Queen Victoria of Cambridge
July 29th, 1521
I smiled as Emilia placed the crown on my head. Charles had went with some other Lords to retrieve Joanna of Castile along with her heir Charles.
Only Mary and Edward would be joining us. The rest of the children will be safe away in the nursery with Lady Byron. Though I badly wanted to bring the twins Henry disagreed.
"Are you nervous?" Emilia asked as she stood besides me as I stood up and smoothed out my dress.
"A bit. This is Catherine's older sister. From what I have heard the last time Joanna was here was when she was sailing home to reclaim her throne. Something I admire her for. Her late husband, tried to declare her mad. All for her catching him cheating." I stated as I motioned for one of the maids to let the children in.
"But still. She is Catherine's sister."
"And Mary's aunt. Henry hopes she brings Mary's inheritance from her mother Isabella. With that, Mary could establish her own household, as the Princess Royal."
I heard the footsteps and saw Mary walking in holding Edwards hand to make sure he didn't wander off.
"There you two are. Are you ready Mary? You not only represent us but Her Majesty is your Lady Aunt."
"Of course I am ready. I am the daughter of Henry Tudor and Catherin of Aragon. Spain's blood runs through me." She said with her head held high earning me to smile.
"Wonderful. Julian, lead the way." I said as the children walked in front of me.
Julian led the way to the courtyard where we would all be meeting. I had a small crown commissioned for both Mary and Edward.
Edward's to represent what Henry's crown looks like when he decides to wear it. And Mary's to represent the halo of the Virgin Mary. Both of them looked wonderful in their crowns and I had never felt more proud.
As we entered the courtyard everyone bowed to us as we walked past and I nodded my head in recognition to them all. I spotted Charles first before we had stopped next to Henry.
After our night of love making, Henry had sent him away to the shores to prepare them for the Spanish ships that would be coming. And I hadn't seen him since.
A part of me wondered if Henry did that on purpose.
"My Queen." I heard Henry say and to my surprise he bowed his head to me. We were no where near what our relationship should be but he would put an act for any royal visiting.
"My King." I said as I curtsied to him. We stood side by side with the children in front of us as a carriage arrived.
"I thought she would've ridden." Henry whispered and I nodded.
"As did I."
Charles swung himself off of the horse before bowing to Henry and I.
"Your Majesties, may I present to you as well as our court, Her Majesty Queen Joanna of Castile and her heir, Prince Charles of Austria!"
The doors of the carriage opened and out stepped Joanna. Her and Catherine couldn't be more different in my option.
Henry and I bowed once again as Joanna stepped closer to us and she smiled at us.
"Henry. My former brother. It is an honor to step foot on English soil again." She said with a thick Spanish accent. Henry lifted his head and nodded.
"England always welcomes our Spanish friends."
"Hmm, so it seems. This must be your new wife. Victoria."
"It is an honor, Your Majesty. I am honored to host you in my home." I said as I stood up from my bow.
"So young compared to my sister."
Everyone around us froze and I smiled as I placed my hands on Mary's shoulders.
"May I present to you, your niece, Princess Mary, the Princess Royal?"
Joanna turned her attention to Mary and grinned.
"Mi maravillosa sobrina! Como had crecido!" (My wonderful niece! How you have grown!) Joanna said with a grin as Mary smiled.
"Hola Su Majestad. Es un honor." (Hello Your Majesty. It is an honor).
"Her Spanish is wonderful. I thank you for not allowing her to forget where she comes from."
"We would never. Now may I introduce my heir, Prince Edward, the Prince of Wales."
Edward took Joanna's hand in his before pressing a small kiss and bowing his head earning me to smile.
"Hello Your Majesty, Welcome to England." He said and I couldn't be more prouder of the way my child was growing and learning.
"A charmer like his father. Now my turn to introduce my heir. Charles, Prince of Austria!"
The door opened again and out stepped a gentleman who looked like Catherine but a male version.
"He takes his looks after his late aunt of course." Joanna said with a smirk.
"The Aragon blood runs true. Welcome to England, Charles." Henry said as he held out his hand and Charles shook it.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Queen Victoria, if I may. A gift from Spain. A black pure blooded Andalusian horse. He came from my own herd of them. Only two years of age and wonderful for hunting." He said as he pointed to a horse being led inside my Lord Robert.
"You honor me greatly. I thank you for this magnificent gift." I expressed as my eyes did not leave the horse.
"It was all my idea but like men, Charles wanted the credit for himself." Joanna said with a laugh as she turned to Henry.
"Now as we have all had our formalities, shall we head inside? Business before banquets?"
"Business? I thought this was a friendly visit?" Henry asked as he stepped towards Joanna.
"We shall discuss this inside. Victoria, I would love for you to join in this discussion. As well as Mary."
"Me?" Mary asked as she turned to me.
"Mary is only eight years old. Should she hear this?"
"Of course. Now Henry shall you lead the way? It has changed so much since I have last stepped foot in this court."
Henry and I shared a look before he extended his hand.
"This way if you please."