September 12, 1556
Whitehall Palace
Edward was sitting with his main counselors, the Duke of Norfolk, Archbishop of Canterbury, William Cecil, and of course, the Duke of Northumberland. He had just announced that it was certain that the queen was expecting another child.
"Do you believe the succession to be secured, Your Majesty?" Cecil inquired, looking up from his papers.
Edward sighed. "One can only hope. After losing the first, there is a possibility that she can lost this one just as easily."
Northumberland cleared his throat. "It would be prudent to seek an annulment if she loses the babe. We must secure the succession. England has been torn apart by succession wars enough."
Cecil shook his head. "His Majesty cannot simply denounce the queen. The people are very much in love with her, it could start a revolt."
Norfolk nodded his head in agreement. "She is almost more popular than Catherine of Aragon."
"Norfolk, you only say this because your wife is the queen's Lady of the Bedchamber." Northumberland spat.
"She spoke to me of the possibility of Lady Norfolk being replaced by one of her French ladies." Edward said absently.
Norfolk raised an eyebrow. "Replace? On what charge?"
Edward shook his head. "None. She said simply that she may be due for a change."
Edward caught Northumberland's fleeting smirk as Norfolk's face dropped. It was a curious case to Edward as well, Lady Norfolk and Isabella had been friends, close enough to where they affectionately called each other "sister" and suddenly after the Duchess delivered a healthy daughter, the queen began to think of her replacement.
William Cecil was commenting. "The French picks are not even logical. Lady Sancha would do much better in the position if she were to deprive Lady Norfolk."
"Women are fickle creatures. Their affection for one another is quite fleeting." Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop murmured.
At this, the men muttered an agreement and proceeded to their next conversational topic. The councilors looked to Edward, waiting for what news he was going to bestow upon them.
"I want the matter of marriage, between noble families of England and hopefully our children to be given to the queen for sanction." Edward was looking directly at Northumberland, who was most likely to disagree.
Northumberland shook his head. "A woman should not be given so much power."
Cecil appeared to ponder Edward's suggestion, while Norfolk appeared disinterested.
"Women are sensitive creatures when it comes to the subject of marriage and children, it would make sense to allow the queen to choose." Cecil said finally, nodding in agreement to the king.
Edward nodded. "Thank you, Cecil."
Edward was nearly finished with the meeting, not wanting to be away from Isabella now that she was pregnant once more. Something deep inside told him that this pregnancy was healthier than the last, and his beloved queen would deliver the heir to silence Northumberland once and for all.
"Archbishop, do you believe that there are any heretics among the masses that have not attended services?" Edward's faith was the center to his life and he was trying to ensure that his subjects were indoctrinated in the true Protestant faith.
Cranmer shook his head. "They all appear to conform to the faith, at least on the outside."
Edward smiled curtly. "Very good. I conclude this meeting with you today, gentlemen."
Edward watched as his courtiers gave their customary bow and exited the room. Edward looked over his papers once more before returning to his wife.
"Your Majesty." She greeted warmly, although he could tell she was unwell.
"Izzy, are you feeling alright?" He inquired and put a hand over her forehead.
She giggled. "I am quite alright. It is just the morning ailment Sancha tells me, it is normal."
He his hand fell to her belly. It was still small, although he could feeling the beginnings of a bump.
"Let us pray that this child does not give us a much grief as the one before." She murmured.
Edward could hear the hurt in her voice as she said it and remembered the depression she had felt for months, the scowls as she watched women at court swell with children. He remembered how she would lay with her head upon his chest and recount the words she had received from her father's wife, claiming that she had been cursed. He also thought of how she had all, but in name banished Lady Norfolk for court. He could see the envy that would swim in her grey-blue eyes when she looked at her. Now that she was expectant once more, she was happier and the anger faded from her gaze.
"Will Lady Norfolk remain as your Lady of the Bedchamber when she returns to court?" Edward inquired, it was odd of him to take interest, but he did not want any strife between the ladies of the court, especially not Lady Norfolk.
Isabella mused for a while, her expression unreadable. "She will resume her duties when she returns. Lady Catherine appears to be pregnant and Lady Marie has conflict with too many of my ladies. It would be most prudent to allow Ruth to continue."
Edward was now curious again. "Lady Catherine is pregnant?"
"Sancha tells me she has observed her vomiting in the mornings and fainting in the afternoons. She claims that they are signs, although I am not sure by whom. It is clear she has taken a lover." Isabella rolled her eyes.
Edward chuckled. "Lady Norfolk told you they were whores."
"Lady Marie has not taken any lovers as far as I know and as long as Lady Catherine is not carrying your babe," She glared at him. "I shall allow her to stay."
Edward raised an eyebrow. "You think that lowly of me? You believe that I would forsake my beautiful wife for some French whore?"
Isabella's facial expression did not change. "Would you do such a thing, Your Majesty?"
"I have kept my word. I have been in no woman's bedchamber, save yours." Edward took her hand in his and kissed it.
She smiled at him. "I can do nothing but be grateful."
"It is what I promised to do, before God." He cupped her face in his hand.
She frowned. "You are aware that not many keep that promise. It is why the red light districts are so highly trafficked. Married men are there more numerous than those unmarried."
Her words reminded him of his council meeting. "Now that you mention marriages, I have secured a place for you politically."
Her face brightened at this. "What would that be Edward?"
"The council have agreed to give you the power to sanction marriage." He waited for a response.
She nodded. "I thank you for giving me such an important position."
He found himself gazing at her belly again, imagining a Tudor heir in her arms and he finally understood how his father had felt. Heirs were essential to a dynasty and he knew Isabella needed to deliver at least two sons before either of them died. He did not wish to remarry but in that moment as he remembered hearing of the stillbirth he began to hate her in that moment. He would not repudiate her if she could not give him an heir but he felt the hatred for her flair in his gut and it frightened him. This beautiful woman that he had married had made him hate her. They were both young and he knew children would come, but which gender? Girls were not fit to rule a England, as no woman ever had. A son was desirable for the succession, it was indisputable. These feelings of hated and love mingled inside of his heart until he forced himself to leave her bedchamber. He could her her voice, now both beautiful and annoying, calling out to him but he did not answer. Instead, he turned down the corridor and entered his own bedchamber, desperate for sleep but the mixed feelings for his wife remained with him that entire night.