As Kamaria's journey unfolds, she discovers the true nature of power and the sacrifices that come with it. She must navigate through political alliances, betrayal, and treacherous plots to secure her place as Queen of Scotland. Along the way, she le...
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Kamaria was adorned in a classic black and gold lace gown, with brocades and a silk bustle highlighting her waist and hips. Black heels completed her attire, and her hair cascaded straight down her back, curling slightly at the ends with a middle part. As she stood next to Catherine on the balcony, she observed Henry and his men setting off for Lorraine amid trumpet blasts.
The Queen of Scotland's expression grew concerned as she searched the crowd for Francis or Sebastian. "I don't see Bash. Isn't it customary for every able-bodied man to accompany the King to war?" Maria asked, turning towards Catherine with a look of curiosity.
"It's not war, just a minor outburst from some peasants," Catherine said, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. "Our Sebastian is probably at the forefront with the king. Men occasionally need to pursue their hunting instincts. It's unfortunate they cannot coexist peacefully like women."
Kamaria turned to Catherine, her eyebrows arched inquisitively, and questioned, "Peacefully? Like you and me?"
The Queen of France gave a head shake of feigned empathy and clarified for Kamaria, "No, I was referring to you and Olivia. You're such a kind-hearted soul. She and Francis are inseparable, and yet you handle it with such grace."
"Francis and I have an understanding," declared Kamaria, keeping her face expressionless to hide the sorrow within as she gazed forward.
"And that's exactly my concern," came the reply. "You persist in this alliance, fully aware that his affections lie with another."
"You have no idea what's in Francis's heart," Kamaria retorted, her gaze sharpening as she faced the Medici Queen. Catherine, looking ahead, proclaimed, "Francis is not the type to bed a girl without love."
She turned to Kamaria, "I'm pleased you've accepted her into your life, as I did with Diane." Kamaria, with a hard swallow, averted her eyes from the Queen's and gave a last look at the men leaving the castle. She then departed, determined to find Francis. They needed to talk, and it had to happen soon. For the moment, she desired to keep her distance from him, particularly after discovering his intimacy with Olivia.
Upon entering the room, Kamaria found Francis and Charles engaging in a mock duel with forks, eliciting a brief smile from her. Yet, her amusement quickly dissipated, remembering her reason for seeking Francis. "It's my mother's initiative," Francis acknowledged, upon noticing Kamaria. "She's adamant that we master the use of these—forks." Kamaria gave a nod of understanding, maintaining a poised demeanor. "A count from Naples is visiting. She's keen on ensuring we present ourselves as cultured in the presence of our Italian guest."
"Is that why your father asked you to stay?" Maria asked, giving Francis a curious look.
He nodded and explained, "He must be greeted by a King or a Dauphin; anything less is an insult." The Scottish girl with the face of an angel nodded, her expression unreadable while her eyes showed no emotion. She retorted sharply, "Well, at least you'll have more time to spend with Olivia in bed."
