Our challenging Reign ~ Charles Valois

Chapter 17: A Trip to Scotland

I am walking through the village with Catherine and Mary at my side, James (Mary's brother) is walking behind us, we're all smiling faintly at Mary's subjects as we pass. Catherine and I plan to help Mary in her marriage. Scotland, itself is quite nice, and it's a breath of fresh air to be away from France. And it is beneficial that I won't be able to speak to Charles after I comforted him the other day.

"Well, I must say that all the parties for your wedding have drawn the most supportive crowds." Catherine says.

Mary responds, "Lets hope my subjects are as supportive if I choose to call my wedding off."

"The blame will fall squarely on Darnley. You just say the word and the rumour mill will be ignited. Strategic whispers of Darnley's affairs."
I say.

"But Keira was the only one."

"Well not when I'm done with him." I comment. "One must embellish, but trust me, we'll adjust as necessary. If you discard him, Darnley will be left in a dark cloud of shame."

We walk onto the platform, where Mary turns and faces her people.

"And what of those who are not privy to such gossip?" She asks us. "The nobles and dignitaries who are coming from points around the world to see me wed in two days time. How shall we smooth things over with them?"

Catherine smiles at the people and then says, "That is trickier than I though. What if we pacify them with a parting gift?"

"I've never heard of such a thing?"

"I just invented it." Catherine boasts. "Give them gold, jewels, anything that you have."

Mary looks at us with an annoyed expression and states, "I'm afraid our coffers are quite dry."

James leans forward to enter the conversation and tells us, "Money won't be the only hurdle you face. If you cancel the wedding now, the Vatican will be quite displeased. They have gold enough if their own and they don't care who Darnley sleeps with. They want you wed to the man who will help you take England or they might ask Isabella."

"They sent their most powerful emissary, Cardinal Adomo to attend." She frets about it.

"We will find solutions if abandoning this wedding is what you feel you still must do." I tell her.

"Hold off... for now. There's one last detail I need to attend to before we move forward. And to be vigilant in your spying of John Knox." She turns to her brother on the last part. "Elizabeth isn't the only one who opposes this marriage. I need to know where all of my enemies stand and what moves they plan to make as I weigh my decision."

We hear cheering and see Lord Darnley moving forward, past the people with a giant, heavy rock in his hands. His face is scrunched up in pain but instantly relaxes once he drops it down.

Mary addresses to the whole crowd. "Lord Darnley has shown his strength and virility in the creeling, a time-honoured tradition to show his worthiness. To the future king of Scotland!"

Everyone claps at him and Mary goes to give him a kiss, to feign love in front of her subjects. No one can know what she plans to do, otherwise her people will turn on her.

__________________________

We get to Mary's room and she informs us that she is with child and what the prophesy has told her.

"No one can know that you conceived before marriage, even with the man you wed. You will be disgraced." Catherine warns.

"And my child rendered a bastard, ineligible to rule. Darnley can't know either. I believe he would use this as leverage against me. He wants the Crown Matrimonial very badly." Mary assumes.