The banquet celebrating the return of the king to Court was one of the most expensive and lavish parties thrown in the palace in almost a year. Even the banquet for the birth of the prince was not as lavish because the king was not in attendance. The music was loud, game was plentiful, there was wine and ale, Fools to entertain the court and there was dancing, lots and lots of dancing.

Henry had opened up the dance floor with the duchess of York as his dance partner. They moved well together, in sync and beautiful. Each knew had to complement the other and by the smiles on their faces, the rest of the court knew (and soon all of England) that the king and his first wife were true friends again.

The Duke of York watched from a corner as all of this happened. There was nothing intimate about Henry's and Katherine's dancing, but James could only think about the kiss they had shared a few days ago. He didn't doubt that she was sorry; he knew she was repentant of her mistake and he knew she loved him, but James was angry. He felt betrayed and he felt used. He could not help thinking that maybe for the first few months of their marriage he was a project to her. A Henry she could fix. She had insisted he moved on, heal from the past forget Renee. James grind his teeth as the court applauded when the dance came to an end. He picked up his goblet and finished the content looking away from Katherine who had been trying all night to make eye contact with him.

There was a pulling on his sleeve and James looked down to see Lily smile up at him. He had eventually conceded into allowing her attend the banquet.

"Dance with me papa" She pulled him onto the dance floor and she shuffled to take her place in the line. James found himself smiling too. All thought of ignoring Katherine was forgotten as he danced with his oldest child. By the next song, the king joined the dance with Katherine in tow. James looked at his brother and frowned, but Henry was all smiles

"Shall we switch partners' niece?" He asked Lily and the young girl was too willing to forgo her father to dance with her uncle, leaving her parents standing awkwardly among happy courtiers in the middle of the banquet hall. James took Katherine by the hand as he did not want any attention drawn to the both of them. Katherine's heart clenched because the touch was so cold and impersonal. She had tried looking into his eyes all night, but he had only avoided her. Even now he was not looking at her. When they had to face one another during the dance, he looked above her head.

"James" She said trying to get his attention. He went around her as required by the dance

"I have nothing to say to you" he whispered back, still not looking at her. Katherine felt anger and sadness bubble up in her stomach at the same time. Why did he have to be so difficult? They danced in silence for another minute and Katherine tried again. She held his hand firmly to keep him from moving making him look at her for the first time.

"It is you I love" She tried to convince him. James looked at her for what seemed like hours. His face was expressionless and she could not tell what he was thinking. After a few seconds, James led her out of the Banquet hall and into a small corner behind a pillar just outside the banquet hall doors.

He looked at her closely, the blank stare he had only a minute ago seemed to have softened and Katherine felt herself relax seeing as there was some hope after all.

"I love you too Katherine" He began. A small smile began to grace her lips and just as she was about to place her palm on his face, he took a hold of it in his. The feeling cold like the last time "That is why I can't forgive you. not now anyway"

Katherine was lost for words. She stared at him in shock as he turned away from her and walked back into the banquet hall. Her mind was racing but nothing was making sense. Her dress suddenly felt too tight and she thought she was going to be sick. A few tears escaped her eyes, but she frantically wiped them away. People were out and about, she could not just stand in a corner and cry, it was not a thing Katherine of Aragon would do. As she stood there, trying to make sense of what just happened, she felt a fire run through her veins. She was angry.

2 months later

Thomas Cromwell was a busy man. How busy? Cromwell was about to seal his faith as the kings most trusted and most reliant friend. He was going to get the king the best alliance there was out there. an alliance that would make every enemy of England think twice about going to war with the country. Cromwell was going to make the king richer and even more powerful than he already was and this can all be done if he finds the right princess for the king to marry. He had quite a list of names, but he has yet to narrow them down. The kings new obsession with France has put a bit of a delay on his little project, not to think also of the fact that the king has not shown any interest in acquiring a new queen, but that was why he was working on the project, so he could make an appealing proposal.

It was late at night and Thomas was going through past document that have to do with the kings past marriages. He would have to peruse them and make sure all was well and nothing could stop the marriage of the king to any of the women he would select for him. Thomas didn't think anything was wrong, he just liked to be thorough and he knew the ambassadors from the other countries would like to look at the documents as well.

He went through documents concerning Jane and Anne. Most of the documents had to do with Katherine. Many of them so far were letters to the pope requesting the divorce. Cromwell remembered those times. He remembered how happy he had been to find out that small information that was able to get the court to rule the marriage void. It had not been easy, but in the end he did his job, he pleased the king. Thomas was about to close the folder containing all the documents when something caught his eye. It was the official divorce papers for the King and Katherine. Cromwell felt his body freeze. his heart skipped many beats and he all of a sudden thought he was going blind. After blinking a couple of times and moving the document closer to the candle, Cromwell saw the the official document proclaiming the separation of the then King and Queen of England was left unsigned by both the king and Katherine. Cromwell could not wrap his mind around the reason why this could be. he had watched them sign all the papers, he had looked through them all, how could he have missed this. This document changed everything, this document meant that there was no true heir for England, this document meant that the King and Katherine were still married.

oooooo

I am soooo sorrry about the delay. I sort of lost my muse for this story. I hate leaving stories unfinished so I've been trying to update, but i just don't have anything. I know this chapter's short and honestly it is not my best, but please bare with me. I will try my best to finish this story. If anyone has any ideas to throw at me that would be awesome. Thank you for being patient.

ValleyDew