#isabel i of castile (sixtended oc)

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Juana de Castilla, Reina de Castilla y Aragón: My Heir and Legacy

The tenth story in the ‘Mending Bridges, Meaningful Bonds’ collection.

Isabel and Juana talk about what happened in the past and Isabel ended up confessing something that set her daughter off.

Credits:

@spooner7308 for beta reading this and giving me handy writing tips!

Characters:

Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana ‘La Loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

Maria Trastámara belongs to yours truly.

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Infanta Juana made her way to the palace stables. She immediately found the man she was looking for and quickly walked over to him.

Diego Colon.

The son of the explorer Cristobal Colon and Príncipe Juan’s page boy.

Diego stopped brushing his horse when he spotted the Infanta making her way towards him. Things had been quite awkward between them since it was announced that Juana would be sent to Flanders to marry Archiduque Felipe el Hermoso and he has been avoiding her since.

It would only be cruel to Juana to make his feelings evident to her and he knows she feels the same.

“Do not hurry,” Juana said before Diego could walk away. “I know you are avoiding me but I will only bother for a moment.”

The young stable hand nodded and walked closer. Meeting the infant in the middle. Juana took a deep breath.

“I have to entrust you with a task. My mare will not follow me to Flanders,” she said.

Diego frowns in confusion. Juana loves that mare as much as she loves riding it. Why leave it in Castile?

Why give it to him?

“But why, Your Highness? You adore that animal,” he questioned.

“That is why I want you to keep her and keep taking care of her,” Juana answered.

Diego shook his head and said, “no, I cannot accept.”

“Do it,” Juana insisted. “Because it is my wish to give you a present for the good way you served me.”

The young man stared at the Infanta and just nodded in acceptance. Juana gave him a small smile in thanks.

“We will not see each other again. I hope you will be very happy with your wife in those distant lands,” she said. She then turns and takes her leave. Diego wanted to stop her. He wanted to say his feelings.

He could only shed tears as he watched the woman he loved walk away forever.

Juana had to let herself cry once she was out of the public eye. She’ll be leaving home forever and she is afraid of what is to come.

If only she could choose who she is to marry.

Composing herself, the infanta made her way to the main hall where her family was waiting for her to say their goodbyes.

“Even if the wide kingdom of France separates us, know that I will look after you day and night in the distance,” Fernando said as hugged his daughter tightly.

“Much more than a kingdom is needed to prevent your love from reaching me,” Juana said. Her father smiles proudly and kisses her forehead.

“You have my blessing, amada hija. Never forget where you come from or who you are,” he said.

Juana smiled. Trying hard not to shed a tear in front of her family. Isabel walked over to her husband and daughter and said, “we must leave.”

The Infanta faces her family and bows one last time before making her dignified exit. Her mother and Beatriz walking with her and her entourage. The queen followed her daughter all the way to Laredo where the fleet that will be taking her to Flanders where her husband-to-be was waiting for her.

Before Juana could board the ship, she turned and faced her mother. Isabel smiled sadly as she took her daughter’s hands in her own.

Juana smiled at her. “Do not worry. My heart is leaving filled, and its warmth will comfort me no matter how cold it is in Flanders,” she said.

“You will always be in the thoughts of your mother and those who love you here,” Isabel said.

The mother and daughter shared a loving embrace. Holding each other one last time before leaving forever. The separation was hesitant but necessary. Juana was trying her best not to cry. Her voice cracked as she spoke the following words, “all my wish will be to be such a good wife and sovereign as you.”

“I ask God then that your husband deserves you and makes you happy,” Isabel said.

The Infanta gives her mother one last smile before boarding the ship. Her entourage followed right after. The queen stayed on the pier as she watched her daughter.

“She will want for nothing. I will take care of her,” Beatriz, Isabel’s lady in waiting and long time dearest friend, said to her.

Isabel sighs. “I will never see her again,” she mourns. “And after her, her sisters will leave. And it is her who is afraid of loneliness.”

Beatriz smiled reassuringly at her friend before boarding to join Juana on the ship. Isabel stands and watches as the fleet sails away on the horizon.

Having one last glimpse of the daughter she will never see again.

Isabel carries the laundry basket filled with washed clothes out back to hang them up to dry.

She hums to herself as she gets to work hanging clothes on their clothes line. She was just about to finish when she noticed the back door opened and closed. She turned to look to see who had come out and found Juana standing at the back porch.

Isabel noticed that her daughter seemed more nervous and fidgety than usual. Finishing up the last of the clothes and grabbing the basket, she walked over to her third eldest to see what was wrong.

"Juana? Is something the matter, mija? You look afraid," she asked.

Juana seemed to jump when she called her but quickly relaxed when she realized it was just her mother.

"Lo siento, madre...I was just avoiding...um...padre..." she mumbled.

"I see. Do you want to talk?" Isabel asked. Ever Since the incident with Catalina, Fernando has been more determined to talk to Juana.

However, Juana seemed to be intimidated by the forward action of her father and has been avoiding him more.

Juana nodded and Isabel gestured to the bench so they could sit down and talk. Juana goes to sit down while Isabel puts the basket away before joining her daughter on the bench. She took her hand in her own and gently squeezed it.

“So? Tell me whatever you want. I’m here to listen,” she said.

Juana looked at her hesitantly. She was still a bit unsure in trusting her own mother with her emotions. Isabel, however, was quite patient while her daughter gathered her thoughts first. Finally, after several moments of silence, Juana took a deep breath.

“I...I’m still afraid,” she admitted. Her voice was shaking a bit and barely above a whisper.

“Of your padre?” Isabel asked. Her daughter nodded.

“I-I know I have no reason to be afraid of him anymore. Seeing as how he proved himself to Catalina the other day but...I really can’t help but be afraid of him,” she explained.

“You have every reason to still be afraid of your padre and I fully understand why,” Isabel said. Gently squeezing Juana’s hand.

“Do you know what he did to me?” Juana asked.

Isabel nodded somberly. “I do. I’ve done my research and I’m so sorry, mija. For everything that I had put you through,” she said. Juana looked confused. “What?” she asked.

“Because I specifically put in my last will and testament that your father be the regent if you were deemed unstable to rule Castile. I thought it was the smart thing to do but...I realize now that I only put you in danger,” Isabel explained.

“Y-You assigned padre as my regent and...allowed him to lock me up?” Her mother nodded. Nothing but guilt in her golden brown hues.

Tears fell down Juana’s face. Her mother had betrayed her. And here she thought she could trust her. She curled in on herself as she started to sob.

Isabel was hurt but she knew she had hurt her daughter more.

“Juana, I’m so sorry...truly I am,” she said. Her own tears spilled down her face.

Juana said nothing and just kept sobbing. She’s already dealing with her father’s betrayal and neglect but learning that it all started from her mother made her question everything now.

‘Could she trust them?’ is the main question that was repeating in her mind.

“W-Why…? Why did you do that…?” Juana asked meekly. Tears are still falling down her face. Seeing her like this broke Isabel’s heart in two.

“I-I thought I was doing the right thing. I was foolish to believe that your padre would take care of you and your sisters after I passed. But I was wrong...I was so terribly wrong…” she said. It hurt to admit that she involuntarily took part in her husband’s mistreatment of their daughters but she knew she had to confess.

She reached over to Juana but was startled when her hand was harshly slapped away.

“Juana--”

“HOW COULD YOU!?” Juana screams.

Isabel was shocked at the drastic escalation of the situation. “J-Juana I--” she was cut off again.

“I thought I could trust you! You! My own mother! I thought I at least had someone who would protect me but instead you’re the made who had the ball rolling in the first place!” Juana ranted. Fury within her golden gaze. A hue similar to her father’s.

“Juana, I truly tried to protect you! Please believe me when I say that what I did was for your own good!” Isabel defended.

“Protect me?” Juana laughs maniacally, “don’t give me that crap, madre! You never protected me. You only protected yourself! You and padre were ashamed of me. In fact, I knew I was your least favorite child because of my views of religion!” she stood up and started pacing back and forth. Her arms waving around wildly as she continues her rant.

“I knew you loved Maria, Catalina for their devotion to the faith. Heck! You only opposed Bella from taking the oath because you would lose her as a political pawn but you still gave her more attention than you did me. And don’t get me started on how you and padre favor Juan above all else! You treated me like I was a burden that you could just send away! Like you said in the past, I’m crazy, not stupid.”

Isabel was sobbing loudly now. Hiding her face behind her hands in shame as her daughter listed the ways she failed her as a mother.

The door leading to the back porch flew open and Maria came running out. Somehow having heard Juana scream all the way from one of the guest rooms. Just looking at the situation she came upon, she instantly knew what was going on. Isabel gave Maria a pleading look. Silently asking her for help.

The two women were startled out of their silent communication when they heard a loud thud. They looked over to Juana and found her slamming her head against the wooden post repeatedly. Her eyes shut tight and her teeth and jaw locked in a tight grit.

“Juana!” Isabel exclaimed. Immediately jumping up to her feet.

Maria rushed over to her older sister before her mother could and hugged her as tightly as she could. Pinning her arms on her sides and pulling her away from the post. Trying to ground her and calm her down.

“Jo. Jo, calm down now. It’s okay. It’s okay,” she said calmly and quietly. Juana then started to laugh uncontrollably. A mix of tears and blood, from the fresh cut on her head, fell down her cheeks and her face contorted in a painful grimace. Her arms were trying desperately to break out of Maria’s hold and scratch at her throat. The sound of her laughter was screeching and it was grating on Isabel and Maria’s ears.

Isabel could only stand and watch in horror as her daughters literally struggled with each other. One was trying to break free from the other’s hold.

This was her doing.

She made her daughter like this and she has no way of reverting it now.

All she has is guilt.

After several tense minutes of struggling, Juana finally calmed down and slumped against Maria. Her head throbbing in pain and the cut stinging. Her throat was painfully dry and scratchy from laughing hysterically. She was utterly exhausted from her major breakdown. Maria was quite exhausted herself but stayed standing as she held her sister in her arms. Continuing to say reassuring words to her.

Isabel tried to step closer to her daughters but Maria held up a hand to stop her.

“Juana needs to rest. She’ll be out of it for at least a day or two,” she said.

Their mother nodded meekly. Maria knows how much guilt she has now but this isn’t her business to butt in. This is between Juana and their mother. And her main priority is to get Juana upstairs and into bed to rest.

“Hermano. Help me with Juana,” Maria said.

Isabel looked up in surprise when her son rushed out and gently lifted Juana in his arms. She looked towards the door and found the rest of her children standing there.

How long have they’ve been watching? Did they witness everything?

Catalina held the door open for her brother as he carefully carried Juana inside. Maria following close. Isabel helplessly watched as Bella and Catalina followed suit.

She was now left alone on the back porch.

Isabel dropped to her knees and started sobbing again. The remorse and guilt she felt was overwhelming and she just had to release it.

She has committed the ultimate sin.

Her daughter is like this because of her and she deserves to be punished for it. She felt familiar arms wrap around her and pull her close. Isabel clung to Fernando as she cried on his shoulder. He held her close and comforted her as best as he could.

It was all he could do at the moment.

The next day, Juana was confined in bed all day. Her siblings took turns looking after her while she recovered from mental fatigue. Meanwhile, Isabel spent most of the day locked in hers and Fernando’s room. Still reeling from the immense guilt. Fernando checks up on her from time to time. Making sure she’s okay and if she needed anything. He quickly finished all his and Isabel’s chores by himself and spent the rest of the day with her.

The following morning, Isabel got up really early and went out to the back porch to be alone and think.

As she walked out, she noticed someone was already there.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” Juana said. She was sitting on the bench, looking out towards the barn and garden.

Isabel said nothing.

What else could she even say to her daughter at this point?

“Sit down, madre. We need to talk,” Juana said. Her mother hesitantly made her way over and sat down on the bench. Giving a bit of a distance between them. She looked over at Jauna. She looked exhausted. Dark bags under her eyes, sunken cheeks, pale skin and a band aid over the cut on her head.

The guilt was eating away in the pit of her stomach.

The mother and daughter sat in silence for several moments. Watching the sun rising in the distance. Finally, it was Isabel who broke the silence.

“Juana. I’m truly sorry. It was never my intention to hurt you and you were right that my faith blinded me on how I treated my children. I should have prioritized you and your siblings equally instead of treating you differently just because you have different opinions. I understand fully why you’re angry with me and I will not deny my sins to you,” she said. Fiddling with her thumbs nervously as she spoke.

Juana remained quiet for a time. She didn’t even look at her mother. Thinking that she had said what she had to say, Isabel started to get up when Juana placed a hand on her lap to stop her.

“I have bipolar disorder and tics. My therapist prescribed me medication to help with my bouts. Her theory was that I already had symptoms of BPD and that going through postpartum depression after giving birth seemed to have worsened it. This explains my bouts of madness in the past,” she explained. Her mother looked at her in slight confusion. “Hearing her explain it made me incredibly relieved. That there was a reason for my ‘madness’ this entire time. It was like a weight off my shoulders. Felipe, my husband, used my vulnerability to his selfish desires,” she continued. She frowned at the thought of her husband. The man who made her life a living hell.

“He manipulated me to make sure I would stay devoted to him. And he succeeded. I was obsessed with him to the point where I willingly neglected my own children. I have my own faults in the past and just because I was ‘mad’ doesn’t excuse me for the horrible things I had done.” She looked towards her mother as she said the last sentence.

Isabel lowered her head in shame.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that alone, Juana. If I could turn back time, I would right all the wrongs I have committed to you and your siblings. You all deserve better. I’m proud of how strong you are and I hope you can find it in you to forgive me but I will understand if you don’t,” she said.

“I’m willing to work on forgiving you, madre. That is if you’re willing to work with me in making up for all the bad things you’ve done to me,” Juana said.

“I am. I am very much willing to make things up to you, hija. I love you and I’m very very sorry for the neglect I did.”

“For years, I valued the love and care you showed me, no matter how little they were. Even now, I still want that love and care from you. Hearing you promise to make it up to me genuinely makes me happy,” Juan said. Tears falling down her face.

Isabel reached up and gently wiped her daughter’s tears away with her thumb.

“I won’t let my faith blind me again this time around. I was given a second life for a reason and that is to love you and your siblings more than I had in the past. I’m really proud of you, Juana,” she said.

Juana hugs her tightly. Crying on her shoulder. Isabel cries as well. But the tears were happy ones this time. She was happy that her daughter gave her another chance to love and care for her.

She promises to herself and her daughter that she won’t fail this time around.

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Epilogue

The epilogue in the ‘Mending Bridges, Meaningful Bonds’ collection.

Fernando and Isabel go on a beach trip with their children.

Credits:

@spooner7308 for beta reading this and giving me handy writing tips!

Characters:

Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart

Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana ‘La Loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

Maria Trastámara belongs to yours truly

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“Do we not have news about the admiral?”

“We do not.”

The royal couple held hands as they strolled around their new palace in Granada. They had recently conquered the beautiful city and have destined it as their new vacation home.

“I predict nothing good if the winter falls on him at sea,” Fernando said.

“Have faith. How hard have you tried to recover Roussillon and Cerdanya. And now you are going to succeed,” Isabel said.

“If God wills it.”

“He shall. And Colon will return. God rewards the perseverant.”

“It is possible. At the moment, at the moment, my troops are waiting at the border in case the Frenchmen backs down,” Fernando said. His wife shook her head.

“No such thing will happen. These are new times for our kingdoms, let us enjoy them,” she said. They stopped at the entrance of a room where their children were.

Juan had little Catalina sitting on his lap. His dog, Bruto, is sleeping by his feet. He was teaching her how to read. Isabella was looking over María's shoulder. Teaching her how to write in cursive. Juana was practicing her musical skills on her brother’s lute.

Smiles came on the parents’ faces.

“Look. We owe this happiness to the peace that has cost us so much to get. It is our first duty to make it last.”

"Found anything?"

"Nope. It's like they never went to the beach at all. Which is weird considering they live close by."

Maria sighs and shuts the old wardrobe closed. Her and Juan had been looking for their parents' swimming outfits for the past twenty minutes now.

"What now?" Juan asked.

"You have some extra swimming trunks right?" Maria asked. Looking over at him.

