Hey, people! Here we have the last Flora-less chapter. The next ones are gonna be all about her and her relationship with Will, Henry, Catherine and other characters. Some of you have made a very important question: how does Miele will fit into this story? And what about Flora's parents from the show,Alyssa and Rollos?
I can't answer them right now, because I'd be giving you a huge spoiler, but I can tell you that there will be an explanation for them. The revelations will end right before the first episode of Winx and ( I hope) you'll be able to understand how everything came to be. Be ready for a lot of craziness! Also, (SPOILER ALERT) there will be some Once Upon A Time references. Does anyone watch it? I love that show, it's amazing! I was prepared to give up on it, but after season 6 came out, it was so great I remained a hard core fan.
So, let's get to the shoutouts:
LostMirage: I missed you in the last chapter! Already sorta answered your question, so just wait for a few more chapters. Ah, I love that you've watched Reign! At least you'll be able to understand this story better. My vocation is amazing, though I'm still unused to the cold here and I've had trouble with it. I bought some really warm clothes, so I'm hoping it will be enough. Paris is such an amazing city and I'm loving it!
Though I've been here many times before, this time is different. I have more time to get to know it and we've rented an apartment in front of St. Martin church, something we've never done! So far I've visited Musée d'Orsay, Centre George Pompidou, St. Germain Church and another one I don't remember and I've made a boat trip. I'm hoping to visit Louvre soon and Notre Dame Church. Ah, there's also Eiffel Tower, of course. I'll do so when I get back from Switzerland, which is where I am now. Do you have any suggestions?
Rockmantic: Really? I thought it was a given! Yep, those two will be BFF's, despite the whole situation. It's not just for Diane, Catherine had many reasons to become a villain. It's like when bad things keep happening to you and then there's something that just makes you explode! So, yes, something will happen that will make her lose it and go full villain on Henry and later the Winx.
This story is very complicated, which will make it confusing. But you can relax because you won't have to know all of these characters that appear to understand it, only the most important ones. Also, remember that I am free to answer any questions you might have. Well, I suggest you search for it, because then you'll see this isn't all so crazy, it's based on Reign. I only switched some characters and altered some dates. Good luck with school! Mine won't start till March.
AlexisPeaney: That's such a great idea, good work! I have one too. Wasn't it so crazy? I wanted to add a painter into this story ( Think you can guess why? Hint: it has something to do with one of Winx characters) and as I searched for famous painters of the XVI century, I came across Leonardo. He died in 1510, though, so I had to alter some dates. It's a good idea to search for it, you'll understand who the characters really are better.
Wow, that's some theory you've got there. That's actually a very good idea, I've been thinking about doing a story based on the anime Romeo X Juliet. But only after I finish this one and Darkness. Also, today I learnt how to ride a sleight, so I'm more confident about skiing. Hopefully I won't break anything.
September,22nd of 1526...
It had been nearly two years since Prince William, heir to the french throne, was born. Through that time, many things had changed in France. The Italian Wars had ended almost as abruptly as they had started, though Italy was nowhere near forgiving France for those hard years. With many countries destroyed and England slowly succumbing to protestantism, France was the safest and most stable place on Earth, except for the New World, which was becoming a traveling destination for many amongst Europe.
France and Scotland were trying to make an alliance as the latter were concerned about England's interest in taking over the country and turning it protestant. The alliance wasn't possible yet since Scotland had nothing to offer France that would make said alliance worth it. So King James V tried to come up with another plan.
Another one who was making plans was Catherine Blanchet, mistress of King Henry of France. She had been planning on killing the queen so she could become one herself, but it was proving to be very difficult. But things had changed over the past few weeks and she felt more confident about her plan. That's why she was in such a happy mood as she walked along the palace and towards her chateau. Having just had a conversation with King Henry, she had told him the good news and he had been shocked, but she was sure that soon he would be thrilled.
A party was to be held at the palace that night, in honor of the King's 21st birthday and Catherine had gone home to get ready. She knew that this was a special date, mostly because of what she had found out. So she dressed in her finest clothes and waited for the king to meet her as they had agreed to talk before the party. By seven he came, dressed richly and looking better than ever. He greeted her friend, Leonardo, politely and waited for her to walk down the stairs and towards the living room. She didn't miss the look on his face as she did so and she smiled.
"Good night, milady." He formally greeted.
