Katherine studied the small chamber. It wasn't what she had grown used during her time as Queen. She sat on the small bed. It wasn't comfortable at all.
Sometimes she wished herself pregnant. Bearing a duke of York would have probably saved her. She laughed suddenly. Is that what her cousin would have thought? If she had born a son she would have saved her neck.
She thought it strange that they were both to die the same way on the same charges. Though she figured that Anne didn't do anything wrong. Henry was the old fool who couldn't get it up. Not only that but his leg stunk and he was horribly overweight.
Her thoughts turned to the Tudor children. Mary was the one Katherine cared little for. During her time as Queen Mary did nothing but treat her with disrespect and disdain. Katherine was sure she hated the fact that someone younger than her was not only Queen but also married. Thinking back on it she felt bad for what she said but she hated the way Mary looked down on her.
To be truthful she felt a little jealous of Mary. Hearing Henry talk of Mary constantly made her feel unsettled. How smart she was. How beautiful she was. How she would make the perfect wife to some noble lord. Or even a prince or King.
Though Katherine had been the 'rose without a thorn' Mary was the pearl of his world. The one thing that shined brightly through the darkness. Roses may be beautiful to look at but after a while they wilt and wither away. Pearls last forever.
Edward was a darling boy. He was special to Henry. Katherine thought he was sweet and adorable. She didn't see much of him since Henry kept him locked away from the world. Edward would be a fine King she was sure but he did seem a bit weak. Not personality wise but physically. She hoped no illness would befall him. Henry was incapable of siring another son.
She smiled as she thought of her cousin, Elizabeth. Though Henry talked about Mary the most you could see in his eyes his heart was held by Elizabeth. She remembered when Elizabeth was introduced to her. Henry's voice held a hint of pride.
"This my daughter, the Lady Elizabeth," he had said.
He seemed so proud of her. Elizabeth was pretty, kind, and very intelligent. So much like Anne Boleyn. A perfect mixture of two parents. Elizabeth had always shown her respect and kindness. That was one of Katherine's regrets. Not spending more time with Elizabeth. Did Anne regret that too? Her only living child she was leaving all alone to face the wrath of her father.
Katherine wished she had done more for Elizabeth. At least convince Henry to give Elizabeth title in her own right. Or Anne's title as Marquess of Pembroke.
In some ways Katherine thought that the Tudor children pitied her. She was so young and really knew nothing of how to be Queen. She was controlled by those who wished to become powerful. She wasn't strong willed or smart. She loved to throw her title around but didn't fully understand the responsibility of it. In that area Anne beat her.
Katherine heard footsteps. "Katherine Howard. Do you wish for a confessor?" the jailer asked.
"No, my lord. I've spoken to God so rarely He wouldn't know who I was."