"Yeah but I don't know if it'll fit padre though," he said. “It’s worth a try than nothing. I’ll go see if Bella has a spare bathing suit that can fit madre,” she said.

“Alright. I’ll go and help Juana with the food.”

The two split up once exiting the master bedroom. Maria goes upstairs and Juan goes to the kitchen where Juana was.

“Any luck finding anything?” Juana asked as her brother joined her to help in preparing food.

“Nothing. Maria suggested we lend them ours though,” Juan said. Taking over in frying the eggs for Juana so she can focus on making sandwiches.

“Will ours even fit them?” she asked. Putting the finished sandwiches in ziplock bags.

“I think padre can fit in one of my swimming trunks and madre can probably fit in one of Bella’s bathing suits,” he said. He placed the fried eggs on a paper towel covered plate to soak up the extra oil.

“That could work. Hopefully they’ll like the trip to the beach,” Juana said. Putting their prepared food into containers before placing them in a large plastic bag.

Juan’s phone rang and he went out back to take it. Maria had come back down, carrying some of their bags with her as well as a mini cooler. Juana raised an eyebrow.

“Since when did we bring a mini cooler?” she asked her younger sister.

“We didn’t because Bella bought this back in Barcelona to contain her cans of Monster,” Maria said, opening the mini cooler to show about a dozen cans in there.

Juana shook her head. “She’s going overboard with this addiction,” she said.

“Which is why I’m getting rid of it,” Maria said. Closing the mini cooler.

Juan comes back inside after taking his call. “Hey guys! Bella just called and...what do you have there?” he asked when he saw what Maria was holding.

“This, querido hermano, is Isabella’s secret mini cooler filled with cans of energy drinks,” Maria answered.

“Um...okay...but Bella just called me and told me that they’re already packing up their wares in the market so we should hurry and get everything in the van,” Juan said.

“Oh right! Let’s get moving!” Maria said.

“I’ll take that!” Their brother took the mini cooler and shuffled off outside.

The three got the things they needed for a beach trip ready in the van and waited on the front porch for Catalina and Isabella to come back with their parents from the village market.

“Juan, what did you do with the mini cooler?” Maria asked her older brother.

“I got rid of it. Threw the cans away and put the mini cooler in the front shed,” Juan said. His sister nods in approval.

“Here they come,” Juana said as he spotted Isabella opening the gate to let the truck. Fernando drives the truck in the property. Catalina, who was sitting at the bed of the truck, jumped off.

“¡Hola! How was the trip to the market?” Maria asked as she, Juana and Juan stood up to greet them.

“It was alright. Everything managed to sell out this time,” Isabel said as she got out of the truck.

“Oh good! Does that mean you don’t have any more chores to do?” Maria asked.

“Yes. We can relax for the rest of the day,” Fernando said. Rounding the truck to put away the table and crates to the shed.

"Great! Hop in the van because we're going to the beach!"

"The beach?" their parents asked. Their children nodded.

"But what about the farm? Who would look after it if we're not here?" Isabel asked.

"No worries! Juana managed to get a favor from her boyfriend and he agreed to watch the farm," Maria said. "Maria! Hernando is not my boyfriend!" Juana exclaimed. A blush on her cheeks.

"But we don't even have anything to wear to the beach," Fernando said.

"I can lend you one of my swimming trunks, padre," Juan offered.

"And Bella has an extra bathing suit that madre can wear," Maria said.

Isabel and Fernando looked at each other.

"Come on! We wanna spend time with you guys at the beach before we head off to the airport tomorrow. Make some memories and all that," Maria urged.

She's right. They'll be heading back to England tomorrow. And although Isabel and Fernando were given their contact information so they could still communicate from afar, their children leaving will still be bittersweet.

"Alright then," their father said. "Let's go to the beach," their mother said.

All five children grinned happily. They piled up in the van, with Catalina driving as usual, and got situated. Juana waited by the gate as the youngest backed the vehicle out of the property. She closed and locked the gate before hopping in the passenger side.

“Everyone ready?” Catalina asked. “Ready!” everyone responded.

With that, they drove off to the beach.

The drive to the beach took roughly about half an hour. Once there, Maria got out to pay their entrance fee and rent a cabin for the day.

"Maria is in charge of our vacation budget," Juana said when their parents wondered why Maria was the only one who got out of the van.

While they waited, Juan was whispering something in Isabella's ear and she briefly looked relieved and freaked out at the same time. Juana raised an eyebrow suspiciously at this as she watched them through the rearview mirror.

Maria soon returned to the van after doing payments.

"I got us cabin seven with the mini bar and karaoke!" she excitedly said.

"A mini bar?" Isabel asked.

"It's a small island counter with a shelf full of alcohol," Juan explains.

"We're going all out today huh?" Isabella asked.

"It's our last day here so might as well go out with a bang," Maria said.

"I won't be having much alcohol since I'm the designated driver," Catalina said as she drives up to their rented cabin and parks the van up front. They got out and Maria unlocked the cabin with the key given to her so they could bring their things inside.

The cabin was small but it had everything they needed for their temporary stay at the beach.

"Let's go get changed!" Juan said after everything was put away for the time being.

Isabel and Fernando were lended their children's spare swimwear and they went to go change into them.

Fernando decided to wear a plain white, sleeveless, shirt to pair with the swimming trunks Juan lended to him.

Isabel, however, felt quite uncomfortable with the one-piece bathing suit she was wearing.

"I feel a bit exposed in this. Are you sure this is how...Infanta María! What in God's name are you wearing!?” she exclaimed upon seeing her daughter wearing a yellow string bikini.

"What? This is my swimsuit," Maria said. Confidently flaunting her 'assets'.

Of course, this is a big 'no-no' to the former Catholic Monarch.

"You're basically wearing undergarments! Cover up or change into something more appropriate!"

"Mamá, this is normal at the beach. Some people wear way less than me on some beaches. Look! Even Bella and Catalina are wearing bikinis too."

Isabel looked when Maria gestured to her sisters and sure enough, the two were wearing bikinis as well.

"¡Mis hijas!" their mother exclaimed.

"It's fine, madre," Isabella reassured.

"But you're all exposed!" Isabel pointed out.

"It's normal on beaches. Trust us," Catalina said.

"Everyone ready?" Juan asked as he came out. Wearing only his swimming trunks.

"Juana's still changing," Catalina said.

"I'm done," Juana said. She was wearing a yellow bikini top and swimming trunks.

"Great! Let's go enjoy the beach!" Maria said.

"I am not going out there like this!" Isabel said.

"Alright, fine. Here. I have a shawl you can use to cover up," she said, rummaging through her bag and handing her mother a shawl.

Isabel gladly took the shawl and wrapped it around her hips. "There. Now we can go," she said.

"Alright! Let's go!"

The family heads out to enjoy the sun, sand and sea.

Catalina brought their beach ball out and played beach volleyball with Juana, Fernando and Juan. Isabella took their mother to the water for a swim. Maria decided to get some tan on while watching her family play around.

"So how do we play this game?" Fernando asked as he stood next to his son, opposite Catalina and Juana.

"It's simple! We just hit the ball when it comes to us and prevent it from landing on our side," Juan explained.

"Alright then. I'll follow your lead."

With that, they started the game with Juana serving the ball.

Meanwhile, Isabel and her namesake were having fun splashing about in the shallow water.

"This is so much fun!" Isabel said.

"I know! The beach is one of the best places to go to during the summer," Isabella said.

"Oh look! I found a shell!" Her mother declared as she picked up a small, pink shell.

"Ooh! Let's collect shells along the shore and maybe we can make them into little souvenirs!" Isabella suggested.

"That's a great idea!"

The two Isabellas then set off to go find sea shells. After the game, Fernando decided to take a break and went to sit next to Maria. As he made his way over, he noticed a group of young men bothering her while she laid on her stomach. The ties of her bikini top undone.

His protective paternal instincts went on high gear as he marched his way to them.

"¡Hola hermosa! Wanna have some fun with us?" one of the young men said.

"No, gracias, chicos. I'm not interested. Now please leave me alone to tan," Maria said dismissively.

"Come on, hermosa. We promise it'll be fun," another one insisted.

Fernando grabbed a discarded shawl and draped it over Maria's back before standing in front of the group of young men. Arms crossed over his chest and glaring at them.

Like the soldier king that he was.

"Papá! I was tanning!" his daughter complains.

"She said she's not interested. Ahora deja a mi hija en paz," he said.

Or rather commanded.

The group scrambled away once they realized that this man was the father of the girl they were trying to flirt with. Maria sits up and fixes her bikini top.

“You didn’t have to scare them off, papá. I was fine,” she said.

“You and I both know that they wouldn’t leave you until you agreed with them,” Fernando said.

“I know. I’m used to getting hit on like that. Especially on a good day but I still stay strong on my answer being ‘no’.”

“Even so, Maria. You should be cautious around strange men. Especially when they're in groups like that.”

Maria sighs and just shrugs. "There goes my tan, I guess," she said. Standing up from her beach towel. Dusting off sand from her lap before wrapping the shawl around her hips. "How are you liking the beach so far?" She asked. Following her father back to the cabin to get something to eat and drink.

"Aside from the encounter with that group earlier, it's been fun so far. Your madre and I really needed this break," Fernando said. Walking alongside his daughter.

They reached the cabin and went inside. Maria got behind the mini bar to fix them some drinks while Fernando looked for something to eat. The others soon joined them when the weather got too hot. They had lunch together and sang karaoke. Maria and Juan fought over who gets to sing the next song while Catalina yells at them to give their parents a turn.

Isabella used this opportunity to go to the kitchenette, sneak a can of Monster from her mini cooler, that Juan did not get rid of, and pour it into her empty glass.

"Bella, where did you get that?" Juana asked. Coming up behind her.

"Gah!" Her oldest sister squeaked in surprise and almost dropped her drink.

She had been caught.

Juana looked over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow when she saw the mini cooler. "I thought Juan got rid of that cooler," she said.

"Uh...I can explain?"

"Oh please do, querida hermana," Maria said as she came up behind Juana. Arms crossed over her chest and an unamused look on her face. "Please tell us why you have that mini cooler when-" she turns to shout, "-Juan!-" then faces her sister again, "-told us that he got rid of it?" she finished her question with a sinister sweet tone.

Now this was just not fair! Isabella was being ganged up on.

She held her precious mini cooler protectively in her arms as she tried to think of a strategy to escape her sisters that were easily towering over her.

Juan came to her rescue when he snuck up behind his two younger sisters and had the genius idea of covering their eyes from behind.

"Run! Run, Bella, run!" he said. Isabella did just that and booked it out of the kitchenette.

"Bella, come back here!" Maria shouts after her as she escapes her brother's hold. She ran outside after her oldest sister with Juana in tow. Juan went after them to stop them from catching their oldest.

Isabel and Fernando were very freaked out when their four children started to chase each other outside the cabin. Screaming and shouting at each other.

"W-What's going on? Why are they fighting?" Isabel asked. Looking outside through the open door.

"Don't worry. They're fine," Catalina nonchalantly said as she flipped through the songbook. Looking for a song to sing.

"But they're fighting!" Fernando pointed out. Confused as to why his youngest is so nonplussed by her older siblings fighting over a mini cooler.

"As long as no one is drowning the other at sea or burying them alive under the sand then we're all good," she said.

Isabel and Fernando looked at each other in worry.

The chase came to an end with a compromise between the two parties. Isabella would be allowed to keep her energy drinks and mini cooler but with each can, it corresponds to a day where she would not have any Monster whatsoever. That means she'll go twelve days without a Monster once they land in England.

Isabella accepted the compromise, though rather with much hesitation.

The weather became suitable to go back out again and the family got back to doing their activities. Fernando and Isabel got to try out new things that day and building sand castles seemed to be their favorite so far.

"Hey guys! Let's take a photo!" Maria said. Setting up her camera on a tripod.

"A photo?" Isabel asked.

"Yeah! A little souvenir for you guys. Now stand close together in the shot," she instructed as she set up the timer in the camera.

"Photo time!" Juan said and got behind their parents. Wrapping his arms around them and pulling them close together.

Isabella and Juana stood to Isabel's left while Catalina positioned herself on Fernando's right.

"Alright everyone! Smile!" Maria rushed over to Catalina and grabbed her arm in time for the timer to run out and captured the moment.

"Maria! I almost fell!" Catalina exclaimed. Balancing both hers and her sister's weight before they could topple over.

"Let's see how it looked!" Juan said. Going over to the camera to see the photo taken.

The family gathered around to see and the results were pretty good.

"I like how it came out," Fernando said.

"Yeah! Let's have this printed and framed!" Isabella said.

"I think there's a photo printing shop nearby here," Juana said.

"I'll go get this printed later. Now let's get back to having fun!" Maria said.

They agreed and continued on with their day. When the sun was starting to set, they all decided to take their showers and change back into their civilian clothes. They decided, last minute, to have a bonfire jamming session. They rented a guitar and Fernando and Isabella took turns playing it while the others sang to their heart's content.

It was dark out when they packed up their things and took them to the van. The drive back to the farm was quiet as Maria, Isabella, Juan, Fernando and Isabel were all sleeping and Catalina and Juana were the only ones awake.

"So what do you think of this trip?" Catalina asked quietly. Focusing on the road in front.

"As a whole or just these two weeks in general?" Juana asked back.

"As a whole," the youngest answered.

"The first few days in Barcelona were fun. Then things changed when we got to Girona and discovered our parents living in the countryside," the older of the two said.

Catalina nodded in agreement. They initially planned on visiting several beaches near Barcelona and Girona was their first stop. Their plans changed when their van broke down in the middle of the countryside and met their reincarnated parents.

"What about the two weeks? What do you think?" the former queen of England asked.

"It was...a rollercoaster of emotions for sure. The first week was just full of tension and it was almost unbearable. But then the second week slowly got a lot better. At least a little bit. Well, except for the time you punched padre in the face and I had a huge meltdown in front of madre," said the former queen of Castile and Aragon.

"Yes but look how far we've come in just a span of two weeks. Sure it's not entirely fixed yet but it's a start," Catalina said and Juana nodded in agreement.

"It is a start and frankly, I'm glad that our parents made the effort. Having a complete family again is nice."

"Indeed."

.

It was late at night when they had arrived back at the farmhouse. Catalina and Juana woke their parents and siblings up so they could sleep properly on proper beds.

Come morning time, Fernando and Isabel went with their children to Barcelona to see them out to the airport. Tearful goodbyes, tight hugs and promises of a second visit were shared.

The parents watched as their children walked to their gate leading to the plane they will be boarding. Fernando held Isabel close as she cried on his shoulder.

Two weeks of being with their children felt like years and now they're leaving the nest again.

At least now, they have the means and technology to communicate with them from afar.

When they got home that night, they noticed something hung up next to their wedding photo. Upon closer look, the couple couldn't help but smile.

It was the photo they took at the beach yesterday.

Maria had it printed, framed, and had hung it up on the wall before they left that morning. It was a last gift to their parents as thanks for housing them and making the effort to get to know them again.

The photo will forever be a reminder of the family they had gained over the span of two weeks.

And they had a feeling that the family would grow in time.

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Thank you so much for reading this collection! This is possibly the biggest writing project I've ever done and I'm very proud of the result! Again, thank you for the undying support.

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Isabella de Aragón, Reina de Portugal: My First Blessing

The fourth story in the ‘Mending Bridges, Meaningful Bonds’ collection.

Fernando and Isabella talk about brushing cows and the past sins of the father to his first blessing.

Credits:

@spooner7308 for beta reading this and giving me handy writing tips!

Characters:

Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana ‘La Loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

Maria Trastámara belongs to yours truly

--------------------------------------------------

Fernando paced restlessly along the hallway outside his marital chambers. Isabel has been in labor for many hours now and he's getting more and more worried. This is their first child she was giving birth to and he fears that the labor will prove too much for his wife and he will lose her and possibly their child.

"You do not have to worry, nature will follow its course. Isabel is a strong woman," Gonzalo Chacón, Isabel and Fernando's royal adviser said reassuringly.

"I know, Chacón, I know. The strongest a man would want to see in the trance of giving birth," the father to be said. His pacing was halted when Isabel's screams echoed from within the bed chambers. He started to worry more when Isabel's screams were followed by the loud wails of an infant.

The doors opened and the midwife walked out. She smiled at Fernando and said, "it's a girl, Don Fernando."

