Son of Hope

Chapter thirty eight - Teaching the future

Sebastian stood by my side and little Edward on my lap as we watched Hope recite what she had been learning in her studies.

"I fight, you fight, he fights." Catherine tested our daughter. Hope thought for a moment.

"Pugno...pugnas, pugnat." she answered " pugnamus, pugnatis, pugnant." I smile proudly and clap before standing

"Haha. Well done my daughter. We shall make a worldly scholar out of you yet." I knelt down and kissed her cheek then rose back to my feet "Your Mama tells me that you and your brother are to receive a tutor from Spain. He sounds quite impressive. Soon the two of you shall be teaching your little brothers or little brother and sister. Who knows." I rested my hand to the unborn babe my wife now carried. The doors opened and Stafford entered and bowed

"Your majesty. The arrests have been made in Blackfriars." I hummed in acknowledgement and move to rest my hand on Sebastian's head.

"What matter is this you speak of Stafford?" Catherine inquired

"Ah, heretics , your grace, that started out of Saxony." he answered.

"Martin Luthers reformists. They say the Pope is not holy and the King is not anointed by God." I roll my eyes at such sentiments and return to sitting.

"Indeed your grace." Stafford confirmed "oh, any your majesty that milksop from Scotland requests and audience. I let out a laugh.

"Seriously?" Stafford nodded "He's dared to come here? Now this I have to see. Don't you sweetheart?" I ask my wife as I had Edward back to his nurse. then look to my two eldest. I crouched down.

"Who would like to see how Papa deals with Mean Aunt Meg's husband?"

"Me!"

"Come on then." we head to the council chambers and have the children stand to the side of me. Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus is brought in and bows. I sit there resting my chin on my hand.

"You wished to see us.."

"I did, your majesties. To petition you to help me with your sister and my wife the Dowager Queen." he answered and I gestured for him to continue "My wife divides kingdoms with her arrogance. She creates bad humour within our land. She is openly hostile towards you, your grace...your majesty" he corrects himself.

"Margaret may even incite more violence against the English." he added

"My love, Meg doesn't want a war." Catherine voiced "The Earl has personal grievances which he attempts to drag you into."

"Have you met my sister, she is a walking war." I grumble and the children giggle "Correction a walking disaster and war and chaos."

"She's asked the Pope to annul our union." Angus continued and I raise an eyebrow "To declare our marriage illegitimate."

"And your surprised by this course of action?" I question "The two of you enticed one another with romance and poetry thinking the world would bend to your love and will. Putting my nephews in danger in a land that already thought having a English Queen as regent was too imposing. I could have told you that pursuing her would be your downfall." I shrugged

"This plan is futile." Catherine scoffed

"Agreed." I nodded to my wife "She married you in Gods eyes and that cannot be undone. Your stuck with her. Unless...the Pope decides otherwise but even then why would he." I had a intruding thought which i saw to rid myself of.

"This fool is ill news, my love. He upsets our little Prince." I glance to her rubbing her belly. I take her free hand and pull to kiss it

"Return to Scotland, and warn my sister that should she bother us anymore with her antics she will not only be disowned but any of her letters or emissaries aside from my nephews will be hung drawn and quartered." he went to speak but Stafford cut him off

"You have been dismissed, my lord." Angus bowed and was escorted out

"Lina please be kind enough to return the children to their brother." Lina curtsied and took the twins out. I shook my head in dismay.

"Such talk of waging war on the sanctity of waging war on Marriage. That this could even be raised to pollute this court."

"Rest your mind, my love. We will not let my unfortunate sisters folly harm you or our child. I bid you cast it from your mind and let me handle such matters. Rest." she kissed me then left while i made my way to Stafford.

"I have a task for you." he turned to me fully

"What is it that you ask of me?" he inquired

"To help me so dis content with my sister and use the idiot to do it. The Pope can hardly grant an annulment if my sister requests it on immoral grounds." He clicked to what i was insinuating.

"Yes, your majesty." he bowed his head and went to catch up with the Scottish Earl. I hummed to myself.