War of Hearts || Reign || REWRITE

54- Father's Advice

July 5th, 1566

"Bianca!"

I walked down the stairs of the palace to the courtyard and hugged Pietro who came running towards me.

"Look at you Pietro, you are almost much taller than me." I said.

I hadn't seen them for 3 years. My father, Fernando and Pietro. Ferdinand was now 17 years old and Pietro was 12 years old.

"You look different now too." Pietro said as he looked at my big belly. He gave way to father who hugged me and kissed my forehead "My beautiful daughter."

I broke free from the embrace and hugged Ferdinand.

"Where's Francesco?" I asked when I noticed he wasn't there. Father smiled. "There must always be a Medici in Tuscany. Where is my grandson?"

"He's with his father, come with me." I walked into them in front of the palace and then went to the gardens where Francis was playing with Louis.

"Louis! Francis!" I cried.

Francis looked up and said something to Louis who came running towards us.

"Mommy" he grabbed my hand.

"My Louis. This is your grandfather and your uncles, say hello."

Louis released my hand and stepped forward and bowed "Grandfather, uncles."

Father smiled proudly and looked at me "You raised him well. My first grandson is this."

Francis came over to us and my father and brothers immediately bowed.

"Please don't be so polite to me. We're almost family after all and I haven't forgotten what you've done for us in the past." Francis said to Vader.

"I should have visited you much sooner but I never got the chance, when I heard of the events of the last few days I knew I had to come and assist my daughter." Father looked at me briefly.

Francis nodded "please take a seat." He walked to the large table that sat in the garden and sat down. I took a seat next to him and took Louis on my lap. Father sat opposite us with Ferdinand and Pietro beside him.

Francis asked the servers to pour wine and place fruits and cheeses on the table.

"How are Isabella and Leonora?" I asked father as I took a bite of a piece of cheese. "They are doing well. Nora is almost 3 years old and looks more like her mother every day." he said with a smile.

"And Francesco?"

"Good too. He helps me a lot with the rule of Tuscany. I am now looking for a good suitor for him."

I felt myself go cold when he said that. "Isn't it better that he picks someone himself. You don't want it to end like my marriage to Ottavio." I said bluntly.

Francis looked at me briefly and placed my hand on mine. We shared the secret of Ottavio's death together and we would carry it to the grave.

Father said nothing and took a sip of his wine.
I noticed Louis was getting impatient and I set him down on the floor. He ran through the garden, the guards within 5 meters of him.

"Do the guards always stay close to him?" Ferdinand asked as he looked at Louis. Francis nodded. "Day and night he and your sister are being watched."

Pietro got up and walked over to Louis and I saw him say something to him that made Louis nod happily. They started playing with each other.

Francis also rose from his chair. "Unfortunately I have work to do, if you'll excuse me I'll see you at dinner." He kissed my hand and nodded to my father and brother.

When Francis stood far away he looked at me sternly.

"You sent Antonio away." He said. "Yes, you hire a spy and put him between the king. I will not accept that."

"He warned you."

"He told me things I already knew."

Father sighed "Believe me. Antonio is someone you can trust. He has done things for me and has never betrayed me."

"Things like?"

"Murder," said Ferdinand. I looked at him startled.

"There will be many people in this court that you will want to get rid of over time. Antonio can help you with this. He is young, cunning and smart. I have plenty of men in Italy willing to do the work for me there but you have none here in France." said father.

I sighed, "Very well then. I assume Antonio is still here in France?". Father nodded. "I'll make sure you see him tonight. I'm sure you haven't figured out who tried to kill your son yet?"

I shook my head "No, he disappeared immediately.". "Antonio can find out."

I nodded quietly.

If that Antonio could help me with that, I'll be able to keep him by my side. Father was right. As long as Louis was heir to the throne, he, the baby in me, and myself were in danger from our enemies.

So far, the names Charlotte and Nicolas are in first place. I want to make it clear that she will not have twins but only a child.

You should see it as a gender reveal. The gender will be announced in about 1 or 2 chapters.