The Heir (TV Series 'Reign') #2

Three Queens

Eliana's POV

Feeling his arms wrapped around me, I hold his face in my hands. Remembering the smallest details of his eyes, his nose, his resemblance to Arius.

"Oh, how you've grown. You look just like your father everyday.." I whisper.

"Mmm."

I turned around to face Francis and Mary, who were waiting to be introduced to Julius.

"Francis, Mary, this is my son. Prince Julius of Greece..."

He bows down before them, and smiles at Mary.

"You're Mama's sister.."

"Yes..I am." Mary said.

"This is her husband.." I said to him.

Not saying a word, Julius's smile fades.

"You're King Henry's son. I'm sorry for your loss." He whispers.

Stepping away from me, Francis bends down on one knee.

"I am too..for your father. He was a good King, and Husband."

"I have set up a chamber for him to stay, next to yours of course." Francis adds.

I let Talia and Lydia take Julius to his chambers, as the guest too applaud his arrival.

"How? Why?" I asked.

"He needed his mother..he needed his Queen." He whispered to me.

~

Getting by the few guest, who were urging to see Julius, I walk into his chambers through my doors.

"Mama! Look at what King Francis got me." Julius says, when I enter his chambers.

A silver dagger, layed on his hand, just when Talia takes it from him.

"Young boys are not allowed to have knives like these.." She said.

"She's right Julius. I don't think King Agron has showed you how to used a knife like this? Has he?" I asked.

"Well, we've started training but only with swords..he says I need to be older. But he has shown me how to make one?"

"Come, we have many books to read." I say desperately.

We walked hand in hand, down to the library. Where the servant were adding new books to the shelves. The furniture has being moved around, when one of the guards prepares a place for us to sit.

"Mama, why haven't you came home?" Julius asked.

"I have been busy, with your Aunt. She needed my help, and I stayed when I was supposed to visit you."

"Grandpapa said that you were forced to stay at court, because of Marie de Guise? Is it true?"

"King Agron, doesn't understand. I wasn't..forced. I wanted to stay and help."

Lola entered the room shortly afterwards, sitting in front of us.

"What are you doing out here, all by yourself?" I asked.

"I had to get away. The nannies, the servants, the hangers-on who think they'll impress Francis by taking an interest in his son."

"Is that why you've been crying?" I add.

"My family heard that Francis has claimed my son. And it didn't go well."

"He is the king of France. As far as they're concerned, that just makes the disgrace even worse." I say.