The next day, the preparations for the treaty had begun. Both Kings of France and England had met in King Francis' council chamber where both sides met to discuss what the treaty would intel. Of course, while it was the two Kings and their councils, Elizabeth and James had joined the meeting because they were both the heirs of both England and France. The couple stood off to the side as Bishop Gardner presided over the treaty signing, with drums playing. Bishop Gardner stood in front of the two Kings and said to them, "Your Majesties, with this new treaty between you both, you are required to keep peace in your kingdoms. And if God forbid, there were at some point you weren't able to rule, both kingdoms will go to Princess Elizabeth 1st and her husband, Prince James with them as Regents. If either one of you were to break it, so help you God." With that, Henry VIII and Francis 1st signed their names on the treaty, saying they were going to abide by it. Elizabeth started to clap with a bright smile as others began to join in clapping, applauding the two Kings as they shook hands with each other. Henry VIII then turned to his eldest daughter and said to her, smiling at her, "I suppose I have you to thank for this great victory, my sweet Tudor Rose. You shall go down in history with this great moment as one of your greatest victories. You will bring England such great glory and honor that will bring envy to our enemies." Elizabeth curtsied to her father and replied, "I was only thinking of what was best for England and our family, Father. There's been enough death, suffering, and bloodshed so I thought it was best to avoid it." Henry VIII smiled softly at his daughter and kissed her forehead. Elizabeth smiled brightly at her father and curtsied to him when he turned to leave the room. Francis 1st stood with James and said to him, "I'm glad that your mother and I had decided to betroth you to Elizabeth when you both were young. You're perfect for each other." James smiled at his father and replied, "I don't know how I'll ever thank you or Mother for betrothing us. I love Elizabeth with all my heart and I could never be without her." Francis 1st clapped his son on his shoulder and said to him, "The best way to thank your mother and I is to continue having more children. You have Nicholas, little Catherine, and little Fredrick. You have 2 heirs to continue our line so as long as you continue to have children, your mother and I will be happy because your happiness matters to us more than anything. Treat Elizabeth well too, she matters as well." James nodded at his father and watched as he left his side to walk over to his own wife, who smiled at her father-in-law. Elizabeth had curtsied to the French king who waved his hand at her, dismissing her from her curtsy with a smile on his face. Francis 1st wrapped his arms around his daughter-in-law and brought her into a tight embrace. He was thankful that she had thought about the treaty for France and England. He had grown tired of wars, they were expensive and not to mention tiring of so much loss.
France wouldn't have been able to bear another war with England so in a way, Elizabeth was their saving grace. They were forever grateful and in her debt. Francis 1st smiled at his daughter-in-law and said to her, "How can we ever thank you for saving us from another war, Elizabeth? We are forever grateful and in your debt. Anything you wish, it shall be yours." Elizabeth smiled softly at her father-in-law and replied, "I only did what I thought what was best for both England and France, Your Majesty. It was my duty and honor to have done so." Francis 1st chuckled and said, "Of course, my dear. You have done well as a regent of England so many times. I'm sure you will be a great Queen with James as your King Consort." Elizabeth smiled and replied, "It is far too early to tell when that will happen, Your Majesty." She then noticed that James was waiting for her by the door; with him giving her a smile. Elizabeth curtsied to the French king and said, "If you'll excuse me, Your Majesty, I'm afraid I must be going. My husband is calling for me." Francis 1st nodded at the Princess and moved aside, waving his arm as he did. He watched as his son and daughter-in-law came to each other and his son bring his own wife into a soft kiss. Seeing the two together made Francis 1st realize that he had might the right decision in choosing them to rule France when he wouldn't be able to. He knew that Henry VIII had thought that the same thing with the couple. With that, Elizabeth and James walked out of the room, with Elizabeth holding onto James' arm, and they both smiled and waved to the courtiers who had applauded them. Queen Claude came up to her son and daughter-in-law with a bright smile on her face and said to them, "Well done, you two. You have done well on this victory, though I suppose this praising so be addressed to Elizabeth since she was the one who had thought of it in the first place." Elizabeth blushed slightly and replied, "As I've said to everyone else, I was only thinking of what was best for England and France, Claude." Claude smiled at her daughter-in-law and said, "Well, I can say this much. Both France and England are forever grateful and will forever be in your debt." Elizabeth just smiled sheepishly and slightly shrugged her shoulder. James smiled proudly at his wife and said to her, "Now, don't be modest, Elizabeth. You should be proud of yourself." Elizabeth turned to her husband and replied, "Believe me, I am. I'm just trying to be humble about it. I don't want to seem like I'm cocky or boasting about it." Claude smiled softly and said to the younger woman, "And that is a good quality to have, my dear one. Especially when you are Queen. People expect Queens to be soft, quiet, sweet, kind, and humble while they expect their Kings to be strong, brave, intelligent, and glorious. A good King isn't really a King without a strong Queen by his side."
