"Charlotte, can you hand this to the messenger. Tell him it's urgent and to be delivered with the day." I asked her, sealing off the letter with my wax seal.
"Of course."
Sitting in my study, I diligently worked on the several letters that had arrived that morning. Suitors writing to my father for my hand, other asking for information regarding his departure from England. Signing them on his behalf, the door to my study open as a young servant boy enters.
"Your Grace, the Spanish Imperial Ambassador, Eustace Chapuys."
Setting my quill down, I rose my chair and moved over ot the side as Chapuys walked in quietly with his hands behind him.
"Your Grace." He whispered to me.
"Ambassador Chapuys, I didn't expect you to visit."
"Apologies, I was hoping I could speak with Your Grace over some concerns." He added.
"Please, Katherine..."
"Lady Katerina...could we take a walk? It's a beautiful day out, and your home has a garden out back, doesn't?" He chucked.
"Of course."
Following the double doors from my study, Chapuys and I made our way around the gravel paths through large green bushes and patches of flowers scattered around the land.
"So, may I ask what you're visiting about? Charles doesn't receive royal visitors unless they are guest from the King." I asked.
"I come here as a friend of Catherine of Aragon. You were a good friend of hers."
Nodding my head, I felt the light tulle cape, which past just over my shoulders, brushes against my arms.
"Yes, she was very good to me while I lived in Spain. I'm sorry for her families loss, Mary was been consistent in writing to me, it helps her, I suppose..."
"If I may, in some ways you hold a small part of Catherine inside of you...you make her memory live on."
"Well...thank you, Ambassador Chapuys."
"Which is why the Pope holds you very dear to his heart, I hear that you were christened by him when you were merely a few days old, were you not?" He asked as we passed the green archway to the other side of the garden.
"Yes, I was."
"So, you still have a close relationship with Catholicism, then?"
Halting, my eyes snap over to Ambassador Chapuys as I stood underneath the shadows when he passed me.
"I recently declared myself to the King...I chose to keep my head, Ambassador."
"I respect that, Lady Katerina...but I'm sure some small part inside of you still wishes that this country was true to its religion, do you not?"
"Of course? But what power would I hold with my station, not much, Ambassador? I may be Catholic, and I may despise the King as much as you do with how he has been towards Catherine and Mary, but...he holds more power over me than you can imagine."
"I doubt that...you are a woman. One of high station and of virtue, you were engaged to the Holy Emperor-"
"Were. Listen to your words Ambassador, I was engaged to the Holy Emperor...I suggest you listen to the people around you. You may be just a guest here at court, but without Charles, you hold no power here."
Continuing on, I walked past the Ambassador and over ot the cement bench when I hear his voice call out for me.
"You are not safe, Lady Katerina." He blurted out.
"Excuse me?"
"I know about the list. Whether you know it or not, you will have power...and if you wish-"
"Don't." I hissed.
"Lady Katerina-"
"I know who that man is, and I doubt he would choose someone like me to be his wife. I don't care what the Pope says or anyone else...my religion is separate from my heart and always will be. I will not be tossed aside, Ambassador. That is not the woman my parents have raised me to be, and certainly not the one you have mistaken me for." I added, clenching my teeth so hard that the sides of my mouth were sore.
"...of course...Your Grace." The Ambassador said as he bowed and left me standing alone in the garden.
~
Entering through the same doors I walked out of with Ambassador Chapuys, Charles stood at my desk waiting for me.
"Charles? What is it?" I asked.
"There's been an incident..."
"What kind? I thought you were at the King's dinner?"
"I was...that's why I came here. What do you know about Anne's relationships?" He asked me.
Resting my hand on my desk chair, I stared at the letters beside me.
"She's caring...and honest.Her relationship with her father has always been a rocky one, but there's always been respect. And with George, well...they're around the same age, so...they are close."
"Would you say they've spent private time together?"
"Charles, what are you implying?" I mumbled, narrowing my eyes.
"There...have been rumors about Anne and the men she's been seen with by her ladies."
"Like who?" I chuckled nervously.
"Mark Smeaton. Her brother...Thomas Wyatt."
"She's a lover of the arts, Charles. Mark has been said to favor men. And Thomas Wyatt used to be in love with her...but that was before she met the King?"
"How do you know about Mark Smeaton?"
