Empire of Dreams

*13*

We departed the Palace after dinner, reaching Sudeley early morning the next day. We found that the Countess and her daughter had already arrived.

"We're honoured to meet you" Countess Gwen courtsied as we entered.

"Oh thank you. Feel at ease here. After all, we are preparing for a wedding!" Uncle Thomas tried to lift the mood.

My eyes were stuck on the daughter from the very beginning. While Countess Gwen and Uncle Thomas were gleaming with pride at the match they had made, the daughter seemed to be just dragging through it all.

"Want to come for a horse ride with me? I'll show you some great spots." I offered and she nodded timidly.

"Take something to eat. Be back by lunch. I'll ask the cooks to prepare a feast" Catherine called after us as we left.

Taking out two of our best horses, we both sat on our horses and trotted towards the fields.

"What's your name?" I asked, realizing how little I know about her.

"Harlowe" She said.

Her voice was melodious and I felt as if it was meant to belong to the birds.

"I apologise for my straightforwardness early, but you don't look too happy about your marriage, now do you?"

"Oh Lady Jane, I don't think you have been unfortunate enough to see as much of this cruel world as I have seen. I have always been under my mother's thumb, plotting to secure a rich match when what I truly wished to do was to go to some small village, have a little cottage and sing. That was all I wanted, but your uncle. I shouldn't be saying this, but he is an evil man. He used me as a pawn and to some extent my mother too. He used us to gain the favour of the pope through his beloved sister"

The way Harlowe spat out her anguishes, I realised that it must've been a long time since someone asked her about her life. Her opinion didn't matter nor did she.

"Can I help you, Harlowe?" I asked.

"Forgive me, but I had expected nothing more from you. Do you really think you can help my situation? I am engaged to the Pope's nephew and there is no way out. I shall be taught the mannerisms of the noble and the lifestyle of the divine. It will probably be expected from me to be a beautiful wife with her mouth shut because the Pope's sister has been making quite a fuss about her son's marriage. People will ask, so she is the bride. I think she could've been more beautiful. No, another will contradict, she should've been angelic.
That will be my life, lady Jane, one you will never even be able to fathom"

I didn't know whether to be ashamed or be angry. And even if I wanted to be either, who should I be angry at? The helpless Harlowe who has accepted defeat? Or should I be ashamed of my uncle who is convinced this is how the world works?

Each passing day with Harlowe in Sudeley made both of us more miserable. I saw the girl I had taken horse riding vanish. She became more soft spoken, more agreeable and most of all, submissive. She did whatever Uncle Thomas asked her to do and it was like seeing a pet being trained.

Do as you are ordered to.
Do not present your opinion, there is no need for it.
Doll up and be a pleasure to the eyes.

At last, I was so fed up that I packed my bags and went to stay with Elizabeth for a week.

"It's that bad?" She chuckled when she saw the exasperation on my face.

Days with Elizabeth were better. Mary joined us two days later and then it was perfect. We three would play music, sing, dance, read, write and talk.

Mary baked all sorts of breads and pies while Elizabeth made new headpieces for us. I decided to stretch myself a bit and made a gown for each of us.

For Mary, I chose the delicate lavender and royal purple because after all, she was the eldest and the most regal of us three. For Elizabeth I chose red and orange for the strong emotions and passion she possessed and lastly for me, I chose periwinkle blue with midnight blue.

We lived peacefully until we heard the news. Edward has a bad case of cold and cough. Mary and Elizabeth brushed it off. Wasn't he always the weakling? They joked but I felt how my bones ached to do something. This was the illness which would kill him in the long run.

Knowing the future was a weird power. I knew a lot but I also knew my meddling wouldn't be very beneficial. England needed a better ruler and while it was cruel that Edward's life would be snatched away from him at such a young age, he wasn't meant to rule long. Edward wasn't a sickly child, though he looked the part. He could run for hours and climb tall mountains but this was a disease which no one would be able to cure.

"Come on Jane, it's just a cold. He will survive. Let's go to a nearby village please. I need entertainment!" Elizabeth protested.

Elizabeth had always been the most interested in the village bards and poets. She would always ask the people in her province to present their stories and songs before her and taught little children the complex art of literature.

Mary packed us some food and we left for the village in a horse drawn open carriage. The people bowed to Elizabeth and Mary and perhaps to me, but it was evident where the respect belonged. Most didn't even know me.

We reached the village and the doors to the houses were open, the children and the adults eager to see the young princesses. Mary and Elizabeth looped their hands into mine and we walked into a small pub where two young men seemed to be supplying everyone beer and warm drinks.

"Bring us some food and drinks boy!" Mary called with authority.

"Ma'am, whoever you are, you come and place your order here on the counter and take your order. We only serve the refills"

"You do not know who you're talking to" Mary rose, now angry.

"Who are you? The king? Don't underestimate me, pretty girl because you are helpless, just like the other two girls with you. We can all have our way with you, do whatever we want, make you do whatever you want and you will not be able to do anything" he smirked, trying to corner Mary.

"We are the princess royals and if you don't get away right now, you may find yourself in the darkest of the prison cells or worse, your pompous head severed from your body by my sword" I threatened.

For the first time in my life, I saw someone fear me. They understood the power of my position. Perhaps they really did need to be put into their places.