The Spanish Queen

VII

July 10, 1561

It had been a week adjusting to being married. The people in France were now calling Aurora the Great Dauphine Valois. She didn't mind, it made her feel that the people accepted her a bit more. She was to leave France after a month, although her voyage back to Spain would have to wait. It was finally her birthday. A tragic event happened. It was her birthday celebration, there was a large feast and competitions. Henry decided it would be a good time to show off his jousting skills. He was then striked to the head with one of the jousting sticks. It was now hours before he should die. They all exchanged their goodbyes, when Henry soon brought the young girl closer, "I apologize if I had pushed you a bit much. Help my son achieve our goal. Do not give up on him, please." She stared at him sincerely, it was the first time she had ever heard him say please, "Of course, thank you for guiding him. The best you could." She walked out of the room and Catherine strolled in right after her.

She looked over to Louis, "I am so sorry, I can imagine how painful it is to lose a father-" he cut her off by kissing her roughly, she held his face and pulled apart with a questioning one, "He never acted like my father, I was just an heir. That's all I ever was to him. But now, you and I are the King and Queen of France. We shall do whatever we like." he smiled brightly at her, as if their family had just grown. She smiled with him and continued kissing him. They decided to take a walk around the garden while his younger brothers said goodbye to their absent father.

"Louis, do you actually want children?" he looked at her quickly, "Oh no! I am not expecting yet, we've only just gotten married! It was just a question" He caught on to what she was saying, "Well yes, I do. I want to be the father mine never was. I don't want you to feel pressured. God will give us a child when he feels it is ready." She looked up at him and smiled, they held hands and decided it was time to get back to reality, and so they headed back to the castle.

They stood around Henry whilst he was on his deathbed, it was such a dark time for the family. The noblemen surrounded Louis and Aurora, it was then when it had officially hit her. She will be the new Queen of France any minute. Another nation she shall look over, more pressure to produce an heir.

A good 15 minutes had passed when Henry had stopped talking, his eyes were now an empty void. Although Catherine never really agreed with her husband and always found themselves in arguments, she loved him. She closed the eyes of the father of her children, when the courtiers started chanting, "Long live the King" . They had just gotten married and where now preparing for their coronation. Her birthday shall never be the same, her father-in-law died the day she celebrated herself.

Louis seemed to be overwhelmed with all of the noblemen suddenly bothering him. He loved the idea of being king, it suited him well. He didn't want to seem dependent on his wife but looked for her advice behind closed doors. She was actually glad he listened to her thoughts. "Aurora, I want you to know that it is not that I'm embarrassed to ask for your advice, I just want them to see me as a strong king at first. Then I shall never be embarrassed to show that my wife is also honorable. I hope you understand and why I look for your ideas seeing that you've been the King of Spain and how beautiful your country has flourished." he seemed very anxious. She held his hand and looked up at him, "Louis, I completely understand. But I also want you to understand that Spain is ours. I want you to see Spain as your country just as I see France as mine. Our children shall one day inherit our nations and make them stronger."

He kissed her forehead and held her for a second. "I want to help you with your nation, I want the best for France just as I want the best for Spain. I was born and raised to be a queen, I will always be here if you need to seek advice." She spoke quietly to him, he cupped her face and kissed her, "I know it is so soon, but I love you." She looked into his eyes deeply. She didn't know how to respond, she didn't even know if she was ready to admit it. Her thoughts were interrupted when noblemen started arriving, Louis and Aurora had called a council meeting. Henry didn't have much time to set his affairs in order, and Louis wants to make sure they're all right.

"Your majesties, our condolences for your loss." a nobleman spoke out, following all the noblemen bowing. She didn't know if she should have spoken or let Louis show them his kingly manners. "Thank you Lord Louvre, I understand that you were all very close with my father. He was very grateful to have you all on his side. I hope that will also be the case with me" the men all chuckled following their new King. His wife was proud of him. He was adjusting rather quickly, with the small talks that Louis and her had had it was made clear that Francis was always the favorite of both Catherine and Henry.

As she was lost in her thoughts a middle aged Lord spoke out to Aurora, "Your majesty, is it true you're taking your claim to the english crown?" she was a bit surprised by the straightforward question, "Well, no not yet. Henry tried to push me, but we needed more time. I believe my claim would grow stronger if I prove to the english I can be a Queen to both France and Spain." Another Lord spoke quickly, "Well yes, they would have trouble trusting you. You are ruling two of the most powerful catholic nations, while England is protestant." She nodded, trying to keep her patience by explaining for the thousandth time, "When England is mine, my nations shall have the freedom of their religion. I want my people to feel safe. Whether that means they want to be Catholic or Protestant. I would rule my countries as tolerant." A couple of gasps were heard from the french lords. Her spanish lords have known this news for a while, and they have discussed all of the details.

- Yall I was looking over the tags on my story and Aurora is such a basic nameeee. Aurora wasn't my initial choice but I felt like the other one wasn't that good either. lowkey planning on changing her name..