Chapter 19
Here's Chapter 19, you guys. My goal for 2017 is to update more regularly. Thank you all so much for the reviews and the messages. I really appreciate you all in following my journey and respecting me enough to give your ideas. Even if I don't use your idea, don't ever give up. There will be a time jump here, but only by a few months. This Chapter will be taking place in May 1501. But, before I go on with this chapter, I must remind everyone that Katherine of Aragon's death was not a murder. She died of the same illness that she succumbed to in real life. Also, Isabella and Andres will have returned to Spain now. With that being said, please Read and Review and enjoy Chapter 19!
May 19, 1551
Hampton Court
Princess Matilda's Bedchamber
Matilda stood in the center of her room, as she watched servants take trunks away. Today was the day that she would depart for Sweden and marry Prince Eric. Her traveling was delayed, due to the fact that her father basically forced King Gustavo to respect Matilda's faith and that all children born to the union would be Catholic and that if he didn't want Matilda to marry one of her distant Hapsburg cousins, then King Gustavo would make his son convert to Catholicism. King Gustavo, wanting an English marriage for his son and Matilda's large dowry, reluctantly agreed to all the terms. With that, the Pope congratulated King Harry, since he secured the fact that Sweden would be Catholic again in the next generation or so.
King Harry walked in and smiled at his sixteen year old daughter. He had dreaded this day, but he knew it had to be done.
He walked up to her.
"How are you, darling?" he asked.
Matilda forced a smile on her face.
"I'm excited, Father." she said.
Harry nodded.
"Let us go. Your mother and siblings are waiting for you, to see you off." he said.
Matilda smiled and she and her father walked out of her chambers to join the rest of her family.
Outside the Palace
Queen Anne and the rest of her children were waiting outside. Matilda's entourage was ready to depart now. Anne was trying not cry and show her emotions. However, she was pretty sure she would never see her eldest daughter again in life.
Prince William walked up to his mother.
"Mother, how are you?" he asked.
Anne smiled.
"I'm well. It is an honor to see your sister off. She'll be Queen someday." she said.
William nodded.
Suddenly, Harry and Matilda walked outside. Matilda was wearing her traveling clothes and looked more mature than a sixteen year old girl.
Anne walked up to her daughter and hugged her.
"Do not fear, my darling. Marriage is a beautiful thing. May the Lord bless and keep you safe in your journey and your new life." she said.
Matilda hugged her mother back.
"Thank you, Mother." she said.
William walked up to his sister.
"Dear sister, I don't think we will ever see each other again in this life, but please write to me. My love for you will not change. I love you and I pray that good fortune befalls you and your new homeland." he said, trying to keep his composure.
Matilda kissed his cheek.
"Thank you, Liam. I will write you often." she said.
Prince Edward walked up. Now nearly fourteen years old, he was becoming a handsome young man and was extremely pious. He attended Mass four times a day and called his confesor twice a week.
He hugged his sister.
"Sweet sister, God will bless you and your life. I love you and go with God." he said.
Matilda kissed her younger brothers cheek.
"Thank you, sweet Eddie." she said.
Prince Owen walked up. His strawberry blonde hair was glistening in the sun. The twelve year old young Prince walked shyly to his sister.
"I'll miss you, Matilda. You've always been kind to me. I. Hope you'll always have find thoughts of me." he said.
Matilda hugged him.
"I will. I promise." she said.
Princess Eleanor walked up. The eight year old Princess looked very sad to see her eldest sister leave.
She hugged Matilda around her waist.
"I love you, Matilda." she said.
Matilda had to stop herself from crying.
"I love you as well." she said
Finally, she walked up to the maid, holding little Princess Margaret. The nine month old infant was very beautiful with a head full of auburn hair and she was chubby and healthy.
Matilda took her baby sister in her arms and kissed her cheek.
"Goodbye, my darling." she said, as she handed Margaret back to the maid.
Matilda began to walk to her entourage. It would be weeks before she reached Stockholm, but she was prepared for the journey. When she reached her litter, she turned to her father, who had followed her.
She fell to her knees.
"Father, before I depart, please give me your blessing." she said.
Harry put his hand on his daughter's head.
"You shall be a wonderful wife, mother and Queen. May God keep and protect you in all things." he said.
Matilda rose to her feet and hugged her father one last time.
"I love you, Papa." she said.
Harry composed himself.
"I love you as well, my darling." he said.
Finally, Matilda was helped into her carriage and the door was closed behind her. After making sure she was secure, the driver began the long journey to Stockholm and Matilda watched her homeland disappear slowly, not knowing that her family was watching her disappear in the distance.
May 26, 1551
Alcazar of Segovia, Segovia, Castile, Spain
The Royal Nursery
Luis sat in a chair, with his daughter, Isabel, in his lap. He enjoyed being with her when he could. Even though he was nearing his eighteenth birthday in seven months time, he lived that she was his daughter. Little Infanta Isabel was showing that she would be a great beauty as she grew older.
Suddenly, Elizabeth came in and smiled at the sight.
Luis looked up.
"Hello, darling. What brings you here?" he asked.
Elizabeth sighed.
"Our daughter needs to be fed. So please hand her over." she said.
Luis stood up and handed Isabel over. Unlike most Royal women, Elizabeth decided to nurse her daughter from her own breast. Queen Juana was discouraged because she knew that until Isabel was weaned, Elizabeth would most likely not become pregnant again quickly. However, Elizabeth had proven herself to be fertile, do there was no immediate concern to the Succession.
