The Great Hall

I can't tell you it will ruin everything we have. Stupid Mary for opening her mouth, she hadn't even thought about the consequences. Holding a delicate hand across her stomach Mary sat back down in her chair next to his. This family secret would ruin something in her marriage James trust perhaps.

James looked up to Mary with a frown, the goblet still at his lips. The dance finished and the music changed, a slower and more calming melody. The crowd dispersed, instead of hilarity and dancing, the crowd descended into a calm hush.

“Nothing could ruin this,” he replied sincerely, “I won’t force you but you know, love, I will listen if you want me to hear."

All this talk of secrets has made me rather tired. I shall rest for awhile and wake in the hope's that you shall come to me my love.Mary smiled gently bringing his hand to her lips. Her teeth grazed his hand like peeling the skin off a peach. She did not deserve this wonderful man that was her husband. Her hand ran through his hair, placing the strands that were uneven.

“Of course,” he said, feeling rather foolish for not realising she would need to rest. James assumed that from the moment of conception, women locked themselves away - sleeping away the days while they grew big and round. As such, he thought Mary was rather unusual and incredibly strong to be walking about court - in her usual gowns, looking glowing as ever and showing no signs of fatigue. She must surely be different from other women - my Mary, he thought, better and stronger. He stood up as she did, taking her hand and guiding her away from the table. Everyone around paused to bow, the ladies spilling in puddles of their gowns and the men bowing deeply.

He walked her away from the hall and to the great big doors that were always wide open, against the walls like permanent cladding, “I’ll come later. If you’re asleep I won’t wake you,” he said soothingly, touching her cheek affectionately, “You need your rest."

Mary tilted her head resting her cheek in the palm of his hand. Wrapping her finger into the lace of his trousers Mary pulled him closer to her. Wrapping an arm around his back as she stepped closer to him. Mary couldn't and wouldn't hold back her affections for James in public. She could reserve herself to touches and kisses behind closed doors but that would mean changing herself. In her eye's much worse things happened in these corridors than some marital bonding. I could come and find you I always have much more fun in your room than mine.

He nodded and pressed his lips against hers, soft and warm - yearning to have her but distracted by a chorus of deep laughter in the hall. The band had struck of a galliard and he could hear the raucous exclaims of his men, speaking in gaelic and chuckling about someone falling in a ditch when they were out riding. Part of James missed that, despite only being married a short while. His attentions were constantly divided - Mary’s love and the camaraderie of his friends. He hadn’t spent nearly as much time with them as he used to but he presumed now that Mary was with child, he would have more time - at least during the day - to go about his own business. Indeed, he was sure she would have her own interests to occupy her - designing the nursery to her own tastes, commissioning hymnals to be composed for the heir, being fitted for new gowns…all the things he presumed women did to fill their time.

He leaned against the door frame and kissed her again, yet moved away from her as he did, “If you aren’t too tired then come to my room,” he said - another kiss - while smiling, “I’ll see you,” one more kiss, “Later."

She curtsies low to them.I will take my leave your majesties if I may."She said with a smile on her face.

Stepping into the palace's great hall, Caspar took a deep breath and sighed, his journey was very long from Naples but he wished to see the King of Scotland to begin a friendship between Naples and Scotland. Standing there he awaited the king.

James had been home but one night when he was informed of the arrival of an Italian diplomat. He ached from days and weeks of travelling but, in typical fashion, he ploughed on - rarely allowing himself a day of complete rest. He stifled grumbles as he dressed himself, for the first time in months, in court dress. The arrival was a welcomed one. Since Jamie’s birth, James had hoped for an alliance with Italy. To align with Italy was to give favour to the Roman Catholic faith, to unite his son with God, the Pope and perhaps most importantly: wealth. However, as James made his way to the Great Hall he wished the diplomatic visit had been arranged for a few weeks later - when he had time to heal.

Entering the Great Hall, James appeared every inch a King: he wore his crown, his clan's tartan was draped over his broad shoulders and he stood at least a head above most. James smiled confidently and kindly at the man waiting, “Benvenuto in Scozia, signore,” he greeted deeply, a rehearsed opening, his accent still audible, “You are most welcome.”

