(ON HOLD. Editing) Alliances and Destiny's

Chapter Two

I woke up to the sound of birds outside my window, singing in the trees. I sat up in bed and looked around my room, at the foot of my bed there sat a dress with a note on it. I reached over and read the note;
“Happy Birthday my dear niece. This dress was your mothers, she wore it on the day you were born, and I hope you will wear it at your celebrations today.
- Maximillian. Happy birthday dear.”
I admired the dress before me; I was a soft light blue with a lace pattern chest,  short sleeved and layered skirt dress, simple but elegant.
I got out of bed and changed out of night gown and into the dress, it fit me perfectly. I put on a long gold necklace that suited the dress, the dress feel down to the floor, flowingly. The neck line ended just along my chest and the ends of my shoulders, I placed the ring with my family’s seal on my middle finger, a silver charm bracelet my mother left for me. Upon my leaving of Romania was a chest full of jewellery, air looms, letter’s etc. from my family. The last few things my parents left me. I wore a pair of pearl earrings Mary gave me on my birthday last year. I put on my white heels and hid a small dagger on the inside of my leg; Francis gave it to me when I was 9 for protection when court was attacked by enemies of my family. Ever since then I wore it on me always. I let my wavy hair fall to my waist and applied a little make up then walked out of my chambers, down the corridor to the dining room where breakfast was.
Along the way other royals and nobles visiting court for my birthday wished me happy birthday, good luck and little gifts. Before receiving all my larger gifts, they had to me searched and I’d receive them later during the feast tonight.
When I reached the dining room I was met with Mary at the head of the table, Francis at the other end, Rebekah and Jonathon sat across each other talking, beside Rebekah sat Lauren and Mathew and beside Jonathon sat Rosemary with an empty seat in between them. I walked in and sat between the two.
Rosemary informed me last night that Mary and Francis told them about the engagement after we left.
“Good Morning Sofia. Happy Birthday. I see you found the dress I placed on your bed. It arrived last night” Mary said;
“Yes, thank you. It was my mother’s” I said looking down at my food. John pulled me in to a side hug and kissed my cheek, whispering good morning in my ear.      I thanked him and we all made small talk as we ate. Mostly about today’s activities.
After breakfast, I went for a walk with Rebekah, Rosemary and Mary outside, greeting our guests who came for my birthday, Royals and Nobles from all around the world. Some were friends of my family, Mary’s and Francis. We sat and watched entertainers while laughing and drinking wine. Mary and Francis on their throne side by side, I sat by Mary with Rebekah, Lauren and Rosemary sat next to me and Jonathon and Mathew sat by Francis. Later today after lunch was the tournament, the tournament including of Jousting, dues between Jonathon, Mathew and the nights and then later Jonathon would duel against Francis in several different events, it was tradition for the future King to duel against the current King when the Prince is set to marry a Princess. To prove themselves in more ways than one. After lunch and the tournament, it was time for Francis’ and Jonathon’s duel.
The others and I sat up in the stands with a clear view of the arena and watched as the two battled it out. The first event was a duel with swords. Jonathon landed some very good blows to the torso. Francis also got some good ones, but in the end, it was close but Francis won, - only just. The second event was bow and arrow, which Jonathon won. The third was jousting which again Francis won. The last two events were hand to hand combat and a relay with their horses. Which Jonathon won both?
Throughout the rest of the day we walked around court, Rebekah and I played an old game of soccer that Mary played when she was in the convent. It was fun but I had to keep holding my dress up as not to trip. As the sun started going down Jonathon pulled me away from our guests and to the water fountain away from the event and tents.
“Hay, you know we don’t have to hide anymore right” I said as we came to a stop. Instead of speaking his response he pulled me into him in a passionate kiss. Our mouths moving in sync. We pulled apart after the long kiss and he spoke.
“I just wanted to be alone with you; we’ve not had a chance to be alone together today. With you talking with other royals and me proving I’m fit to marry you. I missed you” he finally said, pulling me in closer. His smile spread across his face, he was grinning from ear-to-ear, as was I.
“I missed you too. Now that we’re getting married we can be more open. Will you dance with me at the feast tonight?”
“Of cause’ I’ll dance with you. Here, this is for you” he took out a small box and got down on one knee. My mouth hung open in aw…
“Sofia Habsburg, Queen of the Romans, of Italy, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Spain, Lady of the Netherlands, Duchess of Burgundy and ruler of both the Spanish Empire and the Holy Roman Empire.   Since the day I laid eyes on you when you first came to Scotland, and the day you told me you loved by the lake, I knew then and there I’d marry you one day.
So, Sofia Habsbury, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife, for the rest of time?” I…I was speech less; he opened the box, revealing a huge Diamond ring.
“Yes…yes…yes I’ll marry you. I’ll marry you” I squealed in pure happiness, jumping up and down. He got up off one knee and pulled me into a tight embrace, just as happy and I was. He placed the ring on my left hand and pulled me into yet another passionate kiss, filled with love, joy, happiness and excitement. With my heightened senses, I felt it all just as strong; I was crying tears of Joys and happiness.
We were interrupted by someone approaching, clearing their throat. We pulled apart and turned to the person who approached us, Francis, with a big grin on his face.
“I see Jonathon proposed, that ring was my mothers, and you’re luck to wear it.”
“Thank you Francis, for everything you and Mary have done for me since the day I arrived” I said, wiping yet another tear of you, I stepped out of Jonathon’s arms and hugged Francis for a few moments”
“I’m glad you both found someone who makes you happy, no matter how much Mary had to convinced me to let two marry. Now you two best get back before others think it curious, or have you forgotten that only Mary, myself and Rebekah know of the engagement, until tonight that is. Come on you two” he said.
Jonathon and I walked back with Francis, together until the tents and people came into view then we let go of each other’s hands. I slid off the ring and put it on the other hand until the announcement tonight, well, in a matter of hours. And we re-joined the others.

