Courtyard

Katherine doesn't speak and just nods.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

She folds her hands together in front of her and approaches the carriage, climbing on with the help of a man and her ladies join her.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The carriage takes off and that is the last those present had seen of Katherine of Aragon, the rightful Queen of England.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Thomas watched the carriage leaving silently. He felt sad inside him for Katherine's destiny. He just could to pray and visit her secretely in her new residence

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Alfonsina was enjoying from the sun which was shining brightly. She was wandering around the court then she realized that she came to courtyard. It was a busy place when someone was leaving or arriving. So , she noticed that some men were waiting. She thought someone would come then continued her little walk.

Cesare had arrived back in court after a brief trip home to Italy.
It hadn't exactly been a pleasant visit - he had grown used to the ways of the English court and the slow pace of the Italian countryside bored him to distraction. Not even the weather or the dark haired beauties could entertain him for long, until all he could hope for was returning to England.

His carriage trundled back to court and he glanced out the window. He felt content and happy to see the foreboding enormity of the palace - this type of grandeur suited him.

He jumped onto the ground and pulled his trunk off the hood.

When Alfonsina was about to leave the courtyard , she heard some noises. She just had a look at that way. There was a man with curly dark hair jumping from his carriage. Alfonsina kept looking. Because she couldn't believe at first. Could it be Cesare? After a second , she was sure about that. She knew one day he would come back,she was thinking that he couldn't be away so long. But he did stay so long. Alfonsina couldn't remember the last time she saw him. One year ago or six months ago? She pulled her dress' skirt a little bit up to walk faster easily. She was just about one metre far from Cesare and she started to wait him to see her.

"Grazie,"he mumbled and handed a payment to the coach driver and held his two heavy trunks. His dark hair was falling over his eyes as he trudged down the pathway.

He glanced up looking for a servant to take his bags to his room, he wanted a mug of ale before he retired for the evening. As he looked up he saw a familiar face - his heart jumped and he rushed forward.

Alfonsina's eyes met with his eyes. There was a smile on her face. She couldn't be so happier. She just started to run towards him and hugged him tightly.

"Cesare!"

He laughed deeply and dropped his trunks on the ground, wrapping his strong arms around her and lifting her from the ground.

"Mia sorella,"he mumbled and buried his head in her golden hair,"How have you been?"

She giggled when she felt her feet weren't on the ground. She could smell his hair. Then she realized that how much she missed him , how much she missed his wrapping his strong arms around her.

"I missed you so much.. I need you here everyday. I am so angry with you. What kind of brother could ever do that to his sister?"

She whispered.

"Me,"he replied gruffly and set her down again. He tapped her chin and nudged her forehead with his.

He began to collect his things again and sighed,"I'm glad to be back."

She just smiled.

"I didn't get surprised that you didn't answer me with some long sentences. I can see that you haven't changed since you left. At least that is a good thing."

He laughed,"You know how long the boat over is and the sea did not stop churning. My tiredness out ways my happiness at seeing you,"he replied, holding her cheek lightly and finally spotted a servant.

He clicked his fingers and handed the trunks to a servant and asked if they be sent to his rooms.

She smiled at him and nodded.

"You are right. I guess you should have some rest.. Forgive my quickness. It's just because I am so happy to see you here again."

He chuckled and took her hand,"I don't suppose you have any wine in your rooms - I can rest there.."

She giggled.

"You know us Italians are never out of wine.."

He smiled and kissed her forehead, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as they left the courtyard.

Jane had ventured out in the afternoon to the courtyard. It was quiet, most of the court were beginning to leave for the summer and travel to the country but she was preparing to begin work.

She perched on a little step with a book and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her face.

Walking along the courtyard Cesare was holding some important records which he had to review in his cabinet.This was the essential part of being a duke.He wasted so much of his time on his affairs that he has forgotten how much serious effort it takes to get the work done.

Juan was searching for his brother Cesare. A servant told him that he can find him in the courtyard. After a while Juan recognized his brother. It looked like he was busy doing something. "Am I interrupting you,brother?" asked Juan and smiled, approaching Cesare.

Cesare saw his brother slowly aproaching with a smirk on his face "You are interrupting my thoughts only " he said lifting chin up. "What brings you here,my brother?Brotherly love or cigarros? " he said putting a hand on Juan's sholder.

Juan giggled and said to his brother "I love you,Cesare.But ,you know, cigarros are my guilty pleasure." Juan took out a cigarette and lighted it. "Do you want to try,brother?"

"I know my brother,it's obvious." said Cesare looking at his brother smoking,smoke was going slowly out of his mouth looking like a ghost.Watching this Cesare trembled. "I think curiousity defeated me brother...I want to know how it feels!" he said strongly tempted.

Juan passed the cigarro to his brother. Cesare put it in his mouth. He started to smoke, he wasn't used to cigarette smoke and he started to cough. Juan started to giggle, he turned his face, so his brother could not see the smile on Juan's face.

"It feels strange,but I admit I like the way it smells and the smoke it makes." he said and passed the cigarro to his brother. "Can you offer me another treasure of yours which come from all around the world. I am in a mood to try different and interesting things." he said and winked to his brother.

"Oh,I guesss that we are both on the same mood." said Juan and smiled. "Well,I can say that the world is not what I expected.It is full of people like us,like you and me,everything is the same.People are not so different one from another,they just decide to be divided.Different religions,different languages.But actually,the only thing that differs us one from another is the way that we see the world."