Son of Hope

Chapter Twenty Two - I seek reassurance

That night, Lizzie and I rode to the church where she once took sanctuary with mother and the rest of the family. She then opened the gate that lead onto the river and threw objects tied to string and held out her hand. Turning to me she gazed up.

To find if you are cursed you must chose a thread. Happiness or sorrow. Choose." my fingers flittered across the threats she held until I picked one"Are you sure?"

"Yes." I nodded and she took a place cutting the others and letting the river take them away. I pulled on the one i held till up came two objects. "Baby spoons."

"Turn them over." I did

"Sebastian and Hope." I read out and felt a surge of happiness Elizabeth took my hands and turned them over

"They are engraved with the vines of life, etched around them they will grow and thrive. Your vision will come to fruition at last." she smiled

"I'm not cursed."

"if you ever were." she cupped my cheek "Life and loss are what shape us, we all go through it and sometimes the pain is too much to bear it feels like we are cursed. But what you saw will happen as long as you keep to your promise and your path."

"I swear I will." I nodded dutifully.

"Then we shall return and i will stay the night before returning home." we both rode back to the palace and I entered my chambers where Catherine was waiting for me.

"Come Edward, I am impatient." She laid their in her night gown as I lowered my cloak and sword down to onside "It takes a great King to quench provocation." she slips off and comes over as I remove my shoes. She then looses my breeches as I grab her waist and we move over to the bed.

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Aunt Lizzie spend some time with my other siblings before leaving, while i attended to business. Then I waited in the hall for Catherine to attend the privy council. She entered with Belyn and Stafford in tow. I bowed my head to her and we took our seats.

"Chaplin Wolsey."

"Your Grace." he stepped forward.

"Will you delight us today with more schemes to ally England to her enemies."I chuckled with the other men at my wife jest.

"My wife has your card marked, Wolsey and see's right through you." I humm in amusement "Your services will not be needed today, you are dismissed form council." I added

"Your Grace I..."

"That will be all Chaplin. And don't forget to close the doors behind you." he looked indignant but bowed and left closing the doors behind him "Now onto actual business. While it pains me to admit it, the Chaplin is right."

"Brother?" Harry questioned

"Our alliances have done us little favour since making them. While Ferdinand is in his grandson's place Spain is a chokehold on us. Defy's and torments us at every turn as of late. Though it has cross my mind to dissolve the marriage between our sister and Charles, it cannot be the only one."

"What do you propose, your grace?" Stafford wondered

"Catherine, write to your nephew and father. They will not have my sister in marriage till Charles agrees and fulfils out a demand. Charles must wed and live with Mary here in England for at least two years. And a dowry will not be paid until your father passes, he will not see any English gold while he lives as penance for his betrayal." I stated rubbing my thumb and finger together

"In addition I propose that my youngest sister Elizabeth be married to King Louis of France. I will send a letter to the King proposing this."

"My lord can I ask how such a alliance benefit England?" Stafford questioned

"Louis is old and frail, he won't survive much longer. Elizabeth marrying him buys us time to restore our depleted supplies across all aspects. Buy the time he meets his maker and with supplies from Charles and Maxamillian we will have restored our shortage and be ready to march again should the need arise. Elizabeth has already agreed and will fulfil her duty as my sister and a daughter of England." they all looked uncertain.

"England has been scavenging for years. The battle of Bosworth and the rebellions that the late King and Queen faced left us helpless and surrounded on all sides. We cannot afford another war at this time. We must swallow our pride and bitterness and make nice where possible. At least till we have the advantage that we can all go back to fighting like rabid dogs once more if we have to." I stood and they did the same "This solution is the lesser of evils. You are dismissed." the bowed and exited while I turned to Catherine.

"I know we both still grieve over our loss and that there is some ill feelings. But I need your support in this. Kingdoms have fallen for less and we are only two generations in to the dynasty we hope to make. Don't fight me on this."

"Edward, do you blame me?" she questioned and I sighed "Answer me."

"Yes. Yes a part of me does blame you for the loss of our son. After losing Henry I thought you would be more cautious, quell the warrior inside of you when needed. Yet you rode into battle; you tried to be me when I was not there, had you not been with child I would have commended you with a year of celebrations and stories." she looked down ashamed "There is pressure on us, on me to have not just a healthy and flourishing child but a son. A son to rule after me when I am gone. You are my partner and keeper in this endeavour and you would have played Isabella's daughter than Edwards wife."

"I am sorry."

"I know you are, and I know these feelings will pass eventually but the loss of our son is still raw and though we carry on and wish to conceive again of which I'm sure will happen, I need you to give me time and a little space to heal like you need to. Do your duty as Queen in other aspects and leave what I should be doing, to me." she nodded and I left her there