August 19, 1510-Henry
Isabella was dining with Henry in his chamber which she brought up the topic that she had to marry the Duke of Ester.
"Issie! You can't marry him! We are meant to be together. I will try find a way to annul the marriage to Catherine." said Henry as he tried his best to contain his temper. He did not like the fact that his beloved is to be dragged away his arms once again.
"Henry, I will not marry him. I promise do anything to just stay with you."
Henry squeezed her hand which he beckoned Isabella to sit on his lap as he gave her a gentle kiss, before he could do anything the door swung open which it was his messenger.
"Go away!" barked Henry as he didn't want anyone to interrupt his special time with Isabella.
Isabella knew the messenger was carrying important message which she comforted Henry.
"You have three minutes, speak now." said Isabella with regally which it surprised Henry. He nodded in agreement which the messenger quickly spoke up.
"Your Majesty, there is a plague in London. Lord Chancellor suggested you to leave immediately with Her Majesty."
Henry roared in disagreement, "Nonsense, Catherine is pregnant with our child and I will not risk losing my son. She will be placed under London Tower and make sure that nobody comes in and out. Also, I will not leave without Isabella. She is to come with me."
Isabella knew it is a bad idea as England only acknowledge Catherine as their queen and viewed her as the harlot.
"Henry, it's okay. I will be careful and stay this court." coaxed Isabella. Henry dismissed the messenger which he held her hand, "No, Issie. I want you go to Windsor."
Isabella did not argue with him which she accepted his request, which Henry pinched her cheek, "I love you and I will come get for you when the plague ends. Don't forget me, Isabella."
Isabella smiled as she accepted his affection of love, "Who says I would forget you?"
Henry winked at her which he rose from his chair and left the room.
Catherine
Catherine was busy sewing the clothes for her incoming child in January when her husband's guards barged in, "Your Majesty, by under orders of King Henry VIII of England. You are to placed under London Tower for your own protection against the Plague." Catherine rose as she refused to believe that Henry would flee, leaving her all alone in dark place.
"Where is Henry will be at? How about Lady Isabella Parr?"
"His Majesty will be in Greenwich. Lady Isabella Parr will be at Windsor." replied the guard.
Catherine muttered, "That wretched harlot have more status than me because she is king's lover. This is injustice!"
The guard nodded which they didn't say anything as they left the room which furious Catherine demanded her lady in waiting, Maria de Salinas to search for Lord Indigo.
Maria acknowledged her request which she went off to find him and brought him back to her privy chamber which Catherine dismissed all her ladies in waiting.
"What brings you to me today, Your Majesty?" asked Lord Indigo politely.
"Henry gave his harlot a place to escape the plague while I am to send away to London Tower. How even this harlot have a position above me?" snapped Catherine.
Lord Indigo shook his head as in disbelief how Lady Parr is really more powerful than he originally thought.
"Well, Your Majesty, there is no easy way to get rid of this Bella Parr but I read in documents that she is to be betrothed to the Duke of Ester. Maybe you can find a way to rush them into marriage?"
Catherine smiled as she had a plan forming in her mind which she thanked him which she proceed to dismiss him and request Maria to enter.
"Maria, I have a favor for you. I need you to stay here while I am at London Tower. You are to pretend that you have the plague."
Maria frowned as she did not want to stay behind and risking her life while her queen is living comfortably in the London Tower but she did not argue with her. Catherine dismissed her then had Lady Allie Gordon to come in to play as her chief lady in waiting while Maria is hidden away. She soon called for Lady Maud Parr.
"Maud, I had just informed that I am to move to London Tower to avoid the plague. However, It brought to my attention that one of my ladies in waiting had the symptoms of the plague which your stepdaughter had association with. I think it's for the best interest for all us and the child's health is for her to remain with the lady in waiting."
Maud was shocked to hear that there is plague in the court, she never thought in million years that her own beloved stepdaughter is to be forced to stay behind and be exposed to dangerous illness.
"Thank you for informing me about it, Your Majesty. I hope that I will able to arrange her to remain out the plague."
She curtsied and left the room which Catherine smiled in thoughts that she finally kept Henry away Isabella for awhile until she gives birth to a son in January that he need then her position will be secure.
August 22, 1510-Isabella
Isabella was left in tears when she was just informed from her father that she is not to go Windsor but to Stratford-Upon-Avon where her betrothed lives. She refused to accept that she is ripped away from Henry once again.
"Papa, you promised me that you will not force me to marry anyone that I don't want to! Henry requested me to stay in Windsor and who want to deny His Majesty's orders!" yelled Isabella to her father.
"Lady Isabella Parr, Enough! You are raised to be dutiful woman not messing around as the king's mistress. You are far better than that. Your mother would roll in her grave if she sees you like that. You are Lady Isabella Parr not miserable Jane Popincourt!"
Isabella backed away in surprise that her father viewed her as the King's mistress as she never had sexual relationship with him. She knew that it's better to go her betrothed than be ruined like poor Jane Popincourt, the king's father's last mistress who had to run to back her home country of France. She took a deep breath and decided to follow her father's orders to go Stratford-Upon-Avon. She may never see Henry ever again but she hoped that fate will change for better and they are once again together.
September 3, 1510
The trip was long and harsh which she jumped out the carriage as she cried in thankful that she is on the solid ground.
"Isabella! Welcome to Esterford Palace! I hope you find this place comfy for your needs!" said Isabella's betrothed, Nicholas, Duke of Ester.
Isabella smiled which she accepted his friendly greeting, maybe she can find love again as he is nothing but friendly. Nicholas gently took Isabella's arm which he guided her the estate.
