2nd of March 1535 - Milan, Italy

Tapping his fingers against the table, Henry eyed the other three men that were seated at the table and had to admit that this was not what he had been expecting when they had started off on this endeavour. 

The news that the Spanish force had been routed at a battle near Saluzzo, had been a source of joy for them and it meant that they had more time to establish their hold on Italy while the Spanish now had to recover their forces. 

"I am most pleased to have you join us on our expedition against the Emperor," Francis stated leaning back in his chair, he did not think that they would have others that wished to join them. 

All details surrounding the conquest had been sorted out especially in regards to lands and titles, he had not thought that there would be others to contend with. 

"Although I must admit that I am confused about what you hope to gain from this alliance," Francis continued, he wanted to make sure that his own interests where protected as much as everyone else's. 

Milan and Naples were his, just as much Florence would fall into the Tudors hands to be handed over to his daughter and son-in-law so that they could rule there. 

The last thing they needed was to divide things up again, it had taken time to get to this point and fickle Henry was not someone that Francis wanted to deal with if he felt like he was being undercut in some way. 

"The defeat of our joint enemy is a fine start, we have no desires for lands here in Italy but marriages are something that we can agree with," Philip murmured looking to the two men that had joined with him. 

It had been something that they had discussed and he did not see how anyone could refuse, although it was worth noting that the King of Scotland was notable absent from this meeting. 

"My apologises King Francis, but your sons our a little old. I have a daughter, who is the right age for the Prince of Wales," Christian announced knowing that stroking the ego of King Henry was a good start. 

He and his wife had two children and he was determined to make sure that his daughter married well, what better title could there be than Queen Consort of England for his daughter, Anne.

"Just as I have a son, who would be a fine match for the Princess Elizabeth," Gustav agreed with a nod of his head, it truly was nothing against the French king but he did not have children in the same range of age. 

Nor did he currently have any grandchildren that could be used to secure the alliance between the countries, it was almost a shame for that but luckily it seemed that King Henry did have. 

Henry could not believe his luck, he had not imagined such matches but he could not deny they were tempting; he was sure that Anne would be thrilled with such news and would be pleased to hear of the matches. 

Elizabeth would be Queen of Sweden, a fact that would greatly please his wife; she talked often of how their eldest daughter was destined to be a Queen and now he had the chance to make her so. 

"Of course, gentlemen. We shall discuss this further, I would be honoured to join our royal houses in such a way," Henry agreed eagerly, he was sure that negotiations would take time and would give him the chance to share the wonderful news with his wife. 

Their daughter would be a Queen, that he could make happen and they could secure the future Queen of England in the same deal. 

"And I hear that Your Majesty is in the market for a new wife, I would like to offer my sister in that regard," Philip offered turning to look at Francis, his sister was a little old for the Dauphin but she was certainly old enough to marry the King of France. 

He cursed their mother for not arranging a marriage soon for his sister but he could make amends for that now, especially if he could make her a Queen; a title that Elisabeth more than deserved. 

Francis was silent, a small frown on his face as he pondered the offer and knew that creating a strong alliance was needed. 

He had to put his country first, he had to make sure that his family remained secure and if marrying into the house of Hesse would do that then he would consider it. 

***

Staring at the portrait that had been sent to his rooms, Francis could not decide what to make of the proposed match that Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse had offered to him. 

While he had been looking for a bride, he had not considered a match like this one; he'd had his councillors looking into French noblewomen for a future Queen. 

"What do we think?" Francis asked leaning away from the portrait and turned to look at his advisors, he would not deny if the painter was correct that she was a good-looking woman. 

Alas, you could never tell with portraits if they were painted to flatter the person that they were portraying; only a meeting in person would tell them if the person looked like the painting. 

"It is a very flatting painting of the lady," Anne de Montmorency, Marshal of France stated eyeing the painting, it did not matter how nice she looked if she was unfit to be seated upon the throne of France next to his sovereign. 

After the mess that had been King Francis' marriage to Eleanor of Austria, no one was eager to repeat such a thing especially when they needed to further secure the Valois line. 

"What do we know of her?" Francis asked moving to take a seat, he poured himself a drink and looked around the room wishing to know more of this Elisabeth of Hesse. 

Philip had assured him that his older sister was pure, she had never been engaged and would be a fine fit for the French throne; she had been educated by the best tutors that their mother could obtain. 

"She is reported to have admirable diplomatic skills, she restored the peace between her brother and their mother, in regards not only to the dowager Landgravine of Hesse had wished to remarry," Anne de Montmorency noted reaching for the report that had arrived with information about the bride that Philip had offered to his King. 

It was strange to think that this woman could be the future Queen of his country, this certainly was not a match that they would have considered normally. 

However, the alliance rested on creating a strong foundation against the Emperor, the English were in negotiations for their end of the bargain and now it was the turn of the French.

"She also mediated between the two of them regards matters of the church," Cardinal de Tournon inserted with a frown, he was not entirely sure of this match and was certain a more Catholic match could be made for the sake of their country. 

The last thing France needed was a heretic sitting on the throne of just like the English had, he heard stories of the religious houses being shut down and the money being used to line King Henry's pockets. 

"She was raised in the Catholic faith, although it is noted that Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse is of the Lutheran faith, it is likely she follows her mother's faith," Anne de Montmorency pointed out, he glared at the Cardinal knowing that none other than a Catholic match would matter to him. 

They did not have the luxury of that right now, they needed to secure their place in the alliance; they had connected them to Scotland with the impending marriage of Princess Madeleine to King James of Scotland but that was not enough. 

The last thing that they needed was for England to wield to much power especially given how fickle King Henry was, they needed to make sure that they also had connections to the rest of the alliance. 

Already there were talks of a marriage for the Dauphin that would strengthen France even more, however there had been a pause in negotiations that did not fill them with hope. 

Cardinal de Tournon turned to Anne de Montmorency, a glare upon his face and he started to whisper to him so that their King did not hear. 

Resting his elbows upon the table, Francis clasped his hands in thought as he stared at the portrait; he had always put his country first and that was not going to change now. 

"Tell the Landgrave of Hesse that we have an agreement," Francis announced stopping whatever whispered argument that was occurring between the Cardinal and Montmorency who were now staring at him shocked. 

Neither spoke for a moment as they tried to wrap their heads around Francis' decision before Anne de Montmorency nodded his head and moved to leave the room. 

Ignoring the look that Cardinal de Tournon face, Francis got back to his feet and approached the portrait of Elisabeth of Hesse, the woman that would be the next Queen of France.