Chapter 16
Chapter 16 is finally here. It really hurt killing Katherine from the story. I have a great fondness from her and I am still working on a story with either her and Arthur or Henry, but with a different way of things. I may even do an entire story on Katherine's entire life, especially since I am OBSESSED with her mother lol. Now, I promised a scandal regarding Katherine's death and I have it. Her death in this story is just like in real life. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and the ones to come. Also, I still need suggestions for Elizabeth's unborn baby. Since she is a Spanish Princess by marriage now, her children will have Spanish names. Also, there will be a time jump of several weeks in this chapter. We will see everyone's reactions at the death of Katherine. Plus we will also see suicide in this chapter, so if anyone has a history with this terrible subject, I am really sorry and am not trying to insult you at all. Also, Infante Duarte needs a wife and I am taking suggestions. Now, please keep the reviews coming and enjoy Chapter 16!
August 8, 1550
Richmond Palace
King Henry IX's Bedchamber
Harry was sitting in his favorite chair. He couldn't believe that his mother died and was currently being prepared for burial. He was thankful that Anne had finally been churched, but now he had the task of letting is sisters know, He was really scared of telling Elizabeth about their mother's death in her delicate condition, but he know he had no choice.
Queen Anne walked in, dressed in complete black. However, despite her gown being black, you could still see the weight that she had put on after her pregnancy.
"Harry, is everything alright?" she asked.
Harry sighed.
"My mother is dead. How am I supposed to feel?" he asked.
Anne sighed.
"I know how you feel, sweetheart. Remember, I lost both my parents too." she said.
Harry nodded his head.
Suddenly, someone knocked on Harry's bedchamber door.
Harry looked up.
"Come in." he said.
The Physician walked in, also wearing black.
"I am sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty, but I need to speak to you about the late Dowager Queen." he said.
Harry stood up.
"You may speak. I do not keep anything from the Queen." he said.
The physician cleared his throat.
"It's about the late Dowager's post-mortem." he said.
Harry closed his eyes and nodded.
"What about it?" he asked.
The Physician continued.
"Well, as I examined her, I noticed something very different about her heart. Now, all of her other parts were healthy and normal, but the hear was...it was very shocking to behold. It was black in color and had a hideous black growth attached to it. We tried to scrub it with water and it wouldn't change to normal. After the examination was complete, I began to recall the condition the Dowager was in, before her death. She was terribly ill and I couldn't understand why. I think I know why now." he said.
Harry forward.
"You think you know why my mother died?" he asked.
The Physician nodded his head.
"Yes. It is my belief that the Dowager Queen of England was poisoned." he said.
Anne gasped and put her hand to her mouth. Harry's face became red with anger.
"Are you saying that my mother was murdered?" he asked.
The Physician nodded his head.
Harry turned away from his wife and the physician.
"Thank you. You may go." he said, in a dangerous tone.
The physician bowed to both Harry and Anne and departed the room.
Anne walked to Harry and touched his shoulder.
"Sweetheart, I am so sorry. Please say something." she said.
Harry's body tensed up.
"There's nothing to say, except this: I will make sure whoever took my mother's life will suffer a slow and painful death. They will suffer, just like she did." he said.
Anne backed away. Harry had been a gentle King, since his reign had started. She had never heard of him talking things like this.
"Harry you don't mean that. Yes, what happened is terrible. However, you can behead them. Please don't turn into a monster." she begged.
Harry, trying to hold back more tears, waved his hand at his wife.
"Leave me alone, Anne. I do not wish for company." he said.
Anne gasped.
"Harry, please..."
He turned, in anger.
"I SAID LEAVE, DAMN IT!" he said.
Anne nodded and left the room, walking rapidly back to her own chambers.
Princess Isabella's Bedchambers
Isabella sat by her window, crying. She was still mourning the death of her mother. She still couldn't process the fact that she was gone. She was deeply troubled. Andres was deeply worried for her mental health. She had been fine so far, but with this trauma, she was bound to relapse.
Suddenly, Isabella heard a lough and turned to see the ghost of her late husband, King Manuel, pointing at her.
"Poor, poor Ysabel. You lost your poor mother. You know I know how that feels. I lost my own many years ago. However, you also deserve this. I mean after all, you robbed me of my life." he said.
Isabella began to panic.
"No. Leave me alone! You can't do this to me now!" she cried.
Manuel laughed again.
"Really? You are the one who killed me! All you have to do is one little thing and I promise I will go away." he said slyly.
Isabella looked hopeful and wiped her eyes.
"What is it? Please tell me, so I can mourn my mother in peace." she said.
Manuel smirked.
"Confess to what you have done and then I will go away where I belong." he said.
Isabella shook her head.
"No. I will lose my life." she said.
Manuel shrugged his shoulders.
"That isn't my problem. Why should I worry about you, when you maliciously murdered me?" he asked.
