Chapter #28: Cost of a Crown
"When you play the game of thrones you either win or you die there is no middle ground"
~Cersei Lanister in Game of Thrones (show and novel)
Chapuys had refused to accept the possibility that Annie might not wake up and Elizabeth was deeply worried for him. He could not stop thinking about Annie and he stood by her side every day. He had almost given up going to Court though he was quite aware of what was happening since Elizabeth was fighting for William to become King and he knew about it. He was there now, in her bedchamber, sitting at her bedside as he had been in the last weeks only leaving to sleep, to eat, and to wash himself but his beard and hair were more haggard than ever.
Elizabeth opened the door slowly and slipped inside, standing for a moment watching him. She wanted to so badly for her niece to wake up not just for her sake or her children's but for Eustace. She couldn't bear seeing him like this.
"Eustace" She said softly as she approached him and placed a kiss on the top of his head "How is she?"
"The same" He answered neutrally before taking a deep breath and turning his red eyes of lack of sleep to her "How did it go?"
Elizabeth always a practical woman told him exactly what he needed to hear, she went straight to other business after hearing her husband grunting when she told him Mary would be supreme house over the two Princesses households. "Edward and you were planning it, and I and Cecil believe it is best we continue with the negotiations. Personally I think we owe nothing to Spain and would rather spit at them than make an alliance, but Cecil as you will, believes that a war is best to be avoided, we do not have the resources or the money to take on the Catholic Countries" Thanks to her father and his son, they had emptied the coffers that their respective fathers had worked very hard to fill. She often wondered what Henry VII would say? Would he be glad that his dynasty prevailed or ashamed of what his son and grandson had done to his beloved nation?
It was one of those question that Elizabeth did not want to ponder on too much.
Eustace nodded absentmindedly, he knew where she was going and wanted no part in it, but she explained how he had little choice on the matter. The vote had been unanimous, never before in the history of England had they seen such result "You are the Queen's uncle" she said raising her voice in case there Mary's younger daughter since we had none, Katherine, is being proposed to marry the King's only son, and then there is Russia, most of Parliament still believe as does Alexei's aid that his sons with Lady Isabella only do better to reinforce England's alliance with them."
Eustace nodded again. "So I am Lord Protector then" He said grimly tearing his eyes from his daughter. "Why should I be made Lord Protector when Annie is well capable of being Regent? Hmm?" Eustace raised his voice at his wife.
Elizabeth sighed deeply and went to grab a stool to sit and put it directly in front of him. "Eustace, we have to be prepared, England faces many threats here and abroad, our enemies seek to unite themselves and we cannot face another costly war like the one my father got involved in with the Emperor. We must look at every option"
"And Annie? Is my daughter not important enough? Was her sacrifice not enough? Is she only important through her son?" He demanded.
"No!" Elizabeth exclaimed taking his hands "But life goes on. We cannot stay here endlessly waiting for her to wake up. I pray to God that she does, but we must be prepared. If Annie wakes up she's going to be Regent so we have to pave the way for her...if she doesn't..." Elizabeth lowered her eyes "We have to do as she would have done"
Eustace clenched his teeth "My daughter is..."
"She's a Queen Eustace whether you want it or not"
"She is my daughter first and foremost and if you want to play Executor to the council's orders fine I give you permission, in fact you are free to act as Lord Protector too, you can be governess and Lady Protector I don't care, but don't you dare talk as if my daughter is dead. She isn't, you owe her that much. And go tell our sons to come, they have not visited her today"
"They have, you were asleep" She said rolling her eyes, a gesture he would have normally found funny he now found it offensive.
"Well tell them to come more often she needs to hear something comforting other than an old man's plea"
"Eustace for the love of God you have to react. You've lost faith"
"I have never stopped praying, it is all of you who have lost faith in your Queen" He shot back. "Call our sons"
"Eustace they cannot. They will attend the coronation for their nephew, our king, your grandson tomorrow as you should to, as Lord Protector it is your duty."
Eustace stood hastily "I am not going anywhere"
"Yes you are!" Elizabeth cried "Not for me, not for England, not even for your grandson but for your daughter, because she needs you to be there am I understood? If you let yourself fall into that state of depression even if Annie wakes up you'll never be out of it!"
Eustace said nothing and grabbed his cane harder walking past Elizabeth.
"Where are you going?" She said in a low but serious voice.
"Where else?" he said with deep scorn "to the child's ceremony, I pray it will be over soon!"
Elizabeth sighed with relief. Screaming actually did work with him.
Later, during the ceremony Chapuys looked at Mary with disgust. Her daughter was half dying and there she was all happy with the fact that her daughter was about get married to the man who was the most powerful monarch in the world.
