The Scottish royal family has two important castles, namely Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace.
Among them, Edinburgh Castle has been an important symbol of royal majesty since its establishment in the sixth century for nearly 1,000 years. If Mary Stuart lives in the castle every day, she can look down on all the residents of Edinburgh and grasp every dynamic every morning. If a war unfortunately breaks out, she can rely on the unique terrain of the castle located on a dead volcano to quickly turn it into a strategic location that can be attacked and defended.
If there is anything wrong, it is that Edinburgh Castle is too simple and looks more like a military fortress than a palace. It has begun to not conform to the aesthetics of comfort and magnificence pursued by European noble kings since the Renaissance.
As for Holyrood Palace, this palace was originally a monastery. Later, it was rebuilt by Mary Stuart's grandfather and father successively. It has become a very comfortable residence. It's a pity that it was looted by England again. Until now, there are still gray and black marks of artillery fire on the walls.
After thinking for a while, Mary Stuart finally decides to lead everyone to Holyrood Palace for rest, just like in her previous life.
In the original plan to return home, if everything went well, she should now take a carriage with a large group of followers to patrol inside and outside Edinburgh, and accept the cheers and donations of coins from her subjects, but with her current embarrassed appearance, it is better to postpone the patrol of the territory.
This is not because she is so face-saving, but as a female monarch who is naturally lacking in prestige, she indeed needs to establish her own majesty in all aspects so that others can obey her, just like Elizabeth I, when she appeared in front of everyone, would be used to wearing luxurious clothes embellished with pearls and gems to open up the level gap with others.
The Queen of Scotland brings a group of people to Holyrood Palace quickly, and moves in after the servants' preliminary cleaning. The twists and turns on the way back home finally come to an end.
But after nightfall, something unexpected happens to everyone.
The common people of Edinburgh spontaneously rush to Holyrood Palace in the middle of the night. Even after being blocked outside the palace by the guards, they are still very enthusiastic and lingered without leaving.
They quickly find a lot of dead branches and start a pile of bonfires, so that the bright firelight could be seen from any window of Holyrood Palace, in order to express their sincere welcome and love to the queen.
When Mary Stuart is awakened by Seton, she looks out of the stone window of the bedroom and sees a pile of bright bonfires in the distance, which makes the night as bright as day. Citizens in colorful Scottish skirts, regardless of gender and age, all dance around the bonfire hand in hand.
Next to them, there are some people who know how to play music sitting on the stone, playing the unique Highland bagpipes, shepherd's pipes and lambskin drums of Scotland, and the dancers sing hymns loudly in response.
Those rough and loud voices spread along with the night wind, allowing Mary Stuart standing by the window to feel the welcome joy contained in them.
"What a touching scene. Even though you have been away from Scotland for more than ten years, the common people still miss you..." Seton, who was born sentimental, covers the mouth and says, and tears are already in the eyes, "... The news that the lords welcomed your return was passed to the servants, and the servants spread it to the citizens. As soon as they heard about it, they immediately came to pay tribute to you and offer blessings from their subjects."
Mary Stuart stands in front of the half-open window without speaking, just focusing on the citizens in front of her, with the burning fire clearly reflected in her pupils. She gets up too quickly and doesn't have time to put on warm fur.
The wind in the middle of the night is damp and cold, just like her heart that has gradually cooled down after years of imprisonment, without any hot temperature and warm emotions.
Nothing can't be polished by time.
Mary Stuart's feelings when she was young were foolish, but also passionate and pure. Whether she fell in love with Lord Darnley or Bothwell, she was willing to give everything to her lover without leaving any bottom line.
But that was her youth after all.
When Henry joined other nobles to betray, her cousin Elizabeth chopped off her head, her own son James VI ignored her imprisonment for more than ten years, and when monarchs and Catholics of various countries only used her as a banner to rebel against Elizabeth's rule to fight for interests, she would never linger on any personal feelings.
Mary Stuart puts her hand on her chest and touches her heart, which is beating secretly.
Since her immigration and rebirth, she has only wanted to change the fate, and has no other goals. But now, looking at these people who cheer and love her, listening to these rough and loud songs, she suddenly feels the same excitement as when she was young.
-﹣Maybe I should do something for them.
-﹣For these most ordinary civilians who instinctively love and believe in her monarch.
Thinking of this, Mary Stuart asks the maid to relight the lights in the palace, and then sends people to distribute wine and bread to them, indicating that she has felt the welcome of the citizens.
The citizens who receive the wine and bread soon realize that the queen is also looking at them, and they all tiptoe towards Holyrood Palace.
Mary Stuart stands in front of the window, smiling and waving to these people.
"Long live the queen!"
Waves of cheers break out instantly, and people rush to stare at the young and beautiful figure of the queen in front of the window, and then shout loudly "Long live the queen", and sing various songs praising the Virgin Mary with a louder voice.
Because of the popularity of Calvinism in Protestantism, under the leadership of John Knox, the citizens of Edinburgh has long been banned from all kinds of secular enjoyment, and even singing could only be religious songs, but this does not prevent them from comparing their queen to the Virgin Mary at this moment!
…
Earl Moray, who lives in the next room, is also awakened. After obtaining the queen's consent, he walks in and watches the civilians singing and dancing in the distance with his sister.
"What an amazing scene, my dear sister. After staying in France for more than ten years, I really didn't expect you to have such a reputation among the common people. I came back several years earlier than you and gave alms to the poor every month, but I have never been so warmly welcomed by the people... Frankly speaking, I am a little jealous of your popularity, Mary." Earl Moray jokes.
"I think this is natural. People will always look forward to a wise and tolerant monarch to rule them so that they can have a better life. I have just returned to my country and will naturally bear their hopes. As for you, James, my dear brother, I believe that the poor people who have received your alms, their cheers every time are also from the heart, and they will pray to God to bless you every day." Mary Stuart says.
For the first time, Earl Moray feels that the sound of these Highland bagpipes is so noisy and harsh. He resists the urge to cover his ears and nods obediently: "Yes, it is true, but generally speaking, this excessive enthusiasm will dissipate in less than a month or two."
"Not necessarily, my dear brother, as long as they are under my rule, they will have a richer and better life, and I believe such cheers will continue then. This is also the responsibility of a monarch." Mary Stuart says calmly.
"Well, It is truly difficult to rule a country, especially Mary, you are so young, why not learn from me for a few years, understand the situation in Scotland, and then try to handle government affairs?" Earl Moray says still in a joking tone.