I'm sorry you won't be getting any updates in the next 2 weeks or so but I'll be busy and I won't have time to post them, but I'll keep on working on them and you'll get them as soon as I finish them. Another thing that I've been meaning to say is that I'm not very happy with chapter 7 so I might rewrite it and post it once I'm free again. Thanks sooooo much for your support and if you would like for something to happen you can send me a PM or leave a comment and I'll try to add it. :)
-It is quite obvious that after that fire the farmers in Caceres needed more money but that doesn't mean that you have to cut the exports from Albacete to maintain enough money in the accounts.
-But it was an emergency your Majesty and I can assure you that the albaceteños didn't suffer.
-Says the man who doesn't need to work out in the sun every day to feed his family. The cereal exports will resume and the payments for the textile products that come from Cataluña will decrease.
-Decrease?
-Yes. They've been receiving too much money in the past few years. You can see it in the ledgers. They export to other counties and countries and have enough income to survive if we lower them a bit.
-How much?
-10 ducats will be enough, don't you think?
-It is not much so they might not get too mad. 10 ducats monthly no?
-Yes. I don't want to be too rough on them. What do you think Thomas?
-Well, I think Cardinal Cisneros could have thought about doing it some other way instead of cutting the exports but what is done is done. Now, 10 ducats is not a very high amount and should be enough to make up for the loses Albacete has suffered.
-You mean to give that money directly to the farmers? That's an outrage! They should earn it Mr. More.
-Cardinal, please, don't lose your temper. I agree with Mr. More. Caceres has received enough money to fix the problems they've been facing since the fire and those 10 ducats will help the Albacete farmers establish their communities and work again. It will be done as soon as possible and there won't be an argument about it.
-Yes, your Majesty.
-Now, about the castle itself. The palace looks bad and I don't understand how it is possible if this is the official residence in Valladolid. Didn't my sister Juana ever summon parliament?
-Very few times I'm afraid.
-Well, it will be used more often now and therefore I want that at least 5% of what we earn from the trades with the colonies goes directly to the maintenance and repairs of this palace, at least for now. I'm rather happy with the ledges of the past few years and I shan't change any payments, exports or imports, except for what has already been stated unless I see that there are problems. Because there are no problems that haven't been mentioned no Cardinal?
-There have been a few… encounters between the Portuguese and our colonizers near the amazon forest in the southern region of Perú, but there shouldn't be any problems once you send the army.
-I won't do such thing Cardinal.
-They are invading our land and breaking our agreement.
-I'm sure this problem can be solved between the King of Portugal and me. I don't believe in using force for everything. You shall send a letter to him asking whether he wants to meet me and discuss these incidents. In the meantime, we shall wait until tomorrow's parliamentary session to discuss the rest of the issues. You are dismissed.
-Your Majesty.
Cardinal Cisneros bowed and picked up the heavy ledgers to put them back in his study. As she had gone through the pages, she had noticed that there were a few months were money had disappeared, the expenses and the incomes didn't match, it wasn't much but enough to unbalance the accounts. She suspected that they were taking money, something she found deplorable and disgusting, but she wanted to investigate the matter a bit more before accusing anyone of stealing. She was sure Thomas had noticed it too but he was too much of a gentleman to say anything out loud if she hadn't mentioned it in case he caused trouble or the Cardinal made any remarks about a foreigner having come to his country to accuse him of stealing. As Catherine finished writing in a small parchment figures and sporadic words Thomas was sure she understood even if to him they made no sense there was a knock on the door. He stood up to open it since Catherine was too busy only to see that it was Henry, he was wearing a white shirt and just a pair of black trousers while he held two goblets filled up to the brim with wine. He made his way to the table placing one of the goblets in front of Catherine who didn't look up from her notes much to Henry's dismay.
-If my services are not required any more I shall retire for the night your Majesty.
-Of course, Thomas, just remember that I need you to be up and about early in the morning. Good night. – he reassured her he would be ready by dawn and after bowing closed the door leaving the two monarchs alone.
-You've been working since we got here, come on, let's go to bed.
-I still have to figure a couple of things out henry, you go to sleep.
-I'll stay here until you are ready to go.
-Henry, please, leave me alone, I'm working and I'm tired. I don't want to snap at you right now.
-I'm staying and there's no arguing about it. You've hardly got any sleep in the last couple of days and I want to make sure you are fine, that the baby is fine.
