February 18, 1559
Palace Courtyard
After seven gruesome days of battle, Elizabeth's forces mutinied against her and took her prisoner. This officially declared Mary's forces as the winning side. The entire English court was gathered in the courtyard, waiting for Mary to reclaim the castle. They even had Elizabeth in shackles, standing outside and waiting. Lady Mary Grey stood next to her." She won't kill you," Lady Mary said.
"I know that, but the unfortunate thing is, I'd rather be dead then suffer for a lifetime of her reign," Elizabeth said as a grand carriage rode up.
The carriage pulled up and Marie De Guise was the first out, it was clear Mary would be exiting the carriage last so it would be more if a grand entrance. Unsurprisingly Marie De Guise received no applause. Next out of the carriage was Lady Catherine Grey, wearing all black. Lady Mary wanted for run up and hug her sister, but she knew it was not formal. However Lady Mary did clap excitedly when she saw her sister. Then Francis got out of the carriage and there was mild applause. Finally Francis grabbed the hand of his wife and Queen Mary stepped out, and the crowd roared.
Queen Mary waved and smiled while waiting for the crowd to die down," It saddens me to say there will be no celebrating tonight. There are many matters I must attend to, and we must mourn all of our losses." Mary said and she and her entourage of three, walked inside of the palace.
They made their way into private chambers in order to discuss everything. As they spoke a guard said," Your Majesty, the Queen of France the Marquess of Dorset are here."
The Queen's face lit up as she heard those titles," Please do send them in!" She said happily before the guard opened the door so Catherine de Medici and Lady Mary walked in." Oh Francis it warms my heart to see you!" Catherine said and hugged her son.
Later Mary ran over and hugged her sister tightly," I missed you so much! Now where is Edward, I did not even get to welcome him into the family!"
Lady Catherine as happy to see her sister, recently that was the only thing that could make her happy, but when Edward was mentioned she could not speak. Queen Mary noticed and hugged Lady Mary and said," Edward lost his life fighting for our cause, he is with God now."
Lady Mary hugged her sister again and sobbed softly. They already lost so much, and Catherine just lost even more.
"Now, there are a few matters we must discuss," The Queen of France said," Lady Mary and I have been here and managed to make deals on your behalf to secure your reign. As you may or may not know King Philip of Spain is here."
Queen Mary nodded and sat down," Yes I'm well aware. Do not worry, I shall speak to him so this does not become an international incident. The last thing I want is for him to cancel his divorce of Elizabeth."
"Yes, well Lady Mary and I have made a deal with the King, so this situation works in our favor," Catherine said, knowing what they did would be unpopular," We have arranged the engagement of King Phillip to Lady Mary."
Queen Mary looked at her mother-in-law," What? An engagement? She's only thirteen, and besides she's going to marry Prince Charles, you know this, you supported this!"
"I will not let you sell my sister!" Catherine Grey said to the Queen of France. These were the first words, Lady Catherine has spoken.
"We had plans to break off the engagement once you were back in power, but that has not proved easy. Philip has his heart set on an English marriage," Queen Catherine explained," Lady Mary has agreed to do her part for the cause." Queen Catherine hated that she had gotten Lady Mary into this situation. Not only did she rob her son, Charles, the girl he wanted to marry, but she's made a thirteen year old be engaged to a thirty-two year old.
"There has to be some other way! This is not right!" Francis said trying to think of some sort of solution.
"I am sorry, I truly am, but we cannot go against Spain, not when our position is so fragile. Philip wants an English princess, so he must marry someone," Queen Catherine said.
"Let him marry me," Lady Catherine said, she wasn't going to let this happen to her sister." I married for love once, now I will marry for my country. Philip would probably rather marry me as well. I'm closer in the succession, have a higher title than my sister, and because I'm recently a widow, I have my husband's fortune plus mine as a dowry."
"Then I suppose it is settled, as soon as his marriage is annulled you will marry King Philip, and in June when they are both of age, Lady Mary will marry Prince Charles," Queen Mary said and stood up," Catherine, deliver the news to Philip, I need to speak to Elizabeth."
Elizabeth's Chambers
Elizabeth was sitting on her bed, she knew she had lost, and there was no chance of her ever being queen again. It was over, now she just needed to play her cards right and scramble to save her life. She knew Mary wouldn't execute her while she was pregnant, but in eight months that would change. Elizabeth shot up from her chair as she heard the door open. The servant called out," Her Majesty the Queen."
Mary walked in, ever so elegant and regal, which, as usual, made Elizabeth hate her even more. She waited for everyone to leave the room and then she said," Elizabeth, it is over."
"Do not count me out yet," Elizabeth said and smiled a bit," Im a fighter."
"Enough!" Mary yelled, her regal facade washing away," This is over! I am ending this now! You have cost the lives of to many people! Catherine's husband is dead! Francis was almost killed! How coul you be so selfish?"
Elizabeth was enraged by these words," Me? Selfish? You act as if I have lost nothing! I was born a princess and had it taken away! My mother died when I was little! It is not a crime that I wish to avenge her! I got married, and now I am with child, but this child will grow up in a broken family just like I did! You are the selfish one! You were born a queen and married to become a queen again! Now you are trying to become Queen of a third nation!"
"I am doing it because your sister asked me! Because God asked me to! Because the Catholics of England asked me too!" Mary snapped back. In truth she saw Elizabeth's point, but she knew he struggle is justified." This is over, and the last life taken by this struggle will be yours. When that child is born you are as good as dead."
"Then all I ask is one favor," Elizabeth said. She was smart enough to know she'd lost, but she was going to get as much as she could. Mary did not speak so Elizabeth continued," If my child is a girl, and you have a son, arrange the marriage. I am Henry VIII's last chance to continue the Tudor line. Make my daughter queen, and I will die in peace.
Mary was shocked by this, in truth it was not a bad idea, a comprise that both sides would agree on."And if your child is not a girl?"
"Then I will renounce my and my descendant's rights to the throne," she replied," Making you the undisputed ruler of England."
Mary nodded at this, it seemed like the quickest and most efficient way to peace," You have a deal, for now." She said and walked out of the room.
King Philip's Chambers
Lady Catherine was the one who was supposed to deliver the news of the engagement change to King Philip. She walked to his chambers, still in black, ready to do her duty for her sister and her country. The servant announced," The Duchess of Suffolk," and she walked in.
Philip turned to see Catherine, and he bowed," Lady Suffolk, my condolences on the loss of your husband. What can I help you with today?"
"Queen Mary has called off your engagement to my sister Lady Mary," Catherine said and she could tell Philip was confused." You will be marrying me instead."
"My lady, I do not understand. You are still mourning your husband. I plan on the annulment moving through by the end of the month, are you ready to remarry so quickly?" He asked her.
She nodded," I married for love, now I marry for love again. For love of my sister. She wishes to marry Prince Charles of France, so I am giving her that opportunity. In addition to that, I am older than she is, meaning I am more prepared to have children. I know you need an heir after the unfortunate situation of your son. If this pregnancy with Elizabeth does not give you a son, I will."
"I admire what you are doing for your sister, and I accept the engagement change. When my marriage is annulled I shall marry you," he said with a small smile," In the meantime I wish for you to come to Spain with me to see your future Kingdom. We will have to leave tomorrow."
Catherine did not want to leave tomorrow, seeing as she just reunited with her sister, but she couldn't bare to stay in England, it reminded her to much of Edward. She offered a small smile, and she felt something in her chest that made her genuinely happy, though she was still grieving. She then realized that feeling was hope.