Chapter 3
It had been two months since the christening, they had to push the coronation back due to the plague and they heard no word of what the Duke was planning but since Francis told Mary he was no longer playing defense, no longer alone in his troubles. He was scared telling Mary would be too much of a risk, but he had no idea what he'd be doing without her. They had a lead on where Montgomery is and once they found him the Duke had no proof, and since he never believed Francis would tell Mary he had the advantage of surprise.
The coronation was in two days and he wanted to be free and clear of this by then. As he walked down the hallway he was approached by Bash and Mary together. He tried not to read too much into it knowing Mary would never be unfaithful.
"Francis we've been looking everywhere for you!" she hurried out as Bash lead them into an empty room. "We found Montgomery, and even better, the Duke had no idea where he was either. He was trying to play you, he had no evidence!"
"Francis how do you want to play this? You could take his head but would that really be the best option?" Bash asked cautiously. He didn't know where his brothers head was at the moment.
Francis smirked, " for now nothing. I want to know what his endgame is, plus we aren't sure this was his only evidence," he looked from Bash to Mary, "But for now why don't we go get our people some much needed grain."
The conversation with the Duke went about as expected without revealing all he knew, which left Francis free for the rest of his plan. He planned to prove he could feed his people and not bow to his nobles. If the Duke wouldn't provide loyalty he'd find it elsewhere. One of the Duke's plots was suffocating the land of much needed grain after the plague. If his most trusted advisor wouldn't provide, he'd find someone else. It was harder than expected since most of the nobles were terrified of the Duke who had a knack for getting property he wanted, regardless of the owners willingness to sell. If all went well he could put a stop to that as well. Lord Ducasse was recently titled and had agreed to provide the grain, he would discuss it tonight with him at the ball. Francis walked into the ballroom to see Mary standing next to the food table in a color the shade of her cheeks when she finally noticed him.
"What are you looking at?" she asked cheekly.
"You are glowing my darling. I don't think I will ever stop falling in love with you," he replied back. Just then Catherine walked up to the couple.
Smiling as she spoke "Ah the happy couple, sorry to spoil your fun but I just heard a conversation between a few lords who say you've been seeking grain from other sources than the Duke. I'm proud my son, but be careful - crossing the duke is dangerous."
"Lord Ducasse has agreed to give grain. The crown does not bow to it's nobles, but it is generous to those who are willing to help their country men." Francis did not want to discuss this with his nosy mother. "I have the Duke under control."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that. He was who I overheard," she stated as she swayed to a group of nobles. Francis rushed off to find Lord Ducasse and a gentleman stepped next to Mary.
"Your majesty, may I introduce myself. I am Charles Schular. I am a German Duke and have some business to discuss with you," he spoke as he bowed until Mary signaled for him to rise.
"What kind of business?" she inquired.
"An opportunity, to open trade between Germany and France. I hear your people are in need of grain, something I have plenty of."
"What would you require in return?" Mary eyed him, not sure if she should trust him or not. Whatever he wants in return would probably be huge.
"Nothing major. The late King Henry imprisoned some Germans on French soil for their Protestant faith. Release them and you will have your grain." The deal seemed fair, but she would have to talk to Francis and check his story.
"This offer is most welcome. I must confer with my husband and we-" he cut her off.
"Are you not Queen? If I wanted to-" she was not having this.
"You forget your place. This offer is generous yes, and yes I am Queen and could just authorize it. I choose to have a partnership with my husband and confer with him on matters regarding his countrymen. You also have just come up to me and introduced yourself. I must make sure you are who you say you are and those men are as innocent as you say. Your offer could mean great things for both our countries so I'm sure you can wait until after the coronation." No one was going to speak to her that way.
"I'm not here for the coronation, only my men. You have until tomorrow afternoon, your majesty." he bowed before walking away.
She had to find Francis. She started to leave when she passed Bash and Kenna. She groaned internally before making her way to them. "I am so sorry to do this. I need you to do something for Francis and I, Bash."
"I am at the service of the crown, of course, what can I do?" he replied.
