Just as predicted, Catherine Parr's husband had succumbed to his illness and died. Of course, following his death, Henry had sent Edward Seymour to go tell Catherine Parr that after her time of mourning, he would like to be given the opportunity to court her and then marry her. Naturally, Catherine said yes because she couldn't afford to say no and loose her life in the process. So, after the mourning, Henry courted Catherine and then asked for her hand in marriage, which she accepted. The wedding was as grand as all the other ones Henry had. Elizabeth stood next to James with their two children in front of them with young Edward as well. Little Fredrick was too young to join the celebrations so he was with Lady Bryan. Next to Elizabeth's family was Mary and her husband and daughter. To everyone's surprise, Mary was wearing a dress that showed her having a slight baby bump. Mary had fallen pregnant days before Henry started to court Catherine and had announced her pregnancy. With Mary's daughter, Cate, as her eldest, Mary was hoping that this time it would be a boy so her husband could have an heir for his lineage. Nathaniel was content with whatever gender it would be as long as his wife was happy and well. Elizabeth sighed happily and said to James, "Maybe Catherine will keep my father long enough to stay." James nodded in agreement and replied, "Of course, my love. She's a breath of fresh air, surely she'll calm
His Majesty's temper." Elizabeth said, "She knows what's expected for her and I know she'll do well. She's the perfect person for this role. She has a good head on her shoulders so she can handle being Queen. I have no doubt."
Elizabeth then excused herself from her husband and walked over to Bishop Gardiner who was calling her over to him. She bowed her head to him while he bowed to her. The princess smiled and said, "Bishop Gardiner, what may I do for you?" Bishop Gardiner bowed and replied, "Your Royal Highness. I was hoping that you and I might have an audience together to discuss a private matter." The princess stared at the bishop before considering his request and said, "Of course, Your Grace. Would sometime tomorrow after our council meeting suffice?" Bishop Gardner nodded and replied, "Of course, Your Royal Highness. Thank you." Elizabeth nodded then excused herself to join her family who were itching to join the next dance with the nobles of the court. Bishop Gardner bowed and muttered, "Your Royal Highness." He watched as the princess smiled brightly at her husband who took her hand and led her to the dance floor. They were soon followed by Mary, her husband, and their daughter, Elizabeth the 2nd, Nicholas, and little Katie. Henry stood at his throne with his new Queen and smiled brightly at the sight of his family having a good time, his eyes then landing on Catherine Parr who joined the dancers. After years of being a with different wives and being betrayed (in his mind) one by one, the old King felt that he finally found the one who held his heart. Of course, no one could replace Jane Seymour who was his one true love for giving him a son but he finally found someone who understood him. He finally felt complete.
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The next day, Elizabeth 1st was placed in charge of the court and kingdom once more while her father and his new wife were on their honeymoon. Since she was out of her confinement and was churched, she was able to rejoin society. The princess walked through the hallways with her ladies behind her as she made her way to the council chambers, causing courtiers to bow and curtsy to her. During her time as regent, she had gained more respect and affection than she ever could dream of. She was glad that the people of England had gained her trust and respect to become regent once more and she knew she couldn't loose it. She took her place at the head of the council in her father's seat with her husband and brother-in-law on both sides of her seat and waited as a chamberlain pulled the chair an inch then sat down. After Elizabeth sat down, the other council members followed in suite, taking their own seats. Elizabeth smiled and said, "Alright, what do we have for today, council?" Edward turned to Elizabeth and said, from his spot next to Charles Brandon, "There is overwhelming support in the kingdom from the people who pledged allegiance and their loyalty to you as regent once more." Elizabeth grinned and replied, "I shall do my best by them and do everything I can to make sure they prosper. What news of the disagreement between my father and Boulogne in France?" James turned to his wife and said, "The King wishes to take back Boulogne but I'm sure he would rather have war than negotiate." Elizabeth sighed and said, "Surely we can compromise rather than put our kingdoms in danger on both sides." Charles Brandon nodded in agreement and replied to his goddaughter, "We could converse with the French ambassador about meeting with King Francis and form some type of alliance once more. We're already allied with the French as is with your marriage to James since he is the Dauphin of France with you as the Dauphine." Elizabeth nodded and said, "I have a close relationship with my in-laws and I will not jeopardize it on the count of wanting glory for England. We can gain glory from alliances, war is just a cowardly excuse." The council members all nodded in agreement, talking amongst themselves. Nathaniel cleared his throat and said to his sister-in-law, "There is one matter I'd like to bring up, sister." Even though they weren't blood related, Nathaniel and Elizabeth were close friends and called each other brother and sister, but only in company and private. Elizabeth turned to Nathaniel and said, "Yes, Your Grace?" Nathaniel smiled and replied, "My wife, the Duchess of Sussex, would like to be able to return to our estate in the country for her confinement rather than court. She wishes for privacy when she has our second child. I shall come to court often till she goes into labor." Elizabeth nodded with a soft smile and said, "Of course, Your Grace. You have our permission. I shall see to the preparations of the move myself so my sister won't have to strain herself."
