Chapter 22
Chapter 22! I promise you that I am trying to put the chapters out more frequently. I am still taking ideas for the next chapters. What do you all want to see? I admit there will be several things in the story that may be shocking, but it will all end up working out in the end. There will unfortunately be another Character death coming up and I want to see who you all think will die. So, please leave all your guesses in the reviews and see if your prediction is correct. Anyway, please Read and Review and enjoy Chapter 22!
December 19, 1551
Hampton Court
King Henry's Bedchamber
Harry was dressed in black, in mourning for his late aunt, Christina. He had been extremely close with his aunt and was devastated at her death. He felt bad for his cousins and Lorenzo. Christina had been laid to rest in Peterborough Cathedral, where she was a generous patron. Now that the mourning period was almost over, Harry had to get back to business at hand.
Queen Anne walked in. She walked up and kissed her husband's cheek.
"Harry, how are you? I know you cared deeply for Princess Christina." she said.
Harry nodded.
"I did. She was my favorite aunt. I am just concerned about my uncle, the Duke of Somerset. Christina was the last member of his original family." he said.
Anne touched his shoulder.
"He still has the Dowager Queen of Scots, his eldest sister." she said.
Harry shook his head.
"He hasn't seen that woman since she departed for Scotland almost fifty years ago, when he was but a small child. I doubt there is true affection there." he said bitterly.
Anne sighed. She knew that Harry detested his only surviving aunt, but she wished he would show her pity and compassion.
Somerset Palace
Edmund, Duke of Somerset's Bedchamber
Edmund was lying in his bed, visibly distraught. in all of his fifty-three years of life, he had never felt more alone. He couldn't believe that his youngest sister was now gone forever. He had lost his parents, both of his brothers and three of hi sisters. He now only had his wife and his children.
There was a knock at his door.
Edmund sat up.
"Come in." he said.
Catherine walked in, wearing a black dress made from Italian silk. Even though she was in mourning, she looked beautiful.
Edmund smiled and held out his hand. Catherine walked up, took his hand in hers and sat down next to her husband.
Catherine kissed him.
"How are you, my love?" she asked.
Edmund sighed.
"I feel as if my world has shattered. I do not know how to come to terms with this death." he said.
Catherine caressed his face.
"I am here for you. I will not leave you in your grief." she said.
Edmund smiled.
"I know. I love you for that.' he said.
Catherine stood up.
"You rest, sweetheart. I will see to Anne and will write a letter to the King, telling him that you will return to Court in the New Year." she said.
Edmund nodded and closed his eyes to rest.
December 23, 1551
Alcazar of Segovia, Segovia, Castile, Spain
Infanta Elizabeth of Spain's Bedchambers
Elizabeth was sitting on the floor, playing with her daughter. Elizabeth couldn't believe she could fall in love with anyone else other than Luis, but her daughter truly was a great source of her happiness. Little Infanta Isabel was growing into a beautiful child. Elizabeth had great plans for her daughter. She was so preoccupied by her child, she didn't hear Luis enter her rooms.
Luis cleared his throat. Elizabeth looked up at him and smiled.
"Sweetheart, have you been standing there long?" she asked, as she stood up, picking up their child.
Luis shook his head.
"No. I just entered. However, I did not think that I would be confronted with the two most beautiful women in Christendom." he said.
Elizabeth blushed. Despite being married for nearly two years, Luis still managed to make her blush.
"Not that I am not pleased to see you, but what brings you here?" she asked.
Luis sighed.
"I bring sad news from England. Your aunt, the Duchess of Sicily, has died." he said.
Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears.
"I shall go pray for my beloved aunt's soul. I pray she is at peace with my parents now." she said.
Luis made the sign of the Cross.
"Amen." he said.
Elizabeth handed little Isabel to Luis.
"Please take her. I shall pray until supper and I will return here." she said.
Luis nodded and watched her walk out of the room.
December 26, 1551
Edinburgh Palace, Edinburgh, Scotland
Dowager Queen Margaret's Bedchamber
Margaret was dressed in black, mourning the loss of her sister, but she she'd no tears. She and Christina didn't know each other and really didn't have a bond, except for the title of sisters. Margaret was just focused on living for just screw more years until her granddaughter was old enough to take her responsibility as Queen independently.