A smile slowly came to his face and he went into the bedchambers without a second thought. Isabel laid on the bed, holding their newborn daughter and smiling exhaustedly yet proudly at her husband. Fernando goes over to the bed and sat next to his wife. Looking proudly at their daughter.

"She's beautiful," he said. Fernando offers his finger and their daughter takes it in her tiny hand. The new parents smiled even more.

"Her name will be Isabella," Fernando said.

Isabel looked at him in surprise. He smiles at his wife. "Just like her mother," he said before kissing her forehead. Isabel smiles and quietly thanks him. She gave thanks to God as well for granting her and her husband a healthy daughter.

Infanta Isabella was baptized a week after her birth and both parents wore gold to the baptism. Word about the royal birth and baptism spread around Castile and Aragon. Unfortunately, this news would reach Isabel's half brother, Enrique, and it would be used to pinpoint her location.

Because of circumstances turning dire, the new family had to flee.

"What is all the fuss about?" Fernando asked as he and Isabel rushed over. They were told to quickly get dressed for travel.

"Pacheco's troops left Segovia to attack us, they're coming towards the palace," Gonzalo de Córdoba, general of their army, said.

Fernando and Isabel shared a look of shock. Isabel's brother, Enrique, is relentless in his pursuit. He will stop at nothing until he captures them. They hastily made their way to the main hall. Gonzalo follows closely.

"What is the proportion of the forces?" Fernando asked.

"Five men of Pacheco's for each one of our own. I do not mind fighting, Your Majesty," Gonzalo answered.

"You should not fight battles that will lose for sure, Gonzalo. Besides, the most important thing is our daughter's safety," the king said.

They reached the main hall where Chacón was waiting for them. "We must retreat. The problem is where to go," Chacón asked.

"Medina de Rioseco. It's the fief of Enríquez and we'll be protected there. As I told you, Your Majesty, politics is the art of anticipating the future and this was, unfortunately, quite predictable," Archbishop Alfonso Carillo said.

"Gracias, Su Excelencia," Isabel said.

"Well done, Carillo," Fernando said.

"We have to leave immediately. Pacheco's troops will advance faster than us," the archbishop said.

"I can face them while fleeing. You'll gain time that way," Gonzalo offered.

"You are coming with us. I want the best men to protect my wife and daughter," Fernando turned down his offer. With that, he and Isabel went to get their daughter for the retreat.

"Take everything that is strictly necessary!" Gonzalo orders and his men immediately go to work.

They got everything ready at the palace courtyard. The carriage where the infanta and her nurses will be riding in was all prepared for the hasty travel. Chacón, riding on his horse, approached Gonzalo.

"Is everything ready?" he asked.

"Everything," the general answered.

"Good. The sooner we leave this place, the better," Chacón said before riding off to make sure the others were ready to depart.

"Saddle the horses!" Gonzalo orders as Fernando and Isabel's royal steeds were brought in.

Isabel and Fernando exited the palace and out to the courtyard with their daughter in Isabel's arms. They both kissed their baby on the forehead before handing little Isabella over to her nurses.

"What will become of us, Fernando?" Isabel asked as she and Fernando made their way to their horses.

"We will be fine, and we will be who we want to be," Fernando answered reassuringly to his wife. Isabel nodded in agreement. They mounted their horses and prepared to ride off.

"Give the signal," Fernando said to Gonzalo.

"Get moving!" Gonzalo shouts.

With his signal, the entire entourage makes their exit. They hope to arrive in Medina de Rioseco soon before Pacheco's troops reach the abandoned palace.

The first night in their new place, a storm was raging outside. Isabel woke up to the sound of her daughter crying. In an instant, she was awake and looked towards the crib but didn't see little Isabella there as she should have. She began to panic and quickly looked around the chambers. She lets out a breath of relief when she finds Fernando cradling their daughter in his arms. Calming her down and rocking her back to sleep.

"Fernando," Isabel said. Fernando looks over to his wife and smiles. "She woke up. She must be afraid of the storm," he said. Going over to their bed and sitting next to her. Isabel smiles as she leans against him. "Pequeña, there is nothing to be afraid of," she coos at their daughter. Gently caressing the top of her head to help calm her down.

Fernando couldn't help but smile proudly at his wife and daughter. Since Isabella's birth, he's always found carrying her if Isabel was busy or taking a break. Usually, the baby would be given to the nurses but Fernando insisted on holding his newborn daughter despite his busy schedule. Isabel finds it quite endearing that Fernando was such a loving father to their daughter.

She couldn't help but smile whenever she heard him refer to their daughter as his 'first blessing'.

Fernando got the tools he needed from the shed before making his way to the barn. He had just finished tending to their vegetable garden so he'll be tending to the barn next. He got to the barn and he immediately noticed Isabella there. She was in the cow pen. Feeding hay to the cow and petting its flank.

"I see that you've met La Dama," he said as he approached the cow pen.

Isabella jumped in surprise when she heard Fernando. He raised his hands up. Signaling that he means no harm.

"P-Padre! I-I was just--" she stuttered but her father cut her off.

"It's alright, Isabella. Thank you for keeping her company for a while," Fernando said as he entered the cow pen. He set his tools down and went to put his work gloves on.

"Are you going to clean her up?" she asked.

"Just brush her and clean up her pen. You want to try brushing her?" he offered.

"Can I?"

"Of course! Here. I'll show you." He takes the brush and demonstrates it to his eldest by running it along the cow's flank. "Just gently brush along her flank and add a bit of pressure to your strokes. Like you're massaging her."

Isabella watched as her father brushed La Dama's flank. The cow letting out satisfied moos. Fernando smiled and patted the cow's back. He turns to his eldest and handed her the brush.

"You try," he said.

"Okay," Isabella said and took the brush. She copied her father's actions and brushed La Dama's flank with a bit of pressure. "Always the fast learner, Isabella. La Dama loves the special treatment," her father said. He gets his other tools and started cleaning up in the cow pen while Isabella brushed the cow.

"How did you get her, padre?" she asked.

"We bought her from a good friend of ours. Their barn was getting a bit overcrowded so they had to sell some extra cows. We went there and found La Dama and your madre just fell for her," Fernando answered. Remembering the day his wife, Isabel, made a quick beeline when she saw La Dama for the first time.

"Was she named La Dama before you bought her?" Isabella asked

"Sí. Her previous owners named her that because of the way she walks and holds herself like a woman of noble standing," he said.

Isabella chuckled in amusement. "I can see why madre fell in love with her," she said. They fell into silence as they both did their own thing in the cow pen. Then Fernando broke the silence.

"I remember your birth. Your madre and I were on the run from her half brother while waiting for supporters," he started. Loading the hay in a pile in the corner of the pen.

"The war of Castilian succession?" Isabella asked.

"Sí. We found a temporary palace to stay in just in time for your birth and baptism. However, we had to run immediately soon after Pacheco's troops were rapidly closing in and they outnumbered our men," her father said.

"Most of my early life was just running away and wars. I think it all stopped when I was twelve and Catalina was a new born by then."

"Such is the life of royalty. Especially ones who are fighting for their right to have the crown."

"Madre was always fighting for the right to be queen of Castile. You, however, never had to. You were always acknowledged as the king of Aragon," Isabella said. Walking around the cow to brush her other side.

"Yes. That's why we had to work together to squash the doubters and secure your madre's position as a sovereign," Fernando said.

"Is that why you were mostly absent for most of my life? Always going to wars and conquering territories? You were only ever there when it comes to political matters regarding your children but even when you were home you were still absent. I barely knew you as a father," she said. Fernando looks at her and sighed. "Regretfully, yes. As the man of the house, it is my duty to protect my family at all cost. Even if I have to be absent by going to war and attending to other duties. It is also my responsibility to give my children a secure future and that involves careful planning of marriages," he said. 

Isabella looked at her father. Her expression is unreadable. "You never protected us from yourself though. Yes, you fought in countless wars and protected us but when it comes to you and your legendary fury, you never protected us," she said.

Fernando sighed again and lowered his head in shame. "I will not deny that. I may have protected you from outside forces but I failed in protecting you and your siblings from myself. I failed your younger sisters the most in protecting them from myself. Juana and Catalina deserved a better father than one who just outright neglected them after their mother's death," he said. Absent-mindedly poking the hay with the pitchfork. 

"You may not have directly hurt me but by hurting my sisters, you have hurt me immensely. Though, I am glad that you have acknowledged your faults and did not deny it. What do you plan on doing now, padre?" Isabella asked. Carefully studying her father's expression. She could see determination behind those golden hues.

"I will say to you what I have said to your madre and hermano, I will do anything in my power to prove to you that I have changed for the better and I will work hard in gaining your trust again. However, I will fully understand if you refuse to forgive me and never speak to me again. I will respect any decision you will make," Fernando said.

Isabella could tell he was being truthful but she still had her doubts. After all, this is the man who hurt her sisters and she feels immense guilt in being unable to protect them. "I will say to you what Juan probably said to you already, it is not my forgiveness that you should seek but of the daughters you have wronged. I will reserve my judgement of you after Catalina and Juana had made their opinion about you known; however, I am willing to acknowledge your effort in making things right," she said.

Fernando smiled thankfully at his eldest child. "Muchas gracias, mi primera bendicion. I won't let you down, I promise," he said.

Isabella smiled back at her father. "I have faith in you, padre. It would be nice to have our family be completed again," she said. Fernando smiled and nodded. "I know. It would be nice to have a happy family in this humble home."

La Dama moos in agreement and the father and his first blessing couldn't help but laugh in amusement. 

Indeed, it would be nice for their family to be completed someday.

[blackdiamondwrites127]

María de Aragón, Reina de Portugal: My Beloved Faith

The sixth story in the ‘Mending Bridges, Meaningful Bonds’ collection.

Maria and Isabel talk about religion, pregnancy, marriage and the future of their family.

Credits:

@spooner7308 for beta reading this and giving me handy writing tips!

Characters:

Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana ‘La Loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

Maria Trastámara belongs to yours truly

--------------------------------------------------

Queen Isabel enters Infanta María's bed chambers. The young infanta was getting ready to be the chief mourner at her nephew's funeral. Her mother approached her while she was putting on her earrings and began softly stroking her hair with her fingertips.

"King Manuel announced his presence at Miguel's funeral," Isabel said.

María sighs once she finishes fussing over her earrings. "It couldn't be any other way, after all, he was his son," she explained. She was staring at herself in the mirror. King Manuel was there for a purpose, and his son's burial was only a small portion of that reason.

After her sister's death, María was automatically his betrothed once more.

María was infatuated with King Manuel when she first saw him but her feelings were dashed when he turned her down in favor of marrying her elder sister, Isabella. She's not thrilled to see him here right now. Isabel can sense her daughter's conflicted feelings for Portugal's king, and she couldn't say she blames her. She sighed and comforted her by softly squeezing her arms.

"Manuel is an honest and kind man. He will be a good husband for you," she said. Isabel made María face her. "Your sister, Isabella, was happy with him," she added.

"I do not crave for love, madre. Because if I did, I could not bear my duties," María said.

Isabel looked at her daughter. A look of sadness in her eyes. "I will lose you soon. I would be comforted if it was for a happy union," she said.

María nodded in understanding. "I will complete my mission with God's help. I hope nothing but to be a good daughter and a good wife," she said. She pauses for a moment to prevent the tears from falling from her eyes. "Happiness... You know well, madre, that it is too much to ask."

Isabel nodded and pulled María in for a tight hug. María gladly reciprocates the gesture. God knows they both needed a warm and loving embrace after so much death in the family in a span of three to four years.

Later that day, the funeral proceedings were underway. María was in a separate room, praying over her departed nephew. King Manuel and his mother, Beatrice of Portugal, made their way to the room where María was.

"Your future wife," his mother said.

Manuel nodded and went inside alone. María noticed him enter and stopped praying to greet her betrothed. "Your Highness," she said. Bowing respectfully. Manuel bowed in return as well.

"You should know how sorry I am for the death of your son, my nephew," María said.

"Thank you. I am sorry that our first meeting as betrothed is so somber," Manuel replied. The infanta nodded. "So is the cause of our union, because it would never have taken place without the death of my sister," she added. Looking at him straight in the eye.

This caused a bit of discomfort with Manuel. So he excused himself by saying, "I have to greet your parents." He gives her nod before leaving the room.

María sighs and follows him outside. She found him and his mother approaching her parents. She moves closer undetected to listen in on their conversation.

"It must comfort you to know that with María you will get hope back and more children will come," Isabel said.

"Your marriage endorses the alliance between our kingdoms," Fernando added.

"It comforts me to hear you, for my enemies insist that my days on the throne be numbered," Manuel said.

"Did the news of the engagement not discourage them?" Fernando asked.

"Rather the complete opposite," Manuel answered.

Isabel noticed someone unexpected enter the room. "The Duke of Braganza," she said. Both Manuel and his mother turned to look. Sure enough, the Duke of Braganza stands at the end of the room.

"And here you have the sample. How dare he!" Beatrice said.

"Believe me if I tell you that he has not been invited," Isabel reassured.

"Nor to sit on the throne, and that is his intention."

Manuel and his mother stepped aside when the Duke of Braganza approached Fernando and Isabel. "Your Majesties, I am deeply sorry for your loss," he said.

"You can ease this blow by serving your king in such gloomy hours," Fernando said.

"I will do what my duty to Portugal requires me," the duke replied. Everyone who heard him looked at him. Appalled that he had the audacity to say that in the presence of the king of Portugal. The duke sent a smirk in Manuel's way before making his exit. Manuel could only glare daggers at his retreating form.

Later that day, after the funeral. María was being helped out of her mourning garments by her attendant when Manuel entered.

"María," he called.

María sighs and dismisses her attendant. Once they were alone, Manuel walked over to her. "If you have come to hear my apology for my words, you are right. They were cruel words, and I regret them," she said.

"What afflicts me is that even if you will do it, you do not wish to become my wife," Manuel said.

María looked at him and asked, "Do you want it? You rejected me back then, why would your opinion about me have changed?" Manuel sighs. "If I married your sister Isabella, it was because my kingdom needed an heir urgently. You were still such a child...and Isabella was already a Princesa de Portugal. The political reasons were chosen for me," he said.

Lies. María knows he is lying through his teeth. Her sister, Isabella, had confided in her about Manuel's true motives in marrying her instead of María back then. She knew that he wouldn't be marrying her if Juana wasn't married and is now the heir presumptive of both Castile and Aragon.

He's marrying her out of desperation to keep the throne of Portugal.

"Just like now," she pointed out. Manuel sighs again and walks closer to where she was standing. "I know that this wedding is hasty and the pain of so many deaths tarnishes it. But yes, I want to be your husband," he said. He placed a hand on María's cheek. "You are beautiful, sweet and sensible. It is true that it is destiny that has united us but I feel it is being very generous to me," he added.

María looks at him then suddenly feels his hand taking hers. She looks down at their joined hands then back up to him. He looked at her with this sort of desperation in his eyes.

This is her fate. She has no right to deny it now.

Isabel picked up her jar container and her craft tools before heading out to the front porch. She loves doing her jar decorating out on the front porch when the afternoon weather is nice and today's weather was just that.

"Purrito! Let's go out on the swing," she said. Calling for the youngest farm cat. Purrito meows and happily follows her. He is very much attached to her. More so than his siblings and mother. Once out on the porch, she found Maria sitting on the porch swing, talking on her phone. Maria noticed Isabel walk out to the porch and was now making her way over.

"I'll talk to you later, Gabby. Bye," she said before hanging up.

"Mind if I join you?" Isabel asked.

"Go ahead, this is your porch swing after all," Maria said to her mother. standing up to give her the swing but Isabel stopped her.

"Maria, there's no need to move. We can both fit on the swing, and if that's okay with you, I'd want to chat with you," she stated. Maria sat down again with a shrug. Isabel takes a seat next to her daughter and sets her jars and art supplies on the table. Purrito leaps onto Isabel's lap and curls into a ball.

"You make your own jars, madre?" Maria asked. Reaching over and giving the cat a nice scratch behind his ear. Purrito purrs in delight as he leans closer to her hand.

"More like I buy them from a general store and decorate them myself," her mother answered. She took one of the jars and started decorating it.

"What are they for?" Maria followed up.

