'Sometimes we have to sacrifice our youths in order to let people live.'
Tulia Byrne has been a Queen for longer than she could remember. Her story begins so carefree and so full of love and yet by the end of it you'll be wondering if you even know...
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1st April 1562
A tragedy had shocked the court today, the horrific disappearance and presumed death of a child in the nearby villages. This type of incident would not usually reach the ears of French court but with the strange behaviours of their very own King many had become suspicious.
Vicious rumours had spread around court detailing about how their own King had left the castle in the night to eat children. Tulia had been trying to defend her husband from these preposterous words yet the more she thought about them the more she worried they were true.
Herself, Narcisse and Catherine had all gathered in the Kings chambers in hopes of talking some sense into the boy, and get to the bottom of the rumours whilst they still had a fighting chance to dismiss them.
"The mother should have been more careful." Charles dismissed, glaring at his mother as she told him about what had happened. "There are bears in the woods, wolves."
"I don't think you understand." Catherine rolled her eyes. "The villagers are saying you took the child."
"That's madness." Charles shouts, his eyes narrowing as he became angry. "I've been in my chambers since last night, there are witnesses."
"Yes," Tulia nodded. "There are witnesses to your strange behaviours and dark moods, your mysterious disappearances. You roam the woods at night Charles, you can understand where these rumours have stemmed from."
"I go for walks to clear my mind." Charles defends, turning his glare to his unamused wife.
"And to hunt." Catherine adds. "You said so yourself. We're not saying that you're a beast that devours children, but villagers do need convincing, you haven't made a public appearance in months and those who have seen you are servants who say you returned to the castle with blood on your face, your mouth. So when a child is snatched from the very woods that you creep, whispers begin... 'could it be the king?'"
"Commoners always gossip about royals." Charles shakes his head, walking away from his mother and leaning his body on a stone column that holds up the room. "Nothing comes of it."
"It's not just commoners." Narcisse interjects. "Only last night I overheard two dukes-- educated, reasonable men-- discussing whether the Kings ailment could be cured or if a better solution was a silver bullet or stake through his heart."
"Which Dukes?" Charles snaps. "That's treason." His words caused Tulia to roll her eyes, it was a common thing for her husband to say.
"It's not the Dukes you need to worry about." Catherine tells him. "It's your sister, the Queen of Spain, If she believes that you are possessed, there's no bargaining, no discussion. The very inquisitors that have rained blood down on Spain will march into French court. No one, not even the King, will be safe."
"I'll do whatever you say." Charles nods in a dejected tone, taking Tulia by surprise. "But you can't let Leeza know."
"I think I've bought us some time." Catherine smiles slightly, glad that her son was willing to accept help. "I convinced Leeza to take a tour of France's great Cathedrals as a welcoming home gift from the clergy, but we need to move quickly. Repairing your reputation is not an easy task."
