Catalina goes into labour on New Year's Day. Her screams echo throughout her chambers, and us maids-of-honour gather in the privy chamber. We cannot enter her bedchamber since knowledge of what happens in childbirth is restricted to married women and midwives. I have no idea why it is like this in Tudor England, and not in the modern day. But I cannot question these things; I must keep history on the right track. One of my jobs is keeping an eye on the hybrids until King Henry and Catalina decide where they should go. Apart from that, I spend most of my time at Court. Today is one of the days I'm at Court. Catalina will need me over the coming weeks, so I will do my best to help her.
Mum, Mummy, and I are sitting in Catalina's privy chamber, doing our own thing. I have my computer out and my headphones plugged in so I can listen to the Titanic musical in peace. I've rarely had a moment to myself, and I wanted to remind myself of the reason why I am travelling through time. The Titanic is one of the events I want to get involved in, but also one I would rather avoid. Can that happen? I guess so if I'm going through it.
While I listen to my music, I open a new tab and begin researching Catalina. The more I know about her life now, the better equipped I will be. That will be true for the other wives, but I'm currently in Catalina's reign, so that is the most pressing right now.
"How are you getting on?" Mum asks me. I pause my music and remove my headphones.
"Sorry, can you please repeat that?"
"How are you getting on?"
"I'm doing all right. I'm just researching Catalina's life to ensure I keep everything on track." I show Mum my screen, and she reads through the page I have open.
"How awful," she whispers. "And you haven't told the Queen yet?"
"Not yet, because it also involves Anne, and she's not here yet. I'd rather wait until she gets here before I tell Catalina."
Mum nods and sits beside me. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Not on the research side, I'm afraid." I hiss as my tentacles start hurting.
"I know it hurts, sweetheart, but I'm afraid there is nothing I can do about the pain."
"All right, can you at least check on K-9? I haven't seen him for a while."
"Sure." Mum heads out to search for our dog.
"Where do you think he is?" Mummy asks.
"I don't know, but he stays with us until..." My voice trails off as I think. The last time I will have K-9 is on the Titanic.
I cannot think about that now. I still have several hundred years before that. For now, I must remain strong. I still have time. I can prepare myself for that.
Mum walks back in after a few minutes with K-9 in tow. As she sits down, the midwife hurries out of Catalina's rooms. "It is a boy! Praise God; the kingdom is safe!" She hurries off to tell the King, and most of the maids make a sign of the cross and kneel. I share a worried look with Mum and Mummy. The poor prince won't survive for long.
Once we can, we go in to see Catalina. "How are you?" Maria asks.
"I will feel better after my churching," Catalina replies. "Until then, I will have to rely on you all for company." We all sit in silence for a while and think about what happened. "King Henry will believe England is not safe without a prince," Catalina finally says. "I cannot give him one if your facts are right, Emma."
"I know they are right; I'm sorry."
"Do not be sorry. It is not something you can control. Does someone else give him a son?"
"Two people. One of the sons is illegitimate, but the King recognises him. The other is by another of King Henry's wives."
"I should have realised I would not be the only one. I guess he marries her after my death."
I dare not reply. I cannot tell Catalina the truth yet. It is better that I tell her and Anne at the same time rather than telling them separately.
Maria opens one of the curtains slightly as a lady-in-waiting walks in. She shoos Maria away and closes the curtains. "The curtains must remain closed while the Queen is in confinement. You will understand that yourself when you are married and pregnant."
"Confinement and keeping a room dark during pregnancy are outdated ideas by our time," Mummy whispers, and I nod. But we dare not tell the lady-in-waiting that—she will think we are mad.
"That makes sense," Mum agrees, "it wasn't even used in Egyptian times."
"And most people now can't do it; they cannot afford to go into confinement."
When the lady leaves, we gather around Catalina's bed again. "So, Mary will be the only child I have that lives to adulthood?" Catalina asks, and I nod. "What happens to Henry?"
"He only lives until the 22nd of February," I say, "I am so sorry."
Catalina starts crying, and we hug her. It is the only thing we can do for her now. If only we could do more to help Catalina. If only I could do more to help.
That same day, Prince Henry's birth is announced to the public, and we hear church bells ringing. Maria moves the curtains a little. "A jousting tournament is being set up!"
"What is the point of it?" Catalina asks.
"We're the only ones who know about what will happen to Prince Henry," I remind her, "you cannot blame the others for celebrating."
Maria continues watching the outside world as the rest of us continue talking. K-9 joins us, and I pat his head. If only I could prevent some of the events that are to come.