, then gestured for the guards to clear a path for the Queen. She approached John, who looked flabbergasted that his brother would have done this to him. "John," she said in a soft voice, "is there any truth to these charges at all?"

John looked at her. "Your Majesty," he replied, bowing his head as his arms were stretched out along a pole and tied to it, "The idea that I want to rule this kingdom was something we played at as children in the nursery. Once we began our military training, we knew that to continue that play would be treasonous, and it stopped. I was not training troops to use against you but was holding a parade for one of the senior officials who announced his retirement. The man IS, after all, seventy years old," John told her. Matilda nodded. Nothing he said was treasonous so far.

"Continue," Matilda said.

"I am guilty of the third offense, Majesty," he admitted. "I did refuse to change the name of my firstborn to Eric, and I will not do so, even if commanded now." Matilda looked at him, wondering why that was such a big deal. Upon seeing the look of confusion on her face, John explained, "Majesty, my first born is my daughter Margaret. It would not suit her well to call her Eric, though I did offer to change the name of my son from Gustav to Eric in order to make amends."

Matilda couldn't believe it. The charges were ridiculous. She turned to the court, but more importantly to her husband who was still playing soldier. "I have spoken to the prisoner, your Grace," Matilda announced. "I can find no fault with his actions, if what he claims is true."

Eric looked at his wife. He threw down his sword and began yelling. "Damnit Matilda, you're ruining the game! He isn't supposed to get off on the charges. He has to be hanged for treason. Girls ruin everything!" He turned around and stormed out of the room.

Matilda looked around the room to find confused faces looking back at her. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the court, my husband and I decided to put on this little skit to entertain you this afternoon. You'll have to forgive me, though. I apparently confused my lines with another skit we had been working on," she explained rather calmly.

The courtiers looked at one another, then started to applaud. Amidst the applause, Matilda went to the captain of Eric's guards and told them to release Prince John immediately. He came up to her and thanked her, but as he turned to go, she stopped him.

"I don't know what we are going to do John," the Queen of Sweden admitted. "He's acting more and more erratic with each passing year."

"Bear it as long as he doesn't actually harm anyone without good cause," John replied. "Cover for him when you can, as he is King." Matilda nodded, kissed her brother-in-law on the cheek, then bade him a fond farewell as he insisted on starting home that evening.

As he left, she turned back to the thrones and noticed a figure in the balcony of the throne room. It was the King, her husband, crouched in one corner, with his knees drawn to his chest. He was looking at the floor. Matilda shook her head and went to her rooms. She didn't know what they would do with a King like Eric on the throne, but she knew she had to keep his people safe from whatever was to come.


2 October 1563
Sintra Palace, Lisbon, Portugal
The Royal Nursery

The entire Palace was silent. Nearly all the inhabitants residing in Court were asleep I'm their Chambers. The only source of light were from the candles that lined the corridors.

A cloaked female figure turned one of the corners and looked around, before continuing to walk. The young woman made her way to a specific door. She expected the door to be heavily guarded, but she smiled to herself, as no one was there.

She quietly opened the door and walked inside, closing it behind her. She turned and looked around the room. She found herself in the Royal Nursery.

The woman let her cloak drop and her face was revealed. It was Infanta Maria, Dowager Princess of Portugal.

She walked and looked around. This very room had been where her daughter had slept when she was alive. She was horrified and furious that these rooms were being used for Queen Catarina's seemed as if everyone forgot about her poor little girl, who had died three years before.

She walked to one of the beds. Six year old little Infanta Maria was peacefully sleeping in her bed. Her brown hair spread over her pillow. Infanta Maria sighed. Her own daughter would be nearly the same age as little Maria.

She sighed and turned away. Suddenly, a slight whimper was heard from a cradle. She walked over to it and saw two year old little Infanta Isabella. The two year old rubbed her eyes sleepily.
Maria instantly felt disdain for the toddler and smiled to herself.

She took a small vial that contained a silver liquid.