"Mango jams that I make myself. It isn't my original recipe. The basic recipe was taught to me by a good friend, and I just tweaked it slightly," Isabel said. She completed the first jar's decoration and placed it aside before moving on to the next.

"I see. I'm assuming this dear friend of yours is one of the people that helped you and padre adjust to modern times?" Maria asked. Watching her mother paint the jar.

"Yes. They're truly heaven sent and I thank God everyday for putting them in our path to help us. We would probably be dead of starvation if we weren't blessed with the kindness of those people," Isabel said.

"Mmhm," her daughter hums. Isabel looks over at her. "What about you, Maria? How did you adjust to modern times?" she asked.

Maria shrugs. "I mostly adjusted by myself but I had some help early on," she said.

"Seems that God has sent you your own good Samaritan to help," Isabel said.

"Ehhhh...not really. I woke up in their flat so like...they had no choice but to help me. So not really heaven sent or anything like that," Maria said. Her mother frowned in confusion.

"That's strange. Normally, you consider good fortune to be a gift from God," she emphasized. Isabel also noticed that unlike her siblings, Maria doesn't wear a cross necklace around her neck. Maria raises her hand to show her mother her rosary bracelet. "I have this though," she stated.

"But what happened, hija. You were one of my most faithful children back then. Always eager to attend mass, pray three times a day with me and fast during holy events," Isabel said. Looking at her daughter with worry.

"Nothing happened, madre. I mean, nothing except I got a second chance in life and had several life changing realizations," Maria said. Isabel looked confused. Clearly she wants her to go into detail.

"I still go to church on Sundays when I feel like it or when Catalina invites me, but not as often as I used to; I'm not a nonbeliever, but I'm also not a practicing catholic; I'm somewhere in the middle. I still believe in God, but not to the point of starving myself. I quit fasting since it was causing more harm than good to my health, and a friend speculated I might have an eating disorder because I didn't eat much during the first few months. Because of all the fasting, I used to be quite skinny in the past. Now I've gained weight since I started eating properly and going to therapy, and I'm in love with my curvy body today," she explained.

"That still doesn't explain your lack of faith, Maria."

Maria sighs and sits back. "Madre, I have freedom," she said.

"Freedom?"

"Yes. Freedom. Freedom to do anything I've ever wanted to do. I've gone travelling, enjoyed parties, had physical relations with other people, earned my own money through my own hard work, and a slew of other experiences that I can't possibly list in one sitting. What I mean is that there's much too much to appreciate in life to devote it all to a religion."

Isabel took a few moments to comprehend what her daughter had just said. She asked, "I'm sorry, you mentioned you had physical relations? With other people? Whom you are not married to!?"

"Yes! And I don't even have to be a virgin to marry! Heck! I don't even have to marry and get pregnant at all if I want to!" Maria exclaimed with glee.

"Maria!"

Maria was beaming from ear to ear. She is well aware that mentioning all of these irritates and disturbs her mother, but she’s doing it because she’s sick of being quiet and dainty all of the time. She wants to be upfront and honest, especially when she and her siblings are attempting to re-establish contact with their parents.

"Madre, this is who I am. Because of constraints on women, I couldn't do what I wanted in the past. Now, I can do whatever I damn well want! I'm free and don't have a husband telling me what to do with my life and my body!" she declared. Isabel frowned in confusion.

"Maria, I thought you were happy with Manuel? You had eight children together after all," Isabel said. Maria shakes her head at this. "No. I never had feelings for him. I was attracted at first, but it rapidly faded after my first pregnancy," she said. Sitting back on the porch swing. Isabel sets the jar and paintbrush down on the table and faces her daughter fully.

"What happened after your first pregnancy?" she asked.

"He got me pregnant a second time only a couple of months later. I was still in the process of recovering from the first one too when that happened," Maria answers nonchalantly.

"But that was how marital duties were supposed to be."

"Madre, I wouldn't mind getting pregnant ten times as long as there’s a reasonable gap in between instead of every time after I recover from the last. You weren't pregnant that often when you had us."

"Your padre and I were governing our own kingdoms. We simply had no time in the marital bed. If I were a reina consorte instead of ruling queen then that would have been different," Isabel reasoned.

Maria lets out a sigh. She understood that trying to argue with her conservative mother would be like trying to outrun a racing horse.

"Look, the thing is that I hated being constantly pregnant and I tolerated Manuel. Our marriage was like being roommates with marital duties tied to it. He showered me with gifts every time I fell pregnant but that's just it for him in the husband department. He's only rewarding me for giving him heirs and spares," she said. A bitter tone in her voice.

"Maria! That is not a way to talk about your children!" Her mother exclaimed. Appalled that she would say such a thing.

"No, I'm not!” Maria defended, “my children are wonderful and I love them dearly, but it’s their father who is the major issue here! When I was crowned reina de Portugal, I thought that I would assist him with his royal responsibilities in the same way that you and padre assisted each other with yours. So imagine my surprise when, instead of becoming a queen of a nation, I ended up as a breeding mill with a meaningless title, always pregnant throughout my adult life, and married to a man who is hardly present for me." Maria had to take a breath and collect herself. She despised crying in front of others and crying in front of her mother is not something she wants.

Isabel could sense her daughter's anguish. As a show of comfort and understanding, she softly put her hand over Maria's. "Maria," she said.

"This is why I have no desire to become pregnant again. It's just too much, the agony, the exhaustion, the mental and physical toll it takes...it's just too much. Not to mention when I went through my first stillbirth. Manuel couldn't care less though. He got me pregnant even while I was still grieving over the loss of my baby," Maria said. Her hand involuntarily moved to her abdomen. Isabel nodded. She understood what it was like to go through the loss of a child.

Maria suddenly lets out a bitter laugh before her expression turns hate filled. This scares Isabel a bit.

“¡A la mierda ese gilipollas!” Maria bitterly said which shocked her mother greatly.

“Maria! Do not use such harsh language!” Isabel scolded.

“No, I’m serious! Fuck that asshole! Because of him, I’m still feeling the fucking side effects of back to back pregnancies. And this body didn’t even go through ten pregnancies. I can’t go to the bathroom and piss properly, my back and pelvis fucking hurts from time to time and my cycle has been severely irregular to the point it concerned my doctor and she tells me that I’m high risk in having ovarian cancer. So now, I have to get checked yearly to make sure I don’t fucking have it. I had to get my tubes tied in order to prevent getting pregnant again because one more pregnancy and it’s the end for me. And don’t get me started on how Manuel is actually your cousin and that makes him my uncle!”

“¡Maria, cálmate!”

Maria slumps forward and released emotions fully. She sobs in her hands as her emotional floodgates couldn’t hold the anguish anymore. Isabel gently pulls her daughter in her arms and holds her close. Comforting her as best as she could. Maria has always been an emotional girl and Isabel can remember the many times Maria would come running to either her or Fernando, crying about a nightmare or about a story that had a sad ending.

It took awhile for Maria to calm down and compose herself. She thanked Isabel when she gave her a handkerchief to wipe her tears with.

“I’m sorry for blowing up like that. I got too emotional,” she said. Her voice is still quivering from sobbing.

“It’s alright, mija,” Isabel said. "I understand your point of view now. How it was hard for you then and it’s still hard for you now. I think the notion of you having a happy marriage gave me hope that what I did was correct, considering I was the one who urged the most on your marriage to Manuel. Maria, I sincerely apologize. I should have prioritized your feelings and well being over everything," she said with the utmost sincerity. Maria offers her a small smile.

"It's not like you knew any better or had the authority to decline an alliance back then. What matters now is the present. You now have a better understanding of the situation and are willing to learn more. You should keep an open mind. It helps with trying to survive in today’s time," she said. Isabel smiled back and nodded. "I know and I'm willing to be open minded and understanding. After all, that's what it took for me and your padre to last this long in this life."

"Speaking of padre--"

"I know what you're going to say and all I have to say to you is that I cannot defend your padre's actions towards your sisters. That's his duty but I ask you to have faith in him. He truly has changed and if he can prove it to me then he can prove it to you as well."

The smile on Maria's lips widened. That's all she needed to hear.

"I'm glad that you're both making an effort, madre. I really am. Hopefully, Juana and Catalina can forgive him but that's not my place to say. Whatever their opinion about him in the end, I'll still support them for it," she said. 

"I understand. I know that you actually don't need a relationship with your padre and I and the fact that you and your siblings are willing to give us a chance to prove ourselves to you brings me hope for our future as a family. I'm very proud of all of you. Both in the past and in the present," Isabel said.

Maria smiles and pulls her mother in for a heartfelt hug. "Gracias, mamá," she said. Isabel pulls away and looks at her. Pleasantly surprised at the casual title her daughter has bestowed upon her.

"Mamá?" she asked.

Maria gives her a big grin. "I think you deserve to be called 'mamá'. At least by me. I'm not sure about the others though," she said.

Isabel smiles and pulls her in another hug to which Maria happily reciprocates. The mother and daughter stayed like that for a good while. It was Maria who pulled away first.

"I think I've kept you from your jar decorating long enough. I should head back inside and check if Bella is sneaking another can of Monster from the fridge," she said.

"I have been noticing her drinking from those cans a lot," Isabel commented.

"It's an addiction of hers and I'm trying my hardest to help stop it. I’ve even recruited Catalina’s youngest to back me up."

Isabel looked pleasantly surprised by this. “Catalina has her children?” she asked.

“Yeah! Three kids. All reincarnates. You should ask her about them when you get the chance,” Maria said.

Isabel smiled and chuckled. "I think I will. Alright, I'll let you go back inside now. Thank you for having this talk with me, Maria, and for being honest," she said. Maria smiled at her mother. "Thank you as well, mamá. For listening." With that, she heads inside the house. Feeling ten times better after talking with her mother. She smiles to herself as she makes her way upstairs to look for her siblings.

She has a good feeling about the future of this family.

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Catalina de Aragón, Reina de Inglaterra: My Little Catalina

The ninth story in the ‘Mending Bridges, Meaningful Bonds’ collection.

Catalina confronts Fernando about the past and things were quick to escalate from there.

Credits:

@spooner7308 for beta reading this and giving me handy writing tips!

Characters:

Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana ‘La Loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

Maria Trastámara belongs to yours truly.

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"That is correct, Your Highness, you are pregnant," Badoz said as he washed his hands. Isabel sat on the bed. Staring at the wall in thought while her hand was placed delicately on her stomach.

She was pregnant. Again. The Lord has blessed her and Fernando with another child.

She stood up and walked over to the physician while he was putting his tools away. Her head held high with pride.

"The Almighty is merciful," she said. Badoz frowned with disappointment.

"I have warned you that it could not happen again," he said. Since the last pregnancy ended in the death of Infanta María's twin brother and the queen almost dying, Badoz had warned the king and queen that if the queen falls pregnant again then this time around might kill her for sure.

"And as a married woman, how could I avoid that without offending God?" Isabel defended.

"I have already told you. Take my words seriously, mi señora. Your life is in danger. You can die in childbirth," the physician argued.

"Nothing can be done?" the queen asked.

Badoz sighs and answers, "You will have every care you need."

"Then, with your help and God's help, we will get ahead."

"Believe me, mi señora, Castile can lose it's queen. So act accordingly."

Isabel sighs and nods. This pregnancy could very well mean the end of her and she wouldn't like that at all. Castile, Fernando, their children. They all need her to be alive and well.

"Badoz," she addressed. "The king must not know about this matter."

The physician nods in understanding. The queen dismisses him and he takes his leave. Isabel calls in for her ladies in waiting to help her prepare for the day's duties.

Fernando made his way to his marital chambers that he shared with his wife. He had arrived home an hour earlier and after spending some time with his children, he went to find his wife. He entered the bedchambers and found his wife praying. Already dressed to retire for the night.

Isabel noticed him and quickly closed her prayer before standing up and greeting her husband with a hug. Fernando smiled and hugged her back. They stayed in their embrace for a good while before stepping away. Their arms are still linked with each other.

"I thanked our Lord that He has brought you back to me safe and sound," the queen said.

"This reunion will only last a few hours, I must leave for Aragon as soon as possible," the king said.

Isabel was saddened by this.

"I know," she said. She placed a hand on Fernando's cheek. "And these months when you are faraway will be years for me."

Fernando smiled and kissed the palm of her hand. "Time goes by quickly, You are leaving for Segovia. When you notice it, we will meet there," he said.

Isabel kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly. "Do not forget that I love you. Never...never forget it," she whispers. She lets go and looks into his eyes. "And when you remember my mistakes, think that they are the fruit of my immense love for you."

Fernando chuckles softly. "What is wrong? I return safe and sound from the battle and I will return from Aragon," he said. "Do not be sad, Isabel. It is our destiny to be separated to attend to the affairs of our kingdoms, and to return to each other's arms always afterwards. Always together."

"Every moment of every day, I will be thinking of you." Isabel pulls him close and the couple share a kiss.

Keeping her pregnancy from her husband is the right thing to do to prevent him from worrying and abandoning his duties for her.

"Without a doubt, Friar Diego de Deza will be a good tutor for the Príncipe. And the Chair of Theology in Salamanca is his," Chacón said. Isabel stood behind him, looking out the window in deep thought.

"Friar Hernando also approves it," she said. "About the Casa del Príncipe, I would like his finances to be in your hands," she added.

"It will be so, then, you do not have to worry," Chacón agrees.

Isabel pulls away from the window and walks over to her trusted advisor's side. "As for his marriage, should we gain an alliance with France or isolate it through the marriages of our children?" she asked. Turning to face him. Chacón furrowed his thick brows in confusion. Baffled at this question.

"Your Highness, why so much haste? They are still small children?" he asked.

"You taught me that we should alleviate so as to not have to cure," the queen said.

"But rushing can be just as harmful," he reasoned. "You have many years ahead--"

"Do not argue with me!" Isabel snapped which startled her advisor. She turned away from and walked toward the fireplace. She watched the flames dance as she released a deep sigh.

Abandoning all formalities, Chacón stood up and walked over to the queen.

"What is wrong, Isabel?" he asked. "Yesterday you asked me to review the treaty of Segovia about the regency, today this. Do you worry about the King's stay in Aragon?" He looked at her. Worry in his wise, old eyes. It pains him to see his daughter like this. Isabel avoided his gaze.

"Your Highness, you know that you are like a daughter to me."

The queen took a deep breath. She knew she couldn't keep a big secret from the man who has been there all her life and raised her as his own.

"It is not the King," Isabel said.

"Then?"

She took another deep breath before saying, "I am pregnant. And that could imply a serious danger to me. Badoz believes I could die in childbirth."

Chacón was surprised. The queen was pregnant and it could be proven her very last. He reaches out to place a comforting hand on Isabel's shoulder but she shrugs him off. He was hurt. And disappointed that Fernando could just readily abandon his wife like this during her time of need.

"How could the King abandon you?" he asked.

Isabel faces him. A single tear had fallen down her face but her expression remained composed.

"He knows nothing. And he must not know anything. You must promise me. He should not worry about my fears," she said.

"B-But if the danger is so serious..."

"Do you give me your word?"

Fernando doesn't know that his wife was dangerously pregnant and Isabel is keeping it a secret so it wouldn't hold him back from his duties in Aragon.

With much hesitation, Chacón nodded his head.

Satisfied, Isabel wiped away her tears and composed herself before leaving. Chacón stood there pondering what to do. On one hand, he has pledged loyalty to Isabel for as long as he lives. On the other hand, he did not want Fernando to go through what he had gone through when his wife died of childbirth.

Making his decision, he hastily leaves for Aragon.

"How could the Earth be round? It is as flat as two and two is four," Catalina commented as she and Isabel examined a globe in the queen's hands. Isabel was very obviously pregnant now and she refuses to back down from her duties much to the worry of her ladies and Chacón.

"The Genoese say that the ships disappear into the sea little by little over the horizon. That proves that it is round according to him," Isabel said. Turning the globe in her hands.

"What an idea," her lady in waiting said.

The door suddenly opened and the king entered. Isabel looked at him in surprise. She was not expecting him to return from Aragon so early. Handing the globe to Catalina, she goes over to her husband. No use trying to hide her pregnancy from him since it was now very obvious.

"Are you coming without announcing your return? Should you not be in Aragon?" she asked.

"Now, more than ever, I can only be by your side," Fernando said.

