Morning Glory-Francis (Reign)

Chapter Nineteen

Since my return to Russia, the Prince of Sweden, Erik, had been quite insistent on securing my hand in marriage, despite the protests of both the peasants and myself. The peasants were still keeping up their demands for me to never marry and to continue being an angel.

I, on the other hand, hoped the peasants would drop their demands, but not so that I could marry Erik, but marry Francis, if his father ever managed to break the engagement to Mary. So far, it wasn't really working. Marie de Guise was a shrewd woman who was determined to secure France's support, for Scotland.

I had received a few letters from Francis, describing his days, and his nights, and how the stars looked in France. While I was glad to hear from him, his letters made me miss him even more. Dmitri was still in the dark about King Henry and Queen Catherine's plan for me and Francis to wed, but I knew that he could tell I had a reason for refusing Erik's advances so adamantly.

The only problem with that was that Erik seemed very determined, and the news of my unwillingness had brought Jan, the Crown Prince in Poland to my court as well, to build a marriage alliance.

Jan was more desperate to find a wife than Erik, because in Poland, a king usually did not take the throne until they were married. His father was ready to abdicate his position, but Jan would not be able to take his place in the line of succession until he found a queen to marry. His position made me infinitely grateful that I did not need a husband to become Tsaritsa, but I could not help him.

I wanted to marry Francis. While I did not love Francis, I knew that I could. And I was sure that Francis could love me too. Like he had said, he kissed me before I was Tsaritsa. Granted, his parents wanted the marriage alliance between Russia and France because I was an unwed monarch, but I hoped that Francis would want me if I wasn't.

Between the time spent entertaining my unwanted suitors and daydreaming about French court, the balance of my time was spent managing budgets, international trade agreements and securing our borders. Within the nobility that acted as my advisors, there had recently been a push for what I believed would be a war.

With my recent ascension to the throne, and the proclamations that I was innately divine, the Russian army had taken a massive boost in enrollment. My advisors were well aware of this sudden growth and wanted to take advantage of it.

Because the crown princes of Sweden and Poland were both in Russia, it significantly weakened their countries. They believed it would be possible, if we acted quickly, for Russia's bolstered army to invade and take Sweden and Poland as our own. They also thought that once we did, the people would bow easily to our control.

News of my diviness had spread quickly through Eastern Europe, and my advisors thought my take over would be seen more as holy intervention in the eyes of the victims.

I had wanted to consult Francis on this, get his opinion on it, but Dmitri, an avid supporter of the plan, had told me it wasn't safe. The letter could be intercepted, and war declared on us. And if we were going to fight, we would need to make the first move.

Aleksander had taken ill. When he was younger, he had been a sickly child, though I had been hoping he would grow out of it. He hadn't fallen sick in a long time however, and his illness made me nervous. I couldn't handle any more death in this family.

Even though it had been months since Mikhail and my parents' deaths, the palace still felt empty without them. Sometimes I wondered if I should just marry Erik or Jan so that hopefully we could have lots of babies and the halls would be full of life again.

After having such thoughts, I always felt guilty, and hoped that soon Francis' engagement to Mary would be called off soon, and I could return to France and to him.

About four months after my return to Russia, I received a letter from Catherine de' Medici. It raised my hopes that the engagement had been broken, but if it had been, Francis had promised he would tell me himself. Over letters, the two of us had jokingly discussed eloping to be together.

The idea did always seem appealing, even though the both of us knew we had too many responsibilities to do that. The union between two royals would need to be an official affair, witnessed by countless dignitaries and the church for it to be deemed valid. Instead, eloping would just remain as a beautiful dream.

To Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa Anya,

I write to formally apologize for the delay in ending the engagement between my son, Francis the Dauphin of France, and Mary, Queen of Scots. I know you are most anxious to return to France, as Francis awaits you just as impatiently.

In France, we have heard that you are being pursued by many other possible matches, though I urge you to not accept their proposals. France is still very interested in forming a marriage alliance with Russia, and I hope that you will wait until it is possible. If anyone, you know protocol must be acknowledged.

On a more personal note, I hope you are enjoying your time at home in Russia. I'm excited for your next visit to French court, for you and I seem to get along very well.

Sincerely,

The Queen of France, Catherine de' Medici