Chapter 29: The Verge of Despair
"Salomé," he answered, and lifted her up with his hands. He kissed them, and released them from his hands. "How are you feeling on this wonderful afternoon?" She was skeptical to reply, fearing that her response might not be as enthusiastic as she would have been.
"Well, as well as to be expected," she lied through her teeth. "And you, your majesty?" She said, in the same tone as he did. "How are you today?"
"I have never felt better." They each stifled a laugh, overcoming the awkward tension. "Would you care to sit down?" Henry motioned them to sit, but Salomé shook her head.
"It's such a wonderful day…perhaps, if your majesty prefers to walk instead?" He smirked at her cleverness, and walked ahead as she followed.
"Why ever not?" He replied, holding out his arm. They walked for a while, eliminating any tension that might be between them. It seemed that it was a good day for pleasant tidings and such. His majesty was in a wonderful mood, and Salome used all her energy to enjoy it.
"You have gotten clever Salomé," He gave her the strangest look and she began to giggle. "I never knew you could be so mischievous." She held a wicked smile. "I want to hear all that you have done since the past eight years."
"I'm not sure where to begin. I have learned lots of things, majesty," she said.
"How about you tell me more about yourself?"
"More about myself?" Salomé asked curiously.
"Well, I could not find much about you when you were a child, could I?"
"Of course, your majesty. Well…um…I enjoy riding horses and playing my psaltery. I draw very well, and find any spare time reading," she said, hesitantly as Henry smirked at bit. "This grand terrain, it reminds of home sometimes."
"You miss your home, don't you?" He said with sympathy.
"I do, sometimes I feel like I could never leave it," she sighed heavily. "But it matters not. I knew that at a point of my life that I would have to be away from home, even if I do not agree with the circumstances." They close by the blanket, but Henry grasped her elbow and pulled her close to him.
"What circumstances?" She felt his breath on her face, when he spoke.
"I…am not sure if you were aware of any of it your majesty, but the "circumstances" that affected my people and my benevolent kingdom."
"Salome, worry not. I am fully aware of it. Although, I must say that it must be very difficult to carry such a heavy burden like that on your shoulders."
"I never said it was difficult majesty, but I have had a challenge of wondering if there was anything I could have done differently than…"
"Salomé…there is no use in dwelling on the past. You did what any person would do. Look at yourself, you are strong and more than you give yourself credit for. Salomé, your life is only just begun. You mustn't let these things get to you," he reassured her.
"You are right. It's silly of me to think of past, when his majesty has more things on his mind," she apologized.
"Its fine, I tend to forget that I am King sometimes," he sighed.
"Oh Henry, why would you say such a thing!" she admitted, while sitting down on the scarlet blanket.
"I meant no harm by it, but sometimes I wish…I wish I was not as occupied as I was before." He settled down beside her, watching her take in a piece of grape.
"You are still handling the divorce. I can understand that you are clearly under pressure, Henry. I cannot relate to it much, but I hope that the outcome is in your favor."
"Salome, you speak with such wisdom. I expected you to scold me so," he replied, nervously.
"Why would I ever do that?" She questioned.
"You were too young to understand before, but I have been betrayed by my legal rights."
"Such as…"
"Katherine has deceived me, and I knew should not have married her," he confessed, letting his anger overflow.
"Deceived you, Henry? How so?"
"Whether or not her marriage was consummated or not, I am being punished by God for marrying my brother's wife."
"You have a brother?" Her brow arched.
"I had one, Salome. I haven't told you this."
"Come to think of it, I never heard anything about you at all, majesty."
"I'm starting to agree with what you say. I did have a brother; he died months after he married Katherine. May he rest in peace. His place on the throne was his destiny, but he died, and so I had to assume the responsibility. I would have let Katherine be sent back to Spain, like my father commanded, but I married her any way. This is my punishment, don't you understand?"
"I do, but not the part whether Queen Katherine is being victimized. How are you charging her for a crime she did or did not commit? What proof is marrying your brother's wife a punishment validated by God?"
"The bible; in the book of Leviticus quotes 'If a man marries his brother's wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother. They will be childless.' I cannot see it any other way. I have only one heir, but a daughter. It would not be sufficed for my kingdom." He stood up, instantly.
"I understand majesty. The queen did not perform her duty and she has failed you." She knew this was a response that Henry wanted to hear. If she was in favor of the queen, who knows what he would have done. However, she was upset that Henry did not give Katherine a chance to redeem herself, despite her age. "But majesty, couldn't you have given her one more chance to redeem herself?" She said, as well as standing up.
His expression turned dark, as his head faced her and questioned her, "Why?"
"Well, she needed you and I think…" she whispered skeptically.
"I don't care what you think, Salome! This is for the best." He retorted.
"The best for whom, you or Anne?" He turned around and faced her.
"Hmm, I should have known." He said, pacing around the gardens. "You hate Anne too."
"I don't hate whoever your majesty favors, but I have my doubts about her."
"You haven't even met her," he defended.
"Yet, I felt something was wrong about her. Henry, just get a divorce, but do not marry Anne. This is too fast. You barely even know her. Despite the rumors that take heed, listen to what is true and not true. She made promise you your heart's desire, but you're risking a lot for your kingdom."
"I cannot imagine if it would be different."
"What are you talking about?"
"If I wanted to marry you, I would have to tear parliament and every living soul in this country. I would have to take drastic matters that are worse than what I am doing for Anne."
"If you wanted to insult me, go ahead. But that is no reason for not marrying me."
"I'll give you a reason, you are not English and you are a pagan. What would I do with you? Sure, I might have sons with you, but then again you could disappoint me like Katherine has. Your brother brings in money and wealth, but it matters not now. You are nothing I can invest in Salome."
"So all those years ago, were a waste of my time? Every day and night, I would wait for a letter or two in order to hear your voice-but now it has gone to waste. That thinking, dreaming I could be your wife, but you refused me. Because of what? Of my beliefs, my culture, myself. I was your treasured jewel and this is how I am treated?" Tears rolled down her cheek.
"If that is how you feel, then why did you come today?" He felt no emotion.
"I thought I might fix whatever we might still have for each other."
"I care about you Salomé so much, but…I can't."
"But I do! So much time has passed by and we allowed to. Henry, we must confess and released all the remaining emotions and thoughts we have of one another. We cannot hold it in any longer." She begged him, as she held onto his collar. "Please, I have waited for this moment all my life. I want to hear you're soft, tender words right in front of me. I want to listen to every stroke of your breath enticed the suspense and liberate all that remains of our love. The love we had, the love we have." He released her hands, and held them against his chest.
"Salomé…look at me…look at me. The love we had was real. It was pure, sanctified, and magnificent. I could not bear the thought of ever losing such love, such happiness, such comfort. But I cannot marry, nor be with you. Understand that we cannot have a future together. No matter what happens, we can't." She tore herself from his grasp, and gave him a murderous look. One that was surprising, even to Henry.
"Go to Hell, Henry!" She screamed and left.