He kisses her cheek and pulls her in his arms for a welcoming embrace. Isabel couldn't help but smile as she happily returned the favor. The royal couple pulls away after a few blissful moments in each other's arms.

"Why did you not tell me anything?" the king asked.

"Because I love you. It is my only excuse. I wanted to spare you my anguish," the queen answered.

"Do not do that again. I live for you. To love and protect you is my most sacred duty," Fernando said. Isabel couldn't help but shed a tear for her husband's declaration of love. The king kisses her cheek once more and pulls his wife back in his arms. A sign of promise that he will stay by her side.

"Together, and with God's help, we will come out well from this difficult time."

The time for the queen to give birth was upon them and Fernando did everything in his power to give his wife all the help she would need in this difficult time. Badoz made no promises to the king that the queen will survive but he swore to do all he can.

The entire palace practically halted as courtiers, servants, friars and cardinals gathered outside the royal bedchambers. Praying relentlessly. The king insisted on being by the queen's side during the birth and Badoz did not deny him this right. Isabel was in great pain all throughout the labour but that did not stop her from constantly praying with her husband.

Finally, after many hours of waiting and praying, the queen's screams had died down and everyone waited with bated breath. The doors of the bedchambers opened and the king proudly stepped out with his newborn child in his arms. His beaming face says it all.

The Queen had survived.

"I introduce you to Infanta Catalina. Thank God, everything went well."

Fernando strummed away on his guitar as he sang softly to his wife. Isabel had her eyes closed and a content smile on her face as she listened to her husband serenading her. Their children were out today. Went to the beach as they had planned so they had the house to themselves.

It seems like deja vu.

The last time they were cuddling out on the porch swing on a nice, quiet afternoon, their children had turned up at their gate. Asking for help on their broken down vehicle.

It feels like it was yesterday when it actually has been a week and a half now.

The sudden sound of their gate opening caught their attention. Looking up, they saw Maria opened the gate wide so that Catalina could drive their rented van inside. She parked it next to their truck and cut off the engine. Isabel pulls away from her husband and stands up to greet their children back from their beach trip. Fernando set his guitar aside and stood up as well but stayed in place. Letting his wife approach their children as they got out and unloaded the things they brought to the beach.

He then notices Catalina straying away from the group and making her way to the porch. He can see that her eyes were staring intensely at him as she made her way towards him.

"Catalina," he greets curtly to his youngest as she reaches the front porch.

"Padre," Catalina greets back. Standing some feet away from him. Her stance is ever regal. Fernando felt a bit of pride that his youngest maintained her regal posture.

"How was the beach?" he asked.

"Good. We had to leave when it was starting to get too crowded," she answered.

"I see."

The father and daughter stared at each other for a good while. Waiting to see who would back down first and admit defeat to the other. Out of all his children, his youngest was the one who was most alike to Isabel. They have the same fire in their eyes that complimented their fierce regal personalities. Though his wife had mellowed out since their rebirth, that fire in her eyes never went away.

And he could see the same in Catalina's.

Knowing what was to come and why exactly his daughter actively came to him instead of avoiding him as usual, he admitted defeat in their staring contest.

"I'm assuming that you want to talk since you came to me instead of avoiding me," he said.

"Your assumption is correct. Though it's more of a confrontation instead of a simple talk," Catalina confirmed.

"I supposed it would eventually come to this," Fernando said. He stood his ground despite his leg starting to act up due to his anxiety of the moment. Catalina maintained her steely gaze on her father.

"Why did you abandon me?"

And there it was.

Fernando cleared his throat and shuffled on his feet a bit. "It was not my intention to abandon you, Catalina," he started.

"So you do admit that you abandoned me when I needed you the most?" Catalina challenged. This irritated Fernando a bit. He did not like how his youngest just cut him off before he could explain his side.

"I tried my best to protect you and the kingdom at the same time, Catalina. Your madre was gravely ill during that time and my hands were full," he defended. He tries his best to get his temper in control. The last thing he needed was to just blow up and ruin everything for good.

Catalina glares at her father. Fernando glared in return. One thing these two had in common was that they have almost identical stern faces when angered.

"You knew madre was going to die soon and yet you did not send a fleet to bring me home," she accused. Her tone was hard but she still remained her cool.

She's got to remember to keep her golden rule. It helped her put up with Henry's bullshit for twenty four years after all.

By this time, the rest of the family had caught on what was happening between Fernando and Catalina and maintained their distance but watched carefully and listened closely.

"You wouldn't have made it even if I sent you a ship," Fernando said.

"I would've preferred missing my mother's last moments but still be able to attend her funeral instead of missing everything entirely at all," Catalina replied.

"I was trying my best for you, Catalina."

"Well your best wasn't enough, clearly."

Fernando's frown hardens. "Do not give me such attitude, hija."

"And do not tell me when and how I will give you such attitude, 'padre'," Catalina mocked. Doing air quotations with her fingers. Fernando's temper was boiling over now.

"I am trying to be civil here, hija," he said through gritted teeth.

"Stop calling me 'hija'! You lost that right five centuries ago," Catalina snapped.

"Catalina--"

"I shouldn't even call you 'padre' in the first place. You lost that title five centuries ago too."

"Catalina, stop cutting me off and listen--"

"No. I don't think I won't. You didn't listen to me anyways when I was asking, no, begging you to help me so why should I listen to you in return?" Catalina was just being petty and vindictive at this point. Like her goal was to anger her father and make him blow up.

And she was successful.

"I raised you better than that!" he shouts.

Everyone froze in their place. Shocked at how quickly the situation escalated. Even Fernando was shocked as well. He had lost his temper and blew up at his daughter.

"C-Catalina I..." he started to apologize but stopped when his youngest started to laugh.

Catalina was laughing. And no one knew what she found so funny. It honestly unnerved the others. Fernando took a step closer to see if his daughter was okay.

That was the second big mistake that he had made.

When he tried to get closer to her, Catalina abruptly stopped laughing and, out of nowhere, reared her arm back and swung. Her fist connected to his face. Fernando fell back. Holding his face and groaning in pain.

"Fernando!" Isabel rushes over to her fallen husband.

"Catalina! What the hell!?" Maria and her siblings ran over to Catalina and pulled her back. Restraining her from lashing out violently again.

This was quite the big shock. Everyone knew Catalina was not one to lose her composure and blow up like that. Even back in the past, she was always calm and composed even when facing harsh situations.

"I'm fine, Isabel. I'm fine," Fernando reassured his wife as she helped him stand back up.

"YOU NEVER RAISED ME AT ALL!" Catalina screams.

Everyone went quiet as they looked at the youngest daughter in shock.

The former king noticed tears falling down Catalina's face and his heart broke in two. He's done it again. He's broken his promise before he could even make them.

"Catalina, I--" Catalina cut him off again.

"You never raised me!" she shouts. She pulls out from her older siblings' grasps and steps closer to him. She was a good few inches taller than him. Her glare intensely directed on Fernando.

"You were hardly there for me. You were always off somewhere doing who knows what and when you were present, you only wanted to talk about future marriages and forming alliances! I was nothing but a political pawn to you!" Catalina poked at his chest hard. Fernando suddenly remembered the memory of Isabel screaming at him and poking at his chest harshly on the day she found out what he had done.

The only difference was that instead of a slap, he received a punch to the face.

"You sent me to England to marry a random prince I barely knew and you never even wrote to see how I was doing. Well guess what, 'padre'!? My first husband died and left me a widow at seventeen. I was used as an ambassador because two grown men were fighting like toddlers over damned dowry. I lived in poverty for seven years because my own father didn't care enough to send a goddamned ship to bring me home," she ranted. Catalina shoved him back harshly and he almost lost his balance. Her older siblings pulled her back again.

"Catalina! This is going too far!" Isabel said. Trying to get her daughter to calm down while helping her husband.

"Let go of me! I'm not done yet!" Catalina growls. Squirming to break free from her brother's hold. "You're taking things too far!" Juan said. Trying his best to hold her down with his sisters' help.

"Catalina, you have to calm down!" Juana said.

"This is getting out of hand, Catalina!" Maria said.

"You have to stop and calm down!" Isabella said.

"I am CALM!"

"Let her go!" Fernando said. "Let her go. This is strictly between us."

Isabel and their older children looked hesitant but relented and let go of Catalina. The youngest continues to glare at her father. Fernando just nodded and allowed her to continue with what she wanted to say to him. He needed to hear from her all the ways he had wronged her.

Catalina gladly gave him the list.

"You ruined my life! Not only was I not able to say goodbye to my dying mother, I was married and loyal to the worst man I have ever known and what did I get for being loyal? I was divorced and publicly shamed! I was sent away to rot! And I was forbidden to see my daughter! Because of your selfish, entitled, power hungry self, I died alone and ashamed! Because of you, I now have to suffer with general anxiety AND abandonment issues all because of you!"

A tense silence followed after Catalina finished her rant. Isabel and the older siblings looked worried at what was going to happen next. Fernando looked at his youngest with nothing but guilt and remorse in his eyes. He walked closer and got down on his knees. This surprises Catalina and she was even more caught off guard when he lowered his head to the dirty porch floor by her feet.

It was a very humiliating position that he put himself in.

"I know you won't ever forgive me but I fully acknowledge my faults to you and I know I have no excuse for them. I let my greed for power blind me and as a result, you and Juana had to suffer the consequences of my actions. Right here, right now, I am merely an old man with sins of the past on his shoulders and I'm genuinely sorry for everything, Catalina. And I understand if you don't want to see me ever again after this but if you even consider giving me a chance then I promise you with my life that I will do everything in my power to make it up to you," he said. His voice was meek and cracking as he quietly cried. His tears fell to the floor.

Catalina furiously wiped her tears and took a step back. "Get up," she said.

Fernando looks up at her. His face tearstained and a bruise was already forming above his cheek, near his eye.

"Get up," she urged him.

Isabel went to go help him up but he refused her assistance and stood by himself. Struggling a bit due to his leg. Catalina looks at him. Her expression is unreadable.

"I don't know if I'm able to forgive you for what you've done in the past," she started. Her father lowered his head in shame. "But I have children. Children that deserve to meet their grandparents. If you want to make it up to me as you said, then start with my children. Treat them better than you treated me and only then would I consider trying to mend our relationship as father and daughter. That is all I ask."

Fernando looks at her in surprise. She's willing to give them the privilege to meet and form a relationship with her children. It was more than a start in mending the bridge with her to say the least.

"Gracias, Catalina. I promise to be the best abuelo your children will ever know and gracias for giving me a chance," Fernando said. Truly grateful to be given such an opportunity.

"And I'm sorry for punching you. I let myself lose my composure," Catalina said but her father shook his head.

"No. I deserved it. For everything I have done," he said. Lightly touching the bruise on his face.

"Okay. Meeting adjourned," Catalina said and turned around to walk inside the house. Her older siblings quickly followed right after her to talk in the guest rooms.

Once the children were out of earshot, Fernando broke down crying. Falling to his knees again as he sobbed loudly. Isabel pulls him in her arms and holds him close. A few tears of her own fell down her face as her husband cried on her shoulder.

"¡Gracias Dios por darme otra oportunidad!" Fernando cried out. Isabel nodded in agreement with him. Silently muttering a prayer of thanks.

The former royal couple sat and cried in each other's arms as they thanked God for this blessing of second chances.

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Broken Crowns, Empty Titles (Chapter One)

I'm back again with another fic! This time it’s a multi chapter one! This idea has been stewing in me for a long while now and after getting some opinions and insight from others, I finally decided to write this!

So before we proceed, a bit of a credit first:

Ferdinand and Isabella is @weirdbutdecentart100 's sixtended ocs. This is simply my interpretation on how they were reincarnated and how they went about with their second lives.

Now let's get to it!

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They were the most powerful couple in medieval Europe.

They had the title of 'Catholic Monarchs' bestowed upon them.

They united the four kingdoms of Spain and made it a power house during their tenure.

They were King Fernando II of Aragon and Queen Isabel I of Castile.

But that was all in the past. Recorded, studied and taught in schools. It's all just in the history books now. Nothing but words on paper to remind people that these events happened in history.

In the modern world, their crowns are hollow and brittle and their titles empty. Holding no meaning anymore.

They're as common as the commoners they had looked down upon during their reign.

Isabel was the first to wake up.

Her eyes slowly adjusted to the light streaming through a dirty and broken window. She found herself laying on the dusty floor, ruining the dress she was wearing.

Where is she?

Last time she checked, she was dead...or dying.

So why is she alive...?

Isabel lets out a quiet groan as she slowly sits up and looks around. Taking in her surroundings. From what she could gather, it seems that she's in a dilapidated house. It was still sturdy and standing strong but it was very much unkempt and abandoned. It looked like a peasant's home rather than the castles and palaces she was used to living in.

She hears a groan next to her and looks to the side to find a man. It was a man she didn't recognize.

Isabel quickly scrambles away as the man rouses and sits up. Holding his head and muttering curses under his breath. His face was clean shaven yet his hair was unruly and his clothes were dirty because of the floor he had been laying on. His skin was tanned. As if he had been working outside under the glare of the sun. "W-Who are you," the former queen cautiously asked. Her back pressed against the dirty wall. Keeping a safe distance between herself and the stranger.

Fernando looks up and his gaze landed on the woman a few ways away from him. Looking somewhat afraid yet courageous at the same time.

There was a fire within this woman's golden brown eyes that was so familiar to him.

She had tanned skin and semi curled or is it actually wavy? hair. Her dress was dirty, he speculates that it could be because of the floor, and was a bit tattered in places.

He had to admit, she is quite beautiful despite her age.

"Who am I? Who are you? And where am I?" he asked. Looking around in confusion.

"I am Isabel I of Castile. Queen of Castile. As for where or what this place is, I have no clue," Isabella said. She took note of how his eyes almost looked gold under the dim lighting of the house. There was a sense of familiarity that she couldn't quite place as she looked at those eyes.

She found it quite alluring and seemed to be mesmerized by it.

Fernando raised an eyebrow then burst out laughing. Isabel looked confused and offended.

How dare he? Who does this man think he is? Laughing in the face of the queen.

"What? What is it that you find humorous about what I said?" she asked. Or more specifically demanded.

Fernando regained his composure. "You? The queen of Castile? Perdóname mi señora, but I find it hard to believe that are my wife let alone my queen," he said. Standing up. Dusting his clothes as best as he could.

"Your wife? Excuse you but my husband is Fernando II of Aragon and he is nothing like you!" Isabel retorts. Standing up as well. Despite her short stature, she exudes power and regality in her stance. Back straight and head held high. Fernando looked at this woman as if she was crazy.

Crazier than his daughter he might add.

"But I am Fernando of Aragon. I am the king of Aragon!" he said. Pointing to himself. Then it clicked to Isabel. This man really is her husband.

But...why does he look so different?

"Fernando...?"

"If you are Isabel. If you are my wife. Give me a reason to believe you."

Isabel walked up to him. Her eyes maintaining eye contact with his. "We were betrothed when I was only the age of six and we married on the nineteenth of October, fourteen sixty nine. It had to be in secret due to my brother, Enrique's, disapproval of our marriage. We had five children. Isabella, Juan, Juana, Maria and Catalina. Maria and Catalina's births almost costed my life," She said without breaking eye contact.

Fernando was astounded but there was still a bit of doubt within him. Isabel knew that he was still doubtful.

"Still don't believe me?" she reached over and touched the left side of his neck. There, she delicately traced a scar. "This scar was from an attempted assassination on you. If you weren't wearing your chain that time, you would have been beheaded. I was there to see it happen. I almost lost you."

That was enough for Fernando.

He wrapped his arms around Isabel and pulled her close. Holding her tightly. Isabel hugged him just as tight. Separated by death, now reunited in a second life. Isabel profusely thanked God for reuniting her with her husband once again. She clung to him tightly like a lifeline.

"Isabel, my beloved! How I have missed you," Fernando said.

"I have missed you as well, Fernando!" Isabel said.

The couple held each other tightly for several blissful moments. Just savoring the feel and weight of each other to make sure this isn't a dream and that this was real. That they were both real. Suddenly the realization of their current situation hits them. They pulled away and looked at each other.

"Is this...the afterlife?" she asked.

"I don't think so. Waking up in a dirty house doesn't seem to be the afterlife we'd imagined," he said.

