Chp 9

Mary woke to see Juan was sleeping in a chair next to her bed. She got up and looked out the window; it was late evening. Then, Eustace with the Borgias and the De Lucas entered quietly. "Sit, my child. We're here to talk. Cesare, wake your brother up", said Rodrigo. Cesare slapped Juan across the face and Juan was instantly awake.

"We heard everything", said Vannozza. Mary bowed her head in shame. Lucrezia sat next to Mary and hugged her. "How could he do this to his child? I have never met such a man", said Lord De Luca. "He used to call me his pearl", said Mary. "Yet he did this to you", said Cesare. Mary couldn't say a word. "What will happen to her? Will she be called back to court?", asked Lucrezia. "It is likely, my lady. I've sent the document back and King Henry might, by his grace, reconcile with Mary", said Eustace. "Reconcile? Is this what you call reconciliation?", said Lady Isabella.

"Will you go then?", asked Lucrezia. Mary looked to Juan and he avoided her gaze. "That will be up to His Majesty. I think I might return", said Mary. "If you do so wish, can you at least wait until my wedding?", said Lucrezia. Mary smiled and nodded. Juan, hearing Mary's answer, left angrily. "He needs you Mary. You are the only thing that kept my son from his destructive path and he is forever regretting his affair with Sancia", said Vannozza.

Everyone got up and left for dinner. Mary went along and Juan was not present at the table. Lorenzo was fetched to find Juan, but didn't return even after dinner was over. Mary decided to look for Juan herself. She found him at the open garden, stabbing a wooden sparring target. "What are you doing?", asked Mary, but he ignored her. "We need to talk", she said again.

"What's to talk about? You're reconciling with your father and returning to court. What's there left for me? I did not have a say in this matter", said Juan as he kept stabbing the target. She grabbed his arm, the one with the sword and tugged it hard, but he pushed her aside. "Do you think I have a say when you decide to have an affair with Sancia?! I thought you love me!", she said.

"I love you, Mary! I really do love you! I love you and I would do anything for you! I'd lay the whole world at your feet if that's what you want me to do! But please don't leave me", he said. He knelt in front of her, head bowed to the ground and sobbed. Mary knelt in front of him and said, "Only if you promise me that you would never betray me like that". He leaned and kissed her. "I promise, but do you still have to go?", he said.

"We have to keep up a façade if we don't want the king to be suspicious. It is only for a while, my love", said Mary. He nodded. "There's still some dinner left", said Mary. "Will you accompany me?", he asked. Mary smiled and nodded. They finished up the leftover dinner before returning to their rooms.

(The next day)

Mary and Juan were back together. They were walking together, arms linked as they headed for breakfast. Everyone smiled as the two had reconciled. Eustace has already left for England and Juan and Mary went on for a ride after breakfast. They stopped by a lake and Juan surprised Mary when he pulled out a basket and a blanket.

They sat by the lake and had their picnic. "We don't have much time", said Mary, "The king can send his invitation back to court and if I don't come back, he'll bring his army to kill you". "I know. We can have Cesare to perform the wedding tonight, if that is what you want", said Juan. "I would like to try to win the king's favour first so we don't have to keep on hiding", said Mary.

Juan ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "The reason they called it letter of submission is that you have to submit to the king and he'll decide what you'll do and you can only listen to him. If he tells you to go to the nunnery, then you'll go to the nunnery. If he says you are to remain unmarried, then you will have to remain unmarried", said Juan. She laid her head on Juan's shoulder and snuggled herself.

"No matter what, we'll be together. What it's mine it is yours and what it's yours it is mine. I love you, my dearest Mary and nothing can separate us both. Not even Death itself", said Juan. "If I happen to die first?", asked Mary. "Then I will follow", answered Juan. "What of our children then?", said Mary. "I'll raise them first. When they are old enough to care for themselves or at least see them married and have children of their own, then I will follow you to the next life", said Juan. "Then I will do the same", said Mary.

They kissed and were rudely interrupted when Juan was pulled away from Mary. She looked up and saw King Henry towering over her. "So, this is what you've been up to?", said King Henry. Mary was terrified and she had never been this terrify. "Sir Francis Bryan!", King Henry yelled and a man with an eye patch stepped forward. "Proceed…", said King Henry and the man, Sir Francis started to beat Juan. "No! Please stop! Your Majesty I beg you, please stop!", Mary pleaded.

King Henry grabbed her forearm and whispered, "Only if you return with me back to England and cut all ties with the Borgia family and Rome". "Y-yes, I will. Just please let him go", Mary sobbed. King Henry raised his hand and Sir Francis stopped beating Juan. Juan was covered in blood and he couldn't move. "Leave the boy there and let's go back to England", said King Henry. He dragged Mary away as Mary yelled for Juan. Juan wanted to get up but his body was betraying his order and he succumbed to darkness.