Can't Pretend // TSP

chapter four

The New Queen
Isabella looked at Harry as he watched his father clutch his newest daughter. He hadn't held Elizabeth since her mother's death three months ago. Over this time, Catherine had tried to convince Harry to marry her but he had only grown apart from both princesses. Isabella and Catherine. Ella understood his feelings.

Isabella felt as if she had lost her mother all over again. Even if she and Lizzie hadn't been seeing eye to eye in the last few months since Catherine arrived, she had still raised and her made her a better person.

Today, Henry had revealed he had an announcement. Everyone was prepared and nervous. Even his own mother looked shaky and worried about this.

"On my wife's deathbed she made me promise something to her. A dying woman's wish is more powerful than any God or human man." Henry said,
"So, I will honour my wife by marrying Princess Isabella, the heir to Spain."

Isabella felt her face go warm and she looked at Harry who just got up and stormed out. Catherine was obviously pleased. But what she didn't realise is Henry would have an alliance with Spain through Isabella and no longer needed Catherine. She'd return home and his eldest daughter Jacquetta would be returned to England. And Isabella would be a Queen.

"Your majesty..." Isabella ran before anyone could stop her.

Out in the fresh air of the castle she hid under a tree and broke out into tears. She knew even if she married Henry their first child would one day rule Spain.

"Izzy?" Rosa looked at the distressed princess, "what's wrong, majesty?"

"I'm forced to marry someone I hate!" Isabella spat out

"Who?" Rosa sat hugging her

"Henry!" She cried

"Princess Isabella?" It was Eleanor and Clara

"Yes" Rosa waved them over

"I heard the news you're to be my stepmother..." Eleanor seemed gutted

"I apparently am." Isabella gulped

"We can help get you out of it." Harry was behind them

"How?" Harry took Rosa's place and the three girls watched them

"We can fight for our love, El." He softly whispered

"Your father will never allow it." Ella cried

"Convince him." Harry smiled and an idea popped into Isabella's head.

—————

Isabella knew it would take a while to convince Henry so she started by dining with him. Talking and creating a fatherly bond so it would be harder for him to marry her. After all, he had raised her since she was little.

"Are you excited to see Jacquetta again?" Isabella had heard news her ship had already left

"I haven't seen her in so long. She was barely awake when I placed her on the boat and watched her go." Henry spoke sadly, "but yes."

"My sister has told me she looks more Spanish then English but the same goes for me. I am more English. Props to you and Elizabeth for raising me." Henry cleated his throat as she finished her sentence.

"Yes well Lizzie liked things precise." Henry laughed

"Indeed she did." Isabella smiled

—————

Dinner had been successful. He couldn't seem to look her in the eye and Harry would speak to him tomorrow morning to try and win him over. Maybe Eleanor could help later. But it was coming closer to the time for Meg to also leave and that's what kept Ella up at night.

"I'm going to miss you Meg." Ella rolled over to Meg

The two girls decide to have one last sleepover but Eleanor had declined preparing for Jacquetta.

"As am I." Meg sadly promised

"At least you may see Jacquetta before you go..." Isabella pointed out, "and my wedding"

"I'm sorry" Meg sorrowfully said

"I know. I am too." The two girls smiled

"Want to steal some food?" Eleanor was poking her head through the door.

Meg and Ella looked each other. Ran out of bed and followed Eleanor to the kitchens being quiet. Once inside they ate some food but soon enough a food fight had started. Flour was everywhere. On Meg and Ella. They both realised Eleanor was still clean so they grabbed her and threw her into the flour mess.

Henry opened the kitchen door angrily.

"Who's in here?" He bellowed

"I am your highness." Ella smiled turning on the light

Henry looked at his two daughters and future wife and realised he couldn't marry her. She was still a child. But his mind went back to Elizabeth and her promise.

"You woke baby Beth up." He shook his head, "Meg go look after your sister. Eleanor go find someone to clean this up and Isabella go back to your chambers."

The girls scurried out but Henry grabbed her hand.

"You cannot act like this, Isabella. You are the future Queen of England and one day Spain." He said

"I know. I'm sorry, Your Grace." Isabella curtsied and left.

Had she been more courageous she would have told him to shove up into his nice place. She loathed the idea of being his wife. His Queen. Whilst Catherine adored this. She had gotten closer to Harry.

—————

The castle was busy preparing for Jacquetta's arrival when Harry had opened his father's door and sat down.

"I wish to speak with you father. On an upmost important matter of state." Harry spoke

"What is it boy?" Henry asked

"I wish to marry Isabella." He cleated his voice

"I am marrying Isabella." Henry yelled

"But you don't love her. Her heir will not be the King of England only Spain. And her sister will not allow it. They'll start war over you marrying her. But if she married me, her heir would be King of England and Spain. And whose to say she even will rule Spain. Joanna seems to get ill and get better. By the time she dies, her son could rule!" Harry screamed back

"I don't care. I wish this wasn't the way. I wish I could say no. But it's your mother's dying wish!" Henry went quiet

"My mother wouldn't wish this for a thousand years." Harry left.

It was no use. Isabella had to be the one to convince Henry that they would never be happy.