Chapter 6

-Greenwich Palace, fall of 1560-

The trip was rough to say the least, in terms of boasting their English popularity it was a great success, but it took a toll on everyone involved. Francis found out about Catherine and the Duke; it took the entire trip for him to grow from absolutely furious to smoldering on the subject by the end. It took four months instead of the three it was suppose to take. They were delayed by fires and floods for the most part, but they spent an extra week in a small manor when the unimaginable happened. Mary lost the child, and spent the last month devastated in mourning. Francis did everything he could to lift her spirits but was grieving himself. He was happy to have Conde, Claude, and Margot to help comfort them. Margot and Sebastian have grown less awkward with each other but weren't as close as everyone had hoped, his mother agreed to the marriage and left them in Mary and Francis care until they were of age to wed. Claude and Conde were married in a bright ceremony in Calais and the love they now shared in the room was now clear. After they had gone their separate way to have their wedding tour through France and Navarre. They hoped it would settle the religious unrest in the area to see the mixed marriage so happy. Mary thought by the time everything happened she'd be ready to be back in London but she received news on the road the day they arrived that made her dread it. When she arrived at the palace she went straight to where her friends Kenna and Greer were sharing confinement.

"Mary! It's so good to see your back! You should be resting though, I'm sure the journey was long." Kenna started in.

"I know I should be but I have horrible news and I needed to be the one to tell Greer." Mary replied. "I wish I was coming under better circumstances."

"What's wrong, Mary?" Greer asked from the room inter joined to Kenna's.

Mary walked over and sat on her bed as she informed her that she was now a widow. Her husband was murdered by pirates. As Mary was sitting with her crying friend she noticed the bed become drenched: the baby was coming.

Greer gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl: George and Rose. Mary stayed with her until she fell asleep and then left her in peace. She walked into the other room to see Lola and Kenna waiting for her. She ran into their arms and began to weep.

The next month went by in a whirl. Greer was deep in mourning and struggling to bond with her children, she ceded her deceased husband's estate to his oldest son and resided permanently at court, but she barely left her rooms. Francis helped Mary find her a good lawyer who made her son-in-law agree to grant Greer an income and to keep the majority of her marriage contract, including her siblings dowry's her late husband promised. Before they knew it, Kenna was giving birth. Her and Bash had a strong, healthy boy they named Alban. Elizabeth gave birth to a girl prematurely a few weeks after who she named Anne. Mary barely made it to be there for her, but make it she did.

They were in the midst of planning for the holiday season and trying to incorporate all of the different countries traditions was a headache, but they were making it work. Mary had convinced Francis to allow the Duke to propose to his mother but insisted they marry in London. It was the perfect excuse to invite Charles,Henry, and Herkules for an extended stay in London so they could create matches for the young princes. Mary and Francis were slowly getting back into their groove after their heartbreaking loss and were beginning to move forward.

Mary had never quite seen anything like the festivities for Christmas. Silver and blue engulfed the dance hall with red and white roses everywhere throughout the castle. The throne room was filling with gifts from all over Europe. It amazed Mary to think this time last year she was pregnant with James, plotting for this future. She was truly amazed by how good things turned out for her and Francis. Conde stayed behind with Claude, to act as regent in their absence since Catherine and the Duke were getting married this week. Mary planned the perfect winter-wonderland wedding for them. It was one of the few times Mary saw her mother-in-law truly smile. It also saw Mary smile to see Margot and Sebastian smiling slyly at each other for probably the first time since his arrival. He hadn't been unhappy here but the two were struggling to form a friendship.

Mary invited King Eric of Sweden and his 13 year old Princess Sofia of Sweden in hopes to arrange a marriage between her and 10 year old Prince Charles. She hadn't found a potential bride for Henry but since he was only nine she wasn't concerned, they had time. Her and Francis were relishing the time to see how these young men were growing up. Charles was quiet but polite. Henry was quite the spit-fire which if fueled correctly could be a great quality for a general.

Mary and Francis slept in Christmas morning. They had fallen asleep naked in each others arms for the first time since they left for progress and decided to enjoy it. Eventually their page knocked on the door announcing a visitor. Mary pulled on an underdress and a robe while Francis threw on some pants and a loose shirt to see who was there. To both their delight James was carried in by his governess. He had grown so big while they were away Mary began to tear up. They spent an hour enjoying their little family before having the governess take him so they could get dressed. They wore matching red and gold outfits, Mary opting for a billowing red dress with gold lace covering all of it. The day was filled with love and joy; they opened gifts from each other and those sent in from all over, they visited Greer and Kenna who had yet to be churched, they gave alms to the poor, and they had a huge feast. They enjoyed every second of it, and were so relieved it was over when they retired to their chambers. Barely staying awake long enough to be undressed.

