Mary Su Stuart

Chapter 10 Prophecy

When the all-powerful Duke of Somerset Edward Seymour disappeared from the stage of history, Elizabeth of England was living in the shadow of her younger brother Edward VI and her eldest sister Mary, and was still struggling for a legal princess status— — After all, her mother, Anne Boleyn, the second queen of Henry VIII, was rejected and even executed for adultery before her death.

Who would have expected that this unpopular daughter would actually "start the golden age at the end of the Tudor Dynasty".

At this moment, Mary seems to be far away from this "wise gentleman".

Although in later generations, she has heard many positive rumors about the virgin queen, and even once thought that she was a female benchmark.However, ever since she crossed over and became the Queen of Scots whose head was beheaded by this cousin in history, Mary's appreciation of idols has been compromised.

Now, holding a "good card" in hand, she needs to be more cautious to prevent mishaps.

As for the Valois royal family she was in now, the French court seemed too safe and comfortable, and nothing could threaten her.Henry II admired her, Queen Catherine was satisfied with her, her future husband admired her, and her uncles and sisters-in-law obeyed her...it just made her happy to leave.

Alas, Mary, who muttered silently that "her own kingship is the most reliable", needs to worry about her weak willpower from time to time.

Now she can especially understand the mood of "the warm wind makes tourists drunk, and they only regard Hangzhou as Bianzhou".Especially when she was wandering in the beautiful Loire Valley, looking up at those magnificent or beautiful castles.

Because the residence had to be cleaned regularly, the king's family often moved from the Louvre to Fontainebleau, and then to other palaces.I'm not joking, people's hygiene habits in this era are really not very good: garbage is everywhere in the palace, and there are always stools in the corners; except for the core members of the royal family who have dedicated toilets, many nobles and attendants are often unceremonious. Royal garden excretion...

Oh, it’s not just France, it’s recorded that the Tudor royal family often tours the country just to free up the palace for easy cleaning.

Cough, even if Mary calls for a "clean life" in the name of "for the health of the crown prince", she only ensures that a small area around her is quite clean.Faced with a large garbage dump that would be filled with filth after a few months, Henry II naturally had to change places every once in a while.

Today, they are located in the most prestigious royal territory, the Loire Valley, known as the back garden of the royal family and the most densely populated palaces.

Here is the Chateau de Blois, the former French royal city, covered with iris patterns of the royal family everywhere...there is Chambord Castle, which is said to have been designed by Da Vinci himself...

Mary, who seized the opportunity, ran a few times up and down the DNA-style double helix staircase, which is said to have been pioneered by Da Vinci.She was finally convinced that such a design was really suitable for some less secretive affairs—it was rumored that François I used this kind of cover to easily avoid the sight of the queen who was climbing the stairs at the same time, and he could hug his mistress at will. to make out.

What makes Mary even more delighted is that she finally touched the "Mona Lisa" with her own hands! (It is not advisable from the perspective of protecting famous paintings, but she really couldn't help it) Before she came to France, for a long time, this famous painting was placed in the Louvre.Later, Henry II took it to the palace of Chambord during a vacation.Today, the "Mona Lisa" is hanging in a long aisle with other works by Leonardo da Vinci, and Mary can reach "her" without any trouble!

Alas, thinking of how far away poor modern people can only stand and look at that rare and rare painting from afar; Mary's heart welled up with immense pride.

Yes, it is the kind of pride that a giant dragon grabs gold.Because, seeing that she liked the painting very much, Francois solemnly stated that he would apply with his father to transfer the "Mona Lisa" to her name.

Hearing this, Mary's eyes lit up.However, Henry II, who loved art, was not so easy to let go.Under the hard work of his eldest son and future eldest daughter-in-law, he promised that he would put this in the gift list when they got married.

Mary barely achieved her goal.She went to visit other castles with great interest.Oh, there is the Château de Chenonceau, the most romantic and feminine in the valley.Henry II has given it to his dear Diana, and there are many emblems with their initials at home, which can make Queen Catherine very angry...

Well, this wronged wife also got some kind of "comfort" from the king. On May 1553, 5, she gave birth to another white and tender daughter named Margaret.

Nicknamed "Margot".