"Not to mention that we both look entirely different,"

Fernando nodded. "Different as you may look, you still are quite beautiful," he said. Isabel allowed herself to giggle. "You flatter me, Fernando," she said.  "Of course. Flattering my queen is one of my main duties as your husband," he said. He placed his hand on her cheek and pulls her towards him for a kiss to which Isabel happily reciprocates. They shared a kiss for a few blissful minutes before they pulled away.

"So what do we do now? This is clearly not the palace," Fernando asked.

"Perhaps going outside and looking around might give us some answers," Isabel suggested.

He smiled proudly at her. "Always quick witted, mi amor," he said. Isabel smiled back. "It's what made me your queen in the first place after all," she said.

"Quite. Now let's go outside and see."

They made their way to what they believe might be the main entrance of the house. Fernando opens the door and the couple steps out. The harsh rays of the sun glared at them and they squinted a bit to fight off the glare from their eyes. Once their vision adjusted, they took a look at their surroundings. They seemed to be in countryside environment. Fields filled with crops as far as the eye can see. There was another house down the dusty path. It seemed to be quite the significant distance away but still close enough to walk to.

"Look. I see a village in the distance," Fernando said. Pointing towards the nearby village. It can be travelled by foot based on it's proximity but it'll take hours for them to reach and the couple prefers to travel by horseback to save them some time. "Let us go to that house and see if they have horses for us. We'll travel to that village and speak to the head villager. See if he can arrange transportation to take us back to Segovia," Isabel suggests.

"Good idea."

With that, they departed for the house. It took them around fifteen minutes to reach the property. Looking at it closely now, they noticed it was a small farm. The gate was wide open so they just walked in the property without a second thought. They looked around the front yard of the property and noticed some odd things strewn about. What confuses and surprised them the most was the all metal contraption that was sitting up front. It looked to be a carriage but the wheels were too small and not made of wood.

It was a truck.

"What a strange thing," Fernando said as they approached the old truck. The couple curiously examined it. Walking around and looking at it closely like a pair of curious children seeing something new for the first time.

"Um...can I help you?" someone asked.

The couple turned and found a woman standing at the front porch of the house. Looking at them weirdly. The woman looked to be around Isabel's age. Perhaps a bit older.

"Ah yes you can. We would like to have two horses. We need to travel to that village to speak with the head villager. Please be hasty," Isabel said. Ordering this woman like some kind of servant. Which is why the woman frowned in confusion and also in mild offense at the snappiness of the former queen. "I'm sorry but we don't lend our horses to just anyone," she said.

"Not lend your horses to just anyone? Don't you know who we are?" Fernando asked. Genuinely surprised that a person does not recognize them. The Catholic Monarchs of Spain. Such an disrespect can result in severe punishment.

"No. I have never seen you before and I've been living here for years. Besides, the village is about a twenty minute drive so horses won't make the trip any quicker for you," the woman said.

"Avelina! Do we have company?" a man calls from inside the house.

"Sort of! There's a couple here who wants to borrow our horses!" the woman, Avelina, answered. The front door opens and a man around Fernando's age walks out followed by two young men. Possibly their sons.

"Who are you?" the man asked as he walks over to where Avelina stood.

"It baffles me that you do not know your king and queen," Isabel harshly said. Appalled at the blatant disrespect of these people. The couple were quite taken aback by the harsh remark.

"Perdóname señora, but I don't believe that you are our king and queen let alone look like ones. Are you two perhaps lost? Are you new in the area?" the man asked. Genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of the two given how dirty and disheveled they looked. New comers tend to get lost while travelling here after all.

He's also concerned that these people might be on some kind of substance.

"Why I never!" Isabel gasped.

"What is your name?" Fernando asked. Taking charge of the situation now.

The man raised an eyebrow. These people were quite rude and somewhat insane to say the least. Perhaps they are on some kind of substance. "Lonzo. And this is my wife Avelina," he answered.

"Well señor Lonzo and señora Avelina, we are King Fernando II of Aragon and Queen Isabel I of Castile. The Catholic Monarchs. Do you recognize us now?" Fernando asked. Looking at the couple expectantly. The couple in question were more baffled than ever after Fernando introduced himself and Isabel to them.

"No. We have never heard of you," Avelina said. Shaking her head.

"Your names are familiar though," Lonzo added.

"Such treasonous act like that can get you arrested and punished! Give us your horses now and we will consider sparing you from punishment. We have to travel to that village in order to speak to the head villager and arrange our transportation back to our palace in Segovia," Isabel said.

That's it. Lonzo has had enough of this circus act. It was amusing at first but now it is annoying.

"Look, we don't really know you two. You look like druggies to me and it's obviously concerning. Please leave our property now or we will call the constable and you will be arrested for trespassing and drug possession," he said sternly.

"You are lucky I do not have my sword with me or else I would have beheaded you for that remark! We will not leave until you have given us horses!" Fernando demanded.

"Hernando! Kortez! Call the constable!" Lonzo said.

"Lonzo no! Please just go and leave us be! We don't want any trouble," Avelina said. She shoves  the couple out of their property before closing and locking the gate. Isabel starts pounding on it. Demanding to be let back in and be given their horses. The couple ignores them and head back inside their home.

"Isabel, leave it be. They refuse to cater to us so what's the point? Let us go back to where we came from. We will recuperate from there," Fernando said. Grabbing Isabel's arm and dragging her back to the house they woke up in. "How disrespectful of them! Not recognizing us and refusing to cater to our demands? We should have them all arrested and locked up once we get back to Segovia!" she ranted as they entered the dilapidated house. She slams the door close. Rattling it in its hinges and causing dust and loose wooden splinters to fly.

"We'll get there when we get there. I'm sure Don Gonzalo has arranged a search party and they are already looking for us at this point," he said.

"You are right. It is wise to stay here and wait until we are found," Isabel said. She sits down on an old dusty chair and sighed. Fernando noticed the conflicted expression on his wife's face. He goes over and sits next to her. Taking her hand in his. "What is troubling you, my queen?" he asked.

"I am worried," she answered.

"Worried about what?" Isabel looks up at her husband. "I am worried that we might not be found and they will already have a replacement for us," she said.

"Well if that happens then we can easily retake our place once we make our return," Fernando said. Isabel sighs again and leans against him. "I pray that you are right, Fernando."

"I do too."

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Next

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Broken Crowns, Empty Titles (Epilogue)

Here’s the epilogue! Thank so much to those who read this multi chapter story of mine. I really appreciate the love this story got and it really surprised me. Again, thank you very much and I may or may not do a sequel to this one.

We’ll see what fate has in store 😉

Credits: Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100 

Mentioned: Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff 

Juana ‘la loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

--------------------------------------------------

A year and a half has gone by.

Isabel and Fernando were relaxing on their front porch in the afternoon. The couple were sitting on their porch swing, swaying lazily while Fernando serenades his wife with the tunes of his guitar. Isabel leaned against him with a content smile on her face.

Isabel de Gata lay sleeping by their feet while her daughters and son, Marmalade, Cheddar and Purrito were strewn about on the porch. Napping on their usual spots.

Fernando smiled at his wife. Admiring how their wedding rings shine from the light of the afternoon sun. He has noticed how Isabel would admire her engagement and wedding rings everyday whenever she can. It makes him happy that she has deemed him worthy enough for her. The rings, for Isabel, symbolize a choice she had made all by herself. To marry Fernando once again.

Life is finally blissfully perfect.

"Jo! Bella! I found a house!" Someone called from outside their property walls.

"Huh? Who was that?" Isabel asked. Sitting upright.

"I'm not sure. Probably lost tourists?" Fernando suggested. He sets his guitar aside, propping it against the wall.

"Could be. It is the summer season so a lot of tourists have been going through here to get to the beach," Isabel said. She got up from the porch swing and went to go see who was at their gate.

Three young women had walked up to their gate. One was tall and quite lanky, her hair done in dreads. Another was shorter with a pleasantly plump frame and long curly hair. And the third one was the shortest, her poofy hair tied up. All three women had part of their hair dyed in different shades of blonde and were wearing varying yellow and orange clothing. The one with the long, curly hair waved to get the couple's attention.

"Hi there! ¡Buenas tardes señora y señor! Sorry for the disturbance but can we please ask for your help?" she asked.

"What's the matter, señoritas? Are you lost?" Fernando asked as he followed Isabel opened their gate to let the young women inside.

"Well sort of. Our car broke down in the middle of the road and we were wondering if you know a mechanic around here that could fix it?" the shortest among the three asked.

"Lucky for you, my husband here knows how to fix vehicles," Isabel said.

"I'll see if it's within my capabilities though. If not, we can just call Berto from the village to take a look at it," Fernando said.

"Gracias señora y señor. Our brother and sister are currently pushing the car here," The tall woman said. Her voice a bit above a whisper and quite shy in her demeanor.

Isabel and Fernando stepped out to look down the road and sure enough, there was car being pushed by two people. A young man and a young woman.

"I'll go help them push your car here," Fernando said and hobbled over to help.

"Come inside, señoritas. It's quite a hot day and you can cool off on our porch while you wait," Isabel said. Leading the three women to their front porch. She goes inside the house to get them some cold drinks and snacks.

Fernando, the young man, and young woman pushed the broken down car through the gate and under the shade of a tree. "Alright! This spot is good!" he said. The young woman runs up to the driver's side and puts the car in park.

"¡Gracias señor! We thought we were done for when our car suddenly broke down in the middle of the road," the young man said. Shaking the older man's hand in thanks.

"No need to thank me. You two go and join your sisters on the porch. I'll see if I can fix your car here," Fernando said.

"Thank you anyways, señor," the young woman woman said before she and her brother went to go join their sisters on the porch. Fernando got his tool box from the shed next to their truck and got to work on the car. Meanwhile, Isabel came out and served the group some cold drinks and snacks to munch on while they wait.

"Gracias, señora," they thanked her for the offering.

"¡De nada! So, I'm guessing you are all headed to the beach? A lot of tourists go through this road to get to the beach on the other side of town," Isabel asked as she sets the tray aside.

"¡Si! It's our first time back in Spain together so we thought a trip to the beach would be fun!" The shorter one of the group said.

"The breaking down of the car wasn't fun though," The tall lanky young woman said rather quietly. She had already finished her snack and is just about to finish her drink.

"You have to admit, that rental car dealership was a bit sketchy," the plump woman said. Sipping her drink.

"It saved us some money though," the young man answered. He downs the rest of his drink and sets the glass aside.

"Does the car constantly breaking down really saved us some money?" the youngest one of the group asked. Finishing her snack.

"First time back in Spain? So you're all locals?" Isabel asked. Picking up the empty glasses and placing them back on the tray.

"Yes and no. We were born here but we all live in England now."

"I see. Oh! I almost forgot to introduce ourselves! I'm Isabel and that's my husband, Fernando," Isabel said. "As you can see, we're just humble farmers living in the country side. What are your names?"  

"Mi nombre es Isabella," the shortest woman said.

"¡Soy Juan!" the young man said.

"Mi nombre es Juana," the tall woman said.

"¡Soy Maria!" the plump woman said.

"Y yo soy Catalina," the youngest one said.

"I find it quite funny that you all share the same names as our children. In that order too as Isabella was our oldest and Catalina was our youngest," Fernando said as he hobbles over. Isabel hands him a towel to wipe away his sweat and gave him a glass of cold water.

"Oh really? What a coincidence because you two share the same names as our parents," Maria pointed out.

"Perhaps we are your parents and you are our children," Isabel joked.

The group shared a light hearted chuckle with the couple but the youngest, Catalina, seemed to be in deep thought. She looks behind her and examined the house's exterior. The coat of arms of the House of Trastámara that was hung up above the front door immediately caught her eye. She looked over at the couple and then at her older siblings. She noticed striking similarities between them. Such as skin color, eye color, hair color and texture and facial features.

It seems like a crazy coincidence but she wanted to be sure.

"Um...señora y señor, may I ask you a question?" Catalina asked.

"Of course! Go ahead, señorita," Fernando said. Pouring himself another glass of water.

"Are you, by any chance, reincarnates and are perhaps former rulers of Spain?" she asked.

Everyone looked at the youngest in surprise. Isabel and Fernando more so. How did she know that they're reincarnates and former rulers of Spain to be precise? Not even other tourists they've helped has made those connection before.

"Lina why are you asking this?" Juana asked.

"I just want to be sure of something because I saw the coat of arms of the House of Trastámara hanging above your door and it didn't take long for me to put two and two together," Catalina said. Immediately, her older siblings looked and sure enough, it was there. Their gazes are now directed to the couple. Their expressions were somewhat unreadable as they tried to process this revelation while waiting for their response to Catalina's question.

Isabel and Fernando looked at each other. Contemplating whether or not to tell them the truth or to lie and joke about it being just a coincidence.

They decided to tell the truth."

"Yes. We are reincarnates. We woke up in this house about two and a half years ago. I am Fernando II of Aragon and this is my wife, Isabel I of Castile," Fernando said.

An awkward silence followed after Fernando said this. The group looked at them in utter shock and some of them looked quite pale. Fernando and Isabella were worried that they might have crossed the line with revealing who they were.

The silence was broken by none other than Juan.

"I think we really are your children and you are our parents," Juan said.

Another awkward silence follows after he said this. Then...

THUD

"Fernando!"

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Previous

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Juan, Príncipe de Asturias: My Son and Angel

The first of many stories in the ‘Mending Bridges, Meaningful Bonds’ collection.

Juan and Isabel talk about the past, present and the possible future.

Credits:

@spooner7308 for beta reading this and giving me handy writing tips!

Characters:

Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, Juan Trastámara, Margaret of Austria and Izzy Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100 

Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana ‘La Loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

Maria Trastámara belongs to yours truly

--------------------------------------------------

The five royal children of the king and queen of Aragon and Castile stood in a line before their parents. Juan stood at the far left and next to him is his sister, Juana. In the middle is the oldest, Isabella. Next to her were little Maria and little Catalina on the far right.

They were called in for an important announcement.

"The defenses of our borders require alliances and sacrifices. As the children of monarchs, you are destined to seal and strengthen the relations of our kingdoms with our allies," Queen Isabel, their mother, starts. Sitting upon her throne. The crown of Castile atop her head.

"It is our intention to formalize the engagement of the heirs of various royal houses as soon as possible," King Fernando, their father, continues. Sitting on his own throne beside his wife. The crown of Aragon sat proudly on his head.

They direct their attention to their son and heir.

"Juan, Príncipe de Asturias y Girona, will marry Margarita de Austria, daughter of Emperador Maximiliano," Isabel said.

Juan gave a small nod of acknowledgement.

"Infanta Juana with Archduke Philip, heir to the Holy Roman Empire," Fernando said.

Juana gave a polite nod.

"A double marriage with the Habsburgs will make them our strongest allies against France," the queen clarified. Juan and Juana nodded once again in acknowledgement and acceptance. The parents then turned to their youngest who gave them her signature innocent smile. Both mother and father smiled back at Catalina briefly before going back to business.

"As of this day, the Principe de Gales will marry pequeña Catalina once she has come of age," Fernando said. Little Catalina's smile widens.

The royal couple then looked at each other before facing their children again. Most specifically at their eldest. Their next announcement will be a sensitive one.

"As for Portugal..." Fernando starts. Isabella lowered her head in shame and sadness. She was the connection to Portugal before but the ties were severed when her beloved husband, Afonso, unfortunately died. She's made a vow to never marry after that and her mother promised this will be so.

"The heir to the throne of Portugal will marry Infanta Maria," Isabel continues. Maria smiled and gave a polite nod. Isabella took Maria's hand and gently gave it a squeeze. Giving her sister an encouraging smile.

"This is our decision. Thanks to you, our family will be extended to the most important European Courts," Fernando said.

"Believe that they all wait for you with great respect and admiration," Isabel stands up from her throne and approaches her children, "God willing, you are called upon to rule a continent. You all will have to live up to the mission bestowed upon you."

Fernando stood up as well and followed his wife. "We are certain you will honor your rank, and you will make our dynasty great in the name of Castile and Aragon," he said.

Thus the destiny of the royal children has been cemented in history.

"When will the wedding take place?" Juan asked as he and his sisters sat with their parents in their study hall. The royal family had migrated here to discuss the engagements privately.