"May I call you, Isabella?" asked Nicholas as he was nervous about his betrothed. Isabella smiled as she felt pity for Nicholas. He doesn't deserve her at all.
"Yes, you may call me Isabella but feel free call me Bella, Ella, whatever you want to call me." She held her breath back in hopes that he wouldn't chose the nickname of Issie as she really want reserve it for Henry only.
Nicholas smiled as he patted her hand, "Then, I will call you Ellie. You can call me Nicky or Nicholas if you prefer that way."
Isabella smiled back to him in relief that Ellie is perfect pet name for her. "I am rather tired from traveling, will you excuse me, Nick."
Nicholas gladly agreed which he led her to the bedchamber which Isabella swore not to hurt him, even she will have to give up her love affair with Henry. He is kindest and gentlest man ever she met and it wouldn't be fair for him. Frustrated at the situation that she got herself in, she threw her pillow onto the wall then broke into sobs. She can fake herself talking to be happy but deep in her, she knew that she will be unhappy.
October 28, 1510
"Did you enjoy the riverside walk today?" asked Nicholas to Isabella at their dinner one night. Isabella had been on his estate for two months. It reminded her of Briarshire before it was bunt down which she shook in disbelief how that was only a year ago. She enjoyed the countryside but she missed the lively court. Oddly, her father had informed her that Nicholas lives in the court but when she asked him why he doesn't want to return to the court which he informed her that he prefers to live in countryside. The town hall bell chimed which Nicholas excused himself from dinner which Isabella was no more than glad as the dinner was always awkward. Looking outside the window which she could see the moon rising which she thought about Henry and in the fact that he could be looking at the very same moon
"Missus Parr, are you done eating?" asked a young beautiful woman. Isabella nodded, "Yes, Madame…"
The woman was surprised that Isabella wanted to know her name which she quickly told her name, "I'm Bri." then ran off into the hallway which Isabella wondered why she is so afraid of her but deciding that she wanted go out for a short walk before it's get too dark. She smiled as she enjoyed breathing the fresh air, that is only plus thing about living in countryside, there is no heavy air to choke her. As she walked little further, she noticed a glow of light in the boathouse where Nicholas stored his boats in there. Curious about the light, she opened the door where Nicholas was kissing Bridget. She was overjoyed to know that he found a love besides her.
"Ellie! Please, it's not like this!" begged Nicholas upon noticing her standing in the doorway which Isabella smiled, "No explanation needed."
Nicholas shook his head, "No, you deserve it. This is my fiancé, Bridget Manson. Ellie, I know you are promised to marry me, but forgive me for breaking your heart. I cannot marry you. I am in love with this beautiful kitchenmaid. Is not a sinful for me to be in love someone else while marrying you?"
Isabella shook her head, "Nick, it's alright. I must confess that I am in love with someone else too. I did not want to marry you. Actually… I have a plan, that will win for all of us, including Bridget."
Nicholas and Bridget nodded in agreement which Isabella could see the love in them.
"Alright, here is the plan. Nick and I will "fall" ill with the plague and since you had the "plague" so you will be nursing us to health because you are practically nothing important to anyone, no offense, anyway unfortunately, Nick will "die" from the plague as the plague scares you out so Nick will be "buried" in middle of night, thus you both run away and enjoy your married life. I'll send you money since your brother will be the next Duke and I will have no choice but force go back to the court. Sounds good?"
Nicholas and Bridget was overjoyed in Isabella's plan which they had tears of thankfulness to know that they will be together forever.
"Thank you, Ellie. Now, for the last request. Will you be our witness for our marriage?" asked Nicholas which Isabella gladly agreed without thinking twice.
They all walked back together to the palace where Isabella immediately wrote a letter to her father.
Dear Papa,
I was hoping that the plague would escape here, Stratford-Upon-Avon but unfortunately, it did not. My beloved Nicholas had fallen ill and I myself starting to feel ill. I'm sorry I cannot keep my word to marry him. We are to marry end of this week but i don't think we will survive the plague. god please help me…
your dutiful daughter,
bella
Isabella smiled as she finished writing the letter, it does sound like she was deathly ill. She cannot wait to ride back to the court and be in Henry's arms once again. This time, she is determined to be in power to keep herself on his side.
November 4, 1510
"Thank you once again for letting me to marry Bridget. I know it was out of our proper class but love wins. We will be very happy. I wish you luck and I hope you will find your enteral happiness soon." said Nicholas after married his love.
Isabella smiled in thankfulness that things turn out really surprising for her, mostly thankful that she will never become Isabella, Duchess of Ester. She placed her money into Nicholas's palm, "Good luck."
Bridget had tears of joy in her eyes which she hugged Isabella which she whispered, "Thank you. We shall name our first daughter after you even you will never see us again afterwards."
Isabella chuckled, "You both are great to me. Now go before someone sees you!"
They gave a quick goodbyes which Isabella returned to the palace exhausted but in happy mood that she is going to be aside Henry's arms very soon. She soon fell asleep and only to be awaked by the guard, "Lady Parr, I regret to inform you that the Duke of Ester had passed away in middle of night and you have to move out as this palace is owned by newest the Duke of Ester."
Isabella faked cried out of her loss which the guards felt bad and decided to let her to remain until arrival of the new Duke of Ester.
The new Duke arrived the palace early afternoon which he announced that Isabella is permitted to remain as long she likes to. In end, Isabella only stayed there for a month then decided to move to Windsor where she was supposed to stay there during the plague. While at Windsor, Isabella decided to remain until Henry comes for her as her father probably is angry with her that he hoped that Isabella would be securely married, making the annulment progress for both parties more complicated.