Mary is very interested in this "future" "Queen Margot", and often goes to see the baby, hoping to find some shadow of the peerless beauty from her.

The queen was a little surprised at Mary's attention to her little daughter, but she kindly agreed.Today's Catherine is trusting in the good fortune of this future daughter-in-law, thinking that she is an angel who brings health.The harmonious and joyful court life reached its peak in 1555.

This year, two important things happened: first, the queen gave birth to a son, Egur François de Valois; During the battle, the Duke of Guise shined brilliantly and defeated Henry II's old opponent, Charles V, who was disappointed and tired of fighting, and tried to abdicate.

Henry II was full of energy and triumphant.His warriors in the front are unparalleled, and his family is prosperous in the rear.As a self-proclaimed romantic, in addition to his hard-working ministers, he also inevitably rewards "women".Diana got a lot of precious jewels, Mary got a lot of rare texts, and many princesses were allowed to join the winter hot spring trip (this patriarchal guy, who used to leave his daughter on vacation)... As for Catherine, she has More self-assertion power.

So, on July 1556, 7, regardless of Henry II's hidden objections, Queen Catherine met with a famous prophet in later generations: Nostradamus.

Although her future daughter-in-law Mary had successfully predicted the death of King Edward VI of England in 1553, Princess Jane Grey's short career as Queen of Nine Days, Mary Tudor's coup to seize the throne, and the death of Philip, the son of Catholic Mary and Charles V in 1554, Marriage... But these are distant stories that happened on the British Isles.For France, which is across the sea from England, the little Queen of Scots doesn't talk much.

But the future of Valois is what Catherine cares most about.

The queen must not have heard Mary's heartfelt voice, "I am trying to change, and I am determined not to tell the original history", "Shocking vulgarity is not a good thing, and it is just good to be refined."But she gradually discovered that as she grew older, Mary Stuart's tone became tighter and her surprises became less and less.

Well, Catherine believed that her precocious eldest daughter-in-law had always been favored by God.However, as the child grew up, the brilliance of the holy site seemed to no longer be dazzling.

This Italian queen loves her supreme Lord and is also keen on all kinds of occultism.With the increase of authority, Catherine, who pays attention to strange people and strange things, hears more news that suits her from both inside and outside the palace.

A certain collection of prophetic poems, which would become famous in later generations, aroused her interest during this period.

Under the gaze of the king "you are superstitious", Catherine called people to collect several volumes of poetry collections that had already been published.That is the "Hundred Poems" [Note 1555] published in [-], author: Nostradamus.

What disturbed the queen was that such a terrible accident was vaguely described in this collection of poems——

"The young lion will conquer the old,

In a one-on-one battle,

He will pierce the eyes in the golden cage,

Two wounds made one,

He finally died brutally. "

The old sorcerer who presented this collection of poems did not know whether he had ulterior motives or too much sincerity; he even hinted at the queen, which foretells the tragic end of a monarch who loves fighting.

In fact, it's hard to tell why... However, Catherine was touched and really had doubts.

But her doubts must not be publicized—although, if Mary were to read this passage, she would probably feel that it may indeed be a metaphor for the death of Henry II in history: a celebration, he was active in the tournament In the field, he was fatally wounded by a punctured helmet; and it was the young Earl Montgomery, Captain of the Scots Guards, who killed him.

Catherine had to keep her entanglement and tension in her heart until Nostradamus, the author of the poetry anthology she wanted to meet, came to Paris from other provinces.

This summons has a certain degree of secrecy.Because, in the queen's small reception room, not only was there no clerk present, even the attendants were almost all dismissed.

This gave Nostradamus room to play to his full potential.

Sitting in the room with bright and clean windows, he was a doctor, his eyes were like a torch, and he could see through the queen's bulging abdomen at a glance.

"Your Majesty, I wish you a safe and sound pregnancy with twins."

Catherine was startled suddenly, her long nails digging deep into the velvet armrest.

Although the court doctor had reminded her of this long ago, she was even more convinced when she was told by a "poet" who met for the first time.

After a few more glances, his benevolent eyebrows actually gave her the illusion of seeing him as old friends.

Nostradamus looked worried.He said slowly: "You are extremely noble, and you have given birth to eight royal descendants. However, this time, it may be more difficult than in the past... I only hope that this pair will be healthy."

