I DO NOT OWN REIGN.
Craigmillar Castle. Edinburgh, Kingdom of Scotland. The week of Francis's coronation.
With everything prepared for my coronation and with Bash and Kenna returned from their estate in Ross, we were just waiting on Duke Leith of Montrose to return with Claude. I hadn't received any letters from either of them since I'd gotten Claude's letter begging for her to bring her to Scotland. To be fair, with how long it took people to travel during medieval times, by the time a letter from either Claude or Leith came to inform me of their progress, they might very well have arrived. So I could understand the lack of correspondence from Milord Montrose or the princess.
Luckily, the Duke and Duchess of Ross kept Mary and I plenty entertained. Bash kept me up with my sword play and let me tell you, he worked me hard. 3 hours a day, every day, were devoted to honing my skills with a sword. It was grueling, but I knew that I needed it. After getting my ass handed to me by Henry, I made a personal promise that was never going to happen again. Besides, I knew that Scotland was going to be under threat and as King Consort, I was going to have to defend my Queen and our country.
Thankfully, my skills were getting better every day under Bash's tutelage. He assured me that my swordplay had increased considerably since my humiliating duel with the yet to be mad king. I had a fear that I hadn't heard the last of Henry or his sycophants. I wanted to be prepared to fight against whatever was coming and my false half brother agreed with me.
"Abandoning your responsibilities as the Dauphin of France to run off to Scotland with your wife is not something that Father will take lightly." Bash said as we shared a jug of wine after another intense sparring session.
"My place is with Mary and besides, Scotland needs me just as much as France." I replied as I took a big swig of wine from the jug.
"Nolan, I admire your devotion to Mary...but Father was a cruel and greedy man, even before he went mad." Bash reminded he with a grave tone of voice. "If you mean to defy Henry, be very careful."
The day before Francis's coronation.
Eventually, Leith returned to Scottish Court with Claude in tow. Mary, David, Bash, and Kenna were there with me as Leith and Claude rode up to the castle on a pair of horses. We all watched the Duke of Montrose and the Princess of France walk into the throne room with the arms linked together. I saw the look in their eyes as they stole looks at one another. They weren't in love yet, that would take a while. But the spark had come to life. Leith and Claude were clearly intrigued by each other. When Claude saw me, she broke from Leith and ran up and leapt into my arms.
"I missed you so much, brother!" Claude exclaimed as we hugged each other tightly.
"I missed you too, did you get out of France without too much difficulty.?" I asked as i brushed Claude's hair out of her face.
"No, Leith secured us passage in a fishing schooner bound for Edinburgh. He managed to sneak me out of the castle through the servant's quarters. It should please you to know how brave his grace was." Claude answered as she stole a glance of admiration at Leith; who in turn, tried desperately to hide the blush on his face.
"Well, Princess Claude, we are very happy to have you with us." Mary said as she took Claude's hand in hers. She was never really one to get emotional too much in the show, but I could see how thankful Claude was that she had family who loved her for who she was. I just wish that Diane de Poiters hadn't let Claude take the heat for her crime.
St. Giles Cathedral. Edinburgh, Kingdom of Scotland. The day of Francis's Coronation.
Now that all of my dearest friends and family were present, the coronation was finally held at the most prominent Catholic cathedral in Edinburgh. Everyone who was anyone in Scotland had come out to see me officially become King Consort. As for myself, I was put into robes that made me sweat like a pig in heat as I walked through the sanctuary; accompanied by a choir.
I saw Mary at the altar, looking happy for me. I saw Bash and Kenna, as well as Leith and Claude and David Rizzio in the front pews, looking equally pleased for me. James and Lord Bothwell were also present, but 2 guests stick out to me. One was a grey haired man dressed in priest's robes, the other was a beautiful blonde haired woman. I recognized them instantly: Reverend John Knox and his wife Emily.
John Knox hadn't proven himself to be a pain in Mary's ass until the tail end of season 3; but I guess because of me changing the timeline, he was brought into the story sooner. Knox offered me a nod as I passed by on my way to the altar to stand before the bishop and make my vow.
"Will you solemnely promise and swear to govern the people of this kingdom of Scotland and the dominions thereto belonging according to the statutes in Parliament agreed on and the laws and customs of the same?" The bishop asked as I knelt before him.
"I will." I answered as solemnly as I could.
"Will you to your power cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgements?"
"I will."
"Will you stand beside our lawful sovereign: Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scots and support her rule of this country?"
"I will."
"Will you, to the utmost of your power maintain the laws of God, the true profession of the Gospel and the Catholic Religion established by Law? And will You preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of this Realm and to the Churches committed to their charge all such Rights and Priviledges as by Law do or shall appertain unto them or any of them?" The bishop asked me as he held a large fancy Bible in front of me.
"I will." I replied as I leaned in and planted a kiss on the Bible as I had been told to do. "The things which I have here before promised I will perform and Keep. So help me God."
"Then by the power vested in me by the Catholic church, I hear by declare thee: Francis Valois, king consort of Scots!" The bishop declared as he placed a gold crown atop my head as I stood and turned to face my new subjects.
"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN, LONG LIVE THE KING!" everyone chanted as Mary stood next to me and held my hand in hers. To be crowned a king, even just a king consort, was a powerful experience. To this day, I still don't know why, but I, a peasant from another time had been chosen to be the consort of Mary Stuart. I truly believe that despite everything that happened, I did the best I could.
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