CHAPTER THIRTEEN: LOVE KEEN STING,1462

"IT'S ALWAYS TO DIFFICULT TO FIND THE PERFECT DRESS," Cecily commented. Catherine stood in her chambers, turning herself around trying on her new plain white dress for the upcoming wedding. "At least you should be thankful for this dress, it's widely beautiful, Thomas made sure it was brought from France." Cecily kept talking leaving Catherine to think of something else. It's June, and her wedding is close. Things have been different since then, Thomas had always remained by her side refusing to leave her with Edward alone, she didn't mind but she could see the hurt and regret, Edward would show whenever Thomas would take her away.

"Have the invitations been sent?" She asked, adding a soft tone.

Cecily sighed. "Yes, of course. Thomas made sure of it."

Catherine nods, still trying to turn around wanting to make sure the dress fits. Nonetheless, it still came to view that she is just months away from marrying a man she didn't love. Despite both of them being still young, she had to do it. It was God's will, she married Thomas and bore him a son.

"Has Edward spoken to you?" Cecily questioned leaving her emotionless.

She sighed turning around. "No,'' she paused. He has spoken to Thomas, wants us to live in court till he could grant us a castle." Cecily smiled delightedly. "How wonderful! I still keep my son with me. This is good news." She smiled at her in return. She really wanted to say that she doesn't love Thomas, she loves Edward, she was born to become queen. She could finally end this war and change her parents' minds to not rebel against her.

Cecily stood up, opening her arms. Catherine smiled softly, Cecily wrapped her arms around her, hugging her. Cecily then turned to look at her. "You'll be happy beside my son, Thomas, I assure you. Thomas would be a good husband to you." Cecily pulled for another hug. Catherine couldn't help to let herself groan, Thomas is young he soon will turn older and if her conscience is right, Thomas isn't any different from his brothers, and will soon grow tired of her.

"I'm happy, as well. To be a part of the family," she admitted, softly.

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Few weeks had come by, Catherine had helped around. With her handmaidens right by her side, she decorated the garden, she had permission from Edward, with of course Thomas, approval. She spent her time in the garden, where she placed some tulips and roses. Her vision was to make it like home, how her mother decorated it.

"It seems like there isn't enough, roses." She spoke, softly.

"Lady Catherine, I'll get more." Julie, the youngest of her handmaidens spoke loudly, leaving. Catherine nods, as she begins to get up from the ground. "It seems like it was a hard day. Go on, get some drinks for yourself!"

"My lady-" the eldest, Alice spoke up. "We must be by-"

"Enough? Go on. Get some drinks for yourself!" She spoke up, as her handmaiden's hurried along leaving her in the garden. Soon after, she could hear a voice calling. She turned around to see Marianne making her way to her, she held a child in her arms, it seemed only months born.

"Well, who is this?" She asked. Marianne smiled. "Meet Guinevere, she is only weeks born. Isn'tq anshe beautiful?" Catherine quickly turned to move the small blanket covering the child's face, she saw a small babe, weeks old, gurgling. "Is she alright?"

"Yes, she does it all the time." Marianne smiles. "My husband wanted a boy. He says he'll name Arthur but at last, no son." She replied, confidently smiling seeing the sight of her daughter.

"Why? Arthur?" She asked, curiously. Marianne smiled. "Because it means for the bravest knight there is, Arthur from Camelot? My husband is into those things. I told him nonsense, that a girl shall be born. Our firstborn." Catherine couldn't help the thought of liking the name of Arthur. If she ever had a son, he'll be named Arthur. Her firstborn will be a son.

"You're getting married?" Marianne changed the topic. Catherine turned to look at her. "Yes, I'll become Thomas's wife. We shall carry the name of York. He should be knighted by now."

"Yes, I just came from there. Surprised you weren't there." Catherine gulps. "I was busy." Marianne looked around. "Decorating, so it seems." Catherine nodded, refusing to say anything else. She looked once more at the little child in her arms.