"The apothecary says that this will make anyone suffer an agonizing death if given in large doses. I would use it on your brother, the Prince of Portugal. However, I cannot get close to him. Your sister, Maria, reminds me of my daughter. She also looks like your father, who I adore, even though he cast me away. You remind me of your horrible mother. Those blue eyes are the mirror into the demon she is. I am sparing you heartbreak in your future. The Lord will forgive me. Catarina needs to know what it is like to lose a child." she said.

Maria uncorked the vial and lowered herself, trying to pour the liquid into Isabella's mouth.

Suddenly, the door was opened multiple guards filled the room and surrounded Maria.

"We charge you in the Queen's name." one of the guards said.

Maria froze, in fear and also she was angered. She wondered how she would have been caught in the first place.


11 October 1563
France

The French Court was on edge. Everyone in the castle and most of the people in France knew that today Princess Joan would be returning to her home after several years away from the nation. She had been living in Turkey, at the court of the Sultan, Suleiman I, after being kidnapped from the courtyard while playing with her sister, Victoria, and their companions. A lot had changed since she had been taken, but the fact that her family adored her and missed her greatly had not.

King Francis II, Joan's brother, had ordered those who lived in the palace to go about their business as normal until her arrival, but there was gossip spreading around regardless. Catherine de Medici, Dowager Queen of France, had changed dresses three times throughout the morning in anticipation of her daughter's home coming. The mood amongst the royal family was tense.

Queen Mary was dressing in her bedchambers when a knock came on her door. "Enter," she commanded.

The doors opened and Catherine walked into her son and daughter-in-law's rooms. She did her best to smile, but Mary could tell she was a bundle of nerves. "Catherine," Mary said, "you look peaked. Sit, please."

Catherine sat on the settee at the end of the bed, running her hands along her knees. "I don't know what to do," she admitted. "My daughter is finally coming home, and I am overjoyed at the concept of holding her once more, but I don't know anything about her. She's seven years old, but she's been raised by foreigners who aren't of our faith. What if she doesn't understand us anymore? Do you think she remembers any French at all?"

"I don't know," Mary replied honestly, "but we will all help her through whatever adjustments are necessary. She's our family too, and she's a little girl."

"Henri would know what to do," Catherine responded. "He always did."

"Possibly," Mary said, "but we will figure it out together, Catherine. Francis and I are not going to abandon either of you."

Catherine nodded just as the trumpeters sounded. A royal carriage was approaching. Joan was home. Catherine looked at Mary nervously. Mary stood up and smiled, then motioned towards the doorway. Both Queens left the room together, making their way to the entrance of the castle.

Outside, they found Francis waiting patiently. His siblings were all there too, except for Princess Elisabeth, who was living in England with her husband, Edward, Prince of Wales. Mary took her place next to Francis, while Catherine stood to Mary's right, clutching her hands. Princess Claude was to Francis' left, along with Prince Charles and Princess Margaret. Prince Alexandre, known affectionately as Henry, Prince Hercule, and Princess Victoria were in front of their mother.

"Is that my sister's carriage?" Victoria asked, looking up at Catherine, pointing at the horses coming up the road. Catherine could just nod.

"Yes," Mary replied to her sister-in-law. "Remember what we talked about though? We don't want to overwhelm Joan. We will wait here until she and the Sultan approach us."

Victoria nodded, as did Hercule.

When the carriage reached the palace, it stopped. The guards dismounted and the footmen placed the stairs in their position so the occupants could exit the carriage without falling. An older man stepped out first. He stood on the ground and looked at the castle that loomed before him. It was different than his palace in Turkey, and the sun was not quite as warm here in France. He looked at the family who had gathered in front of the portcullis and smiled. Then he turned to the carriage and extended his hand.

Moments later, a smaller hand took his, and a little girl dressed in a fine purple silk dress stepped out. Her hair was finely done, but not in the ringlets worn by the French princesses. She had a scarf over her head made of a transparent material, and she carried a bouquet of flowers. The older man helped her down the steps, then he took her hand gently and they walked towards the castle.