Nathaniel grinned at his sister-in-law, thanking her as he leaned back into his chair. He smiled at Thomas Seymour, who patted his shoulder, in congratulations, next to him. Elizabeth grinned and said, "So, I shall send a letter to King Francis about a summit and send the French ambassador with it to discuss things from there. What of our friends in Scotland?" While Henry might not be in alliance with Scotland, Elizabeth was close with Marie de Guise since they were practically cousins. The two women wrote letters to each other, keeping up with each other's lives. They even talked about betrothing Nicholas and Marie de Guise's now toddler daughter, Mary, together to align Scotland, England, and France together. Sir James turned to the princess and said, "The Queen Regent sends her heartfelt congratulations on the birth of Prince Fredrick and wishes you all the love she bears for you, as her cousin and ally of course. She wishes to betroth her daughter, Queen Mary, to your son, Prince Nicholas when they are of age." Elizabeth nodded and replied, "I shall bring the matter up to my father and see what his opinion is and we shall go from there. Anything else, milords?" When there was no response, Elizabeth stood from her seat, causing the council to stand as well. She clasped her hands together and said, "Then, we shall meet again to discuss the summit once I write a letter for the French ambassador to take to France. Thank you, milords. You may carry on." Before Elizabeth could walk out, Bishop Gardiner rushed over to her, causing her to freeze in her tracks next to her husband and brother-in-law who stood on both sides of her. Bishop Gardiner bowed to the princess and said, "Your Highness? You promised an audience with me after council?" Elizabeth sighed and replied, "Of course, Your Grace." The group waited the everyone filed out of the room. However, Elizabeth held her out, stopping them. Elizabeth said, staring at the bishop, "My Lord Seymour's, the Duke of Suffolk, husband, and brother-in-law can stay. *Bishop Gardner began to protest* Either they stay or no audience at all. They have my trust that they won't speak out against this."
The men Elizabeth had asked to stay stood in their spots while the other councilmen left the room, bowing to Elizabeth as they left. Elizabeth nodded at each man who bowed to her, being sure to acknowledge them. She then turned her attention back to Bishop Gardiner and said to him, taking her seat at the head table, "Alright, Your Grace. What troubles you so?" The bishop cleared his throat and replied, as the other men took their seats, leaving him to stand, "There has been a matter close to the royal family that had came to my attention and I wanted to bring it up to the King but alas he isn't present at court so I felt responsible to bring it you now that you are Regent for the time being. Are you aware of the new Queen's private relations with the Lutheran religion?" Elizabeth rolled her eyes, of course she knew Catherine's true religion but she was willing to bypass that for sake of their close relationship. She sighed and said, "Do you really listen to rumors, Bishop Gardiner? It's all just gossip and speculation to ruin my father's new marriage. If anything, Queen Catherine is a devout Catholic woman who is passionate about Catholicism and goes to prayer every day. You will do well to dismiss these rumors and nonsense. For if you speak against your Queen, you speak against your King, my father, and myself. Am I clear?" Bishop Gardiner took a deep breath, looking at Elizabeth's face to see annoyance and disappointment in her eyes, and replied, "Yes, Your Royal Highness." Elizabeth smirked and said, "Good, then we understand each other. The next time these rumors are spread, I will blame you and let you take the consequences. You are dismissed, Your Grace." With that, Bishop Gardiner bowed to the princess and the other men in the room who sat in silence and left the room, anger written on his face. Charles turned to his goddaughter and said, "Do you think it's wise to anger Bishop Gardiner, Elizabeth? He could turn against you." Elizabeth sighed and replied, as she stood, "He wouldn't dare, Uncle. If he dared try; he wouldn't know that I have a secret weapon against him and Father would snuff him out of court. Now, if you'd excuse us; my husband, brother-in-law, and I would like to check on our children and my brother and sister. You all are dismissed, thank you." The Seymour brothers and Charles bowed to the royal trio as they left the room with Elizabeth's ladies behind them.