Chapter 9
Chapter 9 is up now! I hope everyone is enjoying the plot line. When we left the final chapter, the Spanish and the French were still at war, The Portuguese Royal Family discovered that a new child was on its way and the English were debating on betrothal arrangements. Now, were picking up in the summer of 1549. I'm still taking votes on the betrothal of Prince William of England. Should it be Queen Mary of Scots, who is still a small child or should it be Infanta Lilliana of Castile and Aragon, who's a wealthier Princess and is the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor? We are going to see how Lilliana feels about her possible marriage to the Prince of Wales in this Chapter as well. I am not taking votes on Queen Mary of Portugal's unborn child, because I have already decided what the gender and the name will be. Please Read and Review!
August 12, 1549
Palacio de las Duenas, Seville, Castile, Spain
The Courtyard
Juan and Lilliana were walking in the Courtyard of the Palace that they were being guarded in. Lilliana had just received a letter from her father that her grandmother was intending to negotiate a betrothal between her and Prince William of England. She was reading, as she walked with her brother.
Juan laughed.
"My, our grandmother just doesn't give up, does she? She wants to break another Queen's betrothal, so that the future King of England can marry you." he said.
Lilliana shrugged.
"I don't know. Our mother was from there. It would be nice to see her homeland." she said.
Juan shook his head.
"No. You are a Spanish Infanta. I would prefer if you married a Duke here, like our older sister, Maria." he said.
Lilliana closed her eyes.
"The only reason Grandmother allowed that is because that family was being a nuisance to the Crown. It's only good fortune that Maria has a good marriage." she said.
Juan nodded.
"Well, at least she got to remain in Castile. Adriana is in Italy and Isabelle is in Austria. Only God knows what is becoming of them." he replied bitterly.
Lilliana rolled her eyes.
"Adriana writes us both. Yes, her husband takes mistresses, but he's kind to her and she has four beautiful children and is expecting another. Isabelle has a son and she is in love with her husband. If our sisters can find good marriages, why can't I?" she asked.
Juan smiled at her.
"You deserve a good marriage, as do I. I just hate that I'm stuck with a mere Portuguese Infanta." he said.
Lilliana turned to look at him.
"A Portuguese Infanta is nothing to lament about. Look at all that King Carlos has accomplished. They're very wealthy and you met the Portuguese Queen when we were children, when she was just the Duchess of Beja. She was very beautiful. The odds are that her daughters are equally as beautiful as she is." she said.
Juan rolled his eyes.
"I can bed any beautiful woman. I just want my wife to be smart and also gorgeous. I'm just preparing for the worst." he said.
Lilliana smirked.
"I'm sure that Infanta Catarina is having the same thoughts about you." she said.
Suddenly, the Mayor of the Palace, Pedro Pacheco y Mendoza, ran up to them.
"Altezas, your grandmother, Queen Juana, and your Father, Emperor Charles, are on their way here. The war is over! We were victorious! We only lose 2,000 men and the French lose nearly 10,000." he said proudly.
Lilliana made the sign of the Cross.
"Thanks be to God. He truly was in our side.
Sintra Palace, Sintra, Portugal
Infanta Catarina of Portugal's Bedchamber
Catarina was sitting in her bedroom, working on her embroidery. She preferred to be alone right now. She was no longer the little girl that the Portuguese Court doted on. She was now a twelve year old beautiful young woman. She had dark brown hair that looked black to the naked eye, pale skin and deep sea blue eyes. She had a great beauty to her, but she never acknowledged it.
Suddenly, there was a knock at her door.
She looked up from her work.
"Come in." she said.
Her mother, Queen Maria, stepped in. She was wearing a a dark red Moorish gown that was showing off her small four month pregnant belly.
Mary smiled at her eldest daughter.
"Hello, sweetheart." she said with a bright smile.
Catarina smiled back.
"Hello, Mamãe. I'm so happy to see you." she said, as she stood up to hug her pregnant mother.
Mary hugged her child back.
"I'm concerned about you, dear. Your maids came to me and said that you had confined yourself in your room all this time. What's wrong?" she asked.
Catarina sighed and walked over to her bed. She turned red in her face, before pulling her blanket back. Mary looked on the bed and saw a dark red stain on her daughter's sheet. Now she understood why her daughter was keeping to herself today.
Mary walked closer to her.
"Is this the first time this has happened to you, sweetheart?" she asked gently.
Catarina nodded her head and refused to look at her mother.
Mary walked over and hugged her daughter.
"There's no need to feel embarrassed, sweetheart. This is a normal occurrence in girls your age. All it means is that you are becoming a woman." she said.
Catarina turned from her mother.
"I know. That's why I wanted to hide it. I hoped that if everyone thought I never had a monthly bleeding, that my betrothal to the Duke of Franco would be called off because I couldn't have children in my future marriage. I thought that once my monthly bleedings started, that Father would send me off to Spain right away." she confessed.
Mary looked at her daughter in shock.
"Sweetheart, you shouldn't have anything to fear. Your Father has no intention on you getting married this young. You're only twelve years old. You won't be leaving for Spain until you're seventeen." she said.
