Chapter 2
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- Your Majesty, Queen Katherine asks for an audience with you – whispered one of the servants. Henry was on office, in one of his rarest moments of relax, with his beloved Anne sitting on his lap, her raven hair falling loosely on her shoulders. They both looked at each other, frowning.
- What does she want now? – hissed Anne.
- Soon we will know – said Henry, kissing her hand. – Let her in – he growled to the young servant. A minute later, he came back with Katherine following him, alone.
- Her Majesty, Queen Katherine – she smiled to the boy and curtseyed deeply to her soon-to-be-ex-husband.
- Your Majesty. – Her eyes became colder when she realized where Anne was sitting. – I have come to speak to you. In private – she said, hardening her gaze at Mistress Boleyn.
Henry's expression turned to a scowl.
- Anything you want to say to me, you can say it in front of the Lady Anne – he said, caressing the back of her hand. – I won't let you poison my mind with your lies anymore.
"That again?" Katherine sighed inwardly. For the last four years Henry had claimed loud and clear she had been lying for the last twenty years about being a virgin in their wedding night. Katherine had been married to his brother Arthur, but she had sworn he was too ill to consummate the marriage. Henry didn't believe her. If she was as pure as she had claimed to be, why did God refused to give them a living son? Something was wrong, and it was all her fault.
- I have come in peace, Your Majesty – Katherine looked at straight in the eye. – It concerns our daughter Mary, that's why I asked if Mistress Boleyn could give us a minute alone.
- As I said, you will say whatever you have to say about Mary or any other subject in front of her. Otherwise, you are dismissed – Henry's tone became acid. Katherine repressed the urge to roll her eyes. She was starting to grow tired of his behaviour whenever that concubine was present.
- Very well, then. If your Majesty allows me to take a seat… - Henry gestured for her to sit in front of him. – Thank you. – Anne's eyes were darting at her, but Katherine was totally focused on Henry, trying to forget her presence.
- Well? – Henry prompted her to speak. She took a deep breath.
- I have come to propose you a deal, Your Majesty.
Anne snorted sarcastically, but Henry's face became even more serious.
- On what terms?
- I will yield to Your Majesty's will to divorce me and marry any other woman you might see fit and worthy of the throne of England – she said, avoiding to say Anne's name. Henry and Anne widened their eyes in surprise and shock.
- Are you sure? How…? – Henry started, struggling to find his speech, but Katherine looked at him, pleading to continue, so he closed his mouth. The Spanish princess gasped a minute, asking God to give her strength.
- Under one condition, though.
Henry nodded, while Anne rolled her eyes.
- And what would it be?
- Mary's marriage with my nephew Charles. And, above all, you should send her for Spain immediately, so she can be raised in order to fulfil her duty as Holy Roman Empress.
Henry frowned. Anne took advantage of the small silence following Katherine's words to speak.
- She would be raised by your own kin, would she not?
- Yes, Mistress Boleyn. As you are certainly aware, my mother, Queen Isabella of Castile, is still alive and healthy, thank God. Mary would be in good hands, being raised by one of the greatest Queens of Christendom, which happens to be her grandmother – Katherine's pride on her lineage contrasted with her disdain of Anne's lower ranking, and she laughed inwardly, seeing how infuriated her opposite was.
- And what about you? – interrupted King Henry.
- I would gladly join a nunnery, Your Majesty, as long as my daughter's future is granted.
- Do you think I do not care about her future too? – Henry's tone was as sharp as a blade.
- I didn't say that, Your Majesty. I am sure you love her more than any father should – and Katherine's voice sweetened, trying to soothe the beast – but I don't want her to be a burden on your shoulders once Lady Anne has given birth to the son you have always desired. It would be one thing less to occupy your mind when you are father of a heir to the throne – her heart ached only by saying those words, but she had to play every card she had. She could see Henry was deep in reflection, and he took several minutes – who seemed like endless hours to both the women present – to speak.
- I shall ask you to leave me alone for the rest of the day. I need to think about your offer, Katherine. But let me get this straight: what happens if I refuse?
- I shall do the same regarding your future marriage plans – she says firmly, ignoring Anne's shocked whimper.
- How dare you…
- These are my terms, Henry – Katherine stood up, preparing to leave. – If you grant me what I ask you, I will no more be an impediment to you, nor the Pope, nor our daughter. Otherwise, I will have no choice other than fighting for what is rightfully hers.
- She is a bastard! – Henry cried out.
- Still she has your blood running on her veins – Katherine countered. – Think about it, Henry. I will be in my quarters, if you want to discuss this matter further – and with that she bowed and left. No sooner than Katherine was out of sight, Anne turned to Henry in disbelief.
- How dares she… - but Henry halted her with a gesture. – What is it?
- Please Anne, I need a minute alone. I need to think.
- What? – Anne was perplexed. – You are not considering her deal, are you?
- What if I am? – Henry snapped. – It would be the solution to all of our problems. Still, there are some dangers attached to it. Please, my love. Let me think about it.
Anne had no other choice than leave him, grabbing her brother George's hand as soon as she got out of his office and dragging him to the closest empty room available.
- What is it, Nan? What happened? You look like you've sucked a lemon!
- A big one – she snickered, telling him what Katherine had proposed the King. When she finished, George tried his best to not show his distress.
- She knows – it was all he could mutter.
- What?
- She knows… of our plans.
Anne paled.
- Do you think… no! That isn't possible!
- Think, Anne! What any other reason could have prompted her to give up so easily? She is granting her daughter's safety by keeping her away from us. Very clever, I shall say.
- Damn her, and her bloody country! – hissed Anne. – She planned everything. She will marry her sick little daughter to her own family. Mary will be Empress, for God's sake! I'm sure she will use everything in her power to overthrow me.
- Not if you have her father's heir in your belly – said George, hugging her from behind. Anne tried to find some comfort in his words, but deep down she couldn't. Somehow, she knew Mary would be her death, and Anne would be hers.