An Autumn walk

Lady Maria welcome thank you for coming to meet me shall we walk ?

I turned round at the sound of a mans voice William hello it's nice to finally meet you at last I have waited a long time too meet you .

The first crisp leaf fell from the tree as Isabella waited for her company to arrive. The evenings would be darker by afternoon always reflecting the shadow of the moon in the daytime sky. The changing of seasons was always a nice distraction from politics. Isabella felt very let down by her family that currently resided at Bavaria. She tried to talk with her sister about such things but it never stuck into her pretty little head of hers. As for their cousin well that was another matter. Like it or not we all had royal duties to attend too. For Isabella the time had come to arrange a plan for her to sneak into Spain. She had promised her Aunt a visit for many months now and could hold of on the plan no longer.

Inigo came in the garden for a walk. He was thinking about spanish royal family's situation. He was lost in these thoughts when he saw Princess Isabella standing alone. He smiled and decided to approach her

Your Highness..

As Queen Eleanor's cousin, she should be an enemy for him, giving that her relationship with the King. But in spite of this, he was not used treating people rudely and Isabella looked a nice lady. He bowed before her

Isabella was glad to see the ambassador many troubles were going on in her family. "Ambassador Mendoza I am very happy to see you." This was true. Isabella needed to open up about the situation in Spain. She had Richard who would always listen to her. But he had enough on his mind with ruling a kingdom. "As we both know the situation in Spain is still appalling. I know that we should be enemies but I know that we can be civil enough to talk about matters we both care about." In truth Isabella had not heard from her aunt in awhile and she wanted to know how she was keeping.

Inigo nodded and smiled at her. With a king gesture of his hand, he invited her to join him in his walk along garden

Claro que si. I completely agree, Your Highness. But I want to reassure you about Queen Joanna. The situation is under control. The Emperor never replied to my letters. But I know for sure that the Queen is in good health. I'm also planning to go to Spain to visit her..

He replied while walking slowly at her side

Isabella was not surprised Charles had not replied to anyones letters! Isabella knew his mind was fixed on wagering arguments with Henry Tudor. "No he wants his aunty free and released back to her motherland but that shall not happen. I am glad that my aunt is good in heath. I believe that she does have the finest ladies in waiting caring for her needs." Isabella pulled her cloak a bit more over her head. It was starting to get colder as well, so they only had little time to talk. "My cousin Catherine and her little daughter Maria. Are also staying with my aunt is it out of loyalty. Or has Charles imprisoned her too. I am glad that you are going to visit Spain shall you be taking you're wife as well."

Inigo took a deep breath

Your Highness..Queen Joanna has many ladies in waiting at her service in the convent. So she is not alone. About your cousin Catherine, I know she reached her mother in the nunnary. Obviously her brother allowed her to do that. As Queen of Portugal, she has all rights to visit her mother. But about her daughter Maria..I know nothing about her, my Princess. I suppose she is in the Royal Palace of Portugal with her governess. A nunnery is not the ideal place for children..

He noticed that the Princess shivered

Are you cold, my Lady?

"No I know that Charles is not involved with King Henry! I was talking about my cousin Catherine. Did he imprison her as well or was it just loyalty to her mother." Isabella said softly and calmly as she rubbed her arms. "Yes I am cold I miss the Spanish weather are you travelling alone to Spain. I guess your family will be glad to have you back home Ambassador."

Inigo removed took off his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders. He smiled

No, my lady. He never imprisoned her. But King Henry keeps her far from her daughter Princess Mary. This is very cruel. And yes..I talked about my idea to go to Spain with my son Diego. But..it's not a good idea bringing him with me. Too dangerous for him..

He said without adding more

Better now?

Isabella wrapped the cloak around her tightly. She felt the cold more since coming to Bavaria. "My cousin Isabella of Austria has arrived in Bavaria. We spoke briefly she didn't seem that bothered about her mothers fate." This bothered Isabella in the most hardest times in life family must stick together that was her firm belief. "I love my aunt dearly, if their is anything she needs better food, warmer clothes I would like to know. Ideally I could give you the money for my aunt but that would arouse suspicion." Isabella gave a sympathetic look trying not to laugh when the ambassador mentioned his son. She couldn't imagine Max as a grown up boy just yet. "Maybe he just wants to help but all of you're sons are friends with Charles. They work for him and have grown up with him. One day I shall have to marry him Charles already has two sons from different mistresses! So neither of us are perfect. I don't want to marry him but it is a duty that has been set out for me. Anyway, thank you for the cloak. I feel the cold more since leaving Portugal."