The next morning after they broke their fast they headed to meet King Eric in the throne room. They sat in their thrones hoping to open negotiations with Eric for his sisters hand, he had only been on the throne a few months and they hoped he'd be eager to secure allies. He entered the room and bowed only as low as protocol between royals dictate. "Your majesties. You asked to see me."

"Yes, your majesty. We were hoping to thank you for joining us this holiday, I bet you noticed we hadn't given you your gift yet," Francis started, "I was hoping I could give you one in the form of opening marriage negotiations for your dear sister and my brother Charles. I would like to solidify an alliance with Sweden."

"I'm interested, you have proven yourself to be a good King and an alliance with your empire would benefit my country. I have to ask though, why Sweden? Why my sweet Sofia?" he asked masking any surprise if there was some.

Mary was the one to respond, "Well as you said she is sweet, we have heard from all over how kind and precious Sofia is, as well as they are similar in age. We hope to make Charles a strong, happy match and think allying ourselves with Sweden, through those sweet children would benefit everyone involved. I also believe Sweden and our empire have many things to offer each other, beginning with opening more trade routes" The words came out smooth as glass.

"Well then, let's begin." Eric stated.

It took three days; the King of Sweden was as shrill negotiator. They secured trade routes and such else in the first two days, the last day was the break down of their marriage agreement. Since Charles wasn't the heir, he would go to live in Sweden until they married when Charles turned 14. After the wedding they could choose England, Scotland, or France to live in. Sofia would continue to be referred to as Princess and will be given the title Duchess of Cornwall. Charles left with them three days later much to Catherine's protests.

The next day as they sat on their thrones listening the qualms of their subjects when there was a large comotion just outside the throne room before Margot and Sebastian came bursting into their presence.

"How could you be trying to force me into a marriage with someone so self centered?!" Margot screeched.

"I'M SELF CENTERED? I spent weeks trying to at least befriend you and you never even gave me the time of day!" Sebastian answered in almost the exact same tone.

"HEY! Children,you are in the presence of your King, show your respect!" Mary snapped at them.

"I apologize your majesty. I just don't think a marriage between the King and I will work. We have failed completely to get along. All his highness cares about is his own needs. I know I am young at only 7, but I believe a marriage between us would be one of misery." Margot responded smoothly. Mary forgot how young she was, how young they all were. King Sebastian was himself was only 6, Mary was 18, and Francis 17. Her and Francis were just about their age when they were first engaged and she moved to France. The two of them used to bicker just as so, but now they were tied together in ways unexplainable to those who hadn't known that connection.

"Margot, do you remember how old I was when I first came to France?" Mary inquired lightly.

"Five, your majesty" she replied.

"Correct. Sebastian, I do not know how much you know about Francis and I's history but we were in a similar situation. My father passed when I was six days old, making me Queen of Scotland. My mother worked tirelessly to secure the regency to secure my rule. When she succeeded she began to find me a marriage alliance to keep me safe. She and King Henry came to terms and I was sent to France to be raised to marry Francis. It wasn't easy. We bickered, and fought. He slung mud at me and I always out raced him. But somehow in the middle of all that we found a friendship. I didn't realize it until he became very sick once. I thought God was punishing me for teasing the dauphin so terribly. I sent him something everyday, they wouldn't let me see him due to my age, and finally he became better and we went back to bickering soon but I never took him for granted again and we slowly grew closer until I left for the covent. You see, we are trying to give you a gift. You won't have the same relationship we have but I hope you can grow to rely on each others companionship and let your differences push you to be better. You are both young and will not be wed for some years now. Be patient, because I hope you can both look at each other and find a trust like no other.." Mary explained, the children nodded, "now hug and make up." Francis couldn't take his eyes off her, she was so motherly and so a Queen in one moment. She truly never ceases to amaze him. "Would you two like to join us for lunch?" Then the four of them went to enjoy a nice meal together and the young king and princess slowly began to warm up to each other more.

After lunch Mary took Margot to the nursery to visit James, Rose, George, and Alban. Mary's ladies were there tending to their children and the women decided to spend well into the evening there. Mary went back to reflecting on how quickly time flies as she begins to think of plans for James's birthday. She missed moments like these, simple ones with her ladies. She decided if they wanted to, they could accompany her to visit Elizabeth the next day.