The Sultan quickly bowed his head to Francis, who returned the gesture, then he turned towards the little girl. Suleiman did not speak French, but he had brought one of his ambassadors to translate. He looked at the man to his left and said something in a language that was foreign to Francis and Mary. The ambassador translated.

"King Francis and Queen Mary, it is an honor to meet you at last," the man said, speaking for the Sultan. "I bring to you your sister, Princess Joan."

"Thank you for returning our beloved Princess to us," Francis replied. "Shall we go inside?" The ambassador translated for his Sultan, who nodded.

Francis gave some instructions to the servants, who carried Joan's belongings into the palace, then ushered the family and the Sultan into the dining room so they could all sit down without the intimidation of thrones. Once they were all seated around the table, Francis asked "How did our sister come to be in your household?"

The ambassador translated, then returned the reply. "She was sold to us by pirates when she was around two years of age with an older woman who was her caretaker," the man said. "The older woman has since passed on, but the Princess has resided in my household since that time. We did not know who she was at first. I discovered her identity a few years ago, but all attempts at contacting you have failed, including a letter sent to your Pope."

Francis looked at Mary, then nodded. "I cannot thank you enough for having cared for her all of these years. France is in your debt."

The ambassador translated Francis' words. The Sultan shook his head, and said something to the man, who then relayed it to Francis. "No debts are owed. Knowing that the girl has found her family once again is more than repayment."

Hearing a small noise behind him, Francis turned. Victoria had left her seat and had walked over to where Joan was sitting. The two Princesses were just looking at each other. She turned to Francis. "She looked just like me," Victoria pointed out, but it was not Francis that replied.

"Of course, I do," Joan said in nearly perfect French. "We're sisters."

Catherine smiled at her youngest daughter. The girl still remembered her native language. She turned to the ambassador. "Did you teach her French while she was with you?"

The man didn't need to translate. "No, Majesty," he said. "We did not know she was French at first."

"Then she just recalls the language on her own?" Catherine asked.

This time, it was Joan who answered. "No, Majesty, not at first," the princess responded. "Once I heard his Majesty speak, I started to remember. More words came after that. I do seem to understand what you are saying without issue, though."

"Do you know who we are, Joan?" Catherine asked gently.

"I believe so, Majesty," she replied.

"Why are you calling me Majesty then?" Catherine questioned.

"I am unsure of how it is proper to address you otherwise," Joan said. "I know you are my mother. I do not know the custom."

"You may call me Mama, darling," Catherine informed her softly.

Joan smiled. "Mama," she repeated. Catherine held her arms open for the girl, who gladly ran into them and was enveloped with a hug, followed by a kiss on her forehead. Joan handed her the bouquet of flowers, which brought tears to Catherine's eyes and a smile to her face. Catherine looked at the Sultan with gratitude. Finally, her daughter was home.


22 October 1563
Wawel Castle, Krakow, Poland
The Royal Nursery

Queen Dorothea smiled, as she looked into the Nursery. She saw the pride of her life. Her three young sons played together and their dog. The forty-three year old Queen was finally content with her position and the Succession.

Her main source of joy was her eldest son, Crown Prince of Ludwik. The six year old heir to the Throne was precocious and simple. His golden hair, big brown eyes and fair complexion was lovely to behold. He was spoiled greatly by his mother, as he was born seventeen years after his parents' marriage after his four older sisters.

The next son, four year old Prince Joachim, was known to be better than his elder older. Joachim was better at his reading and writing and was expected to be better-looking than his brothers. He had chestnut-colored hair, light blue eyes and a complexion between olive and fair. Despite his age, he definitely showed my promise than Ludwik.

The baby in the family, Prince Casimir, was only two years old and managed to steal everyone's heart. He was the son who resembled his mother the most with his dark hair, hazel eyes, and olive skin. The Queen was beyond happy to have a third son, especially at her age.

Suddenly, her third eldest daughter, sixteen year old Princess Stefania walked up behind her mother and smiled.

"They are precious, Mother." she said.

Queen Dorothea smiled.

"They are. Your brothers are a true gift." she said.

Stefania nodded. Her brown hair and hazel eyes matched her mother, but her character matched her father.

