January 10th, 1565

Palace of Placentia

Isabella was walking through the corridors with Philip's ring in her hands. She was reeling; what had given him the audacity to propose to her when she was already married? He had a point in saying that her mother would have loved for her to rule Guelders in her own right, her mother had commissioned a treatise for Isabella before she died instructing her in the proper behaviors of a sovereign duchess. Then there was her betrothal to Philip; when she was fifteen he had written to her asking her to renounce him so that he could marry Edward's sister when it had been thought that Edward would die. She agreed, albeit with a broken heart and no prospects to look forward to, though none of the formal protocol had been followed.

Am I really married at all?

Her brooding had brought her into Edward's path and she could tell that he was no happier than he had been earlier. He stared at her for a moment, biting his lip. She had never seen him so pensive and afraid to approach her. They stood in the middle of the corridor, his soft blue eyes boring into her own stormy blue-grey ones.

"Have I done something to offend, Your Majesty?" she inquired.

He stammered, as if unsure what to say to her next. "May I s-speak to you in a more private setting, madam?"

She gave a nod as her consent, wondering what had made him begin to act so strangely. She was also beginning to see the stress in his face, every movement of his seeming to drain all of his energy from him. She felt sorry for him, though she was not going to allow pity to fool her into trusting him again. They entered his privy chamber, and though Isabella had been there many times during her life as his queen, they seemed almost foreign to her.

She sat herself in a chair near the fireplace. "What is there to speak about?"

Edward began to speak until something caught his eye. "Where did you get that ring?"

Isabella glanced down, remembering that she had been holding Philip's ring. "His Majesty."

Her voice had been more quiet than she had intended, though the words she had spoken had been enough for her husband. His face turned red, eyes narrowed in rage and he turned towards the window.

His next words shocked her. "Do you wish to marry him?"

She remained silent, mainly because she herself didn't know the answer. She knew that if she left for Spain she would be leaving her sisters and children behind. She also knew that she still loved Edward, though Philip was funny and charming. Philip was much like Edward was when they had first married, before the children had been born.

"Do you wish to marry him?" Edward inquired again, an edge entering his tone, though she could not distinguish if it was fear or anger.

She sighed. "I do not know, Edward."

She could see him shake from her reply, but he recovered quickly. "Tell me what you decide, if you wish to leave then I will free you."

"What?"

He turned to her and though she could see the pain in his eyes, his voice was strong. "I will not force you to stay, I will make sure our children are legitimate. Everything will be as though you are still here. Except, you will be in Spain with the husband you desire."

She didn't know how to respond. "Why?"

"Because I love you." He began.

Isabella got up to leave. She heard him following her and he blocked the door.

"Move, Edward."

He stared at her again with more intensity than before. "I have caused you pain and that was my own selfishness. Please, give me another chance."

She glared at him. "I gave you the chance to send her away, but you did not. I will never allow you to hurt me the way you did again."

"Do you expect Philip to be faithful to you?"

She shook her head. "However, he would never give me the illusion to think he would not."

With that, Edward moved out of her way and she continued down the corridor back to her own rooms.

January 11th, 1565

Palace of Placentia

"There is a storm. It seems that Gods is willing you more time to decide." Ruth said from her place near the window.

Isabella was at a loss and it was Ruth's job to help her make a decision. Ruth had been there when Philip had rejected her in favor of Mary, Edward's sister, and when he had proposed marriage the day before. Ruth had been hearing the rumors that his only son, Don Carlos, was mad and that Philip was looking for a new wife. Isabella, being extremely fertile, would be a wise choice in bride for a man with few surviving children and a teetering dynasty.

"What should I do, Ruth?" Isabella was looking at her pitifully.

Ruth raised an eyebrow. "I will tell you what I make of all this, but I will not decide for you. He is looking for a broodmare, not a wife. He figures that if you could give Edward nine healthy children, including two sets of twins, then you can give him a healthy son."

Isabella sat up in her bed. "He has Don Carlos-"

"Don Carlos is mad and honestly, I doubt he is the only one in that family. He needs a son now, that is why he proposed. Please, do not be fooled so easily. Edward is worth more trouble than Philip is."

