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K
Katherine screamed in pain and when she opened her eyes she knew immediately what was going on.
"My Lady, my lady" It was Mistress Darrell. She always stayed close to Katherine so she could get her anything she needed
"My baby" Katherine was in tears. Lady Darrell quickly assessed the situation. She saw blood on the white sheets and she felt her knees go weak.
"Hold on, your grace" She said trying not to panic as she ran to the door and called for the guards
"Hurry please. Please hurry" She yelled. It took a minute before a guard responded and opened the doors
"What is going on here?" He asked irritated. Elizabeth had clearly just woke him up from sleep
"The duchess… the baby, send for a doctor" The guard looked at Katherine, who was taking short breaths and grimacing in pain. He quickly ran out of the room to do as he was told, alerting the other guards in the process.
Lady Darrell went back to Katherine's side and tried to help her best she could. She arranged the pillows behind her and tried to make Katherine comfortable, but it seemed it was of no use.
"Your Grace, please hold on, everything would be alright" Lady Darrell didn't want to cry in front of her mistress, but she could not help it. Everyone- all of them had prayed Katherine would finally have the child she deserved and watching her loose it now was heartbreaking.
It took ten more minutes before the doctor showed up, but by the time he came it was too late. Katherine had lost the child and all he could do was stop her bleeding and continuous cramps.
"I am sorry, your grace" The doctor said sincerely. Katherine could not look at him. Her face was buried in her pillow.
"What was it?" She asked so quietly that only Lady Darrell, who was sitting beside her, could hear"
"A son, your grace" she said softly and Katherine went back to sobbing.
Lady Darrell escorted the Doctor to the doors, where two guards were standing
"She must rest" He said and Lady Darrell nodded wiping away a few stray tears.
"I will make sure of it. Thank you Doctor" The old man nodded before he walked out. Just as the guards were about to close the door, Lady Darrell stopped them
"Someone has to tell the Duke" She said. Both Guards looked at one another, but a third voice spoke.
"I will tell him and he should be allowed to see her if he wishes" The third guard said and Lady Darrell sighed in relief.
"That is against his majesty's orders" One of the guards said
"This is the duke of York we are talking about. Besides, if the king should hear about this, he would allow it" The other guards agreed and let their colleague go get the Duke.
K
James was asleep when he heard his door open. He had been moved up here earlier in the day and he honestly was appreciative of the bed he had now compared to the straw he had to sleep on for a week.
"Your Grace" The guard said and James turned his head to face him
"What is it?" He asked half asleep
"I'm sorry sir, but her grace, something-"Before the man could finish, James was already on his feet
"What's wrong with Katherine?" He asked almost as if he were accusing the man of hurting his wife
"Nothing, my lord. It's the child" He said somberly.
James felt like someone had thrown ice cold water on his face. He sat back down on his bed as if his legs could not carry the weight of his body
"When?" He asked
"Not long sir, we sent for a doctor immediately it started"
"And you're just telling me now!" James was on his feet again
"I'm sorry your grace" the guard said bowing his head
"I want to see her" James said
"Yes, sir"
James did not act like he was surprised the guard let him out of his room. All he wanted to do was hold his wife. He knew she would take this worst than him and he felt so sorry for her, so sorry for his poor child.
Her doors were opened for him by one of the guards that had been standing there. He saw Katherine in her bed in tears and Lady Darrell trying to comfort her. The younger woman stood up from her sitting position once he entered the room.
"I'm sorry, my lord" She whispered as she left the room to give James and Katherine some privacy.
"Kate" He was sitting on the edge on her bed as he pulled her into his arms. Katherine struggled a little. She couldn't look at him right now; she could not handle the disappointment she'd see in his eyes. She had failed him too. Not giving Henry any living children was one thing, but losing the child she had made with James…This could change everything. Henry had stopped loving her because she could not give him a child. Would it be the same with James, would he leave her too?
"Katherine listen to me" James was able to get a hold of her. He placed his hands under her chin, forcing her to face him.
"This was not your fault. Do you hear me? It was not your fault" James' voice was strong and soothing. Katherine looked at him with tear filled eyes.
