War of Hearts || Reign || REWRITE

63- The Princess And The Bastard

February 8th, 1572.

The next morning I was woken up by my chambermaids and they helped me wash. When I was done, Joan came in with Jane.

I had almost forgotten that today Jane joined me for the first time as a lady-in-waiting.

"Which dress do you want to wear today?" Joan asked as she rummaged in the closet. I thought "I want the amber dress."

Joan nodded and reached for the matching jewelry while my chambermaids pinned my hair into an updo.

I looked through the mirror at Jane who was standing a bit awkwardly. "Come here Jane." I said. She nodded and walked to the dressing table.

"How old are you, Jane." I put my earrings in my ears and put on my necklace, I motioned for Jane to fasten it.

She tied the necklace. "I'm sixteen, Madam.".

I got up from the chair and let Joan dress me. "And do you have any wedding plans?". She shook my head. "I haven't heard my father say anything about marriage, so I don't think so yet."

I handed her my hand so she could put my ring on. "Ah, you are still so young. Enjoy being young, marriage is yet to come. Thank you Joan." I admired my dress and then motioned for Joan and Jane to follow me into the dining room where breakfast will take place.

When I got there I saw Louis already sitting at the table with Julien. They were whispering together and when they saw me they immediately stood up.

Mary was already there with Margaret and Cecily and Maximilian.

I smiled as I walked up to them and kissed their cheeks "Good morning boys."

"Good morning Maman." "Good morning Aunt."

I nodded at Mary and smiled sweetly at Margaret.

I sat down in the chair opposite Mary's and was immediately served a cup of warm milk.

Francis also walked into the room with Charlotte by his hand. She was chatting happily and Francis listened with interest.

I sawMargaret roll her eyes. The relationship between Charlotte and Francis was stronger than that of Margaret and Francis. This was largely due to Mary, I thought to myself, she had raised Margaret very strictly and sometimes kept her studying for hours at a time.

Charlotte made a quick curtsy and then sat down next to Margaret.

I smiled at Charlotte "Did you sleep well, My beautiful?"

She nodded as she quickly swallowed her food. "I slept well Mama. Pápa said I can have new dresses made."

I looked at Francis questioningly. "She deserves it because she's so good at Latin. I bought Louis a new horse." He looked at Louis. "It's an horse from spain."

A smile appeared on Louis' face.

"And Margaret, you can get new dresses too. I'll take the fabrics to the parlor for you both to see."

Margaret nodded "Thank you father."

~

After dinner I followed the children to the salon where they were allowed to choose the fabrics.

The tables were filled with different patches of cloth, each more beautiful than the next.

Francis had come too and we sat together on one of the benches while Margaret and Charlotte looked around.

"Your children are very happy." I grabbed his hand. "That's what I do it for. My children are my life."

Jane came over to us and made a curtsy. I saw that she had pulled her dress down slightly, making her cleavage more visible.

"Yes Jane?" I asked annoyed. She smiled at Francis. "The nanny is here with your son, should I let them in?"

"Yes, yes let them in."

She walked out of the parlor and shortly afterwards she came in with the nanny and Nicolas.

He immediately ran to us and climbed onto Francis' lap. "My little soldier, how are you." Francis said, tickling Nicolas.

"I'm well pápa." He leaned against him.

"No, I want that!" Charlotte suddenly shouted. She pulled something out of Margaret's hand. "Give back!" Screamed Margaret.

"But I want this fabric for my dress, you already have a nice one." complained Charlotte. "Well I'm a princess and you're a bastard, that's what my mother says. You don't deserve it."

I saw Charlotte turn red and she pushed Margaret so hard she fell backwards.

I stood up "Charlotte, excuse yourself to your sister."

"But-."

"Charlotte." I said warningly.

Charlotte sighed and reluctantly extended her hand to Margaret but she ignored her and stood up herself "Father! Do you see what she has done."

Francis didn't even look at them but stayed focused on Nicolas "Don't be childish Margaret, Charlotte gets that fabric for her dress. Just pick another one."

I saw tears welling up in Margaret's eyes but she swallowed them and nodded quietly as she continued to select fabrics.

I could see she wasn't in the mood for it anymore and soon after she left the room.

I wish Margaret and Charlotte's relationship had been better.

We will again skip 4 years. The end of this book is coming near.

I have written the last chapter of this book and I have shed a tear. Knowing what's going to happen in the next 10 to 20 chapters hurts my heart.

What's a good name for a sequel to this book? This book is the War of Hearts but I'm not sure what to call the sequel.