Queen Francesca's chambers

Yes another child. I think he likes the practising instead. I laugh softly. I motion to onenof my ladies to go and get Madeleine. I motion for her to sit down as we wait, Yes of course you may see Madeleine. Just to warnnyou, she is a very active three year old girl, very strong willed as well.

I am so proud of my daughter. Her manners and her grace are more mature than her years. She is a true Princess. Madeleine this is your cousin Anne. I smile, looking back at Anne, Who will inherit your throne Anne if you produce no heirs?

We must find you someone. Some meek, mild, man who will jot want to overthrow your power and push you aside. But whom? Hmmmm..... Madeleine plays about my chambers quietly. I call for some wine and two goblets for us. Do you have any ideas?

You have a point. No man is meek and mild. Only other thing that I can think of is that you have a child out of wedlock by a man and name him your heir. A random soldier perhaps? I laugh out loud, knowing that I must sound like a fool right now. I take a big gulp of my wine and look about my room...

I collapse onto my bed and stare up to the ceiling. I miss my husband, his touch, the sweet words he whispers in my ears.

The guards of the king entered Queen Francesca´s bedroom with violence.By order of his majesty, Enrique de Albret, king of Navarre,we should lock her in prison until further notice accused of adultery.The princess Magdalena will be sent to the duchy of Teruel and she will be educated by her excellence the Duchess Quiteria de Albret
The guard said and he seized the hands of the queen strongly.

I am roughly grabbed off of my bed, jerked around so hard that my head hits a bed post, leaving a mark. Immediately I am filled with confusion and look about my room.I have done nothing wrong. Please dont do this to me. I am lead from my chambers, tears streaming down my face, my fate uncertain.

Thankfully, I am allowed back in my chambers, yet they feel so desolate, so foreign to me and it saddens me to be here. Madeleine and I come in to a roaring fire. As she plays with her dolls, I write the letter of my life...

Sancha went into the room of Francesca.
cousin, I feel all that is happening...The Duke of Genoa is a malicious man, I know you're innocent, and I think all this is a maneuver of the Duke against you...He has been in Naples on several occasions ....I want to help you,Did your know if the Duke has traveled to France in these months?
Sancha, asked shrewdly.

I hug my cousin close, happy to see her, Yes he has been to France, and Naples in these past few months....why? I look to her curiously. I am glad that someone believes me but I do not know how to convince Henry. You know that I am no whore. I begin to cry. I love Henry so much...

He has visited my husband on several occasions...it is strange ...Sancha said and hugged her cousin...I think Queen Margaret is the one behind this slander,she and the Duke

I look straight at her, You think so? But Henry wouldn't believe it and Martin? Why would he visit him? My mind drifts off to good memories as I hear my daughter playing with her dolls.

I do not know, but the Duke, visit my husband assiduously....
Sancha said confused...we need someone to talk to Queen Margaret, I'm sure she knows the truth of all

Like who? The nobles of Navarre do not like me in this moment. I take a deep breath before continuing, Do you think something happened between Martin and the Duke? If so, that would deem Cesare as unreliable but Martin would have to say it. Madeleine climbs up in my lap. Madeleine, this is your cousin Sancha. Sancha, this is Madeleine d'Albret, the apple of my eye.

Martin is a strange man ...I have come to believe that even he has intercourse with his sister Quiteria, but I can not confirm you anything....Maybe you should talk to Martin....Sancha said slyly

I don't think he likes me as well but oh well.....I set Madeleine back down and she scurries back to her dolls. ....I guess I should begin to prepare myself to be hanged as according to Navarre's laws. My case seems to be a lost cause......

But how? I still stare at the cross hanging up on my wall. I close my eyes and begin to pray silently, praying for a miracle.

I'll talk to my husband and the Queen Margaret...
Sancha said mysterious and she left the room

I smile, only slightly, as she leaves the room. I finish my prayer and sit down with my daughter on the floor. Moments like this with Madeleine are what I cherish most.