Son of Hope

Chapter Fifteen - Kingly Duties

I was getting a headache, the council members were arguing with one another about their part in my Grandmothers indiscretions.

"I, for one, question the measures implemented by this man Dudley...."

"As I recall, you were in favour of..."

"Enough!" I slam my hand one the table "Sit down, now." they did as they were ordered and I sighed

"You are like a room full of trapped bees, you're giving me a headache." I huff out then look to my Chaplin "Wolsey, you remain silent unlike the rest of them. What makes you different?" he closed the book he was glancing over

"Because I know my guilt, your Grace. I knew the levies were unjust but I did nothing because i wished to curry favour with the King and his mother. As we all did." he admitted. I hummed as i felt Catherine rest her hand on my shoulder

"I should hang the lot of you."

"Spoken like a true King, Edward." the hissing tones of my grandmother reached my ears and i turned my head to her. Everyone raised from their seats. "And you should start by casting out that harlot from the palace." she pointed to Catherine.

"Leave." I order

"Her closest Lady swears on the Holy cross that her marriage to your brother was a full one, consummated daily over many, many months."

"I said leave us!" the all ushered out

"She is no maid! She is a liar and a fortune hunter! She cannot be your Queen! It's against God's law!" she rattled on

"Harry get them out." Harry stood and shoved them all out of the room giving it to us

"You brought evil to this great house the day you came here, but you will not drag us into ruin." I sigh as another fight between them ensued

"This is a lie. Lina did not say this because it isn't true." Catherine insisted

"Well, then bring her to me. Where is she? Lina can swear upon my cross the truth she wishes to divulge." Grandmother shook her head slightly "I said bring her to me"

"Where is she now?" Catherine questioned and went out of the door "What have you done to her? Guards!" she called leaving I turn to my grandmother

"You tread on a very thin rope." i point to her "Harry, she does not leave your sight." he nodded and I left with Catherine. We were taken to where the soldiers were stationed and arrived just as Oviedo was about to be hanged and Lina crying out for him

"Stop it! Cut him down" Catherine yelled

"Do it." i oder. Oviedo dropped down and Lina ran over to comfort him. I turned to the men

"What in God's name happened here?" I inquire "Who ordered this?!" there was no answer and I walked over to Lina and crouched before her and Oviedo

"Lina, Lina look at me." I tore her attention away "Tell me, who did this."

"It...it was your grandmother...she accused him of stealing something which was given." she wept and i hugged her for a second before standing up. This was the last straw.

"Make sure they are taken care of. Come, Catherine." I stormed out of the barn and back into the palace to find my brother and Lady Grandmother. They stopped

"Oveido has been released." Catherine stated

"The Saracen stole a book of hours from me. He's a criminal." She defended

"Why would he steal a catholic book of prayers, Lady Grandmother? He does not share our faith, he is Muslim. And you once more are lying." I say

"This has no bearing on what her Lady Lina de Cardonnes, confessed to me, that she lay with your brother."

"On the contrary it has every bearing, because the man she loved was sentenced to die. Love can make you do stupid things, turn your mind against others. There is not a instrument of torture i the tower that could extract a false confession any quicker."

"There will be no wedding. You have no dispensation." she sauntered off leaving us drained. I take Catherines waist and kiss her head.

---------

Lina came rushing in a couple of hours later telling me that the Pope had granted dispensation many weeks ago. This knowledge was hidden by my grandmother. Harry brought her to us.

"Lady Grandmother, the Pope has confirmed that he sent a dispensation for my wedding. I must assume that his first communication on the subject was lost or destroyed."

"I..." she was lost for words.

"We choose to have a private wedding in the Church of the Observant Friars in Greenwich." Catherine informed her taking my arm

"you will not attend."

"Edward, no." she wept "You are my grandson, I have helped educate you, empower you, love you."

"You did all those things for Harry, not I. That was given to me by my late mother. But for the sake of the love my brother holds for you, I will ease the harshness of my punishment for your deceit and dangerous activity towards the crown. You are to be confined to your chambers for the rest of your days, A priest will visit you daily to give you chance to confess your many sins. Harry and my other siblings may chose to visit upon you but i will not. Take her away." she was escorted out

-3rd Person-

The palace made quick work of preparing for a royal wedding. Edward and Catherine themselves were made ready. Harry himself looked on the day with a somber expression but chose to put bad feelings aside and be happy for his brother. He prayed in the chapel when Catherine came in. He turned around

"Catherine.": he spoke and turned properly

"I had a letter from my father. He congratulates me on choosing the right brother, because to have married you would have been a mistake. He tells me that my sister Joanna, she says you lay with her." Catherine voiced

"What?"

"Is it true?" she questioned directly

"Of course it isn't. I wouldn't have done that to you." Catherine watched his features and as he spoke the side of his right eye twitched. She had watched him closely and whenever they had spoken it had never done that. yet now... "I loved you. I would have sacrificed everything for you if you hadn't have chosen my brother."

"In all the time that i have known you, I've never known you to lie, yet you just did." She turned to walk away

"If I lied have you?" he questioned and she turned back around "Did you lie with Arthur."

"No. I have said repeatedly and it has not changed. I am a maid and soon I will be your sister in law." She left him and made her way to her destiny as Queen of England.