Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors.
Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Medici Heir.
3rd of October 1535 - Palazzo Medici, Duchy of Florence
Staring down at the parchment that he had been handed by his aunt, Ippolito scrutinized the writing unable to believe what he was reading. The news that Pope Clement had died had spread quickly and Ippolito did wonder if the situation here in Florence had hastened him to his grave after the news had spread that Alessandro had been killed by Lorenzino.
"Is this Cardinal Alessandro to be trusted?" Ippolito asked looking up from the letter that he had been handed, it was certainly not what he had expected when he had stepped into his office that morning in need of a distraction. Mary had entered her confinement only weeks earlier and one of her ladies had woken him early that morning with the announcement that the Duchess of Florence was in labour with their second child. It pleased Ippolito immensely that their child would be born within the walls of the place that he had called home, it had surely been many years since the Palazzo had been witness to the birth of a Medici.
"He was here at the court of my father, he was a great supporter of my brother during his time as Pope and from what I do recall he was a supporter of Giulio's as well. It appears he wishes to keep such a long-standing tradition," Lucrezia de' Medici explained as she rested upon the chair that she had been offered when she had arrived that morning.
The news that Alessandro Farnese was seeking an alliance with them was a great surprise, one that Lucrezia was eager to present to her nephew especially if things went as planned. The Papal throne was empty as of right now, the conclave would not be called until later that month and with everything that was happening right now, it was imperative that the Alliance had the Pope on their side rather than someone who would side with the Emperor during their residence in Italy.
"And what does Cardinal Farnese wish for in return help getting him elected as Pope?" Ippolito asked wanting to cut to the chase, there was still much to be done and there was no telling when the Emperor would strike against them. The news that Ferdinand had released his sister from her imprisonment and had allowed her to remarry had spread quickly as did his intentions of joining the alliance. It appeared it was not just them that had grown tired of the Emperor's overreaching hand when it came to his eagerness for war, his desire to claim all of Europe in the Habsburg name was no secret.
"A marriage alliance between his grandson, Ottavio and your daughter, Lucrezia," Lucrezia stated simply, from what she recalled Ottavio was the second boy of Cardinal Farnese's eldest son who had been legitimised some years back. However, the eldest grandson had entered the church and could not inherit any titles that might be passed down; it reminded Lucrezia much of the negotiations that had taken place between her father and Pope Innocent VIII when the two of them had been in conflict.
"Cardinal Farnese states that he shall grant his eldest son the title of Duke of Parma if he is elected as Pope, which would be inherited by Ottavio, making your daughter a Duchess one day," Lucrezia continued, it was the best that they could hope for in this situation especially when they needed such support as this.
The very idea that the next Pope would side with them eased her mind greatly, they had several Kings that they could persuade to support the ascension of Cardinal Farnese who was considered a favourite for the election. Despite his advanced age, Lucrezia knew that having such support now was imperative especially now that the Alliance had turned it's gaze towards the Kingdom of Naples; perhaps this was the boast that they needed.
"He also asks that should Your Grace be blessed with many sons that perhaps you might consider assigning one to the church when the time comes," Lucrezia said finishing up the terms that had been reported to her. It was not an unusual thing to ask, the House of Medici had always offered up a son or two to the church and she suspected that it was something that Ippolito and Mary had considered before now.
Ippolito was silent taking all of this in, he moved to stand from his desk and moved to the window that overlooked the gardens that resided within the walls of his home. The sight of his daughter playing with one of the maids made his heart stop, could he decide her future in this very moment for his own gain. The safety of his family was important, he would not risk endangering them now especially when they had come so far and there was still so much that he wished to achieve.
His aunt Maddalena had been married off in such a match, her husband being the bastard son of Pope Innocent VIII, her marriage being used to forge closer relations between the Medici and the Vatican as well as getting his uncle Giovanni admitted into the church. If he did the same perhaps one of his future sons with Mary could be Pope, surely a dream that his wife would share and they would educate him without the fanatical side of the religion that seemed to be growing with each day. The doors to the chamber opened and Ippolito turned to see one of his wife's maids enter the room, he stepped away from the window eager to hear the news that she had been sent to give him.
"Her Grace has been safely delivered of a son," the maid stated breathlessly, she had run from the room as she had been instructed by her mistress when the babe had been delivered by the midwife. The news that the Duchess had been delivered of a healthy baby boy was something to be celebrated, there was indeed an heir to her husband's many titles and just when they needed the proof that God saw them taking Florence as right.
"He shall be Giuliano for my father," Ippolito declared with a smile, he could not believe it, he had a son, a healthy baby boy that would one day follow in his very steps. He felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, one that he had not known that he was carrying and he knew that such a moment must be celebrated.
"The bells must be rung, ale and food distributed among the people… everyone must know that Her Grace has been delivered of a healthy son, my son," Ippolito instructed without hesitation and he moved towards the maid with a massive smile upon his face. Lucrezia stood behind her nephew smiling, the news of the birth was just what they needed and she could not deny that it brought her joy to hear that the baby would be named for her departed brother.
