Chapter 4
Well, chapter 4 has arrived. I have to admit, writing this story is actually pretty fun so far. However, there will be more stories coming up. I'm taking ideas for a Arthur/Katherine story. I don't see myself doing Anne Boleyn, since I'm not really a fan of her. I am willing to do another Henry/Katherine story. Also, part of me wants to do an alternative Trastamara story, where the children of Fernando de Aragon and Isabel de Castilla have different lives. If anyone has suggestions on these, please feel free to message me or leave a review. Until then, please enjoy Chapter 4! Read and Review!
January 2, 1548
Royal Palace of Èvora
Èvora, Alentejo, Portugal
Mary sat on her throne, reading over a document. It was a letter from one of the Portuguese nobles. Apparently there had been some type of rebellion done. It seems that a small group of these nobles still seemed to think that King Carlos had usurped the Portuguese Throne.
Mary looked at her husband's advisor, Gonzalo Bernardes, who was the brother of the woman who tried to blackmail Isabella and was now in prison for striking the Queen.
"My husband's ascension to the Throne is still being challenged? Why now? It's been nearly five years since and he's done many good things." she said.
Gonzalo nodded.
"That's true, Your Majesty, but these men have already risen a small army that can match ours instantly. They all say that your sister's child is the rightful ruler." she said.
Mary sighed.
"There's no way we can send an army right now. Most of our soldiers are guarding the King in his expedition to Africa." she said.
King Carlos's eldest sister, Infanta Beatriz, looked at Mary.
"Maybe we should send for the King. He may be able to settle this matter." she stated.
Mary shook her head.
"No. He has enough trouble on his hand while he's replenishing the Treasury. I will not have him think that his Queen cannot handle conflicts at home in his absence. I'll deal with this. Gonzalo, I want you to get everything in order. We are leaving for Lisbon immediately. Beatriz, you and Isabel are to come with me. Also, I need a copy of the late King Alfonso's will. It will prove useful. Carlos maybe able to fight in the battlefield, but I will fight with words. The Palace of St. George will do just fine." she said.
Gonzalo went to do what Mary said. Beatriz looked at her sister-in-law.
"Your Majesty, these men are known to be ruthless and are very chauvinist. How will you handle them?" she asked.
Mary looked at her.
"In your brother's absence, I have all his powers. I will not tolerate anyone who will challenge my husband or children's rights to this Throne. If they want to make an enemy of the Crown, they will be treated as traitors." she said.
Beatriz smiled. She greatly admired her sister-in-law at this moment. Beatriz was always a person who craved law and order. With the death of her two brothers, Carlos being King was definite.
"Why do you require myself and Isabel at your side?" she inquired.
Mary smiled.
"You are my husband's sisters and more importantly, I'll feel close to my husband and feel like I'm doing the right thing, since you all think similar." she said.
Beatriz bowed her head.
"I'll go prepare for the journey." she said.
Mary put her head in her hand. She really hoped that she could solve this conflict.
Lisbon, Portugal
Castle of Saint George
Mary was sitting on the Throne, waiting for the rebels to arrive. She kept a calm look on her face, despite the rage she was feeling deep inside of her. These people dare call her husband a usurper!
Infanta Isabel kneeled to whisper to Mary.
"As Regent, you should just arrest them and have them executed in the most gruesome way possible. Why do you want to negotiate anything with them?" she asked.
Mary put her hand up.
"Isabel, we must not let our tempers get the best of us and act like ssvsges. That's why we use words first. God is on our side, as well as the law of this land. May God bless my father's soul, but he used such force in his reign. We must not let that happen here." she said.
Gonzalo nodded his head.
"The Queen is right, Infanta. Haste decisions with men like these could damage the King's reputation to a point where the people would want your illegitimate niece on the Throne, than King Carlos." he said.
Isabel nodded her head. At thirty years old, she was the youngest full sister of Carlos and just like her eldest sister, Beatriz, the Succession was very important to her.
Suddenly, several men walked in and stood in front Mary, Isabel, Beatriz and Gonzalo. They openly glared at Mary.
She offered them a smile.
"Welcome to St. George's Palace. We hope your journey was as peaceful as mine. Now, shall we get to business?" she asked.
One man spoke.
"It's simple. Take that Crown off your head and give it to Infanta Maria and bring her back from Castile. She is the rightful heiress as the daughter of the late King Diego and his Consort Queen Isabella of England. " he said gruffly.
Mary gripped her chair, but stayed calm. She cleared her throat and extended her hand to Gonzalo, as he handed her a document.
She looked at the men.
