Lady Catherine's Bedchambers

Catherine was in her bedchambers with her ladies when one of the ladies announced her father. She quickly stood up along with her ladies. She was wondering why her father had come but she would wait.

ArchDuke Philip of Burgundy and Princess Rosalina remained in the Throne room upon Catherine's departure to her chambers with her ladies. Philip discussed the situation with his Princess and mostly the contents of the second letter which Catherine had no knowledge of. Rosalina sat on her throne and explained to the Arch Duke that she must remain as the letter concerned them both greatly.

Several days had passed and Catherine began to get to know her father a little and she enjoyed playing with her little brother and sister who seemed to enjoy her company. Philip still felt a little embarrassed by the situation but Catherine was his daughter and he knew he must get to know her. He could see she was a very articulate, intelligent young woman who had been very well educated.

A messenger had arrived who had been travelling for days to deliver a letter to the ArchDuke from Sweden, Philip had met him in the entrance hall and immediately read the letter, he thanked the messenger and organised some food and rest for him. Philip took the letter to his wife Princess Rosalina and discussed the contents of the letter. Philip sighed greatly from what he had read and knew he must go to see his daughter straight away with the news he had received.

Upon entering Catherine's chambers after being announced by one of her ladies, he approached her with a solemn face and waved off all her ladies as he needed to be alone with his daughter. Philip stood and looked upon his daughter and breathed deeply, 'Lady Catherine I have received word from your homeland of Sweden, as you know your mother was not well, her resistances were very low and she contracted the plague and I'm afraid she passed away a day after she got this terrible illness,' Philip stood there not knowing what to do exactly as he informed her that her mother had died. They both stood looking at one another with the news of this sad event.

Catherine felt weak in the knees and almost fell to the ground. She was felling a little light headed by the news of her mother's passing. Tears started to fall from her face.