Chapter 12

Standing in Maitland's castle, putting on her mask in preparation for the masquerade ball, Mary had no idea how much John Knox's hatred for her had deepened, and even if she did, she wouldn't care.

She had already experienced firsthand how extreme, stubborn, and unreasonable this pastor who spearheaded the Protestant reformation in Scotland was when she tried to reconcile with Knox in her previous life.

In Knox's eyes, only Calvinist doctrine was truth and justice, and everything else was heresy. Rome was the most heretical of heretics, and she, a Catholic, would never be forgiven unless she converted.

Calvinism, on the other hand, advocates the abstinence of all worldly pleasures. All poetry, music, food, and love are considered evil. People should live like ascetics, and all commoners should obey the priests. Kings, queens, and all nobles should be the nurse mothers of the church, providing nourishment for it. Nothing in this world is worth cherishing; everything is preparation for going to heaven.

Mary rejected this doctrine.

She loved the human world more than the unattainable paradise.

Maitland went to great lengths to welcome Her Majesty the Queen.

After rumors of Mary's return to France spread, this astute nobleman began to inquire about all of the Queen's preferences, including how she loved all art and poetry while at the French court, and how she was particularly fond of horseback riding and hunting.

Nearly a hundred beeswax candles were lit on tall wrought iron candlesticks, illuminating the entire castle hall. These odorless candles are always expensive, costing dozens of times more than ordinary candles.

The French chefs, specially prepared to cater to the Queen's tastes, were busy in the kitchen, preparing exquisite dishes and using spices lavishly.

Meanwhile, the bishops, abbots, and other noble lords from the nearby territories were all invited by Maitland and, dressed in their finest attire, arrived at the ball, chatting and laughing.

In addition, for entertainment, Maitland specially hired a circus and prepared playing cards, chess, and dice. If the Queen suddenly felt like hunting the next day, he would prepare horses and muskets in the stable in advance, ready to set off at any time.

Mary was naturally aware of the warm hospitality she received, so when she danced the opening dance with Maitland, she said, "Earl Lettington, you have gone to great lengths to welcome me."

“Please just call me by my given name, Maitland…” Maitland took Mary’s hand and twirled around the hall, continuing, “…As a vassal, it is my honor and duty to make the monarch feel at home in the castle.”

“But I noticed that you invited many nobles and bishops, but not my brother, Earl Morrie,” Mary said.

Upon hearing the Queen's question, Maitland smiled with a mix of lightness, humility, and slyness.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my bold speculation, but I imagine that at such a joyous moment, you would not wish to see Count Mori—that nobleman who dares to overstep royal authority and, like you, claims to be royalty,” Maitland said.

Mary's lips curled up slightly, then quickly returned to their normal shape.

I must say, those words were incredibly thoughtful.

“I thought you didn’t invite Maitland because of personal grudges. I heard you and James don’t get along well, and you even argued about the ownership of a piece of land two years ago, didn’t you?” Mary said calmly.

The probing ended there. In the second half of the dance, neither Mary nor Maitland spoke, as if they were completely immersed in the beautiful dance.

As soon as the opening dance ended, and everyone was free to invite their own dance partners, Mary asked Maitland, who was about to invite another lady, to wait a moment, and then sent someone to fetch Mary Fleming.

Fleming wore a light blue dress, a mask decorated with parrot feathers, and a pearl necklace, making her look as graceful and beautiful as a lark.

She quickly made her way through the crowd in the bright candlelight, and then walked up to Mary and curtsied gracefully.

“Your Majesty, did you call me?” Fleming asked.

“Yes, I would like to introduce you to a dance partner. This is Earl William Maitland Lettington, who is also my Secretary of State…” Mary paused briefly, then continued to Maitland, “…this is Mary Fleming, one of my maids and friends who accompanied me to France more than a decade ago, the youngest daughter of Lord Malcolm Fleming. At balls, I am always the one being introduced, but I have never been the introducer, so I hope you two will not mind my sudden idea.”

Maitland certainly wouldn't mind. If the Queen was willing to introduce him to a dance partner, it undoubtedly represented an attitude of valuing him. Even if she introduced him to that fat, barrel-like noblewoman not far away, he wouldn't mind. Besides, Mary Fleming was so lovely and beautiful.

In fact, Maitland was already captivated by the moment she stepped through the crowd to the Queen's side and didn't want to look away.

“It would be my pleasure… Miss Fleming, may I invite you to dance?” Maitland immediately bowed and asked.

“I would be more than happy to,” Fleming said.

The two quickly and happily took hands, walked onto the dance floor, and danced gracefully to the accompaniment of the band. They did not separate after the song ended, and soon started dancing again when the next song began.

Mary chatted with a few nobles and bishops for a few minutes, then sat down in a chair to sip red wine, showing no intention of going back to dance.

Fleming was the same age as her and had always been the most clever and beautiful of the four Marys. Moreover, he was her cousin by blood.

Her mother was one of James IV's illegitimate daughters.

Putting aside the messy blood ties between nobles and royalty, the main reason Mary introduced Fleming to Maitland was that they had been in love in a past life, and their marriage was said to be going very well.

Mary is now bringing the two of them together a few years early, hoping that, like in their previous life, they can also form a marriage.

...

Mary spent three days at Maitland's castle, during which she was treated with the highest level of hospitality by the Minister of State. During a secret meeting in the study, she also received his half-hearted but not entirely genuine loyalty.

Maitland had long disliked Count Mori.

Scotland's power is limited, so why has the Earl of Maurice been able to maintain his dominance over the past few years, forcing him to be second only to the king? If the Earl of Maurice were a legitimate monarch, it would be one thing, but he is merely a nobleman like Maitland, a bastard born from an affair between his mother and King James V.

This is a great situation for Mary.

If the Scottish nobles were a united front, working together to tacitly undermine her power as monarch, it would put her in a very difficult position.

Maitland's appearance was just right, allowing her to leverage the power of James, the Earl Regent, and gain decision-making power over some affairs in Scotland.

Finally, it was a letter from her confidential secretary, Basil, from Holyrood Palace that convinced Mary to return to Edinburgh immediately.

Of those hundred-odd fanatical Protestants, not all had an iron will. She tried to have Basil bribe a few weaker Protestants with gold coins, instructing them to report any unusual behavior by John Knox to the palace.

The Protestants reported that John Knox had found a long-hidden witch in Edinburgh and uncovered her crimes of inciting Christians to do evil, harming infants to make magic oil, spreading plagues, and setting fires in secret.

John Knox wanted to burn this heinous witch at the stake.