Library

Inigo joined the library. He was looking for a good book about madness and also Canonic Law. He wanted to learn more to help Queen Joanna, confined into a convent in Spain. So he started walking among shelves

Since she returned to Court, Valerie had the opportunity to have some time for herself without the presence of her mother to stress her constantly. Strange to say, isn't it?
She spent several time in the library, for she loved reading and the library of the castle offered lots of choice.
She was sitting near one of the great windows without her shoes on and a dish of oranges on her knees while reading "The Prince" by Nicolò Machiavelli.
As she heard some noises, she looked up from the pages of the book and recognised the Spanish ambassador immediately.
"Gute Morgen, Excelencia" she said with a smile, enough loudly to let him hear her.

Inigo trurned his head immediately hearing a female voice behind him. He saw Princess Valerie who seemed to know him. He smiled

Your Highness! Good morning. I was looking for a book. I didn't know you were back at court..

He sais surprised to see her

I smiled gently to him: "I am since a couple of weeks only..."

I jumped down and layed my book apart: "Unfortunately, these are hard times for me and my family..." I sighted moving closer to him "But I don't want to bother you, Excelencia. How are you? Do you bring good news from Spain?"

Inigo smiled kindly

Unluckily not, my Princess. The Emperor penned his mother Queen Joanna into a Convent, saying that she is mad. I'm trying to help her as I can..

I was shocked and I moved my hand to my mouth.

"That is terrible!" I exclaimed "I'm very sorry. I heard she's a good woman, in love with her husband and children... How can such things happen? Please, if there's something I could do to help her, tell me"

Inigo shrugged with a sad air. He shook his head

There is nothing you could do, Princesa. I already wrote to him, asking him to give back Queen Joanna her freedom. But I don't know if it will work. What about yourself? I find you in good spirit and health..

He added with a smile

I put my hand on his shoulder in a silent way to say "I share your sadness, but I'm with you and the Queen Joanna", then I retired it.

"Let's say that I'm very determined to prove what is right" I answered with a little smile, without really explaining what I meant.

"I returned a couple of week ago. I went to visit my mother" I explained changing subject.

"I was wondering, Excelencia... Do you know something about my aunt, the Queen Eleanor? I'm worried for her"

Inigo smiled her back. He could see concern in her eyes, and he tried to reassure her

Queen Eleanor is in Spain with her family, Your Highness. Because of her poor health. But I can write to her to send her your greetings. She will be very happy. Everyone miss her here..

He added with a deep sigh

I sighed deeply and looked down.

"I miss her a lot. I feel something is missing since she departed. I feel more... alone. That would be very kind of you, Excelencia. Write her that I wish she will be back soon and I miss her..."

I sighed again and took a long breath. I looked at the ambassador and added with low voice.
"I fear for her as Queen, Herr Mendoza... I know what is happening in England and, God forbid, I fear it could happen the same in Bavaria. I'm referring to Queen Katherine..."

Inigo frowned taking a deep breath

I fear the same thing, actually. But I don't think that the King will replace Eleanor as Queen. She will never lose the throne, like happened to poor Queen Katherine. But you're his niece, Princess. You know him better than me. Do you think he could do such thing to your aunt?

I breathed out. I felt relieved: finally someone who thought the same of me.

"I spoke to him, actually, but nothing came at last. By now, he assured to me that he is still in love with the Queen and he would never bother her... However, I wonder what will my aunt think when she will discover that his husband had a bastard. A male one. And that he wants to make him heir to the throne. How will she be? What will she feel? She will be destroyed, I fear..."

I shook my head and continued:

"As for me, I will never recognise that little boy as heir. I'm still on the line to the throne and, if God wish, I will become Queen. It is my right, unless Queen Eleanor will have a legitimate child, as I wish it will happen."

