Chapter 4 - Family
Previously on Reign-wait- previously:
'I, FRANCIS OF FRANCE, WILL BELONG TO SCOTLAND AS PAYMENT FOR FRANCE'S BETRAYAL OF THE AULD ALLIANCE. THUS THE AULD ALLIANCE IS BROKEN AND NO MORE TIES BETWEEN SCOTLAND AND FRANCE."
"Good! Now that's that. We'll burn the Auld Alliance documents and treaties as they are null and void. And tonight, Francis will wed Marie de Guise."
"Henry, Henry, Henry!" Marie admonishes. "I just got here! Francis just got here! And you'll have us married without the pomp and circumstance of the lavish French court? Shame on you!"
Marie takes Francis' hand from Mary's and making him stand up. "Give us some time to prepare and be glorious on our wedding day. And night."
Smiling at Francis, "Besides in three days, it's my daughter's birthday. I think it would be fitting for Francis and I to get married that day. Right, my daughter? Meet your stepfather Francis."
Mary felt like vomiting, while the rest didn't know whether to laugh or be disgusted. Catherine was already heaving, raring to punch the lights out of Marie, but she was caged in Nostradamus' strong arms. Nostradamus also had a hand on her mouth, keeping her silent.
Henry grimaces, thinking that he'll have to endure being a good host to this old rude barbaric woman. How dare she?
"What are you grimacing about, Henry? Its not as if this is the first time you've seen an older woman with a younger man. Have you seen you're mistress Diane? She's thrice the lifetime older than you. And you're not grimacing at her. Though thank God, she isn't here. I can only take so much, looking at mistresses and their bastard children."
She didn't go there, did she? Killing her would be good for France and Scotland.
"Oh and the Pope will grace the wedding. I took the liberty of informing him a month ago about the wedding of Mary and Francis. And he was gracious to say he'd like to be here for this joyous occasion."
There goes the plot to kill this insane woman.
"We'll just inform him of the changes when he comes later today. So better prepare a feast this night! The Pope will be here!"
"Now, Francis and I will get acquainted while you prepare for the Pope and the feast." leading Francis away from the congregation. "Tell me, Francis, how well do you know Scotland? Wait, Mary, dear, aren't you coming? Come along now. We've got my wedding to prepare."
"Francis!" A shrill voice sounded from the hall, along with the sound of a bunch of little feet running.
Francis can't help but smile at his brothers and sisters running towards them. He missed them so much. He forgot about Mary. Forgot about Marie. Forgot about everyone except the family he has right now. And he opens his arms wide for them.
Charles being the tallest and fastest, reached Francis first and got the first hug.
"We missed you, Francis! Are you here to stay?" Little Henry was next to be hoisted up into Francis' arms. The blonde boy kissed Francis' left cheek.
"I missed you too. I've been thinking of you when I was traveling."
"Hmph, you thought of us? You should have taken us with you on your travels." Little Marguerite, 2 years older than little Henry with gold ringlets and the most outspoken one, pouted. She was most displeased her big brother left the castle. Well, left without her.
"I apologize, Miss Marguerite. Next time, we'll travel together."
"You better! You brought presents?"
"Francis, where did you go?"
"Yay, presents!"
"Want to play swords now?"
"I don't want to play with Bash anymore."
"He's boring. He doesn't do voices like you do."
"He hates my dollies!"
"He's not You!"
"Francis! I want a hug!"
"Oh dear, we shouldn't forget Miss Claude. Come here, little miss." The little girl, the youngest of the bunch, smiled a big toothy smile while she climbed into Francis' unoccupied arm, thus Claude on the right side and Henry on the left.
"Well, I'm here now. We can play all you want."
"No, let's read stories!"
Francis puffed, "Even better, I'll tell you a story about one amazing man! How does that sound?"
"New stories?"
"Only a man? What about girls?"
"Francis, who is she?" Marguerite asked, referring to Marie de Guise.
Marie crouched in front of the girl, "Hello! I'm Marie and I'll be-"
"Marguerite, she's my mother. Marie de Guise." Mary interrupted. She didn't want the children to know that her mother will be their brother Francis' wife. She couldn't even comprehend it herself. And she refused to acknowledge that fact, maybe until she dies. Francis becoming her stepfather - ugh just no.
"Good day, your majesty. Its a pleasure to meet you. But I have to say, I don't like Mary. One day, she was betrothed to Francis, then the next to-"
"Marguerite! That's rude." Francis chastises his sister. "It is none of your concern. Apologize to your grace. Now."
"Hmph! I-"
"Apologize. It is unbecoming of a princess such as you to act in such a way. Apologize."
"Fine! Its rude. But I won't apologize. Let's go, I want to listen to your story now!" And little Marguerite turned her back on them, pouting again.
Francis turns toward Marie and Mary, "I apologize your grace, to you and Queen Mary. My sister is still young and -"
"Don't worry about it, Francis." Marie dismisses the incident. "I like her spunk though. I believe you were gonna tell them stories. Would it be so demanding, if, as your future, I'd want to come and listen too?"
"Yeah, you should listen to Francis' story-telling time! He's so good!" Charles boasted.
"And he does voices!" Henry pipes in.
"Francis, will you sing to us?" a half-asleep Claude clutches at his shirt.
"Oh no, don't fall asleep, Claude. You haven't heard my story yet."
"Well, let's leave to our rooms then, Francis. I'm getting impatient here, me, Marguerite."
Charles rolled his eyes, "By all means, Marguerite, lead the way."
And Marguerite led, with her head held high.
"So who's this man, Francis?" Charles inquired as they walked.
"Well, Charles, its about a brave man. Bravest of the brave."
"He fights dragons?"
"Even better. He fought for freedom."
"Freedom?"
"Yes. Freedom."
"His name was William Wallace."
"Scotsman."
"Braveheart."
Yes, a little short for now... I wanted to introduce Francis' siblings and their family dynamics in the story. That's 2 younger sisters, Claude and Marguerite and then we have 2 younger brothers: Henry and Charles.
Thanks for reading, leaving reviews and following/favorite my stories. Most of my works are all on a whim, so do forgive the errors. And the weird ways of my mind. lol