Rulers

Chapter One

          "Your grace," one of my servants spoke not to long after I have awoken. "Your father would like a word with you in the throne room soon. I'll send a couple people to come help you get ready."
          "Thank you." I cooed. And she bowed and left.
          The women came in and helped me dress quickly, then I headed towards the throne room.
          "You sent for me father?"
          "Yes María. I did. Come sit next to me on your mother's former throne. You are now the queen of España, and I would like you to feel it."
          I slowly made my way up the steps to my mother's throne before she passed
          "Now sweetie. You know you have been engaged for a while now..."
          I nodded and looked at him. "Yes father. I know that."
          "Well I think it's time we send you back to France to get to know Luca a little more before you two wed. As you know, you need to care for your countries a lot so you can produce heirs to rule when you two pass on, correct?"
          "Yes father. I know. When did you have in mind to send me back?"
          He looked at the ground and sighed. "Today."
          "Father, that is not enough time to get my items, and all my lady's items."
          "They've been packing your items slowly for the past week sweetheart. But your ladies are packed, and shall meet you when you arrive."
          I looked at the ground. "Father, how long were you planning the trip back to France for me?"
          "We've been planning it for at least a month now. When you left for Spain for a few weeks, we started discussing it. They will be expecting you and will have your chambers prepared by the time you get there. We will have some of your guards from Spain accompanying you to ensure your safety, your ladies will also arrive around the time you do as well. All you have to do is gather the belongings you feel as though you need that nobody else would know."
          "How much time do I have before I need to be ready to go?"
          "We're preparing for your departure today. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sweetheart but you've been so busy leading your country so bravely at such a young age."
          "Wait, my sixteenth birthday will be......"
          "Will be In France. King Henry said that he'll start planning as soon as you get there. So your first couple weeks, you will be bombarded by France's servants so they can find out what you like and what you don't."
          "Father, I don't know if I can-"
          "Now honey, you are the queen of Spain and the future queen of Portugal. You are strong and brave. Plus, you won't be alone, you are going to have your ladies which are going to be girls you were very close to when you came back home."
          I sighed and agreed. I asked to be excused so I can get important items from my room,
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         I walked out my room and towards the front doors of the castle. As I walked up, two of the door keepers bowed and opened the door. I quietly thanked them and walked out into the day. As I was slowly walking to the carriage, my father stopped me to tell me that my horse would be coming along so I wouldn't feel lonely if my ladies didn't arrive right away.
          "I requested they put him in a comfortable carriage like cart along with the things you would need to help care for him. You can do what you did here and ride him if you get overwhelmed, stressed, or just want to clear your head."
          "Thank you father." I said as he engulfed me in a big hug.
          "You've grown to be such a beautiful young woman. Your mother would be so proud. I love you so much sweetie. Make sure you keep in touch and write frequently."
          He helped me into the carriage, kissed me on the forehead and closed the door.
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          Many hours later, I was nearing the castle of my destination. I was still a bit of ways away though. I remembered all the greenery from my younger years here. All the trees, the pathways narrowing. It was one of the most beautiful sites I have seen in my life so far. One of Portugal's guards poked his head near the window and asked how was I feeling and if I felt the need to do anything at all. I thanked him for asking and said I was fine. It was still a slight ways away but it wasn't that bad. I wondered how the Portuguese guards could travel so far without complaining or pain. As I was wondering, I slightly dozed off.
          I awoke to the sound of bells. Bells that only meant royalty was visiting or nearing or there. I knew that it meant that we were about to pull up to our destination. The bells symbolized to the people, that they need to prepare for the arrival. Whether they need to get to the front of the castle to welcome or they need to get guards. In the case of the french, it meant that they needed to get into a specific formation so everyone present, could bask in the glory of the visitor. I knew this because when I would stay here when I was younger, I would have to join the Royal family and stand where they did. Granted, at the time, the only Royal son was Luca. I heard that they have had two more kids, twins, both quite young. A prince and a princess. 
          I got so lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice when we came to a halt. "María Consuela Gonzales! Queen of España and princess of Portugal."
          As the announcer said that, one of the Portuguese guards offered me his hand to help me out. As I took my last step onto the French soil I once knew so well. I looked around briefly and bravely. I held my head high and had a smile on my face. One of the guards took out my horse and walked them to the stables. When I looked back at the french servants, guards, and even the family, they all bowed except Queen Miranda. When they all stood, my eyes landed on Luca. 
          Luca was a tall 6'3, he had medium brown hair and green eyes. He was lean, muscly, more than I would've ever imagined he's become. He had a smile that showed his deep dimples where just seeing a smile from him could make any girl smile. 
          I slowly started approaching them but was stopped by one of the guards. "Your grace, please wait for a moment. Your ladies are literally pulling up right now." 
          I looked off to the distance and saw a carriage pulling up. The carriage came to a halt and the first one out was Cornelia Sanchez. She stood at a tallish 5'8 and is somewhat curvy. Her Brown hair was wavy and fell towards the middle of her back. She had brown eyes which made a lot of sense seeing as her dad was Spanish and her mom was Portuguese. She only speaks English but has a Portuguese accent. She is very loyal to her queen and is the second most overprotective. While she is also a little slow, she is always nearby. Next out was Eve Casanova. She had light brown hair, and green eyes. She stood at a shorter 5'6 and was skinny. She was pale for her skin complexion being tan. Her father is Spanish and her mother Portuguese. She was big on singing and dancing and her favorite dances were the Tango and Flamenco. She was also very loyal to her queen and is biggest on protectiveness. She is very sassy and loud but always speaks her mind. She is also a Rebel and kind of mischievous. Next out was Alyce Alphana. She has black hair that that is basically bone straight and pale blue eyes. She's 5'8, curvy with long legs, she has a English/British accent with a faint Spanish tinge. She speaks Spanish, Italian, and a bit of French. She is very talented. She sings, dances and is good at drawing. She is also good at piano and loves to read. She is a pale tan. Her dad is Spanish and her mom is from England. She is loyal, kind, quiet and shy and very wise and gives good advice. The last one out was Rosalia Cortéz. She is the shortest among us. She stands at 5'5 and is skinny. She has long brown curly hair and brown eyes. Both her parents are Spanish. She speaks a tad bit of Italian but mostly Spanish and English. She dances and is rude to those she can't relate to. She tended to brag a lot growing up. She flirts with people she knows her parents would approve of. She is still a really good friend though and is also very loyal to her queen. She is also very tan.
          Then there is me, I am 5'6 and a half. I have long, wavy, brown hair that meets my waistline. My eyes are gray. I'm skinny but curvy. I try to be a very sympathetic queen. I am bossy when I have to be but overall as kind as I can be. I walk with my head high and with such poise. I keep brave and sturdy and make decisions that I feel is best for my country.
          "María!" Eve yelled and ran to hug me. "We missed you."