The Spanish Queen

XI

April 2, 1562

I was needed in Portugal, my mother was ill, and I am the heiress presumptive. Louis and I prepared our boat rather quickly. I wanted to spend as much time with my mother as I possibly could. I felt guilty now, knowing my mother was ill and it had been so long since I've spoken to her. I wanted to tell her I was expecting, I wanted her to feel somewhat proud of me.

As the royal pair arrived in Portugal there were many groups of people encouraging their ill queen. The people of Portugal were saddened by the pain the queen must have endured. Isabella of Portugal, she was known to be the most beautiful monarch. Her daughter right behind her, but she now has competition. The young girl was now flourishing and maturing. Both menatlly and physically. The Spanish Queen and French King made their way into the castle and towards Isabella. The young queen could barely recognize her mother, Isabella could've said the same thing about her daughter.

"Mother, I am so sorry. I had no idea you were ill, I see how selfish I acted." The girl stared at her mother beside her bed. "No my dear. It is no secret I've been ill for some time. I repented from you because I didn't want my death to hurt you more than it has too. You would be so distracted.. But I've come to a realization that I need to say goodbye to you." The young queen began to let tears loose as she stared at her tired mother, "I wanted you in Portugal to claim your throne. I don't want my people to be too surprised by a new queen." The 16 year old girl could care less about politics, and any other random cousin or uncle at the moment. "Mother, I came as soon as possible for two reasons. I wanted to spend as much time as I could with you and I learned a couple days ago that I am with child."

The Queen Mother stared at her young daughter with saddened eyes. She wanted her youngest to marry whomever she'd choose. Have children whenever she felt ready. Isabella looked back at her life, she had made her daughter marry someone she barely knew, and now her little girl was expecting. "Oh my dear.." Isabella too started crying. She held onto her daughter for the first time in many years. The older queen smiled at her daughter trying to reassure her, "You will be a great mother, you have nothing to worry about."

Her mothers' council gathered around in her chambers, and they explained to the young girl that she would have to be present to claim the throne. They had also told her she had a choice to make Louis King consort of Portugal. She thought it'd be a good choice. She wanted Louis to feel appreciated, although she did talk it over with her mother. She too agreed.

It had been weeks with the royal pair at Portuguese court. When the day came, the girl was eating breakfast with her mother, the pair laughing. Isabella grew to like Louis very much, she had seen how much he truly cared for her daughter. It reminded her a lot about herself and Charles. The people at court had a feeling something wrong would go with the queen. Isabella had contracted a fever the night before. While she was laughing with her daughter and son-in-law she started to cough uncontrollably. The young girl held onto her mother as she knew what was to come.

Later that evening the young girl decided it was finally time to tell the people what happened to their beloved monarch. Before they made their way outside she placed her grandfather's crown on Louis, he looked surprised, "Aurora, what are you doing? I am only prince consort of Portugal, the people would feel offen-'' she smiled slowly at him. "No. You are their King. It was under my mothers blessing. She believed it would be a better choice. I want you to be known as King. That is what you are, Louis."

The pair came out hand in hand and made their way to the stage to make a speech. "My beloved mother, your queen, Isabella of Portugal passed away this morning. I understand the amount of time we shall use to mourn her death. Isabella shall forever be remembered. But today I present myself, and husband, as your new Queen and King." the people had mixed emotions, as expected. There were cries in the crowd for the first half of the speech, then cheers erupted from the crowd, "Long Live the Queen! Long Live the King!" Louis seemed proud, and so was she.

The pair decide an extravagant coronation shall not be needed. Their French coronation was more than enough, they decided since Portugal was a small empire they shall celebrate with the people. There were feasts all over Portugal with wine supplied. The people had accepted the pair better than expected. As the people celebrated, a Queen's guard left a message to the queen. Her half brother was here to see her, the queen was a bit annoyed at this. Her illegitimate half brother always despised her. She has tried so hard to be on good terms with him, it had come to a point where she didn't care anymore. He always had to disrespect her any chance he had.

The Queen walked to the throne room where her brother waited for her, the two were the same age, not knowing her husband had followed her. A guard announced her, "Aurora, Queen of Spain, Portugal, and France." The young girl tried not to storm in but, gracefully walked in and sat on her throne, when hearing Portugal became part of her title she felt it odd, yet comfortable, before she could get another word out her husband arrived, "King Louis IX & I of France and Portugal." Her brother looked amused by the sight of his sister's new husband. "Well sister, you've come a long way from the last time we spoke. Already a Queen of three nations at just 16? At least now you have a husband." he scoffed, the girl never knew why she always lost her patience around him, or what the boy had against her. "Yes well at least I have two countries." he rolled his eyes. He knew if their father was protestant there would be more of a chance to be on the throne.

"Well John, it is nice to meet more of Auroras family.. I suppose you've come here today to show your condolences for her loss?"Louis tried breaking the awkward silence, whereas John, he laughed a bit, but stopped when he saw the seriousness on the King's face. "No louis. He is here because he needs something from me. As much as he hates to admit it." John rolled his eyes, "Aurora, don't act so entitled. I am a military leader for your country, am I wrong?" the girl scoffed and she sat up, "Don John. I think it is time for you to go." John raised his voice at the queen. He had always taken advantage of being her brother, at times he could take it too far. "Aurora how dare you! Your military needs more funds. Don't be so selfish, we know how rich you are from discovering the americas." he tried to threaten her, Louis was about to jump in until he saw that his wife was perfectly capable, "My military? My military is well fed, paid, and housed. They are well taken care of. You are one of my most funded military groups. Do not act like you care for my people! You are selfish, do you think you have the right to come to your queen in such disrespectful manners, just because you are my fathers bastard? John, do not test my limits today."

The king laughed as he stared at his brother in law. "I think it is best for you to go, John." the king headed out holding his wife's hand. The Queen wanted to get back to the feast as if nothing had happened, she wanted the people to enjoy her as much as possible. She and Louis were needed back in France as soon as possible. She had informed the people of Portugal, "But I do not want you to worry. Every law shall be passed by me. You are still my people and I will do my best to take care of you." She waved off and went back inside to tell one of her Queen's guards.

She decided it'd be best to have a specific loyal queens guard in every country. In Portugal she had chosen Antonio Cassis. He was in his early 20's, 24 to be exact. He has shown his loyalty many times, she has also spent as much time with him as possible. Louis agreed that he seemed very loyal to the crown. "Antonio, please I need to speak with you." The man seemed a bit nervous about the girl personally calling him, "Yes my Queen? How shall I be in service." she smiled at him, "I have two things to speak with you, first off.. Will you take the honour of being my Official Queen's Deputy. Here in Portugal? I want you here to make sure everything is in check." The man quickly accepted as if it was even considered a question. "Now the second. I haven't told anyone this news, besides my husband, mother, and two other ladies. I will speak to my council after I speak with you. I am with child. I'm a couple weeks along. I want you to tell our people the news by the time I leave. I don't want them to feel as if I didn't want to tell them. It shall be safer if I arrive in France first."

The older boy congratulated the girl, "Godspeed, your majesty." He bowed and smiled at her, he left the room swiftly. The girl then decided it was time to tell her council. After she explained they packed their trunks and made their way to France.

- broooo what is with my writing, why is it so badddd.. anyways I think im gonna rewrite the book (later, not right now) so that its more organized, like the dates, ages, and etc. also I do think im gonna change Aurora's name but idk what, if you guys have recommendations please tell me, anyways hope you have/had a great day <3