"Good night, your majesty," She said just as formally.
"May I say you look just ravishing." He complimented and she smiled brightly.
"Why thank you." She curtsied and his look turned back to Leonardo, who was watching them suspiciously, for he didn't know of her news yet.
"May we be left alone?" Henry said as he looked at Leonardo and the guard that had followed him. Both exited the room quickly and he was left with Catherine. They sat down on the couch and he sighed.
"So, have you thought about what I've told you?" She asked him.
"I have and I don't know yet what to feel." He said and she frowned.
"Be happy. This is a gift from God, we should be thankful." She told him sternly and he smiled.
"You're right, this is great. It's just, Diane's not too happy about it." Catherine scoffed and he cast her a warning look.
"I apologize, but Diane has never been too happy about our relationship. I just wish she has no intention of harming us." He shook his head immediately.
"No, she doesn't. She's not even too concerned about this, she's told me that what she really wishes for is that you wouldn't be too close to William." Catherine sighed. Being close to William was a part of her plan and a way for her to lessen the guilt of what she was going to do.
"Why does she see it as such a bad thing? After what we learned today, this relationship I have with William might be crucial." She told him and he had to agree. His response was interrupted by the ringing of bells, signaling that it was already 8 pm, time when the party would start.
"I must go now, the party will be starting soon. We'll discuss this more, later." He told her and they said their goodbyes and he went back to the palace. Catherine immediately went upstairs as she knew that she needed to talk to Nostradamus. They had become close friends after the two years since William's birth and he was the only one she could truly confide to about her pain and anger, since Leonardo would surely not approve of what she was planning. He was too kind and good to understand how much she hated Diane and so she had let him out of her plan.
"Come in." Nostradamus answered after she knocked on the door. She opened it and entered the room that was usually a mess, filled with potions and ingredients.
"Wow, this time you've made such a mess I don't know how it will be cleaned." She told him with a laugh as she looked around the room. There were liquids spread across the table, dead flowers, something that smelled terrible and broken glass. Catherine was careful not to step on it on her way to the chair she usually sat.
"Did you forget that we have magic?" He questioned, barely looking at her. All his attention was focused on a small green tub in his hands.
"Of course not. I just wish your magic could work faster. After what I discovered today, we'll need to move up our plan." She said seriously as she crossed her arms across her chest. He smiled at her, to which she was confused.
"Of course. Now that you're pregnant, it's the perfect time to kill the queen." Her eyes widened at his words.
"How did you?!" She asked a bit freaked out until she remembered. "I hate it when you do that, it freaks me out." He laughed.
"There's nothing I can do about my gift. I don't control it." He replied and Catherine gave him a curious look.
"So, have you seen my future?" He shook his head.
"As I've told you many times, for some strange reason, I'm incapable of guessing your future. However, I did see the child's future." Catherine was glad to have at least some detail of what would happen.
"So, what did you see?" He smiled before answering.
"She'll be a beautiful lady, with eyes green like the forest and skin tan like the indians. She'll be kind and gentle, so everyone will love her. Well, not everyone, because she'll be the king's bastard child and many will figure she wants to take the throne. But overall, she will be happy." Catherine smiled as well.
"That's good, it's all I could ever want for her. Now, about Diane, do you think we can speed up the poison making process?" She questioned and Nostradamus' smile widened.
"There's no need, the poison's ready. I finished it today." Catherine was almost jumping with joy.
"That's so great. Tell me, how exactly will this work?" She asked.
"Well, we'll need to find a way to put it in her food so she can consume it. I've tested it on some corpses of soldiers who were brought back from the Italian Wars and it worked out perfectly. The one who's poisoned will show symptoms of the black death, they'll be dead in a few days. No one will suspect anything." Catherine's smiled enlarged.
"Good. We'll wait a few days, then. Today's the King's birthday and I don't want him to suffer yet." It was settled. In just a few days, Queen Diane of France would die and so Catherine's path would be free.
October, 1st of 1526...
The day wasn't special, there were no parties or great events happening in the palace. However, it would turn out to be a very important day because of the terrible things that happened then. No one saw it coming, it was just another quiet day like any other. With a light breeze helping in the falling of leaves from the trees and the sun shyly appearing to give some warmth to the residents of the palace, no one could have expected this day to be anything but peaceful.
