'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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12th June 1562
Dear Charles,
I do not know whether this letter will reach you before your birthday celebrations but either way, I wish you well. Harry and I will not be returning to France for the festivities but we wish you a happy one nonetheless, maybe you will enjoy it more because we aren't there.
I have had new winter clothing made for you as my gift, curtsey of the best embroiderers and clothing makers in Ireland. Do not take this gift as an apology for my behaviour, nothing on this Earth could make me regret the actions I bestowed upon Nicole, the gift is merely to keep up appearances and to show respect for the father of my child.
Harry is getting on well, he's sitting up perfectly on his own and he has even managed to begin to learn to crawl. However, he is yet to form any coherent words but his constant babbling shows that he is trying. Perhaps he can come to France to visit you one day, when he is older.
From Tulia, the Quene.
Tulia signed the letter with a heavy heart, she felt bad that she was not allowing her husband to see his son in a time of great festivities but she had no intentions of returning to France just yet and she was not cruel enough to subject Alix to another long journey back to France when she had only just arrived in Ireland.
The Leon's were getting on very well at court, Alix was excelling greatly in learning the English language and the boys were becoming highly skilled in their combat training. Lorent was progressing faster than Hal but that was to be expected of the oldest Leon child.
The Leon's were given a day off from their duties to attend the party, Alix had declined Tulia's invitation but the Irish Queen had insisted. Naturally Alix did not back down and so they settled for a compromise, she would help the boys get ready and Tulia would only force her to stay at the festivities for them, once they were tired she could leave.
Tulia was currently allowing her Irish maids to help her dress for the celebration, she was going with a dress that would cause many heads to turn. It was a risk but she was willing to take it.
The dress was a gift from Mary. The Scottish Queen had meant to wear it herself but she had decided against it upon meeting Tulia. The dress was an eye catching deep red that had three golden lions embroidered into it. Mary felt that she no longer needed the dress and so sent it to the younger girl as a sign of her undying allegiance.
It was a clear statement that Tulia saw herself as the true and only Queen of England, she knew this would enrage Elizabeth but with the backing of France and Spain on the opposing side she could do nothing about it.
