Chapter 3
Chapter 3 has arrived! I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. I really am trying my best here lol. I am going to take a reader's suggestion and involve Rome more. So the Archbishop of Lisbon will be based is going to be based off of the scandalous Rodrigo Borgia. He will mainly be involved with the Spanish and Portuguese Royal Families. He will be introduced in this chapter. His name will be Jaime Mendes and you will learn more about him as the chapters come more. More characters will soon be introduced as the story progresses. So, please enjoy chapter 3 and Read and Review!
October 16, 1547
Royal Palace of Evora
Evora, Alentejo, Portugal
Mary was walking the gardens with her children. They were very sad that their father had just left for Africa and had to leave them behind. However, he did promise to bring them gifts back.
Four year old Juana began to whimper.
"I miss Papa." she said.
Mary picked her youngest child up.
"I know, sweetheart, but he will be home before you know it." she said, as she rubbed her crying child's back.
Duarte looked up at his mother.
"Why did Papa have to go, Mama?" he asked.
Mary ruffled her son's hair.
"Papa had to go on business to help everyone. That is all, sweetheart. One day, when you are King. you will have to make the same journey." she said.
Duarte shook his head.
"I don't want to go away. It makes Juana sad." he said.
Catarina looked at her younger brother.
"You have no choice. God has destined you to be King." she said.
Mary looked at her oldest child. Catarina was now ten years old and was a little more advanced than her younger siblings. She knew that her brother was due to be King and she and her sister were to make their homes in foreign Courts.
Suddenly, a man walked up to Mary and her children. He was wearing crimson red robes and looked to be about forty years old. He was Jaime Mendes and he was the Archbishop of Lisbon. He was the only one who opposed the fact that Mary was Regent of Portugal, while Carlos was in Africa.
He walked up to Mary and bowed.
"Your Majesty." he said.
Mary, who also didn't like Archbishop Mendes, bowed her head.
"Your Eminence." she said, respectfully.
Archbishop Mendes looked at the children, before speaking to Mary again.
"Your Majesty, may I have a word? In private?" he asked.
Mary nodded and put Juana down.
"Children, go into the Palace to my Chambers. I will be there shortly." she said in a gentle, but firm voice.
Catarina grabbed Juana's hand and immediately followed her mother's instructions, with Duarte following close behind her.
Mary looked up at the Archbishop.
"Now you have my attention." she said.
Mendes cleared his throat.
"I have come to you on a two matters. One is the residence of the Royal Children." he said.
Mary raised her eyebrows.
"What about them? They are here and they are perfectly fine." she said.
Mendes nodded his head.
"I am sure of that, Your Majesty. However, why not send them to Sintra? It will give you more time to worry about more important things, than little Infanta Juana crying over the absence of the King." he asked.
Mary frowned at him.
"With all due respect, Your Eminence, it is your job to conduct Mass. not tell me how to govern my husband's Kingdom in his absence. It was his wish that the children remain by my side. Relations with the French are not well at the moment and if the children are alone in another Palace, then how can we protect them? You should know how it feels to protect your family, since you have several children, despite your vow of chastity, am I right?" she asked, with a glare.
Mendes glared at the Queen, but kept his silence. It was true. Mendes was a religious man, with a roving eye and he already had four illegitimate children and a mistress living with him. Carlos and Mary didn't like the fact, but due to his position, it was little they could do.
Mary smiled at Mendes.
"Is there something else I can do for you?" she asked.
Mendes nodded.
"Yes. I would like to legitimize my children. They are, after all innocent." he said.
Mary nodded.
"Yes and they are beautiful children. I love children and do not fault them for your actions. If you do not cause any trouble for me, while I am still in charge of the realm in King Carlos's absence, I will talk to him when he returns of legitimizing your children and making sure they are well-cared for. You have my word." she said.
Mendes nodded his head.
"Thank you. I must attends to matters in the Chapel. Your Majesty." he said, as he bowed and left Mary's presence.
Mary nodded. After taking a long breath, she made her way to the castle to rejoin her children.
October 22, 1547
Hampton Court
Queen Anne's Bedchambers
Harry and Anne were lying in bed, naked. They had just made love for the second time that night. Harry held Anne in his arms, something he didn't have the luxury to do every night.
He kissed her.
"I sometimes miss our times in Ludlow when we were simply the Prince and Princess of Wales. Now as Queen, we cannot have too may night like this." he said, with a frown.
Anne smiled.
"Yes, but you not I am not far from you." she said.
Harry smiled.