She could almost imagine herself as mother to the future Queen of Spain
She was here in all her glory, the whore of all whores as if nothing bad had happened.
She was all smiles and nice words holding her newborn granddaughter, Princess Margaret and next to her besides her daughters and Alexei (who reluctantly attended the ceremony) was Diana, the only one in that lot who showed empathy for her mother. Today on this fateful day of baptizing the twins his grandson would be crowned King of England, King William III, just a mere baby.
Diana locked eyes with Eustace, she was looking with deep hatred that he had not seen before at three people in particular, Alexei, and her two siblings.
He sighed as he made an effort not to show any emotion. Elizabeth was standing by his side and she gently squeezed his hand. He had been incredibly unkind to her these last weeks and even so, she stood by his side. He made an effort to smile.
They sped through the ceremony. He was thankful Mary did not get to hold his grandson, he didn't want her filthy hands anywhere near Annie's son. The only good thing that had come out of all of this was that Annie had had the last laugh at her mother. Mary had hoped she would have another girl or girls so she could be ruling the kingdom through Diana, but voila! Annie ousted her.
After being baptized the Archbishop Cranmer with Elizabeth as godmother to the future king sat in the throne where her father and brother had once sat.
It was odd ceremony, they all commented, two children with separate godmothers, William had Elizabeth and Mary had Margaret still asleep in her arms.
Cranmer who'd always been a friend and an enemy or something in between of Elizabeth's, placed the crown of St. Edward the confessor on top of the baby's head. He really didn't place it, but held it on top just to symbolize the baby's power over his new subjects. Elizabeth held the scepter and the orb. She was doing a good job balancing all items and still having a good hold of her nephew who was watching the ceremony with great interest. It was as if those blue eyes, Annie's eyes, were well aware of what was going on, of his importance.
Eustace looked at the child for the first time. William, now William III was the spitting image of Edward VI, but his eyes were exactly the same shape and color as his daughter. And his own, Chapuys realized and he smiled down at William. You will be a great ruler, he thought to himself. I will make sure of that. You will be fair, and just, and cunning I promise.
After the ceremony strangely, Eustace felt calmer. He didn't return to Annie's room but to his quarters with Elizabeth who told him when they arrived and finally were alone "Mary is trying to hasten Philip's coming to England. Apparently, the Prince himself is not all that keen in coming to England"
"Isn't he King of Spain already? Lady Katherine is three years older than Carlos whom I heard was very much in love with her portrait."
Elizabeth's eyebrows became furrowed, she wanted to spark a longer conversation but it seemed her husband already knew half of what she was going to say.
"Well yes but it is Philip who is going to marry Katherine" Elizabeth said "Mary wants to turn the tables around and half of the lords are so desperate for an alliance with both Russia and Spain they want to sell my youngest niece to the highest bidder which happens to be King Philip"
"Philip?" Chapuys was astonished "Philip as in the King of Spain" He thought Elizabeth had done everything possible to avoid a marriage contract between one of Mary's daughters to the King of the most powerful empire in the world. It would bring Mary one step closer to the throne!
"Do you think I do not know that?" She protested her anger flaring up "But there was nothing me and Cecil could say to disuade the council and then there was the matter of William. It could have another week until parliament decided to crown him if we didn't yielded to the conservative's wishes"
"But Philip! The King of Spain! You know what this means! This is not just some impoverished Duke, German Count, or vassal King this is Philip the bloody King of Spain Elizabeth!"
"I know and half of Americas, and Milan, and the French county and the Low countries and Naples. Did I forget something?" She asked sarcastically. "Eustace you are repeating your sentences maybe you should sleep"
Eustace lt the matter drop although he felt his wife ought to take this seriously. This was hardly the time for jokes!
"I can turn the tables around too, I want them to feel what my daughter felt, have her marry that crazy Prince, let her suffer" Eustace said, he would not forsake what he helped Edward and Anne to build for his selfish desires. But instead he would maintain the Spanish alliance, only he would be true to his word. Mary would suffer through her daughter, that young dark beauty, that rose would be plucked. Even if she gave Philip a grandson, she would not survive the minute the King stepped in to take hold of his grandson. She will see her whole world crumble and Mary who was devoted to her, would be there to share her pain.
"Yes but Philip would not give Carlos's hand to anyone. His condition is worsening" Elizabeth said.
Chapuys lied down in bed and Elizabeth took her side besides him "When will he arrive?"
"In a few weeks apparently"
"So soon?" Chapuys said as Elizabeth turned to face him supporting herself with one elbow
"Yes, Mary and Philip are not in the mood for waiting"
Eustace smirked. He should have foreseen this. "And let me guess that pitiful Duke is urging Alexei and his aides to present his grandsons to the Czar?" He said with hidden disdain found only in his eyes when he mentioned Mary and Philip's oldest daughter.
