War of Hearts || Reign || REWRITE

26- Return to France

June 5th, 1563

I felt myself being shaken back and forth "Madonna, wake up, we've finally arrived" Anna said softly. I carefully opened my eyes against the bright daylight and sat up straight. The carriage had just entered the courtyard.

We had been on the road for more than a day but now we were finally there. The palace I had lived in for 7 years.

"Do I still look neat?" I asked Anna as I rubbed the wrinkles out of my dress. She looked at me searchingly, then touched my hair and nodded.

The coach stopped and the coachman opened the door and helped me out.

I looked up at the palace. It looked the same as a year ago. But I felt that something had changed.

A footman came out and bowed. "Welcome, My Lady. The king and queen are already expecting you. I will have your things brought to the room."

I nodded and unbuttoned my cape and handed it to Anna. "Walk with them and unpack my things already," I told her before I followed the footman to the throne room.

I felt myself starting to get nervous. I would finally see Francis again after a year. I wondered if he still felt the same for me as he did a year ago.

We arrived at the door of the throne room and I took a deep breath before the footman announced me and I walked into the room.

The room was empty with Francis and Mary sitting on their thrones and Maximilian standing next to Francis.

I walked over to them and made a deep, graceful curtsy. "Your Majesties," I said politely before rising. "Welcome back Bianca De'Medici" said Francis. His voice was dull, without a hint of emotion.

"It's Rossi now, Your Majesty" I said with a smile. Mary stood up and hugged me "I'm so happy to see you again Bianca, how are you, you're married?" she said looking at me from head to toe.

"I'm well, Your Majesty. I am indeed married. Ottavio Rossi, The Son of the Holy Father. We've been married for a little over six months," I replied. I looked quickly at Francis.

Maximilian walked up to me "I hope you haven't lost your character now that you're married" he said before hugging me. "I would never lose it, Max" I said as I hugged him tighter.

I had missed him so terribly.

"Where is your husband anyway?" Mary asked when she noticed I was alone. I released myself from the embrace "He's only coming for the coronation. Since my father couldn't come, he sent me in his place. He has given several gifts to apologize for his absence" I said smiling "I will give them to you when they have unpacked the things, the holy father has also added something"

Francis rose from his throne "Italy seems to have done you good" he said, with a faint smile on his face. "Yes it certainly has, I turned out to have missed it" I replied.

Francis nodded, then turned to Mary and kissed her hand "I have to get back to work, I'm leaving you ladies alone." he said before leaving the room with Maximilian.

I looked after him, Francis appeared to have really lost his feelings for me.

"Shall we go to my apartment so we can talk in privacy," Mary offered.

~

Arriving in Mary's room I took a seat in a chair opposite her.

"Tell me, how is married life so far?" she asked curiously. "I like it very much, Ottavio is a nice man and we have a good relationship" I lied "and yours?, you have been married to Francis for almost a year"

Mary giggled "Oh, I'm so in love. At the beginning he was very distant and quiet but after a while he opened up and I think he started to have feelings for me too." She blushed. "Every morning I wake up with a rose on my pillow that he makes the maids put down, and in the bed it's excellent. I just haven't been able to get pregnant yet."

"Are you concerned about that?"

She smiled sadly. "Sometimes, both countries need an heir, especially now. I know how much he wants a child but every month I bleed anyway". I placed my hand comfortingly on hers "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get pregnant soon"

She looked cheerful again now. "Of course. You must have been tired from your journey, go to your room and rest then I'll see you again at dinner."

I got up made a curtsy and returned to my rooms. They were exactly the old rooms I had when I lived here.

But I no longer felt at home here and regretted having returned.

It looks like Francis no longer has feelings for Bianca, or is it all just a mask.