-I'm fine, the child is fine, get out. – he was getting on her nerves with this annoying attitude of overprotective husband, rage rising within her body, as she added a few more numbers to her column of expenses.
-You are acting like a grumpy old woman.
-I beg you pardon? – the notes were forgotten as she raised her head to look at Henry's figure, sitting on a chair with his feet up on the table as he took small sips from his wine.
-I knew that would get your attention. You've been acting distant and since the moment we arrived here you've had your head buried in between those books. You are acting as if you are mad or angry at the world, and you hardly have a reason for it.
-Since when do you know what's going on in my life and inside my head? – if voices could kill Henry would be laying on the floor but the only reaction her angry voice got was for henry to get up from his chair leaving the goblet on the table.
-Wow, calm down Catherine I'm just trying to help you by telling you what I think.
-I didn't ask for your bloody opinion mister I'm perfect! – she stood up with such force that she knocked her chair over, landing on the floor with a loud clank noise, her legs working on their own accord as she got closer to him. The rage in her eyes thrilled him as much as it scared him his palms growing sweaty. – I have plenty to be mad about and if I weren't a woman of peace, I would have snapped your neck after your first betrayal but here I am!
She pushed him against the wall with her hands on his shoulders, her breathing ragged and quick. The next thing she knew was that he was kissing her roughly, his hands on each side of her face. She knew she should not allow this to happen that he would think he had full control over her but at the same time she felt as if she was the one dominating the situation for the first time and to be honest, she loved it. Bringing her hands up to his hair she grabbed it and pressed herself against him as she kissed him even more roughly biting his lip so hard, she knew she had drawn blood out. She hardly gave him time to breathe before she went in for another kiss, her hands grabbing now his shirt and moving backwards with him until she hit the table with her legs, the goblets shaking violently for a moment. His hands worked fast on the laces and buttons of her dress pushing it off her shoulders as quickly as he could before she broke the kiss, her breathing frantic as she pulled on her sleeves. Henry pushed the dress of her hips, the gown falling to the floor with a quiet thump before his lips settled over Catherine's neck, sucking lightly. The posture was a bit uncomfortable since Henry was taller than her, so she jumped and sat on the table pulling him down with her, the goblets falling to the floor as wine spilled all over the floor but for Henry, this new posture was rather difficult to maintain as he kissed her neck and what was exposed of her chest over the corset so he picked her up and pushed her against the wall her legs wrapping themselves around his hips as she claimed his lips once more. With her back supported against the stone wall his hands were free to roam her soft and long legs hunching her petticoat at her hips, his lips kissing and sucking what he could see of her breasts since her corset was still in place, but he found this of not being fully naked even more exciting, Catherine's moans quiet, and her skin flushed, but what made it even more thrilling was the idea that someone might come in and catch them like this, the Queen in full ecstasy in her study. She couldn't wait any longer and pushed Henry's pants down as best as she could stroking him with one of her hands, the other one in his shoulder for leverage. She guided him inside her and in one swift movement he filled her causing her eyes to close and a gasp to escape her lips, him giving her a few minutes to adjust before he started moving, slowly at first. Her eyes shot open after a few minutes, her blue coloured eyes darker than ever before, as her grip on his shoulders became almost painful and her hoarse voice demanded him to go faster and harder. Her breathing was quick as she pulled her head back against the wall, Henry's picking up his pace, the sound of flesh slapping over flesh filled the room. She was close but wanted more, needed more and so she pushed him away and out of her, Henry surprised and rather annoyed was about to protest when Catherine pushed him roughly to the floor, his elbows hitting the stone painfully, and she climbed on top of him guiding him inside her again. She had never treated him like this before, pushing him around, scratching him, demanding him to this and do that but he was loving every second of it, strangely since he had always liked to be in control, in charge but there was something about her now that he just couldn't resist. She moved up and down her hands resting on his chest while he gripped her hips as she quickly picked up her pace her whimpers and moans getting louder. Henry pushed his hips up following Catherine's tempo as that well-known feeling began to wash over them both, Catherine trying to move faster and harder against his hips as she came closer and closer to her release. Her entire body shook for two seconds before she pulled her head back as she climaxed, her muscles clenching around him and a guttural moan escaped from her throat. Henry pushed a couple more times into her before he found his own release, Catherine's limp body falling over his chest as she tried to calm herself and her frantic breathing. It took them several seconds to recover, Catherine getting off of him and laid on the floor beside him.