"Yes" Elizabeth said and turned the conversation around "I know you harbor no love for Mary, Philip or any of their daughters, I do not either except for Isabella. Eustace she is different, she was one of Annie's ladies and Annie was very close to her as our sons are to her. She should not be blamed for her parents' sins"
"Does it matter anymore? I see them all with the same colors, nothing good can come from any of Mary's offspring"
"It came with one" Elizabeth pointed out "Annie"
He didn't answer this. "She was raised by me…and by you "Elizabeth kissed him softly on the lips "Annie is going to wake up. You only have to give it time"
Two days later Eustace returned by Annie's bedside, Not surprisingly he found Diana there holding her mother's cold hand. She explained to Eustace that she could not sleep, she knew it was late but she just had to see her. "My Lady grandmother" she began always so formal, she is truly Edward's daughter he thought "has been with me, singing to me, she has been cleaning my tears day and night. I miss being by her side but I miss my lady mother more. And I can't stand that stupid girl and her cries. I swear it is the only thing she does"
Being stuck in a room next to her newborn sister, the new "Princess" everyone was fuzzing about, was too much to bear. Not only that stupid girl dared to look like their mother, but she never stopped crying! Sometimes Diana believed she did it on purpose just to annoy her.
"Well babies tend to do that" Eustace said smiling a little. Diana rolled her eyes. "Your mother would like you to warm up with your siblings. You should look after them"
Diana snorted "As if they would need to. And even if I did, I wouldn't want to"
Chapuys sighed "And if you mother were to wake up and ask you that herself?"
"Well that would be different Your Grace, I always obeyed my parents, I would do exactly as she told me to but the reality is she is asleep and they are breathing at her expense. Princess Margaret is so cute, she is so small, King William this, King William that, what good can come out of a baby king?" She let go of her mother's hand and walked closer to Eustace, she wasn't as demanding now as she was before reminding him to bow down. "I am glad Parliament chose you and my lady Marques to be Protector and Lady Governor. It would have been silly if they had let a baby who all he does is spit his food, rule"
Chapuys laughed "You used to do that yourself you know, Your Highness?"
She squeezed her fists. She would not act childish and have an outburst of anger, her parents raised her better than that. "I was a dutiful daughter, my father always said from an early age I would be quiet, mother said I rarely cried." she looked around to see her mother's serene face. "I should not have cried with you. Think first act later, that is what lady mother always told me. I keep counts of the day she has been asleep, it will be almost two weeks now"
"Why shouldn't you have cried? You are a Princess yes...but you are entitled to emotions. Furthermore," Chapuys said "there is no need to tears. Your mother is going to wake up"
"How?" Diana asked "Is there a Prince who's coming to kiss her and she wakes up like in the fairy tales that my lady grandmother used to tell me?"
Silence.
"No life is not a fairy tale, grandmother tells me it will be fine, my grandfather reads to me constantly" she bit back the tears, she would never cry again "he tells me 'mummy is going to wake up, mummy is fine' but after father died ..." She bit her lip.
She breathed in, "Real life is more complicated in fairy tales kids are told the dragon is slain and everyone lives happily ever after, in real life the dragon and villains are never slain. You know Your Grace, my mother told me there are no monsters, but there are"
Her gaze fell down.
"Yes there are" He admitted. I pray to God you don't become one.
Eustace placed his hand under her chin and their eyes met for one brief second, in that instant something flashed in Diana's eyes. Understanding, she blinked seeing his eyes not as a window to his soul, but as a mirror where she could see herself.
"I promise she will wake up"
"No one is going to remember my mother now that my Lady Aunt is going to have a grand marriage" She went on "My aunt Isabella besides my grandmother is the only one who visits my mother, she is the only one who is not excited over her sister's marriage. But it doesn't matter what she wants, it's what England wants isn't it? Father always said duty first feelings second. It is not fair, nobody will remember my mother, nobody will be there to tell that stupid boy he owes it to her he is king, no one" A single tear fell from her left eye.
