Born to Lose, Live to Win

by Vain x Life Poetess

AU Sequel to Angel of Wales. Years after Mary's death, her son finds the truth from an unlikely source and receives a visit from his true father who has an important message to give him about the future of his dynasty, but will he listen or will he fall prey to lust, ambitious relatives like his ancestors did a century earlier? Romance, lust and betrayal await him and his family.

2. It's Getting Too Much For Us

Chapter 1: It's Getting Too Much For Us

"I'm living on an endless road
Around the world for rock and roll
Sometimes it feels so tough
But I still ain't had enough
I keep saying that it is getting too much
But I know I am a liar

Feeling all right in the noise and the light
But that's what lights my fire

Hellraiser! In the thunder and heat!
Hellraiser! Rock you back in your seat
Hellraiser! And I'll make it come true
Hellraiser! I'll put a spell on you

Walking out on another stage
another town, another place
Sometimes I don't feel right
Nerves wound up to damn tight
Don't you tell me that it's bad for my health
Cause kicking back don't make it
Out of control, I play the ultimate role
Don't know how to fake it

Hellraiser! In the thunder and heat!
Hellraiser! Rock you back in your seat
Hellraiser! And I'll make it come true
Hellraiser! I'll put a spell on you

I'm living on an endless road
Around the world for rock and roll
Sometimes it feels so tough
But I still ain't had enough
I keep saying that it is getting too much
But I know I am a liar

Feeling all right in the noise and the light
But that's what lights my fire

Hellraiser! In the thunder and heat!
Hellraiser! Rock you back in your seat
Hellraiser! And I'll make it come true
Hellraiser! I'll put a spell on you."

~Hellraiser by Motorhead (Rock on in the afterlife Lemmy \m/)

1568-1569

Carey Household -Hampton Court Palace

She gasped and called on the goddess that had aided them during their most trying times but she never came. She didn't feel the power she had felt cursing through her veins when Edward VI came to their house and mocked her and Henry one last time before he fell dangerously ill and died. She only felt despair.

"Get off me." Realizing he had been yelling her name, he pulled up his hose and withdrew. After eleven years of marriage, she was no longer afraid to tell him when he was going too far. Not that it mattered anyway, but it gave her a false sense of hope.

She sat up. Her limbs ached. She was sure glad that was over. She felt disgusted with herself –and even more with Henry. Why did he marry her to this brute? She asked to be married to Edward Seymour. He had restored his father's lesser title of Viscount of Beauchamp to him. She would have been a happy Viscountess. But no, Henry wanted her to suffer.

Why? She almost asked him but her brain soon reminded her. It's because you are an illegitimate brat, bastard daughter of bastards.

He tossed her, her dress. And told her to get up. She refused to get dressed.

He had just raped her, now he wanted her to move? Was he nuts?

"Your brother, the King is expecting us. And he wants you to be there when his wife finally gives birth to a son. It's been eight years now since Mary Seymour's death and one year since she gave birth to those two brats."

"Those two brats are the Prince and Princess. And the Queen already proved herself by giving birth to them."

"So?" He challenged, adjusting his chain of office. "That doesn't mean that the Portuguese bitch is going to use her powers of influence to turn their brat into a sweet Catholic puppet like his grandmother would've been if she lived."

If she lived. Lizzie often wondered what kind of Queen her mother would had been if she had never met her father? Would she have been a just Queen or a bad one like Philip?

"He will have tutors like Roger Ascham."

"Hah! Roger Ascham was the tutor, the others won't measure up to him and that bitch knows it. That is why she is going to use her sphere of Portuguese influence, dance a little dance," he made a wave of his hand "or use another trick to enchant the king and convince him to take over his education."

"My brother won't allow it."

"Keep telling yourself that darling. Your brother is a good man, but women have always been his weakness. First your mommy, then Mary Seymour and now this woman." He shook his head in complete dismay. "A good fun in the hay is good once in a while, but he lets it get to his head just like his great-great-grandfather Edward IV. He gave it all up for a woman and if he continues like this, that is what he will do."

