𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝕺𝖋 𝕰𝖓𝖌𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖉 | 𝕱𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖎𝖘 𝖁𝖆𝖑𝖔𝖎𝖘

XXV | 𝕲𝖔𝖉'𝖘 𝖂𝖎𝖑𝖑

Royal Court Of France

My eyes flutter open, to the bright light streaming in through the windows. I feel a finger tracing the bare skin of my shoulder causing a small smile to slip onto my lips "Good morning" My eyes gaze up to to the beautiful man resting beside me. Francis pulls me in closer, his lips attaching to mine. My eyes suddenly widen, pulling away from him as I come to the realization that it is morning, meaning the servants are probably spreading word about my empty and unmade bed. As if Francis read my mind, he chuckled, hovering over me before he spoke up "If the servants are gossiping about your unsafe bed, it is too late to rectify the situation" He let his lips leave tender kisses against my neck, making me let out a giggle. His hands tickled at my waist, causing reckless laughing to escape my lips just as he put his plump lips to my neck again "Do you think we are being too reckless?" I questioned, letting my fingers brush through his unkept hair "I'm yours. You're mine" a Francis lowered his lips to my stomach; causing me to giggle "I hope you're pregnant" "Francis!" I hissed, not being able to keep a serious face. This boy "It would force the wedding sooner" she hummed innocently, pushing his body up to hover over mine "How could my father argue?" "You don't think what we're doing is wrong?" I asked him, as he pulled himself up to sit next to me "as we are not wed yet" Francis' beautiful eyes gazed into mine before grabbing my hands and pulling me up in front of him. My hands roamed his chest as his combed through my brown hair "After we ripe for a great long while, and we leave France and England to our children, and our grandchildren, and our great grandchildren" Francis lowered his lips, kissing my neck before whispering again "And we meet our maker, you can ask him yourself" I let out a chuckle as his pushed me back down, leaving sporadic kisses all over me. A sharp knock tapped at the door, causing us to jump. I pulled the sheets over my body as I heard the door open "Forgive me, but there is word for you from the Holy See" I heard the guard speak "The Pope?" I heard Francis question. I would've what this is about? Word from the Holy See must be urgent "The cardinal from the Vatican is in the throne room" Francis sighed before the door shut, causing me to let out a bit of a chuckle, causing Francis to  as well. I pushed the sheet off of my head, beginning to laugh even more "Or you could ask him now" Francis spoke, sitting up starlight above my resting body "As the word of god is back at the Court" He spoke seriously, causing me the throw my head back in laughter. I never thought that someone could actually be the epitome of perfect, but I think Francis has proved me wrong "Darling, as much as I would love to spend the rest of the day here with you, it sounds like there is import business that we need to tend to immediately" Saying 'we' made me smile even more than I already was "I suppose" Francis let out a defeated huff as I stood up, pulling the sheets off of him and wrapped them around my body "I think that's my favorite dress I've ever seen you in" Francis winked in my direction, making me shake my head as a blush flushed my face "You cheeky little boy" I walked over to Francis' robe closet, pulling out one of the beautiful pieces of clothing "I hope you don't mind me borrowing one of your robes" "Of course not. Keep it" He winked "Don't mind if I do" I winked back at him as he propped himself up on his bed, watching me as if he was taking in my every move "I got freaky in the sheets with the next King of France. I need some sort of prof to bring back home to my girl friends" "You're leaving me that suddenly?" Francis faked a hurt expression, causing me to smile a bit "And here I was thinking we had a wonderfully memorable night" I shook my head in laughter, putting the robe on before walking back over to Francis who was still in his bed. I leaned over giving him a kiss on the forehead "I must go test my ninja-like skills. Wouldn't want to get caught by any of the bothersome servants. I am already going to have to give an explanation for my disappearance to my ladies" "I guess I must let you go" Francis smirked as I made my way to the door "Goodbye, beautiful" I didn't respond. I just gave him a knowing smile before exiting the room and making my way to my room carefully. Thank the heavens none of my ladies were there awaiting my explanation, so I hurried up and got dressed with the help of a few maids, before making my way to the throne room. Francis met me at the entrance, his