"As soon as the agreement is signed," Isabel answered. She sat between her two oldest while watching her two youngest play with their dolls.

"You will get married by proxy in Castile," Fernando added. Sitting next to Juana. Isabel turned to her. "You will soon travel to Flanders, where your husband-to-be will be waiting for you," she said. Juana nodded.

"Understood, madre," the infanta answered.

"The fleet that will take you to Antwerp will be bringing Juan's wife to be. That is what we have agreed," Fernando said.

Juan turns to his mother. "Do you know Margarita? What is she like?" he asked.

"I, personally, have never met her but I have heard that she is praised to be beautiful," Isabel answered. Smiling at her son.

"And besides? Is she intelligent?" he followed up. Wanting to know more about his fiancé. Juana stifled a giggle at her brother's serious expression as he asked questions. Fernando smiled in amusement at his children.

"She is the daughter of monarchs. She must be intelligent," their father said. Juan turns to his father. "As much as your wife?" he asked. It was Isabel's turn to stifle her laughter while Fernando smiled proudly at his wife. "No one is as intelligent as your mother," he answered.

"I am pleased that you are interested in her being sensible," Isabel said.

"Your legacy will prove to be a heavy burden on the best of príncipes," he replied. Isabel smiled and kissed her son's forehead.

"You are, mi ángel. You have been preparing to rule all your life. You will do as well as anyone," she said.

"But I would like someone intelligent to rule by my side," Juan said.

"Do not torment yourself. You will be a great king. And there will be no better queen and wife in all Christendom than Margarita."

Isabel sighs as she puts away the dishes in the sink. It's only the second day and tensions are still high in the house. Dinner was still awkward and Fernando didn't even finish his plate before going out to work on the garden again. She was really worried for his health and the only thing she could do was pray for his protection.

"Fernando you stubborn burro," she mutters as she turns on the faucet. Grabbing the sponge and lathering it with dish soap, she starts cleaning the dishes. Too preoccupied with her thoughts, she failed to hear Juan approach her.

"Madre."

"¡Ay dios mio! you startled me!" she exclaimed. Almost dropping a plate.

"¡Lo siento! I was wondering if I could help with the dishes?" he asked.

Isabel smiled at him and nodded. Juan smiles back and takes the plates that had been lathered and washed them. They cleaned in silence for awhile until Juan spoke up.

"Madre, remember my wife Margarita?" he asked.

"I do. She was a lovely girl. You two really fell for each other," Isabel said. Smiling at the memory of her son's love struck expression when Margarita first stepped foot into their court. The young duchess herself was very much smitten with her son as well. Juan smiled at the memory of his and his wife's first meeting.

"Yeah we did. I'm quite lucky that I met her again in the modern times shortly after I was reincarnated. We got married again and even had our own little daughter shortly after," he said.

Isabel looked at her son with a big smile. "Really?" she asked. Juan smiled back and nodded. "Do you want to see a photo of them?" he asked.

"Can I?"

"Of course!"

He wipes his hands dry before retrieving his phone from his pocket. He shows his mother the photo of his wife and daughter. Isabel looks at the photo and her heart warms at the sight of her son's family.

"Such a lovely family, mijo. I'm so happy that God has blessed you not only with a second chance in life but with a wonderful wife and daughter as well. I'm happy for you, mi ángel," she said.

Hearing her say his old endearment that she used in the past, Juan's smile dropped. Isabel's smile dropped as well and started to worry that she might have said something that upset him.

"Madre um...I hate to ask this but...why do you and padre favor me over my sisters? They're your children too," he asked.

Isabel sighed. She knew this was coming eventually. Her children aren't blind or stupid to the blatant favoritism she and Fernando had over their son.

"I have no excuse for the sin of favoring one child over the others but I can explain why if you allow me to," she said. She turned away and stared at the leftover plates that are yet to be cleaned in the sink.

"I'll gladly hear you out if you promise to hear me out after," Juan said.

"Of course, mijo."

"Good."

"Well...how should I start this?" she asked herself quietly. "The situation surrounding your birth was circumstantial actually. I was happy with your sister, Isabella, but I could tell that your father wanted a son. An heir to the throne. Don't get me wrong, he loves your sister dearly to the point where he called her his 'first blessing' but...times back then demanded a male heir from the queen and I could feel the great pressure on me to provide not only your father but the entire kingdoms of Castile and Aragon a male heir. So I got pregnant," Isabel said.

"With me?" Juan asked. Leaning against the kitchen table. "No. With your brother," his mother answered. This confuses him. 

He had an older brother? 

"I had an older brother?" he asked. Isabel nodded. Gently placing a hand over her abdomen as the memory of that particular pregnancy came to her.

"I can still remember that very night. Your father and I had an argument. He left storming out and the stress caused me to go into labor very early on. Your brother came out stillborn. News of a stillborn boy that I gave birth to circulated quickly and it was the greatest shame that I had to face. The loss made me very desperate to have a son," she recounted. She remembers calling for her lady in waiting and best friend, Beatriz, once she started feeling immense pain from her sudden contractions. The physician was called and concluded that she was about to give birth and fast. This caused her to panic since it was still too early for her to be in labor but her son was born anyway. Unfortunately, he only lasted a few minutes before breathing his last breath.

Juan could see the pain this gave his mother and he can just imagine her distraught on having her first miscarriage. He walked over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. 

"I...I'm so sorry you went through that, madre," he said.

Isabel shook her head. She reached up to her shoulder and placed her hand over his. Giving it a gentle squeeze. "Don't be. Only several months later, I was pregnant with you," she said. She turned to him and gave him a sad smile. 

"My position as a sovereign was secured when you were born and from then on, I did everything in my power to protect and care for you." Her smile drops and she looks down in shame. "Unfortunately, my focus on you made me neglect my daughters from time to time and...I am very much ashamed of my actions."

Juan steps closer and pulls Isabel in his arms. The gesture made the mother start to cry as her son embraced her. How she longed for this. To feel her children's arms around her the same way she had held them in her arms. Isabel clung to Juan tightly. Savoring this moment while it lasted. 

"Gracias, mijo," she said. Pulling away after awhile.

Juan smiled at his mother. "De nada, madre."

"I know hearing my explanation doesn't excuse my sins to your sisters but I, as well as your father, am willing to make it up to them and to you as well," Isabel said.

"I know but let me ask you one last question," Juan said.

"Go right ahead."

"Has padre truly changed in this life?" 

Isabel nodded confidently. "He has," she said. "He's genuinely changed and I've seen it first hand. He just needs time to process things before he's ready to talk and he is very much willing to mend the bridges with you. Especially with your sisters," she continues.

Juan nodded. "I believe you and I have faith in padre but just know that I will always support my sisters more," he said. Isabel nodded in understanding. "I understand. Thank you for having faith in your father," she said.

"I have faith in both of you. I'll be happy to bring Margarita and our daughter the next time we're here. So you can meet them," Juan said. 

Isabel smiled. This was a good start in reestablishing hers and Fernando's relationships with their children. 

"Gracias, mi ángel."

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Isabella de Aragón, Reina de Portugal: My Precious Namesake

The third story in the ‘Mending Bridges, Meaningful Bonds’ collection.

Isabel and Isabella have a heavy conversation about the past over preparing breakfast.

Credits:

@spooner7308 for beta reading this and giving me handy writing tips!

Characters:

Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana ‘La Loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

Maria Trastámara belongs to yours truly

Mentioned:

Elizabeth 'Liz' Seymour belongs to @vanessaseymour

--------------------------------------------------

"I am afraid they want me to marry again and I will refuse to accept," Isabella confessed to Friar Hernando. Trying to fight back the tears that were already spilling down her cheeks.

The young widow had approached him that afternoon and asked to do a confessional with him. He immediately granted the princesa viuda her requested confessional.

"If they decide so, it will be for the benefit of the kingdom, you should not see wrong in it," Friar Hernando said. Isabella looked up at him. He could clearly see the grief and sorrow in her eyes.

"By taking my husband, God has shown me the way. Now I belong to our Lord only, Su Eminencia. It is my wish to take the veil and spend the rest of my days dedicated to prayer in a convent," the princess admitted. This surprised Friar Hernando. "Are you certain of what you are stating?" he asked.

"Christ is calling for me. He appears in my dreams every night and asks me to give my life to Him."

"Your Highness, do not yearn to be a saint before even being a nun."

This statement deeply hurt her. She thought that Friar Hernando, a holy man whom his parents considered a close friend, would have understood her situation and granted her approval. "...I-I thought that you would understand me, Su Eminencia..." she said. Her voice started to shake as more tears fell down her cheeks.

"And I do. I know of your pain and your faith, you are always in my prayers, Your Highness. And I give thanks that the loss and fall have not turned you against God."

"No. Nothing and no one can do such a thing."

"Your devotion, which has helped you so much when facing your misfortunes, may have confused you. Think it over. Why do you desire to consecrate yourself to the Lord? Search for consolation? The intention of separating yourself from the world so as to not relive such painful moments?" he asked.

"My vocation is firm," the princess insisted. Friar Hernando sighed. He should have known the hard headedness of the parents passed on to the children as well.

"Nothing will twist it then. Think it over." Isabella stared at him then slowly gave a nod of understanding. "Give yourself time, Your Highness."

The princess thanked the friar. She kissed his ring before standing up and leaving for her chambers. Friar Hernando fears that grief is making the princess make irrational decisions.

All he can do is pray over the child he baptized.

Later in the day, Isabella made her way to the throne room where her parents were. Discussing their leave from Granada to depart for Barcelona to Friar Hernando, the archbishop of Granada and Cabrera, a councilman. The princesa viuda enters the throne room, wearing a cloak with a hood up over her head.

"Madre, Padre, I have something to tell you," Isabella said. Isabel and Fernando turned their attention to their eldest. The grieving princess smiled and lowered her hood to reveal her short hair.

"I am going to be a nun."

Isabel and Fernando were more than appalled at the sight of their daughter with unruly hair cut short. Friar Hernando and the archbishop of Granada could only do a sign of the cross and mumble silent prayers for the princess.

"Why have you committed such a blunder!?" Fernando asked as he entered his daughter's chambers.

Isabel had taken Isabella back to her bed chambers to discuss what she had done privately. Upon arriving there, the clump of hair that once belonged to the eldest princess sat in a pile on Isabella's study desk with the shears next to it. Clearly used to destroy the young woman's hair.

"I do not intend to remarry. I will only give myself to the Lord," Isabella said. Standing her ground before her parents.

"Is it so urgent for you to prove it that you do not mind seeming alienated?" her mother asked.

"Am I not the guarantee of the treaty you are going to sign!?" the princess challenged.

Her parents looked at her in shock. It was not their intention to marry her off to France to negotiate the treaty but they only wanted to bring her along with Juan because they were the two heirs of Castile and Aragon.

"There is no wedding planned with France. You have my word," Isabel said.

"Of course there is not! But even if there was, your duty would be to abide by our decision. And I am telling you that you would!" With that said, Fernando left his wife and daughter to talk woman to woman.

Isabel and Isabella stared at each other in silence for a moment. Challenge evident in either woman's eyes.

It was Isabella who spoke up first.

"You are a good Christian. Do you doubt my vocation?" she asked her mother.

"Your sake is above all wishes and the sake of Castile is above all else, keep that in mind," Isabel said. Walking over to her eldest and namesake.

"But what should I do to make you believe me!?" Isabella raised her voice and was on the verge of another meltdown. The queen's voice, in turn, was calm and collected. "Calm down and trust me. I know your feelings."

"Are you sure? If my father died and you had to remarry for the sake of the kingdom, would you do it?" Isabella asked.

It took a moment for Isabel to answer her daughter's question.

"My pain would be so unbearable that it would cloud my understanding as it happens in your case. But I would soon remember that being queen is about doing what needs to be done. No matter how much it hurts."

Isabel pulled her daughter in her arms and hugged her. She prays that Isabella will get over her grief and be ready to be married off when the time comes again.

Isabel woke up to the first rays of the sun hitting her face through the window. She groaned a bit as she carefully got out from her, still sleeping, husband's arms and sitting up on the bed. She's been waking up this early ever since she and Fernando finished their house years ago. She was worried at first but Lonzo and Avelina reassured her that the country life does that to you and that it's perfectly normal.

And since hers and Fernando's children are going to stay here for two weeks, waking up early to prepare a big breakfast for the family helps.

Isabel changed out of her sleep clothes and got ready to do the morning chores. Usually, Fernando wakes up early with her but since he started working in the evenings, she's decided to let him sleep in for a bit. She tied her hair up in a bun before exiting the bedroom. Upon stepping out, she could smell breakfast being cooked from the kitchen. She goes to the kitchen to investigate and finds Isabella making breakfast.

"Isabella?" Isabel asked as she approached her eldest.

Isabella lets out a startled squeak before facing her mother. "Madre! You're up," she said.

"I always get up this early but why are you up this early?" she asked. Isabella blushed a bit in embarrassment.

"I uh...I couldn't sleep and got hungry so I went here to grab something to eat. Then I thought I should make breakfast for everyone while I'm here. Sorry if I'm making a mess," she said. Isabel smiled at her. "It's alright, hija. I can help you if you like," she suggested.

Isabella smiled and nodded. "That would be nice, thanks."

Isabel went about assisting Isabella in preparing breakfast. For a while, the mother and daughter remained silent while they worked. Isabel couldn't help but notice her daughter's hair as she looked over at her daughter, who was currently frying eggs. She'd only seen her daughter's hair tied up for the past few days, so this was the first time she'd seen it down. "I must say, you have quite the beautiful hair, Isabella," she said.

Isabella stares at her with a puzzled expression on her face and simply nods in acknowledgement.

"Thank you, madre," she said.

"I remember the time you cut your own hair as an act of rebellion against your padre and I. I thought you were serious but thankfully, you didn't go ahead in taking the oath," Isabel said. Chuckling a bit at the memory. Isabella, however, was not laughing.

"I was serious, you know?" she said. Gripping the spatula handle tightly.

That memory was still ingrained in her mind. She truly wanted to take the oath and live in a convent to avoid being married off again for she wanted her husband, Afonso, to be her only husband and no one else. She did not wish to be married a second time.

"¿Qué?" Isabel asked. Looking over at her daughter and was surprised to find her glaring directly at her. "I...Isabella?"

"You broke your promise, madre. Or rather, you never made a promise at all. You lied to me. Lied that I will never be married off again but instead you agreed, without MY consent, that I be married off to the new king of Portugal!" the eldest ranted. Her voice rose with every word she said.

"My hands were tied, Isabella! I truly respect your wishes to not marry again but Manuel chose to marry you instead. You had the title of 'Princesa de Portugal' and Manuel thought it was best to marry you instead of Maria," Isabel argued.

"Maria had a thing for Manuel back then. So why agree to marry me off when I barely had any feelings for him?"

"Because he is thinking about his kingdom and not his personal preferences. As I have said to you in the past, your wellbeing is above all wishes but the kingdom is above all else."

"Bullshit!"

"Isabella!"

Isabella turned away from her mother to take a deep breath and calm herself down. Isabel sighed and walked over to her namesake. She turned off the stove and took the spatula from her hand. Setting it down on the counter.

"And to think that I made such a horrible ultimatum so I can agree to marry him. I thought he wouldn't do it and I would be free but he did it anyway and the blood of innocents stains my hands..." Isabella said. Her hands started to shake.

"He did for the good of his kingdom," Isabel reasoned.

"I know exactly why Manuel wanted to marry me and it's not for the sake of his kingdom but for his own selfish goals," the eldest said. Isabel frowns in confusion. Isabella looks at her mother again. Fury in her eyes.

"He knew about Juan's failing health back then and I was second in the line of succession for the crowns of Castile and Aragon and Maria is only the third. By marrying me and Juan eventually dying, I immediately became heir presumptive. Had I not died and inherited the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, by proxy, those kingdoms would have gone to Manuel as well. Thus putting Aragon and Castile under Portugal's hold," she said.

Isabel looked at her in shock. This was all news to her. She thought Portugal wanted to marry Isabella due to her title as 'Princesa de Portugal' and the fact that the people already knew her there. Oh how wrong she was.

"I...I had no idea..." she said.