You should know. The Earl of Hudson was not known for his fidelity. She was his second wife. His first one had died in childbirth, and to win more Protestant adepts, Henry had sold her to her. The first two years were hell. He rode her day and night until she became pregnant and gave birth to his brats. After that, he rarely visited her. Last night he had come drunk and angry because none of his favorite whores were available and all the maids were asleep and he couldn't go outside to wake them, lest he wanted his balls to freeze.

"What about me? Why do I have to be the one assisting my sister-in-law?"

"Because you have experience giving birth, and because you were a good friend of her predecessor. She will trust you just as Mary trusted you."

That was true. She and Mary remained good friends after her marriage to Henry Carey. Mary would visit her often and while she was there, Henry would show good conduct towards her and her children. She also had the "gift" and could see things before they happened which was a rare thing in any witch. And she had seen her own death, months before the King announced she was pregnant. Lizzie tried to help her. She prayed, meditated, cast spells, but nothing worked. She resigned herself to her friend's fate and instead came to her side, so she wouldn't die alone.
Henry of course was there but he wasn't his old self anymore. She could see a trace of guilt in his eyes when his wife said her last words to him and made him swear he would be happy and move on with his life for their daughter's sake.
Lizzie was the only one who knew that behind the King's grieving state, was a deeper guilt and it had to do with his abrupt decision to cut his mourning short to marry the newly widowed Duchess of Braganza.

Everyone wasn't surprised by the King's decision. He was young still, and he had to secure the Tudor Dynasty by any means and what better than by marrying a foreign royal who also had a claim to the Portuguese crown who some believe was better than the Spanish King, Philip II. But those who knew him best, knew that that wasn't the only reason why he was marrying her.

The Duchess' husband had died two months before. It had been a marriage of convenience. Her brother Duarte died before he could sire another son and her sisters soon followed, leaving her as the sole inheritrix of his title, but when she married Joao, the Dukedom passed to him. It was something that many people said rankled her but she had no other choice but to accept it. Despite her resentment, her husband genuinely grew fond of her and in his will left everything to her, including the title which he wrote had always been legally hers. If he only only knew. Lizzie thought. What his wife was doing behind his back, fornicating with my brother.
Henry had gone on a diplomatic mission to meet with the Spanish King, their cousin Philip when the Princess of Eboli showed up unexpectedly, acting as his ambassador, telling him that he was busy and was deeply sorry he couldn't attend. Lizzie and the rest of his company were bracing themselves for their king's temper when he abruptly closed his mouth as he locked eyes with the Duchess of Braganza. He was like a little kid who had just witnessed the most beautiful sight. He danced and talked to her during the banquet and afterwards took her to his chambers.

Their relationship was kept a secret by everyone, including his most trusted advisers. But when he cut his mourning short to announce his intentions to marry the Duchess, everything was revealed.

And even less surprising was that eight months later their twins arrived. A healthy baby boy and baby girl they who were named William after the Conqueror and Virginia after the Virgin Mary. Lizzie wished she had been during the queen's first birthing so she could give her advice on what to call her children and what NOT to call them. Henry Carey was a brute but he was correct when it came to matters of religion. The commons loved Mary Seymour because of who her mother had been. Kathryn had been a very outspoken person for their religion and written two books which extolled Henry and Edward's reign. Mary had inherited her mother's love of rhetoric and she basked in public attention which she used to boost her husband's popularity. Lizzie had come to know Mary very well. Though she basked in the public's love, she wasn't an exact copy of her mother. She and Lizzie would speak endlessly about married life, and she would ask her for advice about Henry. There were many things that Henry IX didn't like to disclose to the public, even to his loved ones. Mary was growing very resentful of that but one day she came back from an argument with him with a smile. Lizzie asked her why and Mary told her that she finally understood why Henry was the man he was. She didn't ask what that meant. Probably another one of Mary's strange sentences. Her friend was becoming stranger the last years of her life. Saying strange things, having all kinds of visions, even claiming that she saw her mother in her sleep.
"They are just dreams Mary. A dream means nothing." But that wasn't true. Lizzie had had many dreams which were visions of her mother's past, but she didn't get obsessed over them. That was the difference between her and Mary. Mary had always been an idealist. Pragmatic in some areas, but ultimately an idealist when it came to love.
Lizzie had never known love so there was no reason for her to lose her mind over her family. All the family she had ever known was her brother and he had become a monster like their stepfather as soon as he told them the truth about their parentage.