Hearing his sincere concern, the queen forced a smile. "Yes, the imperial doctor thinks so too."

Well, she shouldn't have acted too surprised.Regardless of fertility or survival, the risks of twins are well known around the world.

However, the man in front of him does seem to be capable and worthy of awe.

Time was limited, and Catherine was lazy and devious. "Recently, I have noticed your collection of poems. I wonder if you are using those long and short sentences to tell some hidden stories?"

Nostradamus said without flinching: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your attention. Those are the hints given to me by the astrology, like the obscure future. I am drawn by fate and describe it."

"Perhaps, you were disturbed by rumors not long ago."

"So, you summoned me, probably because of some kind of wonderful resonance..."

He seems to be playing tricks, but also seems to have a well-thought-out plan.Catherine was a little conflicted in her heart, but out of concern for the future and respect for mysterious things, she said frankly:

"A certain passage of yours really makes people doubtful when read."

The Queen certainly can't show her urgency, even though she can almost get that part by heart.She slowly picked up the "Hundred Poems", turned out the marked page, and slowly placed it in front of Nostradamus.

"I've heard a lot of speculation. So I'm curious to know, are you hinting at something?"

This mysterious man, with a solemn face, held the book in his hand, and carefully read the passage the queen pointed to.

"My Lord is merciful, the stars are above. This is a warning, it is possible... the future."

"The lion, what do you mean?"

Nostradamus' eyes were reddish. "Protagonist, yes, Tianhuang Noble..."

The queen was stunned for a moment.

"You mean... Could it be?"

Nostradamus nodded, biting his lip.

For some reason, in Catherine's eyes, he seemed to be shrouded in a light, inexplicably kind.

"Although the world is questioning the occult... But I believe that the knowledge mastered by warlocks is by no means the same as witchcraft. So, please tell the truth."

This Italian woman has always been a standard Medici who worships God but pays more attention to the present world.She believes in heaven and cherishes secular life.She was not detached, not at all, when it came to her beloved Henry.

In the eyes of Nostradamus, the sincere queen also exudes a strange brilliance.The prophet, who was used to hiding himself from everyone, felt Catherine's true affirmation of his knowledge.

Therefore, facing her straightforward question, he decided to tell her with all his heart.

Nostradamus put down the collection of poems with great care, pulled himself together, and clearly stated the answer that the queen had always been afraid of:

"Yes, the instructions of the astrology are somewhat unfavorable to His Majesty the King."

"Oh……"

Catherine covered her mouth with her fan and nearly screamed.

Nostradamus' tone contained a heavy power. "The trajectories of the stars indicate those unusual accidents. Your Majesty is the proud son of heaven, and should be honored with glory, but you have to be... vigilant against the invasion of shadows."

Facing Catherine's terrified gaze, Nostradamus simply knelt down on one knee.

"My lord, don't be sad."

"My Lord has not yet judged, and everything is not predetermined."

"Besides, I once saw a rising and bright star, as if it was affecting the existing destiny."

"Besides, there are still many variables around His Majesty..."

He looked up at the queen and murmured: "You are so honorable, and you have a special influence on His Majesty the King."

Catherine could no longer care about her image.She leaned forward with great effort, trying to command the astrologer to get up.Seeing this, Nostradamus was flattered, and quickly turned to help the queen.

"My lord, the darkness is still far away." He comforted her. "The future is undecided."

Catherine held him anxiously. "What, then, is to be done? Henry, my lord, I must do something for him..."

Nostradamus had no intention of ambiguity, he knew everything:

"Your Majesty, you already know that Zhu Xing reminded that this is a disaster brought about by battle. Therefore, if you want to stay away from disaster—"

Catherine came to her senses, "So, it's time to stay away from the turmoil of battle."

Her sorrow could not be completely restrained. "However, Your Majesty is so brave and full of lofty ambitions. How can this be stopped?"

"You must have your way." Nostradamus sighed. "You are Her Majesty the Queen of France."

He looked at Catherine without reservation. "You may become the master of fate."

Looking at this sincere prophet, Catherine suddenly ignited courage and hope.She clenched the folding fan tightly in her hand, and there seemed to be a surge of enthusiasm in her chest.

—My lord Henry.