31

“I heard a very caustic anecdote today, madam,” Francois began cautiously, finishing his next letter. - About a certain nobleman, a close relative of a noble lady, who has neither a castle nor land.

The queen exploded. Not for the first time, the "cousin" hinted that it would be nice for him to have his own fief, but she was categorically against it. "If I give him a castle, he will go there. No, I don't want to be without him."

“Believe me, dear brother,” Catherine answered coldly, “when the time comes, you will have both land and a title. Until then, please don't rush me.

François did not speak of the feud again.

A year later, at Fontainebleau, the queen gave birth to her third son, Henry. The balls and receptions that followed were very pompous. A month later, the royal court returned to Paris.

Meanwhile, the war for possession of Northern Italy resumed, which had previously been fought with varying success by the French kings Louis XII and Francis I. Henry's main opponent in this