"That she trusted me is not going to mean the same with Henry's new wife. The Queen is a very religious woman, she will see me as a witch. People say things about me."

"That is up to you to change. Once the Queen gets to know you, we can put those absurd rumors to rest and not only that, you as the Queen's best friend and counsel her against spreading her religion in her children's school room or worse, to their relatives."

"Catherine of Guimaraes is many thing but she is not stupid. She will never do that."

"Is that what you believe Elizabeth? She reprimanded my cousin Bess' son Rob because he didn't say Amen when he interrupted her prayer session. Prayer session! Can you believe it? The King is crazy for letting her do whatever she wants. The people won't stand for it and much less when she and her stepdaughter our royal Princess Victoria continue to avoid each other as if the other was the plague."

"I don't know. The people in Yorkshire and Dover love her ever since she established those schools."

"Don't fool yourself wife. That is because her husband and l. She is Queen Consort, nothing more. And if it weren't for that claim she has on the Portuguese throne, your brother would've never married her."

That was partly true, but it wasn't why he married her in the first place. But she wasn't about to rebuke him.

"So I become her friend, then what? I tell her not to name the other girl Virginia or Catherine after her or better yet, after the saint she was named after."

He nodded, glad that I was following his lead.

"The Queen might be a staunch Catholic, or a pragmatist as she would love anyone to believe, but Cecil, your aunt Bess and I know best. Guide her, show her what is best for her and if you can, do that."

She wasn't entirely sure how she was going to do that. But sure enough, the Queen was very welcoming to her. She didn't seem to swallow the rumors that revolved around her, and welcomed her into her circle of friends. Most of whom were Portuguese.

There was one of them who spoke as many languages as her. The Queen said her name was Angelica and had been her companion growing up under the tutelage of her mother, Isabella of Braganza. The girl was nice enough but Lizzie was not sure her kindness was genuine. She could always tell someone's true intentions by looking into their eyes and her eyes were dark and full of secrets.

---

When the time came for the Queen to give birth, Lizzie was there with her, telling her to push, although the Queen did not need any incentive. Like their distant relative, the late Holy Roman Empress, Isabella of Portugal, she swore "by God, I shall not scream. I will bring this baby to term and welcome the suffering but I will not scream." And she didn't.

Lizzie was impressed. For a woman who had put up with so many scorn from the Protestant and Catholic lords alike, and suffered through so many tragedies in her life, she did not give in to her emotions.

When the cries of her newborn babies woke her up (twins once more), she smiled at them. She looked up at Angelica and told her "Go and inform His Majesty."

"My beautiful girls." Lizzie could not tell if she was disappointed or not, but the tone of her voice hinted that if she was, it had melted away when she looked at the two mewing babies.

They were so different. Lizzie had never seen anything like it. Although she had heard of it. When the first set of royal twins were born, they were so identical. Blue-green eyes, angular cheekbones, and blond hair they inherited from both their parents. But these were as different from each other as they were from their older siblings.

The oldest one, whom the Queen had already decided to call Theresa –and which the little girl started to respond immediately as if she knew that name had been assigned to her- was dark brown haired, with sapphire eyes and pale skin that made her look almost unhealthy. Her twin in contrast, was dark auburn haired, with dark grey eyes and heart-shaped face which were common features that had not been seen in a Tudor since her mother.

Come to think of it, the girl looked a lot like her mother, the infamous Lady Mary Tudor. Upon closer inspection, she saw the girl looking directly at her then up at her mother, raising her arms, begging her for attention.

Yes, definitely a Tudor. Lizzie thought. Pushing away thoughts of her mother. It's just a mirage. This girl could not be anything like her mother. And if she is, Henry will make sure she doesn't repeat her mistakes.

As if on cue, Henry came, accompanied by her husband, Cecil, their aunt Bess, and dozen other courtiers, including his eldest daughter Princess Victoria of Kent who was excited to see her newest siblings but not so excited to see her stepmother.