Elizabeth sat down, took her breast out, covered her daughter's head and began to nurse her. Luis, unlike most husbands, was fascinated to see his wife as a mother and nursing their child.
Luis walked up and kissed Elizabeth on her lips.
"I love you both so much." he said.
Elizabeth smiled.
"I love you, too." she said.
Luis looked fondly at his daughter.
"So how many more do you think we will have?" he asked.
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulder.
"I can't say. Remember, my mother and my eldest sister have horrible childbirth history. I'm just glad Isabel is here with us, safe and healthy. I do want us to have a son. Queen Juana thinks since Spain has had two Queens consecutively, they will want Kings again." she said.
Luis frowned.
"The people will have whatever God intends them to have. Queen Juana wasn't meant to be Queen, but she is one of the best Queens so fat that Spain has had, not counting her own mother." he said.
Elizabeth smiled.
"Our Isabel has a golden future." she said.
Luis nodded.
"That she does." he said.
May 28, 1551
La Mota Palace, Medina Del Campo, Castile, Spain
Princess Isabella, Marquesa de Moya's Bedchamber
"UGH!" Andres groaned, as he pumped in and out of Isabella. He was determined to get her with child once more, but would not disclose to her of his intentions, due to her fragile mental health. He began to pump harder, as he felt his climax coming, until finally he spilled his seed in her.
Isabella gasped, in esctacy. Andres kissed her passionately.
"Are you satisfied, my love?" he asked.
Isabella nodded.
"More than ever." she replied.
Andres kissed her and then got out of bed, his sweaty body glistening by the fireplace. He put on his robe.
"I shall return. I want to make sure the children are asleep. Rest, my darling." he said, as he walked out of the room.
After Andres left, he ran into Señora Leonor, Isabella's lady-in-waiting.
She bowed.
"Señor." she said.
Andres nodded.
"I need you to attend to my wife. Are you still watching her menses? " he asked.
She nodded.
"Yes. She's had them regularly, since our return from England." she said.
Andres nodded.
"She's getting older. We may be running out of time. I don't need her mind damaged anymore. She has to conceive." he said.
Leonor gasped.
"Señor, I just remembered. My mother may be able to help. She makes some this liquid from the leaves of a red raspberry plant. It's said to boost fertility." she said.
Andres gave the woman a look.
"Does it work?" he asked.
Leonor nodded.
"My mother and father had thirteen children in in the first twenty-three years of marriage. I am the eldest." she said.
Andres smiled.
"Get the instructions for that. As long as it is not harmful." he said.
Leonor smiled.
"Yes, Señor." she said, as she went to attend Isabella.
June 5, 1551
Lisbon Palace, Lisbon, Portugal
Queen Maria of Portugal's Bedchamber
Mary was lying on her bed, resting, as the midwife examined her. For several weeks, Mary had been ill to her stomach and dizzy in the morning. She also had not had her menses for nearly two months. Since her her menses were irregular now, she didn't think too much into it.
Finally, the midwife smiled at Mary.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. You are with child." she said.
Mary smiled, in disbelief. Her youngest child was only seventeen months old and she was grateful that her fertility was still good enough to become with child so quickly. She knew this would cheer Carlos up, who was still mourning the loss of his eldest sister.
Mary put a hand on her belly.
"When will the child arrive?" she asked.
The midwife stood up.
"In January, Your Majesty. You're almost two months along." she said.
Mary smiled.
"Good. Please see my Ladies for your payment. I must go tell the King that we shall have a fifth child." she said, as she left her bedchamber.
King Carlos of Portugal's Privy Chamber
Carlos was reading over some documents. He was still dressed in mostly black clothes. He normally did not keep to himself, but now he needed this solace. His elder sister was almost like a mother to him, despite the nine year age gap between them.
Suddenly, Mary walked in, wearing a big smile on her face. Despite his grief, Carlos was happy to see his beloved wife.
Carlos stood up and kissed her.
"Hello, sweetheart. I am sorry I haven't spoken to you. Are you still feeling ill?" he asked.
Mary shook her head.
"No, but I discovered what was causing me to be so ill." she said.
Carlos nodded.
"Well, what is it? Is it serious?" he asked, frantically.
Mary smiled and put a hand on her stomach.
"My belly carries another child of yours." she said.
Carlos looked very shocked. He didn't know what to say. True, Mary wasn't at an age where pregnancy was unusual, as she was only thirty-five years old, but he had been convinced that Infanta Cristina was going to be their last child.
He hugged Mary.
"Oh, sweetheart. This is wonderful news. The most wonderful news I have heard in a long time." he said.
Mary touched his cheek.
"You know that I crave another son for you, but if the Lord wishes to bless us with another daughter, I want to name her Beatriz, after your sister." she said.
Carlos smiled.
"I love you very much, Maria. Thank you." he said, as he passionately kissed her.
A/N I am very sorry for this short chapter, but I want to do another time jump in the next one chapter. So here are the topics that I would love your opinion on: Matilda is in her way to marry Prince Eric. When should they have children? Should she have quick conceptions or struggle like her late paternal grandmother, Katherine of Aragon? If Isabella becomes pregnant for a final time, what should the gender of the child be and name suggestions? Keep in mind, the name must be Spanish. We will have King Harry and Queen Anne in the next chapter. Should they have a happy marriage, despite Anne not being as attractive as she hard to be, or should they lapse into a marriage of convienience? Also, Death is getting ready to cloak his ugly hand over England again? Who do you think will die next? Please Read and Review and answer the topics. Chapter 20 is already in progress!