"It is not true!" Chapuys said with vehemence "No one is going to forget your mother. She is always going to be remembered. You know why? Because she's going to wake up. And people are going to remember her as the greatest queen England has ever had"
"How are you so certain? Everyone has lost hope, they say they haven't but I know they have"
"Because I know. I know the Queen is going to wake up. I am sure of it. She has always suffered a great deal and she has always come through...this is not going to be an exception"
Diana smiled she took the necklace from her neck and handed it to Eustace. "For being honest, it was a gift from my father he said it belonged to my grandmother Jane Seymour and she got it from Katherine of Aragon, I don't know if his story is true but it used to bring me comfort, it will do you good"
"Yes" Chapuys whispered as a wave of longing hit him "it belonged to Queen Katherine" He took it in his hand "It's a great gift, thank you very much Your Highness"
All through the month Diana waited impatiently. She was slowly getting fed up with her lady grandmother's over-protectiveness. Everywhere she went her lady grandmother had one of her lord grandfather's escorts with her. It was getting annoying. She wanted to feel free, have a place of her own. Her mother's resting chambers was the only place where she could find peace and tranquility away from that screaming child Margaret.
"You earned it; will you keep your promise to talk about that matter once mother wakes?" She said hugging herself, the air around them felt cold.
Chapuys swallowed. But he had promised. "Yes...I will"
"You want to sit here next to me?"
She nodded.
Eustace saw something was eating her inside by the way her eyes wanders around the room avoiding his gaze..
"Is something bothering you?"
"Why do you allow people to call you my lord Earl or Your Grace simultaneously. Are you not THE duke of Sicily? Shouldn't you have greater respect now that you are Lord Protector for that boy?" She asked raising her gaze, yet not ready to make eye contact. She had a greater secret she wanted to get off her chest so she wanted to thread carefully.
Eustace played along and answered this calmly "Your uncle, the Holy Roman Emperor gave me this title when I married your Grand-Aunt and it was the only way I could be married to her"
"Because you were a commoner"
He nodded "I was later elevated to a Viscount then to an Earl by your grandfather and father."
"So why don't you demand people to call you Your Grace as I do?"
Diana didn't miss a thing but how to explain these things to a little girl? For all her knowledge she was still a little girl and it pained him that her mother had forced to grow up and put her childhood behind when she became heir presumptive.
"I ... do not care much for titles. Long should be the days when you bargained with Kings and crooks for titles and riches, your work should be from the sweat of your brow and your good works not for how well you are liked"
"What about a Princess? Is she a crook because she was born into royalty?" She asked crossing her arms against her chest, their eyes finally met. Blue against blue. She backed away scared. What was about those eyes that reminded her so much of her own? It was like looking into a mirror. She could see herself in those eyes. She started noticing the similarities between them and moved her head slightly to get a better perspective of his face.
Her search for the truth was cut short by his voice.
"You are a Princess not because your father is a crook or your mother one. God chooses men and women to be the heads of their movement" He made a silent prayer to God begging his forgiveness, but there was no other way to explain this to Diana "Men however are not perfect and once in a while the Devil takes advantage of their weakness and makes them stray from the path of righteousness. That does not mean they are crooks but rather the Devil's acolytes who make them stray from their rightful path. Kings and Queens are to be judged only by God and a very few on this Earth. Your father was a good man and so is your mother. My situation is different. I have no royal lineage like your parents, I have to make my own way in the world."
"But what if you are one of God's chosen and you just don't know it yet? Maybe God meant for you to have these titles and you are only displeasing him by NOT recognizing them and acting upon them as any good ruler should. Your lands in Sicily are a great asset in the crown"
"You are a young negotiator aren't you?" It was the second time he caused her to blush.
Her look became serious "Is there something else you wish to tell me?" Guilt was written all over her eyes, he moved closer to her.
"I need to tell you something. I trust you won't judge me"
I can't promise that Diana. His eyes said but she disregarded it. She was Princess and whether she liked it or not he could do nothing but to listen.
"There was one day when I told lady grandmother that I could not stand that girl Margaret and I took her" Diana said biting her lip, Eustace could tell there was more to this story.
"And then?" He prompted.
"Nothing I just took her"
Eustace's heart began to beat faster. "Diana where is your sister?"
"She is with lady grandmother. She is alright nothing bad happened to her"
"Diana" His voice was firm, his eyes demanding the truth.
She gave a defeated sigh. "I took her to the gardens so someone would find her and take her away from us" She left unsaid the part where she whispered to her: You are trash and what is trash is left for the gardens for animals to eat.
He did not need the details. Guilt was written all over her face.
"Why would you do that?" Was all he could ask her.
Diana looked uncomfortable. It dawned on her that it might not have been the best course of action.
All the people who'd sworn to love and serve her were serving her siblings. They'd never loved her. Some consolation came with this revelation that at least William too wasn't loved. Certainly not Margaret who was a second daughter no use to anyone.
"Margaret ruined my mother's life as William. They don't deserve to li-"
Before she could finish her terrible sentence Eustace took his coat and wrapped it around her. "Why did you that for?"
