I don't own the Tudors.
Prologue
June 3, 1499
On a stormy night, noble Lord Francis De La Lorencie the Viscount of Coucy is eagerly waiting for his son to be born. He had a love match with a Swedish princess Giselle.
They have been happy for the past eleven years.
His wife gave him five children. All of them girls and now, he needs a son, or else his family of brave knights and generals will end with him.
'God please give me a son! Please, lord, or else France will be defenseless without a De La Lorencie general protecting them.' The Viscount kneeled and prayed for a son. Both he and his wife are getting older, and this will be their last child. If not, then he prays with such hope that one of his grandsons will take hold of their family name and legacy.
A maid came bursting through the prayer room. "My Lord, my lord…!"
Francis looked back and questioned his wife's maid. "Is it…?!"
"Thank the Lord! Your wife and child are healthy." The Maid cheered as Lord Francis ran out the door to aim for his wife's chambers.
There with the army nurses and doctors. By the side of the window are his five daughters all standing there looking at their mother and new siblings from afar. Thunder lit up the room as his beautiful wife lay in bed all clean from her sweat and holding their last child.
"My love…" Francis happily approaches until he was given the sad news.
"My lord congratulations, it's a girl." The Doctor happily announced which made everyone stop. Lord Francis collapsed onto the chair.
"Another daughter…!"
Francis knew that his family line of generals was finished.
He despaired in the hopes that he has a son to become the general and protect the royal family.
When all seems lost, another thunderstorm lightens up the room with its roaring thunder.
He heard his daughter make a roaring cry.
"ARGHHHHH!"
It was like God has given him a sign.
Leaping out of his despair and reaching for his youngest daughter. The child still cries like a roaring cub.
'I see. I see why God presents this daughter to be born to us…. She was no gentle lamb, but a roaring lioness. A lioness of France!'
Lord Francis saw this as a good omen.
"My daughter will be our heir!" He held and rocked his daughter in his arms. He held her up like a royal heir procession would declare the entire kingdom.
"Her name shall be Clémence De La Lorencie the next Viscount of Coucy!"
For the first time in history, women who were meant to marry other lord husbands and their inheritance of their birth family will be passed to the next male kin. However, Viscount of Coucy declared that his only 'Son' and heir is Clémence De La Lorencie which King Louis XII held the Viscount and his family lineage in high regard. He granted that title to Clémence De La Lorencie as the next Viscount of Coucy.
Through years of training his sixth youngest daughter was his heir. She became a progeny of swordsmanship and the mind of the making of a general.
9 October 1514
Viscount of Coucy and his 'heir' Clémence De La Lorencie were granted the honor of escorting Princess Mary Tudor sister of King Henry VIII to be wedded to King Louis XII to the queen of France.
Mary Tudor notices the outside and saw a beautiful younger boy fighting with such skills and elegance in sword fighting. His hair is tied in a simple ponytail with a blue ribbon. The color of hair is like a sunny flower that blooms under the sunlight. His eyes are deep as the ocean seas that capture you. His skin is skin white but has a few tan colors to make him more beautiful.
You could say the future queen fell in love with the young beautiful knight. The knight she wished she could marry if not for her controlling brother and his French-loving cardinal. Mary Tudor was eighteen when she wed the fifty-two-year-old king.
Lady Clémence De La Lorencie was only fifteen years old at the time.
During the wedding reception, they were greeted by Lord Francis De La Lorencie the Viscount of Coucy, and his beautiful daughter he brought with him.
The new queen of France noticed the resemblance of the young beautiful knight and the Viscount's youngest daughter, she saw when entering the palace.
'Could they be related?' That is what Mary believed.
Until King Louis joyfully laughed and greeted the viscount like an old friend.
(Note they are speaking in French in Italic.)
"My dear Coucy! I trust you are here to stay this time." The king of France eagerly waited for their answer.
"It would be treasonous to refuse such an honor of protecting the new queen of France," Coucy replied as they both shared a laugh and hugged each other like family.
"I wished to send my love and congratulations to the new queen of France. May god, bless you both with many sons." The beautiful maiden said to them curtsy.
Mary Tudor did not like the sound of that. But she knew what the young said because there is no malice. Just honest words, something she felt slighted.
Her brother forces her to marry the old, perverted king of France instead of Catherine's young dashing nephew Charles king of Spain.
She was focusing on her hands on her lap until she heard the comment that captured her ears.
