Breaking The Cycle

"You are Queen Katherine?" he ask. I nodded. 

"Yes, I am Queen of England. Wife of Henry VIII. Mother to the true heiress of the kingdom." I said and continued. 

"You were so taken by me earlier. I had no idea anyone would be so kind to me if they knew nothing of my true identity". 

"Catalina... Your majesty you are a wonderful woman, no matter Queen or commoner". 

"Please, call me Catalina. I give you permission to call me by my true name".

"I am honored to have the pleasure to call you by your true name. May I be so bold and ask you for your companionship?" he still treated me fairly. Everyone else would do anything to please me and show me false emotions. Now I have this honest man in front of me asking for my companionship. 

"Ofcourse, I would enjoy your companionship". I said kindly. 

After another hour of Alejo and I telling each other of our childhoods in Spain, and getting to know each other, Lady Jane came in and announced that dinner was served. During dinner, I can be myself. We laughed and talked about everything ranging from our lives to children. After dinner we had strawberries, fruit pastries and sweet wine for desert. Lady Jane even went out of her way to get pomagrantes for 
 desert. Alejo and I had to show her how to eat them. The wine was very good and it tickled my nose. Soon it was almost 7 and we prepared to leave. I said my goodbyes to Alejo and he did the same. Then Jane and I were off to WhiteHall palace. 

By the time we arrived it was a little past nine. I went straight to my apartments. I dismissed Lady Jane on the way, I just wanted to be alone. Nearing my rooms, I bumped into Anne Boleyn. 'Why was she walking the halls at this hour'. I thought to myself.  

"Your majesty". She said as she curtsied. 

"Ah, Anne Boleyn. Been with my husband have you?" I ask in a calm tone. She looked down with shame. 

"Get out while you still can. You are still young, there are plenty young men out there. All my husband will do is hurt you, and in the end you will be in the same position as I am". I said sincerely. No woman should go through what I am going through, not even my enemy. I left her with my words and left for my apartments. I was in the middle of taking my dress off when Henry burst through the door. I quickly put back on my dress and faced him. 

"Where were you?" He calmly ask me. 

"I was invited to Brookfield by Lady SiVad, I'm sorry for comming home so late". I said truethfully. He took a deep breath and looked at me annoyed. 

"Why did you tell Anne all I will do is hurt her?" he asked. I was so tired of being sick and tired. His unkindness is taking it's toll.  

"Because eventhough I dislike her no woman should be a battered wife". I said boldly. 

"Battered wife". He repeated. His face contorted into a scowl. 

"Yes, battered wife. You are not the man I married. You used to love me, now you have me fearing for my life". I said to him. His eyes widened.  

"I did love you. You always find a reason to piss me off, and you had no right to tell Anne that. You will do anything to destroy Anne and I. You are only jealous because with Anne I shall bring forth a prince". He seeth. 

"You love throwing that in my face don't you. You have only come to my bed twice in the past two years. Maybe if you did your DUTY as MY husband and visit my chambers more often, I would have a child in my womb!" I yelled. He closed in and slapped me so hard that I fell to the floor. Grabbing me by my arms he through me on my bed and slapped me again. 

"Oh, so it's my duty to come to your bed". He mocked. "You wish I would come to your bed, huh! Then you shall get your wish!!" he roared. I looked at him in fear, uncontrolible rage was on his face. Henry grabbed my dress and tore it off me. I screamed in fear, then he slapped me again. "SHUT UP! All you ever do is whine and complain! I will teach you a lesson you shall never forget!" he hollared. I was fighting him and he took both my wrists and held them over my head with one of his hands. 

"Please husband, not like this. Please don't". I begged through tears. With his free hand he undid his breeches and exposed himself. He then grabbed at my corset with both hands. I tried so very hard to push him off of me, he is so much stronger than me. He managed to rip off my corset so hard that he tore it. I finally pulled one of my hands free and I slapped him across his face. He punched me in my side so hard that I though he broke a rib. I screamed as pain sored through me. No one would hear me, I dismissed my ladies for two days and Lady SiVad was in her own apartment. I fight him with all my strength as he rips and tears at my chemise, when my breast were exposed he takes them in his mouth and handles me roughly. 

"Stop. Please I love you". I said as tears ran down my face. I could not believe what he was doing to me. 

Jane SiVad

I went to the Queen's chambers to thank her for her presence at Brookfield. When I entered her outer chambers, I could not help but hear a struggle in her bedchambers. I heared the Queen plead with the king not to take her by force. I became afraid for her. I never felt so helpless in my life. It would be treason to hurt the king so I had no choice but to stay put and hope and pray he did not kill her.

Queen Katherine 

I cried. Henry is putting me through so much pain. I am being brutally raped by my own husband. He tries to pry my legs open as I struggle to keep them close. He hits me on my legs and grabbs at my breasts. He slaps me and the pain was too much for me to keep strength in my legs. Henry finally forces them apart. I still fight as he puts his hips between my legs. He enters me roughly. I scream at the pain and punch him in the chest. He again holds my hands above my head. I was in so much pain. He released my rists and took himself out of me. He force me to lay on my stomach and took me from behind. His body was on top of mine as he pulled my hair then forcefully held my head down. I cried as I felt him deepen himself into me. The room was getting dark from the dieing candles. He pulled my hair and I screamed. After a while I gave up. I stopped fighting and let him take me. Soon his thrust was rougher. Then I felt it. I felt his seed spill into me, and his waist deepened in me. My husband callapsed on top of me breathing hard. A few minutes later he pulled himself out of me. I slowly turn on my back my torn chemise was barely covering my nakedness. I shivered from fear. 