Not an hour later everyone gathered inside and mingled throughout the courtyards and corridors. Rebekah and I went to my chambers and changed for the feast. I changed into a dress of different shades of red, all blended together with black lace, it was sleeveless and loose skirt that fanned when I turned.   Rebekah wore a light pink and helped do my hair, touch up my make-up and then we headed back out towards the ball room where the party was held.
At the rooms entrance the guard announce;
“Her Royal majesty, Queen, Sofia of Romania, Spain and Italy. And Princess Rebekah of Romania” Everyone in the room stood from their chairs and erupted in applauses and happiness, bowing their heads in respect. I bowed my head as a sign of thanks and respect. We walked in and up to the head of the room and took our seats beside Mary, Lauren and Rosemary. Jonathon and Mathew sat on Francis’ side. I sat next to Mary and Jonathon sat beside his father. Mary and Francis sat in the middle, Jonathon and I on both side and Rebekah sat beside me and the others beside her, with a few other royals lined the table. The table was the length of the room; it was jam-packet with other royal and noble men and woman talking in groups with each other.
I got caught up during the feast in a conversation with a few other royal girls and I couldn’t get out of it. They were bragging about their new estate and lands, how they got so many gifts from others. Their mother was Francis sister who is my 3rd cousin by marriage in Spain.
I finally got away when Jonathon said;
“May I have this dance?” he asked
“Of cause’ you may” I replied, I took his offering hand and he led me to the dance floor.  I rested my hands on his shoulder and in his hand entwining our fingers. His free hand resting on my waist.
We danced in sync with the music and danced in silence for a minute or two. “Thank you, for getting me away from those girls.” I said, looking him in the eyes.
“No worries, you looked like you were going to punch one of them in the face.” He chuckled. I laughed a little in agreement and he spun me around, bring me back to him. We danced for a long time, a few up-beats and when it was almost midnight Jonathon and I were doing a waltz and when it ended Mary got the attention of everyone in the room, tapping a spoon on a crystal glass.
“May I please have everyone’s attention?” The room went silent and everyone faced Mary and Francis at the front of the room.
“We have an announcement to make… as you all know the Queen, Sofia, was set to marry Prince Edward of England but that marriage agreement has been terminated.” Francis started, turning to Mary to finish. “This time next year the Queen Sofia, will marry our very own, Prince Jonathon, future King of Scotland and France… Congratulate them on their engagement.” There was a pause for a few minutes where the room clapped and congratulated us.
“Now, Sofia and Jonathon will share a centres old waltz from Sofia’s home-land Romania.” Announced Mary.
We walked hand in hand to the centre of the room and danced to the sound and in time of the music, forgetting those around us and focused on only each other. Near the end of the dance, feathers fell from the scaling, it reminded me of the pillow fights Rebekah, Lauren, Rosemary, Mathew, Jonathon, and I use to do while jumping up and down on the bed. Looking up at the falling feathers I felt like a child again. I looked to Jonathon and saw him to remember our fun as kids. We locked eyes and before we could say anything the music started again, an upbeat song and everyone started dancing, snapping up out of our daze.
We laughed then joined in dancing with everyone else. We danced for a few more hours then slowly, people retired to their chambers. When everyone was gone, it was just me, Jonathon, Rebekah and Rosemary sitting on the floor in the centre of the room, where there was still feathers on the floor. Everyone else was doing their own thing, probably retiring to their chambers to sleep. We laughed and tossed the feathers around, like it was snowing and were drinking wine.
“Remember those pillow fights we had as kids, we got in so much trouble” Becca said
“Yeah, and the time when we’d sneak wine into our rooms and ran around the castle hiding from Mary and Francis rage” Jonathon laughed. We all laughed at the memory hiding in the tunnels and around corners.
“And that time we got drunk on Jonathon’s 14th birthday and got busted by Bash, and we had to polish the throne room with tiny brushes” I said laughing my head off with the others.
“And when Jonathon vomited on James jacket” Rose added, making us laugh even harder.
We talked a little while longer before we got tired and retired to our chambers. Jonathon being a gentleman walked me to my room, well he had to help me walk cause’ I was pretty tipsy. We went into my room, I changed out of my dress in to my night gown and I collapsed on my bed, John sitting on the side of the bed, pulling the sheets on me.
“Good night, my lovely soon-to-be wife.” He kissed my forehead and got up to leave. I reached my arm out and grabbed is hand.
“Wait. Will you stay with me until I fall asleep? Please?” I asked
“Yes my lovely” he came back over, took off his shoes and jacket and climbed under the sheets in bed with me, pulling me into his arms, resting my head on his chest, he hummed an old French song in my ear. Sleep consumed me and I fell into a deep peace full dream.