05 November 1520

Madrid, Spain

Catherine smiled as she read over the letters from her husband, he had agreed to the match between George and Isabella, and Mary and Charles, furthermore he informed her had sent his lawyers to Portugal to start trade negotiations, looking up from where she sat, she could Mary and Charles walking together talking and Catherine was pleased to see they were getting along well. Next to her, Anne was reading, every now and again Catherine noticed she would look almost enviously at Charles and Mary. Noticing this she leaned over,

"Don't worry, my darling," she said causing Anne to look up, "You will also marry a man worthy of you,"

Anne simply nodded,

Catherine returned back to the letters and turned to one that caused her some joy, wincing Catherine crossed herself that was unfair, it was reported from her son who was stationed at court, informing her that Queen Marguerite's latest pregnancy had ended with another stillborn boy. It was something Catherine had considered strange, that a healthy young woman from a fertile family should be plagued like this after all the late King Henry chose Marguerite over herself on the grounds that Catherine would be too old to bear children by the time his son came of age, furthermore, he was concerned that the sickness that had taken Arthur, and plagued herself might have affected her fertility, and yet it turned out to be the complete opposite, Catherine had bourne 14 children in 12 pregnancies, six of whom were sons, all without a single miscarriage or stillbirth and the Queen's nine pregnancies had yielded only two daughters.

Whilst the Duchess did feel sorry for the Queen, her main sympathies lay with the King, whom she was sure was desperate for a son, and she wasn't surprised that he had strayed from the marriage bed. Catherine knew as she was sure any reasonable person knew, it was not the King's fault, after all he had sired three sons with his mistress Bessie Blount, and whilst they were bastards, they were bastard boys, proving the King's fertility, and casting more doubt on the Queen.

"Your Royal Highness," came a voice

Catherine looked up to see her chief lady approach,

"What is it," she asked,

"All of the trunks are packed and the carriages are ready to leave,"

"Thank you, Maria," said Catherine motioning for Anne to follow Lady Willougby, before making her way over to Mary and Charles,

"Mother," said Mary smiling,

"My dear nephew, our time to depart has arrived," said Catherine to Charles

"Ah of course," said Charles,

"I shall hope to see you again soon," said Mary

"My dear, I will pray nightly for that," smiled Charles

And with that, they departed.

25 November 1520

Catherine strolled through the halls of Whitehall, whilst she missed her family in Spain and Portugal, she couldn't help but be glad to be back at court. Her steps were smooth and with purpose, taking her into the snow-covered gardens and quickly delivering her to the person she wanted to see,

"Your Majesty," she said curtseying to the king,

"Catherine, how wonderful to see you back," said Henry looking pleased to see her,

"Thank you, your majesty, it is good to be back, and I must of course offer my deepest condolences to you," replied Catherine,

Henry smiled at her, "Thank you, I...," he said before trailing off,

"What is it," she asked,

"I just often wonder what might have been," he said,

Catherine just smiled, "We can never know that,"

"I know," said Henry,

"How are you sons," asked Catherine, "The Duke of Richmond will be starting his formal schooling soon,"

Henry brightened instantly, "Yes, I have been searching for the best tutors for him,"

"Excellent, a good education is so important for a child of noble birth," said Catherine, "And the princesses,"

"Yes, Margaret and Louise are both progressing well under their governesses," replied Henry, "What of your daughters, I hear some excellent news from Spain and Portugal,"

"Charles has agreed to wed my eldest daughter Mary, and Manuel's daughter Isabel will wed my son," explained Catherine, "Any news from Rome,"

"It would appear his Holiness is reluctant to agree to any campaign against the Turks, seeing as Francis has allied himself with the Turks and since he is King of Naples he has been reluctant to authorize action against the Turks in case it offends the french king," replied Henry,

Catherine frowned, "He is so concerned with Francis's feelings, that he would let the heathens continue to overrun the Holy Lands,"

"It is a shame he continues to deny your Husband and Son their birthright," said Henry sympathetically, "We in England recognise them as the rightful rulers of those lands,"

"Thank you, your words mean a lot," replied Catherine,

Catherine made her way into the warm palace, as she made her way towards her chambers, she came face to face with the one person she had been hoping to avoid.

"Your majesty," said Catherine politely curtseying to the Queen,

"What do think you are doing," said Marguerite angrily,

"Whatever do you mean," said Catherine smiling,

"Your daughter is to wed the Emperor," hissed the Queen,

"Yes, my nephew is most eager for the match," replied Catherine

"You would rob my daughter of a husband," asked Marguerite,

"I would not worry, I don't believe my nephew even considered your daughters for a moment," smiled Catherine,

"A princess is more worthy of an Emperor," said Marguerite,

"If not for your brother, my daughters would be princesses," said Catherine coldly, "As it stands I think my nephew would prefer a bride who comes from a family with proven fertility," she got great satisfaction in watching the other woman pale, before turning on her heel and leaving.

Making her way to her families chambers she was greeted warmly by Thomas,

"How are you my dear, how was the King," he asked,

"He was well, sad but well," replied Catherine, "He told me of the problems with the pope,"

Thomas frowned, "I struggle to understand what that doddering old fool is delaying for, kick out the heathens, we become rulers and make a new treaty with that french scoundrel,"

Catherine grasped his hand, "My love, if not us our son will sit on the throne of Byzantine,"

And with that, she moved over to where George had been writing a letter to Isabella,

"Hello mother," he said rising to great her,

"How are you my son," said Catherine

"I am well, I was just writing to Isabel," explained George,

"You two have been exchanging letters a lot," said Catherine,

"Yes, I try to write weekly," said George,

"I am pleased to hear it," said Catherine, "Of course, you know that Isabella is a niece of your grandmother,"

George nodded, "She seems very nice,"

Before Catherine could respond, they were interrupted by the sounds of her 13-year-old twins Ferdinand and William entering followed swiftly by their tutor covered in mud,

"What on earth," said Catherine rising,

"We were riding," explained Will grinning at his mother, "And it was quite wet and muddy,"

"I can see that," said Thomas looking at them both,

"Well we kinda fell," admitted Ferdi,

Catherine couldn't help but laugh, whilst she might not have been Queen, she wouldn't exchange her children for any crown.