"So you don't say something you will regret for the rest of your life. God sees all Diana." He said hotly not wanting to think that such a pure and plain child like Diana could harbor such feelings for her own flesh and blood. She is of Mary's brood -he reminded himself. There is still time. He'd sworn after Mary he would not let another one of Katherine of Aragon's brood fall.
Diana was his granddaughter and as such she had to be protected from the evils of this world. He made it his mission to protect her from the evil influence of her grandmother.
"Your mother would be very upset if she knew what you did. Who found your sibling?"
He was scared to say the name Margaret so he opted to be neutral on the subject knowing this would get an answer from her.
Diana's eyes met his and immediately she was unmasked "Your Grace's wife, my grand-Aunt"
Elizabeth? Why hadn't she told him? He had to know more.
"What did she say to you?"
Diana sniffed but she willed herself not to cry. Why was her grand-uncle so insensitive to her pain? Why did he have to ask so many questions? So what if she took the dwarf to die? They would be better off without her.
"Diana I need to know. Answer the question" She felt intimidated by his tone of voice. The air in the atmosphere had changed. Their roles switched. She was no longer the Princess above him in every way but a prisoner being questioned by the scary warden.
"Answer the question" He repeated.
"I-I ... I asked her not to tell lady grandmother or you because you would be so mad and you'd stop loving me. She promised she would not and lectured me on how I had to love my sibling because it was what mama would want and then she told me about her and her sibilngs growing up how they were not close but they learned to work together because they shared a blood link. They said that as full sisters we should be together instead of apart"
"She is right. You are her big sister, your brother might be King but you will continue to be your mother's favorite and in case something happens the responsibility befalls on you to make sure they never forget their parents or their sacrifice" He said more softly now.
Diana's face brightened. A great weight had been removed from her chest, she felt so much better now. But one doubt remained.
"Will God send me to the ninth circle of Hell?"
Eustace barked laughing. "I hardly think God would send a pretty little thing like to hell. Diana you are no different than any other sibling on the face of this Earth. I had trouble growing up with my brothers even my uncle and my mother. I even wished their deaths with more passion than you. But as I got older we got along better."
"Why?"
"Because we are family and no matter how hard you try to tell yourself or act upon it, you will never loose your family. They are your identity."
"So God won't punish me then?"
"No" he said with a smile "but you must be kinder to your sibling"
Diana nodded and then turned her attentions to her mother. And they both sat there together, waiting for the person they cherished the most in the world to wake up.
Diana let out a yawn when she felt sleep take her, but like her unknown grandfather, she was too stubborn to go to sleep, until her worried grandmother came to her daughter's chambers looking for her.
"God Diana I was scared, sweetheart I told you we could go in the morning" Mary said kneeling next to her granddaughter.
"I know lady grandmother but I cannot stand stupid Margaret's cries, you tend to her all the time, why not let the nurses do that? She is no good" She complained.
Mary smiled lightly looking tenderly and caring as Eustace never saw her be with her own daughter. "Honey, darling she is only a baby. She will grow up and it will get easier in time you will see. You were once a baby too you know" she said picking her nose with her middle finger. She got a small giggle from Diana.
"That is what His Grace said. But it is so hard loving her, my mother is asleep because of them"
"No she is not, she had an accident, it was nobody's fault. Come on, I will tell Susan to prepare your breakfast" Mary said taking her granddaughter's hand who seemed somewhat convinced. She had no wish to be in the same table where that baby was, but she remembered her grandmother and uncle's words, they were right -perhaps. Perhaps it wasn't the babies fault, but it was just so hard.
Chapuys gave her one last wink as she left the room with Mary who didn't even look at him. He held the necklace in his hands and wondered for the first time when would Annie wake up.
And weeks went through with that same old routine and every day that went by Chapuys lost a little bit of hope. And everyone was so busy with the arrival of King Philip that everyone seemed to have forgotten that the Dowager Queen was still in a coma.
"I love you too much Annie, you would be so proud watching your son thrive, Diana is such a smart girl, she is as stubborn as you, she loves you and Margaret looks so much like you" Eustace whispered as he prepared to depart from Annie's bedroom "I will come back soon" He said kissing her forehead and closing her door quietly, not that he would disturb her. God where are you? He thought. The wicked were prospering and England's true queen of hearts like so many times before was being held down.
He forced a smile as he walked to Greenwich hall where they were all expecting King Philip and his aids.
Philip was sick -literally. He had heard about the English Channel but he had no idea he would be this sick. If it hadn't' been for Ruy he didn't know what would happen to him.
"How do I look?" He asked with his white and dark armor and his feather hat.
"Like a King" Ruy answered
"I have to look good" He said "We don't want to offend the English especially when the political situation is so slippery"
"You look good"
Philip didn't nod. "We are going to be received by Chapuys. Don't you find it strange that a simple ambassador got to be Lord Protector of England?"
