Disclaimer: If I was running Reign, Catherine would be my star.
AN: So. It was SUPPOSED to be a one shot, but then yall liked it and I love you for reading so here you go!…or maybe I'm just an enabler hahahahaha. My continuing present for my darling friend, Issi. Here we go with the next chapter, sweetie! Also, this is assuming Richard never happened. I hope you all enjoy the read!
There was an atmosphere at Court. The air sang of tension between the King and his Queen. Unlike before when there was a clear victor after one of their spats, it seemed as though both were at a loss—and they were. Henry was beyond despair thinking he'd lost his Catherine, truly and fully lost her. What's more, her lover was probably everything he wasn't. Even tempered, soft spoken, patient… things Henry wished he could be, but just wasn't. Some sort of poet with flowery words who could draw her from memory and recite songs about her. Someone who knew what to say when she appeared in a new gown, glowing and wonderful and sparkling with gems. Someone who wasn't him. Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, he sighed at his foolishness. There she sat, his bride, his Queen, the mother of his children. How poorly he had used her, abused her, and how strong she had become from the flames of his words and the burns of his actions. Catherine was the sun, magnificence and radiance and power concentrated in the petite form of the beauty beside him. How she'd abstained from a lover for this long, he didn't know. For the children perhaps? Maybe she had hoped he would return to her? Now it was too late and she'd fallen in love with another. More the fool he. Oh, how he'd missed being the center of her love. Little kisses on his face on the mornings when she had miraculously awaken before him. Slipping her hand into his with that slight blush that he adored whenever they had a moment alone at balls. Sharing her cup in the evenings when they were lazy and just wanted to lie in bed.
He couldn't even remember why he'd gone to her that day, but then there was the letter… He never should have asked. It might have been better to live in the shadow of the unknown, but now that he did know…he was inconsolable. She'd just been smiling, when was the last time he'd seen her smile? Moreover, when was the last time she'd let him see her smile? Catherine used to smile for him all the time. When he tickled her, when he made a joke, he'd even catch her smiling at him from across the table at banquets in their youth. How bright that smile had been, breaking through even the darkest of clouds on his most lowly of days. Who was he to stop her from finding a reason to smile again? He wouldn't stand in the way of her happiness. He would not, could not bear it if he took her smile away from Court once again. He'd sent Diane packing to Paris, had stripped every essence of her from his rooms, going so far as to having a new bed made. He'd taken to bunking in the nursery with the children while the changes were being processed. He couldn't even stand to be in his suite anymore, not while reminders of his past were there. The children were confused, but excited by his presence and it was nice to have some of his Catherine still happy to see him. Maybe if she couldn't love him, perhaps they could be friends? Henry wanted her in his life again, even if that meant acknowledging that he wasn't the only man she spent her time with. He hadn't seen nor heard anything of his wife's lover, but that didn't mean he wasn't there behind the scenes.
Catherine had never answered him when he'd asked what she and her lover did together. Make love, surely, but what else? Did she read to her lover laid out on his lap like they used to? Did she let her lover play in her hair when she took her afternoon nap? Did her lover pick her up and carry her to her bed after she'd fallen asleep in her study? There was a mad rage threatening to boil over inside of him, but seeing Catherine by his side on her throne, he quelled his jealousy. He hadn't treated her as a wife, he shouldn't have the privileges of a husband. He shouldn't be given the opportunity to view her toes squish into her rug or watch her yawn or see her smear her makeup when she rubbed at her eyes. Up on his throne he remembered watching her wake at nearly midday, her lashes fluttering and finally sweeping up to reveal her honey pools of gold. He could swim in her eyes for all of time if only she would look at him once more. Catherine, his Catherine… Elegant and regal on her throne, she looked every part the Queen she was. Could he be friends with her? Only friends? Not touch her or speak to her intimately or visit her unannounced? Could he do it? Could he when all he wanted to do was pull her to him and wrap her in his arms and tell her he loved her to the stars and back? When he wanted to lie beside the lake with her and have her sing to him in Italian as he kissed her neck and all her freckles? When he wanted her to say she loved him? Breathing deeply, he clutched at the arms of his throne until his knuckles were white. He could try. He would try—for her, something he'd never done before. I know I've failed you, but I promise I'll do better. You just won't ever be mine again. Rising suddenly, Henry rushed out of the throne room after realizing a tear had formed in his eye. Dashing it away as nonchalantly as possible, he waved off his nobles and made his escape.
AN: …Are you okay? Hmm? Take a cookie, go on, I'm sorry for the feels attack… Yall wanted a second chapter, so really, it's not my fault, is it? A little short so that everyone can have a breather while I think up what's next. Xo
To demedicigirl: I bet you feel even worse for him now, huh? I hope you still like it?
To CallmeCordelia1: HI, STACEY. More from Henry, thoughts are welcome as always!
To Guest Reviewer Katie: I hope this was to your liking, sweetie :) Drop me a line if you'd like!
To Amara24: Not anymore since yall were so lovely and left me reviews telling me what you wanted. Thank you for reviewing!
To Catherine Woods: *grabs the glue and starts putting you back together again*
To Guest Reviewer Lauren: Well, good golly. Thank you, darling! Such compliments! I'd love to hear what you think of my other stories if you happen to read them sometime xo
To Guest Reviewer Bella: Is this my wonderful Bella from ages ago when I used to post regularly? HELLO, DEAR FRIEND! "This is ugh so wonderful" You crack me up. I'm exactly the same when I don't know if it's a multi-chapter or one shot ahahhaha
To smacked lover 22: *sniff* Henry. Catherine. *breaks out sobbing* How'd you like this chapter? Let me know :)
To Guest Reviewer: Is this soon enough for you, sweetheart? I hope you liked it!