War of Hearts || Reign

25- Half Year Later

June 3rd, 1563

More than half a year passed and much had happened.

Ottavio turned out to be a different man than I thought. He was a real tyrant who did everything he could to keep me in his power. He read all my letters, he always kept an eye on me and for everything I did outside of his supervision I had to ask permission. I had been beaten several times for doing something without asking his permission first and every day I became more fearful of him because at any moment he could lose his temper and do more to me than a few blows.

I couldn't tell my family about it because everything I wrote was read before it was sent and when they came to visit there was always someone close by to eavesdrop.

My life had become a real hell on earth.

My father was doing well. Now that he was Grand Duke, he had a lot of power, more power than most of the Nobels in Italy, and he made good use of it. In addition to helping his own people, he also increased his army and navy. I was proud to have him as a father.

Isabella was also doing well. She was already 7 months pregnant and will soon give birth to her baby. My three other brothers were also doing well.

At the end of December we received the news that King Henry of France had passed away and that Francis was now King. I felt no sorrow for the king's death, on the contrary, I was glad. None of this would have happened if he hadn't banished me.

I had been concerned about Catherine, his wife whom he had been cheating on for years with his mistress and titre. And to Francis who had already become king at the age of nineteen.

Who knew how much our lives would change.

~

That morning, while I was having breakfast with Ottavio, a maid came in with a letter and handed it to me.

"Who is it coming from?" Ottavio immediately asked alertly. I read the letter quickly and then put it on the table "My father"

"What does he write?"

"The King of France has invited him to his coronation at the end of the month, but my father will not be able to attend. Now he asks me if I can go in his place because I am already known at the French court and grew up with the king" I said.

Ottavio nodded "And you accept that?". "Only if you give me permission, Husband" I said with a forced smile.

He looked contentedly "You have my permission, but I will travel with you". I smiled sweetly. "I would like to go a little earlier. I missed my friends there very much and would like to spend as much time with them as possible, with your agreement of course"

He nodded again. "That's good, I'll come for the coronation at the end of the month. Just ask the maids to pack your things and I'll make sure there's a carriage ready for you at the end of the day."

I smiled. I would finally go back to France and see Francis again.

~

After breakfast, I watched the maids store my things in the large travel chest. They had already put in dozens of dresses and were now busy with my jewelry. Anna had taken charge and was commanding the maids back and forth.

"Have you ever been to France?" I asked as I rummaged in my jewelry box. "Never Madonna"

"Then you will travel with me"

Anna made a happy curtsy "Thank you, Madonna. That's very kind of you." I smiled and continued to pick out my jewelry.

I want everyone to be amazed when I arrived in France. I was no longer the bastard girl I had been then, but was now the daughter of the Grand Duke of Tuscany and wife of the Pope's son. They should now bow to me, just as I once bowed to them.