"I am glad that their births have definitely calmed you. Poland will definitely have a King. I know for a fact that my older sister was worried about becoming Queen." she said.

Queen Dorothea sighed. She remembered that her twenty year old daughter was anxious about the possibility of becoming Queen.

"I just want you to know that you and your sisters make your father and I proud of you. We would have been happy, even if the boys were never born." she said.

Princess Stefania smiled and hugged her mother.

"I know, Mother. I love you so much." she said.


12 November 1563
Château de Chenonceau, Chenonceaux, France
The Banquet Hall

The entire French Court was enjoying the festivities at the private retreat of the Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici. She was excited as her favorite daughter, Claude, was marrying Lord Henri, the only son of Lord Francis de Guise, Duke of Guise and his wife, Princess Sophie of Scotland. The wedding was magnificent and lavish. Dowager Queen Catherine decided to host her daughter's wedding at her retreat. Many of France's elite and noble class were in attendance, including King Francis and Queen Mary.

King Francis and Queen Mary were sitting and enjoying their wine, as young Henri and Princess Claude enjoyed the traditional French dance.

Francis smiled.

"Claude looks very happy." he said.

Queen Mary nodded.

"My cousin is a good young man. I know that he is fond of her. I am sure that they will be very happy." she said.

Francis nodded. He stood and held his hand out and Mary took it and they both made their way to the dance floor. After dancing for nearly an hour, King Francis left and grabbed another goblet of wine and began to talk to his mother.

"The Wedding was beautiful, Mother." he said.

Dowager Queen Catherine smiled.

"Thank you, my son. This year has been the best of my life. Our little Joan has been returned to us and now Claude is married and will be staying in France. I am surprised that King Erik of Sweden did not choose Claude for his son." she said.

Francis nodded.

"Well, he was genuinely concerned with their age difference. Claude is five years older than Crown Prince Johan and it is understandable. At least he'll have my sister, Margaret, and the Pope has permitted their union, despite him being a Lutheran." he said.

Catherine nodded.

"Will you and the Court be staying here?" She asked.

King Francis shook his head.

"No, Mother. We want to return to Paris and we'll be close to little Robert." he said.

Catherine smiled at the mention of her grandson.

"I understand. I will return to Court for Mary's birthday celebrations and for Christmas. I just wanted Joan to be used to being with her mother again." she said.

Francis smiled and nodded.

Suddenly, one of Catherine's ladies-in-waiting walked up and whispered in her ear and bowed to King Francis and walked away.

Catherine turned to her son.

"Your sister is ready to retire for the night. I am going to attend her. Everyone is welcome to keep feasting and enjoying themselves. I have rooms prepared for you and Mary to retire to this evening." she said.

Francis smiled.

"Thank you, Mother." he said.

Dowager Queen Catherine smiled and bowed and left the ballroom to attend to her newly married sixteen year old daughter for her wedding night.

Queen Mary smiled, as she watched her cousin and younger sister-in-law retire for their first night together.

Francis walked up to his wife.

"I am happy for my sister." he said.

Mary smiled.

"I am too." she said.

Suddenly, Princess Sophie of Scotland, Duchess of Guise, walked up to her niece and her husband and did her best to bow.

"Your Majesties." she said

Mary grabbed her Aunt and shook her head.

"Aunt Sophie, do not bow in your condition." she said.

Sophie smiled and put her hand on her swollen midsection. Despite being forty-three years old, she was eight months gone with child. Henri was her only surviving son and she decided to keep trying to have another son for her husband, especially after the birth of another daughter, Margot, two years ago.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." she said, as she walked away.

Queen Mary noticed that her aunt was paler than usual and looked more tired, but she hoped that it was nothing.

Francis kissed his wife's neck and whispered:

"It is time for us to return to our Chambers." he said.

Mary smiled and turned red, but they left the Ballroom.


14 November
Crete, Kingdom of Candia, Greece
King Giacomo of Candia's Council Room

King Giacomo sighed, as he listened to his Council. They were discussing expanding his growing Kingdom. He was doing his best to keep his patience and his temper under control.