"What you say is not true. I hold in my hand a letter from Pope Paul III. His Holiness has said that the marriage between the late King of Portugal and Princess Isabella of England, who happens to be my blood sister was and is to this day null and void. A dispensation was needed because my sister married her first husband's brother and because they were also cousins. His Holiness denied them the Papal Bull, therefore not permitting the marriage. Therefore any children born from that false marriage are considered illegitimate and unable to inherit the Throne of Portugal." she said.
The men sneered at Mary.
"That means nothing. She's the daughter of a King. She should be on the Throne." he said.
Isabel suddenly lost her temper.
"A BASTARD WILL NOT SIT ON THE THRONE THAT MY FATHER INHERITED FROM GOD!" she screamed.
Mary turned to her sister-in-law, in shock. Isabel was normally a calm, quiet woman.
The nobleman glared at the angry Princess.
"Your Highness, you have a comfortable life. What is being done about the former Princess of Portugal?" he asked.
Gonzalo spoke then.
"She is residing with her mother and the King does support her, despite her illegitimacy. The King does have affection for the child, but she will not sit on the Throne." he said.
The nobles then looked at Mary.
"We do not want to cause trouble, but we want justice." he said.
Mary, at that moment, stood to her feet.
"You think this is justice? Going against your King in his absence? The little girl Maria is of no concern to you. What is your name?" she asked the man in front of her.
He sneered at her.
"Hector Bernardes. I'm the illegitimate son of the late King Manuel." he said.
Mary's blue eyes blazed in anger. This young man's mother was currently imprisoned for assaulting Mary over a year ago. Now she could make sense of this trouble.
"I know your mother very well. I see that causing trouble runs very deep in the family." she said.
Hector clenched his fist, in anger.
"You will not disgrace my mother!" he yelled.
Mary frowned.
"Your mother has disgraced herself all on her own! However, I did not summon this court to discuss this mother. As your Queen and Your Regent, I order you to stop these rebellions. We are a peaceful realm and you will abide by the rules that were set long before your birth." she said.
Hector raises his eyebrows.
"And if I refuse?" he asked.
Mary straightened her face, to not show anger.
"Your mother is currently in prison. I'm sure we can find you a cell near her, before you meet the executioner." she said calmly.
Hector Bernardes gasped, in shock.
"How dare you threaten me?" he asked.
Suddenly, a man's voice said:
"The Queen was not making a threat, Señor Bernardes."
Everyone turned around and there stood King Carlos.
"How dare you disrespect Portugal's beloved Queen, in my absence? Is this what I have to expect when I am gone? Thst my wife will be disrespected?" he said, as he walked to his Throne.
Bernardes bowed his head.
"Infante Carlos. I am glad you have returned." he said.
Carlos glared at the young man.
"Since I am in good spirits that God allowed me to return safely to my realm, I will let your utter disrespect go for the moment. Now, since you are here, I will let you know that rebellions will not be tolerated. The Queen was being very generous. However, I have returned and I shall hand out your punishments. All of the men who participated in this little skirmi will lose their titles and pensions. Now, Bernardes, since you started this trouble, I condemn you to die by bring beheaded by the executioner. Let your death be an example of anyone who questions my legitimate reign, which God ordained. However, as a merciful and Christian man, I will give you three days to rethink your position and swear your oath to me and cease these troubles. If you do, you will be released. If not, your head shall be separated from your body on the executioner's block. Guards, take him to the dungeons." he said.
The guards grabbed Hector and escorted him out.
Carlos turned to Mary and smiled.
"I am so proud of how you governed. I received report from everyone." he said.
Mary touched his hand.
"I would do it again." she said.
Carlo smiled harder.
"Good. However, the next trip I take, I want you with me. Oh Maria, we saw so much wealth. We are no longer in debt. I will be making another expedition in two years time." he said.
Gonzalo smiled.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. You did what your late brothers failed to do. You made it to Africa and made the realm wealthy once more. Do you think we will make it Asia?" he asked.
Carlos nodded his head.
"With God on our side, anything is possible." he said.
Mary nodded in agreement.
Carlos smiled.
"To thank God for his new wealth, I will be building a new cathedral here in Lisbon." he said.
Isabel touched her brother's shoulder.
"That is a fine idea, Carlos." she said.
Mary stood to her feet.
"I'm going to go to the Chapel and pray. Maybe God will also bless us with a new child." she said, with hope in her eyes.
Carlos smirked.
"That's a project that only God can allow, sweetheart." he said.
Mary nodded. She really wanted to give Carlos another child. With another Prince in the nursery, she would feel more secure. She knew that she should be thankful for her son, Duarte, but she wanted Carlos to feel secure with the succession, as well.