Isabella began to scream.
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! I DESERVE TO HAPPY! LEAVE ME BE, SPIRIT!" she screamed, as she began to throw things all over her room.
Andres suddenly came in and was shocked to see that is wife was having another fit. He ran up to her and tried to subdue his manic wife. She continued to scream in terror and yell profanities.
Finally, Andres shook her.
"Ysabel, stop this now! You can overcome this." he said
Isabella looked at Andres and realized that Manuel had vanished. She was breathing heavily and had several tears going down her face.
"Oh, Andres, why won't he leave me alone? Why can't I be happy?" she asked, before breaking down in her husband's arms.
Andres held her tight and tried his best to soothe his demented wife, but Isabella cried herself to sleep.
August 10, 1550
Richmond Palace
Duchess Katherine of Richmond's Bedchamber
Kitty Howard was dressed in black, as was most of the country over the loss of their beloved Dowager Queen. Kitty was also very bored. She had been apart of Princess Elizabeth's household for years and now that the Princess was married, living in Spain and expecting her first child, Kitty had remained at Richmond, mainly as just a courtier. Occasionally, she assisted the Queen, but that's only because she was a member of the Royal Family. However, she did dote on her three children. Her eldest daughter Elizabeth Fitzroy, known as Bessie after her late grandmother, was eleven years old and was q great beauty. She was kind, demure and very intelligent. She would make someone very happy one day. Her second child, Margaret, known as Maggie, was the exact opposite of her older sister: She was feisty, highly argumentative and also very intelligent, but gave her tutors and parents a little bit of a difficult time. At six years old, she had inherited the famous Tudor Temper. Finally, young Edmund Fitzroy, the couple's only son, was a charming two year old child. He always smiled and was very precocious and loved spending time with his older sisters.
Edward walked in and admired his wife. Now nearly thirty years old, Kitty was well-respected around Court.
"Sweetheart, how are you feeling?" he asked.
Kitty sighed.
"I'm fine. Of course we shall all miss the Dowager Queen. I hate to think of what Princess Elizabeth will feel once she hears the news." she said.
Edward nodded his head.
"Yes, I know. I hear she's also with child. I hope this news won't put her in jeopardy." she said.
Edward smiled.
"She's strong. We're talking about a Tudor Princess. They seem to overcome everything." he said
Kitty smiled.
"I know that. I just hope the Spanish Court will comfort her. However, I would love to see our children again. I can't believe how big they are getting." she said.
Edward smiled.
"We will see them, as soon as the Court is out of mourning." he said.
September 20, 1550
Seville, Castile, Spain
Alcazar of Seville
Queen Juana and the entire Royal Family were dining together. She was incredibly happy. Elizabeth's unborn child had finally quickened and the entire country of Spain now knew that the next generation of it's Kingdom was on its way. Elizabeth seemed to glow in her deep red gown, while resting her hand on her stomach, which was starting to swell.
Juana leaned toward Elizabeth.
"Are you doing well, my dear?" she asked.
Elizabeth smiled.
"I am. I heard such horrible things about being with child, but I actually enjoy it. The child's movements are like its way of saying it loves me and is as anxious to meet me just like I am." she said.
Luis took his wife's hand.
"Just a few more months and we will meet the child." he said.
Suddenly, Emperor Charles walked in. He was now using a cane, as he had recently became afflicted with gout. He had a look of sadness on his face.
Juana stood up.
"Carlos, is there something wrong, MI hijo? You are never this late for our meals." she said.
He cleared his throat.
"I have terrible news from England. I'm sorry, Mother. Your sister, the Dowager Queen, has died." he said.
Juana stood still, in shock. She felt like a wall had fallen on her. However, eyes were planted firmly on Elizabeth, since it was her own mother. She seemed to be struggling to hold her tears back. She rose from her seat and left the room, rapidly, with her ladies-in-waiting trying to keep up.
Luis stood up.
"Isabel!" he cried out.
Juana held her hand up.
"Let her go. My sister was her mother. She deserves to grieve. The entire Court will go into mourning for thirty days. We shall all wear black. My sister was a Queen of England, but still a Spanish Infanta by birth. I want a Mass for her tomorrow. We shall let Elizabeth mourn. However, she will not be allowed to fast. She must still eat and drink. Now, leave me. I wish to be alone." she said.
The entire Family rose from the table and left. Charles took one last look at his mother and closed the door behind him.
Finally, Juana sank to her knees a d began to cry and mourn the last part of her immediate family. For the first time in her life, she felt truly alone.
Infanta Elizabeth of Spain's Bedchamber
Luis walked up to his wife's bedchamber and he could hear her loud sobbing. He had tears develop in his own eyes. He was hurt, because he couldn't comfort his wife. His mother was still alive and well.