The next morning Francis and Mary sat in their thrones as the Duke entered as well as the other nobles. He didn't like that the Duke had gone to Mary but this deal was just what they needed. An opening for a German alliance could prove fruitful in the war to come, it would shut the Duke of Guise up, and best of all he would be able to feed his people, right before his coronation.
"I am sure you are all curious as to why I summoned you here this morning," he started calmly. "Last night Charles Schular, a duke from Germany arrived to court with a very gracious offer. BRING THEM IN." Bash lead in a group of rough-looking men. "Charles I hereby release these prisoners into your protection," he addressed him personally first, then his court, "in return he has promised to provide France with much needed grain, bridging a new era of relations between our nations. We enjoy exploring these relations farther in the coming years."
Everyone was stunned but Duke Schular recovered quickly. "I am most pleased your majesty. I am going to see to that these men are in the infirmary and then I will send for the grain. Thank you," he bowed and motioned for his men to follow, watching to make sure no one stopped them.
Once he left the French nobles stood in front of their King and Queen. Francis spoke before anyone else could, "my nobility, I have an announcement to make to you. Well actually we do," he smiled at Mary, "my amazing queen is with child, we have produced a future prince or princess of France!"
The nobles all clapped clearly still trying to take in what just happened but overjoyed with this news.
"You may be excused for now, I hope to see you all at the feast tonight," he stated just before the trumpets sounded, signally royal visitors. Everyone stepped aside to see who had arrived. Royalty had been arriving all week but the queens and kings who can't be gone long are just arriving if they didn't just send an ambassador. The smile on Mary's face brightened when Mary de Guise, her mother, and James, her brother, strutted into the room.
"What was that I heard about an heir?" Mary de Guise smiled at her daughter.
"You have finally both arrived! I am so pleased you both could make it." Queen Mary replied as the nobility and servants filed out. "You can both go get settled and then we'd like to see you both in our chambers."
They bowed exiting the room. They got up to follow and as they were walking through the hallways to find some lunch. They were intercepted by a very upset Duke of Guise. "How could you make a trade deal and release all those heretics? Have you no backbone? We were negotiating-" he whispered before being cut off by Francis.
"We were not negotiating. You were starving the country in order to control your king," he said loudly making the Duke shrink into himself a moment, "I don't know how my father ruled but I will not be bowing to your every whim." The couple continued on, leaving the lord to ponder the conversation.
Mary was pacing around the room. She wasn't sure what to say or how her mother and half- brother would respond. Francis wanted to be here but Mary felt they'd be more comfortable just the three of them. No one like to air their dirty laundry in front of their king, even if he is their in-law. There was a knock on the door and they entered.
"Please sit, I need to discuss a few things with you both." Mary didn't want her nerves to show.
"Why both of us? Only one is your reagent, the other is merely a bastard," her mother retorted casually.
Mary couldn't help but roll her eyes. "You may be my reagent mother but I am queen and while you may rule for me, my protestant subjects do not trust you the way they do him."
"This is all about religion? I sailed the ocean to get a lesson on RELIGION" she started to stand.
"No. You're here to see me crowned Queen of France and to discuss me claiming the English throne." Her mother dropped into her seat shocked. "The only way for England to leave Scotland alone is to rule both. The only way that happens is if Scotland is united completely. The only way that happens is if you two get along. So time to air out our differences then get over it."
"You expect-"her mother was scoffing, "to work with this bastard-"
Mary cut her mother off, "we can begin by you stopping with that word, mother."
It took three hours. Mary's headache was astronomical by the time they finished. First there was yelling, then screaming, silence, more yelling, some crying, and finally talking. They mended the personal and political issues between the two with honesty and compromise. It was moments like those Mary like being Queen because when they start to become petty her word can become law. As they stood up to leave she smiled at them and was glad when they smiled back. She look down at her full,gold gown covering her slight baby bump, " I do have good news and I want you both to know before we announce it tonight. I am with child!"