"She will be a great beauty." She spoke, in a soft tone. Marianne turned to see her daughter. "I sure hope so, she'll be the greatest little girl ever. Her name is Guinevere, but her full name is Guinevere Pembroke. William isn't keen on a girl, but he agrees it's for now, he says he will have lots of children soon." Catherine does remember meeting William Herbert, an old man, terrible, weeks from dying. She remembers him. "Nonetheless he loves William from his first wife, this little girl won't become the Lady he will be praising," Catherine couldn't help to feel sorry for her. Marianne never expected to marry an old man. Especially someone who could be her grandfather.

"William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke?" Catherine asked. Marianne sighed. "Yes, my husband. He is old. He already fathered five children and loves William, his eldest the most. You have heard of my husband's children, William, Walter, George, Philip, Cecilie. Now my daughter Guinevere," she admitted.

Catherine nodded in a soft tone. "It seems like marriage works for both of us." That's when Marianne changed tone. "Don't ever speak that way!"

"What?" She asked.

"Marriage forces us to become wife to men we don't know."

"It's displeasing if you ask us, you'll become married into the family," Marianne informed her. Catherine looked annoyed. "Again, with this? How long? To seek me to choose my own destiny. I want to live a normal happy life, have children with Thomas. That's all!" She spoke in a steady tone. Marianne took her left hand grabbing her by the wrist.

"Don't you get it! You have no idea how different you are! You're the princess of England and will soon become the mother of a king." Her eyes turn stern. "Don't you ever doubt yourself. There will be times where you feel done and lost, Catherine. You must get ready. You're going to become the greatest queen. Do it for yourself if not then do it for your son, your children." Catherine took her hand away looking warily at Marianne, shocked.

"Get away from me!" She roared, lost completely. She immediately began to find Thomas or whoever. She bumped into Lord Warwick.

"Well, isn't the Lancaster girl." She widened her eyes, standing straight. "Lord Warwick." He leaned forward standing straighter than her. "I know, things are going to be different now. Edward has been preparing for another battle, which will be the next two years. "

That's when Warwick grabbed her wrist. "Stay away from Edward! Don't stop him! You're going to marry Thomas and bear his children!"

"I know," she replied confidently.

Lord Warwick raised his eyebrows. "Very well then. Then you should bear his children." He began walking only for her to call his name out.

"Why don't you like me?" Warwick turned around, amused. "Who said I ever liked you in the first place. You should have never stayed behind, you are nothing more than a distraction for Edward!" He spat leaving Catherine alone, in her deepest thought.

It was August, Catherine had been trying to speak to Edward only to have Thomas or Lord Warwick interrupted her or take her away. She is only days from getting married. "You're going to be beautiful, Catherine." She smiled getting dressed in the morning. Anne Neville had joined in despite her sister refusing to do so. Anne placed a small necklace around her neck, they were almost close in age but she was so young. "Thank you, Anne."

"Catherine, do you think someday I'll get married?"

Immediately she turned to see Anne. "Yes, I know you will. And you'll be the bravest girl, but I know you'll marry for love, Anne." She smiled back at her, leaving Anne to blushed. "Thank you, Lady Catherine." She smiled so brightly leaving themselves in deep thought. Soon after she was walking down the halls with Anne by her side when she saw Thomas and Richard, George walking the opposite way. She is curtsy alongside Anne. "Hello, Anne," Richard spoke up causing Catherine to turn to look at Anne. She knew it. Anne liked Richard. Thomas immediately went up to her, embracing her. "There's my lovely bride." He carelessly kissed her on the cheek, as she refused to make a scene. That's when her lips quivered seeing as George saw their interaction and Richard.

"My brothers and I talking about how we should have our wedding feast-"

"Thomas, please." She scolded him, causing him to chuckle. "No matter, Catherine. We're eager to attend." George replied, smiling. Catherine knew he didn't mean it. "How funny, George." She sarcastically replied, laying her head on Thomas' chest as she embraced him, warmly.

