"Perhaps we can go to Spain?" George suggested.
"No." Diana disagreed
"But Emperor is your cousin, and his wife, our Princess Mary is like a sister to you, you said it yourself."
"That all is true, but they are monarchs of Spain first and my cousin or sister second. Once I go there I will be their hostage." She tried to explain. George looked stunned.
"Surely you don't think that they will hold you there against your will."
"As long as I am in their custody they will have an advantage over my uncle."
"I don't think that the Empress would do that after all, she is English Princess."
"She was English Princess, now she is Queen of Spain and Holy Roman Empress. Her allegiance is to her new country."
"Then we are out of options. You must go to Wales as your uncle commanded you."
"But I don't want to go anywhere without you, especially now," Diana said with tears in her eyes and put a protective hand over her still flat stomach. George stood up and pulled her toward him, his hand resting lightly over hers. This surely wasn't an ideal situation to have a child, but they were happy none the less.
"I will need to tell him soon." Diana sighted
"If you think that it's smart."
"I don't, but I must do it. In a few moons, it will be impossible to hide my condition."
"I love you, Diana. We will do as you wish."
"I love you too, George. We will tell my uncle once he returns from France."
/
It was strange to be on the ship after all these years. The last time she sailed was during her trip to England all those years ago.
Katherine had to admit that she was happy that Henry decided to betrothal their daughter even if she wasn't very happy with his choice. During her whole childhood, she was taught that all the Frenchmen were bad. Of course, as an adult, she knew that it wasn't true, but still, she felt uneasy.
When they arrived at the agreed place it was determined that the castles of both villages were in too great a state of disrepair to house the courts, they camped in fields, Francois at Ardres and Henry at Guines. Even the valley in which the two kings met was artificially leveled so that neither of them would have an unfair advantage over the other! This was no ordinary camping expedition; huge pavilions were erected to serve as halls and chapels, and great silken tents decorated with gems and cloth of gold.
Each camp had a large pavilion to serve as a great hall, another for a large chapel, and numerous gilded tents to house the king's enormous entourage. The silken tents were richly decorated with cloth of gold and precious gems, as were the throngs of courtiers and ladies in waiting. A temporary gilt fountain was built, with three separate spouts for claret, spiced wine, and water. Ladies gorgeously clad, and knights, showing by their dress and bearing their anxiety to revive the glories and the follies of the age of chivalry, jostled charlatans, beggars, and merchants of all kinds.
Katherine felt as if she stepped back through the time in the Middle Ages. Her husband and King of France were rivals and both of them tried to surpass the other. It was somehow comical. Two grown men acting like little boys.
Each court strove to outdo the other in offering splendid entertainments and making grandiose gestures. Katherine knew that it was all masterminded by the great Cardinal Wolsey, who favored the French alliance. A few years ago, he even suggested that elder Princess Mary should marry the French King instead Spanish Emperor. Thankfully Henry refused and Mary was now happily married to the most powerful man in whole Christendom.
After Cardinal Wolsey, with a splendid train, had visited the French King, the kings first met at the Val Dor, midway between the two camps. The following meetings and entertainments were conducted with much apparent cordiality. Feasts and jousts were held, including a tilt between Henry and Francois themselves. There were processions, masques, balls, banquets, sporting events, and even fireworks. Katherine sat beneath a canopy of estate entirely lined with pearls to watch her husband and King Francois joust against one another. Each day the monarchs and their entourage appeared in more sumptuous and elaborate costumes.
/
Henry was happy that he and this enchanting lady managed to find some privacy. It was very hard with so many people crowded here. He had to admit that this lady was exquisite. Francis himself recommended her to him. Her name was Mary Boleyn and she was an English subject, but she was in service to Francis's sister in law Princess Anne. Henry had jet to see Princess about whom he has heard so much from French King, who bragged that every King, Prince or Duke sought her hand in marriage. Truth to be told he wasn't very interested in meeting her, she was, after all, a mere child, even younger than his nice.
He was interested in much more fun stuff now, like taking Lady Boleyn to his bed.
He was kissing the soft skin on her neck and fondling her breasts when he heard a voice behind him.
"Good Sire, will you be so kind to unhand lady Boleyn. I am finding myself in need of her."
He turned around a saw a girl behind them. She was dressed in an elaborate burgundy dress which was heavily bejeweled. Her long black hair was tumbling across her skinny shoulders in waves of curls, but what truly pulled his attention was her eyes. They were so dark that they looked black. He felt as if she could read his every thought. When he looked at her Henry could see that she will be a beauty one day.
Her face didn't betray any sign of shock when she saw who she scolded.
"Are you talking to me?" He asked bewildered. Nobody ever dared to speak to him in that manner.
She simply arched her eyebrow.
"I don't see anyone here, but you, acting in a such ungentlemanly manner."
"Do you know who are you speaking to?" He growled. No one ever accused him of not being a gentleman. He hoped to see fear or even confusion on her face, but it remained blank, she only raised her brow, higher and there was a spark of amusement in her eyes.
"And do you know who are you speaking to?" She retorted.
"I am King of England!" He snarled
"And I am Anne, Princess of France and future Queen of Denmark," Anne replied in a voice filled with the arrogance that could only match his own."Now when we are introduced, unhand lady Boleyn."
"And if I don't want to?" He asked before he realized that he sounded like a little boy who didn't want to give up his toy.
"I truly don't see what they see in you." She smirked. Henry could feel rage consuming him.
"I pity the man who will marry you one day." He responded, his voice filled with fury.
"Carefully don't make me want to marry you!" She laughed before she turned around.
"Lady Boleyn, come with me," Anne ordered and Mary followed her not daring to disobey her mistress. Before she disappeared around the corner Anne turned around and looked at Henry.
"And do you realize that you were fighting with a child? How embarrassing for you."
When she disappeared Hery screamed in anger and punched the wall.
/
When the English royal family came back they were welcomed with grave news. Diana, Princess of Wales was dead. She died from blood loss after a miscarriage. Both Henry and Katherine were inconsolable. Katherine couldn't believe that she failed to keep her promise to Maria. She blamed herself. If kept a closer eye on Diana, she surely would never become involved with George Boleyn. Now she was to blame for the death of two persons. George Boleyn committed suicide over the Diana's dead body.
Henry was sad that he lost a girl whom he loved so much and who was a reminder of his brother, but at the same time, he was bothered that he lost his heir. He had Mary, but she was only five years old. The only reason his people accepted Diana as his heir was because she was a woman grown and they were sure that she will have a son and maybe even a grandson by the time she becomes the Queen. Now he had a problem. He had to have a son and he needed one quickly. He knew that he won't get one from Katherine. He needed a divorce.
AN: Henry finally met Anne, but since she is barely twelve years old, she didn't catch his attention in that way. She is very arrogant, almost as much as he is, but she has been raised as the Princess who has everything she wants. What did you think about their interaction?
The Diana and George's story didn't end up well. Diana has died from a blood loss and George committed suicide. Before her death, Diana was given the title of Princess of Wales. With her death, Henry starts to think about divorce.
Review, please.