mad woman || francis ii valois

I - must i go?

the princess believed god placed her on earth to keep england catholic, and bring down those who went against her family name. her father and mother had married when they were rather young, and a few years after her uncle edward was born, so too was amelia. no doubt to most of europe, she would one day raise to be queen, if god allowed it. from the first moment she was shown to the world, she enchanted. amelia had always been rather intelligent, mentally developing faster than most her age. she took her first steps at six months, and her first word "god" the following month. by the age of six, she spoke three languages, and could dance better than most women at court. she was the pride of her mother. but, her life meant her uncle would always see her and her mother as a danger to his rule. so, her uncle took her into his care for a few months, until his death. her mother mourned her loss, for she was utterly loved and cared for by her mother and late father. he had died a year after her birth. upon her uncle's death, lady jane, her protestant cousin would take her into the tower with her. jane and amelia became rather close over the years, their minds being similar in intelligence. but amelia always outshined her and her mental capacity. while in the tower, amelia and northumberland butted heads often. amelia spoke of her mother being the true queen of england, not jane. and that her mother would have her head. she managed to get a letter to her through a servant, warning her of the danger that would come and pleading for jane's life to be kept. and for awhile, mary tudor would keep her promise of keeping jane alive, until her hand was forced. amelia didn't talk to her mother for a week afterwards, mourning the loss of her cousin. her aunt elizabeth and amie's ladies looked after her when she hid herself away from court and her mother. but after she mourned, she returned to court and gifted her mother with a rosary, proving she loved her still. unlike most royals, amelia was kept close to her mother's side. especially after she gained a stepfather. phillip and she didn't get along. the little time they had together, they would argue back and forth in spanish. amie made sure to do so in the sight of the court and her god. the princess always had an ulterior motive, and she wanted to stay in the english people's hearts, by hating who they did. it helped that he broke her mother's heart and cheated on her. upon her mother's marriage, she was gifted a new lady-in-waiting, who the court seemed to hate. but, she gifted the spaniard with a rosary and brought her close to her heart. her ladies always had her back and protected her at all costs. they wanted the sun that was amelia, princess of wales, to shine and they would do anything to make it shine. the court saw her as a strong english woman, who would one day reign over them, at the grace of the catholic god. she was a symbol of a strong and english front, but she held within her the grace of her grandmother and the wit and strategy of her maternal great grandparents. days at english court always seemed better when the princess of wales was there. and a week after her birthday, amie's ladies danced and laughed in the garden while the princess herself read her book that her godfather, the holy roman emperor gifted her. the princess looked up as anastasia, one of her loyal ladies, came and tore the book out of her hands. the princess looked shocked until anya helped her up to her feet. "you must dance with us, majesty!" the princess of the red rose and the white let out a melodious giggle. the other ladies stopped dancing and turned to their mistress. "majesty! come dance with us!" amelia let herself move closer, taking lady viktoria's hands in her own, moving the two in circles. the rest of the ladies started to dance once again. but the fun was foiled by her mother's servant, charles, walking towards her then bowing. "majesty, the queen requests you in her private chambers- alone." he looked towards the four ladies as he put emphasis on "alone". the princess nodded, confusion glossing over her face. "ladies, i'll see you later. let not my going away spoil your laughter and good tide-" she placed her hand gently on her principal lady-in-waiting, lady rebekah's cheek as a smile that felt like sunshine found it's way to the princess' face. her long lilac gown grazed across the springtime grass of the courtyards she loved most. a million thoughts danced through her head. her lady mother, the queen, didn't often call her to her chambers unless she needed to share information of the upmost importance, or she needed her only child's council. as she walked through the halls, servants and courtiers alike all bowed to the princess as she passed by. henry, duke of suffolk, and her life long friend, bowed before the princess before taking her arm, walking with her to her destination. "you flatter yourself, my lord." the princess teased him. her dear harry let out a deep and genuine laugh. they often poked fun at each other. but underneath was a true and undying love. "no, you flatter me every time you look at me." the lady blushed deeply, looking towards the floor before her eyes flickered back up to his brown eyes. her heart started to quicken. but luckily for her, she arrived at her mother's chambers . amelia playfully winked as she opened the great wooden door. her mother's ladies all turned and bowed to her, one of them announcing her arrival. mary tudor, ever the aging woman lit up when she saw her only child. amelia had always been her pride and joy since mary carried amelia inside her. the queen reached out her hands, taking her daughter's in her own. the two sank to their knees, their hands still interlocked. "my dear amelia... i need you to work your magic." amelia looked at her mother utterly perplexed. before she could ask her what she meant, mary continued. "i am sending you to france... there you will keep your cousin mary stuart away from francis. in whatever way god wills you to do." the princess started to put the dots together; her mother wanted her to seduce the dauphin and keep mary from the crown and calais. "i will do my god given duty to england, to spain, and to france. i will keep them apart..." she kissed her mother's knuckles gently. "but mother...must i go...?" the princess had never left the english isle before, and she was utterly nervous. mary placed a gentle hand on her cheek and smiled warmly. mary wasn't like that often, out in the open court. but when they were behind closed doors, she was the most warm and loving mother. "you, my sweet girl, will be fine. whenever you are fearful-" she took out her own personal rosary and placed it in her child's hands. "-pray...and i will be with you in spirit." a tear fell down amelia's cheek as she smiled and nodded softly, silently agreeing with her mother. "you leave in a week!" the princess stood up and curtsided to her mother before leaving her personal chambers. outside the door, stood harry waiting for her. "so...? what did your dearest lady mother want from the most kindly of princesses?" amelia looked up to him in shock. "i leave for france to court the dauphin...in a week..."

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ta da!! part one is done and I really hope you guys liked it!

-persephone