monarch

In the great hall of Arendelle Castle, the servants make final preparations.The entire castle was almost completely new, the marble floors were cleaned spotlessly, the worn wooden floors in the ballroom were replaced with new ones, the brass chandeliers were polished and all the curtains were replaced.For a fortnight the servants throughout the castle worked day and night, just to welcome the King, and it was a great honor for all.

The Duchess of Norfolk walked slowly down the stairs, satisfied with what she saw.For the first time in almost 20 years since her father, the Duke of Buckingham, was executed by the King, she is back at the center of society.The Duchess is a proud woman, and when her mother's family fell, she became even more proud, which may be due to her inner fear.She was unusually severe with her servants, and for an occasion she had been looking forward to for so long, she could hardly have been more critical.

After a few years of silence, the Duke of Norfolk was at last once again the most powerful minister at court, with his niece on the queen's throne, himself in the position of Lord Chancellor, and nearly every They were all inserted into a Howard family member.Now, the first stop of the king's summer tour is to choose the castle of the Duke of Norfolk, which makes the Howard family feel extremely honored.

The butler ran up a few steps courteously, and approached the Duchess of Norfolk: "Ma'am, what do you want?" The old butler was wearing his best clothes today, and the brass buttons on the clothes were polished shiny by him.Serve the king as a steward!This is probably the only chance in his life.The butler was so excited that he stayed up all night last night, but he is still full of energy, as if he suddenly looked 20 years younger.

"Not ready yet? The king will arrive at any moment." The Duchess of Norfolk is a firm believer in the harsh treatment of servants, and she has always believed that being nice to servants will breed their inertia.

"Get ready, ma'am, we are ready to welcome the king at any time." The butler said respectfully, the duchess was very satisfied with his attitude, and it was this kind of respect that the butler gained the duchess' trust.

"Very good." Madam said flatly, she ignored the housekeeper, and disappeared at the door with her maid.

The steward let out a sigh of relief, then immediately turned around and shouted to the servants: "Hurry up, no one is allowed to lose the chain today!" His appearance was completely different from when he faced the Duchess just now.

After a whole afternoon of busy work, everything is finally ready.At dusk, when the servants of the Duke of Norfolk rode up to announce the imminent arrival of the king and the court, all the servants were already waiting in line at the door.

The court caravan stretched half a mile long, and when the king finally arrived, a maid asked her companion in a whisper, "Is that the king? Why is he so fat?" He had always thought the king was a handsome man, a brave knight, But now in front of her is an old man who needs help to walk, she really feels a little disillusioned.

"Hush!" Her companion gave her a dissatisfied look. Can these words be said casually?The maid's face was slightly red, and she closed her mouth embarrassingly.She continued to watch as the Duchess saluted the King before servants opened the doors of a magnificent carriage, revealing a familiar face.

"Miss Catherine, she is so big now!" Her voice was so loud that even the old housekeeper in the front row heard him. He turned his head and gave the source of the commotion a hard look.When he turned his eyes to the king and queen again, the well-informed old man was also a little lost.A few years ago, Catherine Howard also came to Arundale Castle, but at that time she was just an unloved niece of the Duke, but now the little girl in front of him is full of jewels, and the dress she wears makes her The other ladies present looked as if they had a rag on their bodies.In front of her, the Duchess of Norfolk, who can be regarded as still charming, is like a poor old woman in a country gentleman's family.He saw the greedy look the king was looking at his new wife, whom the king must have loved.He immediately felt very proud. The Howard family is worthy of being the number one noble family in England, and he is an indispensable housekeeper in this family. Isn't this enough to make him proud?

The Duchess curtseyed to her niece in front of her. She lowered her head to ensure that no one could see the uncontrollable ferocious look on her face for a moment. "Welcome home, Your Majesty." When she raised her head, she put on the expression of a loving elder again, smiling at Queen Catherine in front of her.She never liked this niece, she has always been indifferent to her, and the number of times this niece has come to Arendelle Castle is one of the few, but now she has to put on a respectful look to this little girl, The Duchess of Norfolk felt as if she had swallowed a fly.

Catherine was a little proud. Her aunt always looked higher than her head and raised her head high when she walked, as if someone had put manure under her nose, but now she also bowed her head to her. "Thank you, my dear Duchess," she said sternly, "I thank you for your enthusiasm." She didn't pay attention to the Duchess's pale face.She turned her head and smiled at the king, who smiled back and reached out to touch her head. "I believe His Majesty does the same," she added.

After a short greeting, led by the duchess, the king and his party walked into the banquet hall.The king and the queen sit together in the first place, and the dinner is very sumptuous, with fresh fish, fresh poultry and roast meat on the silver plate; fresh melons and fruits are filled in the oriental porcelain made into a harvest horn, which is very appetizing .

"The Duke of Norfolk really spent his money. He really knows how to please the king." Robert Dudley turned his head slightly and whispered into Edward's ear.The prince glanced at him in surprise, obviously a little surprised by his outspokenness, but as he said, the scale of this banquet has reached a staggering level.

"It's not so much that he's trying to curry favor with the king, it's better to say that he's showing off." Edward glanced coldly at the opposite Duke who was beaming and chatting with several Howard family offspring. This always cautious power minister is now a little smug. up.In the storm of Cromwell's downfall, the Duke of Norfolk was obviously the biggest winner. However, it seems that the desire of this powerful minister has not been satisfied. On the contrary, he seems to be more ambitious.The prince took a bite of the fig in front of him: "How is your father? Does he like Mr. Cromwell's house?"