"I was just witnessing your sword fighting and wish to congratulate you on your 'son' in knighthood. Very good."
Wait for his son?
She looked at both French father and daughter, but where is the son? Is he a bastard? Or half-brother from his second marriage?
She blurted out, "Where is his son, your grace?"
It was by no means an accident, but tension rose in the room.
'Oh no, did I mess up?' Mary looked at her brother in fear of rebuke.
Everyone in the entire court was bursting into laughter. By entire court, they mean only the French. The English party was confused.
Why are they laughing?
Was there a jest behind the statement?
King Louis calmly silences the laughter despite snorting out his laughter behind his hand. Some shushed quietly, but others still giggled a bit.
"My dear, this is his 'son'." He pointed out to the Viscount Coucy's daughter. That just makes more confusion in the dining room.
"Your majesty, I apologize for the confusion, but I am my father's 'son' and 'heir'." My name is Clémence De La Lorencie, the next Viscount of Coucy. I wore this dress because I didn't wish to leave a bad impression on our esteemed royal guest from England." Clémence spoke as she looked at the new queen with the confidence of a general leading an army.
They all looked at her father who was beaming with pride for his daughter. The King of France allowed this in his country. Didn't France learn their lesson with Jeanne de Arc during the thousand years of war?
Mary realized that the young handsome French knight was her!?
France is truly an alienated place.
But to Mary, it is a disappointment that the knight was a woman.
Mary Tudor did enjoy France, but not bedding the King.
But it wasn't boring or miserable as she thought.
The Queen of France shows favoritism towards Clémence De La Lorencie in court. She would watch Lady De La Lorencie practice sword fighting and ride her horse. During her time in France, Clémence wore a doublet of a knight to guard and serve the new queen of France once the wedding has passed.
But what surprised her wasn't the fact, she does what men do. No, it is the people in the court of France.
Laughter and giggles sound in the courtyard, Mary saw courtiers of young ladies of the French court looking at Lady Clémence with girlish excitement and admiration for the lady knight.
'Who knew that Lady Clemence is popular with other ladies?' Mary fanned herself outside as she watches her female guard practicing.
She felt jealous of the young knight. She does whatever her father allows without worrying about being a bride to some old man and carrying his children. Truly, she is reminded how different life both of their lives are.
Mary prays that she and Lady Clémence will remain by her side.
But sadly, it was not meant to be.
January 1515
Less than three months after marrying Mary Tudor to King Louis XII, he died. Now Mary Tudor Dowager queen of France must wait a few days to see if any children were conceived, but no children in sight at all.
Lady Clémence wore a black dress to accompany the dowager queen as a sign of respect for the king and carried her sword in his honor.
Everyone recalls her family heritage as they are devoted to the royal kings and queens of France.
Truly, she is a proud example of true loyalty that must be followed.
Following the succession line, King Francis I of France has taken the throne.
Lord Francis De La Lorencie the Viscount of Coucy followed by his 'son' and 'heir' dressed in the finest doublet and dressed in proper attire fitting for the inheritance of Viscount.
They vowed an oath and kneeled before the new king of France. They did receive a guest that is sent by the king of England to bring her home to arrange another marriage for status and position. When the English party, led by Charles Brandon came to France, something strange happened.
The dowager queen of France had disappeared.
As Lady Clémence sent word that she couldn't find the dowager queen Mary Tudor. The entire palace panics as they search for the former queen.
"My king, I cannot seem to find the Dowager queen." She told King Francis that he does not blame the young lady knight. No, he imagines that the 'brother' king of England sends word that he will find a new marriage match for his widowed sister.
News came suddenly that Mary Tudor secretly married Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk.
"Father, I have failed you." Lady Clémence kneeled for forgiveness, but her father sighs and said, "Stand, child."
She did.
"The fault lies not with you. Even King Francis said so. Besides, Lady Tudor is no longer our concern."
"No longer our concern?!" She argued. How can anyone say that? Mary Tudor was their queen even for a short time.
"I know that you may not understand, but Lady Tudor made her dislike for our king very well known. She may have played the role of a good wife, but she quickly married without going through a proper mourning period. Besides, I just received news from the king and his council. King Henry VIII wished to have a summit meeting with King Francis for a new marriage proposal for his daughter, Princess Mary, and his son Dauphin François. We will journey to Calais." Lord Francis said as it has been done.
Lady Clémence cannot say much, but she must follow her duty.
Her life and duty belong to France.
"Yes, Father."
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