Authors Note: So sorry I've taken so long to update but last week was my last week of school and now it's summer so I should update more frequently. Also I would like to put it out there that I have every intention to continue this story so expect updates. I won't just abandon the story so no worries. This chapter will be all about Henry so next chapter will be Catherine. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: If I did Henry and Catherine would have been together long ago, so no.
Henry felt like he was 14 again kissing his wife with love, he didn't know how long they had been kissing nor did he care. It could have been seconds, minutes, or hours for all he knew but Henry was lost in kissing Catherine. He could have stayed kissing her forever but Catherine after being pulled into the kiss immediately realized that everyone in the highly populated room was staring at them lips locked. Her heart was beating so hard she thought it might fall out of her chest. She resisted the urge to slap him or strike him in anyway, Catherine ended up settling for a gentle push back. She didn't look in his eyes she was too afraid that her anger would make her do something that she would regret; he was still king after all. How could he do something so public? It was so embarrassing for her because she prided herself on the fact that while Henry continued on with his mistresses she would not in any way be sexually involved with him unless it was to provide heirs.
You could hear a pin drop in the room that was how silent it was. All eyes were on the pair. Catherine felt her cheeks burning; she assumed that they were red as blood. She had no idea how to gracefully get out of this situation so Catherine just walked past Henry to sit on her throne he then followed to sit on his; they still had to hear from the nobles and commoners so they looked ahead to trying to seem as professional as possible.
The day was light with little action from the French people. Anything could have been said but nobody could actually focus on the people the only thing on everyone's minds was the kiss that the king and queen of France had shared in the throne room. As soon as the last person finished speaking to them, Catherine stood up and fled to her living quarters before Henry could get to her. All of the people in the room migrated together surely to gossip about the king and queens very public kiss. Kenna ran from the room obviously upset and Mary, Lola, and Greer followed her close behind most likely to comfort her. Francis and Bash went their separate ways to try and understand what just happened. For Francis had just witnessed a kiss between his parents which he never thought he would see and Sebastian saw his father replacing his mother with Catherine and that replacement could very well may be permanent. That left Henry to stare at the back of his wife bolting away in a room full of gossiping French. Henry decided to go to his own chambers to think about what he just did. He walked through the room with his head held high. The people all stopped talking for a moment to bow and curtsey toward the king before they went back to their gossip. He could hear the questions flying throughout the room and the halls to his room, 'Are they back together? What about his mistresses? Did you see Queen Catherine flee? Lady Kenna looked so angry!' The people ate up the new juicy dirt of French court and must have shared every thought to each other.
Henry finally arrived at his room walking passed the guards into his bedroom full of servants. "Guards I want no visitor, unless my wife comes of course. Everybody else you are dismissed, " Henry said and the servants all gracefully bowed and curtseyed before scurrying out of the room. He wanted to relax so he took off his outer clothes and threw them on the ground for the servants to pick up later then he took off his crown to sit it on the vanity. He took a seat in one of his chairs and threw his feet up onto the table to sit comfortably. Henry smiled thinking back to the kiss, he sighed missing the feeling of Catherine's warm lips against his. It made him miss the days of their youth, before he started with Diane and before Catherine was so obsessed in getting pregnant that she would do anything. Those were the days that they weren't next in line for the French throne, the days that they would go on picnics and walks and stay awake talking till the early morning sunrises.
Henry mentally debated going to Catherine's room or not. He ended up settling with not going even though he wanted to go more than anything else. Henry knew it would be best to give her time to think about things and calm down for she was surely mad that the kiss happened in front of everybody and nobody wants to unleash Catherine's angry tongue. It was one of the things that he first fell in love with. He remembered when her voice was small and weak, of course it was all a show to try and impress his father into letting the two wed. For Catherine was a de Medici and they were known for their sharp tongues, and he had heard it almost as soon as the engagement was finalized. He could remember with detail how she would yell with her thick Italian accent and if she was mad enough accidently yell in Italian not even realizing that she was doing it. Nobody could understand but they all knew to work a lot quicker and more efficient. His heart yearned for her even more thinking about all of the fond memories he held of Catherine.
Henry was brought back to reality by the loud disturbance outside the door. He angrily rose from the chair. As he approached he could hear his guard say, "The king said he didn't want to see anyone."
"I don't care what the king said I need to see him this instant."
"He said the only person to allow in was his wife. You are quite obviously not Catherine de Medici so you need to leave right now," the guard responded to the girls' angry request.
"I am trying to relax in here," Henry said swinging the door open to see an angry Kenna. With the door opened Kenna tried to walk into his bedroom but was stopped by the two guards grabbing her by her upper arm.
