I DO NOT OWN THE TUDORS. SHOUTOUT TO QUEENMARYOFENGLAND FOR HER TIRELESS WORK ON BETAING THIS STORY.
Oatlands Palace. July 27, 1540.
After a truly whirlwind courtship, A date for the marriage of King Henry Tudor, eighth of his name and the lady Catherine Howard was set for the twenty-eighth of July. As the day came closer and closer, People and things were moved to Oatlands Palace which had been chosen as the venue for the ceremony itself and the reception soon after. As the upcoming wedding date approached the court officials worked tirelessly to ensure that everything the new Queen consort would need would be there alongside all the necessary equipment required for a royal wedding and the barrage of courtiers now inhabiting the palace in anticipation of the event.
Ethan was personally looking forward to the wedding. He and lady Mary had met again in the presence of the lady Anne of Cleves and they had convinced Mary to ask the King her father for permission to officially enter into a courtship with the Duke of Chicago. The Duke of Springfield on the other hand was far less joyful. Tomorrow, he was going to have to sit third row and watch Catherine, a gentle and beautiful young woman marry the asshole supreme that was Henry Tudor. The elder Barker asked himself why she couldn't get a break for once in her damn life. First, she was used and abused by Henry Mannox, the music teacher from Hell. Then, she was used and abused by Francis Dereham who promised to marry her even though odds are that he was just lying to her in order to get what her wanted.
The afternoon before the wedding, Anthony was in his chambers sulking when he received a knock at his door.
"If Ethan brags about scoring Bloody Mary one more time, I swear to God..." he gripped as he opened the door to find a nicely dressed woman standing before him.
"Um...hello." Anthony said as the woman curtsied before him.
"Your grace, Lady Catherine Howard requests your presence in her chambers at once." the lady said politely. Anthony sighed as he decided to put all risks aside and be there for Catherine.
"I will come." he relented as he followed the lady to the Queen's chambers. As he arrived, his presence was announced.
"His grace, the Duke of Springfield." the guard announced as Anthony was shown into Catherine's chambers where she and her ladies were waiting for him.
"Your grace." Catherine said as Anthony bowed his head.
"Milady." he replied as the Queen to be turned to her ladies.
"Leave us, I wish to speak to the Duke about his father's support for my union with His Majesty" she commanded as the ladies made their exit, using a fake excuse as not to draw any suspicion as to their meeting. Once they were alone, Queen Catherine approached Duke Anthony.
"You sent for me?" Anthony asked as Catherine nodded.
"I have given considerable thought to the words that you spoke to me." she replied as she took his left hand in her own. This caught him a bit by surprise, but he didn't let it show.
"I didn't not mean to offend your highness, I'm just...really concerned about you." Anthony insisted. Catherine nodded as she gave his hand a squeeze.
"I pray that you not think me as dim as others surly do." She said calmly. "For these past 17 years, I have gained the affections of many men. I fear though, that they have only focused on the pleasures of my body or some other favor that I might be at liberty to perform on their behalf. True concern from a man who wishes for nothing in return is a joy that I have not previously known."
"And that you have had a taste of such a thing?" he inquired with a hint of nervousness in his voice. The Queen moved her hand from his to his cheek and caressed it.
"I would know it again." Catherine replied. Anthony was silent for a moment before he leaned in and kissed her upon the lips. She returned his kiss and they both put their arms upon one another.
"You do know what this will mean for us if Henry finds out, right?" Anthony asked as he broke away.
"I do." Catherine replied.
"You want to keep going?" the Duke asked again.
"I do." the Queen insisted as she kissed him again and he held her up in his arms, savoring the moment for as long as it would last.
Oatlands Palace. July 28, 1540.
The day finally came for Henry VIII to take a fifth wife and a fifth Queen in that order. Oatlands palace was completely decorated in the finest decor that the monarchy could secure. Anthony and Ethan had been invited as special guests, due to their standing as foreign ambassadors. As everyone was gathered in the great hall, Anthony was seated near the other high born lords and ladies in the middle, whereas Ethan was seated in the front where he was sitting next to the lady Mary. This seating arrangement was the equivalent of updating their relationship status on Facebook. As the music began to play, Henry was standing near the alter next to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer who would be officiating the marriage. It was easy to see the look on his face saying that he would rather be anywhere else. As Catherine Howard came down the aisle, her appearance seemed to scream child bride, but if anyone else entertained such thoughts, they refused to let it show.
"Marriage is a joyous occasion. It is connected in our thoughts with the charm of love, the warmth of home, and with all that is pleasant, as being one of the most important events of our lives. Its sacredness and unity is the most significant and binding covenant known in human relations." Archbishop Cranmer said, behaving as professional as he could.
"Not this time..." Anthony whispered to himself as he could not keep the forlorn look off of his face.
"I call your attention to the seriousness of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare before God. The vows you are about to take are not to be taken without careful thought, for in them you are committing yourselves exclusively to one another for as long as you both shall live." Cranmer said as Henry and Catherine both nodded their consent. Mary Tudor was not thrilled with the idea of Catherine Howard taking the place one occupied by her mother and her face showed as much. Ethan took her hand in his and this seemed to calm her somewhat.
"If you are ready to assume the obligations and duties before God, as I have defined them, you will unite your hands and pledge your love and your lives to each other." the Archbishop commanded as Henry and Catherine took their vows.
"I Henry, take you, Catherine, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow." The King recited.
"I Catherine, take you, Henry, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow." Lady Catherine recited in return, earning a silent groan from Lord Springfield. The rings were given and vows were said.
"Your majesty and milady, having witnessed your vows for marriage before God and all who are assembled here, by the authority invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Cranmer announced as the King kissed his bride.
Oatlands Palace, Later That day.
After the ceremony, a lavish reception was thrown in honor of King Henry and Queen Catherine. There was a great amount of delectable food to feed half the entire city of London. Anthony and Ethan both made a point to pig out, Anthony to drown his sorrows and Ethan to get his nerve up. Eventually Lady Mary came over to Duke Ethan who quickly discarded his plate.
"Milady." Ethan said as he kissed her hand.
"Your grace, I was hoping that we could speak to his majesty...if you are not otherwise engaged." Mary asked as the Duke nodded.
"Lets." he replied as she slipped her arm through his. They came up to the King and Queen and bowed, although Mary gave Catherine a cold stare.
"Your majesty, I speak for King Pritzker when I offer my hopes for your long and happy lives together." Ethan said as Henry gave him a smile.
"Your sentiments are well received." he replied.
"As I pray his grace's request will be." Mary added as this got Henry's attention.
"Give it voice and see it considered." Henry said as Ethan cleared his throat.
"Your majesty...I beg you for the honor and the privilege to court your daughter: the Lady Mary." Lord Chicago said slowly as Mary offered a blush.
"Do you wish to be courted by the Illinoisan?" Henry asked as daughter as she tried to hide her happiness.
"I would not object to it." she replied with dignity.
"Very well, you may court my daughter." Henry consented as Ethan and Mary bowed before him and Catherine before exiting the hall and finding themselves alone.
"I was afraid that he would refuse my offer." Ethan admitted.
"As was I...I do enjoy your company, your grace." Mary said awkwardly as she was not used to revealing her true feelings.
"Milady...would it be improper...if I...kissed your cheek?" Ethan stuttered, feeling overly nervous. Mary was a bit taken back.
"It would...do it anyway." She replied nervously as Ethan leaned in and pressed his lips to her pale cheek. Mary took a deep breath as she stroked his cheek with grace and longing.
ANTHONY AND ETHAN ARE BOTH EMBARKING ON A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE. REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.