Chapter 27
This chapter will probably be the most dramtic so far. We will see an enraged King out for blood, a Prince fighting for his life, a Princess who must be King and Queen in one body and will be faced with her biggest obstacle yet, and a young woman who was indirectly involved in a crime and may have to pay for the sins of her father. I promised the story was going to get more interesting. You all will have to stay tuned for the outcome of all of these plots. Please Read and Review! Enjoy Chapter 27!
January 5, 1553
Windsor Palace
Windsor, Berkshire, England
Prince Edward's Bedchamber
Queen Anne sat next to her ailing son. Edward was in a coma. He had lost a lot of blood, but had survived the operation to stop the blood. However, he was battling a fever and an infection. He was in God's hands. Anne had refused to leave his side.
Lady Mary Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk, who had finally joined the Court.
"Your Majesty, please. You must rest." she said.
Anne shook her head.
"No. My son needs me. He needs to wake up." she said.
Mary shed a tear. She wasn't a mother, but she couldn't believe the pain that the King and Queen were going through. She was fond of Prince Edward, since she was his cousin. However, she hated being at Court now. Everyone was in shock that Prince Edward had nearly been murdered in cold blood.
Anne looked up at the ceiling.
"Lord, I know you work in mysterious ways. But, I come to you, not as a Queen, but as a mother. Please spare my son. He's innocent and has done nothing wrong. I ask that you have mercy on the culprit behind his attack. In Jesus name I pray. Amen." she said, as she made the sign of the Cross.
Lady Mary also made the sign and held her head low.
King Henry IX of England's Privy Chamber
Harry was pacing back and forth, in anger. He was dying to find the culprit who tried to murder his son. His emotions was everywhere. His advisors had seen him cry in sadness and lash out in anger. He turned to Charles Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk and took a deep breath.
He walked closer.
"Charles, is there any change in my son's condition?" he asked.
Charles shook his head.
"No, Your Majesty. He's still critical." he said.
Harry groaned.
"This is all my fault, Cousin. If I hadn't been so hard on him, he wouldn't be in this condition." he said, looking out his window.
Charles sighed. He wasn't a father, so he didn't know how to comfort his cousin, the King. Despite the fact that there was an investigation going on, the entire Court was at a standstill. If Prince Edward died, a murderer was on the loose within Court. However, if the assailant was caught, he was sure to suffer a very violent execution.
Suddenly, Prince William walked in. He had his sword on his hip and was looking very angry.
"Father, Charles. I'm ready to kill the bastard that tried to kill my brother." he said angrily.
Harry frowned at his eldest son.
"William, control yourself this instant. The person who attacked Edward will be dealt with, according to the Treason Act laws. I do not care what rage is within you." he said.
William looked at his father, in shock.
"Father, Edward is my brother and he could be near death. How do you expect me to just stand idly by and watch this bastard get away with nearly killing my brother?!" he asked, raising his voice.
Charles Brandon tried to calm William down.
"Your Highness, I assure you that all is being done to find the culprit. His Majesty is already under pressure." he said.
William scoffed.
"I don't see him doing a damn thing. If Henry VIII was alive, there would be people already being interrogated. I can think of several people who would do this! WHY HASNT THERE BEEN AN ARREST?! PEOPLE SAY YOU ARE A BETTER KINH THAN YOUR FATHER, BUT YOU ARE PROVING YOURSELF TO BE WORSE! EDWARD COULD BE DYING AND THE PERSON WHO DID THIS WILL GET AWAY WITH IT! AT LEAST YOUR FATHER WAS ABOUT ACTION!" he screamed at his father.
Harry glared at his son.
"Don't you ever disrespect me again in your life, William. Now leave my sight." he said, in a dangerous tone.
William walked closer to his father.
"You aren't worthy of being a King, if my brother dies." he said.
Suddenly, Harry slapped William across his face. William grabbed his face, in shock. neither of his parents had ever hit him before.
Harry turned red in his face.
"I...SAID...LEAVE...MY...SIGHT." he said, through gritted teeth.
William nodded and left his father's presence.
Charles looked at Harry.
"Your Majesty, I can't believe you struck the Prince of Wales." he said.
Harry nodded.
"I can't either. I will apologize to him, but I cannot stand his presence right now. He is too hotheaded for me right now." he said.
Charles nodded, trying to understand his cousin.
Palace of Lisbon
Queen Maria of Portugal's Bedchamber
Mary was saying a prayer at her altar. She had just received the news that her nephew, Prince Edward, Duke of York, had been attacked and was now fighting for his life. She couldn't believe someone in her own country had tried to kill her nephew and he was only fifteen years old.
Carlos came in and looked at his wife, with pity. He knew that she adored her brother and would love to be in England comforting him. The only thing she could do is pray for him.
He walked up and put his hand on her shoulder. Mary looked up.
"I was just praying for my nephew. I can't believe someone did that to him. This is just like the Princes in the Tower." she said, as she teared up.
Carlos sighed.
"He will pull through, sweetheart." he said.
Mary nodded.