"Let me go," Kenna yelled at the two guards holding her back.
The king sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, "Let her by."
The guards instantly released her at the kings' order and went back to their former positions, while Kenna quickly walked past Henry into his bedroom. She crossed her arms and stared at him while he shut the door. Henry sighed and looked at Kenna brooding across the room. "What do you want Kenna," Henry asked.
"What do I want? Are you kidding me," She yelled at him, "You kissed her, in front of the whole French court! Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was for me? How could you do that, you don't even like her. She is evil, and sadistic, and she hates you."
Henry waited for her to finish until he said, "Kenna I'm trying to be kind and listen but I will not listen to you if you insist upon insulting Catherine."
"See! What has changed between you two? You're kissing her and defending her you used to join in or at least laugh at insult directed toward the queen," Kenna yelled at him.
"She is my wife Kenna," it was all that he could say to explain to her because he didn't truly know the answer to what had changed himself. All he knew is that he wanted her, thinking of the early years of his marriage and their recent times together he realized how much he missed loving her.
"That has never meant anything to you before! Why now? Are you done with me, because if you aren't then there is no way you will have Catherine? Are you trying to get your wife back," Kenna questioned. She was jealous and angry at how he constantly dismissed her. She gave him everything her heart, her virtue and Kenna had learned to expect dismissing behanior when Diane was in the picture but Catherine was a whole different story. Catherine would never be emotional involved with Henry if he continued to have and take on mistresses. Kenna still loved him and at least the small part that he gave her while he had Diane was something compared to the nothingness she would have if Henry and Catherine choose to resurrect the former love they share; it is rumored that they loved each other deeply and that they would have done anything for each other, rumored that they had a love greater than that of Henry and Diane. How could she compete with that when Henry never gave her a chance from the beginning!
Henry had paused because he really didn't know the answer to the question. He knew that she was right that if he had mistresses Catherine would never become involved with him. Could he give it up? Diane, Kenna, or any other beautiful girl who offered herself to him. Before he could even think through the answer to that question he answered Kenna with a, "Yes."
"Yes? Yes what? You're done with me or you are pursuing Catherine," she asked still holding onto the hope that he might change his mind if he just thought about what he was doing. Kenna didn't seriously believe he could give up being with her or Diane for that matter.
"Both Kenna, you are right. I can't have mistresses and be with Catherine. I need to try with Catherine, we are married and I love her. We must stop this relationship now Kenna. I will continue to supply you with noble suitors but our relationship is over," Kenna could believe what Henry was saying. He was so shocked at the words coming out of his mouth; he never imagined life without mistresses. Yet, something in him knew he could do it. He would do anything to get Catherine back.
Kenna was shocked. It was over, done. At least having Diane around meant that she could have some of him. "What about Diane," Kenna questioned using the last piece of material at her disposal.
"That is between me and Diane," Henry said understanding that he would have to deal with his relationship with Diane eventually. She would be the hardest girl to kick out of his bed but now he had to focus on getting rid of Kenna, "I think that it's time for you to leave Kenna."
"She is Catherine de Medici you think that she will actually fall for you and again none the less? She could never love you; she is unable of loving anybody but her children and you know it. How are you in that much denial? Have fun with your wife but don't come crying back to me for comfort when she rejects you as you know she will," Kenna yelled before stomping out of the room and slamming the door loudly behind her.
He knew the hearing that it was over would be hard for Kenna, after her reaction to him staying with Diane he had learned to expect it. Now it was just a matter of getting Catherine to agree to this rekindling of their old flame. That might be the hardest part to his whole plan. Henry stepped up to his bed and rolled into the comfortable pillows and mattress. He needed to think up a plan on how to get Catherine.
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Kenna locks herself in her quarters and cries to herself for some time. 'The bastard,' she thought to herself. He took everything from and she got nothing in return well time to make his life a mess as well. She walked over to her writing desk. Kenna retrieved a feather, some ink, and parchment to form a letter. She dipped the feather into the ink and began to put pen to paper. It didn't take her that long to write the letter. She gave it to her guard and ordered it be sent out immediately.
Dear Diane de Poitiers,
I know we might have had our differences in the past but I think we may be able to agree on something now. The king is in pursuit of Queen Catherine's heart and I think you know what would mean for us if they find out that they do still love each other. We might not only be kicked out of the kings chambers but we very well may be kicked out of France for we both know that Catherine de Medici is not a forgiving woman. Do with this information as you please.
Sincerely,
The Lady Kenna
TBC