Lord Yiannis Pantazis, the Duke of Sparta, stood up, in anger.

"We should tax the people and go to war with those damn Turks and take our land back." he said.

Lord Giorgio Colonomos, Duke of Athens, stood up.

"You want to tax our people for a war that we have no chance to win?" he asked, angrily.

King Giacomo raised his hand.

"My Lords, be seated. We are not barbarians. This is a civil discussion." he said.

Both men took their seats.

Giacomo began to speak:

"I agree with the Duke of Athens. I intend to take back our lands that were stolen by the Turks. I intend to be King of a United Greece. However, I will not wear a Crown stained with the blood of my people. I do not want to be feared." he said.

The Duke of Sparta scoffed.

"Real Kings are not afraid of the battlefield." he said.

King Giacomo glared at him.

"The time for War and Crusades is over. We should be able to discuss matters with our enemies, instead of trying to murder them." he said.

The Duke of Athens and several of the Nobles nodded their heads, in agreement.

King Giacomo stood up.

"This meeting is over for now. We will meet again in three day's time." he said.

He walked out and he began to walk towards the Chambers of his wife, Queen Marina. He needed a stress reliever.

He made it to her Chambers and he smiled. Queen Marina was with two of their children, twelve year old Crown Prince Nicolai and four year old Princess Marina.

Queen Marina noticed her husband and smiled.

"Nicolai, Marina, your father is here." she said.

The two children rose from their chairs and bowed to their Father.

Giacomo smiled and picked little Marina up and kissed her cheek.

"My little Prinkípissa." he said.

Little Marina smiled and hugged her father.

Giacomo looked at his son and heir.

"How are you, son?" he asked.

Nicolai nodded his head.

"I am well, Father. Thank you." he said.

Queen Marina took a step forward.

"How did the Council go?" she asked.

Giacomo sighed.

"Everyone decided to argue like drunken sailors. It was exhausting. I feel that there is no progress." he said.

Queen Marina looked at her eldest son. She had been wanting him to attend Council meetings with his father, but he was not old enough yet.

"Nicolai, what do you think of your father's dilemma?" she asked.

Prince Nicolai looked at his father, who gave him a nod.

"You can speak freely, son." he said.

The twelve year old cleared his throat.

"I have learned from my studies that the Army of the Turks greatly outnumber us. I do not think that that it is wise to go against them, especially since they are known to be quite brutal. The people love you and respect you and they have prospered due to Grandfather Cavalli's trade agreement due to you and Mother's marriage. They are making more money than before. I do not think risking the lives of those who are innocent will do any good." he said.

Giacomo and Marina were both surprised at the wisdom of their adolescent son. They were both proud and relieved that his mind seemed to be on the right track, especially for his future as King.


29 November 1563
Caserta Palace, Naples, Italy
Princess Eleanora, Duchess of Calabria's Bedchamber

Princess Eleanor sighed, as she finished her nighty prayers. The twenty year old raised from her altar and sat in her favorite chair, as her Lady of the Bedchamber brushed her auburn hair.

The older woman smiled.

"You are truly beautiful, Principesa." she said.

Eleanor gave her a small smile.

"Thank you. I am just ready to go to sleep. I am exhausted." she replied.

The older woman looked at the Princess, in confusion.

"Is the Prince not joining you tonight?" she asked.

Eleanor sighed.

"I hope not." she said, quietly.

The older woman appeared shocked.

"Do you not want a son and heir, Your Hignesss?" she asked.

Eleanor nodded.

"Of course. However, my Maria could be Queen of Naples as well. Naples has had Queens." she said.

The older woman nodded.

"Yes, from a dead Dynasty and they aren't favorable. Princess Maria is definitely beloved. I am sure that she will be joined by a brother soon." she said.

Eleanor shook her head.

"The way my husband lays with me will not beget a male heir or any child." she said, quietly again.

Before the older woman could respond, the door flew open and Prince Giovanni walked in, completely naked.

The older woman looked away and bowed .

"Your Hignesss!" she cried.

Giovanni sneered at her.

"Leave, you withering cow. NOW!" he shouted.