In the gardens, a young boy of nearly 2 years old ran around, trying to catch a few leaves as a woman with blonde hair watched him. She was smiling at the boy's silliness and she wondered how could someone so innocent and sweet cause so much trouble, even if indirectly.
"Look, Cathy, I caught twee of them!" He screamed in delight as he ran towards her. She kneeled down and looked at him with a proud smile.
"That you did. Very well, William." His smile enlarged after being praised. "Why don't you make it rain now?" The woman asked and the young boy widened his eyes.
"Yes! That's a good idea." He said excitedly before he threw the leaves in the air and they fell down on him as he laughed. She picked him up and spun him around, as a young couple watched them from afar. The woman had an unhappy expression on her face while the man smiled.
"Heny..." The woman started saying, but her husband interrupted her.
"Please, Diane. Don't start." She sighed deeply as she knew it was no use pointing how wrong that interaction was. He starting walking towards the woman and the child and she reluctantly followed him.
"Look who's there, Will!" The blonde woman excitedly said as she pointed at the man who was approaching them. The little boy waved at him.
"Daddy!" He screamed and the man started running. When he got to where they were, he picked Will up and hugged him tightly.
"How's it going, my boy?" He asked the child and the woman who had been playing with him smiled at them both.
"It's going well, isn't it, Will?" She questioned and he nodded his head.
"Yep, Cathy and I vewy happy." Both adults laughed at his misspelling just as the other woman caught up with them.
"Catherine." She greeted with a frown that was mirrored by the blonde woman.
"Diane. How was the meeting?" She asked her formally.
"The meeting went well. Thanks for looking after Will, Catherine." The man answered a bit nervously. It was never a good idea to have this two women on the same room. It was bound to be trouble.
"That's okay, he's a fine young man." She said while smiling at Will. He was too busy looking at some squirrels to pay attention to it.
"So, shall we get going?" Henry asked and the two women nodded before following him towards the castle. They walked through long corridors until they reached the dinner room. Henry opened it and politely waited for both women to enter before going into the room himself. A wooden table was filled with many types of food as three seats were placed. The three adults occupied the seats while the young boy sat on his father's lap.
"So, what did Portugal want?" Catherine curiously asked Henry as she recalled that the Queen and King had just come out from a meeting with the portuguese ambassador.
"Oh, they just wanted to talk about politics, nothing important." Upon seeing how nervous he looked, Catherine knew that he was lying.
"I know you're lying. So, what did they really want?" She asked him more firmly and he sighed, but remained silent. It was Diane who answered her question.
"Apparently they've gone mad, because they wanted to make an alliance by marrying the king's nephew to your bastard daughter." She scoffed after saying it and Catherine was deeply offended.
"Stop calling her that! You're the only crazy person here." She shot back and Diane's eyes widened.
"How dare you?" Henry sighed once again and he cast his son a helpless and desperate look.
"Ladies, please." He pleaded and all he got were frowns from the two women.
"Henry, please tell me that you didn't agree to this alliance!" Catherine screamed as she eyed him angrily. He gave her a small smile as he reached for her hand a squeezed it.
"Of course not, love! I told them it was nonsense and that my daughter deserves better. We don't need to make arrangements now, anyways." Catherine sighed in relief and she smiled at him.
"Thanks for that." She told him and the two lovers stared at each other, unaware of William curiously looking at them or Diane's frown. The sound of someone coughing brought everyone back to reality.
"Your majesties, may I serve the wine?" It was Nostradamus. Catherine had made sure that he was appointed as the wine server that night and Henry had agreed, having no idea of the true reasons for it.
"Oh, of course. Thank you." Henry politely said as the psychic moved towards Diane and served her first, as it was costume. The young queen didn't take notice of the yellow liquid he put in her cup as well as the other two. Dinner proceeded more calmly, the two women tried not to get into another argument and by the time they finished it, it was just as peaceful as the weather outside. Queen Diane and King Henry said their goodbyes as he was to accompany Catherine back to her chateau while Diane took William to bed.
The two lovers discussed plans for their child and themselves as he suggested that they took a trip to his palace on Lyon so that they could spend some time together. She agreed to the trip, though she was sure it wouldn't happen so soon. Far away from what they were, as Queen Diane got to her chambers, she felt like something was wrong. Her head started spinning and she felt light headed, so she sat down in bed. The feeling passed after a few minutes, so she put on her nightgown and got ready to sleep. However, as she did so, she was able to see the horrible bruise on her arm as it started hurting. That was when she asked a guard to help her get to the infirmary and another one to get the king. Something was definitely wrong.