Catarina sighed a breath of relief.
"Forgive my foolishness, Mother. I was just so scared." she said.
Mary hugged her.
"It's perfectly fine, sweetheart. Now, let's get you into a nice warm bath and I'll explain to you what to do during this time of the month." she said.
Catarina nodded and followed her mother.
August 18, 1549
Richmond Palace
Dowager Queen Katherine's Bedchamber
Katherine was lying in bed in a new bedchamber. Her son thought that Richmond Palace was better suited for his mother the former Queen. She had been at Richmond now for two months and she loved it, but now she was currently very ill. Her chest was troubling her greatly. She did not know what ailment was troubling her, but she tried her best to cope with her illness.
Suddenly, Lady Elizabeth Darrell, now entering into her middle age years, ran into the room.
"Your Majesty, I am sorry to disturb your rest, but the King is here and wishes to see you." she said.
Katherine took several breaths, before sitting up.
"Very well. Help me up and fetch my robe please. I will not refuse to see my son, no matter how ill I am. He is still the King." she said.
Elizabeth Darrell helped Katherine stand up from her bed, put her robe on her and helped her walk to a chair to sit down.
"What should I tell the King? You do not look well." she asked Katherine.
Katherine smiled.
"Tell him that I am an old woman now and that aches and pains are normal for someone my age. Being him in." she said.
Lady Darrell nodded and went to get the King. A few minutes later, King Harry walked in and smiled at his mother.
He knelt down and kissed her cheek.
"Hello, Mother. I'm so glad to see you." he said.
Katherine smiled.
"It's wonderful to see you too, Your Majesty." she said.
Harry laughed.
"To you, I am simply just Harry." he said.
Katherine nodded.
"Very well. What can I help you with, darling?" she asked.
Harry sighed and took a seat in front of his mother.
"I'm having a dilemma on who my son, the Prince of Wales, should marry. At first, it was common knowledge that he was going to marry Queen Mary of Scotland, even though she is still a small child. However, your sister, The Queen of Spain, has made an offer for William to marry her granddaughter, Infanta Lilliana, the youngest daughter of your nephew, The Holy Roman Emperor. Her dowry will be very large and plus William could get marry sooner and produce an heir for the dynasty. Since I have three sons and two daughters, there really isn't any pressure on me and Anne anymore to produce children. I will leave that up to the children now." he said.
Katherine smiled.
"Are you asking your mother for advice, dear?" she asked.
Harry nodded.
"You were a Monarch. Besides, I want to know how you and Father planned our marriages." he said.
Katherine cleared her throat.
"Well, you have to look at both Queen Mary and Infanta Lilliana. Send people to talk to both of them and then maybe you will be at ease of who to choose for my grandson's wife and England's future Queen." she said.
Harry nodded.
"Youre right. I shall send Ambassadors to Spain and Scotland and figure out who will be the best one bride." he said.
Kathrine smiled.
"You have to do what is best for the Kingdom, Harry. You may send your ambassadors and they may try to advise you, but you as the King will know what to do." she said.
Harry chuckled.
"Is that what you thought when you betrothed Elizabeth to Infante Luis?" he asked.
Katherine looked at her son, shocked at his question.
"I have to admit something you. May God forgive me, but I arranged that to spite your Father. We were going through a terrible time in our marriage and I tried to just make him angry. My sister, the Queen of Spain, decided to honor the betrothal." she said.
Harry laughed.
"I didn't think that you had it in you to do anything out of spite, Mother. However, you did pick a wonderful choice for my sister. I just hope I can do the same thing for my children. I mean Matilda will be leaving in two year's time, my cousin, Lady Catherine Grey offered her eldest daughter to marry Edward when they are sixteen years old. I'm thinking of betrothing Owen to Princess Elisabeth Valois of France, at the advice of my Council. I just want to make the right choice for William, like you and Father made for me." he said.
Katherine winced in pain, but did her best to hide it.
"Sweetheart, you will make the right choice. William will be a wonderful King and husband to any woman you choose for him." she said.
Harry smiled.
"Thank you, Mother. You always know what to say to ease my stress. I wish you would return to Court." he said.
Katherine took a deep breath.
"I know you do, but my strength is not what it used to be. I'm an old woman now, Harry. You children are getting older and no longer need me as much." she said.
Harry nodded.
"I know, but I know Elizabeth would love if you come to Court before she departs for Spain." he said.
Katherine smiled.
"I will try to make it to Court then. If I cannot make it, please let her know that I love her dearly and I am so proud of her and that no matter what, I will always be with her. Make sure she knows that the Lord will guide her steps in life." she said.
Harry nodded.
"I will tell her that, Mother. I must get back to Court. I love you." he said, as he stood up and kissed Katherine on her cheek.
As Harry left her room, Lady Darrell walked in and looked at Katherine, in concern.
"Your Majesty, why didn't you tell the King about your health? As your son, doesn't he have a right to know about your condition?" she asked.
Katherine looked at her.
"I should have told him about my ill health, but I couldn't stress him anymore than he already is. With my grandson's impending marriage coming up and Elizabeth leaving soon, my health should not be a concern for him." she said.