"He made a good marriage" Ruy said and smirked. Philip turned with a knowing look
"You're thinking about your lovely Ana, Princess of Eboli whom I forced you to leave at home"
Ruy chuckled "I know why"
"She would inflame this Court. That's the last thing we want"
"And Isabel?" Ruy asked softly
"How did she take it?"
"She behaved...like a Queen with dignity and grace" Philip said diverting his eyes
"How will she take it you marrying for a second time? You think your new wife will take it smoothly with Isabel? It has been said Lady Katherine is graceful but her mother and her sister, Elizabeth Tudor, well your father was well aware of Tudor tempers"
"What happened between me and Isabel is over."
"True, but you know how all Tudor women are said to be picky and selfish, but you have my sympathies" Ruy said holding his laughter, merely grinning at the thought of his poor friend having to deal with a hot tempered Tudor girl.
"Well" Philip said raising his head up high when a servant came in and told them that they would be received by the Court "I'm a Hapsburg after all. Let us see if they can handle that"
Ruy nodded still grinning and prepared with Philip to be received by the English, mainly his friend's father's old servant, now Lord Protector, Eustace Chapuys.
"His Majesty the King of Spain!" The herald announced and Philip came in. Chapuys looked at him. He looked a little like his father indeed but it was obvious that he had gotten his mother's extreme beauty who had been known as the most beautiful woman of her time. His blue eyes especially and his pale skin
Chapuys bowed to Philip "Your Majesty. Welcome to England"
"I thank you Your Grace and your lordship for such a good reception" Philip said not forgetting all of his father's former subject's titles that he and the late King bestowed upon him.
"We should be thanking you Your Majesty for coming here, England is happy to have you as a friend and be your host in these days." He answered civilly. Philip shook his hand.
"You are a splendid host Your Grace but if I may the decorations here I think they are your wife's doing" Philip said his gaze shifting to Elizabeth who bowed a low curtsy to him. Their two boys next to her did the same. It was well known their love story. Two unlikely people, two different religions merged together for love. Eustace Chapuys a commoner raised to the highest offices thanks to his marriage to Henry VIII's daughter. His father had made him Duke of Sicily and he was Earl of Hertford and Lord Protector here in England. No man had ever risen so high, and his wife held the title of her former mother as femme sole, Marques in her own right.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Spain has heard only the best of the Lady Marques"
Elizabeth smiled at Philip and introduced him to her sons, the Earl of Whiltshire and Viscount Rochford. "Anthony Chapuys Your Majesty he will be Duke of Sicily one day" she said with deep pride. The twenty year old beamed with equal pride at his mother's words. He could see the arrogance in this young man's eyes but he had no time to think on it. This was a joyous occasion.
"And a good Duke I truly hope." He said and then turned to George and smiled a little trying to put the boy at ease. He remembered when he was that age and nervous but trying desperately not to show it. "Your lordship it is a honor to meet you and your family"
Then almost immediately, Mary couldn't take it any longer and stepped forward. She exclaimed "My cousin!" Ruy raised an eyebrow. This one definitely didn't know Philip who hated these kind of demonstrations
Philip took her hand and kissed it, his eyes impenetrable as ever "Your Grace. It is a pleasure to finally meet you after having heard you so much of you...and your mother" He added.
Mary did not show it, but was suddenly hit with longing at the mention of her mother. It had been so long since somebody mentioned her. It seemed like yesterday she had been sitting in her lap praying and sleeping next to her. How she missed her, she often wondered how different things would have been if her mother had lived? Would she have turned out different? She mentally shooed these thoughts away as she concentrated on the matter at hand, impressing her nephew and cousin, and getting him to be further impressed by his future bride.
"You do me much honor Your Majesty, my mother always held a special place in her heart for your father and grandmother. It is a pleasure to have you here" She said. Then Philip's gaze fell on the bundle that Mary carried in her arms that prevented her from curtsy before, and the small child he guessed was Princess Diana next to her looking curiously at him.
"Your Highness" He said bowing low for the Princess surprising Diana.
"Your Majesty" She whispered and Philip smiled at her. Diana was surprised .She didn't think anyone would remember her especially after the birth of her siblings and her brother.
Mary was also surprised. This Philip was a strange man. His eyes showed nothing, revealed nothing, but he was then capable of kindness and of coldness. He seemed no doubt intimidating with his blue clear eyes that, it was said, made the most courageous man tremble in fear.
"I was told that Your Highness is as beautiful as the Queen Dowager. My prayers are with her and I trust God will assist her" He said to Diana
Diana's eyes turned as serious as his but nonetheless showed her gratitude by remaining courteous "Thank you, I pray that God hears your prayers. Would you like to see your future bride Majesty?"