January 14, 1548
Hatfield House
Dowager Queen Katherine's Bedchambers
Katherine was sitting by the fire, with a robe on and a blanket covering her. She was reading her Bible. Since her husband's death, she had become more of a country woman, than a Royal one. Now sixty years old, she was shocked that she had lived to see this age. However, she did miss the days of her youth.
Elizabeth Darrell walked in and smiled at the former Queen.
"Your Majesty, are you content today?" she asked.
Katherine nodded her head.
"Yes. The winter just troubles my joints. How are the children?" she asked.
Lady Darrell smiled.
"They are well. They are all either reading or practicing their Latin. You would be very proud of them." she said.
Katherine put her Bible down and walked over to the window, looking at the snow fall outside.
"Are all the fireplaces lit? I do not want anyone becoming ill, especially the children." she said.
Lady Darrell nodded her head.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I have given the order to keep the fires going." she said.
Katherine wrapped a blanket around herself.
"Good. I love England, but the winters here can be brutal. My son, the King, has trusted me to care for the children and I don't want to let him down." she said, as she sat down in s chair near her bed.
Lady Darrell nodded her head.
"You are doing a wonderful job. My Lady, the Queen Anne has invited you and Princess Elizabeth to come to Court. She says that King Harry misses you and his sister." she said.
Katherine smiled. She was glad that her son still thought of her.
"That would be lovely, but I can't. My health and strength are not what it used to be. I need to rest. However, I believe Elizabeth should go. She hasn't been to Court since her Father's death. She needs to get used to Court life, since she will be departing for my sister's Court in Spain in a year or so." she said.
Lady Darrell froze.
"My Lady, I doubt that the Princess will want to leave you. The only way she dealt with the late King's death was by clinging to you." she said.
Katherine nodded her head.
"Yes, but now life must go on. Elizabeth has a duty to fulfil very soon. I will not always be around to comfort her when times are bad. If she goes to Spain and is unstable in the Court, it will be my fault. Now, it is my job to prepare her for married life. I cannot waste anymore time." she said.
Lady Darrell walked over to Katherine.
"When should I tell the Princess that she is returning to Court?" she asked.
Katherine took Lady Darrell's hand.
"In the morning. If I can, I am going to have her sent to Court by the end of the week." she said.
Lady Darrell nodded her head and left the room.
January 23, 1547
Hampton Court
Queen Anne's Bedchambers
Queen Anne was sitting and sewing on a cloth. Due to the cold weather, she was sitting near a fire. She was sewing a blanket that could be sent to her youngest child. Anne didn't like the fact that her children could not live with her at Court. She missed the days when she was just the Princess of Wales and didn't have to endure long absences from her children.
Suddenly, one of her maids walked in.
"Your Majesty, I am sorry to interrupt, but Princess Elizabeth is here." she said.
Anne smiled and stood to her feet.
"Send her in." she said.
A few minutes later, Elizabeth walked in. She was wearing a black dress, with her brown hair down her back and a simple clip in in. She looked very sad.
She bowed to Anne.
"Your Majesty." she said.
Anne walked up and hugged her husband's younger sister.
"Elizabeth, it is so wonderful to see you. I haven't seen you since the coronation. Is everything alright? Why didn't you and your mother return to Court at all?" she asked.
Elizabeth looked at her sister-in-law.
"I do not know, Your Majesty. However, I did spend most of last year mourning my late father. I assume my mother did the same." she said.
Anne smiled.
"I know. The late King's passing was hard on all of us. Now, tell me. Are you excited about traveling to Spain soon? Do you know much about your fiancée?" she asked, as she offered Elizabeth a seat.
Elizabeth sat down.
"Well, Luis is very kind in his letters. He's pious, generous, and has high ambitions for his reign as King and our marriage." she said.
Anne took Elizabeth's hand in her own.
"There is no shame to say he is charming. The Spanish Ambassador always says that the Princess in Spain are both very handsome young men. Are you nervous about Spain?" she asked.
Elizabeth shook her head.
"No, I know what my duty is. It's just I didn't expect it to go this way." she said.
Anne have her a confused look.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Elizabeth stood to her feet and walked over to a nearby window and watched the snow fall down.
"Ever since I was about five years old, I have wanted to take the veil. I felt like God wanted me to dedicate my life to him and only him. Then it was announced that I was going to be a future Queen of Spain. I resisted as much as I could, but now I can't. I'll be fifteen years old this September and my time in my homeland is coming to a close. I'll be leaving for Castile next year and that's it. I won't see my mother or the rest of my family again." she said.
Anne walked up behind her and rested her hands on the younger Princess's arms.
"I know how you feel, Elizabeth. I was a little older than you when I had to leave Germany to come here to England. I missed my family many times and still do. However, when I see Harry or our children, I remind myself that if I never sacrificed my homeland, I wouldn't have them at all. You'll feel the same way in a few years when you become a mother. You may be leaving your family, but you will be building your own. Don't fear it." she said.
