On the account of her bearing a living son Elizabeth of York petitioned for Bessie to be moved up two ranks. This caused Katherine to fly into a rage.
"This is nonsense, Your Majesty," Katherine said.
"She bore the Imperial heir," the Dowager reasoned. "A living son. Making her third rank is hardly enough."
Wolsey added his opinion as well. "I agree with Her Majesty. His Highness is perfectly healthy and is the living image of his father."
Katherine nearly flinched at the insult before storming out. The Dowager rolled her eyes. "Never mind her. Move her up two ranks, alright?"
Henry nodded before turning back to Wolsey.
XXXXXXXXX
Katherine couldn't contain her rage. "How dare they? All of them! Holding an heir over my head."
She stopped in front of the nursery. Slowly she walked inside and peered over the cradle.
"Your Majesty?" Lady Isabella whispered.
"Shush," she commanded. She took a pillow and carefully held it over the baby's head.
"Your Majesty," Isabella whispered. "Someone's coming."
Katherine dropped the pillow and turned around.
"Your Majesty," Bessie said is mock surprise. "What brings you here?"
"I wished to see the baby. After all, he will serve my daughter when she becomes Queen."
Bessie smiled slightly. "Oh? How will she become Queen?"
"She's the Crown Princess," Katherine replied as if it was the simplest thing ever.
Bessie chuckled a little. "Not anymore."
"What?"
Bessie looked shocked. "Didn't you know? His Majesty said that if a son was born then he would take over Mary's place."
"Never," Katherine said firmly.
Bessie shrugged and picked up her son. Before she left she turned and said something that made Katherine's world fall apart. "Oh, and Prince Charles has also broken his engagement to Mary. His Majesty is looking forward to a French match for her."
Katherine gasped and fainted.
XXXXXXXX
All of the consorts fussed over Prince Harry.
"He's so cute!" Mary exclaimed.
"Just adorable," Eleanor agreed.
"I've sewed him a hat. What do you think?" Jane asked softly. She was feeling better and even talking but she still had bouts of muteness and melancholy.
"It's wonderful, Jane. Thank you," Bessie replied.
"His Imperial Majesty!"
"Ladies."
"Your Majesty. Would you like to hold him?" Bessie said.
"Of course."
Anne nudged Bessie and nodded her head.
"Umm... my lord. Might I feed our son?"
"Of course. It's perfectly fine."
XXXXXX
"I told you he would say yes," Anne said as she and Bessie walked in the gardens. Autumn was just around the corner. Soon Christmas would come.
"I'm glad. I hear it's a good bonding experience. And I want to be close to my boy."
It was silent for the rest of the walk. When they neared the palace though Bessie stopped as a thought came to her. "I wonder if he would have done the same if I'd had a girl."
"I'm sure he would have," Anne replied. But Bessie wasn't so sure.
XXXXXXXX
Katherine woke up to her servants fussing over her. "What's happened?"
"You fainted Your Majesty," a girl of about 17 said. Already at her young age, Katherine knew that whoever she married she would bear many sons. Her face was pretty, she had a shapely chest and childbearing hips.
"Oh. I'm sure I'll be fine. What I just need is rest."
"Alright. His Majesty sent you these flowers and wished you well."
Katherine pretended not to care but her heart was beating fast. "Did he?"
"Mmmhmm," the girl nodded.
When night came she received a surprise visit from Henry. "What's going on?" she asked.
"Shhh," he responded before kissing her lips. "I wish for us to conceive a son," he said.
XXXXXXXX
Four months later
Young Harry IX continued to thrive. Bessie enjoyed feeding her son and loved the bonding experience. She didn't have to call on the Empress and instead spent her time with the Dowager. Katherine knew that her mother in law was plotting.
Plotting to control the throne. Bessie son was the first born and most likely to inherit the throne. God forbid if something were to happen to Henry the Dowager would persuade him to name Harry Crown Prince and have Bessie rule in his stead. She smirked. Bessie wouldn't rule at all. She'd just be a puppet while the Dowager pulled the strings.
"My lady! My lady!" Isabella said as she came running.
Sir Thomas was with her and reporting all that was going on in the palace. Katherine made sure to get it through Lady Isabella and Sir Thomas's heads that she wasn't going to be out of the loop about things going on in her court.
"What is it?"
"Lady Mary is pregnant!"
Katherine stood. "What? Haven't you been giving them the tonic?"
"Of course, my lady."
"How far along?"
"Nearly four months."
Katherine nearly wanted to scream. How could she be so stupid? Henry was sleeping with Lady Mary at the same time too. The thought disgusted her. Even more so that the tramp might be pregnant.
When Katherine saw Mary she noticed a baby bump even though she was less than three months along.
Mary and Anne curtsied. "Your Majesty."
Katherine glared at them before leaving. "Just the sight of those tramps makes me sick." She quickly covered her mouth before sighing.
"Are you alright?" Lady Isabella asked.
"Hmm. I haven't been feeling myself lately."
"It's probably your stomach. I'll fetch a doctor."
"No. Just bring me something sour. That should settle me down."
"Of course." She stopped. "What if you're pregnant?"
"What?"
"It's been nearly three months since your last menstruation."
Tears fell from Katherine's eyes. "I'm pregnant."
"The Saints' have seen fit to bless you. Congratulations Your Majesty."