"It feels good to have the children here at Court with us, but you know that eventually I'll have to send William to Wales and Matilda, Edward, Owen and Eleanor back to Hatfield. I want them to have a good upbringing away from Court." he said.
Anne nodded her head.
"I agree with you. May I ask you a question?" she asked.
Harry nodded his head.
"You can ask me anything you want, sweetheart." he said.
Anne turned to face him.
"Do you think we will have more children?" she asked.
Harry sat up. He didn't think that this questioned would be asked. He was thirty-three years old and Anne was a year younger. He thought their family was pretty much complete.
"I don't know, sweetheart. I mean if it is God's will to bless us with more children, then of course I will be very happy, but that will only be his choice. I just do not want to lose you, sweetheart. It is very risky having children. We already have five. If we do not have anymore, I will be fine with that also. However, since children are the consequence of intercourse, we may have more." he sad, with a small smile.
Anne smiled as well.
"I hope we do. I miss having a small baby." she said.
Harry smiled and kissed Anne on her lips.
"Dawn is a few hours away. Let us get some sleep and not give your maids anything else to giggle about tonight." he said, with a smirk.
Anne gave a small laugh and kissed Harry back.
"Good night, sweetheart." she said.
November 3, 1547
Valladolid, Castile, Spain
La Mota Palace
Isabella was walking the Gardens, holding baby Catalina, with her maids following closely behind her. Maria and little Fernando were running in the gardens, chasing butterflies. Isabella was very satisfied with her small family. She had never had three children to look after at the same time and she was very happy. She really hoped that all three of her children were going to survive and have families of their own. She wanted to live to see her grandchildren.
Suddenly, one of Isabella's maids walked up to her.
"My Lady, I am sorry to disturb you, but the baby must be fed." she said.
Isabella sighed and handed Catalina to her maid.
"You may take her and my other two children inside. I wish to walk alone for a bit." she said.
The maids followed Isabella's orders.
Isabella smiled at her three children and began to walk in the garden by herself. She was very happy.
Suddenly, Andres walked up to Isabella.
"Sweetheart, we have news from Court." he said.
Isabella smiled. Since her aunt, Queen Juana, had forbade her to attend Court, she was always hoping that she would change her mind. Despite loving her life in Valladolid with her children, she was really hoping that she would get invited to Court and that her aunt would honor her more. Isabella had been residing in Spain for over four years and had never even seen the Queen or anyone in the Royal Family. Technically, they were here cousins and she felt she had a right to see her family.
"What does the letter say?" she asked.
Andres smiled.
"Infanta Isabelle, the daughter of Prince Charles and your late aunt, Mary, is departing for Austria, but the ship is not ready yet, so Prince Charles would like us to host her in our home, since I am escorting her there to marry the Archduke Ferdinand, who is another grandson of Queen Juana." he said.
Isabella smiled at the prospect of meeting one of her Spanish cousins.
"That is wonderful. When will she be here?" she asked.
Andres smiled.
"She will be here by the end of the week." he said.
Isabella turned and began to walk toward the Palace.
Andres looked at his wife, confused.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
Isabella turned and looked at her husband.
"A Spanish Princess is coming to La Mota. Things have to be prepared." she said, as she walked away.
Andres just smiled.
November 8, 1547
Alcazar of Segovia, Castile, Spain
Infanta Isabelle of Aragon's Bedchambers
Twenty year old Infanta Isabelle was having her hair brushed by one of her maids, when her grandmother, Queen Juana. Isabelle was very close to her grandmother.
Juana took the brush from the maid and began to brush Isabella's hair. The young Infanta smiled.
"I remember that you used to watch when my mother brushed my hair at night." she said, in Spanish.
Juana smiled at the memory of her late daughter-in-law brushing Isabelle's hair. The late Holy Roman Empress, Mary, decided to make her home in the Spanish lands, despite her husband frequently having to travel to Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. During these times, Queen Juana and Mary became very close. Juana was even by her side for the birth of two of Mary's children, Juan and Lilliana. Juana was devastated when Mary died of an unknown illness in 1539 at the age of only forty-three. Isabelle was only twelve years old, so she clung to her grandmother tightly after her mother's death.
"I did the same thing for your aunts when they were children. Every night, before I retired to my bedchambers, I used to quietly brush their hair. all four of them loved it. I'm sure your future daughters will love it." she said.
Isabelle's face fell.
"Are you sure that I will even have children? What if my husband hates me?" she asked.
Juana soothingly touched her granddaughter's shoulder.