Philip was taken aback. Here was such a strange child, one minute she was serious the next she was back at being a child, but she headed straight to business nonetheless. He had heard that her father had been very lousy with business and often relied too much on councilors (save a few who were wise) who did not have the best interest of his people at hand. This child must have inherited her good brains from her mother.
"Yes that is why I came for did I not?" He said with a little laugh to cut the tension felt in the room. Some people laughed at his joke, and found it amusing that a mere child of five could make the King of Spain laugh.
Diana grabbed his hand in full confidence and led him to the young girl next to her favorite Aunt Isabella, Katherine.
Katherine stood erect and proud like an English Princess, she was beautiful saw Philip. Red hair the Tudor signature and she had beautiful green eyes like her father and was fair skinned, however she had that look of arrogance that her parents had.
"Your Majesty" She bowed deeply showing all her respect to her future husband.
"Lady Katherine" He bowing only a little "It's such an honor"
"I say the same Your Majesty"
On that moment, her father stepped forward and Philip only stared at him. "Count Philip of Bavaria"
Isabella fought back the urge to roll her eyes at her father's rash move. God, sometimes she felt like she was adopted. Her sister, the only one in this family that ever understood her despite growing in different households -she with Aunt Bess and Izzy (as Annie loved to call her) with their mother- was locked up in her chamber alone half dying. They should at least pretend they cared!
"It's Duke Philip, actually Your Majesty" Philip said, raising his head
"That makes all the difference" The Spanish King said, with what seemed an imperturbable tone of voice and even greater arrogance than Mary and her Philip had ever seen before in another person. Ruy saw the people behind raise their eyebrows, they were almost laughing.
Philip of Bavaria attempted to dismiss the insult by showing a good face to humiliation. "It is an honor to have you here Your Majesty" he mustered the best smile he could for his daughter's sake.
Isabella bit her lower lip very hard not to laugh, finally somebody had put her father in his place.
Ruy behind the King had looked down at his feet trying to avoid laughing and Elizabeth was practically doing the same, before coughing to disguise it. Chapuys on his side was surprised. He wouldn't know that Philip II had the nerve.
"Perhaps" Chapuys said "Your Majesty is hungry. We should proceed to the Banquet if you will"
"Of course" Philip said taking his future's bride hand in his, and he followed Chapyys and Elizabeth as well as Mary and Diana
"I thought you were supposed to be nice to these people" Ruy whispered in a quick portuguese in Philip's ear.
"I was but did you see my aunt and cousin's face when I mentioned my prayers for her daughter, the Dowager Queen?" He asked and Ruy only knit his eyebrows. "She acted with complete indifference if I didn't know better the rumors are true"
"Philip you know better than to fall prey to those rumors, Anne Elizabeth is Philip Wittelsbach and Mary Tudor's child"
"Is she really? Have you seen Diana's eyes? Don't they remind you of anyone? They do to me and it's neither Philip of Bavaria nor Mary"
"The Lord Protector is not the only one with sky blue eyes" Ruy corrected "You have clear eyes and not because of that are people going to start saying you are father of Diana"
"Yes" Philip countered" but remember that in the last letter to my father, the Imperial Ambassador said how shockingly Her Majesty resembled the Earl, and I must say he was not the only one to say so"
"And furthermore...I wasn't Mary's champion for years" He added
He took his seat with Katherine at Chapuys's right side. Mary was on Katherine's side with Diana. Philip observed the child a little. She was notoriously sad probably because of her mother.
But Katherine distracted him "You are in luck Your Majesty to have come to England and find such a good weather"
Isabella interrupted Katherine "Your Majesty if I may can I speak to you in private?" She was tired of this facade, peace with Spain or not be damned.
Philip raised his eyebrows. He was surprised and that was rare but he quickly composed himself "Why don't we dance then?" He invited and stood taking her hand. Philip of Bavaria was furious. The King should be dancing with Katherine and not with Isabella! Katherine was not as happy.
He led Isabella to the middle of the dancing floor where he bowed to her before taking her hand. They were practically the only couple dancing "Yes, my lady? Then what do you wish to tell me?"
"Your Majesty if I may be blunt I will not betray my family's honor nor betray their secrets I am a dutiful daughter and I take that example from my sister Your Majesty the Dowager Queen."
"I am not asking you to put your family into question, you are the one who came to me" Philip said as cordially as possible, the Tudors were an odd bunch.
"My sister Katherine, your betrothed is sixteen she is not yet mature and she has never let us say been of the highest opinion in my sister's and late brother in law's court" Isabella said smiling up at her entire family in the high table to keep up appearances.
