War of Hearts || Reign || REWRITE

34- Mary's Depart

July 1, 1563

The night of Mary's departure, nearly three weeks after she had come up with the idea of ​​going to Scotland, Francis, Maximilian, Cecily, and a few more courtiers stood in the courtyard to make the escort.

Mary stood beside the carriage in a red velvet dress. She had just said goodbye to Francis and was now going to leave for Scotland. No one knew how long she would stay, the outward journey will already take a day or two.

"I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye to your mother" she said to Francis who helped her into the carriage. "Yes but she really couldn't wait to visit Claude" he replied, closing the door of the carriage. "Have a nice trip, Mary" he said as he took a step back.

Mary gave him a kiss and then her carriage, followed with the carriage of her ladies-in-waiting, rode out of the courtyard.

Francis turned and walked back into the palace followed by Max, Cecily and me. Behind us the courtiers dispersed again. One stayed outside and the other entered the palace. Everyone did their thing.

I saw Maximilian and Cecily in deep conversation with each other. I noticed through Cecily's red cheeks that she had been embarrassed by something Max said and I had to smile at the anvil.

The two had been inextricably linked from the moment they first saw each other and I saw for the first time that Maximilian was in love with a woman.

Francis reached out his hand to me and I grabbed his hand and he kissed it softly. "We have the realm all to ourselves now" he said. "Now you are my queen and my wife".

"Until Mary returns" I whispered softly.

It was the truth. Francis could treat me as if we were married now, but as soon as his wife returned, everything would be as before.

Francis didn't say anything back but kept holding my hand. He turned around but Maximilian "Shall we have dinner?"

~

When we sat at the table, me in Mary's place, and the food had been served, Maximilian stood up.

"I'd like to announce something to you," he said, "go ahead, brother," Francis said.

Maximilian took Cecily's hand "Cecily and I got married in secret two days ago. I know we've only known each other for a short time but I knew immediately when I saw her that I wanted to marry her." He said.

Francis said nothing and got up and walked over to Maximilian. "Congratulations Max, I saw it between you two" he gave him a manly hug. I also got up and walked over to Cecily and Maximilian and hugged them both "Congratulations, but why didn't you tell us. We are friends".

Cecily smiled "It happened so suddenly and I didn't know how to tell you. I promised you to be faithful and then I betray you by keeping something so important a secret". I smiled. "O poor girl, I don't care if you marry in secret, I'm actually very happy for you." I hugged her again. "This means you're the Duchess now, I should make a curtsy for you from now on" I joked.

"Well you never make a curtsy for me" said Maximilian fake insulted "Yes of course not, I would never do that" I rolled my eyes jokingly.

Francis picked up his glass and lifted it "I just want to make a toast to marriage" he looked at me "and to love". I lifted my own glass and drank the wine.

~

"I never expected Max would ever get married," Francis said.

We had retired to his chambers for dinner and, as we had been doing for weeks, had made love to each other and were now in bed. Our bare bodies against each other, my head resting on his chest.

"I didn't expect it either, but Cecily is a good catch for him. In the weeks that she was my lady-in-waiting, she has been my greatest confidant. I could almost call her my best friend."

It was true what I said. Ever since she was my lady-in-waiting, I've told her all about my childhood, my marriage, my relationship with Francis and more. She never judged me and told me a lot about herself, about her childhood as a farm girl, her toxic relatives and more.

She was the only person besides Francis and Maximilian I trusted in the French court. And I was glad that she was married to Maximilian, they deserved each other.

Francis agreed "She's a good person indeed. I don't think she'll be your lady-in-waiting anymore, won't she?" "Yes, but that's okay. As long as she's around as a friend, I don't mind. Maximilian's Chateau is only an hour away from here so even when she's off court we can always get together."

"If you like, I can appoint a new lady-in-waiting for you, if that makes you happy." Francis said, I smiled "I only need you to make me happy, my love."