Chapter 11
- Château de Fontainebleau, France the next day-
Mary and Francis were breaking their fast together when Elisabeth decided to join them without invite. She barged through the doors as though it was a normal instance.
"Good morning!" she practically sang as she sat at the head of the table, Francis official spot.
"Sister, what do you think you are doing? Did we have an appointment I forgot about?" Francis said without looking at her.
"I just figured I would come to see my fellow rulers, is that a problem brother?"
"It is when you forget your place, you may be a Queen but you are not France's Queen. I hear you have been trying to bully mother into trade deals I specifically told her not to make. It's a problem when you make a scene in front of our guest like yesterday, and it's a problem when you barge in unannounced and take your seat in the King's chair. I would be happy to make a marriage arrangement but it seems like you are more interested in making a play for France." Francis leaned back in his chair glaring at his sister.
"I.. I..brother I would.."
"You wouldn't what? Write to your husband of our defenses? Tell him you felt we were weak? You do realize all your letters have been read correct? I was hoping to have a civil discussion with you of this but it appears not. Next time you write to your husband you can tell him this. If he wants a marriage agreement I expect a large dowrey that includes the title of Holy Empire." Francis and Mary stood to take their leave, "oh and sister. If you try anything again you will be imprisoned for treason. You may be a Spanish Queen but you are on French soil. And remind your husband that France is longer alone, nor will it ever be. He starts a war at his own demise." They left her to ponder what just happened. They walked to their throne room eager to be back in France. Mary felt guilty but France would always be her favorite kingdom.
"You didn't tell me about those reports on Elisabeth's activities." Mary stated as they walked.
"I had only just received them. I was planning on telling you right as she walked in. I was hoping to give her the benefit of the doubt but now I see she does not deserve it. I think King Phillip has become jealous of the power we hold, he wants to see if he can nab France from under our nose. I hope he comes to his senses. I have word of some new marriages for my younger brother, but it's very risky." Francis said.
"Who are you thinking of?" Mary inquired.
"Well it will be quite complicated but spies have been watching the royals from basically all over. Right now Russia is being ruled by Tsar Ivan. Russia has been hit with difficulties lately and I want to see if I can use it our advantage. Our Empire can provide goods to Russia in exchange for an marriage alliance between Henry and his daughter Tsarevna Anna Ivanovna, I hear he never fully recovered from the death of his first wife and that he is not as mentally stable as he used to be. He does seem intent on expanding his lands which concerns me. I have sent diplomats to begin the inquiry." Francis said looking at her.
"We are beginning to host a lot of young royalty, are you ready for that?" Mary asked smiling, she had news of her own.
"What do you mean?" Francis asked half amused.
"We house Princess Claude and Prince Conde, Princess Margot and King Sebastian, Prince Henry, Prince Herkules, Prince James, Princess Catherine, Prince Charles and Princesses Sofia will return in a few years, potentially Tsarevna Anna, and soon we will be welcoming a new heir," she beamed.
"Are you sure?" Francis shot up in his throne and reached for her hand.
"Yes, I have been for quite some time but we were traveling and I didn't want to worry you. It was confirmed on the journey home." Mary said, "I also have invited a potential match for Herkules, I hope you don't mind. I know they are young but then all of your siblings will be engaged in marriages that make us stronger."
"For you, anything," he chuckled, "but really who do you have in mind?"
"The only non royal so far. Mary Hastings. She was actually a potential bride for Tsar Ivan before he chose Maria. Her father is Francis Hastings, Earl of Huntingdon. He proved quite loyal to us during our Scottish troubles and I wanted to reward his family. It would also boost our popularity in France." She said hopefully.
"Hmmm seems like a strong match, I remember Hastings, he was a decent fellow. Do you ever feel like our lives go from problem to engagement to problem to engagement?" Francis laughed before signally the guards to open the doors to their first visitors that day.
"Soon everyone will be settled and we can focus on other matters," Mary smiled before seeing who came in first. Elisabeth and Elizabeth. Mary signaled for the guards to close the doors again. "Okay, we are all royalty here let's talk frankly and get this solved now. I will not have unrest in our Empire because of you two bickering."
"Well some of us our royalty," Elisabeth replied.
"I am still a Queen, if only a dowager one. I once held a throne in more right than you will ever do. I made sacrifices for my country you wouldn't begin to understand." Elizabeth shot back.
"Excuse me? Miss married for love after stealing him, I married for duty. For my country." Elisabeth retorted.
"One you are trying to throw into chaos by usurping the French thrown, you married because your father told you to and to gain a crown. My sister wasn't even in the ground when the ink dried on your marriage." Elizabeth growled.
"Sound familiar? Like Mother, like daughter there, huh?" Elisabeth snickered.
"Enough!" Mary yelled "You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Former Queen Elizabeth you are going to accept that the late Queen Mary's marriage was over long before her death seeing as they hadn't been in the same country for years. Queen Elisabeth of Spain you are going to stop being so judgemental and cruel, I don't know what your problem is but I have already had enough. Are you and your husband really dumb enough to being trying to usurp the French throne?" she stared blankly at Mary. "ARE YOU?" she roared.
"I...I.. it was his idea. He is mad for power and I came here to do his bidding because I am pregnant and I fear for our safety if it is not a boy." Elisabeth finally admitted. "Don Carlos is the one reported to be mad but it is his father. I don't know what to do."
"Well for one you should of been honest with us from the start. Do not write to him as I told you too. Instead I will write to him and you will help me lead him into a trap." Francis said.
"I..I can't do that." she replied.
"Yes you can and you will. It is time the King of Spain learned his place. Sister you are welcome to stay indefinitely but if you don't help be put your arrogant husband in his place it will be in the tower, do you understand?" he retorted.
"Yes, your majesty," she replied.
"Elizabeth, besides for that matter are you enjoying France?" Mary asked.
"I am your majesty it has given me an odd feeling of closeness to my mother. She always loved France." Elizabeth said.
"Good, I have some news I want to share it with you and my ladies first, will you send for them to meet me in the gardens for lunch? Francis and I have to do a few things here."