Chapter 13

-Château de Fontainebleau, France fall 1562-

Mary had decided to not tell Francis about Elisabeth and sent Don Carlos home as soon as possible without seeming suspicious. She was now being churched after the tiring birth of triplets which was almost unheard of. Two boys named Gavin and Francis and a girl named Margaret. She smiled thinking back on how worried she was about being able to have any children - let alone an heir, now she had three strong boys and two beautiful girls. Her kingdom was secure and her duty fulfilled. She was also happy she over expanded the nursery because they definitely needed the room. They all had Francis's blonde hair but they each had a different eye color: Gavin's were deep blue, Francis's were a light brown, while Margaret's were green.

Francis was overjoyed when he learned their family had grown so quickly, each child was a piece of his and Mary's love as well as a child for their empire.

Francis couldn't spend as much time as he wanted with Mary while she was being churched as he would've liked. The Tsar Ivan was arriving at the end of the week to negotiate the marriage between Tsarevna Anna and Henry. Henry arrived at court a few weeks before so Francis can see how what kind of man his eleven year old was growing to be before officially deciding to invite the Tsar. He was invited his privy council who had been travelling among the realm for various tasks. Francis had heard rumors of the Tsar and wanted to be prepared for anything. This alliance would insure no one would dare to mess with the empire and Francis hoped he could finally relax. His youngest brother's engagement can wait for awhile and he was hoping to spend his efforts on their people instead of alliances.

The Tsar arrived in extravagant fashion, trying to show he was better off than he truly was. Francis could see straight through his facade but also understood where it came from. The Tsar was a proud man entering the home of the most powerful monarch in Europe and needed to try to make an impression. Francis still felt weird about wielding so much power, especially since he was still so young.

The young Tsarevna stepped out of the carriage and looked around. France was much brighter than her home and the people seemed warmer but it all made her uneasy. How was she ever going to fit in somewhere so different from everything she knew. She saw who seemed assumed to be King Francis and Queen Mary. They seemed nice enough and Anna realized she would alright, probably better than her siblings at home with the way her father has been behaving. Plus this marriage will help her people, she may be young but she knew her country was in rough shape and she was determined to make the best of it.

Henry stood next to his brother watching the Tsar and Tsarevna carefully. The Tsar was a brute looking of a man. He had a long black beard and small beady black eyes that made him look slightly deranged. The Tsarevna was small even for her age with long dark brown hair and green eyes; he had never seen another girl like her and became instantly intrigued by her. It would be years before they actually wed but there was something that drew him to her.

Over the next few days Ivan and Francis negotiated shrewdly over the match before both sides would agree to sign. Ivan was very interested in military support and Francis was interested in the trade routes they'd open. Through Russia they could potentially open trade with much more of the East. Ivan was prone to raging outburst which Francis sat silently through but didn't let him sway his opinion that way, he didn't let Mary join though because he knew he wouldn't have kept his demeanor if Ivan insulted her. Francis was pleasantly surprised that, even through his madness, Ivan was truly worried about her treatment and standing in the Empire and demanded she be allowed to keep her best friend as a lady as well as three titles for her. She would eventually be Empress and should have a naturally high standing in her own empire. He hadn't told Mary yet but since they decided to call their realm an Empire instead of a Kingdom and the gaining of the title Holy Roman Empire he wanted to change their titles the Emperor and Empress.

The last day before Ivan left, Francis left his office where they were arguing today and went to find his wife. He wished it was for her comfort but they had to discuss the future titles of their sons before christening them which was happening after the treaty was signed. In France it was tradition that they were merely referred to as Princes of France with the heir being referred to as the Dauphin, but in Scotland and England they have specific titles for their heirs and those countries will be expecting the same. Francis didn't mind the tradition so much- the Prince of Wales has small experience ruling before taking over the reigns completely, an opportunity Francis would've enjoyed- but it also created complications. Right now James was officially titled his Imperial Prince James of Wales, Duke of Rothesay, Dauphin of France. It was a mouthful and very secular, his and Mary's goal was always to unite these countries but changing the titles have consequences as well. If Mary and he choose a country to rule from the could name each one a Prince of the other two and Wales. But that could lead to the offense of the other countries or civil war between the boys. He could shorten the title into one but that seemed to diminish the position. Luckily Mary was in the throne room alone, just finishing dealing with all the issues Ivan was distracting Francis from. "Ah Mary, there you are my love," he said as he leaned in to kiss her cheek before sitting in his throne.