"Congratulations! I am so happy for you sister, hopefully an heir for Scotland, France, and England," James smiled hugging his sister. He was, at first, uneasy with the whole situation but he was glad he stayed through, the Mary's in his life were nothing if not formidable. The reasons to take England are clear and he was glad he and Mary de Guise could find common ground, but an heir was what everyone needed, along with the German alliance they made even small. All she needed was to pull Vatican support as well as some other countries support, but Spain was pretty much a given and with this child everyone will be begging to be in on their good side for a marriage alliance. He left to go prepare for the ball as he disgeisted his orders to help unite Protestants and Catholics to create an example of peaceful rule under Mary, Queen of Scots. He also had to keep spies on Reverend John Knox.
"Congratulations my darling, it's about time. Finally our countries will have stability. I have waited a long time for this day my love. Get ready for the party,I'll see you downstairs," she smiled before leaving the room.
Mary chose a purple gown, one that flowed all around her with her hair curled with white flowers pinned in it. The party was a hit, full of royal visitors and Francis played the perfect politician proving to stand with the best of them. Lord Conde spent most the night dancing with Lola and Princess Claude, Bash with Kenna, Greer with her husband. Finally the end of the night was coming and Francis and Mary were ready to retire to their chambers. "I had the pleasure to announce it to our nobility, why don't you announce it tonight my love," he smiled before turning to the crowd, "MAY WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE! MY WIFE HAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT!"
The room fell silent before Mary began, " Our loyal subjects and generous guest, it brings me great pleasure to announce that I am carrying France's next prince or princess!" The crowd erupted into applause and everyone began to dance before Mary could get another word in, not that she minded. Her and Francis had their only dance of the night, she hated only having one but in her condition she couldn't stress body too much. After they retired to their chambers, tomorrow they'd officially become King and Queen.
The next day went smoothly, Francis and Mary complimented each others wardrobe in a show of red and gold, their house colors. Leaders from all over were cozying up to the young couple with so much potential, they each would declare their loyalty to France and Francis. Francis would make slight remarks about them following us to war, always with a hint of humor in his eye to not make them too suspicious. If they could get Frederik of Denmark, Ferdinand of the Holy Roman Empire, and Philip of Spain they would be able to sweep through unopposed, any more countries and Elizabeth might as well just resign. Mary decided when she decided to take England that if she could get her cousin to step down semi peacefully, she would spare her, if they went into an all out war she would have no choice but to take her head. She didn't want to think that way but she knew she couldn't do what she truly wanted, which was marry her cousin to a decent noble, someone low enough to not be a threat to her, but she knew Elizabeth would never just be happy with that.
"Mary I want to announce your plans tonight." Francis didn't phrase it like a question but knew she was the one running this part of the show. It was hard for him to step back and let her lead on this but it's her throne and her potential throne at risk, and with her ruling two countries to his one, it was something he was going to have to get used to.
"I was thinking the same thing too," she loved how they usually were thinking in the same direction, "I am concerned about the news spreading to England, I want to have at least some element of surprise. I was thinking of gathering the leaders we want for a stroll through the gardens, something private that won't cause attention. I also want to start gauging how this will be taken in England. It will affect its citizens so some of them should at least want me on the throne I'm going to take. If I am unpopular we will start secret campaigns to build internal support by which point we'd be ready to strike if Elizabeth becomes suspicious."
"You are so brilliant, except I think you are being both too hard on yourself and underestimating Elizabeth. She will know as soon as it leaves this room, and from what my spies tell most of England would be welcome to our rule. Those who are Catholic don't want a protestant or a bastard and many were fearful under her father and sister, being free of that stain isn't something they would reject. My love it may seem fast or too soon but you are ready. I will call for whomever you like to walk in the gardens and we can announce it when you are ready." Francis said before asking, "who do you want?"
"You are right, call all of the royalty here in court and their ambassadors. We will discuss it in the throne room with the doors shut and I'll have Bash keep an eye on the English ambassador. I worry that this will push the Duke to do something he shouldn't but we will deal-" Francis cut her off.
"I will deal with the Duke my love. you have too much stress as it is, which is not good for our child. I will send Bash up for his marching orders and gather everyone else." he responded smiling, so proud of his wife.
"Thank you" was all she said smiling at her husband before going back to playing out future battles in her mind.