There was a knock at the door.
Margaret looked up.
"Enter." she said.
Eight year old Queen Mary of Scotland walked in, in complete mourning garb.
"Grandmother, why am I mourning a woman who I never met? I hate wearing mourning clothes. This is ridiculous." she whined.
Margaret sighed.
"She was my sister. We must show England that we are mourning as well. Do not act like this when we meet witht he English diplomat." she said.
Mary nodded her head.
"I will be polite." she said.
Margaret nodded. and took Mary's hand.
"Remember this, my darling granddaughter: You are the future of two nations. Scotland by blood and England by the fruit of your womb. Do not fail. Make me and your late father proud." she said.
Mary nodded her head.
"Yes, Grandmother." she said.
Margaret kissed Mary's forehead.
"Now. Let us go attend to business." she said.
January 12, 1552
Lisbon Palace, Lisbon, Portugal
Queen Maria of Portugal's Bedchamber
Mary was lying in her bed, rubbing her swollen stomach. The past week, she had been feeling great pains. She was greatly concerned about the child in her womb. She kept her midwife very close, especially now that her pregnancy was full-term.
One of her favorite ladies-in-waiting, Leonor de Elvira, came near her.
"Your Majesty, are you well?" she asked.
Mary nodded.
"As well as can be expected. This is my sixth pregnancy and I am trying to fare as well as I can. I worry for my child. This pregnancy is far different from my other's, even my son that was stillborn." she said.
Before Leonor could say anything, Mary cried out and jolted forward. Her hand went between her legs and she was shocked to see blood.
Leonor gasped.
"I will fetch the midwife." she said, as she ran out.
Several hours later...
Mary cried out again, as another contraction ripped through her body, and more blood gushed from her. The midwives were panicking to stop the blood, while the labor progressed. Due to the severity of the situation, Mary had her confessor administer her the Last Rites, in case she died in childbirth.
The midwife looked at Mary.
"You're almost there, Your Majesty. The Lord shall relieve you of this pain very soon." she said.
Mary shook her head.
"I'm going to die tonight. Please care for my children. Save my baby." she cried.
The midwife shook her head.
"No. My Queen shall live and bring forth many other healthy children." she said.
Outside of Queen Maria's Bedchamber...
Carlos was pacing back and forth, as he listened to Mary's screams. In their sixteen years of marriage, he had never heard her pains of childbirth be this severe. Guilt was beginning to fill him. He hated to hear his beloved wife in pain. He had seen the midwives carry away bloody cloths and he knew that there was complications.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and was face-to-face with Catarina.
She had a worried look on her face.
"How is Mother?" she asked.
Carlos sighed.
"You are nearly a woman, so I will not lie to you. There are complications. Your mother is hemorrhaging and they are trying to save her and the child." he said.
Catarina made the sign of the Cross.
"Mother will not die. I know she won't." she said.
Suddenly, Mary gave a loud scream and then began crying. Carlos and Catarina looked in the direction of the room, in fear.
Finally, the door opened and the midwife stepped out, the front of her dress completely covered in blood.
Catarina looked at the woman, in shock.
"Dear Lord, what slaughter of you committed?" she asked.
The midwife ignored the young Infanta and turned to the King.
"Your Majesty, the Queen has given birth to another daughter." she said.
Carlos smiled. He didn't care for the child's gender, but then he noticed the look on the midwife's face.
"A new Infanta has been born. Why do you not rejoice?" he asked.
The midwife sighed.
"The new Infanta was called back to God's side before being expelled from her mother's womb. I am so sorry." she said.
Catarina made the sign of the Cross and began to softly cry. Carlos looked at the older woman and tried to hold back tears.
The midwife continued to speak.
"The Queen has been given a tonic. She will sleep the rest of the night." she said.
Carlos nodded his head.
"Thank you very much." he said.
The midwife walked back I and closed the door.
Carlos let a few tears fall from his eyes. He hugged Catarina, as she cried.
"My poor sister. How can I pray for her, when she has no name?" she asked.
The door opened up and a maid walked out, holding a bundle, which concealed the tiny body of the baby.
