December 31, 1558

England

The words of last night's meeting with Elizabeth still rattled in Catherine Grey's mind. Could it even be true? Was Elizabeth really plotting to marry the King of Spain in order to challenge Mary's claim to the throne? If it was true, it left Catherine and her younger sister in a dangerous position, because they would be forced to pick a side. Their family had already felt the horrible affects of opposing an already proclaimed Queen, and Catherine did not want to lose her head like her sister, Jane had. However, there was a good chance that Elizabeth might succeed, and if she did, all of Mary's supporters would be gotten rid of. Catherine was forced to pick between her two cousins, and she needed to pick the right one, not just for her sake, but for her younger sister's sake as well.

Catherine sighed as she walked over to her desk, picking a side was not ideal, but she had no other choice. Therefore, she knew whose side she belonged on. She pulled out a piece of paper and began to write a letter, that would seal her fate, either good or bad, and officially declare where he loyalties were.

After writing the letter, Catherine made her way out of the room and began to walk the halls of the palace. It was early so she knew the Queen was not yet awake, but she was thankful for it. Once she reached the Queen's chambers, she handed the guard the letter, "When her majesty awake, please give this letter directly to her hands. It is of the upmost importance." The guard nodded, and Catherine quickly made her way back to her chambers.

A few hours later, Mary had awoken and gotten ready for her day. This was a busy day for her because she was meeting with some powerful English nobles, trying to see where their loyalties were, as well as trying to win them over. The nobles, the people, the monarchy, and the church were the foundation of a nation, she needed to have support from all of these parts to secure her rule. As she brushed her hair, a guard came in, "Your majesty, Lady Catherine Grey came by in the early hours of the morning and left this letter to be delivered to you directly."

Mary nodded, "Of course," she replied as she took the letter. Mary was almost scared to open this letter because she knew the Grey sisters were Protestant, and they had a history of trying to usurp the throne. It broke Mary's heart that all of her cousins were also considered rivals, but unfortunately that was the truth of the situation. She took a deep breathe and opened the letter.

My dear cousin and Queen of Scotland, England, and Ireland, Dauphine of France,

Just last night I was made aware of a plan in the works to overthrow your majesty, and possibly kill you. This plan is being conspired by none other than our dear cousin Lady Elizabeth and his majesty King Phillip II of Spain. The plan is to wed and raise an army to over throw your majesty. I debated on keeping this knowledge a secret, for I was afraid I was conspiring against my cousin Elizabeth, but my conscience got the better of me. I pray that you will know what to do, but for my safety I request you majesty burn this letter after reading it.

Your loyal servant and cousin,

Catherine

As she read the letter, Mary's heart sank. Elizabeth was trying to ally herself with the most powerful country in Europe. With Spain's support Elizabeth could easily push Mary off of the throne, and perhaps even endanger Scotland and France as well. "Please do not let this be true," Mary exclaimed, fearing for her own life and the life of her husband as well. If Elizabeth won a war against her, she would surely take Mary's head, and maybe even Francis' as well.

"Mary what is wrong?" Francis asked her as she rushed to his wife's side. A still frightened Mary said nothing, but instead she simply handed Francis the letter. As he read it, he kept a calm and collected demeanor, as to not frighten his wife even more. After reading the letter, he followed its last instructions and threw it in the fire, "We must thank Lady Catherine for her loyalty, she has proven whose side she I on."

Mary nodded in agreement, she could not let this loyalty go unrewarded. Mary knew she had the upper hand in regards to her cousin's loyalty so she was going to capitalize off of it. The last thing she needed was the Grey sisters to back Elizabeth for the throne. "Of course, we could return their family lands and titles which were taken from them when Jane's usurpation fail," She said and began to draw up some papers up to get that process started, "But what of Elizabeth? She is going to marry the most powerful man in Europe."

"Perhaps she is just as afraid of you, as you are of her. If she fears for her life under your reign, then she would marry a powerful king to protect herself," Francis suggested as he pondered this question, "Perhaps a gesture of good will might relax her, and let her know that you have no intentions of killing her, as long as she is loyal. Her mother was created Marquess of Pembroke before being cast off, maybe if you give this title to Elizabeth, it would ease her mind."