"I've failed you" Her voice cracked. James shook his head as he gently stroke her cheek with his thumb.
"Never" He kissed her softly "You'll never fail me, Kate" He meant every word of it and Katherine could see it in his eyes. She could see that he was hurt too, but he was not blaming her.
"I love you Katherine" James said kissing her forehead and Katherine buried her head in his chest.
"I love you, too"
James held his wife close as she cried silently. He knew none of this was Katherine's fault. There was only one person to blame for this and that was his brother.
K
The next day Henry remained in his sit as he dismissed his privy council. They had been discussing what they will do to solve the problems of the north and after deciding to send for the leader of the rebellion to come meet with the king. Henry dismissed his council.
Charles remained seated in his sit like he always did after meetings. The chair opposite him was empty as it usually occupied the Duke of York. After Privy Council meetings, the three friends always talked lightly before going their separate ways. Once the room was clear of all others, save the Duke of Suffolk and the King, a strange silence fell upon them.
"How is my niece?" Henry asked
"She is well, your Majesty. She is still taking the absence of the Duke and Duchess hard, but otherwise, she is well"
"It is funny how she became so attached to Katherine" Henry said more to himself, but Charles answered
"She needed a mother and the Duchess is a good one" Henry looked at his friend closely
"You are angry I arrested them" It was not a question. Charles was quiet for a second before responding.
"I do not support all of your decisions, your Majesty, but who am I to question them" He said
Henry sighed deeply as his eyes flickered to his brother's empty sit, but before he could say anything else, the doors opened and Cromwell entered
"Your Majesty, Your Grace" He greeted both men in the room
"I have a message from London, sir." Cromwell said
"What is it?" Henry asked impatiently
"The duchess lost her child, my lord"
Charles sighed deeply as he ran his hand through his hair. Henry looked at him and saw that he was avoiding looking back at him.
"When?" Henry asked
"Last night, your Majesty." Henry sank back into his chair as different thoughts went through his head.
Was this his fault?
No way, Katherine was going to lose it anyway….But the doctor had put her on bed rest that night…It is not your fault, this is Katherine we are talking about…..
"Have them released immediately" he told Cromwell. There was no point keeping them there and Katherine losing her child would be enough punishment for James anyways.
"Yes, your majesty" Cromwell bowed and left the room
Charles stood up too
"I should be going too, your Majesty"
"You may go" Henry mumbled as he watched his friend go.
Sitting there by himself, he felt a feeling he did not often feel. A feeling he never allowed himself to feel in the past, but right now it was impossible to suppress it.
He felt…..No, Henry never felt guilty about anything and he refused to allow himself start now. He got up from his sit and left to visit only child.
K
As Charles Brandon walked out of the Privy chambers, he met Edward Seymour outside the doors. The men walked side by side for a minute, not saying a word to one another and once they reached an intersection, they stopped. Charles turned to Edward and in a soft whisper he said:
"It's time"
Edward gave an affirmative nod and in a second the two men went separate ways. Both off to get their plans in motion.
K
When they were release, James arranged for them to go to York castle. It would take two days to get there and the journey would be less strenuous on Katherine than one to Pembroke. He figured that once Katherine was stronger, they would all return to the home they loved so much.
It had been two days and their carriage was just arriving the grounds of the castle. Katherine was asleep and leaning on his shoulder and Lily, whom they had picked up on the way, was sleeping on Katherine's other side.
When their carriage came to a halt, James decided to carrying Katherine to their bed chamber without waking her up. She had not been herself the last two days and James concluded she needed all the sleep she could get.
Madame Brume was in charge of Lily and James made sure she was taken cared of before he went inside with Katherine.
When he crossed the threshold of York Castle, James smiled silently at the fact that, like the first time they arrived at Pembroke, He was carrying her into York castle.
K
Henry sat alone in his chambers as he went over some papers. It had been three days since James' release and he had not heard from him once. Henry was expecting an apology. He figured if he got one from James, then he would send one back.
He sighed frustrated, as he threw the yellowed parchments in his hands on his desk.
