Chapter 15

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. For the first time, it wasn't out of fear. I wasn't in danger or fighting for my life. No, this time it was because I am about to marry the man I had fallen in love with. Everything felt surreal. Greer was putting on my underdress, but I could hardly feel the silk material touching my skin. I felt like I was above the clouds.
My mother stood in front of me and smiled. She was holding a wine glass close and looking through the small pile of necklaces that sat on the table. She had come all the way from Scotland to witness the wedding. I thought I would be happy to have her here by my side, but now that she was here I didn't feel that way.
"You look absolutely stunning, Mary." My mother said to me. She stood in front of me, placing pieces of hair back in the correct spot. "Thank goodness this day has finally come. Maybe now you can produce a proper heir." She chuckled and wrapped a necklace around my neck, then took a step back and examined me. Maybe she found that funny but I didn't. Woman have always been looked upon. People believed that woman did not have the capability to rule, but I didn't believe that. I wasn't going to let their beliefs stop me from being a good ruler. The way my mother treated me as ruler was despicable. If I had a girl of my own I would never put her down the way my mother does to me. I would tell her every day that she can do anything she dreams of.
I pushed those thoughts out of my mind because today was about Francis and I. I'm finally marrying the man I risked my life for, the man who has even saved me numerous times. The man who I had completely fallen in love with. Whenever I thought of the reasons I loved him I was filled with a warm feeling. His smile, his kind nature. There was just so much to love about him. And now we were finally going to be together. In our hearts, and officially on paper.
Greer helped me into my dress. Then she grabbed onto the rim of the dress and pulled down so that there weren't any strange bumps. When she had finished patting the dress down she stood in front of me. She smiled warmly and put her hand on my arm. "You look so beautiful," She leaned in toward me and hugged me. "I'm so happy for you." She said quietly. I couldn't help but smile and return the embrace. Without warning, Greer was pulled away from me. "What do you think you're doing?" My mother growled at Greer. "She is your Queen. Not your friend."
I stared at my mother, surprised she could say such a thing. "But-"
"Come now," My mother said cutting me off. "It's time."
I looked over at Greer and smiled. To let her know that my mother was wrong. I respected each and every one of my ladies and considered them all close friends. And being a royal it was hard to find those type of people.
My mother went inside of the church first, leaving my ladies and me behind the church's wooden doors. Then the doors were open. That was my cue to step inside and walk down the path that was created by the people who were watching. I let my right foot take the first step inside of the church. As I slowly walked I could feel the warmth of the sunlight coming in through the stain-glass windows. The light brightened up the church and gave it a welcoming aura.
White flowers were scattered throughout the church, some were draped along the walls while others were sprinkled onto the floor. I noticed all the people standing were watching me. Most of them were nobles and political people. The only person I cared for was the one standing in front of me.
Francis stood on one of the steps that led up to the small stage that sat in the front of the church. He was intently watching me. His eyes were only focused on me, nothing else. Not the bright light that shined down on him, or the coughing of a man in the crowd. There was no way he would take his eyes off of me. At first, Francis did not have his normal kind smile covering his face. He was serious as he observed me and my ladies walking down the small aisle. But when I got closer his expression suddenly changed. He was smiling uncontrollably and his cheeks began to shine brightly red.
When I finally reached the small stage I took a small step up, so that I was on the same level as Francis. I turned toward him and tried my best to look serious, but my emotions were going in all sorts of directions. It made it extremely difficult to pay attention to the priest who was talking. It seemed like Francis was doing the same as he stared into my eyes, his mouth was almost curled into a smile. Then Francis turned toward the priest and kneeled down. I quickly did the same. I felt a small tug on my dress sleeve and when I slightly looked down I found Francis' hand attempting to grab onto mine. I almost laughed, but instead, I grabbed onto his hand and squeezed.
Francis and I both signed our names on the legal document, and with that, it was finished. Francis and I were officially married. This all felt so incredibly unreal to me. I always hoped that this day would come and now that it was here it felt like a dream.
Francis and I both stood up from kneeling on the steps. We turned and faced each other. For a moment we only could stare at each other. My mind began to swarm me with thoughts, thinking of all the happiness that was to come. Then Francis leaned toward me and placed a small kiss on my lips. When he pulled away everyone erupted in cheers. I couldn't help but turn toward the crowd and smile. They were all looking at us, clapping their hands together and cheering.
After the main ceremony, there was a party that was held in the church where the ceremony was held. The servants were quick to bring out tables and chairs. They decorated the tables with white tablecloths and gold flowers. The servants also began filling the tables with all sorts of French and Scottish foods.
Before anyone could congratulate us Francis grabbed onto me and pulled me to the dance floor. I squealed with delight as he quickly spun me around and pulled me against him. "Are you happy, Mary?" Francis asked me.
It felt like the whole time I was smiling and I had no control over it. "Very," I responded.
Francis laughed and spun me around again. "Good!"
I was in utter bliss, even my body knew this. It felt as though butterflies were filling my stomach every single time Francis touched me. We no longer had to hide our feelings for each other, not that we really did to begin with.
A white flower petal landed on Francis' shoulder. I questionably stopped and grabbed onto the white flower petal but then, to my surprise, more began to fall from the ceiling. I looked up to find white petals and feathers falling down from the ceiling. I laughed in amazement and lifted out my arms, trying to catch them. As the feathers and petals fell in front of the windows it created a flickering light in the church. It was mesmerizing to watch. When I looked back down with a childish smile on my face I found Francis watching me. He looked so amused watching me. Then he took a step toward me and tenderly wrapped his arm around my waist. Then for a moment, Francis looked up at the falling feathers and petals. I couldn't help but watch the glistening in his eyes as he watched.
I am in love with him.
Not once has Francis left my mind. He was the only thing keeping me standing in this world that was filled with chaos. The world we both share now. Without him, I would be completely broken. I would have given up by now, but he was that bright light in my life. The one that guided me through even the darkest of days. This feeling, this love, was filling my body. It was almost overwhelming, but at the same time, it was complete. We began this relationship with mistrust and repugnance. But now we were so captivated by each other that we never wanted to leave each other's side. I almost wondered how I was able to live without him all these years.
Francis looked back down at me and smiled. "No matter what happens from now on, I will always love you and cherish you." He paused as he kissed me. It was a kiss like no other. All of our emotions and love for each other fell into this kiss. It was as if this was the first time we ever kissed and it was extraordinary. When he pulled away he squeezed his hand around my waist. "I love you, Mary." He laughed as if this was the new to him. "I am absolutely in love with you."
I smiled and nodded. It felt new to me as well. "I love you too, Francis."