Masquerade || The Tudors ||

°Arrival

Isabella was in a carriage having only just docked an hour ago her ladies Bianca and Lucrezia sat on opposite sides of her as they all played cards to occupied themselves.

"What do you think he will be like? "Bianca asked, Isabella looked up from her cards.

"I suppose he is like any other man who is a king." Isabella said plainly at her friend.

"Oh?" Lucrezia raised an eyebrow inviting her friend to elaborate. "What I mean is he has wanted nothing more than a male heir since the moment the crown was placed on his head, I do not believe that has changed or will ever change. I believe he is a man that would burn his own kingdom to the ground just to have a son." Isabella states as she takes a card from the deck.

"If you truly believed that why on earth would you put forth the idea of marrying him?" Bianca asked terrified of what her friend just said for what would he do if she failed to give him a son.

"Because like most men he can be brought to his knees by simply showing him something irresistible or threatening the thing he values most." Isabella shared a sly smirk with Lucrezia who listened silently only nodding along. "I have done both."

"Oh, clever but isn't it terrifying to know once you're married your fate rests in the hands of that monster, what if he plots to have you killed after you give him a son " Bianca asked gripping Isabella's hand.

"My dear friend, there are more ways for a woman to make herself indispensable that just bearing sons."  Isabella assured.

"And besides if any harm or dishonor should come our dear friend's way by the king or anyone else his Holiness shall unleash the wrath of God." Lucrezia joked but they all knew it was the truest of statements.

After three agonizing hours the carriage came to a holt, Isabella peeked out the glass to see the majestic palace before her.

The carriage door opened, and the unfamiliar face of an English lord greeted the three women. "Good day your grace, I am Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk. I am to escort you to you chambers." The duke said as he offered Isabella his hand.

"Good day to you to your grace, and when will I be meeting my intended."
Isabella inquired as she exited the carriage. "Tonight, my lady at the banquet being hosted in your honor." Charles answered leading Isabella into the palace.
 
Isabella's Pov

This palace was different from the one I had lived in my whole life it was grey and colorless and positively dull. I was greeted by many people in the halls some look curious, and others whispered amongst each other.

Charles opened the door of my new room it was divided into two rooms one for entertaining and having audiences and another that would be my actual bedroom. "These are your chambers if there is anything you wish to change call on me, and it shall be removed. The kings chambers are right down the hall."

"Thank you, your grace."

"Please it is Charles. "

"Oh well you must call me Isabella i have a feeling we are to be good friends. "

"Indeed your- Isabella."

Once everything was unpacked my ladles in waiting helped me into an English styled dress that was sure to impress the king. My long blonde hair hung in lose curls cascading down my back.

"You look wonderful" Bianca said amazed as she smoothed my dress "thank you."

There was a brief knock on the door before Charles walked into the room and bowed respectfully " my lady Isabella I am to escort you to the throne room I nodded and took his arm as we walked, we walked through the corridor with many yet again gossiping as we passed.

We stopped at a large wooden door where we were announced to everyone." Give way to her grace Isabella Sforza duchess of Milan and his grace Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk!"

We walked into the crowded throne room as the people curtsey and bowed respectfully but I had paid no mind to them instead look straight at the king who sat on a high podium in the middle of the room. The king had dark reddish hair and a hard look on his face, he had not yet seen me as he was conversing with who I'm guessing is cardinal Wolsey by account of his crimson red robes.

We stopped in front of the podium where the king sat, and Charles cleared his throat gaining his Majesties attention. I let go of Charles hand as he walked toward the podium to stad beside the king "Your Majesty, may I introduce her grace, Isabella Sforza."

I made a deep curtsey which was sure to stroke his enormous ego "your gracious Majesty" I said remaining in my curtsey as I looked at him through my eyelashes. The king walked over to me and offered a hand "it is an honor my lady" I stood gracefully and grinned " the honor is mine your Majesty" I whispered in a barely noticeable seductive tone. I walked with him to the podium where his throne was and next to it was a slightly smaller throne "it is my greatest pleasure to introduce to you her grace Isabella Sforza, the next queen of England!" The king shouted before kissing my hand seeming to forget his mistress Anne who was on the other side of him.

Henry's Pov

As I was talking with Wolsey about the demands of the pope for my wedding to that Italian Duchess our conversation was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. I looked away from Wolsey to the person Infront of me it was Charles my closest friend with an unfamiliar beauty with golden hair. Charles walked up to my throne snapping me out of my trance "Your Majesty, may I introduce her grace, Isabella Sforza."

She took to a deep curtsey "your gracious Majesty" she whispered remaining in curtsey. I made my way over to her and offered a hand "tis an honor my lady" I said offering her a hand she stood gracefully and smiled sweetly " the honor is mine your Majesty" she whispered which sent chills down my spine. I lead her to the podium where our thrones stood "it is my greatest pleasure to introduce to you her grace Isabella Sforza, the next queen of England!" I shouted before planting a kiss on her knuckles.

"She is beautiful" a lady remarked from beside jane as Henry planted a kiss on the knuckles of his new fiancé. She couldn't help but glare at Isabella with envy, she is more beautiful than jane she is richer than jane she is taller than jane and more pius than jane she is the most desired lady in all of Christendom and jane is like every other English lady.

Lucrezia and Bianca caught the look jane was giving Isabella and knew from then on, that jane was not as sweet as the reports said.

As the evening continued many lords and ladies congratulated the king and duchess on their impending nuptials some even worked up the courage to ask Isabella to dance but none were the king who spent the night boasting about his previous and current mistress. things were getting boring that is until lord Seymor and his daughter jane Seymor approached." your majesty, your grace. allow me to congratulate you on engagement and offer my daughter as lady in waiting to her grace." lord Seymor spoke directly to the king while his daughter devoted her attention to glaring at Isabella who paid no mind to her. "I think that would be a wonderful idea my lord, I think lady jane and I shall become fast friends." Isabella chimed turning to face jane with a smirk. "You do?" jane asked confused as was Henry. "Yes, perhaps you might teach me the ways of the English court" jane smirked "yes i suppose a lady such as yourself might have trouble fitting in" jane looked Isabella up and down condescendingly." yes I rather think it's strange trying to fit into a place where ladies dishonor themselves left and right." Isabella chuckled through gritted teeth. "Then its settled." lord Seymor bellowed.