November 17th of 1526...
Prince William's second birthday turned out not to be such a happy day. His mother had been dead for over a month now and France was still grieving the loss of the queen. King Henry was shocked to learn about his wife's death, but due to the impending birth of his second child, he felt it could've been much worse. He was in his room that night, as his son's birthday party would be starting in just a few hours.
A woman rest in the chair near his bed. With brown hair and eyes, she wasn't as pretty as other ladies, but she wasn't a lady anymore. She would be turning 38 soon, a age that meant oldness, since most people would die before they reached 40. Her name was Claude and she had been the Queen of France for 23 years.
"Mother, there's something I need to talk to you about." Henry said from his spot in the bed and she sighed.
"I already know what this is about, son. You desire to marry Catherine, now that your wife is dead." She said bluntly and sternly. He lowered his head.
"Yes, I do." She sighed. He was so young, he didn't know how things worked in the world. Sure, he had been the King of France for the past 3 years, but he was still so naive.
"As King of France, you should know that that isn't possible." She firmly said and he looked at her with sadness.
"Why isn't it? She's a noble now, she's just as rich as Diane was. And she's wonderful with politics and money. She would make a great queen." Claude stood up and walked towards him. She looked him straight in the eye.
"Henry, sweetheart, Catherine might be rich because you made her so, but people will never forget that she's just a maid who conquered the heart of the king. They will never accept her, if you marry her, there will be war, I'm telling you." He sighed.
"So what you're saying is that if I marry the woman I love, I'll be risking the entire future of my country?" He questioned and her look softened.
"You know that I want you to be happy, don't you?" She asked with a sad smile. "But we're royals, you're the King of France. Unfortunately, we can't follow our hearts and marry whom we desire." Henry sighed deeply and tried to hold back tears. This night wasn't going well like he had planned.
"Okay then. I'll keep Catherine as my mistress, so that I can at least have a relationship with her. And I won't turn back on my child, my sweet daughter who will be born in just a few short months." Claude nodded, although she didn't agree at all.
"You better pray that your new wife will approve of this relationship." A surprised expression appeared on his face at her words.
"New wife?" He questioned. He had barely lost his wife and if he would marry someone right away, it would have to be Catherine. With that not being possible, he had no plans on finding a second wife yet.
"I have already made the arrangements. You'll marry Princess Isabella of Sweden. I talked to her parents and they agreed that this union will be benefitial for both countries. However, he demanded that the wedding happens only after she turns 18, so we'll have to wait for a couple of years." Henry was shocked and angry.
"You made plans without consulting me?" He questioned and Claude raised her hand in front of her.
"This reaction of yours is precisely why I didn't tell you. You're still grieving over Diane while also in love with Catherine. You're not on your right mind to make any decisions. So, I've made them for you." He calmed down a bit after hearing this, knowing that she was right. There was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Henry asked. The voice that spoke was of the one who held his heart, the one he wished to marry someday. And also the one who would be broken after he told her of the impossibility of that ever happening.
"It's me." Catherine replied and there was a scream and she laughed. "And Will." She added and Henry allowed them to come in. The young boy immediately ran to his father.
"Daddy! You'll never guess what Cathy and I did today." He excitedly said after Henry had picked him up and hugged him.
"What did you do, son?" He asked curiously.
"We picked flowers for my little sister." The young boy said excitedly. The three adults in the room laughed at his excitement.
"That's right. We walked all over the gardens and even found a squirrel, right, Will?" Catherine said and Henry gave her a loving look.
"Yes, a squirrel! Me like squirrels." Will said while jumping on Henry's lap. His attention was solely on Catherine, though. Claude cleared her throat.
"Okay, then. Now come on, sweetheart, why don't you tell me all about your adventure today?" She picked Will up and carried him outside while he told her what he had done with Catherine. An awkward silence filled he room once they were gone and the young couple was left alone.
"So, how did the conversation with your mother go?" Catherine curiously and hopefully asked. Henry sighed, knowing that this was going to be a long night.
March 8th of 1527...
Catherine Blanchet stood near the window of her room in her chateau. She wore a long red dress she loved so much and her hair was loose, falling into her shoulders like gold. It was almost sunset and she was staring at the wonderful view of the gardens. She thought about what she should do.
