Chapter Seventy: Christina of Denmark

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20th of January 1535 - Milan, Italy

Allowing her maids to prepare her for bed, Christina of Denmark, the Duchess of Milan could not help but admire her chambers that had been gifted to her by her husband. 

It had only been a few short months since she had come to Milan, Christina had never imagined that this was how her life would work out after her father had been removed from his throne.

Nobles had rebelled against her father and offered the throne to his uncle, Duke Frederick of Holstein forcing the entire family into exile. 

Even the fact that her mother was the sister of the Holy Roman Emperor had done little to secure her father in his position which had left Christina and her siblings in a rather uncertain situation.

Instead of finding herself married off to a prince which would have suited her station as a Princess of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden; she instead found herself wed to a man old enough to be her father while she was only thirteen. 

Not that she could complain, the Duke had been nothing but kind to her since she had arrived and Christina had been treated lavishly by the people who welcomed her as their new Duchess. 

Francesco might not have been what Christina would have chosen for herself but she was contented to be his wife, she would play her part and secure her husband's position when the time was right.

Staring at herself in the mirror, Christina tried to push past the unfortunate memories of the past; she was sure that the usurper would be put down one day and her father restored to his rightful place. 

Having been raised by grandaunt and aunt, Margaret of Austria, and Mary of Hungary, she could not truly remember her mother who had died several years earlier.

Her dark locks were freed from their confinement atop her head and Christina pursed her lips as she eyed the ladies that were in her service that had been gifted to her by her husband. 

Though she did not doubt for a moment that there were spies set upon her that reported her every move, her letters to her father checked and she was treated with suspicion especially now that there was a new king on Denmark's throne.

King Christian III had not long succeed to the throne after the death of his father, King Frederick and Christina could not help but feel amused by the man who shared her father's name. 

He already faced rebellion from those who wished to see her father restored to his rightful place, rather than imprisoned as he had been in recent years.

The doors to her chamber swung open causing a loud crash when the door hit the wall, the sudden intrusion snapping Christina from her thoughts and she turned to glare at whoever had disturbed her peace. 

Seeing the frantic expression on the maid's face, made her pause and Christina was almost convinced that the lady might just keel over as she looked pale in the face and her eyes wide.

"What is it?" Christina demanded, waving the ladies that were attending to her away and she moved to stand from her vanity where she had been preparing for bed. 

She could not imagine why someone would disturb her in such a way considering the late hour, perhaps her lord husband had drunk too much and requested her presence. 

Such a thing would be refused, of course, she was not of age to warm his bed and she was certain any number of whores would do the job until such a time that she could do it.

"There is an army approaching my lady," the maid announced causing whispers to fill the room, the news was quickly filling the villa that Christina called home and there was no denying what was about to happen. 

It had been her duty to inform the Duchess of Milan, to let her know what the Duke wished for her to do during this time but panic had consumed her. 

Memories of the whispers of what had occurred when the Emperor and his men had sacked Rome had not been forgotten, the men were saying that this army was even larger.

"Where is the Duke?" Christina ordered, she wished to see her husband and she would not allow anyone to say that the Duchess of Milan cowered away when her people needed her. If there was to be a battle, then God willing she would play her part.

***

"My Lord Husband," Christina called hurrying down the steps, clutching at the bottom of her nightgown so she would not trip and ignoring the looks that others offered her as she rushed to Francesco. 

Her appearance did not matter in the face of an army that was marching upon them, she wished to see him before he rode out and she would not rest until this battle was done.

"My Christina," Francesco greeted softly, stepping forward to cup her cheek and he smiled down at her knowing that he had been truly blessed to call her his wife. 

Never had he imagined that he would find such happiness, despite their age difference Francesco was certain that he had found the one to spend the rest of his life with. 

The worries of battle weighed upon him and the reports that he had received did little to raise his spirits, never had he imagined that Milan would see such an attack of this kind during his reign.

"It is the French, they have come to claim back the lands that were lost to them," Francesco explained softly, he dared not tell her that there were reports that the french army was not alone. 

His hands trembled softly wondering if this might be the last time he would see her, he was riding off into battle and he knew that he was unlikely to win but he could not concede to the French. 

He had married Christina because of her Imperial connections and he knew that the Emperor expected him to hold Milan for him.

Originally, he had wished to marry Dorothea but Charles V had refused, instead it had been negotiated that he marry Christina instead. 

He'd had the palace which they called home redecorated for her and Christina was very popular in Milan, where she was regarded as a symbol of peace and hope for the future after decades of war, and her beauty was much admired.

"And we shall beat the French dogs back," Christina declared, she would not see Milan fall and she knew that this could mark a change that would see her and her husband favoured by her uncle. 

Charles would surely reward them if they defeated the French and allowed for his plans to expand the Hapsburg empire so that finally Europe would know peace.

"I am afraid not my love, the French are not alone. It appears that the Kings of England and Scotland have found themselves in alliance with the French," Francesco told her quietly, fear in his eyes at what this would mean. 

