Chapter 3

A/N: Thank you all for your reviews, and especially SSLE (Dani) and Vain x Life Poetess (Caro) for brainstorming.

* Italics = Spanish

Right after Anne had gone, Henry leaned forward in this desk, his elbows supporting the weight of his head, trying to clear his mind and think properly. He poured himself a glass of ale and sipped on it thoughtfully, while the soft breeze touched his face. He knew Anne was upset, she didn't like to be ignored in such an important affair. On one hand Henry felt bad for sending her away: she was his beloved, his future Queen, a woman so rare and unique that he couldn't wait to possess her utterly and definitely in every aspect. She was more than a beautiful face, her intelligence and wit were incomparable. However, sometimes she got a little carried away by them, and he had to remind her (lovingly, of course) of her place as a woman and future consort. His will would always prevail against hers.

Katherine knew this very well, except when she had tried to defy him for the last four years. God, she even tried to put his daughter against him! Henry could still remember Anne's face when a six-year-old Mary said she would not befriend any of his father's mistresses during her mother's lifetime, for it would be an insult both to the true Queen of England and to her future memory once God called her to His presence. Some had tried to argue it was all Mary's doing, but a child of six could not have such strong opinions. It was all her mother's doing. Anne was deeply hurt by Mary's words, she had even cried, saying that there was nothing she desired more in the world than to be Mary's friend and stepmother, despite her condition as a bastard. For Henry, this was evidence of Anne's pure and generous nature, as well as of Katherine's stubbornness and selfishness.

He was surprised that Katherine was giving up her fight so easily. Well, not that easily. In exchange of her consent in his divorce matter, she was asking him to send his daughter for Spain, to be married with her own kin. Henry had to clap at Katherine's smartness. She was clearing the path for him and Anne by securing her daughter's position as probably the most powerful woman in Europe in a few years. Well, Henry had to admit it was very tempting to give in to her pleas. As much as he loved Mary, she was a bastard. He needed to find her a marriage nevertheless. He would never have chosen an Emperor to marry one of his bastards, but Katherine had a point: their bastard was still cousin to the Emperor, thus making a match between them feasible.

There was one thing Henry didn't like, and that was the possibility of becoming a Spanish puppet. He knew that Anne wouldn't be pleased. She had a special affection for the French, since she and her sister had been raised there. Being the Imperial family the French's sworn enemies, Henry could see a trifle coming his way. However, like he had said, his will as a male and a monarch would always prevail (and he was still bitter at Francis because of that bloody wrestling match, in whom he was compelled to take part to end Francis constant bragging, and which left him with both his limbs and his pride hurt). And who cares about the Emperor and his bloody family when hopefully (certainly, Henry added in a whisper) the English royal nursery would soon be filled with healthy princes to continue the Tudor line throughout the centuries?

He made a mental note to thank God for putting some reason into Katherine's mind. He had loved her once, true to be told, but that was a long time ago, when he was young and naïve. Apart from her inability to conceive him a son, Katherine had not been a bad wife, and she had fulfilled her state duties as Queen as well as one could have expected, but that wasn't enough to forgive their union in the eyes of the Almighty, who used his power to prevent them to continue their sinful lineage by not giving them a healthy son. Now with Anne, everything would be different. She was younger than him, unlike Katherine, and her lineage was fertile: she had a brother almost the same age as her, her sister had two children by William Carey, one of them a fine baby boy. Henry himself had a son, a bastard, called Henry Fitzroy in his honor. Nothing could go wrong this time. He rose from his chair and started walking towards Katherine's apartments. She was reading by the firelight, but nevertheless welcomed him with a warm smile.

- I have come to inform you of my decision, Madam – he said in a neutral tone. She nodded politely.

- Very well.

- I have decided to agree with your deal, Majesty – Katherine's lips formed a small smile, and her shoulders shivered in relief.

- Your Majesty is far too kind and merciful – she curtseyed.

- When will you sign the papers of the divorce? – Henry tried to act as cold as possible towards her.

- As soon as Mary lands in Spanish soil. I still remember my boat trip when I arrived from Spain, and it was everything but pleasant – she added quickly, seeing Henry's arched brow. – I just want to be sure that our daughter is safe, as I'm sure your Majesty will understand – she didn't reveal her true intention behind the request. By signing the divorce papers only after Mary's arrival to Spain, Katherine was making sure that Anne Boleyn and her wretched family didn't try anything against her child.

- Very well, then – Henry nodded. – I am glad that you finally come to your senses about all this, My Lady, and resign to your due position.

Cómo te atreves, (how dare you), thought Katherine. But she did nothing other than bow and watch him leave the room. Then she reached for a quill and parchment. She needed to write her mother again.

My most dear Queen and mother

All is settled. Henry has agreed with the marriage between the Holy Emperor, your grandson and my nephew. In exchange, as I said in my former letter, I will have to resign formally from my position as Queen of England as soon as I sign the papers, which won't happen until I hear that Mary is safely under your guard and protection. I fear that Anne Boleyn might still try to do something against my precious daughter until then.

Once again I ask you to not bother with me, for I will end my days in the most dignified way possible, surrounded by God's true servants. In my heart I know I will always be Queen of England, no matter what happens next. My only comfort is to know that Mary will grow to be a true and fair Empress under your wise advice and infinite knowledge. You two will always be in my prayers and good wishes.

Yours truly

Catalina

She sealed the letter and gave her to Maria de Salinas, her most trusted lady and friend, with orders to be delivered in hand to the Imperial Ambassador. Then she retired to her private room to pray for her daughter, herself and her mother, hoping that God would give the Trastamara women strength to face the difficult path that laid ahead of their feet.