Catherine woke up, not ready for the day. It was only six in the morning and the moon was visible through the thick clouded and dark sky. Like a zombie, she threw her sheets at the end of her bed. She stretched herself out on the bed before sitting upright and slipping into her slippers. She yawned when she heard a knock on her door.

"Yes, what is it? Don't come in. Just tell it through the door." She said to the noise that was disturbing her from dressing for the door. "Your majesty, the King expects you in the throne room to discuss something about a new guest at court." The young voice said. The Queen of France sighed audibly. "Yes, tell him I will be present if I get the chance to dress properly."

She snorted back and went to her changing screen. Her dress was already waiting for her over a chair, but Catherine didn't look forward to the confines of her corset, but it must be done if she was going to see Henry. Otherwise she didn't care what she looked like if she just needed to be ready for her children. What guest could Henry think of? There came new guests all the time and they would present themselves in the throne room but never wanted her husband to present a noble to her. It wasn't important, they were married but they didn't share a thing expect their opinions on politics, a few. Catherine decided to dress in a blood red gown with black lace a gold embroidery. Her most trusted lady rushed in and helped the Queen to dress and help her with her corset. Every time she wore it, she felt her guards and inner walls rise, walls stronger than the castle had itself. She straightened her back and went to her vanity. Her hair was in its usual hairdo with a gold tiara and matching necklace and earrings. It absolutely wasn't her most radiant gown but good enough for her duties and to visit the children afterwards. How she missed them, it had been a week since she saw them. Catherine was just so busy and too exhausted afterwards and went to bed early but today would be a fine day. If the sun decided to appear, they could go to the gardens or even a boat trip, the younger ones would enjoy that. Catherine smiled at the thoughts of their happy faces and feet jumping like they didn't run out of energy.

She mentally prepared herself and walked out of her room, noticing every noble she crossed and hearing every conversation of the ladies who are busy talking about a man? She scoffed, how ridiculous. They should use their heads for some useful things instead of spreading the court gossip around like fire. She walked into the throne room like she owned the place and she did, together with her husband but she didn't want to think about that, rather difficult when his gaze was staring down at her from his throne. She held her chin up high and went to sit right beside him, on her rightful throne. She felt his gaze burning holes into her soul but didn't move an inch. Never would she show the effect he had on her. She never did, and she wouldn't change that for a million years if God blessed them that they would live that long. "Well, what is it? Are you going to tell me, or do I need to guess? I don't have time all day so speak up." She said with a tone in her voice. Henry just rolled his eyes at her, he could have expected that. It was still only morning, but Catherine wasn't a late sleeper, or did that change over the years? He truly didn't know. He didn't even remember when they woke up together for the last time, they lived in separate chambers since their youth. Or better when he brought Diane back to court or when she shut him out of her live. He shook his head mentally and turned to his wife who was seated beside him. "A fallen lord is coming back to court. He lost his third wife and most of his possessions. He has a lot of power and if he turns against us, most of the nobles will as well and you can't have your pretty crown on your head because I won't be sure if your and my head will still be attached to our necks." He shot back at her. He wasn't going to accept Catherine's heated tongue just like that and not now when the lord could arrive any minute. She scoffed at him but let it go. "When will this lord arrive? Is there a party needed?" She asked at him, but she wasn't sure why she asked. It isn't as if she cared about that lord and neither did she care for Henry's plans. "He will arrive soon. A banquet is already prepared, I want you to meet him there, this evening." He said and stood up, ready to leave the room as a sign that their conversation stopped right there and there wasn't a possibility do discuss his decisions. It would only hurt his pride, she thought to herself. Time to go to her children, Henri and Charles were growing rather fast and she didn't want to miss a thing. Her two boys were the only comfort she had in this doomed place. They were her lights in the darkness and she showered them with her love. Nothing was stronger than her ability to love them and care for them, not even her will to cross her husband.

She was walking through the halls of the castle with a candle in her hand to lighten her steps, it was already late and she completely lost track of time. The banquet for the lord already started and she still needed to refresh herself. She went to the privacy of her chambers and dressed herself in a magnificent black gown with exquisite pearls and jewels. She looked every bit the Queen she was, and she was proud of it more than ever. After all these years she remained in her throne, her rightful place beside her husband, the King of France.