---

Henry couldn't believe it when he heard it. He was disappointed at first that it was not another boy but when he saw his daughters, his disappointment faded. "What are you going to call them?" His daughter asked them when they were alone.

"That's for your lady mother to decide. She let me decide last time the name of your brother, now it's her turn to pick another name for your sisters."

Victoria smiled, but inside she was seething. How dare her father call this woman her lady mother? Who was she to usurp her mother's rightful place? She had been the beloved queen of the commons. Her grandmother had written two books. No other women could compare to them. Victoria had been so happy when her father brought another woman to the kingdom. She expected her to be beautiful and kind like her late lady mother but she became angry when she saw her.

She was not stupid. Her father thought that she didn't caught on things quickly but she did. She had heard the rumors of how one Catholic sorceress had ensnared him while her mother was still alive, dying after she failed to give him the son he desperately desired, while in Portugal. People wouldn't whisper her name but her good friend, Lettice did. "Her name is Catherine or Catarina as the wicked lot there call her. They say she prayed daily to her altar so she could get rid of her husband. That is how she found your father. The two couldn't wait for him to die so they could be with each other." Though she didn't want to believe her best friend's words, she knew deep in her heart that what Lettice was saying was true.

It didn't take a genius to know that the Catholic whore was also pregnant. She had seen the signs with her mother and the women she had assisted when they were pregnant. (Her mother always taught her that no matter how privileged she was, she was not above anyone else and as a Princess she had to set an example of humility and leave her fears for blood, and everything else aside.)

To make matters worse, they didn't even try to disguise it when her father announced the day after their wedding that she was pregnant. He claimed it was a miracle from God, but everyone with a brain knew the truth but nobody was brave enough to speak it. Except her. She told her father that it was not fair. She would have preferred any other woman but her. It was a betrayal of her mother's memory. Her father, calm as always when it came to her, tried to explain her that it just happened. "I loved your mother Vicky. God knows I loved her more than life itself but this just happened. I can't explain it. When you are older you will understand. We don't choose whom we fall in love with and sometimes we can love more than one person. Your mother will always be special to me because she gave me you and I loved her. But Catarina is also special and I would never trade what we have for anything else in the world. If she were a pauper's daughter, I would still have married her." She doubted that he would. Her father was all about self-interest. She believed him when he told her he loved her mother, but she didn't believe him on his last claims that he fell in love with his current wife.
How could he have, when all he ever cared was finding a way to best his cousin the King of Spain?
She hid her disgust once more behind a mask of kindness when the whore spoke.

"I was thinking something simple like Patricia or Elizabeth like your aunt and sister here."

His sister blushed while his aunt gave a hearty laugh.

"What do you say ladies? Is there room for another Bessie?"

"I don't know Your Majesty, there might be too many Elizabeths." Lizzie said and their aunt nodded.

"Lizzie is right, I already have two daughters named after me. One Anne Elizabeth and another Elizabeth Mary. I have to call the first Annie and the second Beth so people don't get confused when they try to figure out who they are talking to." Bess said with another chuckle.

"Tell me about it. Going to your house dearest aunt is like going through a maze. Ow!" Bess gave her royal nephew a playful nudge on his shoulder. Everyone laughed.

"So no Elizabeth then. How about after Margaret?"

"I like that name very much but while you three were arguing over the Elizabeth name, I had a bright idea that I can't believe I forgot about earlier." His wife said.

"And what idea is that?" He asked intrigued, flashing her a smile as their eyes made contact.

His wife lowered her eyes, as she did whenever he asked her to be assertive. She had learned many things from her mother, the number one thing being how as a wife, she had to keep up the pretense of docility while working her influence on her husband.

"Well, since I figured that we can have no saints, Elizabeths or anything else that could rattle the population I suppose Theresa will do." She rose her eyes to meet his again. "After the first Queen of Portugal." She explained.

"Theresa, I like it. Our little Princess Theresa." He said picking the girl up from her cradle. Catherine didn't bother to tell him to be careful. He loved children. And he loved this little mite whose eyes showed such intensity that it reminded him of himself growing up. Such a long time ago. The Duke had been very strict but if it wasn't for him he wouldn't be the man he was today.