Holding her son in her arms, Mary stared down at him in awe and she could not believe that he was finally here; he was everything that she had ever dreamed of and she knew that his birth was just the sign that they needed that God was on their side. Little Giuliano was perfect and there had never been a doubt in her mind that her firstborn son would be named for his paternal grandfather.
It was a shame that neither of Ippolito's parents had lived to see such a moment, Mary would have loved to meet them and present them with their grandchildren. Mary tried not to think about her mother as she stared down at her son, she had heard from Queen Anne that her mother had taken unwell and that the court physicians were treating her as best as they could.
Even now Mary was torn on what to think about her mother, she loved her still and she wished that Katherine could have put aside her own ambitions and taken advantage of what she had been offered. Perhaps if she had then Katherine would have been here with them in Florence, spending time in the beautiful gardens of the Palazzo with Lucrezia rather than locked away in a convent. Pushing away such thoughts, Mary focused on the baby that she had birthed not that long ago; the dark curls on the top of his head reminding her much of her husband's hair that she loved running her fingers through.
"Mama loves you very much Giuliano and I pray that you shall never forget that," Mary whispered to him softly, she pressed a kiss to the top of his head revelling in the quiet of her chambers. The celebrations for the birth of her son were well underway, her ladies had assured her of such and Mary knew that her father would certainly see the birth of a third grandchild as something to celebrate. Fitzroy's boy was certainly a bonus and Mary had given her father, two grandchildren in three years of marriage; she doubted that they would be the last grandchildren that her father would have.
3rd of October 1535 - Château de Fontainebleau, France
"How do you feel sister?" Marguerite of Navarre asked stepping into the chambers that were currently being prepared for Queen Elisabeth's confinement; it was a great relief to the court that this pregnancy had been easy on the Queen. A small part of Marguerite would admit to being a little jealous of how easy this pregnancy had been on Elisabeth, she had struggled with pregnancy in both of her marriages. Only her daughter by King Henri of Navarre had survived past her infant years, Marguerite had doted upon Jeanne and ensured that her daughter was well educated.
"I am most well, thank you… this one keeps me up at night with his movements but it is very welcome," Queen Elisabeth replied resting her hand on her ever-growing belly, she could not see her feet anymore and she longed to hold her child in her arms. She signalled for the other woman to take a seat, she longed to hear of things outside of her small world especially since her ladies were careful not to over excite the Queen in fear that it might cause harm to the baby.
Marguerite gratefully took a seat close to the fire where Elisabeth was resting, her eyes casting a curious glance at the ladies that remained with Elisabeth during her preparations for the birth of her first child.
"What news of the war? I had hoped that the King would be home in time for the birth of our child," Elisabeth asked, her hand moving to rub her bump trying to sooth the movements that came from within. It seemed her child was determined to give her no rest, she found it difficult to get comfortable and they were eagerly kicking up a storm in there; she was hopeful that they would rest soon.
"They are awaiting the news of who the new Pope shall be before they make their move on Naples, there is so hope that whoever becomes the Bishop of Rome could side with them against the Emperor," Marguerite explained knowing that it had been awhile since they had taken Florence. Every care being taken to ensure that they had enough supplies before they started to march south on Naples, there were also the talks with King Ferdinand to take into consideration now. Marguerite wished to know more but it was hard getting information from Italy, the last thing they needed was for their letters to be intercepted by spies on the way from Italy to France.
Elisabeth sighed, she longed to have her husband come home to her so that she might get to know him better; he sent her such beautiful letters filled with poems that flooded her senses with such sweet promises. His sentences left her defenceless to him and Elisabeth longed to have him whisper such things into her ear; she wrote back to him often but her words felt pale and bland in the face of his beautiful words.
"I pray for the King's safe return, the princes and princesses certainly miss him during his time away," Elisabeth noted thinking on her stepchildren, she was pleased to spend time with them and she loved their visits. The part that upset her most was the fact that she hadn't gotten to spend more time with Charles, who was busy with his education in Milan where he was learning to rule.
Her time in France was going rather smoothly, there was never a dull moment and Elisabeth had done her best to throw herself into her work as Queen and take in the culture around her. The only person that did set her on edge was the Duchess of Orleans, she had attempted to befriend the girl especially since they were both outsiders at court but alas it seemed whatever she did only offended her.
Elisabeth had originally but Catherine's hostilities down to the loss of her brother, his death seemed to have really shaken the Duchess and she had spent many days praying for his soul when the news of his death had first come to the court. Now, however Elisabeth wasn't so sure even her invites to break their morning fast together were often ignored or dismissed with claims that Catherine was occupied. Another sharp kick made Elisabeth close her eyes and she let out a slow breath, her hand rubbing the spot where the baby had kicked.
Her confinement could not come soon enough, she was ready for this pregnancy to be over; she hated being shut away when there was so much to do and so little time for her to make her own mark on the court.
I recommend Bed of Deceit by BellalunaMcKenzie, For Even as Love Crowns You by wizardfantasy and Sanctuary by Cattyfan. Also check out My Lord Husband,The Enemy by Esme24, That Subtle Wreath by EvilFluffyBiteyThing and its sequel, A Progress in Kent.
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