Morning Glory-Francis (Reign)

Chapter Sixty-One

To say I was nervous would've been an understatement. I wished my ladies would have given me some reassurance, but every time I tried to express my anxiety, I was shut down with a joke relating somewhat to that morning when I had tried so hard and failed so blatantly to sneak back into my own room.

Even thinking about the one night I had spent with Francis didn't help. It wouldn't be like that, when it was just the two of us. There would be people watching. The intimacy would be forced, and unnatural.

The hallways seemed colder as I walked down them again. I guess that made sense, since now I was wearing only a slip and robe while before I had been wearing a full gown.

The room was cold too. Francis wasn't there yet, but the Cardinal was already there as well as a few of the other more distinguished nobles. Catherine and Elizaveta were allowed in with me. As we waited for Francis, Elisa took my robe and smoothed out my hair.

Catherine squeezed my hand once before going to stand next to her own husband. I felt another pair of eyes on me. Turning my head the smallest bit to the side, I spotted five pairs of eyes watching through the small detailed holes of the wall. Four of them widened in surprise while the fifth remained firm.

I narrowed my own eyes slightly, and watched as Mary pulled back from the wall and nodded. The eyes disappeared. Despite my nerves, I had to smile the smallest bit, remembering when I had caught the five of them sneaking in to watch Elisabeth and Philip's consummation, all those months ago.

While I understood Mary's curiosity, I wanted my own 'first' time with my husband to be as private as possible. A moment later, Elisa had disappeared out of the room. I was prepared for the consummation, and my lady had no more reason to be in the room.

I took my place at the edge of the bed, and finally Francis entered the room, dressed in an elaborate robe. It was clear from his expression that he was nervous as well, but his presence helped to soothe me slightly. Someone closed the doors.

No one spoke a word, and I was glad. If the silence was broken, I may have lost all of my nerve and fled the room. Francis shed his robe, and guided me to lay down on the bed. I felt a little bit better, once all I could see was Francis's kind, loving face and the ceiling above him.

It was a rather conflicting experience. On one hand, I wanted to let myself fall into the sensations, as Francis sunk into me, buried his face in my neck, and pressed his hands into my waist. At the same time, though, I couldn't ignore the coldness of the room, the unfamiliarity of the room, and not to mention the dozen or so people who stood watching and nodding in approval as Francis made love to me.

Throughout the ordeal, my husband whispered sweet nothings to me, that it would be over soon, to just focus on him, that he loved me. I could only find it in myself to mutter 'I love you' back, and limply hang my arm over Francis's shoulders.

As soon as it was over, and Francis gently settled his weight entirely on top of me, resting moment, our audience filed out of the room. Francis shifted slightly, and reached up a hand, caressing the side of my face.

"I'm sorry about that, Morning Glory." He muttered, turning his face against my chest. I was still wearing the silk nightgown, the hem now pulled up around my waist, my bare legs covered by the bed's blankets.

"It's alright." I answered, pressing a kiss to the junction between Francis's hand and wrist, as his thumb dragged along my cheekbone. "I knew it was something we had to do."

"I know you still weren't comfortable." Francis stretched forward and whispered in my ear, "and I could tell you didn't really enjoy it."

My cheeks blushed a little bit, and Francis chuckled. "Don't worry, Morning Glory." A light kiss was pressed against my ear and another on my cheek. "I have all night to make it up to you." I flushed even darker, as Francis stood up, sweeping his robe over his shoulders.

It had slipped my mind, I guess, that it was still so early in the day. We had to go back to the party. In fact, all the guests were waiting for us.

"I'll see you back in the throne room." Francis walked back to the bed and picked up my hand, and kissed it gently before walking out of the room.

A few seconds later, the door swung open again, and Catherine, Anfisa, and my two ladies hurried into the room. Over Natasha's arm was a silvery dress. Not a wedding frock, but still almost bridal. The light grey fabric had silver threading and beading laced into it, and the long train looked like a small stream, as it dragged on the floor.

They were all quiet as they helped me into my new gown. I could tell they were trying to gauge my mood, if I was still on the wedding, new-bride high, or if I had been completely shut down by a bunch of people watching me have sex. Supposedly Catherine didn't know that Francis and I had already been together before today, but she was Catherine de' Medici. She had spies everywhere.

There was way too much fanfare when I returned to the party, in my opinion. I had hoped I would have been able to slip back in relatively unnoticed, but as the bride, that isn't really an option. Taking my spot next to Francis as a table, the dancing and mingling continued without a pause, but I could feel the eyes of the courtiers on Francis and I, as well as a new stress being placed on my shoulders.

Now that I was in a consummated marriage, I would be expected to produce an heir, and relatively soon. I didn't anticipate my injury being an issue. It had long healed, and no longer caused me any pain, and my monthly bleedings were normal. Still, a phantom ache passed through my side, as I thought. My parents never had any problems having children, as far as I knew, and we all turned out fine, save for Aleks who just got sick a little more often.

And Catherine had about a dozen children.

"You're worrying about something." Francis said. I only turned my head to meet his eyes, not saying anything. "Please, try to relax and have some fun, Anya." Francis handed me a goblet of wine. "It is our wedding day after all." The two of us toasted our glasses quickly before drinking the liquid.

The party remained in full swing, as Francis and I started dancing with the rest of the guests.