"Ferdinand is not like that. He was raised primarily here until about two years ago. Since his father, your uncle Fernand, is my ambassador and is next in line for the title of Holy Roman Emperor, unless something happens differently. I wanted to find you a husband here in Iberia, but none are your age." she said.
Isabelle nodded her head.
"I know, Grandmother. I am satisfied that I will be married. I just hope my husband is kind to me. However, despite the fact that I am going to Austria, I will never forget my Spanish roots or everything that you have taught me." she said, with pride and tears filling her eyes.
Juana, never wanting to show her emotions, just nodded.
"I know you want, darling." make your family proud.
Charles walked in and smiled at the sight of his mother and daughter bonding. It had been hard on him to connect with his daughters since their mother's death. He was grateful for his mother that she had been there for them when he had to go away.
He cleared his throat. Isabelle, noticing her father, stood up quickly and bowed before him.
"Father." she said.
Charles walked up to his daughter and hugged her.
"Sweetheart, everything is ready. I know you are nervous, but do not worry. Everything will be fine. I'll see you in six months, when I visit Austria." she said.
Isabelle smiled at her father and kissed his cheek.
"I'll see you then, Father." she said.
Juana cleared her throat.
"Isabelle, it is time that you go. Godspeed, my darling." she said, as she kissed her granddaughter's forehead.
Isabelle looked at her father and Juana, took a bow and walked out of the room, to her new future.
December 10, 1547
Somerset Castle
The Dining Hall
Edmund and Catherine were having dinner in the main hall. They rarely did that, but Edmund and Catherine were due at Court for the upcoming Christmas celebrations, which were supposed to be very big, since it was King Harry's first Christmas as King of England.
Edmund looked at his wife. He and Catherine had been married for four years now and he still found her charming and beautiful. However, tonight she seemed pale and seemed to pick at her food, a habit she actually detested.
"Catherine, are you alright, love?" he asked.
Catherine nodded her head, with a forced smile.
"Yes, Edmund. I am fine. I'm just tired." she said.
Edmund stood up and walked over to her.
"You don't look tired. You look sick." he said, worridely.
Catherine shook her head.
"No, Edmund. I'll be fine. It must be the weather. I've been feeling ill to my stomach for about a week now." she said.
Edmund glared at her.
"Why didn't you say anything before? Come, we are getting you to bed and I'm sending someone for the physician. I'm not taking any chances on your health." he said, as he helped Catherine to her feet.
Several hours later...
Edmund was pacing outside of his Bedchambers, waiting for the doctor to finish examining Catherine. He was scared. Just a decade earlier, he walked these same floors, waiting on word of his late wife, Anne, when she had caught the Sweat. She was dead not long after that. He didn't think he would find love again, until he met Catherine. She was so good to him and his children. He was not ready to lose her.
"Please God. Don't let this be serious." he said.
Finally, the physician walked out and closed the door behind him.
Edmund walked up to him.
"How is she, Doctor?" he asked.
The physician looked at Edmund.
"She's resting. She's going to need plenty of it in her condition." he said.
Edmund raised his eyebrows.
"What condition? Is the Duchess ill?" he asked, scared.
The physician gestured toward the door.
"The Duchess wanted me to let her tell you." he said.
Edmund rolled his eyes and walked into his bedroom.
When Edmund walked in, he saw Catherine's maids fussing over her. She was sitting up in bed, in her nightgown.
Edmund sat on the bed and grabbed her hand.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Catherine smiled.
"I'm perfect." she said.
Edmund smiled and kissed her.
"Well, what did the doctor mean by saying you have a condition?" he asked.
Catherine nodded her head.
"I do have a condition. But, I'll be fine in eight months." she said, with a smsaid.
Edmund gave her a confused look.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Catherine sighed and kept smiling.
"I'm with child, Edmund. We're going to have a baby finally." she said.
Edmund became speechless. He was happy, but nervous. He would be turning fifty in February and was no young man. However, this child is something that he and Catherine had craved.
He hugged and kissed her.
"Oh, sweetheart. We're having a baby. God answered our prayers." he said.
A/N Well, Edmund and Catherine finally got their wish! Dont worry, Catherine will carry the child to term and the name and gender has been decided. However, I am taking name and gender suggestions for Kitty Howard and Edward Fitzroy's unborn child. So the next chapter will be the beginning of 1548. King Carlos returns to Portugal in the next chapter:) We will also see more of KOA. Now, since this story is based more on the Next Generation, she won't appear as much, since she is no longer Quue, but she will have her storylines. We also will see a vengeful Tudor sister, but I don't say who:) I hope you all enjoyed Chapter 3! Chapter 4 is coming soon!