hand slipping into mine before we entered. The room was fairly crowded considering the visit from the Vatican "God bless us all" Henry spoke hurriedly as he went up to Catherine to take her hand. My eyebrows furrowed wondering what in the world was going on "There is news sent to us by Cardinal Tesson, the papal emissary. Dearest Josette, we are sorry to bring this news on you so abruptly it it is necessary. The Tudor Queen is dying, which means, Princess Josette, you are the rightful heir to the throne" Everyone clapped proudly, but I couldn't help but let a sigh escape my lips. I knew this day would come, I just didn't expect it to be so soon. I put up a collected front, letting a smile set on my lips. My mother is dying. Wait...My mother is dying? "This may sound harsh, Princess, but the second your mother passed, you will be named the Queen of England, meaning, it is time you and Francis wed. Adjustment in England will be easier for if you have Francis knowingly at your side. With these joint powers together, England and France could rule the world" I huffed, feeling Francis' grip tighten on my hand "We must celebrate!" Henry called out to the room "It's god's will" "My mother is dying" I whispered to Francis and talking filled the room. Sure my mother and I are not at all as close as we used to be, but it hurts me to know that she is suffering. But I do have to say, knowing that Francis and I can be together, helps me be ok with the situation "Can you take a walk with me, please?" I asked tenderly. Francis quickly nodded before leading me out to the gardens "Are you breathing easier now?" Francis hummed after we had walked for a few moments "I suppose. I just can't believe my mother is actually dying and there is nothing I can do about it. I could go back to England, but I don't know how bad her condition is. For all I know, she could be dead by the time I arrive" I ranted, feeling the comfort of Francis' fingers brushing over mine "But there is something I'm undeniably excited for" I turned to Francis, a smile glimmering over my lips "And I wonder what that could be" Francis hummed sarcastically, and I shook my head chuckling "Josie, I know my father did not pose our marriage as a question so I will" Francis stopped him and I from walking any further. He gently knelt down on one knee, holding my hands in his. This is happening. It's actually happening "Princess Josette Tudor, give me the honor of arguing with you, listening to you, ruling the world with you, and loving you until the day I die. Marry me, would you?" "Yes, yes" A smile spread wide across my face as I nodded my head. Francis picked me up gently by the waist, spinning me around, leaving messy kissing all over my face before leaving a lasting one of my lips. How did I get so lucky? We soon ran back to the castle, hand in hand. Just as we entered, I was greeted by a guard with a letter in his hand "Princess, this is for you" I took the letter from him before speaking "Who is it from?" "I did not look, Your Highness. All I know is that it's from England" He spoke before dismissing himself. I looked at the paper before silently gazing up at Francis "I'm going to my chambers, darlings I will see you soon" I left a lasting kiss on his forehead before making my way to my chambers. I sat down at my desk before opening up the letter.
My Dearest Daughter Josette,
                        I'm sure that you've already been informed, but I've decided I need to tell you myself that my life will soon be coming to an end. I can't explain to you enough about how sorry I am that you and I have drifted so much recently. I only blame myself. I suppose I just wrote you this letter to tell you that I know you will be an exceptional Queen. I realize I was not a very good example for you, but you are smart enough to know not to follow in some of my footsteps. I also want to congratulate you on your engagement to Francis. I can not express to you in words how proud I am of you, dear. This may be asking too much, but I was hoping that you and Francis would come back to England to have a formal wedding and coronation before I pass. Yes, you heard me correctly. All I want before I die is to see you, my beautiful daughter, happy and in love with the English crown set effortlessly on her head. If you do not want to come home to have the ceremony, I understand. I don't deserve you, darling. However, if you do for some reason decide to come home with your fiancé, I can't wait to see you.
   All the love in the world,
               Your Mother, Queen Mary Tudor.
My fingers tracer over her signature before I closed the letter and set it on my desk. I let out an exasperated huff before clasping my fingers over the bridge of my nose in stress.
I must go back to England.