War of Hearts || Reign || REWRITE

05- A new friend

June 18, 1562

The next morning I woke up with a pounding headache but I felt happy despite that.

Last night seemed like a dream and a nightmare at the same time. Yes I kissed Francis and almost more but what if someone had seen me.

I ignored my thoughts and got out of bed. The maid who was waiting for me made a curtsy after which she helped me in the bath and helped with washing.

After I had washed I changed into a simple light blue satin dress. I had pinned my long wavy hair into an updo.

~
As I walked into the dining room, I made a curtsy before sitting down next to Princess Claude. Today Queen Mary also sat at the dining table that was reserved only for the family of the King and Queen. And even though I was a bastard, I was a Médici.

Maximilian and Francis walked into the room and bowed before sitting next to me and Claude. "Where were you last night, you suddenly disappeared" Maximilian whispered softly, knowing that his father, the king, did not like it when anyone else but him spoke at the table.

"I was tired and went to bed, I'm sure you could have enjoyed it without me?" I whispered back "Of course, the Scottish queen her ladies-in-waiting are a bit less valuable than I thought"

I looked at him questioningly, but the look in his eyes made me understand what he meant.

So the girls had decided not to follow my advice.

"Mary, did you enjoy the festivities last night?" Asked the king which made everyone look up to him "Yes, my ladies in waiting and I have enjoyed the festivities at this beautiful court and I felt so warmly welcomed by everyone here" she said with a perfect smile.

The bitch.

King Henry looked pleased "be assured your and Francis's marriage will be even more luxurious than yesterday's, isn't it Catherine".

"Of course, Husband," Catherine said emotionlessly.

"Why don't you and Francis go for a ride through nature, a good way to get to know each other." He looked at the two briefly "I'm sure Maximilian and Bianca would like to join you"

I made brief eye contact with Maximilian before turning back to the king. "Of course I want to go out with the Queen and the Dauphin. I'm sure Maximilian will also enjoy being out of the palace with a few of his peers" I said with a beaming smile.

Knowing the king's mood swings, you had better be careful how you answered him.

"Then that's settled" the king got up and walked out of the hall, leaving the queen behind.

~

I rode next to Queen Mary with the boys a lot ahead of us. Except for the sound of our horses, hardly any words were spoken between me and Mary.

"So you were born in Italy?" Mary asked, she looked at me briefly "Yes in Florence, I lived there until I was nine before I came to the French court" I said

"Italy seems like a beautiful place to visit, do you have brothers and sisters?". I was surprised at Mary's interest in my life but still answered her question "I have 11 siblings, Your Majesty"

Mary smiled "Please call me Mary. I hope we can become friends. I am still unknown to the courteous life and you seem to have so much...Experience. I think I could learn a lot from you"

I smiled back "I would love to be your friend"

She smiled back and we drove on in silence again. I looked around, we were surrounded by guards who probably jotted down every word in their heads to pass on to the king once we got back.

"How is Francis? What kind of person is he?" Mary suddenly asked, she urged her horse to ride more calmly. "He's smart, nice. He is also a lover of sports and sword fighting," I said.

Mary smiled "I meant what he's like as a future husband. Does he have a mistress or illegitimate children? Does he have many women in the room with him or is he shy?".

My breath suddenly caught. Did she know about last night? "Until now I have heard nothing from a possible mistress, compared to Max Francis is very calm in that aspect." I said while looking at her inquiringly, she giggled "Max is definitely the flirt of the two of them, last night he was just busy with my ladies in waiting. It was almost embarrassing to be there."

I chuckled as I looked at max "Yeah you definitely have to watch out with him"

Mary laughed out loud, it was an almost melodious laugh, perfect for a queen. It didn't surprise me that everyone gathered around her last night. She had something that made you want to start a conversation with her.

Max and Francis had stopped riding and were waiting for us. When we arrived at their place, Francis rode next to Mary and Maximilian came next to me and we continued on.

"You look jealous" said Maximilian as he watched me stare at Mary and Francis. They seemed to get along well, the way Francis laughed at something Mary told him.

"Oh please shut up Maximilian, can't I just look" I snapped, right after I said that I regretted, Max hadn't done anything wrong.

Max didn't seem to mind and kept talking, "You know, I've known for months how much you like Francis, and his feelings are mutual. But know that you are entering dangerous territory. Francis will marry Mary anyway and you will be heartbroken" he said gravely.

Maximilian's words did not surprise me. I was even closer to Max than I was to Francis and we shared a thought. "I know that Max, I know that" I sighed "I have to distance myself"

Max nodded, turning to the guards "tell the Dauphin it's time for us to return to the palace. It's already getting dark"