I came closer to him and looked in his eyes while speaking:

"Mein Freund... Unfortunately, the Devil always tries to poison men's minds. We must be enough strong to fight him with the help of God for the Evil has the only wish to destroy the natural order of things. There's already chaos and rotten in England, but I will never let the same happen in Bavaria. I love this country and I will fight for it until death... If something should go wrong..." I took his hands and tighten them in mine "Can I count on you?"

Inigo looked at her meaningfully after listening her in silence. He nodded

Of course, you can count on my help, Your Highness. My only wish is to see a legitimate heir on bavarian throne. I don't know what's in your uncle's mind. But we won't let this country going towards destruction. With God's help..

I could finally breath with relief:

"Thank you. Thank you, Your Grace. I finally found a loyal friend in this Court"

Thank you, someone finally understood and shared my pain.
Now that I was sure of his loyality, I felt more safe and comfortable.

"As for you, I've known you got married. How is your beautiful wife?" I changed subject smiling to him.

Inigo smiled with kindness and joy. He looked at her while nodding

Indeed, mi senora. But I married my Francisca many years ago, and we have a son, Diego. He is now a man, and I'm very proud of him. My wife and I were forced to be apart for a while. But now she reached me here at court..

He explained remembering how much he missed Francisca

I smiled with tenderness, feeling a little bit jelous.
Every girl wished to be married and blessed by love with her husband and I wished it too, although I also knew that it would be very hard for a princess to gain so.

"Usted es una buena persona, el ambajador. Te mereces ser amado." I said "Your wife and your son are welcomed at Court. I would be delighted to met them, one day"

Inigo bowed with his head meaning Thank you. He smiled

Gracias, mi Princesa. I'm sure they would be delighted to meet you too. And the King cares very much for you, Your Highness. I'm sure he'll find you a good husband soon..

He added, noticing her sad expression

She smiled him back: "Soy sincera".

"I know so" I said sadly with a sight "But sometimes men are blind. He can't see.. what I see" she tried to explain what she meant "Oh, I don't have great expectations, in the truth." she admitted "I am Lutheran, so my husband should be of my same religion and there are not many powerful Lutheran reigns... Moreover, I don't expect to marry for love. I've always no so..." she blushed a little while speaking "But... I think that for a good reason, I could change my mind and hope for God to forgive me. I'd like to travel, perhaps I could come to Spain or go to England. Who knows what God's plans are for me?"

Inigo smiled fatherly. He could understand what she meant very well

Oh I understand you, my Princesa. Royald never marry for love, usually. But who knows? Maybe an arranged marriage can turn in love. You're very beautiful. And many gentleman would like to court you, Princess Valerie. Not only for your rank..

"If my father was alive, I would have liked him to be like you. The King is like a father to me, he's clever and wise and you two are very similar" she admitted blushing a little.

She felt very much at her ease with the ambassador.

"I'll try to be a good wife, at least I'm sure of it. Perhaps, with God's help, I will love and be loved in return." Valerie shrugged my shoulders and then asked: "Do you plan to return to Spain?"

Inigo smiled again. He felt touched by her words

Gracias, mi Princesa. I would like having a daughter like you as well. No, I'm not planning to go back to Spain, for now. Donna Francisca and I want to remain here for a while. Even if we miss our son Diego. He is a good and clever boy. I'm sure he would like you, Your Highness..

Valerie smiled amply: "I'm happy that you and your wife are feeling good in Bavaria. Perhaps, isn't it 'a little' colder than Spain?" she joked laughing a little "I'd like to meet him, one day. Tell me something about your wife: do you think she would like to have a walk with me one of these days?"

Inigo smiled warmly. He felt happy by her request

Oh..but claro que si, mi Princesa! Donna Francisca will be delighted to spend time with you. I'll let her know about your kind request, Your Highness..

She smiled with satisfaction

"Wonderful. I can't wait to meet her."

She thought a moment and then, a little embarrassed, she asked: "There's another thing... What can you tell me about the Duke of Seville? Do you know him?"