"I don't know...why don't you ask Lady Rochford or George Boleyn himself? Why are you interrogating me, Charles?" I hissed.
Sighing, his shoulders fall and his head slumps down close to his chest.
"The King is investigating Anne's ladies as well as the people around her, including you. He asked me to interrogate you privately since he knows you don't favor being at Hampton Court."
"...He's considerate...that's astonishing." I chuckled.
"Kat...please, for me...don't go near Anne. Don't write to her-"
"Or what?" I whispered.
"All of your letters will be interfered-"
"Charles!"
"It's for your protection, Katherine! We may not be engaged to wed, but I still love you enough to keep you out of trouble, so please...obey me in this one thing." He asked, striding out the door afterward.
Standing alone in my study, Charlotte comes in with a cloak in hand.
"Where are you going?" I asked her.
"You have a visitor, Kat..."
Holding the door open, I tilted my head to the side as a heel comes from behind the door.
"Her Majesty, the Lady Mary," Charlotte said with a smile.
Striding through the doors, she smiled at me. Her eyes glistened with such happiness that it was a disease to watch be utmost happy.
"Oh, Mary. Look at you." I chuckled, striding to her with my arms open.
"I have missed you, Lady Katherine."
"I'm so sorry to have not greeted you properly, so many things have happened since-"
"It's over now...the king has been grateful towards me."
"Grateful? How?" I asked, escorting her to the window crook.
"He has given me my rightful title...Princess. I have been granted an estate and dowry for my pensions while I was put under Elizabeth's care. It won't change my opinion of him but...he's trying, Katherine."
"I don't understand, one minute he's trying to legitimate Elizabeth and then-"
"I think it's my mother...her prayers, her messages to the King. I think he's finally realized that I am his only legitimate heir, she's watching over me."
"I don't doubt that." I smiled, caressing her hands.
Henry's POV
Staring out of the open window, I watched as two white swans swam across the pond. Together, they swam as one never leading nor leaving the other behind. Synchronized they fed and enjoyed the air around them, until, out of the corner of my eye a trail of baby swans jumped in.
"Your Grace, the council is here."
Turning around, I longed my gaze at the pond one last time before I followed my servant to the next room where, Charles, Cromwell, and other members of my privy council sat.
"Men, please sit," I ordered, taking my seat at the head of the table.
"As you all know Lord Boleyn and his son are no longer apart of court life nor this privy council. Charged with incest and treason, they have made a mockery of me, to which I will no longer take." I hissed.
"They have ultimately used your power, Your Majesty." Lord Kingston said.
"Thank you...as for my marriage to Anne Boleyn. On the day of her execution, our marriage will be null and void."
"And what of Princess Elizabeth?" Charles asked.
"She will be considered a bastard...to where I will send her, I do not know." I said.
"Will that mean that your Grace will be looking for a new wife?"
"There have been many beautiful women here at court who are eligible to marry, Your Majesty," Mr.Cromwell added.
"Like who?" I questioned, resting my hand under my chin.
"Well, if your majesty would let me...there is a list of eligible women. Some of the noble births and others of royal."
"Royal?" I questioned.
"They are of the utmost respected families and the richest. As your majesty may learn, Anne Boleyn was of a moderately wealthy family-"
"Get on with it." I hissed at Cromwell.
"Well...if your majesty would like, we could bring these ladies in for a meeting, of some sorts. And you, Your grace, could choose from there who should be your next wife-"
"No...I chose Anne Boleyn and look where that has gotten me. No male heir."
Pushing my chair back, I casually glide over ot the burning fireplace as the sound of the wicker wood cracked.
"...I will let the Privy council choose, as you have all been loyal to me since the very beginning. I will let God guide you to choose my wife, someone pure and whole."
Bowing their heads, I looked over and noticed Charles was looking elsewhere around the room.
"Your Grace."
"Many King's have allowed their council choose their wife...and that has granted them many male heirs. I hope you all have good judgment on who I would share my throne and home with."
"Absolutely, Your Majesty," Cromwell said as he gazed at the men around the room and smiled.
"Lord Brandon, do you agree? Would you partake in choosing my wife." I asked him.
"Yes, Your Grace." He whispered.
"It's settled them...when the Privy council has chosen my next wife and Queen, I will host a dinner in her honor where we will announce our engagement to the world. But first, let us handle this matter."