-That was awesome. If being under so much stress is going to bring this on all the time I can't wait until we are crown King and Queen. – he pulled his pants up and sat on the floor, his back resting on one of the legs of the table a stupid smile plastered across his face.
-What are you talking about "King and Queen"?
-You know, when we are crowned, and you stress yourself to no end since you want to keep an eye on everything and not let others work for you taking some of the weight off your shoulders.
-Henry, slow it down because I think I might have misheard you. Did you say when we are crowned?
-Yes. You know when some cardinal puts a crown on your head and declares you King and Queen of a territory. You know what I'm talking about.
-Don't patronise me Henry, because the only one who is going to be crowned something is going to be me.
-What?
-You thought you were going to be King? Alright, we can prepare a small ceremony, so you'll be King consort or Prince. Whatever you prefer. – after picking up her dress, her legs still a bit wobbly she went over to fold her parchments and put them away in a drawer.
-What the hell Catherine?! I'm your husband and I should have full right over your lands! – Henry's temper was flaring again after these past few days and to be honest, Catherine had been expecting it, he had behaving too weirdly.
-No, you should not. You are just my husband and I can choose who has rights over my land and people, and you certainly won't. You thought you were going to become King? – She hated it when she was right, she hated it so much.
-As my wife, you have full rights over the English crown, why not me over Spain and the Empire?!
-Because you would use my army, my soldiers for your own political proposes and I'm not having that! I won't allow innocent men to be killed because of your stupid ego!
-It's my right! I'm more qualified than you! – he stood up his fists landing fiercely on the table making it shake.
-Says the man who has done nothing in the past eight years apart from scaring the living hell out of the Irish! Have you signed any treaties? Have you signed trading contracts with the Portuguese, Spanish or French colonies? Have you done something else apart from sleeping with my ladies and looking for mistresses?
-Why is it always the same with you?! I'm not made of stone dammit, Catherine!
-And I won't allow you to steal my crown! This is my birth right and even if you can't understand that I'm the one who makes the decisions now and you won't be crowned King! Whatever you were planning to get me out of the way won't happen, so decide what you want to do: stay with me and assume your new position as a consort or go back to England with Anne, but you'll have to face the consequences.
-Consequences? You don't have the courage to start a war with England.
-They are my people as well and I wouldn't dream of hurting them, but I can hurt you by stopping all our exports and imports and by reducing your income. Darling, I'm still Queen of England and I can make your life a living hell. You are no longer Henry VIII, King of England, and me just your wife, now you are just my husband. If you thought I would be stupid enough to grant you any saying or privilege over my kingdom then you obviously don't know me at all.
-You wouldn't.
-Want to try me? Will you risk your way of life, Henry? – her eyebrows raised as if she were challenging him, her chin up.
-You are playing with fire Catherine.
-Am I? – she took a few slow steps and leaned in his direction, her breasts trying to escape from their confinement. – I'm the fire Henry, and if you are not careful, you'll get burned.
-Is that a threat?
-Henry, you are my husband, the father of my children and I love you, but if see you as a menace, I'll have to deal with you. Believe me, I do not want to do it if I'm forced to, I'll do it without a doubt. Understand this: I'm in control now and you won't be my priority until you show me that you know where you stand and that you see that I'm your wife and not a property, possession, or a prize to be won. I'm a person and your actions hurt me, but I won't sit here and be humiliated no more. One single rumour about you having had an affair and I'll send you back to England and you'll have to face the consequences.
-You really think I'm going to be subjected to these terms?
-I've given you two options. Now, I'll be going to bed, I'm worn out. You've done really well Henry; we might repeat this in the future. -giving him a short peck on the lips she headed for the door but decided to turn her head to look at him before she left. – One more thing; you should tell Anne in your next letter about what we've just done, I'm sure she'll be thrilled to know you sometimes don't think about her. Good night.
With a satisfactory smile, she closed the door and as she walked away towards her rooms, she heard him come out. She felt his eyes on her back but continued walking down the hall the chilly air of the night that came through the broken windows making her shivers. She was upset about having found out she had been right about her suspicions that Henry had wanted to take control of her kingdom, but she was extremely proud of herself as well. She had played his game all this time but now they would play hers and in this one, Henry had only too options, either he shallowed his pride and acknowledged his new position or she would have to get rid of him. She'd rather have Mary and her unborn child grown up without a father than have them feel sorry for her while her entire kingdom criticised her non-existent ability to keep her husband from wandering around other bedrooms. If he betrayed her one more time, just one, even if it was just a rumour there will be hell to pay.