Rosette of Catalonia, Queen of Mercia, sat before the fire in her sitting room with tears rolling down her cheeks. The previous evening replayed on her mind.
Edmund, her husband of nearly twenty-four years and the only man she had ever loved, told her their marriage was at an end.
No…
He said that their marriage was an unlawful abomination before God. Since she had, had previously been married to his brother, James, and therefore never was. He turned his back on her and walked out the door. She stared at the door in shock. She could not believe such words could be over his lips. They had fought for so long and so hard to be together. They suffered through several years of uncertainty, heartbreak, and broken dreams. Rosette crumbled to the floor, sobbing into the carpet. Lady Elizabeth, her lady-in-waiting, tried to pull the Queen off the floor. After several minutes of begging and pleading, Lady Elizabeth was finally able to get her mistress to her feet. They shakily walked to the Queen’s bedchamber. Rosette collapsed into her pillow and cried more. Lady Elizabeth sat with the Queen until she fell asleep.
Rosette knew Edmund was unhappy with her. She had failed. She had borne many children in her life. Sadly, just one remained living, not the son the King desperately sought, a beautiful daughter. He was convinced only a male heir would secure his legacy and the Dynasty. Rosette had not failed her beloved, she had failed the kingdom, her family, and her country. The alliance with Alcantara depended on the success of her marriage and the production of an heir. Everything she was raised for was crumbling around her. Edmund blamed her for not giving him a son. She remembered every loss, she still felt the pain of the miscarriages, the still and the sweet eyes of those who drew breath but still did not survive. Rosette wished she could go back and save at least one. If she could just have one son, Edmund would return to her side. The love once they shared would not be lost.
The Queen stared into flames wondering, “What could I have done differently? How can I mend my marriage? Can it be mended? Is there still in his heart for me? Will he truly cast me aside? Am I doomed to pass into obscurity? What of Bethany? Will he leave her out in the cold as well? Has God forsaken us? Is there anyone out there who may help us?” “Who can save us?”
These questions spun around in her mind. She was lost. The Queen did not know what to do or what to say.
The day wore on. Her ladies were growing increasingly worried. They offered the Queen wine and food, but she would not even speak. As the evening approached, Lady Elizabeth tried one more time, “Your majesty?” she questioned. “What is it, Lady Elizabeth?” Rosette responded. “Will you, please, take your evening meal?” the Lady begged. “I have no appetite.” Rosette lamented, “I believe I will take to my bed.” she added and headed for her bedchambers. Ignoring the protests of her ladies.
The next morning the Queen did not emerge from her bedchamber. Her ladies waited but there were no signs of life. They grew more and more concerned. They wondered if they should send for a doctor. Around midday Lady Elizabeth knocked on the bedchamber door, “Your Majesty, are you unwell?” she asked. Queen Rosette refused to respond and would not come out. Lady Lucinda was afraid they may lose their Queen and decided to summon the King. By evening the Queen remained sequestered and the King had not come to see her. They knew not what could be done. Was there no one who could save the Queen and the Kingdom? They wondered.
It was on the third day around midday, when a ray of hope crept into the Queen’s apartments. The King sent a message for the Queen.
Queen Rosette,
I am writing to inform you of a new appointment to your household. She will be arriving this evening. I expect you to greet her and treat her with the utmost respect. She will be very apprehensive, please, ease her mind and make her feel welcome.
Sincerely,
Edmund IV, King of Mercia, and Menapii
Rosette was angry; angry that he would appoint a new lady to her household without consulting her. She wondered if he had tired of Josephina and found another. Was this new lady a conquest he wanted to keep close? In her mind, she decided to go along. If she could help it, the girl would not stay long. Reluctantly, the Queen allowed her ladies to dress her. She instructed them to dress her in her finest. Rosette decided to show she was STILL the Queen. In her sitting room she awaited the arrival of her new Lady-in-waiting.