Ruth knew it wasn't the answer Isabella was expecting but it was the truth, something Ruth never hid from anyone. Isabella could always keep Edward at an arm's length and indulge in her children, but in Spain she would be alone. Philip was kind because he was trying to woo her, if she reached Spain as his wife and he became cold, who would she have then? Ruth would never leave Thomas and her children to follow Isabella to Spain and she doubted her husband would want to be abroad for so long. She knew Anne felt the same way, especially because she was a peer in her own right. Isabella was aware of the risks, but Ruth didn't know if everything was truly registering in her mind.

"You think I should stay in an unhappy marriage?" Isabella asked, appearing confused.

Ruth sighed irritably. "I think you should think with your head and stop thinking with your emotions for once. God knows that is the only time you have any sense."

Isabella looked as if she was going to argue with her but thought against it. "What does Anne think of it?"

Ruth chuckled. "Do you really want to know what Anne thinks of it? She has harsher opinions of Philip than I do. "

"That is a first."

Ruth nodded. "Aye, she cannot believe Philip had the gall to propose to a married woman, an anointed queen in her husband's palace. She said if she were in your place she would have slapped him, no matter the implications. She would never allow a man to disrespect her husband and prove him weak no matter the state of her marriage. I agree with her, I would never let a man disrespect Thomas in such a way."

Ruth knew that Edward had broken Isabella's heart and she understood that pain better than Anne ever could, yet she could never allow a man to think her husband was weak, and by extension that she and her children were weak. She felt that Isabella had acted out of spite, and as queen Isabella could not afford such follies. Her position was one of pure favor and she could not take these risks. Ruth refrained from branding her behavior as whore-like but it was cutting to close for Ruth's comfort. If Isabella made one wrong move, it put her closest confidants in danger, meaning Ruth and Anne. It was selfish of Ruth to put herself before Isabella's happiness but she did not fancy Edward's wrath either. Isabella was a queen, it was time she began to act the part.

Isabella was still staring at the ring. "What if this is God's will? What if he wants me to marry Philip?"

Ruth sighed again. "If it was His will then Edward would be dead and you would be free to marry without an annulment. Isabella, think for a moment. "

"I have been thinking too much, that is part of the problem." Isabella retorted.

You do not wish to hear the truth, nor reason. Fine, go to Spain and see how well Philip treats you. Leave your sisters and children in England to clean up the mess you have created.

Ruth was fuming, Isabella was intent on considering this folly no matter what she or Anne said to her. She heard the door and saw Northumberland and Pembroke behind Mariana.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Northumberland and the Duke of Pembroke would like an audience."

Ruth nodded. "Give the queen a moment. She will be right there."

Mariana nodded and exited the antechamber. Ruth turned and pulled Isabella out of the bed despite her protests.

"Go on, now." Ruth nodded towards the door.

She knew she couldn't protect her forever so she allowed her sister to create her own fate.

January 17th, 1565

Palace of Placentia

Anne took another sip of her wine as she eyed the Spanish king. He had been given the seat of honor, Isabella seated between him and Edward. It was maddening how blatantly Philip was disrespecting their king. Though she held little regard for Edward personally after the affair had come to light, he was her king and he represented England. If Philip could dominate Edward here it left England open to attacks from other nations and ridicule throughout Christendom.

"Do not stare to hard, Nan." Ruth whispered from her place beside her.

Anne sighed. "Look at her, fawning over him as if..as if-"

"As if they are already married." Ruth finished.

Anne nodded and continued to watch as her sister joked and flirted with Philip, while Edward kept his eyes focused on his plate. The Dukes of Northumberland and Pembroke were both trying to get Edward's attention, but the king would not yield. Ruth seemed to be deep in thought for a moment. before she was struck with an idea.

"Your Majesty of Spain, I must inquire; I am aware you have a son, do you plan to betroth him to an English princess? As their main governess I need to plan their educations accordingly." Ruth inquired.

Anne noticed that the feasting courtiers had stopped to hear Philip's answer. Even Edward was watching Philip intently, daring him to say the wrong thing, while Isabella was glaring at Ruth.

Philip shook his head. "No, I do not intend my son for an English bride, however I do intend my only daughter for the Duke of York, my lady."

Ruth smiled cynically. "Of course, Your Majesty. I suppose you do not intend your son for anyone."

Anne sipped her wine to prevent herself from shrieking. She knew what Ruth was doing and it was hysterical in a sense. However, Isabella was also getting a sense of Ruth's interference in the conversation and her eyes were narrowed, promising a tongue lashing once she was out of the public eye.