Carlos held his hands out.
"Let me hold my daughter. She doesn't need to be buried without being held." he said.
The maid nodded and handed the baby to Carlos.
Carlos looked at Catarina and the maid.
"Leave me alone, I beg you." he said.
Catarina and the maid left Carlos, holding the baby.
Carlos caressed her tiny face.
"I know we didn't get to name you, but in my heart, you will always be my little Beatriz." he said, with tears falling down his face.
January 23, 1552
La Mota Palace, Medina del Campo, Valladolid, Spain
Princess Isabella, Marquesa de Moya's Bedchamber
Isabella was lying in her bed, being fed soup by her husband. To her utter shock, she had just discovered that at the age of forty-two years old, she was carrying her husband's child yet again. She was due in the summer and was secretly delighted.
Andres smiled at his wife.
"Another child. God has truly blessed us." he said.
Isabella nodded.
"Let us not rejoice too much. My history is against me. I do feel guilty that we are happy, while my sister grieves her child in Portugal." she said.
Andres nodded.
"I know. The King and Queen grieve for the loss of their Infanta and we are blessed with another child. Tomorrow we will hold a Mass for the child." he said.
Isabella smiled.
"Thank you, sweetheart. Though me and my sister are distant, her children are innocent." she said.
Andres nodded.
"That they are." he said.
Isabella put her hand on her stomach and smiled.
"I never thought that I would ever carry another child in my womb. Please write a letter to the Queen and see if she will allow me to make a pilgrimage to pray for the safety of our unborn child." she said.
Andres nodded his head.
"I shall do so, my love." he said.
February 6, 1552
Windsor Palace
Prince Edward, Duke of York's Bedchamber
Edward was sitting at his desk, studying his Latin. He knew that he shouldn't be up late at night, but he was determined to ask his father, the King, to join the Church. He knew that he was betrothed to Lady Jane Grey, but he hand no affection for her, other than that of a cousin.
His door suddenly opened and in walked Queen Anne. Edward swiftly stood up.
"Your Majesty." he said, with a bow.
Anne smiled.
"In private, Mother is fine. I have come to see why you are not resting." she said.
Edward sighed.
"You know that I wish to enter into the Church, yet Father wishes for me to marry Lady Jane Grey. I do not understand why must I marry her. it's not as if my marriage will mean anything politically." he said.
Anne touched her son's arm.
"Your brother is marrying the Queen of Scots to unite the two Kingdoms and Matilda will be the mother of Swedish Kings. Your duty is here in England. Foreign alliances are important, but the families here are also important. Your marriage to that Grey girl will ensure obedience and content from the Grey family. Also remember that Lady Catherine Grey is your Father's cousin and a minor Royal herself." she said.
Edward nodded.
"I understand, however my place is to serve God." he said.
Anne sighed.
"Unfortunately, we were not born to make our own choices in this life, my son. Your Father has arranged the marriage and it will have to take place, my son." she said.
Edward tuned away from his mother, to hide his tears.
"I am my Father's obedient son. I will do as he wishes.' he said.
Anne walked up to her son.
"Edward, are you not well?" she asked.
Edward let a few tears slip down his pale face.
"Mother, please excuse me, but I am very tired and wish to retire for the evening." he said.
Anne nodded and left the room and closed his door.
Edward turned toward the cross in his room and kneeled down in front of it.
"Heavenly Father, I come to you as your most humble servant. I do not want this marriage. It does not feel well and troubles the very depth of my soul. If it is my will to marry, let it be someone of your own choice and I shall do so, without objection. I fear trouble is on the horizon for my family with this marriage. Please, He, who is omnipresent, expose the snake that troubles my spirit and rid me of this marriage. I pray this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen." he said, as he made the sign of the Cross.
A/N Here's another Chapter for you all! I know several things happened in this Chapter that wasn't too happy. Writing Queen Mary's difficult delivery broke my heart. Also, Isabella is finally pregnant again. Name suggestions and Genders will be welcomed. We also see that Prince Edward is troubled by something, that will be revealed in the next chapter. It will shock you all. Just a heads up that after Isabella has her child, there will be a time jump to 1554. Please Read and Review and Chapter 23 will be up soon!
