<div style="text-align: center;"><a class="postlink" href="https://i.postimg.cc/JhBwr7tN/mary-tudor.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><span style="font-family: script;"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-size: 200%; line-height: 116%;">Princess Catalina of Aragon &amp; Castile  </span></span></span></span></div><br/><br/><span style="font-family: old english;"><span style="font-size: 125%; line-height: 116%;">Catalina couldn't help the sultry look that came upon her face as Raphael traced a line along her neck. He was always so dangerously teasing. <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">''I feel as though some people are brewing an internal warfare within the walls of my palace, and that it is only but a matter of time before it wages by us,'' </span></span>his voice was quiet, menacing---leaving Cat to wonder if he already had names in mind or if his new status made him a little paranoid. Either one made her worried for him, though she did well in hiding it.<br/><br/>Before she could inquire, he had removed himself and disappointingly looked away from her.<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic"> "But tell me about you? What have you been up to lately?"</span></span> At that, the smallest frown descended upon her face. <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF80BF">"Raphael,"</span></span> she said softly, coming to him and raising her hand to cup his cheek, gently guiding him to look in her eyes, <span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold">"All Kings face such worries within court. Men take to jealousy much easier than you'd think---but I can assure you I've heard none speak ill against you within your walls."</span></span> It was likely little comfort, as most would never dare to disparage Raphael in her presence. She was, after all, a very long time friend and could be quite vicious when needed. <span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold">"You have been a kind and just King thus far and any who wish to state otherwise will find themselves in the minority. This is your Kingdom and you have always done right by your people, even before your coronation. Let none cloud you."</span></span><br/><br/>She let her hand fall away, hoping that he heard her words and found something in them to ease himself. For now, she'd let the moment go,<span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold"> "As for what I've been up to? I think I fancy myself in love with an Englishman, though I'm not sure he fancies me the same..." </span></span>Her usual carefree attitude seemed to somewhat dim and for a brief moment she did seem quite troubled in her thoughts. <span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold">"He wishes to keep our romance a secret...and I am unsure of how to feel about it. Tell me, your majesty, what is it that would make a man wish for such secrecy if he claims he so cares?" </span></span><br/><br/>Genuinely, she seemed perplexed. As well versed as she was in the social and royal setting, matters of the heart had never concerned her before. Catalina was too busy having fun to fall in love, but then the one person who made all the entertainments worth while was now a very busy, married King. And though Catalina would never dare say such a thing, she believed his marriage to be a curse towards her. It was a reminder that she was of age that she was beginning to look odd without a husband and certainly her family would tire of waiting for her to pick a suitor, and do so for her. It was a rather great fear, to be stuck in a marriage arranged. Raphael may be able to handle such a thing, but she could not. Whomever she was to be with needed to be chosen by her or she would be a very unhappy woman indeed and an unhappy Cat was a dangerous one.<br/><span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold"><br/>"I do love him so,"</span></span> she said a little wistfully, upset for some reason or another that she had developed such feelings. <span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold">"He is handsome, kind, and very skilled in all your brutish games,"</span></span> the last part was said with a teasing smile and it seemed even just speaking on the man's qualities lifted her spirits regardless of how he was the reason they fell to begin with.<span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold"> "I know I should not hope for much, and yet I find myself praying."</span></span> </span></span>