Empire of Dreams

*2*

"Congratulations Thomas, here's your daughter" Kathryn grimly entered the parlour with an infant wrapped in a bundle of blankets.

"My daughter....  But, Catherine?" Uncle was shaken by my sister's tone.

"She lives" Kathryn offered a small smile.

"But....?" I offered. I always heard the bad news before rejoicing the good ones.

"But your daughter won't be able to speak, Uncle Thomas. Her eyesight and hearing is safe, I assure you. This sacrifice was necessary to save Catherine" she said grimly.

"If I get both my child and Catherine, then I ask for no greater gift! Thank you, dear Kathryn!" Uncle Thomas embraced Kathryn politely and then walked over to me.

"Congratulations on your baby sister, Jane" he smiled, offering me the child.

"You hold her, and congratulations to you too, dear Uncle"

I walked into Aunt Catherine's room as the maids cleared it out.

"Come sit with me" she called me weakly.

A chair was pulled out for me already and I sat down eagerly.

"Are you fine?" I asked as she laid back her head on the pillow after such an excruciating labour.

"I am now that I have two of my daughters with me instead of just one" she said, giving me left palm a little squeeze.

"Do you know...?" I asked, not sure whether delivering this blow so soon would be safe or not.

"Yes I do and I thank Kathyrn for doing what the doctors were too afraid to do. They don't know much about me and Thomas and they assumed that having a girl was bad already, having a mute one at that would only worsen the case. So they decided it was better I die" she couldn't even say it with a straight face and it was indeed ridiculous.

"So, now what?"

"Now my dear Jane, you tell me what you saw"

"What do you mean?"

"It was by no coincidence that you asked Kathyrn to be here before the complications presented themselves and you know I know everything"

I took in a sharp breath. What I saw was very positively the future but would revealing it cause any issues I could not predict currently? But then again, it was Catherine we were talking about. I would trust her with my life. Wasn't this bigger than my life?

"My dear Catherine!" Thomas entered before I could make up my mind and I welcomed the distraction. This wasn't as simple a matter and a lot of things would do well to remain unknown.

"I'll be with Kathyrn as you two speak" I took my leave as fast as I could.

My sister took some time to be found, finally discovered in the gardens, giving the doctors an earful for their incapability. It was indeed a slight to see, the small, chubby Kathyrn speaking to doctors twice her age.

"That's enough for today, Kathyrn, let's go inside" I smiled softly at her and dismissing the doctors with a curt nod, brought her inside. At the age of only twelve, I was tall and slender and more ladylike than most my age which my father considered to be an asset since he wanted to secure a good match for me. But life here at Sudeley Castle was different and dare I say, much better. I hoped Kathyrn and Mary could have the same, but there was no way mother was letting them go.

"Well, when do you intend to visit, Jane?" Kathyrn asked hopefully.

"Honestly I don't intend to. After all, I am the most unwelcome at that house unless I secure a proper match and an engagement so early is not something I am going to pursue, so I am better off here "

"But think of Mary! She will not even remember you!"

"Then it is for the best. But stay with me for a day or two, I have missed you" I tried to end the uncomfortable conversation on a good note.

"I'm not travelling the night, of course, but I'll leave afte lunch tomorrow" Kathyrn replied neutrally. This was how it was with Kathyrn, you would never know the conclusion of any conflict until much much later.

The food seemed much tastier tonight with both Catherine and her daughter safely with us. As Kathyrn and Thomas discussed arrangements for a feast tomorrow, I tried to dodge another conversation about the dreams with Catherine.

"What's her name then? She certainly is the most charming little thing I have seen!" I exclaimed as the happiness of having them both with me doubled.

"I'll let Mary, Elizabeth and Edward decide that because after all, they are my eldest children" Catherine replied.

"So we shall go meet them at the royal palace then?"

"I should write a letter to be taken to them immediately after dinner, informing them about this wonderful news. I hope you will help me?"

"Why not, Aunt" I tried to smile, but I knew this was her way of getting me to spill my thoughts.

"I will be inviting your parents to the feast. Is that fine with you, Litte Grey?" He asked, knowing well of my strained realtion with them.

"I think so, uncle. But I hope it would not pose a problem that Kathyrn would be staying until lunch tomorrow"

"Of course not. And I have a surprise for you both the next morning. Be ready early and bright! I'll fetch you from your rooms at half past four" he winked and I couldn't help but grin at all the happiness radiating across the table.

One wrong had been righted, but still there were many more to go.

Hey! So another chapter down! I can just imagine Jane singing this to Catherine's little daughter!! Anyways, leave comments and vote if you like the story :)