'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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27th July 1565
Scotland was a cold place. Ireland wasn't warm either, but Scotland seemed to have an added layer of grey clouds hanging over its land surface. The grey clouds did nothing to contain the vibrant greens of the vast amounts of grasslands that contrasted well with the dark seas and murky waters of the country.
Tulia had finally arrived in Edinburgh after weeks of travelling. Mary Stuart's wedding to Henry Darnley was fast approaching, the large event would happen in just a matter of days.
Lord Darnley was one of the few nobles left alive that had a small claim to the English throne, nothing as strong as Tulia's, but a claim was a claim.
Holyrood Palace was a sight to see, the castle itself seemed much bigger than Tulia's home at Kilkenny but she was proud to say that the gardens of her home could not be rivalled. Many nobles that resided in the palace gave her strange looks as she walked through its halls and towards the throne room, where she would find Queen Mary and her soon to be husband.
The Scottish knew who Tulia was, there was no mistaking that. Her name had been slandered and praised throughout the years, more so slandered by Lord John Knox, whom Tulia hated with all her heart. He was a sexist protestant radical who would stop at nothing to see women oppressed.
Tulia collected herself and took a breath before she entered into the throne room. She had not seen Mary in nearly five years, Tulia didn't even know if she could even say she knew the woman anymore.
Mary was stood in the centre of the room as the Irish Queen was announced.
"Queen Tulia Byrne, of Ireland."
Many heads turned her way at the sound of her name, Mary's head being one of them. The older Queen looked more mature since the last time she had seen her, after all she had been only a mere nineteen years of age when she had last seen her. Mary was now nearly twenty-four.
Tulia walked up to Mary with a stony expression. The other nobles watched on, muttering to each other in shocked whispers as the Queens stared each other down with displeased expressions.
"Queen Mary," Tulia stated without emotion. "How lovely it is to see you again, and on such a happy occasion."
"I'm glad you could be here, although I don't remember sending an invite." Mary deadpanned, staring at the red head with cold eyes.
"Where is your lovely husband?" Tulia smiled sarcastically. "He is the reason I'm here."
"Lord Darnley is not here, at the moment." Mary answered back. The whole of the court could feel the temperature drop as the two Queens spoke so coldly towards each other. "He is enjoying his last few days of freedom."
"Men are always free, Mary." Tulia rolled her eyes. "You and I both know that."
Mary and Tulia stood in the centre of the room, glaring at each other, waiting to see who cracked first.