"Ruth, you may have overstepped your boundaries. Her Majesty, does not appear to pleased." Anne muttered.

"To hell with her." Ruth retorted.

Anne chuckled a bit to herself, though she could tell George was uncomfortable.

"Are you well, my lord?" Anne inquired.

George nodded. "I am well, madam. I am just marveling at the strength of our king."

Anne nodded quietly. George knew not to speak against her sister, but she also knew that Isabella was acting like a harlot. Even Ruth shied away from using the word, which was truly unlike her, but Anne would call it as it is. She knew that Edward had cheated, but Edward was a man and it was his right as man and king. It did not excuse his poor handling of the situation that ended in Marie's death (not that Anne missed the arrogant chit), but Isabella did not have the same freedom as Edward did in that regard. It was simply the way of the world and Isabella had been raised with this implanted in her. Anne was angry because Isabella simply knew better.

Anne looked back over and saw that Thomas had taken Ruth's goblet. He gave her a look before turning back at his wife.

"Ruth, do you wish for me and Thomas to take you to your chambers?' Anne inquired.

Ruth rolled her eyes. "I am not drunk simpletons."

Thomas nodded. "Oh, I know but Her Majesty does not so hopefully you will not receive to much of a chiding when you go to serve her tomorrow."

Anne smiled. Thomas was always protecting Ruth and though Ruth would protest, saying that she didn't need him to look after her but Anne knew that Ruth loved how he doted on her. It was similar with her and George, though she was willing to allow him to be the dominant one in their relationship. Anne frowned when she glanced back at Isabella and Edward, she could tell there had been love between them once, it was in the way Edward looked at her, while Anne noticed Philip's good nature didn't quite reflect in his eyes.

January 19th, 1565

Palace of Placentia

Edward was leaving his chambers with dread. Isabella had been avoiding him since their encounter over a week ago. Well, he had seen her at the banquet but her eyes had been for Philip, something that all of the courtiers were gossiping about no doubt. Even if Isabella stayed, their next child would be suspected to belong to Philip. He had promised her immunity if she chose to leave, only because he loved her. He had no desire to possess her against her will and so he had ordered Northumberland and Pembroke to draw up the annulment document that guaranteed the legitimacy of their children and declared their marriage null and void on the grounds of pre-contract, even if it had been broken three times prior to today. He sighed before he went to the gates where Philip was waiting with his men. Isabella was already there with Lady Norfolk and Lady Exeter. The women curtsied to him but he paid his wife's sisters no mind. His heart was beating wildly as he caught sight of her. Her expression was painfully neutral to everyone around her, as if no one knew what she was going to decide. He knew for a fact that the two duchesses knew what she was going to do, but Lady Norfolk's face said otherwise.

"Your Majesties, I believe it is time for make to give an answer to the King of Spain's proposal." Isabella murmured.

Philip smirked at Edward, as if he knew Isabella would choose the annulment over her marriage.

Edward nodded for her to continue, almost frozen.

She produced Philip's ring from a pocket in her cloak and gave it to him. She curtsied and back away from him. "I am afraid I cannot accept your proposal, I have much more to lose than gain by leaving. I follow God's will and His will is for me to be Queen of England."

Philip nodded. "A simple German princess was always beneath my rank."

Isabella nodded. "I suppose so, but I am married to a man who is twice the king you will ever be. One with healthier sons as well."

With that, she turned to go back inside, Lady Norfolk and Lady Exeter followed her. Edward took a deep breath to steady himself, and turned back to Philip.

The older man nodded to him. "I suppose the royal marriage is not falling apart after all. That is the word on the continent, but gossip was never my favorite part of kingship. Also, the betrothal between your son and my daughter is off."

Edward narrowed his eyes. "Then get out of my kingdom as quickly as you can."

"Gladly. This rainy island is of no use to Spain." Philip spat as he mounted his horse.

As the Spaniards galloped away, Edward was still in shock. Isabella had chosen to stay in England, but why? He went to find and he knew she would be hiding in the stables like she typically did. She was brushing her stallion, the same horse she had ridden when she first arrived to court despite the horse not being broken. He was an old horse now, much more mild and though Isabella rarely rode anymore she made sure her favorite stallion was well cared for.

"Why?" was all he managed to say.

She sighed. "How could I leave the only man I've ever loved?"

Edward frowned. "I want you to trust me."

She approached him slowly and stared him directly in the eyes. "If you wish to have my trust then earn it."