War of Hearts || Reign || REWRITE

42- War

June 5th, 1564.

"Every time I see him it seems to have gotten bigger." Francis said admiringly, holding Louis in his arms.

Louis was now two months old and, as Francis said, had grown much taller.

"That's because he eats well." I said as I looked at them with a smile. "Shall we go." Francis nodded and placed Louis back in the crib after which we left the nursery arm in arm.

"His Majesty the King and Lady Bianca." cried the footman as we entered the council chamber. His counselors rose and bowed. When Francis sat down at the head of the table, and I sat right next to him, they took their seats again.

"Your Majesty. The Huguenots are rioting again. They recently destroyed a church in the south." Said Lord Coligny, "We'll have to take them out once and for all."

"We have bigger problems now." Lord Blois told them "Queen Elizabeth is now actively planning to take more French territory from Calais. She has already occupied Le Havre, which means that ships can no longer leave the port. She is openly challenging you to a battle, a war."

Francis thought, "If it's war she wants, she'll get it. My father has already started a battle against England over Calais and we had won it. French territory will never again fall into the hands of the English. We are going to war with France".

"Very well, my lord." they said in unison.

"I want more than 10,000 men for the battlefield, and the battleships must be manned. We will all fight along, so will I." Francis continued.

Lord Coligny insisted "Your Majesty I do not agree. this is not the time for war, especially not if you come along. You have no heir to take the throne if you die in battle."

Francis looked at him defiantly. "My brother Charles is next in the line of succession."

"Your brother who openly shows his support for the Protestants. Do you really want him on the throne? The Queen is not pregnant and has no living child, do you really want to risk all that?"

Francis was annoyed at "The Queen may not have a child, but I have a living, healthy son in the crib." "He's a bastard." Coligny blurted out.

I looked at him angrily. "He is recognized by the Holy Father and by God. Dare to call my son a bastard one more time." I said. I wouldn't allow anyone to insult my son.

"I beg my forgiveness." Coligny rose and bowed "I only advise you to conceive a child by the queen. Then if she is pregnant it is safe for you to go to war."

Francis sat down again. "Very well then. I will lay with the queen and father a child by her. Once she's pregnant, we'll fight. You can all go."

The councilors rose and bowed and left the room.

I also got up from my chair "You really do intend to conceive a child with Mary!" I shouted angrily.

"I have no choice, Bianca. This is for the good of France." he sighed wearily. "And have you thought of my well-being, and your son's?" I shouted, I pushed the chair back with a lot of noise.

"Yes, and that's why I'm doing this. This is just one time, if she's pregnant I'll never have to share the bed with her again, I promise you. Just accept it."

I glared at him and left the room.

~

That whole week Francis did not come to my room but stayed with Mary. In the month of July her menstrual periods were absent and so in August and September. When it was clear she was pregnant, Francis set off north with an army of 12,000, leaving Mary as regent.

The court now consisted almost exclusively of women because all the men had gone to battle or had retired to their own homes. Queen Catherine left for Spain to visit her daughter Queen Elisabeth.

I had no one left at court except Louis and Cecily. With Mary as regent I was served to respect her, my title as mistress en-titre was no longer above hers.

Well, now Mary is pregnant too. Let's hope she has a girl.

I just wanted to say that I see all the comments posted under the chapters and am very grateful for that. Your active readers make me want to write more.