2I don't own White Queen.
Chapter 2
She looked around the castle. She remembers as a little girl when she came here. She tried to recall any familiar faces but knowing that there is little notice that everything is York now.
How nervous she was leaving home and staying here to learn what is the court life is all about.
~Flashback~
The castle was big, and the flags held their Lancaster red Rose with mighty grace among them.
Lady Jacquetta Rivers kneeled to look at her daughter.
"Remember to be courteous and virtual. Also, curve your words and observe the ladies in court."
"Yes, mama."
The wolf-queen came and greet them.
"Lady Rivers, I trust this child is well received for her journey." Iseult is scared, but she heard the queen is scary.
"Yes, your grace."
The queen looks at Iseult as if she is preying on eating her for dinner. Like any she-wolf would be.
"We shall see."
Iseult looks like she wants to cry. The queen left to return her throne. Lady Jacquetta turned and dry her daughter's eyes.
"None of that. I promise it will only be a while. Remember that I love you. Have faith in God."
Iseult did as her mother bid her do.
Faith in God.
She bid her time and made an excellent Game of Politics. Perhaps that is why she is the head lady in waiting.
Now it is time to face your maker.
Iseult is looking over Elizabeth to make sure that she is present well enough to please the people. She will meet King Edward's mother, Duchess Cecily of York. She must make sure that Elizabeth left a good impression on her Ladyship.
"Remember, Lizzie. You may be the wife to King Edward, but to her ladyship, you are beneath her son. Don't' let her words strike you down."
Elizabeth nodded silently. Iseult held her hand to guide her to meet the Duchess.
Iseult saw Duchess Cecily. How the war and her husband's death age her so greatly.
"Duchess Cecily. It is an honor to meet..." Elizabeth was cut off by the Duchess coldly.
"I am not happy about this marriage." She stated.
"That's a shame. We're all delighted." Their lady's mother replies to the duchess.
"I would remind the Lady Rivers. That the wedding was a secret one which..." Duchess Cecily was cut off by Jacquetta.
"Private. It was private. Not secret. I was there, as were other witnesses. But if your son, the king, did not invite you, then I am afraid you must take that up with him."
Iseult had to bite her lip shut because it was too funny. She knew that King Edward's mother would never approve any daughter that he intends to marry.
"Your daughter is a widow and years older than my son!" Duchess Cecily tried to play the age card on them.
Iseult simply replies, "As many nobles, even commoners had different ages that can be an advantage wouldn't you say?"
Duchess Cecily looked like she didn't like how she reminded her that she too was different age when she married her husband, Richard duke of York.
Lady Jacquetta smiled and agreed with her second daughter. "I know. That's such an advantage, isn't it, as my daughter has already proved herself fertile with two handsome and legitimate boys, so we may feel confident that God will bless this new royal couple with issue."
"Your daughter could never be royal!" Duchess Cecily shouted in anger. "She's not my choice. Nor that of my nephew, Lord Warwick."
Of course, Warwick is always her favorite nephew. The gall of that man!
Iseult reply, "The final decisions are always the choice of the King. Your son chooses that choice. However, counsel advice is always welcomed." There are silent gasps among the household of Duchess Cecily. Iseult showed that she has more backbone than anyone. As expected of the pupil of Queen Margaret of Anjou.
Elizabeth looked at her sister and could not help but feel glad that she is here to protect her honor.
"Her father was a commoner! And while I might overlook THAT, if Edward were not the king..." Duchess Cecily said and was cut off by Elizabeth.
"He IS the king. And he has chosen me." Elizabeth is grateful that her sister and mother fought in her honor. However, Iseult always reminds me that she is the queen and she must prove that to the people.
"Unless I should unseat him." Duchess Cecily smiled as if she won her war. Iseult stiffens at that cold notion. She is his mother! How cold-hearted must she be?
"And how would you do that, Duchess Cecily?" Knowing Jacquetta does not like that tone.
"I could disown him. I could put his brother George upon the throne in his place. How would you like that as the outcome of your private wedding, Lady Rivers?"
Iseult looked at Duchess Cecily like she is an idiot. Doesn't she realized that she would purge England into a civil war again!
"Yes. I did hear some talk when Edward was born." Iseult looked at her mother and wonder what sort of talk? "Um... it was an archer, wasn't it? By the name of, um..."
Oh, that rumor. She remembers how there were talks of a possible affair of Duchess Cecily because he didn't look like his father at all when he was a child.
Iseult answered, "Blaybourne, Mother."
"Ah yes. Thank you, my love. Blaybourne. That's it."
Duchess Cecily looked like she is sweating and panicking. Iseult has never seen her lose her composed before.
"Yes. People said that you had made a cuckold of your husband, but in fact, I was of the few who swore that a lady of your standing would never stoop so low. And yet it seems you did. If that is what you're saying, Duchess Cecily, that you admit yourself a common whore and declare your son, the king, a bastard? For I cannot see how else you would unseat him."
"Enough!" The duchess shouted. "Enough."
"So then your words against the king will go no further?" Elizabeth questioned the Duchess. Which the duchess had no choice but to agree.
"And now that we all are friends, I believe you do know the proper custom when presented with the Queen of England is to curtsy?"
Iseult looked back at the Duchess and her ladies in waiting to do the curtsy.
"It is an honour to meet you, Duchess Cecily," Elizabeth smirked and pull her arm to Iseult signaling her that she wished to be escorted out. Iseult is glad to obey her silent command.
Later that night Iseult decides to watch her mother and nephew in their chambers tonight. She is not comfortable about leaving them alone knowing there is a chance that someone could attack them to hurt the queen.
Iseult is dowsing her diamond attach to the string on her ring finger. She places a paper chart fill with runes symbols that tell her whether or not any futures to behold or caution.
She held her baby spoon and wonders will she be a widow but gave birth to a son or wedlock. She hopes not the latter.
She heard the door opened and saw it is her sister Elizabeth who came in. Knowing her she is checking her sons.
"More magic? I could have been anyone, Mother." Elizabeth chastised their mother, but she is more focus on seeing the mirror to see if something is coming.
"Who else would come in here at this time of night?" Jacquetta is looking at the mirror. "I'm trying to see our futures."
"I said we'd keep them close." Elizabeth tucked into her boy's blankets. "So, tell me, then, who are my enemies?"
"I do not need to scry to tell you that."
"Lord Warwick and Duchess Cecily," Iseult said.
Iseult knows already. Iseult told Lizzie, "It can't be helped after all; they are more worried about losing control of King Edward."
"She's right. We must be cautious about treading our enemies." Their lady mother told Elizabeth.
"Well, then - tell me something we do not know. How many children shall I give Edward? How many sons and daughters of..." Elizabeth gasped in fear.
Iseult's diamond made a big crack as she silently gasps in fear.
"What is it? Elizabeth, what do you see?" Lady Jacquetta looked at Elizabeth.
"A woman! With blood on her hands!" Elizabeth paled in fear as she saw a woman. Iseult came up and held her hands. She is chilled to a bone.
"A woman, wearing red. I..." Isuelt urged her to tell her. "I do not know."
"Whose blood was it?" Lady Jacquetta urged her daughter.
"I think it was mine."
They all stood quiet when she announced that. Iseult pulled up her crack diamond and show it to Elizabeth and Jacquetta a bad omen.
They all looked at each other. Knowing that war is not over yet.
Well, I hope you enjoy that! I am wishing that everyone is being safe and staying home. Reviews are welcome.
