The Spanish Queen

IV

French Court

Celeste knows very little about the French royal family. She knows that Louis is the oldest, born four years before Francis. Which means she and Louis have a 5-year age gap. Then it was Francis, she recalls that they have 6 other siblings, a few of which she had met when she was much younger. One of them, Elisabeth, was her eldest brother's wife. She never really spoke to her but her mother never liked her. She decided she would spend some time with Mary, and hopefully learn more about the family she would soon marry into. Celeste asked around, about the Scotts' whereabouts and a lady's maid told her she was in one of the nurseries.

Celeste had assumed that she was probably reminiscing or even picking out decor. She thought it wouldn't hurt to spend some time with her. She lightly knocked on the nursery door, "Hello, Mary? Are you in here" Then a sound of something falling to the ground and a groan from Mary came from the room, Celeste didn't hesitate to rush in. "Mary are you alright ? Should I take you to the court physician?" She sounded frustrated "No, no I'm fine. I just dropped a frame." She stared silently at the frame. It was a portrait of her when she was just a babe in Scotland. Celeste knew how much Mary missed her home country, it had been years since she touched scottish soil. I know it made her nervous to go back too.

Before Celeste could ask her anything else Francis walked in, "Oh, Celeste, it's great to meet you, in a casual setting. I apologize for my father's behavior earlier today." She smiled at him, "Oh, nothing to apologize about. I just thought I'd come visit Mary for a bit. I've wanted to congratulate you." he smiled brightly at the thought of his family, "Thank you." The young Queen was walking towards the door when she came up with the idea that this could be the perfect time to ask about Louis, "Francis, by any chance do you know where your brother is? I think it's time to get to know him better" she chuckled a bit and he smiled sincerely with her, "Of course, last time I saw him he was in the gardens talking with Claude." She thanked him and made her way back to the gardens.

The gardens at french court were beautiful. They had so many bright colors, all of them so mesmerizing. The girl walked around asking some of the guards where they had seen the dauphin, no one really new. She took this as a defeat and made her way back to her chambers. Walking in, she saw a large bouquet of French flowers on her vanity. As she walks towards them she saw a letter, with the French seal.

To the Queen of Spain, Future Queen of France,                                                                                     Rightful ruler of England, and my future wife                         I've been looking for you all over the court grounds, you are a difficult woman to contact.   I've decided it would be simpler to leave you a letter, I want you to have dinner with me, my sister Claude, and my mother.  I want us to have a personal dinner before we announce our engagement to the public. I hope you can make the adjustments to join us.

Yours truly,

                               Louis, the Dauphin of France, your fiancé

She couldn't help but smile, it was such a small gesture, yet so sweet. Maybe their alliance could be more than just a benefit for their countries. As she had just finished reading the letter Mary and her ladies arrived, Celeste was more than happy to invite them in, "Oh girls! What are you doing here at such an odd hour?" Lola smiled, "Well! Someone is in an awfully good mood." Greer chuckled in agreement, "We just wanted to see how you're doing." Celeste then playfully smirked and handed them the letter, "Is he really this sweet or, is he just putting up a front? If so he is too good at it." Which she followed with a dramatically flop onto her bed. The Ladies all laughed in union, "He can be very sweet at times, when he wants too." The girls started bickering with their personal experiences, it seems it all just depends on his mood. "Well, I need to get ready.." Mary smiled at her, "We would love to help you!" The group all smiled and she nodded in agreement.