"I just don't know who would want to harm him. He was always such a sweet boy. I will never understand some people. What monster would want to try and murder a true Christian Prince? I hope my brother catches the person responsible and makes him suffer." she said.
Carlos nodded.
Mary made the sign of the Cross and stood up from her altar.
"How did everything go today, sweetheart?" she asked.
Carlos smiled.
"Everything was fine. The Treasury is so full, there's no way Duarte can plunder it during his reign." he said.
Mary smiled.
"That's good. I hope he'll be a good King. Just like his father." she said.
Carlos kissed Mary.
"We should really find marriages for Juana and Cristina. I don't know if I should marry them throughout Christendom or here in Portugal." he said.
Mary sighed.
"We will find husbands for them. It would be nice to have just one of them here with their family, since Catarina is leaving us next year, if Infante Juan survives the war against the French." she said.
Carlos hugged Mary.
"We knew this day would come soon. However, she'll only be in Spain. She can visit us." he said.
Mary nodded.
"I know. I'll just miss her. She's our firstborn child." she said
Carlos nodded his head.
"Yes, but she is becoming a woman. She'll be fine in Spain, Maria. I know she will." he said.
Alcala de Henares Palace
Madrid, Castile, Spain
Princess Elizabeth of Spain's Bedchamber
Elizabeth was reading a letter from her beloved husband. She had a smile on her face, but was also tearing up, since she missed him so much. She was really praying that this war would be over, so that Luis could return to her and little Isabel.
Suddenly, one of the Palace Guards brought a letter.
"Alteza, I bring news from Segovia. The Moor Rebels have seized the Palace." he said.
Elizabeth folded her letter and placed it down.
"My daughter and Lilliana! Get my horse ready! We leave immediately!" she said, as she left her room.
The guards followed her.
"What should we do about the rest of the Royal Family, Alteza?" one of them asked.
Elizabeth continued to walk.
"Place everyone under heavy guard. No Royal Family member is to be left unattended and that's an order! Protect them with your life, if need be. As for Segovia, I want guards to enter the city two different ways. I want to trap the rebels. If we surround them from the east and the west sides, they won't have anywhere to go. The main concern is my daughter." she said.
The guard nodded and continued to follow Elizabeth.
Palace of Segovia
Segovia, Castile, Spain
The Royal Nursery
Lilliana was sitting in a chair, with little Isabel on her lap. She had barricaded her and the two year old little girl in this room, when the guards told her there was danger. Now she was trapped inside, but now her and little Isabel were being watched by a Moorish Guard. He had his mouth and nose covered and wouldn't take his eyes off the two Infantas.
Lilliana glared at him.
"Why are you doing this? We haven't done anything to you." she said, in anger.
The man stood up, unsheathed his sword and held it to Lilliana's neck.
"No more talk. Be silent." he said.
Lilliana stood up, sat Isabel behind her and faced the man.
"If you want to hurt this child, you're going to have to kill me first. I will not go down without a fight. And if you kill me, I pray now that God has mercy on your soul." she said, defiantly.
Suddenly, a guard kicked in the door and hevand the Moor engaged in a swordfight. Lilliana covered Isabel's eyes, as the Moor was stabbed repeatedly in his torso. The guard looked up at Lilliana.
"Are you hurt, Alteza? " he asked.
Lilliana shook her head.
The guard left the room. After a few minutes, Elizabeth walked in, with a look of relief on her face.
She took Isabel from Lilliana's arms.
"Isabel, my darling. Thank God you aren't hurt. Lilliana, are you hurt by any means?" she asked her cousin.
Lilliana shook her head.
"No. I'm just a little scared. I don't want any of the Moors to return." she said.
Elizabeth shook her head.
"Don't be scared. Everyone who seized the Palace has either been captured or killed. Let's return to Madrid. I don't want either of you out of my sight from now until the war is over." she said.
Lilliana nodded her head.
"Yes, cousin. I understand." she said.
Elizabeth kissed her daughter's cheek and left the Palace, with Lilliana following close behind her.
Windsor Palace
Lady Jane Grey's Bedchamber
Jane was sitting on her bed, in tears. She had been filled with immense guilt after what her father did to Prince Edward. She felt horrible that he could die and she was partly to blame. She could hardly believe her father would do such a horrible thing to such a good person. He even told her to pray that Edward dies. She prayed he lived and would be very happy in his choice.
Suddenly, Catherine Grey came in to check on her eldest daughter.
"Jane, darling what's the matter?" she asked, as she sat down beside the terrified looking fifteen year old girl.
Jane nodded her head.
"Yes, Mother. I'm doing well. Is there any news on Prince Edward's attack?" she asked, as she stood up and walked away from her mother.
Catherine shook her head.
"No, there isn't. That poor boy is still fighting for his life. I hope they catch whoever did this and make him suffer just like that sweet Prince." she said.
Jane grew pale at the sound of that.
Catherine looked at her daughter.
"Jane, what's wrong? You don't look well." she said.
Jane shook her head.
"I'm fine, Mother. I just remembered he was attacked outside of my chambers." she said.
Catherine stood up. Something had never added up to her about the night of Edward's attack.
