The Tudor Rose: A New Age

Chapter 22

The next day, the castle was a buzz as they prepared for Henry's return. The royal family were busy preparing themselves as they got ready to greet their matriarch. In the Prince and Princess Regent's bedchambers, Elizabeth was behind a changing screen as her ladies helped her into a green dress. She chose a emerald green dress to represent new beginnings as her father had brought a change to their world and she was bringing new life into hers. James decided his attire was to match his wife's, to show that they were united. James stood in front of a mirror as his valet helped with his cuffs and said, hearing a slight gasp from his wife, "Everything alright, my love?" Elizabeth sighed softly as Eleanor tied the corset on her and replied, "Yes, my darling. This damned corset is a little tight is all." James nodded at the valet who bowed his head when he finished and whispered to the valet, "Thank you." He then made his way to his wife's side of the room and said, "Maybe you shouldn't wear them, my love. Dr. Linacre told me that we maybe should move the confinement a bit earlier than expected. After the last episode, he thought it would be wiser to do so." Elizabeth sighed and replied, "Of course, but not until the celebrations are over." James nodded and turned when there was a knock on the door. A chamberlain bowed to the royal couple and said to them, "They're ready for you, Your Royal Highnesses." James turned back to his wife and held his arm out to her. Elizabeth wrapped her arm around her husband's outstretched arm and placed her other hand on her small bump. The couple then left the room, followed by their attendants. They made their way to the throne room, causing a chamberlain to announce their arrival. As they passed, many of the ladies and noblemen of the court bowed and curtsied to them, greeting them with a chorus of "Your Royal Highnesses".

Queen Katherine stood in front of her throne, with her ladies surrounding her, and watched with a solemn look on her face. The couple then made their way towards her and bowed/curtsied to her deeply. After their greetings, James and Elizabeth moved off to the side to join the Sussex's, the Seymour's, and Elizabeth 2nd. Elizabeth turned to look at Mary who had her hands on her own daughter's shoulders. Six year old Cate had a bright smile on her face as she looked up at her mother, who returned the smile with her own. Elizabeth smiled at how happy her sister was with her child and looked at her own children. Lady Bryan stood off to the side with seven year old Nicholas and now one year old Katie in her arms. Nicholas felt someone staring and met his mother's gaze, smiling at her. The young prince then rushed over to Elizabeth's side, despite Lady Bryan's calling, and stood between his parents. A messenger then rushed into the room and shouted, "The King is coming!" The court prepared themselves as some of the King's progress party walked in. Then, a chamberlain walked in and tapped his staff on the ground. He shouted, "His Most Gracious and Might Majesty, King Henry the 8th!"

Henry walked in, followed by the Duke of Suffolk and other members of his progress. As he passed, the court bowed and curtsied deep out of respect. Henry smiled at the sight of his family who all curtsied and bowed to him, including Katherine. Kathrine smiled brightly as her husband walked over to her and she said, curtsying, "I am glad to see you returned, husband." Henry chuckled and replied, "I am glad to be back, wife. I trust you were able to amuse yourself while I was away?" Katherine smiled sheepishly and nodded at him, causing him to move on to the rest of his family. He stopped first in front of Elizabeth and her family, causing them to bow and curtsy. Elizabeth rose from her curtsy, her hands resting on her growing baby bump, and said, "We are so pleased to have you back at court, Your Gracious Majesty. I hope that your progress went as well as you expected it to be." Henry nodded and replied, smiling, "Of course, my dear Elizabeth. I trust all went well here?" Elizabeth nodded and said, "Despite one matter and then another  incident."  Henry looked at his eldest daughter with a questioning look, making a mental note to ask her about her slight response. Elizabeth continued, "The Queen and I had began making preparations for festivities and feasts to celebrate the victory of your progress. We shall have a feast tonight in your honor. And, I have some great news of my own." Henry raised his eyebrow and said, "Oh?" Elizabeth shared a smile with James and replied, "James and I are expecting again. And Dr. Linacre thinks that I should be confined once the celebrations are over, I'm afraid. I wanted to wait till you returned." O Henry smiled and said, "Ah, another addition to the family! I'm glad! When you get confined, I'll make sure that you have the best care possible. The best midwives, everything." Elizabeth smiled softly at her father and replied, "Thank you, Father." Henry smiled, placing his hand on his daughter's cheek, before moving on to greet the rest of his family.
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That evening, the festivities began in the throne room where Katherine and Henry sat on the thrones. James and Elizabeth sat next to them with Elizabeth on Henry's right side. Henry smiled as he laughed at something Katherine had said. James looked at Elizabeth, seeing her watch the courtiers dance, and said to her, "Would you like to dance, my love?" Elizabeth smiled brightly and nodded, allowing her husband to take her hand to lead her to the floor. Henry then turned to his wife and said, seeing her bouncing in her seat, "Would you like to dance, sweetheart?" Katherine gasped happily and nodded at Henry, causing him to laugh. The music then began and the courtiers began to dance. Henry watched his wife, eldest daughter, and son-in-law dance with a bright smile on his face. His eyes landed on his eldest daughter and her husband and watched them laugh amongst themselves. He had never been so proud of Elizabeth 1st than he was in that moment. He knew he had made the right decision in making her Princess Regent in his absence. She had kept the kingdom in check and peaceful, even making sure that the treasury and grainy were full. She also made some housing for the common people bearable and kept the church in check.

By making Elizabeth regent, she had done what Henry couldn't do and he knew that she would be a great Queen after him. If he were to die, he wanted Elizabeth 1st on the throne. Edward was too young to be King and with Mary being Catholic, that would cause war in the kingdom. As for Elizabeth 2nd, she was declared a bastard so she had no chance of sitting on the throne. As his thoughts overcome him, he hadn't noticed his wife seeking glances towards his manservant, Thomas Culpepper. Thomas had been his manservant ever since his former wife, Jane Seymour, had died. With Elizabeth 1st, she curtsied to her husband after the song had finished. James walked over to her and said to her, as they made their way to the side of the room, "Are you alright?" Elizabeth chuckled, breathing heavily, and replied, "Yes, I just need a breather. I'm just trying to enjoy some freedom before my confinement tomorrow." James just smiled softly and said, "You'll have nothing to worry about during your confinement, my love. I shall tend to all of your duties. And I shall make sure that our children and Prince Edward will be safe." Elizabeth smiled and replied, "How did I get so lucky to have a husband like you?" James just shrugged his shoulder with a cheeky grin and said, "Fate, I suppose." Elizabeth smiled and giggled as her husband brought her into a passionate kiss.