'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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
3rd January 1564
Tulia had been alone in Ireland now for a whole year. She had exchanged letters with her husband every month, discussing their son and possible visits to France and to Ireland in the future.
Charles did not like the fact that his wife was so far away from him but he rejoiced in the idea that she no longer completely hated him, in fact Tulia now saw him as a friend. The only problem with that was that they were husband and wife, yet in meeting they strayed no further than the concept of friendship.
Currently, the young Queen was in the throne room preforming her duties, the country was thriving under her rule and it was all due to her hard work and the compliance of the nobles.
"Your grace, French Ambassadors." Aidan sounded out from the door way, ushering in the two people who had arrived at the throne room. Tulia's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, why would Charles send an ambassador? "Lord and Lady Castleroy."
Castleroy. She knew that name, but she couldn't place where she had heard it. As the two people approached the steps up to the throne the two of them bowed, and it became clear to Tulia who they were. Greer and Aloysius. Well... one of them was definitely Greer.
"Greer." Tulia smiled, nodding at Mary's ex lady-in-waiting politely. "To what do I owe the pleasure."
"We heard of the grain shortage in the North," Aloysius commented, his accent causing a slight smirk to appear on Tulia's face. "Our cousin Marie encouraged us to bring some over as a sign of our loyalty to not only our King but to our Queen too."
"Of course, thank you Lord Castleroy." Tulia thanked politely. "Leave us, I would like to speak with Lord and Lady Castleroy in private."
The other nobles that resided in the room nodded and each went their own way, leaving Tulia, Greer and 'Aloysius' inside the room alone. Aidan and Leith closed the doors and guarded the exterior, making sure that they were not interrupted.
"Either imprisonment has changed you significantly, Lord Castleroy," Tulia smiled, walking down the steps to greet the pair. Hugging Greer and nodding to the other man. "Or you are not who you say you are."
"Tulia, this is James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray." Greer introduced, the sound of his name causing the Earl to bow to the Irish Queen.
Tulia and James had frequently exchanged letters during her time in France, but it had been a long time since they had spoke, or rather written, to one another.
"It's lovely to finally meet you, James." Tulia acknowledged, earning a nod and a slight smile from the man. "I know you haven't come all this way for a friendly catch up, so tell me, what made you come to Ireland."
"We're here on behalf of Mary." James answered. "She wanted to come herself but it was too dangerous to sail so close to English waters."
"Understandable, follow me, we can talk somewhere more private." Tulia requested, walking past the two and towards the door.
