It was 1574. At that time, my marriage was a hot issue, since I had no fiance until now due to my regent Reginald Pole's worries that I would be a puppet of a powerful father-in-law.

But since he has retired 2 years ago, I can choose according to my will and I had 3 choices. 

First, was the Austrian princess Maria, the 3rd daughter of Maximilian II (The Kaizer of the Holy Roman Empire). It would improve the global status of England in entire Europe but would deepen England's dependency towards Haus Habsburg Empire. 

Second, was the Queen Mary of Scotland. The fact that she was already married and has a husband and an infant boy

- who would be James I in original history - doesn't matter. Why they say everyone has a skeleton in his closet.

But the main problem is that she's already over 30, and would have trouble during the labor, whereas the heir between me and her would inherit entire Britain if he(or she) would be born.  

Third, was marrying the daughter of a noble from inside the country - such as from the Netherlands, Wales or Ireland. The good news is that my control of the kingdom would strengthen and the bad news is that it would have a negative impact on the House of Tudor since that would be considered of being wed to a lower class.  

After talking to my advisors, we came to the conclusion that I should marry Maria von Habsburg. The council agreed that the position of England - and therefore me - was still far too weak in low countries. This could easily be fixed by using the power of the Holy Roman Empire, a power felt throughout the entirety of the Netherlands. The envoy was sent to my great uncle Maximilian the second, whom, after consulting his own advisors, agreed.

After the betrothal had been made, my great uncle demanded that the wedding is held in Vienna. My advisors warned me not to agree to his terms since it would make England look weak. Therefore we decided to also hold a wedding in London. Both weddings were had during the summer of 1574. To show that he did not agree to there also being a wedding in London, Maximillian the second only showed up in Vienna, and instead sent his son to London on his behalf. My father also didn’t show up on both occasions, due to him still being angry about the way things were going for me. He didn’t even send a family member in his stead! Instead, he sent the Duke of Asturias on his behalf.

"It's...better than I had expected."

Those were the first words, my wife, Maria - who was the princess of the Holy Roman Empire - said when she first took a step in London.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

I held the urge to shoot back at her

'Then did you think it would be a hog pen?'

but replied to her as 

"You're welcome."

At fall(same year), the royal doctor told us Maria was pregnant. After calculating back the dates, I've realized the baby was made on the first night.

"You beast!"

She was half making fun of me since she laughed while poking my cheek with her finger. I just smiled. 

At winter, Scotland was going to the dogs. Queen Mary Stewart lost her crown due to a Protestant rebellion. My retired regent, Reginald Pole's plot - supporting the Protestants of  Scotland to counter France - Scotland alliance bear its fruit at last. The Scottish Protestants held baby James as their new king and the dethroned Queen fled to England, claiming she also inherited  Tudor blood. I've more than welcomed her and then she asked me for help in her hideout, writing a letter to me countless times. 

Sister of Faith and your relative has lost her crown but why are you silent?

But I was cautious since I was concerned that France - Scotland's old alliance - would stand by Scotland's side. So that's why I've used my marriage alliance as a tool this time. I've got a confirmation answer from my great uncle Maximilian II that if France interferes with the war between England and Scotland, the Holy Roman Empire will stand by England's side. 

And it was then I've invaded Scotland with the claim of 

"Let's help poor Queen Mary Stewart and make Scotland return to Catholic faith!"

Luckily, since this war was a religious war between the Protestants and the Catholic, France - which was also in the civil war between the Huguenots and the Catholics - weren't able to interfere in the first place. 

With the help of Catholic Scots, the English Army swiftly advanced to Edinburgh. Also, the English Navy - which was well trained and equipped with the religious tax from the Netherlands and England - burned all the Scottish ships and blasted every Scottish port into smithereens. Since France was silent, it took less than 3 months for Scotland to surrender and they had to endure their cursed Queen Mary Stewart and accept a disgraceful additional clause - When the Queen has no legitimate heir, the King of England shall be their next ruler. - at the treaty.

Upon reclaiming her throne, Queen Mary Stewart released her lover, Count Boswell and named him semi-king of Scotland. The only reason he couldn't become king was England's surveillance. 

Next year summer(1575), Maria gave birth to a daughter. I've given her the name Elizabeth. Meanwhile, in Scotland, Queen Mary Stewart's baby boy James was found dead by suffocated with a pillow. It was Queen's plot to make her husband, Count Boswell, a king of Scotland. 

At fall,  semi-king of Scotland, Count Boswell, was poisoned to death after drinking wine which contained arsenic. It was done by the Protestant nobles of Scotland, who were fed up with their Queen and Boswell's misdeeds. 

That was the final straw for her. She held religious trials day by day and massacred Protestant nobles and merchants, which caused the people of Scotland to revolt once again next year spring(1576).

She tried to flee to England once again but shot to death by an arrow shot by the rebels at the borders. 

So, I, Edward VII - according to the clause signed at the treaty - invaded Scotland once again, and crushed the rebels and held a coronation at Edinburgh as a King of Scotland, since no legitimate heir was left inside Scotland.

By the way, you might be wondering how I know the situation inside Scotland so well. 

Why they say everyone has a skeleton in his closet.

* The current domain of Edward VII - Great Britain(England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales) and the Netherlands

* The Netherlands also include nowadays Belgium and Luxembourg