At the orders of Elizabeth, Master Cranmer had ordered Lord Hertford to confront the Queen while he sent a letter to the King. All the while, Elizabeth was pacing in her bedchamber. She only hoped that her father wouldn't be angry with her in taking charge of the situation. She wouldn't be able to deal with his anger. Her ladies watched in concern for their mistress as she paced. There was frantic knocking at her door and stood to answer it while Mariana and Natalia comforted Elizabeth. Eleanor opened the door and saw it was a chamberlain. He bowed to her and said, "A letter for the Princess Regent from His Majesty, the King." Eleanor curtsied and replied, "Thank you, sir." She closed the door behind her and walked back to Elizabeth who stared at her in worry. Eleanor curtsied to her and said, handing her a letter, "A letter from the king." Elizabeth took the letter and began to read it.
My dearest daughter,
While it concerns me to hear of what's going on at court in my absence, I am glad that it is you who has taken charge of this distressing matter. Master Cranmer has informed me of your concerns of my possible anger towards you. You have no need to be concerned with me. Whatever choice you decide to make, I shall respect it. I do ask that no harm comes to the Queen in the light of her actions. She has been a very pleasant wife and has shown a great kindness to my person. On another note, Master Cranmer has told me about how well you are handling the court and state under your regency. I am very proud of you for taking charge and will continue do so. I shall return in a few days time to relieve you of your regency. I love you, my precious jewel.
Your Ever Loving Father and King,
King Henry VIII of England.
After reading the letter, Elizabeth was able to let out a breath of relief, knowing that her father was accepting any decision she made regarding Katherine. Eleanor watched her friend with concern and said, "Well? What did His Majesty say?" Elizabeth turned to Eleanor and replied, "He accepted any decision that I am going to make." Mariana walked over and said, "What will that be?" Elizabeth looked at Mariana and replied, determinant on her face, "To show Katherine how to be a true ruler." She then walked towards the door with her ladies-in-waiting rushing behind her as she made her way to the Queen's bedchambers. Elizabeth had made it in time to see one of Katherine's ladies-in-waiting, Joan Bulmer, being carried out of the chamber by two guards, screaming and crying out for Katherine. Elizabeth stood tall as Joan reached to her, begging for her help. She looked at her and said, "All will be well, Lady Joan. Have faith." The princess regent then nodded at the guards and turned to walk into the royal apartments. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Lord Hertford interrogating Katherine about her time with the Dowager Duchess. Katherine looked up to see Elizabeth and said, rushing over to her, "Oh, Elizabeth! Thank God you're here! You have to believe me! I never meant for anything that happened in my past to happen! Please! Let me speak with the King!" Elizabeth looked at Katherine with a stern look and replied, "The King isn't here yet, he'll be here in a week's time. He gave me permission to do what I see fit for your punishment and he accepts it. However, since all of this was in the past before you even met the King, I am willing to see passed it. On one condition........." Katherine knelt down at Elizabeth's feet, clasping her hands together, and said, "Yes?! I'll do anything!" Elizabeth replied, "That you leave my sister, her family, and household alone and return their staff. And that you promise to stay faithful to His Majesty the King only." Katherine smiled brightly and said, standing, "Of course, you have my word!" Elizabeth nodded in approval and said, "Good, then you won't mind sending a letter to the King and give him a full confession, leaving nothing out. Master Cranmer will send it to him." Katherine nodded and replied, "I will do just that, Your Highness. But, I would like to ask what's going to happen to my lady, Joan." Elizabeth said, "Lord Hertford has a few questions her but once he's finished, she'll return to your service." Katherine let out a sigh of relief and replied, "Alright, thank you. I'm forever in your debt, Elizabeth."
The princess then nodded at Master Cranmer who bowed his head at her and gave Katherine a parchment paper to write her confession on. As the young Queen began to write, Elizabeth then left the room with her ladies behind her. However, she had a feeling that this one act of kindness would come back to haunt her for the rest of her life. Just as the princess had stepped into the throne room to mingle amongst the court, she then felt dizzy and light ahead, not acknowledging the courtiers as they bowed and curtsied to her. Eleanor and Caterina rushed to their mistress' side while Mariana and Natalia kept the courtiers away to give Elizabeth some space. Caterina looked at Elizabeth with concern and said, "Are you alright, Your Highness?" Elizabeth replied, her breath hitching, "I feel faint." Just as she said that, Elizabeth collapsed to the ground, letting out a soft gasp. The courtiers let out a gasp of shock and a couple noblemen rushed forward to help. A couple of them being Charles Brandon and Edward Seymour. Charles raced over to his goddaughter's side and said to Edward, lifting her into his arms, "Edward, get the physician and tell him to go to Elizabeth's bedchambers! Now!" Edward nodded and said, ordering people to move out of his way, "Move! Out of the way!" Charles turned to one of his goddaughter's ladies and said, "Go grab Prince James and tell him to meet us there as well and notify the other family members." The ladies nodded and Natalia and Caterina rushed off to do as they were told. Eleanor and Mariana followed Charles, who carried Elizabeth bridal style, to Elizabeth and James' shared bedchambers.