A FEW DAYS LATER
"Lady Rose, has there been any news regarding Lady Anne?" I asked her but all I received was silence and the sound of Charles' voice behind her.
"Lady Rose, excuse us, please." He said.
"Charles..."
"I'm sorry for not being here the last few days, the King has requested the Privy council to work diligently over...matters." He mumbled.
"Of course...is everything alright?" I asked.
"Sit, Katherine...please."
Worried, I took Charles' hand as he extended it out for me.
"Charles...what happened?" I asked.
"George Boleyn, Mark Smeaton, and Sir Brenton have been charged with treason and adultery against Anne Boleyn."
"Oh, God..." I gasped bringing my hand up to my mouth.
My heart twisted and sunk with nerves as I sat in front of Charles, his demeanor was intimidating to the point that I felt like a child being scolded over something I didn't do.
"And Anne?" I muffled.
"...She is to be executed tomorrow, the 19th of May."
"How?"
"...The King has chosen decapitation. It's quick and pai-"
Raising my hand, Charles stops, leaving some words to trail behind.
"What else?" I blurted out, trying to fight back the pain in my throat.
"The King requests that you be there...I will be there in attendance in his place."
Nodding my head, I rose up from the chair and started to head over to the door when Charles' hand wraps itself around my forearm.
"Please don't, Charles...it's bad enough that we are over. But the only friend I had a court is going to be put to death over superstition." I hissed.
~
Arriving at my chambers, I leaning my weight of the door closing it quietly.
The room was now dark and cold, leaving only the fireplace as the light source for me to see. It was comfortable, the flickering waves of red and orange as well as the sound of the wood crackling. They were like words flowing out from the ashes to renew themselves in a way that only certain people could understand.
Pushing myself off the door, I grabbed the blanket laying on the back of the ottoman and settle comfortably in the corner of the sofa.
'For my sake, be careful, Anne.'
'I'm scared...'
'You are my greatest friend...you are family to me.'
"...I told you, Anne. But you never listen..." I cried silently.
Wrapping the blanket around my mouth, I leaned my head on the arm and continued to relive the last few moments I had with Anne in my head.
THE NEXT DAY: May 19th, 1536.
Staring at myself in front of the mirror, Charlotte buckled a black belt around my waist as Rose fixed the sleeves on the back velvet dress I was wearing. With a high collar, my hair was pinned up nicely but with a piece of jewelry around my neck or my in my ears. Black embellishments with sewn into the front part of the dress stopped just above my waist.
"How long will you be gone?" Rose asked.
"This probably won't take that long," I whispered, brushing my arms from fleece.
"Will you be taking a bath after supper?"
"No, I will take one later in the evening," I said, grabbing my cloak and heading out the door with Sir Arthur and Charles leading behind me.
~
The ride there was quiet. Charles nor Sir Arthur spoke a word on the way to the Tower, even if they had, I don't think I would've put any mind to their words. But as we drew closer, I could only imagine what Anne would be going through right now.
She would wear pearls and carry her bible as her accessory. A large and modest cloak as well as a stern look on her face which she has always had.
Hearing the church bells ringing in the distance, the carriage takes a left turn into the Tower.
"Are you prepared, Your Grace." Sir Arthur whispered.
Nodding my head, the carriage stops right in front of the main entrance. I could hear the screams and yells from the people as they wait for Anne's execution.
"My Lady." Sir Arthur asked as he held his hand out for me.
Stepping down, Charles escorted me to the crowd but I surely feel behind. The crowded both sides of the platform as the executioner stood alone and the other religious witnesses watched him as he hid the sword under a cap of old hay.
And then, out of the corner of my eye. Where the crowd once blocked the entrance to the tower, came Anne. Wearing the large red velvet cloak and pearl necklace I knew she would have on this day.
"Katherine," Charles whispered, standing towards the middle of the crowd.
Hesitant, I stayed behind and watched her from afar.
"It's alright, Madam. I will stay with you." Sir Arthur said.
"...she looks beautiful." I sniffled, holding my hand closely.
Lowering their voices, Anne approached the middle of the platform, glancing around at each and every one of us until she found me, and a smile emerged on her face.
"Good Christian people, I have come here to die, according to the law, and thus yield myself to the will of the King, my lord."
"Long live the King!"