"Sua Maestà" Caspar spoke looking at the King bowing to him "Grazie" he stood straight up looking back at the King "I am Caspar, The ambassador of Naples to her highness the Princess of Naples and her family, I am honored to be here with your majesty" he told him "shall we have some wine while we discuss this friendship between Naples and Scotland" the ambassador offered as he placed the parchment on the table for him from the Princess who just lost her grandfather and Casper stood there and took a seat

"Italy has been strong lately, the pope I do see him quite often."

James raised a brow discreetly - a princess of Naples? he thought. He knew of Italian nobility: the Farnese, the Medici, the Sforza…but they were independent of Spanish rule. Naples was under another land’s dominion, a land still joined with England and hardly a friend of France. None the less, James listened intently and smiled, gesturing for Caspar to take a seat.

“Wine or whiskey?” James offered and took a seat opposite the diplomat, the servant beside James already handing him a tumblr of whiskey - a creature of habit.

“You see His Holiness often?” James asked again, with an amused grin, “Are you his confessor?” he joked good-naturedly, “You must be blessed indeed.”

Caspar looked at the King and nodded "wine would be quite fine for me" he commented and sat back in his chair, he was loyal to the Princess of Naples who resided in Naples, her grandfather had just previously passed away and as did her uncle the late King, Frederick of Naples, but sadly the throne had been forcefully taken by the French but only briefly as Spain took the throne back in favor for the young Princess and rightful heir to the throne "yes the Princess of Naples requires a alliance with you, her highness Princess Juana d'Aragona, the grandchild to Alfonso II of Naples who was the daughter of Alfonso of Aragon and Lucrezia Borgia had been rightfully heir to the throne as it was in the will of her uncle Frederick of Naples and her grandfather as well, the French have usurped her rights to the throne by force by overthrowing the King" he spoke bluntly "she was to be Queen" he told the King sighing and looked to the side

taking a sip of his wine sitting there he turned back to the King "Spain intends on taking Naples back by force, it was their late King who took it from the house of Anjou some years back making his bastard son the first King afterwards, some would say Ferrante was a monster" he told the King "I only pray the young princessa will be a better ruler, she is so young" he spoke worriedly.

"Wine it is then," James said with a smile and gestured for the diplomat to be handed a generous goblet of red claret - of course, imported from France, "From Lorraine in France I believe."

Indeed, it was not just the selection of wines that Mary had introduced to court. Delicacies had been introduced and were regularly served in the Great Hall, the music - that was played almost constantly and which James could hear down the corridor - was done so with a French lilt, the palace itself had been discreetly renovated and softened to reflect the French styles. As such, it occurred to James to be rather odd that the diplomat was so undiplomatic about his feelings of the French.

He took a gulp of whiskey and finally interjected, “Indeed I offer my sympathies…yet my land, my entire kingdom is joined with the France. There is an alliance between our countries and our people that predates even my family's own rule. What’s more, I’m sure you’ll be aware, the French had the divine support of the papal states during their dispute with Naples some years ago. Am I to disobey the holy father and revolt against my Queen’s family and my kin in order to secure your princess’s birth right? Forgive me, but to be as honest as you yourself are being, this seems like a plea for help instead of a mutually beneficial alliance…”

Caspar looked at the King listening to what he had to say as he took a sip of wine and placed his goblet upon the table "your majesty is right, it is a delicate matter indeed and it is a shame such alliances must be made so her highness will remain safe, as you know in fact as we both know, Spain wants Naples, France wants Naples, the whole of christendom wants the new world" he spoke and chuckles a bit " the Princess yes she does need assistance and a strong alliance, she does have a strong alliance but she simply wants your friendship, you see the Princess does not require you to defy the pope, there are others willing to do it instead." he told him sitting back in his seat

"I am afraid her highness is like her grandfathers both Ferdinand I of Naples and his son Alfonso II of Naples. She is cunning and ruthless, but a alliance with her would be beneficial as she has the Emperor at her backside and also that of Spain. You see, Castile's Queen is her cousin, Juana had been loyal to her majesty and her family for many years but if she must defend Naples, she shall use Naples and Taranto at her side, I am told Philip has been rather close to her highness" the ambassador spoke telling him

" she intends on herself with a Hapsburg union, it would be wise of her to take such a offer" the man spoke once more.