A Page entered the study of the King of Mercia. He bowed, “Your Majesty, you have a visitor.” “Send them in.” the King responded, looking up from his papers. The Page motioned for the visitor to walk through the door. An older man walked through and the Page left, closing the door behind him. “Fenris Loken, it has been too long,” the King stood and rounded his desk to greet his friend. “How long has it been.” He questioned. “Nearly ten years, my old friend.” The men shook hands. “Has it really been that long?” the King asked. “Yes, it has. I have been serving my King and defending my country and I have a twelve-year-old daughter. She is brilliant and actually why I have asked to speak with you.” Fenris answered. “They grow up so fast. The last we spoke; you never mentioned a daughter. What is it that you need?” The King asked. “ I know, she was so young, and I have tried to keep her from Court. She is a very reserved but trusting girl. I know that she will be easily led by those who
The evening grew on as a carriage arrived at the palace. A young redhead stepped out followed by one of her Lady's maids. A footman met then at the door and led them to the Queen's apartments. The Queen's secretary met them at the doors outside the apartments. “Welcome, Lady Rosalina. When you meet the Queen address her as 'Your majesty'. Speak only when spoken to and keep your answers short and clear. Do you understand?” The secretary instructed. “Yes, sir.” Rosalina responded in a whisper. The secretary nodded and led the women inside. He bowed to a woman sitting in a chair in front of the fire facing the door. The older woman wore a very stern look on her face. “Your Majesty, may I introduce Lady Rosalina of Baelo Claudia and her Lady's maid, Lady Lucinda Soto.” The Secretary introduced. Rosalina stepped forward and bowed to the Queen, “ Su Majestad.” she greeted. Queen Rosette was surprised by this lady. She was much younger than anticipated and was clearly scared. This child wa
Lady Rosalina woke early the next morning in her new chambers. These chambers were much smaller than her bedchamber in her home in Alcantara. She sat up and looked around, wondering if she should dress for the day or just close her eyes and return to her home. Finally, the young lady decided that it would not be proper to be late on her first day serving the Queen. Even though the Queen was her Aunt, it would not be a good idea to take advantage of the relationship. Rosalina threw her covers off and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She sat up, stretched, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She got up crossed the room to sit in front of her mirror. She grabbed her hairbrush and ran it through her long red hair as she thought about how her life would change. A knock at the door broke her from her thoughts. “Yes?” she inquired. “It’s me, Novia. May I enter?” her ladies-maid asked through the door. “Of course, Lady Lucinda.” Rosalina responded turning towards the door with a smi
The days and the weeks passed and the young redhead found her place within the court. The Queen was happy to watch her niece growing and fitting in with the other ladies. The King found her intriguing and an honest person and friend. He really enjoyed the times that they sat together discussing all manner of subjects. Her days were spent with the Queen learning how a lady should act in court and the proper manners expected of a person of her position. The evening would be spent before the fire discussing her interests and the knowledge from books. She was also privy to information that normally would be reserved for privy council meetings. The Queen had not been allowed to attend state meetings in many years. Rosalina was asked for her opinion on sensitive issues that a lady of court was usually not even thought to understand. Edmund grew to trust Rosalina more than most, the only other person he had ever really trusted more was Rosette. She would ask
Lady Lucinda woke up the next morning worried about her mistress. She walked into her lady's chambers and found her sitting up in bed brushing through her long red hair. “How are you feeling, M’Lady?” Lucinda asked as she closed the chamber door. “I am very well. At first I was frightened but after sleeping I am very happy and ready to face what they believe they can accomplish.” Rosalina answered confidently. “You know they are ambitious and feel that they cannot be touched. That makes them very dangerous. They will do what they must, to get that power that they seek. You are nothing but an obstacle in their way to them. They have no love for you and they have no compassion for your life. You should really be careful.” Lucinda warned. “I know how dangerous they are, Luci. I cannot live my life afraid of them. In a royal court there are always those that want power and believe that they can use any means
Josephina watched as the man that swore his undying love for her looked back to the foreign bitch as if she was the only woman in the world. She also saw how happy the others were and noticed that no one was making an effort to acknowledge her. Rosalina saw the lady and decided to make nice with her. “Lady Josephina, we are going to spend the day in the gardens. Would you like for me to weave flowers in your hair like the rest of us and join the garden party?” she asked. “That would be lovely.” Josephina smiled. The ladies and the Queen looked at Rosalina questioningly, the Queen for reasons the other ladies did not understand. She simply smiled at them and said, “We will meet you all in the gardens.” The Queen nodded as did the king. The party left and Josephina picked out flowers from what had been left.
The pair left the apartments and made their way through the castle to the gardens. They found the party in the gardens on the side of the palace in the shade of the oak trees. They approached the King and Queen, Josephina noticed that the King could not take his eyes off Rosette. This upset Josephina knowing that he had never looked at her with that much devotion and love in his eyes. “Your Majesties.” Rosalina said as they bowed to the lounging monarchs. The King and Queen looked to the arrivals with smiles. “Lady Josephina, your hair looks very beautiful.” Edmund commented. “Thank you, your majesty.” she responded. “Lady Rosalina, you did well.” The Queen smiled at her niece. “Thank you, your majesty.” Rosalina smiled. Josephina went to join the other ladies. Rosette motioned for Rosalina to sit next to her. Rosalina obliged and sat to the side of her aunt. Rosette leaned over and whispered
Jospehina made her way back to the gardens. When she arrived the sun began its descent below the horizon. The garden party was making its way back to the palace led by the King holding the hand of the Queen. Josephina stood in the shadows as they passed and fell in behind the other ladies. They all expected to return to the Queen's apartments for a small evening meal. Instead the King led them into the great hall. They were in awe as they walked in and found it to have been decorated in the most beautiful flowers they had seen. Rosette recognized her favorite flowers from her home. She looked to the King with tears in her eyes. Edmund had watched her look around and smiled as tears rolled down her face. “ Happy Birthday, sweetheart.” he kissed her cheek. “ Not that I am complaining, however my birthday was a few weeks ago.” she said. “ I know and I am sorry that I missed it. I have not been kind to you nor have I re