Empire of Dreams

*21*

"He's here!" Sia elbowed and pointed towards the source of the noise. I turned to see the archduke riding towards us. His dark curls contrasted the fair face and he had something about him that made you immediate want to drop in a curtsy.

I decided I would never do that.

He climbed down and walked up to, his eyes clearly scrutinizing me. I maintained eye contact though it took a lot of effort.

"I expected a lady of your position would know that she must curtsy? After all I am your fiance" he said with a smirk.

I knew at that moment this would be a difficult marriage.

"I expected from a gentleman of your position to know that the royal family never curtsies?" I replied calmly.

"But you are not the royal family, my lady. You may be third in the line to the throne, but you're a very distant relative of the royal family. There is a difference. I, however, am here to take a look at you before our marriage and I think you will make a nice Archduchess" he said it all slow and clear but I felt like slapping him the whole time.

"What makes you think I want to make you the King of England in case I do end up sitting on the throne?"

"A scandalous thought. I am now invested in this conversation"

I knew at that moment that I had said the wrong thing. I knew how it all appeared to everyone else. The rightful queens Elizabeth and Mary and then there was I, third in line to the throne, not needed but always there. If anything was to happen, of course I would be accused.

"I do not make any assumptions, I am just stating the facts. After all, third in line to throne isn't as far away as you think it to be. Do you think you have what it takes to be a king?" I asked and for the first time since we met, he was actually thinking about what I said.

I was positive that he was going to refuse. I was just a lady in a high position. I knew how fragile my golden pedastal was. One moment it was there, the other moment it could be gone.

It was not strange to the English how quick a man's mind changes. King Henry loved Catherine of Aragon but Anne Boleyn made him realise love was something very different from what he had imagined it to be. Jane Seymour may have faced untimely death, but she gave the king what the others couldn't. Anne of Cleves lived a life of peace though not as a queen while Catherine Howard was way too reckless. Aunt Catherine may have treaded with care, but she lost her beloved too, didn't she?

"I think I can handle being a King if it comes to it" he replied but it sounded like he was reassuring himself.

"That is good news. You can be the king. But I have one last question for you."

He smirked and whispered "only one?" and thought I didn't hear it though I did.

"Would you agree to be on a position lower than me if I become the Queen of England?"

That one question was enough to drain the colour from his face and laughter from his lips. He stared at me blankly, as if not believing what I had just asked but after some thought he replied,
"I don't know the answer to that my lady and I admit it. But I will say one thing. You ask the right questions to become an Archduchess"

Before I could reply to that, he mounted his horse and left. I couldn't tell if the meeting went well or poorly but I was sure he now knew what he was dealing with.

By the time we were back, it was evening. I found a seamstress in one of the rooms I passed, taking measurements to stitch gowns for Mary.

Elizabeth was in the next room, explaining something on a map to a council of cartographers. She had been very interested in cartography lately, passionately trying to find out errors in the latest maps painted.

I retreated to the palace library but was surprised to find Aunt Catherine there with little Mary.

"How did your meeting with the Archduke go?" She asked, not looking away from the book she was reading.

"It was interesting" I said truthfully before choosing a thick book on the family tree of the royal family.

"I'm trying to find some stories to tell Mary. She may not speak but she is an avid listener"

"I think I know the perfect books for that"

We spent some time trying to find out amusing stories for children before Kathyrn stormed into the library. She looked furious but before I could ask why, she slammed a book on the desk.

"What have you two done?" She wailed

"What do you mean?"we both asked at the same time.

"You know what I mean! You did something. Look at mother! What do you mean you can't understand me? You know clearly well what I'm talking about, Jane!"

"I am not sure I do know...." I replied truthfully but I immediately knew it was the wrong answer.

"Well, you stay in palaces, you run day in day out with the royals. What would you know of us!"

"Will you please clearly tell me what happened!" I snapped and Little Mary tucked her head behind Catherine's neck in fear. Poor child.

"If you even care.... Mother has been banished from the court by the king!"

"What in the heavens for?"

"Well why don't you go ask your lord then? You work for the king, don't you? I thought you would know"

"Kathyrn, you know full well I know how important this court is for mother! I would never do anything to hurt her! Why would I take away the one thing so precious to her?"

"Because you want the throne for yourself "