He placed her back on the cradle next to her sleeping twin. She was calmer and docile, so unlike any of her siblings, even Victoria when she had been this small. She almost looked out of place. Dark auburn haired, dark grey eyes from what he had been told before she fell asleep in her mother's arms, and heart shaped face. All traits that had not been seen in another Tudor for years.

She didn't almost look his mother, she looked like his mother. It was really frightening. He knew the possibility of seeing his mother's face in one of his children, but he didn't think it would be this soon, or the resemblance be this strong.

It must be another one of fate's cruel jokes. The powers that be always had a way of getting back at him. He didn't pick her up. Instead he traced his finger across her cheek. There wasn't any response except light wiggling which stopped once Theresa got closer to her.

"What should we call her?"

Catherine could tell there was apprehension in his voice. She didn't think that he would mind. One girl looking like his mother. Who cared, but his mother was a still a delicate subject with her husband. Sometimes she wished that he could tell her everything. She knew that the woman had done something terrible behind. It was practically legendary, but there was more and Henry didn't want to tell her. She almost felt sorry for her daughter. Maybe Henry will see past his daughter's looks in time. She was the woman's granddaughter after all, not her clone. Catherine knew it in her soul that great things awaited her.

She thought long and hard and then the name came to her. "Leonor. Eleanor. After the two most beautiful Queens England has had."

"Until you." He said, going to her and kissing her, then looked back at their youngest daughter. "Eleanor, I like that. Welcome to the world, little Eleanor." And may you have a better fate than your grandmother who destroyed her life and the life of her children.

---

4 Years Later

Nonsuch Palace:

Eleanor was saddened that they weren't going to have a little brother. Theresa made a bet that the baby boy would be named after an English saint while Nor believed he would be named after another Norman King like William. But it was not to be. On one hand she felt relieved because now the odds were not against her which meant she didn't have to pay Theresa and submit to more of her taunting. But on the other, she was sad because that meant her mother would be sad as well and they both knew how much she and her father wanted to have another baby.

It was not to be. She reminded herself and hid under the bed, hoping that Theresa would not look for her here. Needless to say, fate once again ruled against her because Theresa found her and made fun of her for being so clueless.

"Told you that dwarfs can't hide."

"You idiot Theresa, dwarfs are imaginary." Nor shouted, pushing her away when she tried to tickle her again.

"No, they aren't. They are real. I saw one last time."

"That was your imagination stupid and if you keep talking like that, dad is going to lock you up like King Philip's grandmother."

"No he won't. I am his favorite. Remember that."

"That doesn't mean anything. We are all his favorites. Daddy doesn't give anyone special treatment."

'That's what he wants you to believe because you look so much like his mommy, but I am his favorite because I am everything he wants in a daughter."

"You are not."

"Yes I am. I am dutiful, obedient, and I am eager to learn unlike little miss perfect Victoria."

"That's a load of bull! You are never eager to learn and you are always running away from your lessons and get away with doing what you want."

"Exactly, which is the attitude that is expected of any politician and a future Queen."

Her sister was unbelievable. "You forgot something."

"What?"

"Beautiful. If you are not beautiful, how can you be a good queen? People expect their queens to be beautiful like the Virgin Mary or as their female ancestors. Our ancestors were said to be pretty, and if I am the living picture of our grandmother than that makes I have more of what it takes to be a Queen than you."

Theresa laughed and said meanly. "Yes, sure. You do."

"I do."

"Being beautiful is not everything. I may be Theresa horse-face or what was it you called me? Theresa underfoot? No that is not it." She appeared to be in deep thought then her face lightened as she remembered something. "Theresa Ugly hag face. I might be all of these things little sister, but don't forget that people change and once I grow up, I will show my true beauty through my wits and you will keep being the same. Stupid just like the woman who gave you that face."

"You are an idiot Theresa. The only way that you can achieve all of these things is if you are Queen and I doubt that you will ever be loved."

"I will an I will be very acclaimed and you know why? Because people in England will cheer for me."

"The only way that will ever happen is if daddy dies. Do you want daddy to die?" She challenged, showing her best glare but it didn't intimidate her sister one bit who was used to dealing with bigger opponents than her sister who in her opinion was pathetic.

