After a shortish carriage ride we finally arrive at the French Court. I peek out the carriage window to see a huge crowd of people waiting for me along with the King. My heart is in my throat and I am terrified that these people will not like me. Someday if everything goes according to plan I will be their queen and
I want more than anything for them all to like me.
The carriage stops at the end of a long pathway and the driver opens the door to help Queen Catherine down the steps. Quickly Francis jumps down and helps me out as well. I was not expecting him to do so and I cannot hide the smile on my lips.
"Thank you Francis." I say quietly so only he can hear me. He nods his head to acknowledge my thanks and begins to lead me towards his father, the King.
"Anything for you Mary." I barely hear him say and I feel a blush color my cheeks.
Too soon I stand before the King and my nervousness returns. Francis bows quickly to his father and then straightens up again.
"Father, your Highness, I present to you Queen Mary of Scotland." He says in his clear, voice. Quickly I go into a deep and graceful curtsy, just as I had been taught.
"Please please stand up Mary!" The King says with a laugh.
"It is our pleasure to have you here and I hope that you shall be very happy and comfortable during your stay." He smiles at me and I can see some similarities between Francis and the King.
"Husband I must speak to you as soon as possible." Queen Catherine says into his ear. He looks annoyed but nods in acknowledgement.
"Fine fine. Francis, please show Mary to her rooms." He says. Quickly I curtsy again.
"Thank you your Majesty. You are most kind and generous and I know I shall enjoy my my stay here very much." The King smiles at me again and I can't help but smile back.
"I shall see you at dinner then. You are all dismissed!" He says loudly and the crowd begins to dissipate.
Once again I take Francis's arm and he leads me inside the castle. It is huge and beautiful and I fall in love with it almost immediately. I can't help but think what a nice place to live in it would be.
Francis leads me inside and then to a large staircase. This castle is so huge I truly hope that I won't get lost within it. We follow the staircase up and up and up and finally come to the top floor.
"This will be where you stay Mary." Francis tells me. He leads me down the hallway past two doors and then stops at the third.
"This is your bedchamber. Your ladies in waiting will be with you shortly and also some maids. I hope you find your rooms quite satisfactory and comfortable." I smile at him again and open the door to my bedchamber. I gasp in surprise at the size and luxury of the room.
"It's huge. And beautiful." I say in awe. I turn to see Francis smiling at me, his blue eyes bright.
"I shall see you at dinner then Mary. If you would like, I'll meet you at the bottom of the staircase so I can escort you to the dining hall."
"Oh would you?" I exclaim in delight.
"I'm so worried I shall get lost in this huge place."
"Well I then I shall meet you there Mary." He bows to me and smiles again.
"See you soon." He turns and begins his descent of the large staircase.
I watch him until his golden head is no longer visible and then I go inside my bedchamber and close the door. I go over to my extremely large bed and sit upon it to await the maids to get me ready for dinner. As I sit I reflect on the day and my thoughts of my betrothed. He is very handsome and very nice. I like him quite a bit already. Now I shall have to wait and see if we can become friends. After all, my mother said this wouldn't be a love match but I would still like a friendship.