Down in the throne room everyone was restless. Royalty was not used to being summoned, something they should get used to if this all goes as well. They don't really need them but without them the war could take years, most their reign could be spent just trying to get to do this. It had to be now, while they were at the prime for support. Francis and Mary entered and took their place on their thrones as the doors shut with a thud behind them, causing worried face to be exchanged.
"I am sorry if we have offended any of you. My wife and I have something of the utmost importance and secrecy to discuss with you all. You have all declared loyalty to us in the last few days and while I hate to do it so soon, I am about to test your loyalties. Some more than others. My wife has decided to stake her claim to England. England has bullied it's neighboring countries for far too long and my queen and my children will never be safe with Elizabeth on it's throne. Help me to bring peace to Europe." Francis tried to sound as Kingly as possible.
The conversation went surprisingly well, most of them were simply waiting on Mary, especially Spain and the Holy Empire. They had everything they needed from ships to men. Now they just had to wait for a prime opportunity which would hopefully show itself soon. When they opened the doors to the throne room their lords were waiting for them and were shocked to see all the royalty together. The Duke of Guise was concerned, something big was happening and he didn't even know. He was suppose to know everything through his spies and his blackmail was suppose to keep Francis in line. He was about to propose a very strong Catholic favored edict and this is not how he wanted to start. He had to find Montgomery and soon.
"Your majesties, your nobility has come to humbly ask you to sign your first edict into law as King of France. Here is an edict to help the Vatican find traitors to the church. It would mandate each French subject to declare their faith personally to their King," the Duke stated.
"This would endanger my subjects, those who spoke the truth could be subject to the church and those who lied about it could be hanged for lying to their King. Whose idea was this witch hunt?" Francis was clearly enraged but trying to hide it well. They want their King's first act to be one of a monster. "It does not matter, I think I already know. I will not sign and I do not appreciate you thinking that my first act as King would be that of a murderer. You have disappointed me so much today. I was about to call you all to tell you good news, but it seems I won't be able to trust you with it."
"Your majesty if you would just-" the Duke started in.
"I SPOKE MY PEACE ON YOUR EDICT, I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER WORD ON THE SLAUGHTER OF YOUR FELLOW COUNTRY MEN." Francis wasn't yelling but his voice was raised and layered in authority he didn't know he had until that moment. "I will tell you all the news anyways so you hear it from me, ,but be warned all your movements after you leave this room will be watched, your every movement ," he was glaring at the Duke, " after months of consideration your Queen has decided to stake her claim to England. We have decided we don't want this child or any of our other children to live in fear. France, Scotland, and England will be united under a Valois- rule. Those who left the room before you have agreed to help, some in small ways others in much larger ones. We will be staging an invasion as soon as we see a decent opportunity. I expect you all to prepare your troops, replenish your supplies, and keep your ears to the ground. I expect a count of all your men and supplies by the end of next week. Do you all understand?" The men nodded not saying a word, stunned. They had hoped she would take the opportunity, but they never thought she would. They were beginning to worry if this would bring them more power or less. "You may leave to enjoy the rest of today's festivities."
Everyone but the Duke left. "You made a grave mistake pushing me that way, wouldn't want secrets to get out would we."
"Guards, bring in Montgomery." the Duke's mouth dropped. " No, you made a grave mistake thinking you could blackmail your KING. As for my wife and I, we have no secrets." Montgomery walked in dressed in fine clothing, smiling at them. "My reign will be defined by the generosity of those who were loyal to me. So instead of charging you with being a traitor I am going to give you another chance. I will decide on whatever charges I see fit and you will show YOUR loyalty by giving your lands back to the crown to be redistributed at my pleasure, starting with Lord Montgomery. I will give you back some of your land and more, depending on how useful you are to me in the next few months and years. You are a strong man, clever and brave. Your ambition got the better of you this time, thinking a young King is yours to mold. You forget I am my own man, just as you are, and I will not be controlled by anyone. I mean to have a fair rule and bring much needed peace, try to destroy that again and you'll be drawn and quartered. You may leave now."
"As you wish your majesty, majesties." He bowed to them and left quickly.
"What a start to our reign my love, shall we now go enjoy the festivities?" Francis asked Mary who still had a smug smile on her face.
"I think we shall," she giggled as they stood, walking out hand in hand.