He felt terrible. It was not guilt this time. No, Henry had been able to convince himself that there was nothing to feel guilty for.
It was something else, he just felt…not good…board and tired. He knew he should be happy that his queen was with child and he had a son on the way in less than seven months, but he could not seem to get excited about that. He needed something new, something fresh. He did not know what, but he needed a change.
Perhaps a change of wardrobe, a hunting trip; or better plan a jousting tournament.
There was a soft knock at his door and Henry grumbled at being interrupted. He looked up and saw who walked in behind his man servant
"Your Majesty" The man bowed and the fair creature behind him curtsied deeply
"Your majesty, I have brought you your mended shirts from her majesty" Her voice was angelic and Henry wondered why he had never seen this girl in his court before
Henry nodded his head toward the direction of his wardrobe. The girl flashed him a small shy smile before proceeding into the wardrobe to keep his shirts. Henry watched her go and when he saw she was coming back he quickly looked away.
"Your Majesty" She curtsied again before she turned to leave
"Wait. What is your name?" Henry asked. A smile of satisfaction on her face, she turned to face the king.
She curtsied deeply
"Jane, My lord, Jane Seymour" She said
"Why is this the first time I am seeing you, Mistress Jane"
"Tis not the first time you have seem me, your Majesty. Tis the first time you have noticed me" Henry smiled wildly at her. This was defiantly what he needed. Something new.
K
James sat behind his desk organizing the pay for his household, while Katherine and Lily sat on the couch. Katherine was making a new dress for Lily; it was something she had been doing to make use of her time. Having Lily around her had been refreshing. Katherine never showed her sadness in front of her young step daughter and instead did her best to seem normal. James knew she was trying and he could not blame her, he just appreciated that she was such a strong woman.
They have not been able to tell Lily about the sad news yet. Katherine had not lost the added weight around her belly, so lily did not notice a thing. She was just happy to have her parents back and to make things better; her father had bought her a puppy to play with. She had named the small spaniel Moon.
"I'm going to teach my baby brother or sister how to take care of Moon" Lily announced. James looked up at his wife and child and saw that Katherine had stiffened a little. He sighed deeply; knowing now was probably the time to tell her she was not going to have a sibling anymore.
"Lily-"
"Is it a boy or girl, Mama? How do you know?" Lily asked Katherine not noticing her father had started talking to her
"I..Not until they are born" Katherine said trying her best not to sound weak. She looked over at James and met his eyes
"Not now" She mouthed. James looked unsure; he hated to lead his daughter on
"Can I feel it, mama" Lily asked. Katherine did not get a chance to say no before Lily put her little hand on her mother's belly. She had done this before a while ago before her mom and Papa had to go away. She remembered her mama had told her to be patient and eventually she would feel the baby move.
"Lilyflower, you might not be able to-"
"I felt it!" Lily yelled.
James looked up at them with confused eyes. Katherine was frozen in her sit, while Lily jumped with happiness
"Did you feel it mama?" Katherine looked at James and he looked at her eagerly as if telling her to answer already
"I..ye..i felt something" James was on his feet immediately and he quickly made his way to his wife on the couch
"Are you sure?" He asked. Katherine's eyes were filling with tears as she nodded
"I felt something"
James placed his hands on her stomach to confirm and when he felt a slight thump, he started laughing. Kissing his wife hard, Katherine could not help mumbling something about this being a miracle. Lily did not understand why her parents were reacting this way, but she liked that they were happy. For some reason things felt truly normal for the first time since they got back.
"I'll send for a doctor at once" James said drying Katherine's tears before leaving the room.
"Mama, what's wrong?" Lily asked. She wanted to know what they were so excited about.
Katherine didn't answer; she just pulled Lily into a close hug and kissed her forehead
"I love you, Lily"
Lily giggled into Katherine side "I love you too, Mama"
K
See I didn't leave you all hanging this time. Katherine was pregnant with twins and she lost one of them. I had to do that because there had to be something James would not forgive Henry for. It would be a while before those two can stand in the same room without cutting one another's throats.