"...and if in my life, I ever did offend the King's grace, then surely with my death I do now atone..." Anne said.
"I pray and beseech you all, to pray for the life of the King."
"God save the King!" The crowd yelled.
"My sovereign lord and yours...who is one of the best princes's on the face of the earth, who has always treated me so well, wherefore I submit to death with a good will, humbly asking pardon of all the world. If anyone should take up my case, I ask them only to judge it kindly."
Sobbing the ladies behind Anne carefully remove the jewelry and cloak from her neck and back. Their muffled cries echoed around the courtyard, including the ones in the crowd who were Anne's supports.
"Madame, forgive me for what I must do." The executioner asked as he kneeled down before her.
"Gladly. And here is your purse." She whispered.
"...Thus I take my leave of the world, and of you..."
"Bless you..." I heard Sir Arthur whisper.
"And I heartily desire you all to pray for me."
"Lord have mercy on you."
Watching as she kneels down, I closed my eyes shut for a few seconds as the words of the Bishop are said.
"The lord is my shepherd. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters...he restores my soul, he guides me..."
Like a wave, the crowd of people slowly fall down to their knees as they prayed along with Anne.
"Jesus receive my soul. O Lord God have pity on my soul. To Christ I commend myself." Anne prayed, anxiously watching the executioner.
"Boy! Fetch my sword!" The executioner yelled just as Anne looked the other way.
The church bells rang as the silver glistened in the sun, it's own reflection couldn't handle the light as it sent a flock of birds flying in the sky.
Letting the rush of tears roll down my cheeks, Anne smiled at me. Her blue eyes shaken and scared but faithful at the same time.
Then, the next thing I know all that was left of her was the blood that had once flowed thick and scarlet in her veins. Her head rolling on the platform as her body still in the air for seconds, falls to the floor, twitching and shaking as blood poured out like a lazy river.
"Sir Arthur..." I muffled.
"Madam?"
"I wish to leave...now."
Turning around I started to head for the tower entrance when I heard a familiar cry in the audience.
"Bless you...Anne." Thoams Wyatt cried as he pressed himself up against the stone wall.
"I have informed Lord Brandon, we may take leave now."
Leading me to the entrance, I dragged my feet softly, leaving a light trail behind me to the carriage. Clenching my hands into fists, Sir Arthur opens the door for me and closes the curtains for my privacy.
"I will knock when Lord Brandon is near, Madam." He said.
"Thank you..."
Sitting in the shadows, my breathing hitches as my knees grew weak and I slumped over my thighs resting my head between my legs. The world turned into a blur, and so did all the sounds. The taste. The smell. Everything was just gone. I paused trying to hold back the strange feelings rumbling inside me but I couldn't.
My chin trembled as if I was a small child. I breathed heavier than I ever had before. I was gasping for air that simply wasn't there. My throat burned forming a silent scream.
"I told you...why didn't you listen," I mumbled, sniffling between tears.
Hearing a light knock on the side window, I bolted up from my knees, wiped away my tears and moved over to the other side of the carriage when the door opens and Charles and Sir Arthur come in.
"Are you alright?" Charles asked.
"...it's done with...she's gone," I whispered, looking out the window.
"I have to be at court, so you will be escorted back to the estate alone. Will you be alright?" Charles asked.
"That's fine."
Henry's POV
Standing with my hand up against the fireplace, the privy councilmen sat around the long table whispering among each other. Mentioning families and dowry began to bore me, and without Charles here to keep me company, I was left to find out my new bride alone.
"Do we have a verdict?" I blurted out, turning my head.
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
"I think your Majesty will be quite pleased with your new bride," Cromwell said.
"Good. You are to invite her and her family to the feast tomorrow evening." I said, taking a seat at the head of the table.
"Would Your Majesty like to know who she is before you invite her?"
Sighing, I leaned over to the side and watched them before nodding my head.
"She comes from a very wealthy family, her father has been a very noble and loyal man to your family for years."
"Yes, it is said that when she marries a large sum of her dowry comes from the Pope," Cromwell said.
"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked.
"Well, since Anne Boleyn influenced you to be removed from the Pope's favors...we thought that this marriage would be a great alliance."
"Yes, it will show the Pope that you have taken a Catholic bride in order to be in good spirits with him."
