War of Hearts || Reign

Chapter 2

May 1562, Château de Louvre, Paris

"Maximilian!" Bianca called out as she walked through the garden, ignoring the confused glances of the courtiers crossing her path.

Maximilian stood with his back to her, engaged in conversation with three young women. From the flushed faces of the ladies, Bianca could tell he was charming them.

"Max!" Bianca called again as she approached. She hooked her arm through his and gave the women a pointed look.

"La bella Bia," Maximilian greeted her with a smile. "May I introduce you to these three ladies?"

Bianca rolled her eyes. "I'd rather not," she replied, smiling at the ladies. "It's probably better to ignore this dear man here; he'll bring you nothing but a broken heart."

She tugged Maximilian away, his arm firmly in hers, leading him further into the garden.

"Why would you say that?" Maximilian asked playfully. "What if the love of my life is one of these three? Perhaps you've just ruined my future," he added with a mock pout.

Bianca rolled her eyes again. "Believe me, my dear Maxi, none of them were the love of your life. But that's not why I came to find you."

From the moment Bianca arrived in France, nine years ago, Maximilian had been her best friend.

Maximilian, the illegitimate son of King Henri and his long-time mistress Diane de Poitiers, had been one of the few children at court for as long as he could remember.

The royal children were raised according to strict rules at the Château de Blois. As a bastard, Maximilian had the right to be raised there, though Queen Catherine did not approve. But his mother insisted, and thanks to Henri's love for her, the king had granted her request.

While Diane was fortunate enough to raise her own children, Queen Catherine could not. Her children were raised by tutors and governesses. She had no authority as a mother and never truly felt like one.

That was until Bianca arrived at court. Bianca, a bastard from a distant cousin of hers, was her niece. Catherine had been skeptical when the duke introduced the child to her and even offended at first, but she soon realized that she and this girl had much in common. She also saw that Bianca was her only chance at true motherhood—motherhood like Diane had experienced.

Since Bianca became her ward, Henri had no authority over the girl. Catherine could do with her as she pleased, and she did. Catherine chose the best tutors for Bianca and ensured she had everything her heart desired.

Though Diane and Catherine were enemies, the two children they had raised gravitated toward each other. It didn't take long for a strong friendship to form.

Maximilian and Bianca had much in common. Maximilian was raised far from his half-siblings, and Bianca had to leave her siblings behind in Italy. Both were illegitimate but loved by their fathers, and both had a love for mischief.

Although they occasionally saw the royal children and each built a connection with them, the bond between Bianca and Maximilian was stronger than any other. They were always together, and as the Dauphin grew older and remained at court, he too became part of their little group.

She stopped and stood close to him. "I just overheard your father and the queen speaking. Francis' fiancée will arrive at court tomorrow. The king wants them married by the end of summer," she said softly.

Maximilian made a face. "We knew this day would come eventually, right? Has my father told Francis yet?"

Bianca shook her head. "No, he just told the queen. We need to get to him before he hears it from her." She linked her arm back into his and led him toward the palace. They climbed the stairs to the first floor, where the royal family's chambers were located.

When they arrived at Francis' apartments, they were let in by the attendants. The ante-chamber was empty.

Maximilian and Bianca exchanged a look. "I hope this isn't..." Bianca was interrupted when the door between the ante-chamber and the bedroom opened. A young woman stormed out, clearly in a hurry. Her dress was askew on her shoulders, her corset barely fastened, and her hair a mess.

When she saw Maximilian and Bianca, she gasped and quickly curtseyed before hurrying out of the room again.

Maximilian and Bianca exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

"Who is that laughing so? Don't you know it's forbidden to disturb my rest?" a voice called from the bedroom.

"I don't think we're the ones disturbing your rest," Maximilian replied laughing as he walked over to the door and opened it.

Francis stood beside his bed, trying to pull on his shirt. His bed was a mess, as was his hair.

Bianca walked into the room with her nose wrinkled. "Is this how the Dauphin spends his time? If your mother knew what you were up to..."

"Give him a break, Bianca. He won't be a free man much longer," Maximilian added. Bianca nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right, Maxi." She turned back to Francis. "I hear whispers that the Queen of Scotland will join us tomorrow and stay at court. Also, I hear there's a wedding planned for the end of summer. Care to guess who's getting married?" she teased.

Francis, who had been ignoring them until now, looked up. "God, don't tell me my father is really going through with it?" he asked, a shocked expression on his face.

Maximilian and Bianca nodded. "Yes, your mother doesn't approve, but your father insists. You'll marry her and become her consort. He says it's about time you start making heirs," Bianca replied.

Francis rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by his father's words.

"The last time I saw her, she was seven. She was... rather..." He paused, searching for the right word. "Wild."

Bianca laughed. She had heard enough stories from the queen, who had never liked the girl. Catherine thought her Scottish ways were unsuitable for the French court. She had managed to convince the king to send her to a convent, where she would be raised by her own household and nuns, hoping that a quiet Catholic environment would prepare her for life at the French court.

"She's probably changed now that she's grown up," Maximilian commented as he sank into one of the chairs.

At that moment, an attendant entered. "Your Highness, the king wishes to speak with you," he announced with a polite bow. Francis nodded briefly. "I'll be there shortly." He grabbed his doublet and began to put it on.

Bianca noticed his hands trembling as he tried to fasten the buttons. She stepped forward and placed her hand over his. "Let me," she said, carefully buttoning his doublet. "There's really nothing to be afraid of, Francis. I'm sure Mary has changed. Besides, a marriage to her can only benefit you. You'll be consort to the Queen of Scotland, nearly as powerful as your father. Your future sons will rule two great realms in Europe. The name Valois will be greater than ever."

Francis grabbed her wrists and looked at her with desperation. "But what if she's not the person I want to marry?"

Bianca smiled briefly, but her gaze became determined. "You are the son of Valois, the Dauphin of France. Sometimes, what you want doesn't matter."