"Our whole family likes it very much." Robert said with a smile, "I have to say that although Mr. Cromwell is an upstart, he does enjoy life. If you have time, you should come and see it. We can have a good time together. weekend." He looked at the prince expectantly.

Edward couldn't help laughing, this guy is really... "Okay, I will go. Remember to say hello to the earl for me, congratulations." Sir John Dudley has now got his long-awaited Edward Earl of Sussex.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Robert took out another fig from the plate and peeled it carefully for the prince.

……

The king looked at his little wife beside him. Every time he was with this little girl, he felt that he seemed to have returned to his youth. The long-lost vitality, the feeling of love and the pleasure of conquering made Catherine Howard Like a dose of poison, it was completely irresistible to him.He stretched out his hand and held the little hand of his little wife. Her skin is so tender, "Do you like it? My little oriole." This is the new name given by the king.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Catherine said happily, perfectly resisting the urge to withdraw her hand.His Majesty treated her very well, there was no doubt about it, but he was a bit old after all, and he still had that disgusting smell, but Catherine could only pretend to be adoring and admiring.However, she endured it for jewelry and clothes. She imagined that beside her was a handsome young man, not a fat king who was already 50 years old. "It's so beautiful, the Duke of Norfolk is really very hospitable." She took the opportunity to say something kind about her uncle.

The king smiled, looked meaningfully at the Duke of Norfolk, and then at the Queen.He took the little hand and kissed it lightly. "As long as you like it," said the king.

A plain young man approached the King, who seemed to have been cut in the same mold as the Duke of Norfolk. "Your Majesty, the ball is about to begin." He said respectfully.

Catherine took the king's hand: "Oh, Your Majesty. I don't think you have seen my brother Charles, have you?" She smiled and beckoned her brother to come closer with the other hand, "Charles is under my uncle now Seriously, he's getting married this fall."

"That's really good news." The king was noncommittal, "Who is the bride?"

"Margaret Douglas." The queen looked expectantly at the king. "You know, that is..."

"My niece, I know." Henry's expression didn't change, but he felt a little dissatisfied. Howard's family was already deeply tied to the royal family, how many in-laws would they need to be satisfied?

Catherine did not notice any change in the king. "Your Majesty, he is about to get married, but Charles doesn't even have a knighthood. Does this feel wronged to Miss Douglas? After all, she also has the blood of the royal family..." She looked at the king expectantly, her eyes showing a twinkle Poor look.

"So you want me to give him a title?" A slight smile appeared on the king's face.

"Ah, yes, Your Majesty." Catherine looked a little shy, "Is that okay?"

"Okay, let him be knighted." Sir Charles Howard, who was newly released, quickly knelt down and thanked him.

"Oh, thank you, Your Majesty!" Catherine kissed the king excitedly, "Let's go dance." As she spoke, she was about to drag the king into the dance floor.

"I'm a little tired, my little titmouse," said the king, and he looked round. "Mr. Culpepper, have your first dance with the queen," he said to his squire.Then he stood up, refused the servant's support, and walked out of the room by himself. Everyone stood up and sent His Majesty respectfully.

As soon as the king was gone, Catherine exclaimed excitedly, "Now, let's dance." She turned to look at Mr. Culpepper, and by God he was so handsome!Catherine's face couldn't help turning a little red.

Mr. Culpepper stepped forward and bowed to the queen: "Your Majesty, am I honored to invite you to dance the first dance?" Catherine was a little stunned, his eyes were really beautiful, as if he could talk... "Of course," she heard herself say, and Mr. Culpepper took her hand and dragged her onto the dance floor.

Mr. Culpepper danced very well. Catherine felt that her feet didn't even feel, as if she was stepping on clouds. She looked at the handsome face so close, and suddenly had an urge to kiss it.Oh, no, that's wrong, she told herself, I'm already a queen, I'm going to be careful... She looked into Culpepper's eyes, and there seemed to be sadness in her eyes, isn't he happy?He must be in love with some girl, as all the young men in Lambeth House who are frustrated in love are like.

"What is the matter with you, Mr. Culpepper?" asked the Queen. "Has some girl broken your heart?" she said jokingly.

"You are so good at things, Your Majesty." Mr. Culpepper's voice was sad.

"Why would someone reject you?" The queen was a little puzzled. "You are so handsome, and His Majesty trusts you so much."

"I didn't ask her, she's married."

"Is there any problem with this?" Catherine looked at the other party suspiciously. For nobles, marriage is just a business and has nothing to do with love.

"Yes, it's a problem for her." Culpepper looked at the queen. The nobleman can separate love and marriage, but the woman in front of him can't. Henry will kill him.

Catherine still didn't understand, but she didn't ask further.

At the end of the piece, Mr. Culpepper bowed to the queen, and politely handed her over to his next partner, and walked off the dance floor.He left the hall and walked out into the garden, no one noticed his departure.The moonlight outside was just right, he looked at the high moon, showing a mocking smile, so many women in the court threw themselves into his arms, but he fell in love with the impossible one.The nightly watch outside the king's chambers was a torture for him, and the noise from the room was almost unbearable.He noticed Catherine Howard when she was still the queen's maid. When Catherine was in danger on the hunting ground, Culpepper felt that his breath was about to stop. At that time, he found himself in love with this girl. , but the other party only has the king in their eyes.She became the mistress of the king, and then the queen, Mr. Culpepper told himself, it was time to let go, but tonight when he took the queen's hand and handed her over to the next man, he found that he still couldn't get rid of it.He turned his head and looked at the brightly lit mansion, the sound of elegant music came from inside, and the atmosphere of the dance seemed to be at its climax.

He took a deep breath and walked to the depths of the garden.