She ran from the room.

Giovanni looked at his wife.

"I will have you this night and you will give me a son. Finish preparing for bed." he said, pouring himself a goblet of wine.

Eleanor shakingly began to brush her hair.

"Do you think that we can have normal relations? It is the only way that I can conceive a son for you." she said.

Giovanni looked at her.

"DO NOT ARGUE WITH ME! I AM YOUR HUSBAND AND WILL BED YOU HOWEVER I WANT AND WHENEVER YOU WANT! BE SILENT AND UNDRESS!" he shouted.

Eleanor fought back tears. She stood up and let her gown fall to her feet. Giovanni bit his lip, in desire. He came forward and cupped her breasts and pulled her on the bed.


8 December 1563
Château de Fontainebleau, Paris, France
The Ballroom

King Francis and Queen Mary were sitting on their Thrones. Today was Queen Mary's twenty-first birthday and King Francis insisted on a large banquet and celebration for her birthday. The Court was alive with dancing and feasting and drinking. Many people were attending Court for the party. The surprising guest was Antoinette de Bourbon, Dowager Duchess of Guise, Queen Mary's sixty-nine year old maternal grandmother, who retired from Court many years ago.

Queen Mary looked at Francis.

"This celebration was not necessary, sweetheart. However, I do thank you." she said.

Francis kissed her hand.

"I will move the tallest mountain for you." he said.

Mary smiled.

"I do wish that our little Robert was here with us." she said.

Francis nodded.

"I know, sweetheart. We will have him at Court very soon." he said.

Mary smile grew.

"Oh, Francis. Thank you. I miss him so much. I know people in our station can not keep our children with us all the time. However, he is my baby boy. I do not being away from him." she said.

Francis nodded his head

"We will change that somehow. I do know that his household is taking the best care of him. He is healthy and strong and that's what we need to be thankful to the Lord for that." he said.

Mary nodded.

"Well, at least he will have a companion very soon." she said.

Francis nodded.

"That is a good idea. We will have to look at the children of the nobles." he said.

"I know the perfect companion will arrive in the first weeks of August." she said.

Francis turned and looked at his wife.

"Are you...?"

Mary smiled and nodded.

"The midwife confirmed it this morning. I woke up feeling ill to my stomach and I haven't bled since November." she said.

Francis chuckled and kissed Mary, in excited. He parted the kiss and looked at the herald and nodded.

The herald banged his staff three times and Francis stood up and everyone fell silent.

"Thank you all so much for participating in Queen Mary's birthday celebrations. The festivities will continue. However, I have just been informed by the Queen herself that she is with child once more and she will be brought to childbed in the first days of August." he said.

The entire Court erupted in applause. Everyone was overjoyed that another Royal heir was on the way for their young Royal couple. Although it was Queen Mary's birthday, she was the one giving a gift to the entire country of France.


16 December 1563
Hampton Court, London, England
Princess Elisabeth of Wales' Bedchamber

Princess Elisabeth smiled, as she sat by the fire. She had started her confinement and was trying to find happiness. She missed her husband and her daughter. However, King Harry was firm that every Royal child had to be born at Court.

She looked up to her door.

"Lady Boleyn?" she called.

The door opened and Lady Margaret Boleyn nèe Fitzroy, called Maggie, walked in.

"Yes, Your Highness?" she asked.

Elisabeth smiled.

"I wanted to see how you were doing, now that you have returned to Court." she said.

Lady Maggie sighed. Two years ago, at age seventeen, she married Lord John Boleyn, the son of the late George Boleyn. She became pregnant a year later, but in March 1563, she gave birth to a stillborn daughter. It greatly distressed her. However, she was currently expecting her second child and she was due in just five months.

Lady Margaret smiled.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I am well. Do you need anything?" she asked.

Princess Elisabeth shook her head.

"No, I am well. I would just like your company if you do not mind." she said.

Lady Margaret smiled and sat in a chair near Elisabeth.

Elisabeth sat up slightly.

"How is your husband? Were you not married around the same time as I was?" she asked.