James shrugged and finished his whiskey. Caspar certainly spoke a good speech. His honesty - albeit misguided - was refreshing in a diplomat. Normally weeks of small talk would lead up to a conversation half as truthful as the one he had with Caspar in that moment. Yet, therein lay the problem for James. Cunning and ruthless perhaps but not wise enough to instruct a diplomat on the art of dicretion.

“How could she have any form of alliance with the Spanish when it is they who usurped her right to Queenship? I am a simple man but that seems illogical. Further more, how could I possibly align myself with the Holy Roman Emperor when he has been in conflict with the King of France - my own kin? To join with your princess or have an official friendship would be to dissolve all existing alliances and treaties I have worked to preserve. I have many friends, my lord, but none who would overrule the Pope - and by virtue - God himself. I am sure you can see my dilemma...”

Caspar nodded "as we both know, Spain is one of the most powerful in Europe, many want to align themselves with Spain. The Princess is a true and devoted Catholic, her grandfather who was her mother's father was pope once, many have chose to break from Rome but she remains devoted and true to the pope, the pope have already punished her mother's family brutally, Cesare's death and the fall of the Borgia of Rome" Caspar told him

"the Princess requires you not to rebell she wouldn't wish your alliances broken, it is a delicate situation and yes alliances with her may cause a uproar but you are right, she should not be loyal to her Spanish cousins, those very people who stripped her of her rights as much as the French had done so as well. But she holds no grudge against them, she wants peace but she wants what was hers back" she spoke "her security would be a son born and a strong alliance with the man she had fallen for so strongly" he told him. "If you feel afraid to grant yourself a alliance with her highness the Princess of Naples I will understand, after all you yourself had wed one of their own family" he told him once more.

James nodded and accepted another cup of whiskey, “Indeed, yet Catherine of Aragon is being so easily discarded and her home nation does nothing except offer prayers…at least from what I hear. Spain may be powerful but they are not loyal. Who exactly would want an alliance with them unless to use the Spanish as pawns.”

James wondered exactly what Caspar meant when he spoke of the Borgias, of how Pope Clement had disposed of them and of the most famous member: Cesare Borgia. James had only received a brief education on Italian politics, and though he took a more invested interest now he believed an alliance would be beneficial, he was sure the bitterness between the Medici and Borgia stemmed from personal politics and feuds instead of justified quarrels.

James was surprised further that a woman of such ambition would marry for love instead of wealth or security. If she married well she might inherit an army or land, if she married for love then only that would hold it together. As far as James was concerned she seemed to be a young woman, seeking her birth right, but who was terribly ill advised and naive.

“My Lord, I have a son. A strong boy. If your princess were to have a girl then I could understand why she sent you to me but alas she has no heir, no army, no land and many enemies. It is not fear that prevents an alliance but care for my own child. My son will inherit my crown and it is mine and the Queen’s aim to ensure he does so when he is of an age, not because his father is assassinated by foolish decisions.”

Caspar listened intently to the Kings decision and nods "then the decision is final, I will see to it the princess marries this man she had fallen in love with, and when she has children, especially a daughter I will alert you of any news of such births, maybe then a alliance will form between you both. She is young yes but I know the dangers she had experianced, bloodshed and murder and much scandal, her father was murdered I am sure you heard of him" Caspar told him speaking of Alfonso of Aragon, Duke of Bisceglie and Prince of Salerno. By rights the Princess would have inherited her father's lands with her brother at her side as well.

"I have a duty in Naples, I will write to your majesty of any news of the princess." he spoke telling him and bows to his majesty, it wouldn't be long he took his leave from the walls leaving behind the parchment stating the land and properties the Princess already had including Taranto. Returning to Naples he returned to his duties at hand.

Mary walks into the hall with her ladies in waiting and guards trailing behind. Seated upon her throne the music starts. Her ladies in waiting’s blush as the lords ask for their hand to dance. The dancing couple first dance a Ceilidh; and then other dances and end with a Scottish highland dance.