"Of course not you idiot. I didn't mean it literally, I mean that when I am Queen of Scotland and give the King many babies, daddy will reward me and I will get to be known as the most beloved in the lands."

"You mean the land."

"No, the lands. People will love me in Scotland as they will love me here."

"And what makes you think that the Queen of Scots will ever approve of her mortal enemy marrying his daughter to her son?" Nor asked. Seriously, she thought. Had her sister thought this through.

Theresa gave her a sardonic smile. "Oh Ely, don't you know? Fame favors the fortune." She said quoting from their favorite classical work, the Aeneid. "And when I give the King many heirs, I will be his queen of hearts and nobody will say a bad word against me, because I will be the epitome of the perfect Protestant Queen, out Protestant ranking our perfect big sister."

"I don't know Theresa, people love Vicky. They say that she takes after her mom, daddy's first wife."

"So? They said that all of your namesake's daughters will take after her and be a force to reckon with and just look how they ended!"

That was true. Eleanor of Aquitaine's fierceness was passed on to her sons and grandchildren but not her daughters. "Well ... Virginia is very Protestant and people call her Divine Providence's cherub."

Theresa broke in laughter. "That is because people are stupid and they base their opinions on looks alone. But they should just wait until they see me in magnificent clothes, dressed to be a queen. Oh Nor can you feel it!" She said hugging her little sister then withdrew and hugged herself, imagining the day. "Crowds cheering, courtiers saying that I am a role model among women. I will be like our great-grandmother Queen Katherine of Aragon."

At the sound of their ancestress who shall not be named, Nor gasped. "You shouldn't be saying that name here. She was the Princess Dowager, not a Queen."

"She was a Queen. Married and anointed and her daughter was a Princess just as we are, and just like them, I will go down in history."

Nor said nothing. She heard enough of those two women to know that she didn't want to be anything like them. How could her sister think that they were good role models? The women had plunged the country into civil war thanks to their stubbornness. If the Princess Dowager had only accept the King's deal, she and her daughter could have led a good life, far from the king's court and any temptations their grandmother received there.

People said that she looked like her, the infamous Duchess of Bavaria. "Same hair and same beautiful face. You are a jewel Nor." But she didn't feel like one and didn't like it when people bragged about how they were friends with her and how her mother showed her off before the Spanish ambassadors whom she told she was the perfect embodiment of what a princess should be like.

I don't feel like a good princess. If it wasn't for her appearance, people wouldn't be speaking behind her back. Treating her special, or her father refusing to see her as much as he saw his other children, including her favorite sibling, William.

"Vicky is likely to go down in history with her marriage to King Philip."

"She can try but a promise to marry a king means nothing. Kings promise to marry their daughters to kings and princes all the time. Until he puts a ring in her finger, she will continue to be simple Princess Victoria, nothing more and nothing less."

So will you. But instead of voicing her thoughts, she asked something that had been on her mind ever since the topic was brought up. "What about me? Will I get to marry a Prince too?"

"Hmm, I guess so. If the Spanish King doesn't postpone his visit like last time and he likes you, he could propose to marry you to one of his vassals. But it won't be the same. Youngest Princesses always get the raw deal because they are the last ones in the lines of succession. Except our great-grandmother but she is a special case because the Catholic Kings loved her so much." she gathered the jewels that had accidentally fallen on the floor when she chased her sister then said "See you later sister, I have a new to pick for the upcoming King's visit. Be sure to see me before the banquet. I want to show off my things before you. You are my best admirer."

Nor was like a little miniature of his mother, it alarmed Henry. Even her antics were similar. Nor tried very hard not to smile when she saw something funny but always failed miserably and ended up being attacked by laughter which once again reminded him of his mother because she would always try not to laugh at inopportune moments and feared to make everyone upset.

He sighed. He would have to find her a suitable husband soon and there were many amongst the German provinces, including those that were part of the Holy Roman Empire, that were around her age but they were so lower in status than her that he felt that none of them would do. Until he found a name in his surrogate father's family tree and upon closer examination he realized his problems were over.

