Empire of Dreams

*9*

"You're telling me the Duke of Galicia proposed to Mary and she is willing to accept but Elizabeth had asked one of her ladies in waiting to find out more about his house through the servants?" Catherine asked, looking surprised at the fact Mary was stalling this decision.

"Yes Aunt Catherine. And things don't end here, the lady found out the Duke of Galicia already has two illegitimate children!"

If Catherine was surprised before, she was mindblown now.

"I understand that this is the biggest drawback one could imagine in a marriage but Mary is a bit too old now. She's merely four years younger than me and I've already had four marriages and a child. The crown must remember, England forgets no one. She cannot avoid the crowd and think they will favour her later"

"But don't you think the illegitimate children say a bit more about his personality. He loves Mary or atleast claims to, but love wears off. King Henry loved Queen Anne, she ended up without a head. I do not deem it wise to marry her off just for the sake of it"

As I try to prove my point, I remember my dream. I remember what it was like to be married off without a choice and then dying with accusations of treason when it was men, the stupid scheming men who got me into it. I wouldn't let it happen again. Not to me and not to anyone else, but I am yet to play a role of importance. My story is still like the calm before the storm and it is here I must prepare.

When Catherine doesn't budge from her advice, I ask Elizabeth to meet me over tea at Bath. There was a recreation center for women where more secrets were traded than worries shed and we decide that it's the perfect venue. A couple of evenings later, we are there along with Sia and her lady in waiting Jemine.

"Tell me what Catherine said" she asked though we both knew that the waters were clear as a trick and there probably was someone eavesdropping nearby through a secret tunnel. Being in the line of succession makes you learn things the hard way.

"Catherine said, according to what my niece's father's wife's sister-in-law's daughter heard, that the expected should continue with the wedding for she is only four years older than the last golden one"

"Clever" Elizabeth said, an impressed look stuck on her face.

To any passerby, it would seem as if I was talking about some distant relative while Elizabeth understood fairly well that it was my way of saying Mary should get married because Catherine thinks she is too old.

"I think the chooser needs to see the chosen. Why must I defy the lord's will? Let the chooser face her own decision, let her face the blow"

"Exactly, dear sister" I replied.

Now that it was fixed that we were to bring the actions of the Duke of Galicia into light at a social event, I couldn't think of a better ocassion than that of the King's banquet. Easter would come soon and maybe we could be prepared by then.

"Are we done?" I ask but Elizabeth shakes her head in denial.

"Why don't we enjoy the time we have together. After all, the holy gold may not leave us to be as we are" Elizabeth said with a sad smile and hence we waded around the pool for another hour and a half before drying ourselves and returning to Sudeley.

Catherine eyed us warmly yet suspiciously.

"What are you planning?" She asked Elizabeth, barely louder than a whisper.

"Just fun, Catherine. It's plain old Fun. Like I had here"

I was shocked. I didn't know Elizabeth ever lived here at Sudeley but then again, this may have been one of the many things my parents never told me. I decide I'll talk about it later and return to my room abd sleep though it's not even evening.

I wake up in the middle of the night and without another thought I walk into the library. I needed to polish my skills if I was ever even to dream of becoming a Queen. I looked through the books. They were all stories, poems and verses, but where were the books on strategy and war? Wasn't that included in the things I should know if I am ever to ascend a throne?

That is how I realise how wrongs everything was. I finally had the answer to why I faced the sad fate of my dreams. Nobody taught what to do and then I made a complete fool of myself out there while my father in law and father conspired against me. I would not let this happen at any cost.

I sneak into Uncle Thomas's office and find it thankfully empty. He must be sleeping in the room. It wasn't uncommon for him to sometimes be up late in the night, working on schemes and policies or managing the house ledger.

After taking three to four thick books on court politics, I went back to my room and started reading through them, only realising it was morning when the sun shone directly into my eyes.

"Good mo- You're already awake!" Sia accused.

"Yeah, I had a bad dream, so I began reading one of the books mother used to read to me, Kathryn and Mary when we were young" I played the emotional way, sneaking away the stolen book into the covers.

"That's sweet. Well, you have to go to the anniversary celebration of Marquess Quillion. They complete seven decades of marriage and wanted to be blessed by the presence of court members and royals. The Baroness has turned down the invitation and so has the Baron, but they think you can grace the event with your presence."

"What will I do there all alone Sia?"

"Don't worry, Lady Irem and her brother Milan will be there too. It is said her brother has two quite handsome sons, you may be introduced "

"Oh come on Sia, there is no way falling in love can end up well for me" I sigh and turn to the mirror, "but that also won't stop me from shining"

It was a week long event, something which seemed like a long shot for a Marquess, but somehow he had pulled it off and everyone was going there. Catherine was upset with me for not revealing anything to her these days and keeping secrets so I had to find another companion for my journey. We were all to reach to the Marquess's residence on a cliffside. It would be cold but enjoyable he had promised and so I started off for my home.

Mother would be a thorn in my side, but atleast I would have a familiar face there.