<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: 115%; line-height: 116%;">It was a glorious, wonderful, absolutely stunning day! At least that was how Catalina felt as she rode along through the lush, green gardens, unabashedly making her way to her friend---King Raphael (whom she had only spotted a minute or so ago). The man, of course, was on foot. Cat was too lazy to go gallivanting across the expansive gardens on foot. Her dress would be ruined by the morning dew, she had told the stableboy. So the boy saddled up her a rather nice mare and sent her on her way. For his troubles she flicked him a gold piece, likely making his entire year if his glowing smile was anything to go by. Truly she wished she could appreciate a gold piece as much as he.<br/><br/>The young Princess's morning had gone rather well. It consisted of the typical things--being scrubbed down by other hands (thank god Raphael was setting a more hygienic tone in his lands), giggling into a wine cup at breakfast, attending mass (and trying desperately to not look bored). Somewhere along the lines the woman had decided she needed fresh air. As much as she enjoyed the interior of the castle, she was tired of all the boorish men who kept trying to engage her in conversation. Her hope had been that being outside would be able to limit her interactions with the (so far) persistent nobles. It was on her ride that she noticed Raphael standing near the lake, struggling with his own noble woes as he pulled his hand away from the lips of a trite nobleman. A haughty smirk crossed her lips in amusement. Raphael was never very patient with people he did not wish to entertain. Confidently she pulled the reins in his direction. If she spent her company with the King, maybe everyone else would leave her be---besides, he looked like he needed a friendly face to gaze at.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold">"Good morning to you, King Raphael," </span></span>she offered as she approached his person, giving a small bow of her head. Her eyes drank in the King's figure, noting that the color purple always seemed to suit him best. During her examination, a man she gave little attention to stepped forward to help her off her horse and she gracefully descended to the ground. Dainty hands smoothed imagined wrinkles from the lilac grey dress she wore as she took her steps towards the King.<span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold"> "Would it be an intrusion to join you?"</span></span> she asked politely, looking up from beneath her lashes towards the tall man. He was quite imposing at times, and he probably knew it. 'Such a proud man,' she thought to herself without judgement. <br/><span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold"><br/>"As always, your people continue to treat me so very well. I'd argue that my own family does not offer me such indulgences as you,"</span></span> she teased, her eyes leaving the King's to gaze out to the calm body of water behind him. <span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold">"You've been a very busy man, my liege! I do not believe I have seen you since your coronation," </span></span>she stated with a false pout, which of course melted away in a smile.<span style="color: #FF80BF"><span style="font-weight: bold"> "How does your Kingly status treat you, Raphael?"</span></span> her tone was friendly and familiar, an indication that her and the King were quite good friends. Yet, her voice was still so very quiet, a habit built to keep heavy eared men out of her conversations.<br/><br/>She certainly was excited to hear all he had been up to, and of course, should he ask, she was quite happy to share her own past time. They had not been able to entertain one another since his crowning, likely a move that was necessary as he shifted into his role as King. That, however, did not change the fact that Catalina missed their night time entertainments of drinking and dancing. It was fairly well known that Catalina was involved in most celebrations before, during, and after any event the King invited her to. The life of the party, as it were. Lately, however, her attention had been less focused on celebrations and more focused on the Duke of Gloucester. <br/><br/>While they seemed to be only friends, Catalina had found herself very fond of the Duke and she was eager for them to be open about it. For some reason or another he did not seem to want their relationship out in the open. Catalina, of course, tried to understand this---but in the end she struggled with it. It felt odd to not be able to openly express the joy of finding affection and she hoped the Duke would get over his shyness soon. Perhaps she could ask the King for his advice on the matter if the conversation permitted.</span></span>