I am sorry for my lack of writing. I have been very busy with college. But I will have some more free time to put chapters out.

Chapter 8: Negotiations.

"You already got your choice in groom," Henry starts. "What more could you possibly want. His eyes are red from anger - tears. I glance back at Catherine. I need to say this in a way that won't implicate her, or make myself look guilty. "Henry, I am terribly sorry for the loss of your wife. But you still have your children. And Catherine." I say. Henry stands up, infuriated. "Catherine most likely was the one who killed my Diane." Just as we planned for. Well in the short time frame we had. "Catherine came and saw me the night of her death. We met in secret. I'm afraid I was... having a woman complication she would understand, and she was the only one I trusted with this information. As for my ladies," I glance back at them. "I did not want to distract them from finding suitors in my absence."

If this does not work, I will have to get Catherine out of the dungeons later. I will have to send her to Scotland were she will be under my protection. My mother owes her greatly for all these years. But with Bash gone seeing his mother, I wont have him here to accuse Catherine. Henry walks down the steps to Catherine and I. "Henry, Diane is gone. Catherine is here with heirs ready to take the throne if something happens. You have spares if God forbid something happens to Bash." I say.

"And Francis can aid Bash in his Kingly duties, since he knows them well." Catherine adds. Henry looks to his court and back to us. "The story goes like this. I married Diane before Catherine. We got a secret divorce during her pregnancy when she was full term. I married Catherine a week later and that is how the legitimacy will go. Now, I wanted Diane reinstated because..." he trails off.

"Because your love for her grew over the years and you wanted to truth to be known about Bash. But now Diane is tragically gone, you will be seen as gracious for saving Catherine. Gracious because she..." I look to Catherine with a sad smile. I am so sorry. "May not have been your true love but Diane would not have wanted senseless violence," I add. This earns a smile from him. "I will write to the Pope about this news." he says. He walks past Catherine and I. Catherine turns around calling for him. "So when are you to take my head?" she asks. He stops to look at her. "There will be no execution. Catherine, you may keep your life." And then he is gone.

Catherine and I quickly exit the throne room. "Do you believe what he says?" Catherine asks, noticing the determination in my eyes. "I am not sure. Just in case, it would be a good idea to send Kenna to him tonight. Surely convince him this is the right path to be on.