Elizabeth turned and smiled at Anne.
"You give such good advice. Since both mof my older sisters are gone and my mother is in the country, I'm glad I can talk to you." she said, as she hugged Anne.
Anne hugged her back.
"I am here for you whenever you need me, dear Elizabeth." she said.
Somerset Castle
Duchess Catherine's Bedchambers
Catherine was sitting by a window, sewing a blanket for her unborn child. She was feeling a little nauseous, but the fresh air made her feel somewhat better.
Edmund walked in and smiled at his wife.
"How are you feeling, darling? Don't you think it's a little cold in here." he said.
Catherine giggled.
"It's the only thing that keeps me from emptying my stomach." she said.
Edmund kissed her forehead and went to pour himself a glass of wine.
"Would you care for a goblet of wine?" he asked.
Catherine shook her head.
"No, my mother always said drinking too much wine during pregnancy isn't the best thing to do. I'll just have what's in the package that your niece, Mary, sent from Portugal." she said.
Edmund took the package and sniffed it.
"What is it?" he asked.
Catherine stood up and walked over.
"It's something called tea. Mary said that in Portugal, drinking tea is pretty popular." she said.
Edmund frowned at it.
"Are you sure it's safe? I don't want you taking anything that could harm the baby." he said.
Catherine touched Edmund's arms.
"Sweetheart, don't worry. I wouldn't do anything to endanger our child." she said.
February 1, 1548
Arèvalo, Avila, Spain
Castle of Arèvalo
Juan and his younger sister, Infanta Lilliana, were walking the grounds of Arèvalo. They and Infante Luis were temporarily living here, until further notice. Lilliana actually loved the small Palace, while Juan detested it.
He groaned in frustration.
Lilliana looked at her older brother.
"Juan, what is frustrating you?" she asked.
He looked at her.
"I hate this place. I don't see why we couldn't just go to Granada. We grew up there." he said.
Lilliana smiled.
"I love it here. It's so quiet and beautiful. Plus, the Alhambra is Father's Palace, but Luis will inherit it." she said.
Juan rolled his eyes.
"Yes, don't remind me. He seems to come first to our Father." he said.
Lilliana stared at her brother, in shock.
"How can you say such a thing? Father loves us." she said.
Juan nodded his head.
"I will never deny that. However, Luis is so important to him." he said.
Lilliana gasped.
"That's only because he's the heir to the Throne. We all understood that. You knew that when our late brother had children, that you would never inherit the Throne. Why are you bitter about it now?" she asked.
Juan stopped his sister.
"Because all he does is talk about his upcoming marriage. He can get married at sixteen, while I have to wait until I'm twenty-four. How far is that?" he asked.
Lilliana grabbed her brother's arms.
"That's only because the Portuguese Princess is a child. Once she's older, you can marry her." she said.
Juan laughed.
"Don't you see it? We get second best to Luis and his sister. His sister is betrothed to the Prince of Viana! She'll be the Queen of Navarre one day and Luis will be King of Castile and Aragon! What do we get? The only reason I'm marrying the Portuguese Princess is because she's no longer the heiress! Our sisters all made good marriages. Maria is a Duchess in Aragon, Adriana is in Italy and Isabelle is an Archduchess. What about you and me, Lilliana? I have to wait for a child to grow up and you have no marriage prospects. That's why I take mistresses. I'm eighteen years old and I crave women. Why don't you do what I do, dear sister? Why don't you take a few men to your bed? It's obvious that you will never have a husband." he said angrily.
Suddenly, Lilliana slapped Juan across his face. He grabbed his cheek and just realized what he said.
"I'm sorry." he said.
Lilliana glared at him with her gray-blue eyes, the same eyes she inherited from their late mother.
"I am your sister and I love you, but don't you ever insult my honor again. The only man that will be welcome to my Bedchamber is my husband, whoever he may be! If I am to remain unmarried, then it is God's will and I will obey it. Dont you ever talk to me like that again. Unlike you, I do intend to uphold our family's honor and stay in God's favor. Now, leave my sight. I want to walk alone." she said, as she brushed past him.
Juan looked in her direction.
"Lilliana! I'm sorry!" he called out.
The soon- to- be fifteen year old Infanta didn't turn around and respond.
A/N Well, there's chapter 4! I'm sorry it took awhile to upload. I hope the wait was worth it. Now, I'm still taking votes on the gender of Kitty Howard and Edward Fitzroy's child. They have two daughters already. Do the more votes I get, I can pick the gender. The next chsotymay be taking place in the springtime. Please Read and Review! Chapter 5 will be up soon:)
