The morning is foggy and chilly but to me it is beautiful. I have always loved Scotland and it saddens me now that I have to leave it. Yet my duty is to my country and so I shall do what I must.
My mother and I share an unemotional goodbye and I board the ship. I go to my chambers with Lola, Greer, Kenna, and Aylee and we chat away to pass the time. Having friends with me makes me so much more hopeful for the future.
After a few days on the ship we finally arrive on the coast of France. My stomach is in knots at the thought of meeting my future husband. As I disembark the ship I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. I raise my head high and try to walk as a queen would. On the shore I can see a group of people waiting.
Somehow my legs manage to carry me so I am before Queen Catherine and Francis. I can't help but notice that he is quite handsome. He has nice blonde hair and bright blues eyes. I would smile at him but I am too nervous to do anything but the perfect curtsy that has been ingrained into my head since I was three. Queen Catherine smiles at me and immediately I like her. She is beautiful, elegant, bright, and has a friendly air about her.
"Hello Mary Queen of Scots. I am Queen Catherine and this is my son Prince Francis." Francis gives me a stiff bow and looks at me uncertainly. I wish he would smile.
"We welcome you to the French court and hope you find your stay here to be quite satisfactory. Is your mother here with you?" She asks looking toward the ship. I curtsy again and somehow manage to find my voice.
"No your Majesty. My mother has sent me here to stay. She told me that she had made arrangements but I see that once again she has lied to me. I beg your forgiveness and will leave within a week so as not to inconvenience you." I say with my eyes bowed. I can feel a coldness inside of me at the thought of returning to my mother. I fear I shall never find a place where I belong.
"Nonsense Mary!" Queen Catherine exclaims.
"You will live here and I shall write to your mother and see just what her plan is. So please, make yourself right at home here. We will take good care of you."
"Thank you your Majesty, you are too kind." I whisper, feeling as lost as ever. Queen Catherine moves forward and kneels in front of me so she and I are almost at eye level.
"Come Mary, be happy! You will enjoy it here very much and I will do everything in my power to keep you comfortable." She grasps my small, cold hands in her larger and warmer ones. Her warmth is contagious and already I feel happier here than I ever did in Scotland.
"Thank you your Majesty." I say and for the first time all day I smile.
"There! Now that is much better!" Queen Catherine stands and gestures to Francis.
"Francis, please be Mary's escort to the carriage." She says and with a smile turns and quickly walks away.
Francis comes towards me and offers his arm. Finally, he smiles at me and the whole world seems brighter. I smile back and feel a flicker of hope in my chest that maybe, this could be the start of a great friendship.
"Hello Mary." Francis says.
"Hello Francis." I reply as I take his arm and allow him to guide me to the carriage.