Chapter 19, October 1507
Alcázar of Segovia, Kingdom of Castile, October 1507
The wine was cool, and the air cooler. Indeed, it was rather chilly for October, but that did not stop the ball from occurring. It was a special ocassion after all, for the Portuguese Ambassador was in Castile, and had negotiated something of great importance with Catalina. She smiled wryly as she was spun around, his hand on hers,”Thank you Don Luis, you provide most charming company.”
The young man bowed gallantly,”Of course Princess Regent, I trust that your niece Catalina will be instructed with our language after she learns to speak her mother tongue?”
“Yes, I must confess that I find Portuguese to be a rather charming language myself.”
The man before her chuckled as the dance continued, and Catalina had to admit that calling the man before her charming was a bit more than just customary courtesy, it was the truth. Swarthy, tall, and athletic, he was in short, quite pleasing to the eye. Of course, Catalina could not, and would not act upon her interest in him, I am not some cheap whore who would give myself to any man, no matter how silver-tongued he may be. Still, it made her task more enjoyable, and as the final round of dancing concluded she smiled to him,”I am glad that we have been able to reach an agreement on my niece’s marriage to Prince João, it has been a pleasure Don Luis.”
Don Luis smirked at this,”The pleasure is all mine milady.”
…
The ball had ended, and Catalina was in her private apartments, her sister by her side, both of the standing women illuminated by candlelight. Suddenly, her sister smirked,”You like him don’t you?”
Surprised, Catalina attempted to deny it,”I have no idea what you speak of Juana, perhaps you had too much to drink.”
Juana chuckled,”You are a bad liar sister, I saw how you looked at Don Luis.”
Catalina shrugged,”It doesn’t matter Juana, even if I did like him, which I don’t, he is not my husband, it would be a sin.”
Juana looked at her with sympathy,”Do you intend to give up on the idea of love completely? Perhaps one day you can marry and be happy… Maybe even have children.”
Catalina shrugged,“If those things are what I need to sacrifice for a steady hand on the tiller of state, then so be it. My duty to Castile will always come first Juana.”
Juana scoffed, tears welling up in her eyes,”Look at us though. You and I are widows, Juan and Isabella are dead, the only one that is both alive and happy is Maria.”
Catalina took her older sister’s hand,”I know Juana, but now it is up to us to make our own happiness. You with Ferdinand and Catalina, and me with my responsibilities to them and Castile. We cannot help the roles God hands us, but we can try our best to help our family and the people. That Juana is how we will find happiness here…”
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