Morning Glory-Francis (Reign)

Chapter Forty-Four

When the Count Vincent was announced, I moved to stand up, but Catherine shook her head at me, and Francis placed a stilling hand on my shoulder from his place standing behind the couch on which I was sitting. The count appeared through the doorway, and upon spotting us, walked confidently over to us.

"Your Majesties," He bowed to me and Catherine. If he noticed the two of us were sitting, he did not mention it. "Your Highness." He bowed to Francis.

"Count Vincent. It is an honor to have you hear in France." Catherine nodded her head to the count.

"The honor is all mine, Your Majesty." He looked back to me. "I must confess, Your Majesty," He addressed me, "I'm surprised to see you here. I was under the impression Russia was at war with Sweden and Poland."

"The war is over, Count." I answered, letting authority ring in my voice. "We were victorious, and Poland and Sweden were annexed to Russia. I only returned to France late last night." I did my best to stare him down, even from my place sitting on the couch.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. You must be very tired from your journey." He bowed again. I was getting slightly annoyed with his antics, but nodded, accepting his apology nonetheless. The conversation fell into a lull as a servant brought over a tray of wine goblets. Francis reached for two, and handed one to me, before taking a sip of the other. I smiled my thanks up at him.

"All of Europe has heard of the golden goblets Pope Clement gave you for a wedding gift." Vincent mused, examining the cup in his hands. "I suppose you save those for more important guests." He looked up at Catherine.

Francis and I exchanged a look, but no one said anything. While Vincent's comment was very forward, almost rude, it was true. I glanced over at Catherine who looked uncomfortable.

"Have you been to France before?" Francis asked, changing the topic of conversation.

"Yes, actually. I was here only a year ago, to negotiate for my son's release." Another awkward silence fell. France and Italy had been at war and only recently reached peace, shortly before I had arrived in France in hiding.

"That is war." I said, my voice sharp, thoughts returning to my discussion this morning with Mary.

"Ahh, you are young, Tsaritsa. I wouldn't expect you to understand." He smirked down at me, and I began to wish I wasn't sitting on the couch. "Though you may soon," His eyes flickered down to my torso, where my bodice grew loose to hide the bandages underneath. Confused, I glanced down, wondering if I had spilled some wine on myself. Whatever joke the Count made though, Francis seemed to understand, because his hand tightened on my shoulder.

"I'm afraid I don't understand, Count." I plastered a smile on my face.

"There have been rumors-" I grew nervous as his grin got wider.

"Rumors should never be given much stock." Francis cut him off, with a dead laugh, one that we all easily saw through. "People will always gossip." I knew I was missing a small part of the conversation, one that would make everything else make sense, so I glanced over at Catherine wondering if maybe she could tip me off. However, I was met with a stony face, the one everyone knew as Catherine de Medici.

"How is your son now?" Catherine asked, through tight lips.

"He's dead." Count Vincent answered with a strangely bright tone. "And I have come to collect reparations." He added, sinisterly.

"With what backing? We are on French soil, in our own castle." Catherine retorted lightly.

"Yes, your own castle, but where is your king? Your army?" I felt the blood drain from my face. "And not only now have I the Queen of France here, but the Dauphin as well. I heard that your younger two sons, Charles and Henry are here too. I know that the Scottish Queen has also taken residence here in French court, but the Russian Tsaritsa's presence has been an unexpected, but welcome surprise." He smiled down at me in a way that made my stomach churn.

"What do you want?" Francis spit dangerously.

"I want my son back!" Vincent shouted, momentarily losing his composure. However he quickly gathered himself and turned to Catherine. "Luckily, I am ready to bargain. One Italian to another." Knowing she was in no position to argue, Catherine followed Vincent to begin their negotiations. The door slammed shut behind them, leaving Francis and I alone.

Francis quickly walked around the couch to kneel down in front of me.

"What was the Count trying to say, about me understanding soon?" I asked him, reaching out to grab his hand. Francis hesitated, like he wasn't sure what he should tell me. "What is it Francis?" I put my other hand on the side of his face.

"Since you've returned, there have been some rumors." He started. I nodded my head, not sure what the problem was. Servants gossiped all the time. It was nothing new. "They've noticed you seem more tired lately, quicker to lash out."

"I've been back a day. How much do they think they've figured out?" I shook my head, unbelieving.
"Some of the servants have noticed how you don't wear corsets anymore." He added, his tone telling me I should be catching onto what he was saying, but I was still waiting in the dark. Francis sighed. "Anya, everyone thinks you're with child." I didn't answer for a moment, trying to comprehend what he was saying.

"Carrying a child?" I repeated, still processing the words in my head. "But I'm not, I can't be." I shook my head.

"And I believe you, but that's not what other people have been saying. You were gone for a long time, gave political positions in your own government to people who should be your rivals, like the Crown Prince of Sweden. Then you come back here, declaring you will have a husband soon. With you strange behavior, being ill, wearing loose clothing, it looks like you got yourself knocked up, and are looking for a way out."

"But Francis, I'm not!" I said, forcefully. Then lowering my voice, I added, "I am a virgin, as any unmarried woman of my stature should be."

"Then how do you explain everything else?" Francis' voice became slightly accusing.

"I gave those positions because I needed people with the country's best interest at heart, advisors who would watch over my people, while I was back here. And I had to come back here, because I promised you I would! And that I would come back and marry you!" I stood from the couch, to look Francis more directly in the eye.

"And these?" He asked, grabbing at the loose fabric that hung around my waist. I shoved his hands off of me, hoping he wouldn't notice anything underneath, as I dropped my eyes to the floor. Seeing my expression, Francis reached up and cupped my chin. "Anya, what's wrong? Please tell me," He begged as he ducked his own face to better see mine.

"Come with me." I said quietly, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the door.