I don't own Tudors.


Prologue


"You think you know a story, but you only know how it ends. To get to the heart of the story, you have to go back to the beginning." Henry the VIII


Henry Tudor, also known as Henry VIII, had eagerly waited for news.

His wife, Catherine of Aragon, has gotten pregnant once again. They have a daughter, Mary Tudor who is about four years old.

In the previous years, they lost their Henry who died as an infant then four miscarriages before Mary was born.

He is in the chapel praying fruitlessly that this time it will be a boy. Henry feared that if this kept up, there wouldn't be any more pregnancies since Catherine was older than him.

His page who is guarding the birthing chambers is leaning in to hear any news.

"Waaah! Waaah! Waaah!"

A shrieking cry announced the royal highness being born.

"Get his majesty quick!" The page ordered the servants.

Henry smiled breaks as he ran through his halls to see his son.

The door burst open for him, but Queen Catherine of Aragon's face looked sullen. The nurse held their child as his wife announced, "It's another girl, Henry."

Henry was sure disappointed. But he is curious about his new daughter. He waved to the nurse forward to see his daughter.

The girl is already fussing and waving her tiny fists as if she is ready to fight. Henry laughed as he reached to hold his daughter.

"You acted as if you are ready to war for your king, are you?" Henry leans forward and whispers, "My little queen."

Instead of canceling the joust, he allowed jousting, feast, and knights to fight the honor of his second daughter.

To welcome his second daughter, he decided to name Katherine after her mother, aunts, and great-grandmothers.

It is unusual for the King to make a joust for his second daughter.

Maybe he renewed his hope that a son would come after Katherine.

Or perhaps he simply saw Katherine from a greater point of view than he did of Mary. Since Catherine insisted that Mary could be queen of England instead.

Henry saw something special in his daughter Katherine.

He will never deny any favors or desire if his daughter wishes it. Katherine, if she could talk, would simply ask her father to give her the moon and stars to treasure forever.


Katherine has been baptized and learned the Catholic faith from the moment she was born.

Catherine of Aragon raised her loving mother and queen. Mary was her older sister who seemed to want to prove that she could be an heir in their father's eyes. Katherine barely remembers much about her mother and sister since they were so distant whenever the King came into view. Henry seemed to favor Katherine more since she is like him in a way.

Katherine grew up as a princess one would say.

She learned Latin, Spanish, and even Castilian Spanish in case Katherine could be part of a Spanish nobleman to marry into. Katherine was even taught dance. Her dance instructor from Italy quote: "The young princess Katherine is elegant as a butterfly. She will flutter her gowns as if she has wings that gave the people to be captivated with her poise and beauty."

They said that King Henry would watch his daughter Katherine perform and dance for him. The King would clap and cheer for his daughter for her performance always brought his mood happier.

Every time Katherine would perform her dance, he would gift her many things. First, it was the jewelry, fabrics for her to make and wear, and even a horse of her own to ride.

Katherine is pale skin which the court would call her, "Fairest of them all." Her hair is black or has a hint of auburn mixed in it as her portraits described her appearance. She wears the latest fashion as they came from Italian, French, and even Spaniard standards. However, she made sure these finest dresses had the English culture as she proudly claimed she was an English princess.

However, they said the second princess wanted more than simple education. Katherine has a thirst for everything.

Cultures, history, economy, people, and food. She wanted to know everything before she was forced to limit her time and effort once she was married for politics.

Katherine felt a little blue and asked her father if he could bring new learnings that she could learn from all over Europe. Her father ordered to bring Katherine the best tutors in all of Europe. The best philosophers, historians, astronomers, and Horse trainers.

Everything Katherine had desired.

Katherine's hobbies and pastimes were falconry and horse riding as she spent much free time doing them.

England often recalls how Katherine was a livelier girl with so many favors, yet she only asked for tutors and lessons.

In truth, Katherine would gaze at that kingdom from such a far and wide distance like she could see the whole world out there.

She wanted to touch that world.

She wanted to reach out her hand and take hold of her destiny.

Katherine wanted to be great or at least be remembered more than just being the second princess of the King of England.

"Lord in heaven, what is my fate?" Katherine looked up to the sky as the sun shone high in the noon.


In her years, her father King Henry had decided to marry his daughters for royal matches.

Mary is to set for the Dauphin of France.

As for Katherine Henry did not want to give her to anyone. She is engaged to the King of Portugal. They said he was an old man, but he did not doubt that Katherine would perform her duties as princess.

At the corner of his door, he saw Katherine spying behind it.

"Katherine," Henry called out to her. His daughter flinched and came forward knowing he expected her.

This is what he loved about Katherine. She knew what she had done was consider courage to step forward and admit her wrongs.

What people would call a true example of being a Christian?

But Henry saw the bravery of a king who would step forward.

"I'm sorry," Katherine said. Katherine knew what she was doing was wrong, but she had been hearing rumors that their father was planning to marry them soon.

"Come here, my queen." How odd that Henry would call her queen when she was going to be queen of Portugal soon. Katherine almost ran to her father as he picked her up to place her on his knees.

"Look here, Katherine." Henry showed her the letter from the emissary of the King of Portugal. "This came for all of us. As you see his master, the King of Portugal truly wished to see you and he is very pleased that you have the same interest as he." Katherine caressed the royal seal of Portugal.

"Will he like me?"

"Of course, he will. He must. After all, you are the queen of Portugal." Henry kissed her head affectionately. Katherine giggles at her father's silliness.

King Manuel I of Portugal has been eagerly waiting for Princess Katherine since Henry's fucking sister Margaret defied her brother to marry Charles Brandon.

Sigh, sometimes he wonders where to go he had defiant sisters and friends. So, he hopes that his daughter Katherine will perform her duty once she is of age and be a queen.

"And" Henry looked to his daughter Katherine with her wide eyes innocently looking at her father. "If he harms you or disrespects you in any way. Tell him, that your father King Henry of England will invade Portugal. Agree?"

If it is for his daughter Katherine then he will go to war in her name.

"Agree." Katherine nodded her head. The little princess believed everything that her father told her. Even though Henry had one acknowledged illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy. Katherine knew that she had their father's public affection which is rare for royal children to have.

It is true that later in history a historian firmly believed to be true for Henry's heart always held a special place for his little queen.

And that queen is his daughter Katherine.


Later that month, Princess Katherine's belongings and servants as well as members of her household left for Portugal. It would be years before Princess Katherine was to be returned when news reached from England that he demanded a divorce from Catherine of Aragon for twenty-three years.

And his new queen-in-waiting is Anne Boleyn.

Katherine will return to help remain in the King's favor and take power in her place.

She will be a player in the political games if she wishes to survive.


Reviews are welcome.