((A/N: I've decided to turn this into a drabble series following Henry and Catherine (mainly Catherine) through different periods and times in their lives. This is a little scene that sort of popped into my head today so I thought I'd just get it down and out - anything in particular you guys might like to see between Catherine and Henry? I have plenty of other bits and pieces planned but if you feel like there is something you really would like to see from me, give me a shout! I also apologise that this update is terribly short, but I thought that was an appropriate cut off point!))

SCENE TWO: A King and His Country

"For my birthday, we'll have a lavish celebration!" Catherine announces, her hands outstretched as she stands in the middle of the cavernous hall. She can see it now, all beautiful drapes and decorations, candles twinkling in artfully arranged displays, loud music and a buffet so huge and filled with exotic and masterful culinary creations that her mouth actually begins to water. Catherine spins on the spot, so invigorated by her dreams of the most spectacular birthday celebration France has ever seen that she forgets she is supposed to be angry with her husband.

He's sat in his throne, his chin resting in one hand, eyes glazed over in boredom. That's when she remembers that she is not simply angry, but furious. He has gotten her pregnant, that lay-about whore that he keeps comfortably nestled in his bed chambers with her shiny dark her and pretty feline eyes. He isn't turning her away like he should, either. He's housing her. Giving her financial backing, like she really is worthy of the French gold he must be lining her pockets with. Of course Henry is bored. He isn't concerned with anything that doesn't include Diane - a woman who would most certainly not be receiving an invitation to Catherine's birthday festivities.

"So I suppose that means I can empty the treasury of every last penny and spend it how I wish," Catherine snipes, her lip curling.

"Yes, dear. Whatever you like." Henry answers vaguely. But then he stirs, his head snapping up sharply. "Wait, what did you just say?"

Catherine feels a glimmer of satisfaction that she is still able to startle him so easily. She doesn't bother to explain to him anything she has just said, but gives him a piercing glare before she turns her back on him, ready to stalk swiftly to her own private chambers. Since his infatuation with Diane had begun, Catherine had decided she didn't want to linger like a fool in the chambers meant for two, awaiting his return like a childish little girl. Instead, she had requested for her own private place, just like he had his. It had however surprised Henry when she had asked for a smaller area of a much more modest size. Granted, it was still decorated with luxuries and nick-knacks that she'd never need or even want to use, but it was not of her normal calibre. She liked big, ravenous things.

"Catherine, wait!" Henry's voice reverberates off the pillars. Sighing, she grinds to a halt. She can hear his footsteps echoing on the flagstones behind her, but all the same she taps her foot impatiently. "I don't wish for things to be this way between us."

His hands are resting lightly on her shoulders, his warm breath tickling her left ear as he leans closer to her face, ready to whisper something sultry. Peeved, she twists out of his grasp, eyeing him waspishly. "There really isn't any other way it can be between us," Catherine hisses. Again she is satisfied to see that he actually flinches. Whether it's because she has inflicted an emotional injury or simply wounded his pride by not succumbing to his seduction (he arrogantly believes every woman is infallible to his ridiculous murmurs) doesn't bother her at all. She has gotten a reaction of weakness from him. A show of vulnerability, no matter how fleeting, is enough to give her the upper-hand in the future. "You picked this fate for yourself when you took a loose harlot to your bed."

"Don't talk about her in that way!" Henry snaps, firmly taking Catherine by the elbow and dragging her into the shadows behind a pillar, out of view of any nobles that may be lingering within the vicinity.

"How sweet, fighting the corner for your pregnant whore." Catherine says dryly, wrestling her arm out of the strong grip of his fingers. "In any case, Henry, I don't think we have anything further to discuss. I will be on my way now."

"Catherine, I want you to understand that I do still care about you-"

"No you don't," she interjects, shrugging off the shimmer of sensitivity that she can see behind his eyes as just sexual frustration. "But I think it's lovely of you that you at least tried to tell me a pretty lie."

"I'm not claiming the boy as my own!" His voice rings through Catherine's head. She feels as if someone has clubbed her with a hard, metal instrument of some sort. The room is spinning as she tries to understand his reasoning behind the rejection of a child that everyone within the castle already knew was his. "He will not be a predecessor to the throne. That title will belong to our child, and our child alone."

The tirade that Catherine had been more ready than storm at her husband ceases before it even touches her lips. She has been rendered silent by the sudden announcement... but at least he has established why he had opted for the child to remain illegitimate. Catherine gives her husband an abrupt nod, her eyes frosty as she stalks out of the throne room and into the cool corridors of the castle. She is cursing herself, irritated that she had even allowed herself a second to believe that maybe, just maybe, Henry would have been considerate enough to do something out of the goodness of his heart for her.

But the love and passion that had existed between them had long since evaporated. Sex was for continuing the line, not for romance. Henry had fallen in love with another. Whilst initially, Catherine had despised the growing chasm between she and Henry, she realises that she has grown used to it. Love, passion, hatred... any fiery emotion can influence and alter decisions that should be made with a rational head. Rationality and intellect - two things it is vital for rulers to possess.

Henry is not in love with Catherine.

He is not even in love with Diane.

He is in love with his position and his title.

His only love is France.