Inigo looked at her with a kind smile, nodding after her words

Princess Isabella of Austria looks a bit lost, yes. She asked me to accompany me during the travel to Spain and I accepted. But she is worried like everyone else, I think. And about your aunt..thank you for your support. I think the Queen is well served by her ladies. But if she needs something I'll let you know..

He looked at his coak on her shoulders

No need to thank me, Princesa. But I think that the cold you're talking about is not the weather. Am I wrong?

Isabella was very wary of trust since what happened to her aunt. She thought it best for her cousins to support their mother not journeying around the country. "I find Isabelle hard to talk to so am glad that you have succeeded where others haven't. I hope she won't be any bother to you through out you're journey." Isabella stopped her footsteps for a moment. The last words of the ambassador made her stop. She could not help to think their was a hint of something in his words. "You will have to explain to me what you mean?"

Inigo stopped after her. He looked at her, took a breath and shurugged

Maybe I'm wrong..but I have the feeling that you were talking about the coldness of bavarian court towards you, my Lady. You know..many people are against your relationship with the King. And some of them don't even hide their feelings. Even myself..I'm Eleanor's cousin and I support her, of course. I know that this situation will make her suffer..when she'll be back. But I treat you with respect because I don't judge you. We're human being, after all..

He explained triyng to smile

Isabella laughed of the disagreement of others they did not know the full facts. And she was not one to connect herself with those vile people. "I keep myself to myself here you forget that one day I shall still be Empress no one can change that no one!! An Empress is a much high rank than a queen. Max shall stay here with his farther and I will go on and help Charles rule Spain." Isabella had a strict tone within her voice, those she had seen of Bavaria were always nice to her and treated her with the respect she so rightly deserved. "Why are you trying to ruffle my feathers ambassador! Are you trying to hurt my feelings perchance as it's not going to work. My blood is thick and I expected better from you."

Inigo shook quickly his head

Absolutely..I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, Your Highness. I would never dare. I was just trying to explain the meaning of my previous sentence. But of course I'm aware of your high rank and I respect you. I just wonder..what Kig Richard thinks about this? I mean..don't you think that your son could miss her mother?

He asked, even knowing that it was a very personal matter

"Now I'm going to be utterly and completely ruthless. Richard has hurt me my own cousin Isabella Austria is trying to become his sodding mistress. Her limits knows no bounds. Max isn't even his real heir to the throne which is a good thing. I think it's about time I take matters into my own hands instead of wallowing around here wasting my life." Isabella hand her own plans and such splendid plans they would become.

Inigo took a breath after listening her in silence

I understand your feelings, Your Highness. I know it's not my business, but I think that the King acts only for his son's sake. And about Princess Isabella..I barely know her, actually. But I see her much worried for her mother, rather than interested in the King. Also, she has royal blood. And I know that royals doesn't like being treated like common mistresses or lovers..

He said talking openly and sincerely

"Hmmm. I see and this is what you think. Their are rumours ambassador. Rumours which could destroy my aunt. I shall tell you and take your opinion. People are saying that Philip Burgundy faked his death." All of this was pure madness to even say it was barbaric. Isabella scrutinised his face to see if he knew or heard this too.

Inigo stopped walking and looked at her with a shocked face. He couldn't believe his own ears

What? But..this is absurd, Your Highness. Why should he have done that? But if this would be true..then things would be very different for your aunt. Where have you heard these rumors?

He asked whispering, fearing that someone could hear them

"At court of course! Richard always said not to take heed to gossip but, such things can't be ignored." I allowed a little bit of hope to show in my eye's. If my uncle was still alive if. Then things would be a lot different for now I couldn't dwell on such fairy tales. I had to deal with the presence and my future. "Ambassador, I had a visitor from it was a servant from Charles. He wants me to go back home... Are you, could you come with me please." Putting the Ambassador in this situation was wrong of me but he might want to see Charles too.

Inigo remained in silence for a little while. Then he sighed and nodded

I was just wondering about that, Princess. I knew that Charles would have wanted you back in Spain. And I..I was planning a visit to his mother Joanna. So yes, I will accompany you gladly. But..does he knows about your situation with King Richard?

He asked, looking concerned at her

I shook my head. "No and he will never find out either. Adultery is enough for me to be sentenced to death. Knowing Charles he would lock me up in a secluded nunnery like he did with his mother." I rolled my eyes Non, je ne regrette rien that is what I thought as I carried on walking. "He isn't the most nicest of people to be married to. I can't tell you how repulsed I feel being married to my cousin."

Inigo sighed deeply again and nodded

I understand how you feel, Princess. But you have duties towards him. Maybe he'll become a better person at your side. And about your son, you have no need to worry about him. He will be in very good hands, safe under his father's protection. And you can be sure that I'll keep your secret, of course..

He added knowing that all this was painful to her