Mary nodded, pleased with her husband's idea, "Excellent idea, and it would not seem suspicious since I am also returning the Grey family's lands as well, she would not even suspect that we knew of her little plan with the Spanish King. We might be able to get around this after all. For now, let us summon the Grey sisters and speak to them directly." Mary then asked one of the guards to summon her cousins.

Not long after, the herald announced, "Lady Catherine and Lady Mary Grey!" The two sisters walked in to the chambers and Queen Mary finally got to get a good look at her cousins, who she hoped would become close friends. The two looked almost nothing alike, Catherine was tall, with piercing blue eyes, and strawberry blonde hair, which was not typical of the family. Mary Grey, on the other hand, was rather short, likely because of her age, and had the Tudor trademark auburn hair, and brown eyes. Though they looked very different, they each possessed a classy, somewhat regal air about them.

Queen Mary smiled and pulled her cousins in for a hug, which was understandably surprising to the Grey sisters. "My dearest cousins it is so good to see you, and I thank you for your loyalty, you should know that I will reward you for this loyalty after the coronation." Mary waved her hand and the guards and servants all left the room.

The sisters curtsied to their queen and smiled. "Thank you your majesty," Catherine Grey responded, "But if I may ask, what will become of Lady Elizabeth? Are you going to..." she trailed off, but Mary knew what she was implying.

Queen Mary was sure that Catherine felt a twinge of guilt for betraying her cousin, and was worried this betrayal might lead to Elizabeth's death. "No, not yet anyway," Mary answered and sat down next to Francis, "The Queen of France, my mother-in-law, is good with these situations, she should be here soon to advise us on what exactly to do, but Lady Elizabeth will not die. However, I must ask you, why have you chosen to support me?"

The sisters looked at each other, as if silently asking each other the same thing. "Well, with all due respect," Catherine finally spoke up, "Our family has suffered greatly from picking the losing side in struggles for the crown, so this time we want to avoid that heartache. But also, I know Elizabeth well, and I have already gotten to know you. You both care greatly for this nation, but I feel Elizabeth cares most about proving all those who doubted her wrong, which could jeopardize England."

Mary nodded as she listened, and she respected her cousin's honesty. Mary did seem to have the upper hand, at least right now, in this conflict and it would make sense for those who were undecided to go ahead and join her side. Before Queen Mary could respond, the guard came in and said, "Pardon the interruption your majesty, but the Earl of Hertford is here to see you, he claims to have arranged this meeting with you?"

"Edward Seymour? What on earth is he doing here?" Catherine asked, having recognized his title. Edward Seymour was a known protestant, not exactly the type you would expect the new Catholic Queen to meet with.

"I am meeting with prominent Protestant lords in order to secure my reign," Mary replied to her cousin before turning to the guard, "I almost forgot this meeting was this early please do send Lord Seymour in." Soon, the guard opened the door and a tall and slender man, with a charming smile, entered the room, he bowed to the Queen, but his eyes were on Catherine, "Lord Seymour, is it alright if my cousins sit in on this meeting?"

Edward took Catherine's hand and kissed it softly before offering her a charming smile, "Of course, I would enjoy such lovely company, and I always wish to meet those I would be working close too. It is my understanding that the Grey sisters are going to support your claim above Lady Elizabeth, correct?" Catherine was shocked to hear that Edward so openly talking against Lady Elizabeth, but she could not help but to smile, knowing that she and this charming lord would be on the same side.

Everyone in the room seemed to noticed the flirtation between Edward and Catherine , Queen Mary, holding back a teasing smile nodded, "Yes, my cousins are loyal friends and allies." Then a servant came into the room and whispered into Mary's ear, before she sighed. The Queen stood up and smiled at Edward, "Could you and Catherine discuss this business, I seem to have a visitor that cannot wait. Edward and Catherine nodded before leaving the room. "Francis, you and Mary go begin planning the coronation, I have to deal with this harpy."

Lady Mary's eyes widened as she wandered who could have arrived that evoked such emotions from the Queen. Were their lives in danger? "Forgive me for asking your majesty, but who is here?"

Mary gritted her teeth as she walked to the door, "My mother," she replied as she walked out of the room.

Chapter four rewritten