"Well, I'm never going to become queen." She muttered to herself sadly, angry that her plan hadn't worked out entirely. "But Henry loves me, so that's something good." She smiled while thinking of her lover, King Henry of France. A cry turned her attention back to the crib that had been set by her bed. She walked towards it slowly and smiled as she looked at the beautiful baby girl that lay there. Her green eyes were open and she stared curiously at her mother.
"My beautiful baby girl." Catherine picked her up gently and the little girl let out a laugh. "My sweet Flora. You have no idea how glad I am that you're here." She smiled at the baby and kissed her forehead. "I thought that you could change everything and give me a chance to be queen. That didn't work out so well." She frowned as she recalled the conversation she had had with Henry months ago, when he had told her that he couldn't marry her, as much as he wanted to, and that his mother had already arranged an union with some princess. She wasn't too happy about it, but she understood his decision. It was the best for France. Catherine scoffed.
"France. This stupid country that has taken so much from me. But I'm gonna get my revenge, I'll show them that they can't mess with the Mediccis." She sighed as she thought about her family and how much she missed them. She would never see them again. The baby girl cried and Catherine looked at her in a new light as she thought about it. "You know, maybe I am on the wrong track here. Maybe I was never meant to be queen." She stood up with the baby in her arms and went back to the window.
"This is perfect. If I can't be queen, then I'll make sure that you become one. You have royal blood, after all. Queen Flora. What do you think?" She asked the baby and the little girl gave another laugh. It was settled then. Flora would be queen, no matter what. But something had to be done first. "First, there's something that must be taken care of." Catherine told the little girl, her tone serious and sad. She never expected to do this, she knew what her parents would say if she did so. But it was necessary, it was the only way to ensure the safety of her daughter. "You're just like me, you're special. You have a gift, a magical gift. But we live in a world where people like us, if ever discovered, are killed. I can't let that happen, I have to protect you."
Catherine walked towards the armoire and she opened it. A small chest was there and she picked it up with one hand. She settled the baby back in her crib and opened the chest. Inside, there was a small bottle containing a white liquid.
"This, my dear Flora, is a potion made of white roses, which contain the most powerful energy there is. My mother once told me that there is a spell that can erase magic from a person. I think that, with this potion, I could cast that spell on an entire city. Yes, I'll rid Paris of magic, I'll rid you of it because it's dangerous, it could expose us. I know it's not right to take away such a beautiful and unique gift, but this is the best thing I can do for you, my sweet Flora." Catherine said and she picked a cup from her table, filled it with the potion and drank it.
"Now my powers will be maximized and I'll be able to place this spell all around Paris." She smiled as she grabbed a book from her pocket, a book that had been given by her grandmother before she passed away. It contained many useful spells, in italian of course, amongst them the one Catherine seeked. She read it a few times so that she could understand it, since it had been so long since she had last spoken italian. Once she was ready, she concentrated all of her magic and said the words that would change Flora's life forever.
"Eliminare la magia." A bright green light shot from her body and covered all of Paris, going undetected by it's non magical citizens. The light soon formed a sort of shield around the city that sucked all magic from it. Catherine smiled as she felt all of the magic of Paris being transferred to the shield and therefore, to her. The spell wouldn't affect her, she would be able to keep her powers. Once it was done, she looked back at the now sleeping baby that lay in her crib. "It's done. This is the beginning of a new era, where you'll become the Queen of France. Sleep well, my sweet flower. Soon we'll have everything we desire." She kissed the baby's forehead and went back to the window. She watched the sunset with a huge smile on her face. Everything was going according to plan.
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS:
Diane: Queen of France, murdered by Catherine.
William: crown prince of France, Catherine's step son.
Claude: Former Queen of France and Will's grandmother. ( also the one that kept Henry and Catherine apart.)
Flora: King's illegitimate daughter.
So, what did you think? Can you see how this story will tie to Winx?
What did you think of Diane's death, should I have kept her alive? She had to die, for story purposes, but I'd love hearing your opinions on it. Also, what did you think of Catherine being close to Will? And what about Henry's decision? I told you, this is a tragic story.
Okay, so next chapter it will be Flora's life. You'll get to see more of Will and there are some heartbreaking scenes coming, so be prepared. Next chapter should come by Thursday, but if I get 5 reviews before that, I'll update sooner. After all, next chapter's almost ready.