Catherine wasn't pleased with it. He didn't expect she would. Their marriage had been strained the past two years. She tried giving him more sons and Henry knew how hard it was for her, to get used to her new adoptive country but she failed to understand the politics here. If she wanted to be accepted, she had to change, starting with her religion. But for Catherine, her religion was sacred. Which was another reason why she hated the idea of betrothing their youngest daughter to the future Elector Palatine.

"It is not on paper yet Catherine. But I want it to be. Frederick will be his father's son and his father ruled with an iron fist."

"His father was a staunch Reformist and his son is an indolent fool who will be ruled by his uncle. How can you marry our daughter to a man like that."

"We need this alliance. I don't know if Philip will keep his end of the bargain and besides, our daughter is still young. Many things could still happen."

Catherine didn't trust his judgment. She had been worried he was becoming too much like Bess and Cecil, and so, when they married she tried keeping him away from them. But Bess and Cecil were too strong. The man had been elevated to Baron despite her incessant protests. And to make matters worse, it was discovered that one of her ladies' servants was sending coded messages to the King of Spain. Catherine was questioned like she was some common criminal and went to Henry enraged, reclaiming him. But he told her that it was part of the law and they had an image to keep.

Bah! Image to keep. She was no fool, despite what his dearest auntie thought of her. Bess wanted to look for any way to turn her husband against her. But that woman had underestimated her just as Catherine had underestimated her. Catherine was not doormat, she wasn't like any other English Queen and just as Henry, she had Plantagenet and Trastamara royal blood flowing through her veins. If she thought that she was going to step aside, the woman didn't know her at all. Henry IX was her husband and she was not just any Consort, but the Queen of England and mother to the future King. It would be her descendants that people remembered, her blood who would continue to occupy the throne. Not hers. So she acted the part of the victim, knelt before Henry and let out the best weapon that a woman could have: her tears. And with them, she convinced Henry that she was innocent of the charges against her. Henry of course believed her because he knew his wife would never stab him in the back, but he didn't have the courage to step against his aunt as he had done when he saw his wife's tears, kneeling before him in front of all parliament. It was unheard of, for a Queen, especially a foreign Queen to burst into the audience chamber doors in this way but she had done it.

Take that Bess. Her eyes told her as she left the audience chamber, thanking her husband for his merciful understanding.

"My daughter should be married ton someone higher."

"She is my daughter too Catherine, I didn't come to this decision lightly. I had to send many envoys to convince both of his parents. I know how this displeases you but she will be treated fairly."

"It is not that which displeases me and you know that."

"Catherine we are not having this discussion again." Henry said rubbing his eyes. "I came to this by myself. No one else was involved."

"You can tell yourself that all you want until you believe it but I know better." She said strongly and as she did, her accent became more pronounced. Then she said something in Portuguese which translated to "You can't let them control you anymore Henry. I am your wife, the mother of your children, you should have come to me first."

"I wanted to Catherine but would you have said yes?"

"That's not the point. You should have come to me. I am your wife."

"And I know that! But Bess has been with me since my mother's death. I had no one except for her. When my father was often away tending matters in Bavaria or in my mother's states which my grandfather was merciful enough to keep them as part of my inheritance. If it wasn't for her, I would have never been released from the Tower and ended up, moved from residence to residence, locked up like I was something shameful-"

"Like Mary Stuart?" She challenged.

"Yes!" His tone softened. "Catherine, please don't do this. I need you to support me on this. We need to stick together on this. They are not the enemy, we need strong allies and if this boy grows to become the man his father is, he will be a strong ally."

Catherine wasn't convinced but she didn't say anything else on the subject. The following day she found her oldest daughter playing with her brother after they had finished their lessons at the school room.

"Where is your tutor?" She asked them.

"He said he had to go see his daughter. She was feeling sick." Virginia answered, as always being the one who spoke first for her and her brother.

"Oh no, I hope it's nothing grave." Catherine said, feeling genuinely concerned. Their tutor was one of the few people who hadn't been very judgmental of her and her religion. And she didn't mind that he taught him his nonsense, as long as he didn't speak ill of her faith.

Virginia shrugged. "Sally says it isn't but her lady mother has been very sick lately. Mother, is it true that Vicky is going to marry our cousin?"