There had been no warning that they were coming, surely if the Emperor had such knowledge, then he would have informed him.

Alas, there was little that could be done now other than attempt to hold off the army that was very nearly at the gates and would soon overrun the city itself. 

He took Christina's hand and pressed a kiss to it, she would pray for him and Francesco was certain that God would welcome him at the gates of heaven when he arrived there.

Francesco had never really recovered after he survived a poison attempt years before, and there was concern that he would never be able to have children and die without heirs. 

According to the marriage settlement, the Duchy of Milan was to become a part of the Empire if it did not result in issue and Francesco knew that it was all part of the Habsburg plot to further secure their rule across the continent.

"The royal standards have been spotted. King Francis, King Henry and King James are here upon our very doorsteps," Francesco continued wishing that he had never been told such news. 

Perhaps if he did not know then he would have ridden out on his stallion without fear in his heart, knowing he would return him the victor and they would have feasted in celebration. 

Around him, others prepared to ride out to what he knew would be nothing but death and Francesco refused to say that he was not one of them; he would not allow good men to die while he cowered in his keep.

"Be safe husband," Christina whispered and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, her dark eyes searching his face and she held his hand for a long moment before he was ready to mount his horse. 

Her eyes watching him and she wore a smile on her face as she watched him, the men started to march out of the gate and Christina could feel her heart pound to the beat of the steps.

Only once Francesco was out of sight did the smile fall from her face, Christina knew what must be done and she must do it now; there would be no time especially when the three armies had defeated Milan's small force.

***

The sound of quill upon paper filled the room as Christina tried to focus on what she was writing, her heart pounded in her chest and her hand shook as she tried to make sure that the message that she was writing was clear. 

Occasionally, she would press to hard and the tip of the quill would go through the parchment or there would be a large blot of ink on the page.

This letter was her only hope and if this was her last act as Duchess of Milan then so be it, she would settle for no less and then her uncle would at least be able to get revenge for what had been done here. 

From her chamber where she was writing, Christina could hear the footsteps of servants rushing around the halls and with each passing minute she feared that her time was up.

Christina had dismissed many of her ladies upon her return to her chambers, there would be no grand fate for them should they remain with her and she very much doubted that it would end well for her once the walls had been breached. 

The door to her chamber slowly open causing Christina to pause in her writing, she looked back over her shoulder and eyed her most loyal friend and servant.

"What news?" Christina asked, surely there would be news by now about how the battle was fairing and she turned back to finish her letter. 

Folding the letter, Christina moved to seal it with wax and she prayed that the messenger that was outside of her chambers would be able to deliver it to the intend recipient without being captured.

"The Duke has fallen," Francesca Paleologa of Montferrat informed her, she had been Christina's chief lady-in-waiting since she had arrived and she knew that this was not the news that her dearest friend would have wanted. 

The death of Francesco would bring nothing but trouble and she moved to comfort Christina who stopped dead in her actions.

Tears formed in Christina's eyes for a moment, this was not how her marriage was meant to end and she squeezed her eyes shut trying to hold back the grief that now welled inside of her. 

A small prayer for her husband covered her lips before she grabbed the letter that she had been writing and moved towards the door, she did not hesitate to throw it open and hand it to the messenger that was waiting outside.

"You must make haste, time is of the essence," Christina demanded of him, she could hear the screams from downstairs and she knew that they were moments from facing the savages that dared to invade her home. 

The messenger nodded before taking off, she did not care how he escaped Milan only that he did so before being captured. 

Returning to her chamber, Christina stood in a trance not sure what she should do now; her hands trembled and she prayed that God would have mercy on her soul if her life was to end this night.

"The walls have been breached. Milan is now in the hands of the French," Francesca whispered from her position by the window, it appeared that Milan was burning and her hands would not stop shaking. 

Moving away from the window, Francesca quickly approached Christina and clasped her hands knowing that their lives would never be the same.

They could hear the shouting of the soldiers and the screams from the servants from where they stood, there was no way for them to leave and Francesca was certain that Christina would refuse to do so. 

It was not long before the door to the chamber was flung wide and several men in armour entered the room, Francesca moved to stand in front of Christina in an effort to shield her from harm only to be slapped out of the way.

"My Lady. You are to come with us," the man in front announced to them, his Italian was rather impressive and Christina struggled to place him but she knew him to be an Englishman. 

Her eyes swept over the others and she did her best to conceal her fear, her shoulders rolled back and her back was straight as she stared them down.

"I shall go nowhere with you, I am the Duchess of Milan. This is my home," Christina reminded them, it did not matter that Francesco was gone as in his death the city would become part of the empire. 

She sounded brave than she felt and Christina could only glare at them as two guards stepped forward to secure her.

"You are to be taken from this place and placed in the Duke of Lorraine's care until such a time you can be ransomed back to the Emperor," the man informed her, he signalled for her to be removed knowing that the Kings would be arriving soon and would not wish to see the former Duchess causing any problems. 

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