"With all due respect I see you have a high opinion of your elder sister, but this is not her court anymore" Philip said.
A frown appeared on Isabella that was quickly erased. "My sister will wake up, if you did not believe in your words why tell them to my niece? Anyhow I am just saying that my younger sister might not be fit for the bigger responsibilities that befit a queen."
She had him stuck him there. "I didn't say that your sister was going to wake up...I said I prayed for her. In any case, I truly wish she does for somehow, I truly believe this Court would be better with her as a ruler. As to your sister...I don't know her yet and you can understand that as much as I appreciate your opinion I will have to form my own" He said softly "For I'm a King and I can't be influenced"
"I am sorry Your Majesty I never tried to influence your opinion, I merely offered a suggestion"
"I know" He smiled at her "Rest assured. I will take that in consideration"
Elizabeth in the meanwhile had turned to her husband, Eustace "What do you make of him ?" She asked him
"He is calm, reserved but unlike his father he is more blunt and colder but also I fear more emotive" He said truthfully. He watched the scene between him and Isabella with interest. Elizabeth had mentioned Isabella was different and he had always seen Annie become closer to her middle sibling after she became queen. Just what was Isabella telling Philip?
"The complete opposite of spoiled Katherine, she can't picture a world where it doesn't revolve around her" Elizabeth said sipping the wine from her goblet.
"Not to mention a certain someone melting over her" Anthony said eying his brother.
George pretend he didn't listen and concentrated on his food "Shut it"
Elizabeth put a shoulder on her youngest son "George remember the queen of Scots?"
George threw his mother an uncomfortable look "Yes" he said sullen. How could he not remember when it was the subject everyone was talking about? God how he wanted to choke on it every time his parents brought it up.
"Her mother'ssudden death came at such a good time, your late uncle Edward orchestrated it so widow Mary can come to Scotland and marry someone in our best interests"
George cleared his throat "I bet she is ugly" he commented "I bet what Foxe says about her is true and she is ugly"
"George, you would do better than believe in that man." Eustace said.
Anthony laughed silently "I am telling you mother he is all over Katherine, he even exchanges love letters with her"
"Yes" Elizabeth said coldly "Be that as it may but Katherine is about to marry the King of Spain and she's leaving. You are better to put her off your mind"
George looked at his father "Father the Scottish Queen will probably hate me anyway if it is true about the rumors, the minute she sees me she will scream heretic and have me burned"
"If you were to believe that you would believe that the man standing in front of you would be the devil incarnate" Chapuys said pointing to Philip
"Since when you're so full of prejudice?" Elizabeth asked annoyed "We did not raise you like that, George. You don't judge a person be it King or commoner without knowing them"
Anthony responded for George becoming serious "He has been reading a lot of Foxe and Huguenot propaganda can you blame him?"
George answered quite arrogantly "I am sorry for spending my days reading instead of hunting all day"
Anthony rolled his eyes "I read...and amazingly I have a critical sense to distinguish what is true and what is lie. You should think for yourself George and don't wait for others to tell you. You don't even know Mary Stuart"
"That is enough from both of you. George your mother is right, you should not judge someone without knowing them. And if you were to marry the Queen of Scots that would be a great achievement for peace between England and Scotland" Chapuys said
"Yes father, but you would be there right when I meet her next month, when she comes here? Please?" George said remembering Katherine telling him that she would likely have him burned.
Chapuys laughed "Of course I will. Me your mother and your brother"
"Yes" Anthony said with irony "And don't worry...I'll protect you with my sword if she wants to burn you right there"
In that moment something happened that didn't gave George the time to reply. A servant came running in like mad, breathless and in front of everyone he cried "Your Grace!" He was directed at the Lord Protector. "The Queen Dowager has awaken!" Everyone in the whole hall -including Philip and Isabella who stopped dancing- went silent. Chapuys stood and there was a greater silence in the salon.
Mary shot to her feet same time as Diana. She was careful, Mary was, not to drop Margaret. She could not believe her bad luck, all in one day, that little bastard of hers had woken. Damn her! Diana could not contain the tears of joy and surprising everyone she ran as fast as her little legs could carry her where her mother was.
"Mama!" she kept repeating as she ran to meet her mother.
Mama I'm coming! She kept thinking running past the dazzled courtiers, too concentrated to hear their whispers and their gasps in shock.
She did not care for their disapproval or her lady grandmother's. Her mother was awake, she had been dreaming this. She did not know what to say or what to expect but whether or not her mother received her with open arms, she would try very hard to convince her lady mother to give up the crown so they could leave in peace and quiet, just the three of them. Her lady grandmother, her lady mother and herself.