King Henry

As I pulled myself out of her she turned around and covered herself with her torn chemise. What have I done. I just raped the woman I thought I did not love. She shivers. I fixed my breeches and I took quick looks at her. 

"Dammit Katherine! Look at what you make me do!" I screamed. I felt so confused. I slowly backed up and left her bedchambers. As I find my way out of her outer chambers I noticed I was not alone. Lady Jane SiVad was standing in a corner. I locked eyes with her. I then left for my own chambers. 

Jane SiVad

The king came out and looked at me. I froze. I could not believe it. I, Princess Perseus froze over a lowly king's hard gaze. The king looked at me for a second and left the Queens' chambers. I quickly went to the Queens' door and knock softly. No answer. I opened the door slowly. Her majesty was sitting on her bed rocking slowly. My heart broke. She was covering herself with her torn chemise. She had tears in her eyes, that were rolling down he face. I went over to her slowly. She was quiet, I don't think I heard her breathe. At her feet I could see the remains of her dress and corset. She had a look of fear in her eyes. I decided she should not stay in her chambers. I will have the other ladies clean up. Slowly I slid off my cloak and put it around her shoulders. She allowed me to fasten it around her. I then had her slowly stand up. I placed the hood over her head and we left her chambers. 

Queen Katherine

Jane SiVad, my Lady in waiting came in after the king. She put her cloak on me and help me get up and she led me out of my chambers and brought me to her own. She took me to her bathing chamber. Her bath tub was filled with scented water and rose pedals. 

"You majesty, please let me bathe you". She said softly and quiely. I let her take the cloak off me. I felt sticky between my legs. I felt so ashamed, and dirty inside. As Jane help me get in the bath tub, I felt the warmth of the water embrace me.  

"He told me he would never hurt me". I said quietly. 

"Your majesty, you do not deserve to be put through such tramatic events. Perhaps you should confide in your nephew the emperor".

"No, please. Promise me that you will not speak of this". She hesitated and nodded. 

"Let me hear you say it". I said, wanting a verbal promise.  

"I promise I will not speak of it". I nodded and she gently washed my back. The water was very warm and soothing. I picked up a rose pedal and held it close to me as Jane bathed me. After she dressed me in a warm silk chemise, she asked it I wanted to sleep in one of her guest rooms. 

"Yes thank you Lady SiVad. I do not think I am ready to step back into my chambers". 

"All is well my lady, you can stay in my apartments as long as you like". Jane said. I nodded, as she showed me the guest room. It was beautiful and comfortable. The bed had silk fabrics and seethrough bed curtains with golden embroidery. The room itself was comfortable. 

"Please, will you stay until I fall asleep". I asked not wanting to be alone. 

"Ofcourse". She said as she sat in a chair near the bed. As I lay in the comfortable bed, sleep slowly took me whole.
                        •••
I woke up early the next morning. I was very sore from...I could not even speak of it. I rose slowly, I could still smell the scented rose water on my skin. Today, I had to do my Queenly duties, and I will avoid the king at all cost. I could not bare the site of him. 

Jane SiVad 

I had a long night. I have never been in such a predicament before. The king raped the Queen. I am so disgusted with the him. I should have done something, I should have helped her. 

"Your majesty". My servants say, taking me out of my thoughts. I turn around and her majesty came from her room. I rose and curtsy deeply. 

"Would your majesty like some breakfast before mass?" I asked. 

"Yes please." She said in a soft voice. As she passed by I could smell the rose water scent. I am glad I had the servant draw me a bath. I had my page girl go to the Queen's chambers and get dresses and other delicates for her. She came back with her things and a gift the King sent her. The gift was a small box, it was nicely decorated. 

"His majesty has sent a gift". The Queen looked up from her breakfast in shock. 

"Give it to me". She said. My page girl gave it to her. The Queen opened the box, there was a new rosary inside. 

One Month Later
Queen Katherine

I have been waiting for it. It has not come, and it's five days late. I have heard of women, at my age, whose bleedings start to dry up. Maybe that is what's happening now. Yes. I am going through another phase in my life. I have been away from my apartments for a month. Jane says she told the rest of my ladies not to worry and continue their duties. Today I felt a little i'll. Dizzyness came over me this morning but I mannaged. I dicided to take a walk in the gardens. The smell of the roses and daffadills sweet scents filled my nostrills as I inhaled deeply. Unfortunately I ran into the king while there. As soon as I saw him I quickly stopped walking. He saw me and I turned around. 

"Katherine". He calls my name and walked to me. 

"Ladies the Queen and I need to speak in private". My ladies curtsid and left. Lady Jane hesitated but I gave her a reasuring smile and nod. 

"Katherine, I wish to apologize to you". He said as he took my hand. "I do not know what came over me that night. I did not mean to hurt you, are you well?" he says as he kissed my cheek, and he put his lips against mine and I quickly backed away. 

"Please". I whispered. 

"Do not pretend you love me only to return to your whore". I said with my eyes trained on the ground. 

"I do love you, your the mother of my children". I looked him in his eyes. He said children and not child. He was speaking of all six of our precious children.  

"I need to be excused". I said as my stomach churned. I walked hurriedly to Lady Jane's apartments and went straight to the bath chamber and emptied my stomach in the waste bucket. I was so tired after that, I had to lie down and rest. Review!!