Suddenly, Infanta Lilliana walked up. She had already changed into her mourning clothes.
"How is she? " she asked.
Luis shook his head.
"I didn't go in. I don't know what to say to her. My mother is here. I'm so worried about her. I don't want her to grieve to death." he said.
Lilliana nodded.
"I'll talk to her. Remember, I lost my mother. I can relate to her pain." she said.
Luis stood aside to let her in.
When Lilliana entered the room, she found a sorry sight. Elizabeth was lying on her side, on the floor, weeping profusely. Lilliana fought back tears, remembering when her father had to explain to her at six years old that her mother was dead. She knelt down next to the weeping young woman.
Lilliana took her in her arms.
"There, there. It's going to be alright. She is with the angels now." she said.
Elizabeth looked at her husband's young aunt, who was also her cousin.
"I should have stayed with her. I shouldn't have left her. I was so happy here, while my mother lay dying. How can I forgive myself." she said, as she continued to cry.
Lilliana sighed.
"Let's get off the floor. It's not good for your child." she said, as she helped Elizabeth up and sat her on her bed.
Lilliana sighed.
"Isabel, when I was sixteen years old, my mother died. I'm the youngest child in my family. I was the child no one expected to arrive. Juan was supposed to the youngest, but I came along. I remember my mother. She used to smell like roses and she was very beautiful. She had these beautiful gray eyes and vibrant red hair. She was older than my father, but they really loved each other. I envy you. You had so much time with your mother. She got to see you off to be married. My mother will never share those memories with me. Be strong, Isabel. You're mother knew that you were safe here and she was so proud of your destiny. That's why she could leave this world in peace and with the dignity as a child of the great Catholic Monarchs. Yes, she's with the angels, but she never will leave you. When you bring your children into the world, she will be watching over you. She and along with your father will always love you. Remember, that we love you here. That's why we all will mourn her together." she said.
Elizabeth continued to cry and this time, she held onto her cousin.
September 23, 1550
Lisbon Palace, Lisbon, Portugal
Queen Maria of Portugal's Bedchamber
Mary was reading her Bible and enjoying the company of her children. Catarina was now thirteen years old and had grown into a beautiful young woman. She was still growing and was nearly the same height as her mother. She had long, beautiful raven-colored hair, which stood out again her milky skin and her piercing blue eyes. Duarte, who was now eleven years old, was proving to be very handsome. He had light brown eyes, his reddish-brown hair was now a copper color and he was nearly the same height as his older sister. Mary knew that whoever he married, she would instantly fall in love with his good looks. Juana, was almost seven years old and was the most placid child so far. She was so obedient and quiet, it was a complete contrast to her namesake, Queen Juana of Spain. Her auburn hair was also starting to darken, as she aged. Mary knew she would be a beautiful woman, once she mature, but also virtuous, which pleased both her parents. Baby Cristina was dating better now that she was nearly a year old. The constant fevers that plagued the youngest Portuguese Infanta seemed to have dissipated and she was proving to be a happy baby girl, who loved to be in the company of her parents and siblings. Now that her health was improving, there was talks of betrothing her to an Italian Duke.
Catarina looked up at her mother.
"Is Father coming soon? I was hoping that Duarte and I could go out into the garden for awhile. We've been in this Palace all day." she said.
Mary smiled.
"Patience. Your father is a very busy man and we must respect that." she said, as she picked Cristina up from the floor.
Catarina nodded her head.
Finally, King Carlos walked in. Even at thirty-eight years old, he was a very handsome man.
Everyone rose to their feet and bowed to him.
Carlos dismissed Mary's maids and looked at his wife and children.
Mary looked at her husband.
"Is there something wrong, Carlos?" she asked, worriedly.
Carlos sighed.
"I'm sorry, darling. Your mother, Dowager Queen Katherine of England, has died. She died on the seventh day of August." he said.
Mary put her hand up to her mouth. Catarina rushed up to her mother to grab her youngest sister, before her mother broke down crying.
Carlos sat Mary down in her chair. Duarte walked up and hugged his mother.
"I'm so sorry, Mamãe." he said.
Carlos cleared his throat.
"We are in mourning. Everyone go change into black. I will make the announcement. Also, say a prayer for your grandmother. She was a good woman." he said, sternly.
The Royal children nodded their heads and departed their mother's bedchamber, while she was comforted by their father.
A/N Here it is! Another product of hard work. This chapter was basically the aftermath of Katherine's death. I'm currently working on the next chapter, please tell me on who you would like to be included and who should die next lol. Also, Elizabeth's child's name and gender is still up for debate, so please leave suggestions. It must be a Spanish name. Also, I don't know if I mentioned it, but Princess Margaret will be the last child that King Harry and Queen Anne have. Plus more suggestions are welcome for my new story, which will be a Arthur/Catherine story. Please read and review and chapter 17 will be up soon!