"I was wondering when Ivan would finally let you go, how did today go?" Mary smiled at him.

"That is actually why I have been looking for you. First, I am having documents drafted that will change our official titles to Emperor and Empress, seemed fitting since we rule an Empire. Also we need to decide on our sons official titles before the christening tomorrow. I feel as though if we throw away the tradition of the Prince of Wales and Duke of Rothesay we will be doing them a disservice, but they seem to insignificant with how large our Empire is and not showing the unity we desire. What do you think?" he asked. She always had such a different outlook that together they could almost always find a solution.

"Hmm well it's something I have been thinking of lately as well. Would you mind if I asked for some other opinions?"

"Who were you thinking of?" Francis inquired suspiciously

Mary just smiled and signaled for her guards, "I won't lie this is just spectacular timing, my brother has just arrived and seeing as we were busy I sent Elizabeth and your mother to greet him. Who better opinions to ask then James, Elizabeth, and Catherine? Guards please inform the three that they will be dining with Francis and I tonight."

'Well this is bound to be a circus,' Francis thought as they stood up to prepare for the meal.

They five of them enjoyed the meal with a fondness Mary hadn't realized had grown between her family members as they conversed easily. Once the food was taken though Mary stopped the easy conversation.

"While we enjoy all of your company, it is not why we asked to you to join us tonight. We have an important matter to decide and we aren't sure how to go about it. What we decide here will set precedent for future generations. The roles and titles of our heirs. I think we should name each one a Prince in each country and reducing Wales to a dukedom but Francis worries of offending the country who is not that of the heir and put them in place for civil war. We worry leaving the titles the way they are though will leave the empire feeling split and want to find a better way to unite them."

"Are there any other options?" James was the first to speak.

"Creating an entire new system of titles but in order to do that we would need to negotiate land boundaries and incomes which could take weeks. Ivan is insisting on it being handled before he leaves tomorrow, I wouldn't mind but this alliance is opening so many doors and we have already come so far. I would hate to have spent this last week fighting for nothing" Francis said.

"I think you should just call your heir something similar to Dauphin and not bother with this mess. You and your brothers were always just Princes of France and that has always been enough for French Princes. "Catherine said.

"It would've been a great benefit if I had an opportunity such as Prince of Wales and seeing as my son is inheriting an entire Empire I'd like him to experience ruling before taking the throne." Francis replied.

"Do you really think they'd fight amongst each other that way? You and your brothers don't. Mary and I don't." James stated.

"That is true yes, but not always. The War of Roses lasted 100 years with siblings and cousins fighting each other. It is a blessing Elizabeth and Mary can be in the same room let alone feel a bond with each other." Francis almost yelled.

All eyes turned to Elizabeth who had been silent up until this point. She was listening to each side trying to figure out what she would do when she realized the truth, they should do the opposite of what she would do. " Make them each a Prince. If they want to rebel for the throne they will, but making them on a more equal playing field that way will help the boys, plus you should all have more faith in the boys. They are products of Mary and Francis and their almost nauseating love. Plus they have sisters and friends to keep them level headed. This is the best way to not only main peace, but a Valois rule over the entire realm." This clearly shocked everyone," What? I am clearly never going to be Queen again but I can still think like one, better actually because now I'm not blinded by fear. Fear of civil war tore the Tudors apart. I'm sure if either my grandfather or father stopped fearing it so much they would've been better men and we would be living in a different world."

"Well then who do you think should go to the youngest if your so smart?" Catherine snickered.

"Easy, the one who joined last and should be reminded it was taken, England." Elizabeth stated.