"Why, yes. But you must not refer to him that way when you meet him."

"How should we call him?"

"Your Royal Highness will do unless your father tells you otherwise."

"What will he be like? I heard that the Spaniards burn people and relish in seeing people suffer in other ways."

"I heard that they when they stick hot pokers through their behinds, they will scream for hours and King Philip will sit there brooding over why his God isn't letting him enjoy more pain." William added, smirking at the thought of man so evil like that.

"You shouldn't believe everything your aunt Bess and Cecil says. Your cousin has a different way of doing things but like all Kings he has his good sides too."

"Like what?" Virginia asked.

"He is a good family man. He is very close to his daughters and the oldest one, is considered the smartest girl in Christendom." She said, glad that her daughter was asking her these questions. Her youngest daughters were never this inquisitive. Whenever Theresa asked about something, it was usually just so she could prove a point and laugh about how nobody knew as much as she did or mock her little sister. And Eleanor ... Well poor Eleanor was never that bright.

"Is he going to bring his daughters to play?"

"I am afraid not mi amor, his daughters are a little older than you and still very young to travel this far."

"That's a shame, William and I would've really liked to meet them. We don't get to play with a lot of kids here. You should tell father to send more kids here."

"I will speak to your father but first you and William must promise me to be nicer to Alice. She is Angelica's daughter and she gets very sad that you don't play fair with her."

"But mother, we were being fair, weren't we William?" Her twin brother nodded, giving a toothy smile.

"I know you were sweetheart, but she is very sensitive and she is Angelica's only daughter." They moved their head in annoyance. "I am not asking you much Will, Virginia. Just be kinder to her. Kindness can go a long way and it will spare you a lot in the long run." Believe me, she wanted to say.

Her children agreed. When she was gone, William turned back to his sister. "Told you she would swallow the bait."

"That's because you played it to perfection little brother." Virginia said, using the same sweet, melodic voice she was known for and had melted many people's hearts, including Cecil who was seldom known for showing any affection for anyone save for his family members.

"Don't call me that. I am two minutes younger than you."

"Which makes you my little brother." She repeated and he huffed, pushing the blocks, destroying the castle she constructed. "You need to control your temper. Mother is right, kindness will spare you a lot of trouble on your path to becoming King."

"I don't get why we have to act this way. Why can't we just tell her that we want our own castle?"

"Because little brother if we do, she is going to laugh at us and tell us how young we are. All in good time William. You and I are five. In seven more years we will be twelve and people will finally start taking us seriously."

"I hope so." William grumbled. He had been invested Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdonia a year ago, which people thought it was too late since Princes of Wales were normally invested the year after their fathers became Kings or a year after they were born. But his father told his ministers he wanted to be cautious, and be sure that his son would remain healthy.

"I hope Nor can live with us when we get our own establishment. I like playing with her, she doesn't mind me taking the lead." Unlike you, he left unsaid but it didn't matter because Virginia could tell by that look in his eyes.

She giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"Out of all the play-mates you can ask and you think of our little sister. I would have chosen Theresa. She is grouchy but at least she is interesting. Nor is dumb."

"No, she isn't!"

"Is!"

"Isn't!"

"Is!" Virginia said louder adding: "Our own mother admits it. When we tried getting her to practice falconry with us she cried for days and everyone was so worried she was going to die because she started ripping all her gowns, saying nobody loved her."

"She was afraid. Our cousin Julian got afraid of birds when he was her age and now look at him. Tough as a rock."

"That is what our father says but Julian just said that cock and bull story so miss pity me would feel better. She is odd William and the sooner you and everyone else admits the better. It is a miracle our father hasn't lost his wits yet." God knows he closes his hands into fists every time he sees her and she starts crying for no reason.

She tried playing with her sister and calming her down many times, but Nor was a complete drama queen. One day she would say she was interesting in this and the next she will loose all interest for that thing and start on a new topic. She was never constant and all she cared about were gowns but she had the fashion sense of a commoner.

"I still feel bad for her."

"Well good for you. Maybe you are right though and she will become more mature as we get older." She said, adding the last sentence before her brother brought another senseless defense to their pathetic sister.