The Chambers of the Emperor at the Court of England

Isabella, clutching her chair to try and stop fidgeting feels slightly ashamed.

- A.. betrothal.

Really!
*the Emperor sounds delighted*
Between the Queen of Scots's son and...?

- Infanta Ysabeau Claire Eugenie.

Isabella takes a deep breath.

- ...With a dowry befitting her station and an offensive and defensive alliance of both Spain and Austria with France. The Queen of Scots will give up her claims to the Italian and Burgundian territories, but we must leave them open to her French merchants.

*keeps his face expressionless and his voice neutral*
You have pledged me to a defensive alliance with France?

Isabella equally emotion-less stares at the floor.

- In theory, yes.

In theory.
You have bound me, in theory, to an alliance with France, which stands between my lands in Iberia and those in Germany? To a realm known to ally itself with the Turk? To one which seeks to defy my family's- our family's- rightful claims in Italy?

*Whispering*

- ...She said she would relinquish her claims.

Whose claims?
Marie of Scots has no claims to anything I am interested in. Her husband of Francis does.

Isabella, realising that she hadn't been as clever as she thought grimaces.

- Well.. that was part of the treaty.

I think, perhaps, you should walk me through this treaty, that I may know what, exactly you have gotten me in to.

- It's simple, everything you have already been told.

If that is the case, then reading it will simply confirm what I already know.

Isabella retrieves a document, it reads:

"Marie of Scotland will concede all French claims to Italy and Burgandy in return for the marriage of her son, James, to Infanta Ysabeau Claire Eugenie complete with a dowry befitting her station and an offensive and defensive alliance of both Spain and Austria with France. By accepting her cessions of the Italian and Burgundian territories, the Holy Roman Emperor and Empress must leave them completely open to French merchants and travelers."

(OOC: Just FYI, she also swore for Francis. Her Uncle was keeper of the Royal seal, and he was present.)

*stares at the page*
Burgundy...Burgundy...ah! And the French out of Italy, leaving my lands at peace- my dear, you are a brilliant woman.
*stands up, picks Isabella bodily up from her seat and spins her around the room a few times before setting her down*
I shall send this to the Chancellory immediately, that they may handle the fine details.

Isabella is a little startled as she was expecting worse.

- You're... not angry?

By ceding French claims to territories which are rightfully mine, Marie has removed the major cause of conflict between my Empire and the French kingdom. So, while I am not happy about being pledged to defend them, neither can I be truly mad.

But we must have this sent to those clever gentlemen in the Chancellory, to ferret out the fine print.

- Right, well I suppose we best get on it.