- How many other men have you slept with? - he asked again.
- Do I have to invent them, just to give satisfaction to your childish fantasies? - hissed the queen, freeing herself from the grasp of her husband, who kept looking at her with a scowl.
- Don't defy me, woman- growled Henry taking a step forward. Catherine arched an eyebrow, sarcastic.
- Is there anything that is not a challenge to you? - she asked.
Her husband huffed and walked away from her, letters in hand. Approaching the fireplace, he began to throw the papers into it. The woman turned to look at him with her arms crossed, irritated. Then she smiled.
- What if I asked you how many women you've slept with? Henry giggled softly and then looked at his wife with an arrogant expression.
- Oh, you don't want to know- he said, grinning. To her surprise, Catherine smiled even more.
- And do you also know why the number of your conquests is so high?
- Because I'm terribly handsome and virile- replied the king, going back to burning the letters.
- And who tells you this, your whores or you in front of the mirror? - asked the woman again.
- Why else? - asked her husband in reply.
- Because you are a king, Catherine answered, sitting on her vanity, they cannot refuse you. Otherwise you would know that you are old-
- What did you say? - asked Henry, astonished and indignant.
The queen smiled and poured herself a glass of wine.
- That you are old. That's why you preferred to rape me, isn't it? - she answered after several seconds, with an innocent air - Because I am the only one who can tell you to your face the reality without consequences-
The man stood up with an indignant expression on his face.
- Then I guess your lovers are ten times younger than me- he hissed nervously.
- Are you still insisting with this story of lovers?
- Until you confess every single clandestine affair.
Catherine sighed.
- You're more stubborn than the horses we have in the stables- she blurted.
- I'm also as strong as a horse - said the king, grinning mischievously.
- Keep telling yourself that - said the queen ironically, without looking at him.
- Alright- she added after a few moments- if you want confessions-.
Henry's eyes twinkled for a moment before he sighed in annoyance at his wife's stupid game.
- It must have been last summer, yes- Catherine began- He was a young Spaniard in his thirties, tall, thick black hair...-
The king looked up.
-...blue eyes, fairly muscular build, pleasant accent. He was a theatrical writer and worked at Elizabeth's court, I think he still works. He was cultured, spoke charmingly and I remember he smelled of cherry trees-.
Henry arched an eyebrow.
- Are you guys making this up or-?
- Of course not! You said to confess everything- Catherine answered ironically.
Evidently the joke was not clear to the man because he put his hands on his hips and looked at her in anger.
- Catherine - he warned threateningly.
The queen snorted.
- I'm joking, Henry. Are you so caught up in your jealousy that you don't notice I'm describing our daughter's husband?
Henry was interjected for a moment then grunted and turned his back on a very amused Catherine.
- I never said I was jealous of you- he mumbled, bending down to clean the fireplace.
- No, you didn't. But you are proving it amply- retorted the woman as she stood up. She walked to a trunk on the other side of the room and pulled out a nightgown, then headed for the booth.
- What are you doing?
- I am changing, Henry - replied his wife from behind the screen - I am sleepy and I think we have said enough.
He received no objections or questions. She shrugged her shoulders and began to unfasten her robe. She turned for a moment and gasped at the sight of her husband watching her. Since when was he so quiet?
- Henry, are you crazy? - she asked shrilly - You gave me a shock -
The king did not answer.
- What more do you want? - the woman asked again.
Henry smiled dangerously.
Here's a tip: I'd have a great twist ready for you, do you want it right away or are we going to enjoy these two bickering some more?