"Who is she?" I blurted out.
"She, well...she is the Duke of Oxford's daughter. The Lady Katherine Hamilton."
Waiting motionless, my eyes stared at Cromwell as he stood the other men in the privy council. They stood there as if paralyzed from the neck up, and only then they regained consciousness when Charles walked into the room.
"Apologies, Your Grace." He said taking his seat.
"No worries, Lord Brandon. We were just discussing the King new wife." Lord Kingston said.
"Who is she?" Charles asked, and my eyes immediately stared at him from the side.
"It is the Lady Katherine Hamilton, Lord Brandon. The woman you were set to marry."
Stiff, I wrapped my hands around the armchair and watched him as his eyes fixed themselves on me. His eyes wide and filled with anger, such much that I deserved to be looked that way by him.
"The invitation to Lady Katherine was sent before midday, so she should be receiving the letter as we speak."
"...Charles." I sighed, but he immediately rose from his seat.
"If your Majesty...would excuse me." He snarled, clenching his teeth.
Quickly he bowed just as I rose from my seat.
"Charles! Charles! I didn't know!" I yelled, striding over to him in the other room.
"Charles-"
"She hates you, Henry. She just witnessed Anne beheaded, what makes you think she will accept the proposal!" He yelled back.
"...She...she doesn't have a choice, Charles. It's for the good of England-"
"Good of England? Where's the good in forcing a marriage on a woman who despises you!"
"She will be Queen, Charles. Every woman in England-"
"She is not every woman in England, Henry! She's different. She's...she's not like Catherine or Anne...you'll see." He hissed, pushing the double doors wide open as they slammed on the back wall.
Katherine's POV
"Can I get you anything to drink, Madam?" Lady Rose said.
"...no. You may take your leave, Rose. Get some rest." I asked her.
"Thank you, Your Grace."
Staring a the fire in front of me, I wrapped myself tighter in the wool blanket as the heat from the burning wood warmed the bottom of my feet. The air waved against my face like the ocean tides, and I could slowly feel my cheeks flush from the feeling, almost like someone's touch against my skin.
"Katherine?" Charles blurted out as he barged into my chambers.
"Kat...have you-" He gasped, hearing his boots walking to my right side.
"Have I received a letter from the King?" I mumbled.
Rolling my eyes, I looked at him. His hair blown back from the ride back from Hampton court, yet his eyes were bloodshot and red.
"I'm so sorry, Katherine...I didn't know."
"I am to wed the King of England...the man who killed my friend, the man who might kill me once I become Queen," I whispered.
"Please don't say that, Katherine."
Falling to his knees, he sits in front of me, cradling my hands in his.
"Don't say that-"
"He wants a son, Charles. What are the possibilities that I will give him just that?"
"You don't have to accept it. We can get married right now. There's a chapel not far from town, we could ride there tonight and get married-"
"I don't want you to lose your head, Charles," I said, combing my fingers through his hair.
"...and what a pretty head it is..."
"Kat-"
"He promised to bring back my father and brother if I marry him, and you know more than anything, that I would much rather have my family here then elope at a chapel." I sighed.
"So you're just going to give up? You're going to go against your beliefs?" He blurted out.
"I have no choice-"
"Damn it, Katherine!" He yelled, jolting up from the floor.
"You have a choice! Marry me!"
"And do what? Run away after the King finds out? He'll find us, God knows what he would do if he does."
"Don't give up, Kat."
"It's settled, Charles. The privy council has ordered my belongings to be sent to court tomorrow morning before the feast. My father will be here someday soon after-"
"How can you stay so calm through all of this?" He asked.
"Because...I knew this day was going to happen. I knew that I was going to marry someone who I didn't know, someone who I would hate. But do you know what got me through those few months? It was you, Charles."
Rising from my seat, I stride my way over to Charles, who stood frozen still near the window.
"You loved me, Charles. Respected me. Allowed me to speak freely with you, and I will cherish those moments, I will. And I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of casting me aside as he did with Anne and Catherine, I will be different. I will make myself happy with or without him, I will just have to live with it."
Shaking his head, I caressed the sides of his cheeks, leaning his forehead against mine.
"I love you, Charles Brandon...you will always have a part of me. I swear it." I whispered, pressing my lips against his, tasting his sweet lips one last time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Katherine's Appearance (In Order):