"Jane, why didn't you hear anything that night? I can imagine a fifteen year old boy being stabbed nearly to death would have made some type of commotion. How didn't you hear anything?" she asked.
Jane grew more pale, but suddenly Henry Grey walked in, glaring at Jane.
"Jane was with me that night." he said.
Catherine turned and glared at her husband.
"No. I was with you that night. Then, you disappeared for awhile. Where did you go, Henry?" she asked, walking closer to him.
Henry smirked.
"You have no right to question me, dear wife. I am your husband and I refuse to be interrogated by you." he said.
Catherine grew pale and stepped away from him. She looked at Jane and then at Henry.
"Oh, my God. It was you. You tried to kill Prince Edward. How could you do such a thing to such a sweet boy?" she asked, horrified.
Henry grabbed Catherine by her arm. Jane backed against a wall, in fear.
"That little fucker shamed our eldest daughter in front of the entire Court. I will never let anyone be made a fool of in this family. You will not mention this to anyone. If my head rolls, so will Jane's. That's why I set the scene outside if her rooms. I will make you suffer the worst pain possible if you turn me in. You will have the blood of your own daughter on your hands, sweetheart." he said, coldly, as he threw Catherine to the floor.
Jane rushed to her mother. Catherine looked at her husband.
"How can you be so evil?" she asked.
Henry smirked.
"It's a gift." he said, as he walked out of the room.
Jane hugged her mother.
"Mother, I don't want to be executed. I never wanted Edward to be hurt." she said.
Catherine held her daughter.
"You won't be. I promise I'll think of something." she said.
Prince Edward's Bedchamber
Edward was still battling a very high fever. Harry was now sitting with his ailing son and was overcome with emotion. He couldn't believe he was close to losing his son. He never thought he would have to have a Priest give one of his children their Last Rites. He was praying to God to forgive him as well, because he had murder in his heart and was thinking of becoming the tyrant that his father was.
Harry took his son's hand.
"Eddie, my beloved son. Please return back to us. You are such a blessing to your mother and I. I'll never forget the day you were born. You were so fair. Your mother said you glistened like an angel. I was so happy when you were you born. By your birth, we felt like a true family. Edward you must open your eyes and join us again. Please don't leave us son." he said, as tears fell from his eyes.
Suddenly, a hand touched Harry's shoulder. He looked up and saw his oldest son, William.
Harry stood up and hugged him.
"William, I am very sorry. I shouldn't have talked to you the way I did. I love you, son." he said.
William nodded.
"I love you too, Father. I apologize for disrespecting you. I know that what happened to Edward is bothering you more than anyone." he said.
Harry nodded.
"I feel like I failed him as a father and as a King." he said.
William shook his head.
"No, Father. You have never failed us. We will find the bastard who did this to him." he said.
Harry looked at Edward, who was sweating profusely from his fever his entire torso was covered by a bandage.
"I hope so. I just don't want your brother to leave us." he said.
The Spirit Realm
Edward was dressed completely in white, watching the exchange between his brother and father. He couldn't believe that he was so close to death. He tried to get their attention, but they couldn't see or hear him. Was he really going to die?
"Is this what my fate is meant to be?" he asked aloud to himself.
Suddenly, a woman spoke to him.
"That is entirely up to you, sweetheart." she said.
Edward looked around him and came face to face with a woman he hadn't seen, since her death three years ago.
"Grandmother Katherine?" he asked, in slight disbelief.
Katherine of Aragon smiled and nodded her head. She looked beautiful and healthy again. She told was dressed in a gown of white. She had a silver veil that covered her hair.
Edward smiled.
"It's wonderful to see you again, Grandmother. I've missed you so much." he said.
Katherine touched Edward's cheek.
"I've missed you as well, but my time on Earth came to an end. You have grown into a wonderful young man. You are your father's pride and joy." she said.
Edward shook his head.
"No. I embarrassed him. I was a disobedient child. I don't deserve his love." he said.
Katherine shook her head.
"No, you stood up for yourself and you will be remembered for that. You do not belong to the Grey family. They ate not your future. I can't tell you everything, but you are destined to be a wonderful young man with a Golden future. You just have to trust me that your future does not belong in a monastery." she said.
Edward sighed.
"Grandmother, I love the Lord so much. I want to dedicate my life to him. I don't want any other cause in life. Maybe I can be the Archbishop of Canterbury, since the last few we've had have been corrupt." he said.
Katherine nodded.
"That is true. However, that position is not for you." she said.
Edward sighed.
"Grandmother, am I going to die?" he asked.
Katherine looked at him, with a serious look on her face.
"That's up to you, my love. You can live or I can escort you into the Kingdom of Heaven. The choice is all yours, Edward." she said.
Edward looked at his grandmother and was conflicted. He didn't want to leave his family and cause his parents great grief, but he also loved the Lord and knew that death was just the next step in life. He had no idea what to do: Accept life or die?
A/N sorry about the cliffhanger! So what should happen in the next Chapter? Should Edward live or die? How should Henry Grey get caught? How should Elizabeth punish the men who took her daughter and Infanta Lilliana hostage? I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please Read and Review! Chapter 28 is currently in the works!