The meeting twixt the Queen and the Empress

(OOC: you are breaking the treaty signed with Elizabeth by claiming rights over its throne that only comes to you after Elizabeth's death. Therefore the placing of you and James as heirs to the English throne by Elizabeth is made null and void by the English law passed to make you so. So just watch it with your awarding of the Briton's Princely titles)

(OOC: Well, Marie is no expert on British law. She assumes that as James is Elizabeth's heir, he is automatically Prince of Wales. And, as far as I can recall, Marie has not once during these negotiations said anything serious regarding claiming the English throne.)

(OOC: when Elizabeth finds out that Marie has dished out a title as though Elizabeth herself is already dead there will be hell to pay...)

(there is nothing automatic about that title except that when a Prince of Wales becomes a monarch they automatically relinquish that title until they choose to bestow it upon anyone else. To the present day the title of Prince of Wales can only be granted to the heir apparent by the *reigning monarch*. The monarch can still can bestow it upon someone else besides the heir apparent if they wish. The present Prince was only created Prince of Wales at the age of 10, and waited until he was around 21 before he was officially invested and crowned Prince of Wales)

(OOC: I KNOW THAT! But Marie does not. Sometimes, people can make innocent mistakes. I would hope Elizabeth would politely explain it to her instead of going the whole fire and brimstone route*.

(OOC depends how Elizabeth finds out. If approached with some say in the matter or her approval asked she is often gracious. If it is long hidden from her she's prone to the old fire and brimstone on an alarming scale. )

(ooc- I am trying to decide how Charles will react!)

(OOC I imagine he is as intelligent as Elizabeth - and I men that as a compliment - and will try to turn it to his best advantage for a peaceful and well ruled Europe... or use the right of Kings to flip out entirely that he has not been consulted.)

(OOC: Back to the real world)

- It looks.. promising.

(OOC: Well, Marie already consulted with him on Twitter about it. And if he is anything like his son he is probably already drooling over a chance to put Ysabel of the throne of France and kill the Protestant Popess of England*.)

Than please sign.

Isabella is reluctant at first and twizzles the quill between her thumb and forefinger. Thinking about the consequences, she begins to cower away and places it on the table. But then, she pictures Elizabeth and Juan, and knows she has to go through with it. Firmly re-picking up the quill, she signs her name with the royal seal and sighs in relief.

Ysabel R.

(ooc- and he does like a foreign marriage, he being Charles, of course)

*Marie is unable to resist and she smiles broadly, resisting the urge to embrace the Empress*. *Marie signs her name as Queen of Scotland in her own right and then uses a stamp of Francois' name*.

Perfect! England shall never be able to divide these great Catholic Kingdoms again!

Isabella smiles with a hint of remorse, but pushes it to the back of her mind.

- Perfecto!

*Looks at your smile*. Is something wrong, your Majesty?

- No, I just wonder how best to inform my husband.

I suggest you intoxicate him heavily, and tell him in bed. Have you anything else you wish to discuss?

*snicker*

- No, nothing more, unless there's anything that springs to your mind?

Yes. Did you signing this make it legally binding? You did affix it with the Imperial seal, so it is binding, correct?

Ysabel rolls her eyes.

- Do you trust me?

Yes. Your husband? No. Normally I would, but as his son is the King of England, I could understand his priorities being weighted against me.

Isabella contemplates her speech for a moment, but proceeds.

- This has nothing to do with Charles, as Holy Roman Empress I see no reason why I should not do as I please. After all, this will strengthen our Catholic allies.