Morning Glory-Francis (Reign)

Chapter Sixty

The ceremony was a blur. A mumbled nonsense of age old words, and then we were standing. Francis leaned down and kissed me. Even though the kiss was short, it was sweet. We hadn't had a moment to ourselves in days, and I confess I missed his kisses. Hopefully I wouldn't be lacking them for much longer.

Catherine had done a wonderful job decorating the throne room for the party. White fabric was draped over the walls, and the tables were stacked high with delicacies. The crowds burst into applause as Francis and I walked arm in arm into the room.

Immediately, Francis pulled me to the center of the empty dance floor. Perfectly cued in, the musicians began playing. I could feel the train of my dress fanning out behind me as we spun, and I gently ran my fingers over the embroidery that was on Francis's shoulder, remembering the stitches I had stayed up late to finish.

Slowly, our audience faded away, and it was just us, Francis and me, dancing in the elaborately decorated but empty ballroom. He held me close, closer than he usually did when we danced in public. It made me realize that I was his wife now. The rules of propriety were different, and I couldn't say I minded. As the music came to an end, Francis guided us to a stop, and leaned down to give me another kiss, this one deeper and longer.

The court cheered again. Several more pairs crowded onto the dance floor, as the next song began, and Francis and I escaped to the side of the room to eat something. We quietly ate a few pieces of fruit and bread, as various courtiers came up to us to congratulate us.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liesel and the other girls standing on the side of the room. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, even if they were out of their element. After pressing a short kiss to Francis's cheek, which he returned with a gentle one on my knuckles, I crossed the room over to them. I suppose Anfisa, Elisa and Natasha saw me moving, and the nine of us convened in the far corner of the room.

"Come on," I said, grabbing Allie and Isabella's hands.
"We shouldn't be here, Anya." Liesel said in a warning tone. I could tell she was the most uncomfortable of my guests.

"Just one dance. Please?" I begged. Even Millie's eyes widened at my request.

"Anya, we don't know how to dance!" She hissed.

"Please? It will be fun! It's my wedding day!" I pleaded, with wide eyes. Breelyn sighed, and I took that as an acceptance, and began pulling my friends to the dance floor. The timing was perfect. The current dance was coming to a close.

As we all grouped at the edge of the dance floor, I caught sight of Mary standing with her four ladies a few feet away. Despite all the grief she had caused me, allies were important in this world. We started walking onto the floor, and I caught her eye, gesturing for her to join me.

Mary looked confused for a moment, wondering if I meant her. Nodding my head, and pointing to her ladies as well, they timidly joined my group of girls.

The music started, and our circle began to spin and move, slowly at first as my friends got the hang of the steps. But after thirty seconds or so, we were all laughing, and giggling as we spun and paired off. A few of other noble ladies joined in as well, spinning through the duos. Even I was surprised, when the ever stoic Queen Catherine rose off her throne, and joined us.

I gave her a questioning look, as she waltzed by me, and she simply said "It's your wedding day," with a motherly smile before continuing on.

"Who are they?" Mary asked as the two of us spun around each other. She nodded over to where Allie and Breelyn were dancing together.

"Friends of mine." I answered shortly. Seeing Mary was still confused, I elaborated, "From when I was in hiding." Understanding flashed across her face.

"Henry and Catherine allowed them to come?"

"I didn't exactly ask." I replied, cheekily, smiling slightly. Mary smiled as well, laughing slightly.

"You have more courage than I gave you credit for."

"You think standing up to Henry and Catherine takes more courage than admitting to court that I lived as a servant?" I asked, slightly incredulous.

"You're much braver than I am," was all Mary said before spinning away from me to dance with her lady, Lola.

"Are you enjoying your wedding?" A low voice from behind me said. Spinning around quickly, I wrapped my arms around Francis's shoulders as his entrance didn't disturb the rest of the dancing. A few noblewomen's husbands had joined as well, and the musicians extended the song, as no one seemed ready to take a break.

"It's perfect." I whispered in his ear, careful not to disturb the crown that sat on his head.

"You look stunning, Morning Glory." The two of us slowed to a dance that was more of a sway off to the side of the floor.

"I like your shirt." I smiled.

"Do you now?" Francis asked, his voice turning to a teasing tone. "A little birdie told me that it was specially embroidered by a very talented seamstress."

"Who told you?" I asked, my eyes flickering over his shoulder to where my friends were still spinning wildly.
"I knew something about the design seemed distinctly Russian." He murmured against my hair. My cheeks flared red. "Don't worry though. I like it too."

Suddenly, Francis swung me around into a faster waltz back into the throes of the guests. Laughing out loud, he hoisted me up into the air with the rest of the dancers, before we dropped into a tighter spin. It felt for a moment like the crown on my head would fly off, but I was having so much fun, I didn't care.

Once the music stopped, we were all panting, and the room had grown warm, despite the wide windows that had been opened to the cool breeze. Still, the sun was high, it was still early afternoon, and the sun was warm.

Francis and I stepped to the side again and each had a glass of wine to cool our temperatures. As we talked softly, Henry approached us from the side. It wasn't hard to see the change in the atmosphere in the room. It was time for the next part of the 'celebration.'

Without a word, I was guided out of the room to my chamber where my ladies were waiting to prepare me. It was strange to think I would never sleep in this room again. Francis and I would share chambers.

My crown was removed from my head and my beautiful dress taken off my body, leaving only my silken slip and my red hair draped over my shoulders. A silk robe was laying on a chair waiting for me to put on for the walk to the room where the consummation would take place.