His Constant Reminder

Chapter Five

(1508)

Henry and Rose sat in the council room waiting for the king. A few days prior, Harry was informed that his father had finally made the decision about the possibility of their marriage. Rose spent the last few days praying that things would go in their favor. She wanted nothing more than to marry Harry. She did not care for the titles that would come with it. She wanted to be Henry's wife and the mother of children and the mother of a future king. Henry also spent the last few days in prayer. He wanted things to go their way so bad. He wanted to marry Rose and make her his Queen. She would be the perfect wife and mother. England would love her as their Queen.

Henry grabbed Rose's hand and kissed it. He could tell she was nervous. She couldn't focus and she was slightly shaking.

"His majesty the king!" The herald announced, making Harry and Rose stand up.

Rose curtseyed while Henry bowed until the king told them to rise. They waited for the king to take his seat before taking their own. Rose said a quick silent prayer then waited for the king to speak.

"I am not going to keep you waiting any longer. After speaking with my council and my own personal reflection, unfortunately I cannot grant you a marriage contract. As Henry is my heir and future king, he needed a better, more beneficial match. I have been in contact with King Ferdinand and he is willing to allow Henry to marry Catherine. A dispensation is in the works. Catherine has sworn and her ladies have confessed that her marriage to Arthur was never consummated." King Henry states.

Both Henry and Rose's faces drop in disappointment. They were not expecting this answer. Rose's dowry should have made up for the fact that she was lower in rank. Henry did not care for a foreign match because the people would have loved Rose and her dowry should have made the treasury very happy.

"May I ask why, your majesty? Besides the marriage to her highness, princess Catherine." Rose whispers.

"To break it down simply, it comes down to rank. Catherine is higher in rank compared to you. Your dowry is just as good as Catherine's but the fact of the matter is, she is higher in rank. This makes it a better match compared to a home match." The king answers.

"Thank you for explaining it to me, your majesty." Rose murmurs.

"I am sorry, my dear. If you would please excuse us, I need to speak to my son in private." Henry replies.

Rose nods, curtseyed then leaves the room. She went right to Princess Mary's chambers and began to cry. Mary was waiting for her and had all of her ladies dismissed so that they would be alone.

Henry sat there waiting for his father to speak. He was too upset to start the conversation. All he wanted was to be a good ruler and have Rose by his side. Rose was meant to be his queen and the mother of his children the future heirs of England. He did not want to marry Catherine. She was older than him and despite her claims that the marriage wasn't consummated, he didn't trust it. Catherine could have easily manipulated her ladies into lying and covering for her. He didn't want anything to do with Catherine, he wanted to send her back to Spain and get her out of England. Rose's dowry would cover everything that needed to be sent back and then more.

"Harry, I know you are disappointed with my ruling, but you know it is for the best. The marriage to Catherine is beneficial for England. As heir and future king you need to want what is best for your country. Your people depend on you." The king states.

"Rose's dowry should have been enough to forgive the fact that she is the daughter of a viscount. I think England would benefit more from a home match compared to a foreign one. By marrying Rose, it ensures that we are not dependent on Spain or any other country. Her dowry is enough to cover what has been sent already and then some. Catherine's dowry still hasn't been paid in full and Rose's would be paid up front." Henry replies.

"I am sorry, but I overruled you. I agree a home match may be slightly better but in the end continuing the alliance with Spain is best for the country. Rose is a lovely girl and she would be the perfect wife but not for you. You are going to the future king of England. The peoples' happiness comes before your own. Unfortunately that is the way it is for royalty." His father says.

"I don't want to marry Catherine. I need Rose in my life and I refuse to share her with anyone." Henry states.

"Rose may be in your life for as long as God wills it. There are always ways to keep her with you. It is up to you and her to decide how. God and I have decided you will marry Catherine, but for how long only God knows. You may be able to marry Rose if something God forbid should happen to the princess." His father replies.

"What do you mean?" Henry asks.

"Think about it. What are kings' entitled to?" His father states, getting up and walking out of the room.

Henry sat there and began to think. It hit him, there was only one way to keep Rose in his life and ensure he didn't have to share her.