Lady Margaret nodded.

"Yes. He is well. He is hoping that our child is a boy." she said.

Elisabeth took her hand.

"I know that pressure. I heard the whispers of courtiers. They comment that the only grandsons of the King are foreign-born. Remember we are both young. We will have sons in God's time. My mother did not have any children for the first ten years of her marriage to my father. After that, they had my brother, the King of France and my mother had no problem having children after that." she said.

Margaret sighed.

"My mother died when I was only eight years old in childbirth. I am scared that I will meet the same fate. May God forgive me, but I did not want to marry or have children." she said.

Elisabeth squeezed her hand.

"I promise that when you hold your child, you will feel much different." she said.

Elisabeth felt a sharp pain in her back and she knew exactly what was happening.

"Lady Boleyn, I do not want to frighten you, however my time has come. Please alert the midwife." she calmly said.

Lady Margaret nodded and left the room


Princess Elisabeth smiled, as she heard the fireworks outside her window and the loud cheering. After a hard labor that lasted six hours and a small bleeding scare, she had given birth to a healthy baby boy. She was the mother of a future King.

The midwife brought the baby boy over to Elisabeth.

"Our future King, Your Highness." she said.

Elisabeth smiled at the older woman and the physician, who had to attend her after her bleeding scare. She took her newborn son in her arms.

She kissed him.

"He is perfect." she said.

The midwife smiled.

"May the Lord forgive me, but I am proud to deliver a future King . " she said.

The physician nodded

"Your Highness, I must tell you this. Two births in such a shirt time have taken a serious toll in your body." he said.

Elisabeth looked up.

"It is our duty to have descendants." she said.

The physician said.

"I understand your duties, Your Highness, but another pregnancy right now would put you in danger. You must wait at least one year before you conceive again. I will inform the Prince." he said.

Suddenly, a voice said:

"There will be no need. We will follow your instructions."

Everyone turned and saw Prince Edward standing there.

The midwife walked forward.

"Your Highness, the Princess is on confinement. " she said.

Edward nodded.

"I am not staying. I just wanted to see them. Sweetheart, how are you both?" he asked, as he walked forward.

Elisabeth smiled.

"We are both well. I know you cannot stay, however what shall we name our son?" she asked.

Edward kissed his baby son.

"Henry. After both of his grandfathers." he said.


25 December 1563
Greenwich Palace, London, England
The Great Hall

The entire English Court was ablaze with life. All the courtiers were talking and drinking and just enjoying the festivities. Everyone was smiling and enjoying the endless wine and ale and roasted meat to go around.

King Harry and Queen Lillian sat and watched their courtiers and distant relatives enjoyed themselves. Now approaching his seventeenth year of being King, King Harry was well respected throughout his country. He was not a war King, but rather an economic one. He made it his point to increase the countries wealth, since his late father had all but plundered the Treasury. Some even said he had some miserly tendencies like his grandfather, King Henry VII, but with the warm heart of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth of York.

Queen Lillian looked at her husband.

"The festivities are grander this year, sweetheart." she said.

He nodded.

"Of course. The Court is excited now that Edward and Elisabeth have a healthy son. Little Hal is truly a blessing." he said.

Queen Lillian nodded.

"He truly is. I am also glad that you have settled the betrothal between Lizzie and Prince Robert." she said.

Harry nodded.

"Thankfully, it was not a hard betrothal. I must say that King Francis is being very generous, but I also know that he is close with Elisabeth. How is she doing?" he asked.

Queen Lillian smiled.

"She is doing well. She is even starting to walk around her Chambers. She loves to sing to Hal." she said.

Harry smiled. He was fond of his daughter-in-law and did not want her to suffer in her confinement.


The celebrations continued. Prince Edward was enjoying a goblet of Welsh ale and enjoying Christmas, his favorite time of the year.

Suddenly, a woman of the Court named Lady Cecily walked up and bowed to Edward.

"Your Highness, congratulations on the birth of Prince Hal." she said.

Edward cleared his throat.

"Thank you, My lady." he said.

Lady Cecily smiled.

