The Heiress

Chapter 8: For Scotland

"T-tomas...you're kind and handsome. And very charming." I told him

"I sense a refusal."

"But I was sent here to wed a nation, not a  man." I said when he handed me a letter

"What's this?" I asked

"My father's been writing to the pope. Arranging things to make me legitimate. He's dying and I'm his only living son. His grandson is next in line, he's only three years old." He said "He doesn't trust the regent, so to save our Portugal, he wants me on the throne. It would be announced any day now."

I can't believe I'm considering this.

"So you see, I can lay my heart at your feet, and my country as well. We can save Scotland, if you marry me. Will you?"

"Let me think." I can't do something rash.

I rode my horse and rushed my way back into the castle to find someone.

"Francis."

"Claude, what is it?" He told me

"Can you give me armies?" I asked him

"I beg your pardon?" He asked

"England is passing by Scotland's borders, again. Can you give me armies?" I asked him again.

"I have no power to order armies, I have to ask my father." He said rushing to go out.

Francis

"Father, Claude needs men." I said

"For what?" He asked

"To guard their borders." I told him

"Borders?" He laughed it out like nothing. "No, I won't waste any of our armies just to protect borders." He said with finality

"Father! When Claude and I are wed. It will be repayed so can you give Scotland armies?" I said, the room was filled with tension

"That's the point. You still aren't wed." I was confused "Are you going to be a king like that someday?" He asked me

"What?"

"So kind and giving. Are you going to kill all of your men when the time comes?" He asked me, there was fury.

"Father I-"

"No Francis! Harden your heart. The more hard it becomes, the more a great king you'll be. Learn to deceive and threathen, my heir." He said then left me.

Mary

"I can't believe it. A real proposal from a soon to be king?" Margaux said. "What did your uncle say?" She asked referring to the letter that had came again

"It's my mother. She said she needs men now." I said, she must've felt my nervous tone so she diverted the topic

"Come on, there's a luncheon feast downstairs. Let's get you dressed." She said before we head down

When we got down there was music, Francis asked me to dance.

"Claude, believe me I've argued with my father already. I've explained why it is politically a good idea. I've done everything I could reasonably do." He said

"Then maybe you should try to be unreasonable."  I told him when suddenly Tomas snatched my hand from his

"Can you put some Portugal music?" Tomas told the musicians.

And as we danced I kept trying to get out of his grip but he wouldn't let me.

"Apparently, they do things differently in Portugal." The king said