Lady Darrell closed her eyes, obviously against her Mistress's choice.
"How long do you think you can keep this from the King?" she asked.
Katherine gave her a look, despite her obvious pain.
"Until I get better." she said.
August 27, 1549
La Mota Palace, Medina del Campo, Castile, Spain
Princess Isabella's Bedchambers
Isabella was curled up in her bed, looking scared. She had really changed over the last few months. She kept seeing Manuel's ghost and he tormented her and now she lived in constant fear. She had been confined to her room for three days now, while Andres was away at Court.
Suddenly, a man's manical laugh was heard.
Isabella looked up and began to whimper in fear.
"Who's there? Please don't hurt. Spirit, I beg of you. Show me mercy, please." she said, as she cried quietly.
Her husband, Andres, just returning from Court, walked in. He was greatly concerned for his wife and was not shy to show it.
"It's me, sweetheart. You don't have to be frightened. No one will hurt you." he said.
Isabella looked at Andres, with fear in her eyes.
"Andres, is it really you? This isn't a cruel joke?" she asked.
Andres nodded his head.
"It's me. I promise." he said.
Isabella sighed, in relief and threw herself in his arms.
"Oh, Andres! I have missed you so much. Now I know I am safe." she said.
Andres looked at her, in confusion.
"Why would you be unsafe, my dear?" he asked.
Isabella looked at him.
"Manuel is trying to kill me. You must stop him." she said.
Andres stared at her.
"Sweetheart, Manuel has been dead for sixteen years. You're just having nightmares." he said, with a smile.
Isabella closed her eyes. She knew that Andres didn't understand the pain she was feeling. However, she was thankful to have him as her husband. After four years of marriage, he still lived her and that made her guilt over killing Manuel worth it.
Andres kissed her forehead.
"Come. Let us get you bathed, put into a clean dress and jewels and let's walk in the Gardens with the children. Catalina is walking so much better now." he said.
Isabella nodded.
"Alright. I'll give it a chance." she said softly.
September 1, 1549
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
Dowager Queen Margaret's Chambers
Margaret was sitting reading a letter from one of her daughters. She was smiling to herself. In her first marriage to King James IV of Scotland, she managed to produce eight children in the first eighteen years of her marriage. Of course, the pregnancies took a toll. On her body and she was no longer the slim pretty Queen she was, despite the fact that her last pregnancy was nearly thirty years ago.
Suddenly, Margaret's daughter in law, Mary of Guise, the widow of the late King James V, Margaret's eldest son, walked in. Mary of Guise was a member of a powerful aristocratic family in France. She was the second wife of the late King, marrying him after his first wife, Madeline of Valois, died from consumption six months after their marriage. Mary herself was married once before and had an older son in France. She bore King James three children, but only little Queen Mary survived infancy.
Margaret stood to her feet.
"May I help you with something, dear daughter?" she asked.
Mary nodded.
"Yes, you need to call off this betrothal of my daughter to that English Prince. I will not allow it." she said in her French accent.
Margaret stared at her, in shock.
"Why must I do that? She will be Queen of both Scotland and England. That would be an honor. Besides, She has English in her blood." she said.
Mary glared at her mother-in-law.
"She is also French! I will not let her forget that." she said.
Margaret walked closer to her daughter-in-law.
"I am the regent of this land and in charge of your daughter. The Prince of Wales is a perfect match for her. There is no one better." she said.
Mary shook her head.
"No. Marry her to the Dauphin of France or someone of the French nobility. It will benefit her much more than that blasted Englishmen." she said.
Margaret glared at Mary.
"I will remind you, Madam, that I am English and they are my family. You will do no favors for yourself to insult them. Your daughter is marrying an eligible Prince who will stand by her side, as she governs this nation one day. She is nearly seven years old now and she will be marrying in nine years time. That is final." she said.
Mary stood to her full height, which was taller than her sixty year old mother-in-law.
"You are not a young woman anymore and I guarantee that my daughter will not set foot in England. I did not sacrifice my homeland and my son from my first marriage to stand by and watch my daughter marry someone who will mean her no good. When you die, I will be regent for my daughter and I will make sure that her husband is someone I approve of. I am glad that you are still in good health. It will be shameful if we all lost you. I will pray that God gives you a longer life. Good day, Madam." she said, as she left the room.
Margaret stared, in shock. She had never felt this much fear. She was now more aware of her age. Her daughter-in-law was only thirty-four years old and was more likely to live longer. She didn't realize her daughter-in-law was so keen on little Queen Mary having a French marriage. Margaret now knew that her role as regent was in trouble and her life could be as well.
A/N Another has been completed! I hope you all enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next one. Now, the next chapter will involve an English diplomat visiting the Spanish Court, King Carlos of Portugal becomes wealthier, Queen Anne of England has a surprising announcement and marriage agreements are finalized. I'm sorry I made Mary of Guise a little harsh in this chapter, but I needed conflict on the Scottish side as well. The next chapter will take place in autumn 1549. Please Read and Review and Chapter 10 will be up soon!