"My husband is away in Calais. I know the Princess is still in confinement. It seems that we are both in need of companionship." she said.

Edward glared at her.

"Madam, you must find another Lothario to fill your bed. I am not interested in such a son, especially with a woman nearing the age of my late mother." he said, before walking away from her

He walked the crowd and found his younger sister, thirteen year old Princess Margaret.

He smiled at her.

"Merry Christmas, Meg." he said.

Margaret smiled.

"Merry Christmas, Eddie." she said.

Edward hugged her.

"How is everything in your household?" he asked.

"It is all well. I'll admit that I love writing letters to Philip." she admitted.

Edward smirked.

"I hope that those conversations are not to mature." he said.

Margaret shook her head.

"No, however he did like that we can talk in German. I know that our Latin is not the same." she said.

Edward smiled.

"In five years, you will be in Vienna. I am glad that you are staying here until then. We can enjoy your presence awhile longer." he said.

Margaret nodded.

"Yes. It is strange, but I am not unhappy or nervous. Our Stepmother has assured me that I will be looked after by her elder sister, Archduchess Isabella, the Queen of Bohemia." she said.

Edward nodded.

"I have heard much about her sister and she is well respected throughout Christendom." he said

Margaret nodded.

"Then one day I will be as well." she said confidently.

Edward smiled.

"I know you will." he said.


Queen Lillian took a sip of wine and continued to talk with her two closest ladies-in-waiting, Lady Charlotte Howard and Lady Mary Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk.

Lady Charlotte smiled.

"The celebrations are wonderful, Your Majesty." she said.

Queen Lillian nodded her head.

"They are. The King has said we have had a glorious year. He is excited that we have had four babies in the family in the last year." she said.

Lady Mary nodded her head.

"It is wonderful that you had Prince Charles and then Princess Elisabeth had Princess Lizzie and then you had Princess Isabella and now there's Prince Hal. It is exciting." she said.

Queen Lillian smiled.

"The Lord allowing our family to grow is a true blessing. I thank him every day for our blessings. The Treasury is overflowing and we are at peace with France. We have so much to be thankful for." she said.

Lady Mary smiled.

"That we do, Your Majesty. We surely do." she said.


The King sighed, as he sipped his goblet of wine. The night was starting to quiet down. He was looking forward to heading to bed with his Queen.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar female voice:

"Merry Christmas, Your Majesty." she said.

Harry turned around and was surprised to see his half-sister, Lady Rose Tudor, Baroness of Windsor.

Harry smiled and hugged this youngest sibling.

"Sweet Rose, Merry Christmas. I am so happy to see you. How are you?" he asked.

Lady Rose smiled.

"I am well. It has been so long since I have seen you." she said.

Harry nodded his head.

"I know you prefer a quiet life. How are your children?" he asked.

Lady Rose smiled. She and her husband, Lord John Tudor, were happily married for five years and they had now had three children: Lord Edmund, who was five years old, Lady Katrina, who was now two years old and Lord Henry, who was now seven months old, as he had been born in May.

"They are all well. It was hard to leave them, however I wanted to see you. You are my brother and I love you and our family is important to me." she said.

Harry looked at his twenty-five year old sister and had tears form in his eyes.

"Rose, that is the best Christmas gift I can receive. I can not wait to meet your children. I hope you stay awhile at Court." he said.

Rose nodded.

"John and I will be staying until after the New Year." she said.

Harry smiled.

"I am pleased to hear that. Our family will dine in my private apartments tomorrow. I would love for you and John to join us." he said.

Rose smiled.

"We will be there." she said.

Harry sighed contently. The year had been very good to him. His granddaughter's betrothal was finalized, he had another daughter, his reign was peaceful and now his family was staying close. He prayed that the Lord would continue to let his reign be peaceful and happy for him, his family and his subjects.

A/N Thank you all so much for your patience! It took a little more time to get this Chapter up due to extended research. We are doing all we can to get them out quicker. Currently, we are working on the outline of 1564 and the next chapter should be out very shortly. Please Read and Review! Chapter Sixty-Seven will be out very soon!