As she said those words, Elizabeth then made a vow in her head to never forget them. Those words made her want to use them with her own children. She wanted her children to thrive in the realm of royalty. They would need to if they wanted to survive. Claude took a deep sigh and said to her son and daughter-in-law, "Alright, you two. I suppose that's enough mingling for me. I shall go and retire to my chambers and rest." James looked at his mother in concern and replied, "Are you alright, Mother?" Claude nodded with a soft smile and said to her son, "Yes, I am well. I am just tired is all." James replied, "Allow me to escort you to your chambers, Mother, please." Claude smiled lovingly at her eldest son and said, as she gave her hand to her son, "Alright, my darling." Elizabeth smiled at her husband and watched quietly as her husband walked off with his mother. As Claude passed the princess with her ladies, Elizabeth curtsied deeply to the Queen as did other ladies while noblemen bowed of both courts. Elizabeth rose from her curtsy and watched on as her husband walked off with his mother. She couldn't help but feel worried that her mother-in-law was unwell and the princess vowed that she was going to find a way to get the Queen better. The princess then noticed a young man running towards her and she watched in surprise. The young man bowed deeply to the princess and said to her, "Your Royal Highness, I have been sent to bring you a message from Her Royal Highness, Princess Mary, and His Grace, the Duke of Suffolk." Elizabeth's eyes widened in concern and replied, "Are they alright? What has happened?" The young man gave the princess a reassuring smile and said, "All is well, Your Royal Highness. Her Highness, the Princess Mary, wanted you to know that she has given birth to a very healthy baby boy." Elizabeth gasped happily, while her ladies-in-waiting behind her smiled at each other and whispered a "congratulations" to their mistress. Elizabeth smiled brightly at the young man and said to him, "Thank you, sir. I shall reward you for the message." The young man bowed deeply to her and replied, "Thank you, Your Royal Highness."
After receiving news of her nephews birth and rewarding the messenger, Elizabeth rushed off to find her father to tell him the good news. She would tell her husband later after he returned from spending time with his mother. The princess then found her father with her godfather, who was beginning to age and loose his youth as days went on. Elizabeth smiled brightly at the two men who grinned at her and said, as she curtsied deeply to her father while her godfather bowed to her, "Your Majesty. I have good news I believe you'd be delighted to hear." Henry VIII smiled lovingly at his daughter and replied, "Oh, my precious jewel? What is that?" Elizabeth smiled and said, "I received word just now that Mary had given birth to a very healthy baby boy. Both mother and baby are doing well." Henry VIII grinned brightly and said to Charles, who smiled at him, "Do you hear that, Charles, my dear friend? I'm a grandfather again! A grandson!" Elizabeth smiled at her father's excitement and said, "I suppose that after the celebration for the treaty are over, we can return home to see Mary and the newest member to our great family?" Henry VIII nodded at his eldest daughter and replied, "Yes, of course. I'm sure Lizzie and Edward will be delighted in hearing our return as well." During the time that the King and Queen of England along with the Princess and Prince of Wales had been in France along with some of the court, Elizabeth 2nd and Edward were too young to join the festivities and had to stay behind in England. Elizabeth 1st had asked Mary if she would be alright if Lizzie and Edward had stayed with her family while they were gone. She knew that her twin sister would keep their half-siblings safe from any danger when Elizabeth herself couldn't. Elizabeth 1st wanted her siblings with someone she trusted and someone she knew who was loyal to her and her family. Who better to trust than her twin sister and her brother-in-law? Elizabeth 1st smiled at her father and said to him, "I'm sure they will be, Father. I shall go give my husband the great news." Henry VIII bowed his head at his eldest daughter and watched as she curtsied as well as her ladies-in-waiting then walk off. He turned to Charles and said to him, letting out a sigh, "I don't know, Charles. After this treaty, I think I'm ready to rest and maybe let go of the Crown. It needs to continue on but I feel myself getting tired of going on." Charles looked at his friend in shock and replied, "What about Queen Catherine and Elizabeth and her family?" Henry gave him a pat on the shoulder and said, "They'll be alright. I'll give permission to Catherine to remarry if she wishes to. As for Elizabeth, she's ready for ruling. She's had a lot of training and she did a wonderful job of being regent several times. I'm done with being King, Charles. My body isn't the same as it used to be. I'm not as young, strong, athletic, attractive, or as agile when I was in my youth. The Crown needs someone young to carry it on and someone who knows how to rule. Elizabeth knows how to do it all. She has gained the trust and love of the people and the court. I trust the Crown with her than any other person." Charles nodded in agreement and replied, "I'm ready as well, if I'm being completely honest. I'm not as young as I used to be and my health is not improving. I wanted to bring it up to you but I hadn't been able to. When we get back to England, I'd like to retire from court and go back home to my estate. With your permission, of course?" Henry VIII nodded and said, wrapping his arm around his close friend's shoulders, "Of course, Charles. I shall rest as well."