"Well, my soon to be wife. My brothers and I have some business to attend. I'll tell you soon," he leaned to kiss her on the lips only for her to quickly turn to her cheek. "We have an audience," she whispered, shyly. Thomas laughs looking at his brothers rather than her. "No matter you'll be my wife soon." She only smiled slightly, Thomas learned to kiss her forehead, walking away with his brothers.

"Are you alright, Lady Catherine?" Anne asked. Catherine turned to her. "I'm alright. Love does keen sting," she admitted. They had spent their day talking and the topic of Richard had come up, Anne couldn't help herself to admit she did like him, kept talking about him which Catherine didn't mind.

"Do you love Richard?" She asked, causing Anne to stay silent. "Love?" She whispered, shyly. Catherine smiled. "You know when you love them can't spend one day without thinking about them?" Anne began to blush. "Someday, I want to marry him. He'll be my husband." Catherine smiled at the girl.

"I assured you, Anne. Richard will be yours." She smiled brightly upon her. That's when Isabel approached them. "Isabel?" Catherine asked, standing up alongside Anne.

"Anne, we must go. Father says we must find him." Isabel spoke, causing herself to gulp standing upon Catherine. Suddenly, she grabbed Isabel's wrist. "No addressing me? You think you're entitled to?" She questioned. Isabel widened her eyes, gaped. "I'm not, I simply wanted to see my sister." They both began to walk away leaving Catherine confused.

As time went on, Catherine stood aside Anne chatting. They had become close. She could swear, Anne has so much to say but is sometimes overshadowed by her elder sister. She could feel her pain, too. Her mother would always favor her over Edward, it's always him never her.

That's when Isabel came in. She frantically yelled looking around, when she spotted Anne and her sitting by the stables. "Oh my god, Anne. Help me, my dress, please sew it back."

Anne frantically panics, and Catherine steps in. "I could sew, I learned to do it. Give me the dress or come with me." Isabel then turned to her, warily

"You could?"

"Yes! Now let's go." Catherine said, running to her chambers as Isabel and Anne followed along. It seems like she just gained the eldest Neville approval.

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She was walking through the courtyard, her handmaidens followed behind her. Thomas has left at the meeting, and she was left alone. Suddenly, she was pulled to her side. She looked around to see if her handmaidens followed but they didn't, she began to scream only to find Edward there covering her mouth, he let go. They were squeezed into little passages.

"Edward," she scolded him. Edward began to laugh only for Catherine to smile in return. "You've been avoiding me?" Edward questioned.

Catherine laughed. "You're a rare sight," Edward began to get closer to her, cornering her.

"Edward, please." She began to walk to the opposite side. "We must forge to do anything improper here. I'm to wed, Thomas."

"Since when do you care?" He questioned her. "I love you, I still do." Catherine was still shocked.

Edward raised his eyebrow. "I know. Have you thought about it?" Catherine looked at him wide-eyed. He still remembers, he wants to still marry her.

"I gave you one year to think about it?"

"I need to know."

Catherine literally could understand what he was saying. He wants to marry her and become her husband and she will become his wife. Together they will be in the eyes of God, married she noticed, if she marries him, she wouldn't be queen, she will be known as whore.

"It isn't right." She asked. Edward widened his eyes. "I must have you, Catherine."

She widened her eyes, as he got closer to her. "Accept it, you'll become my queen," he replied. She always wanted this, she didn't want to marry Thomas. She can't be with him. She then kissed her on the cheek, held her hand. "I want to be with you." Catherine's eyes lit up, as he held her hand. "I want to be with you, as well."

"It's a yes?" Catherine eagerly nodded her head. Edward kissed her on the cheek. "Meet tomorrow, noon. I'll have a priest to have us married." She smiled delightedly. "I'll make sure Thomas leaves and doesn't know about this." Catherine nodded, as she held onto Edward's hand. She will finally be with him, she loves him and nothing would stop her.