"Of course you don't. Manuel is cunning. He would never tell you his plans like that especially when you're the one he was going to take Castile from. He got what he wanted when he married me and when I gave birth to my son. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately in my case, I died after giving birth and my son passed on two years after," Isabella said.

Another silence fell upon the mother and daughter. Isabel mulling over this revelation. It was no wonder that Manuel fought relentlessly in gaining custody of his son. He knew that after Isabella died, little Miguel became the automatic heir apparent of Portugal, Castile and Aragon. If Manuel had custody of Miguel and the boy had grown up under his father's influence then Castile and Aragon would have been under Portugal's rule all the same. Such betrayal like that would have convinced Isabel to wage war against Portugal back then.

"I never loved him. Not even once during my brief marriage with him. At least he had the decency to let me name my son. Afonso wanted to name our future son 'Miguel' so I gave my son the name my beloved wanted," Isabella said.

Isabella looked at her daughter. She can see the sadness in her eyes. A sadness that spanned two lifetimes and five centuries.

"I'm so sorry, Isabella. I have wronged you in so many ways. I should been a mother first and a queen second. I should have prioritized your well being more," she said.

"As a mother, you should always prioritize the well being of your children first. You did that with Juan but not with me and my sisters," Isabella said. Isabel looks down in guilt.

Of course her daughters weren't blind to hers and Fernando's favoritism over their brother.

"You know why your brother was favored more and your father and I have no excuse or deny of that. We both failed you all as parents. We had the power to do more but, alas, faith has blinded me and greed has destroyed your father," Isabel said.

Isabella looked at her mother. She could tell that she is truly remorseful and this gave the eldest hope that her parents had changed for the better in this life.

"Madre...can you...can you tell me about my son? What was he like during his two years of life?" she asked. Isabel couldn't help but smile at the memory of her grandson. The infant prince resembled his mother more than he did his father which was somewhat of a relief to her.

"Miguel was just like you. Both appearance wise and how you were as an infant," she said.

"He was?"

"Yes. Like you, he seemed to have learned how to smile early on in his first year of life. He was an easily happy baby and the nurses absolutely adorned him. They always talk about how handsome he'll be when he grows up and his constant happy demeanor would win over the heart of any princess."

Isabella smiled. Imagining the smiling face of her son and the nurses happily tending to such a happy baby. Then her smile dropped and asked the next question to her mother.

"How was he during his last moments?"

Isabel's smile disappeared as well. "He died peacefully. I was holding him in my arms. Singing him to sleep with a lullaby. He stopped breathing moments after he closed his eyes," she said. Isabella looked up at the ceiling to avoid more spilling of her tears. She knew it was for the best that her son's life was brief but the pain of knowing your child dying so young still stings.

"What's worse was that Manuel had the audacity to want to negotiate his engagement with Maria at Miguel's funeral. Maria was the chief mourner during your son's funeral that day. Safe to say that she wasn't as thrilled to be engaged with him as before," Isabel said.

Isabella nodded in agreement. Manuel is the type of man who would do anything to get him closer to his end goal. "Maria has told me about that before. Saying a few colorful words about him along the way."

Isabel chuckled lightly. "I can't blame her for saying such things," she said. "I wish I had done more to protect you and your sisters. If I could turn back time right now, I would change a lot of things in my past."

"Well we can't exactly go against tradition back then and, unfortunately, it was the tradition to use women as political pawns to gain more power. I do believe that you have done your best during that time, madre," Isabella said. Isabel smiled gratefully at her eldest. It wasn't a full forgiveness per se but it was at least an acknowledgement.

"I'm glad you see it that way," she said. Isabella gave her mother a smile in return. "Enough talking about the past! Let's focus on the present. How are you in your second life?" Isabel asked. Turning the stove back on to continue making breakfast.

"I'm quite happy with my life right now. I have my own business, I have actual friends, I have my siblings. Things are just great," Isabella said. Helping her mother out in preparing.

"Are these friends of yours reincarnated too?" Isabel asked.

"Some are. My flatmate, Elizabeth, is a reincarnate. She's...she's what I consider a close friend."

"Is she someone I knew from back then?"

"Not really. She was an english noblewoman back in her past life. Her younger sister became queen of England for a brief period of time. Now she's a freelance songwriter who helps around my music shop sometimes. She's a sweet fiend and has an obsession with foxes. I won't be surprised when I get home and the flat is filled with plush foxes," Isabella said with a chuckle. Isabel could tell that her daughter is quite fond of this friend of hers.

"I'm glad you're happy, mija," she said.

"I am happy. I'll be even happier if we somehow manage to...recover this family. I would love to have you and padre in my life. In our lives. Perhaps with effort and promises kept, it can be done."

"I am so proud of you, mi hija. There is a reason why your padre and I made you my namesake and it's this. To live in such happiness that only I could have imagined."

Isabella smiled gratefully at Isabel. She walks over to her and pulls her in a tight hug. Her mother returned the hug just as tightly. Both mother and daughter were crying softly.

"I forgive you, madre. I forgive you," Isabella said.

"Gracias, mi hija. Muchas gracias," Isabel replied.

They stayed hugging for a good while until they were satisfied. They wiped their tears away and had happy smiles on their faces. The quiet of the morning was broken by a loud yawn coming from the staircase.

"Maria's awake," they said at the same time. Isabel and Isabella shared a laugh at this.

Breakfast that day was a lot more light hearted compared to the ones days prior. It was evident to Isabel and Fernando that slowly but surely, their children were finally warming up to them. There is still hope in salvaging the pieces of this broken family.

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Juan, Príncipe de Asturias: My Only Beloved Son

The second story in the ‘Mending Bridges, Meaningful Bonds’ collection.

Fernando and Juan have a father and son moment on the front porch.

Credits:

@spooner7308 for beta reading this and giving me handy writing tips!

Characters:

Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana ‘La Loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

Maria Trastámara belongs to yours truly

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Young Príncipe Juan was led to the throne room where his parents and the members of the court of Aragon awaited him. His educator, 'La Latina' Beatriz Galindo' let go of his hand after instructing him to make his way to his parents. He toddled over to where his parents were sitting on their thrones. Both parents smiled proudly at their son as he kneels down before him.

Being a three year old, he started playing with his cape while he waited for the ceremony to proceed.

"As the absences have been reviewed and justified, and with the blessing granted by His Reverence Cardinal Mendoza the Council is ready to receive the King's proposal," Fernando's grand advisor announced to the men of the court of Aragon.

Fernando took this as his cue to stand up from his throne. Juan turned his attention from his cap to his father's. Lightly playing with the edge of the fabric. Fernando paid no mind to this.

"Nobles, knights, gentlemen and prelates, all representative of the Aragonese Cortes, I, Fernando II of Aragon, with full conscience and full responsibility, have summoned you on this glorious day to propose my son, Juan de Aragón y Castilla, as successor to his father's crown. Thus becoming the legitimate heir of his kingdom," he declared.

"Those who agree to the King's proposal, raise your hands," the grand advisor said.

Almost immediately, all members of the court present in that very room raised their hands. Cardinal Mendoza's proxy then steps forth with the holy bible in hand and presents it to the king of Aragon. Fernando placed his right hand over the book.

"In the name of God and the Holy Gospels, do you swear on your son's behalf and until this oath could be countersigned by him, to be loyal and faithful to the charters of the kingdom?" the proxy asked.

"Yes, I do," Fernando answered.

The proxy did the sign of the cross on the king then on the crown prince before stepping back. Fernando took off his crown and walked towards Juan. Gently, he placed it on his head. Thus, coronating him as the heir to the kingdom of Aragon. The proxy recited a small prayer for the boy before declaring, "by God's grace, Príncipe Juan is declared by this Cortes the legitimate successor to the throne of Aragon."

The members of the court and those in attendance to the coronation all applauded and chanted, "long live the king!" after the declaration was made.

Príncipe Juan, his mother and father's pride, is now the heir to both Castile and Aragon.

"Buenas noches, madre," Juan said after he and his mother washed and put away the dishes. They had quite the lengthy and heart to heart discussion while cleaning and had somewhat reconciled which was at least a start for Isabel.

"Buenas noches, hijo. Tell your sisters that if and when they're ready then I'm here to talk," Isabel said. Smiling at her son.

Juan smiled back. "I will," he said.

"Gracias. Now you go on ahead to bed. I'll stay up and wait for your father to finish working," his mother said.

"No need to wait for me," Fernando said as he entered through the back door. He hung his work coat up next to it before making his way towards his wife and son. His cane makes dull thumps on the floor boards. "I'll draw you a warm bath, Fernando," Isabel said. Already standing up to get their kettle and heat up some water but Fernando held up his hand to stop her.

"No no no. Don't bother, Isabel. You should go ahead and retire in our room. I uh...I want to speak to Juan privately. If he permits me to, that is," he said. Looking at his son to gauge his reaction. Juan seemed a bit hesitant to accept but he knew that if he refused, this would discourage his father from even trying with his sisters. Might as well be the practice dummy for the sake of this family.

Oh the things he does for his sisters.

"Of course, padre," he said.

Fernando seemed to sigh in relief when Juan accepted to talk with him. He knew he had to start with his children somehow and his son seemed the easiest one to start with.

"Gracias hijo. Let's head out to the porch to talk," he said.

Juan nodded and headed for the front door. Fernando goes to follow but Isabel stops him. "I'm proud of you, Fernando," she said. He looked at his wife in confusion. "For what?" he asked.

"For making an effort. You have my support and I pray that you will do good on your promise to our children."

"I will, Isabel."

"Good." Isabel gave him a loving kiss before letting him go. Fernando goes out to the front porch to meet Juan there. His son was already waiting for him on the porch steps. He joined him and sat down next to Juan.

Isabel de Gata meows as she approaches the two men. Fernando smiled and patted his lap. The feline came over and sat on his lap to receive pets. He gently scratched behind her ears and petted her head. Juan couldn't help but smile at the sight. The father and son sat in silence for a while. The only sounds heard were the cicadas singing in the night and the loud purring of the cat on Fernando's lap.

It was Fernando who finally broke the silence.

"How are you?" he asked.

Juan looks over at his father. "I'm doing fine," he answered. Fernando nodded. Another moment of silence fell on them again. This time, it was Juan who broke it.

"How about you, padre?" he asked. "How are you?"

"Truthfully?" his father asked.

"If you want to."

"Not good as you can see. I've been working a whole lot to avoid over-thinking and it's taking a toll on my leg."

"Madre has told me that she's worried about you overworking yourself," Juan said. "I feel guilty making her worry over me. A man with a past filled with flaws and faults," Fernando said. Leaning forward on his cane while being mindful of Isabel de Gata who was currently asleep on his lap.

"I can tell that she still loves you despite the flaws," Juan said. Fernando gave a soft chuckle. "I am quite lucky," he said.

"What happened when madre found out about...what you did in the past?" the son asked.

"I was planning on surprising her with a romantic dinner and a marriage proposal that day but instead, she surprised me with a literal slap to the face and proceeded to yell at me for the next minute before storming out of the house," Fernando recounted. The memory of that day will forever stay with him as a reminder of his sins and what would the consequences be if he ever repeated them again.

Juan winced at the image of his mother slapping his father hard and yelling at him. He couldn't imagine the hurt both his mother and father felt that day.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, padre," he said.

"No. I deserved it. I'm already assuming that your sisters will react the same to me once I talk to them," Fernando said.

"Well, I can see Catalina might be reacting that way. She's the one who's more alike to madre than the others. Perhaps Maria might retaliate as well. I'm not sure about Juana though," Juan said.

Fernando nodded somberly. "Catalina and Juana. I've wronged those two the most. It'll be difficult to approach them," he said.

"I can talk to them for you so they can tone down the violent reaction," Juan suggested. His father shook his head. "No. It won't be fair. For them and for me. I have to approach them on my own."

"Okay. I understand."

They shared another moment of silence before Juan spoke up again. "What would the past have been had I and Isabella not died earlier than expected?" he asked.

Fernando shrugged. "Everything would probably go according to plan. Isabella would have remained queen of Portugal, Maria married off to another royal house and you would have inherited both Aragon and Castile," he said.

"You know, the last moments before my death I...I was so scared. So terrified to lose my life so young. To leave my wife a widow and my child without a father," Juan said.

"I wish I could have done more to help you with your sickness. Your madre did more for you than I could have," Fernando said. Juan shook his head. "You've done your best during that time, padre. And I'm thankful that you did. To both yours and madre's efforts." His father gives him a small smile in appreciation. Juan smiles back. Then he suddenly turned serious. Fernando could tell what was coming and he's not sure if he's prepared enough for it.

"Padre...about what happened to my sisters..." Juan started.

"I have no excuse. I did what I did out of pure greed and lust for power. I was selfish and it destroyed my family," Fernando said. He was quite surprised at how he readily answered his son's question. He looked towards Juan with nothing but sincerity in his eyes.

"I have changed. I swear on my life that I have. Let me prove it to you, mijo. Let me prove to you that I have truly changed for the better," he said.

"I believe you and I forgive you, padre. However, it is not my forgiveness that you should seek but my sisters'. The daughters you have wronged," Juan said. 

His parents have not wronged him so his forgiveness was not to be strived for. However, he is aware that this is the push his parents needed to at least try with his sisters.

Fernando nodded in understanding. "I know, mi hijo. I know. Your forgiveness gives me hope that I truly have a chance in possibly earning your sisters' forgiveness. Thank you for giving me a chance and for your forgiveness, Juan. I owe it to you." 

The father was truly grateful for his son's forgiveness.    

"Just know that I fully support you in this but I will always support my sisters no matter what they think of you and madre," Juan said. "I know and I'm proud that you continued to support your sisters even in your second life," Fernando said.

Juan smiled and nodded. "Before meeting you and madre in this life, my sisters were the only family that I had so of course I supported them. We're a lot closer now than back in the past."

"I'm glad. Well, I shouldn't keep you up any longer and I'm sure your madre is still awake and waiting for me," Fernando said. Standing up with a groan. Isabel de Gata jumped off his lap when he stood up. Juan stood up as well. Dusting his pants clean.

"Thank you for having this talk with me, hijo," Fernando said.

"No problem, padre. I trust you but I'm still saving my final judgment until you've talked with my sisters," Juan said.

"I know but still thank you."

Juan smiled and headed back inside to retire for the night. Fernando stayed out on the front porch for a while. Staring up at the night sky.

"Meow," Isabel de Gata meows at him. He smiled at the feline and scratched her chin. She purrs and leans more into his hand.

"Things are somewhat starting to look up, Isabel. But I know this is merely the calm before the storm and I have so much more to do before I could gain their trust," he said. The cat meows at him in reply and he lets out a chuckle. He straightened up and cracked his back before heading inside.

Tomorrow is yet another day but Fernando's determined to make things right for his family.

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Broken Crowns, Empty Titles (Chapter Two)

Here’s chapter two!

Credits: Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Mentioned: Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

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Two weeks.

Two. Bloody. Weeks.

Isabel might be going crazy in this house. It's been two weeks since her and Fernando woke up and they had survived mainly by eating fruits from the trees out back and drinking the water from the small stream nearby. They were still wearing their clothes that they woke up in and had only managed to wash them in the stream once. As for sleeping arrangements, they managed to find some old cloths that they washed and used to lay on the dusty floor on. It wasn't very comfortable but it was something and something is better than nothing. They've also built a makeshift altar out of old boxes and wooden sticks and have been doing nothing but waiting and praying. Praying that a search party will find them and take them back home.

Back to their rightful pace on their thrones.

But still nothing came.

They were losing hope at this point.

Fernando has grown a small beard since he has no way to shave his facial hair. He also has been easily losing his patience and his snappiness caused him and his wife to argue almost every day over the smallest of things.

"Fernando, have you collected the fruits for supper yet?" Isabel asked.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Isabel? There are no more fruits in the trees and if they are, they are most certainly high up in the branches!" Fernando snapped.

"There you go again. Snapping at me like that! I am only asking you about the fruits because if we don't have them, we'll starve to death!" she snapped back.

"Well then why don't you climb the trees and get them yourself!" He marched off without another word. Isabel scoffs and went back to the makeshift altar to pray for the umpteenth time that day. Fernando exited the house and decided to walk around the property to cool off.

He's been tense these days. Well both of them are. He fears that no search party has been formed and the council already decided to replace them. He'll have to look for a way to get back to Segovia. Fast. He stops by one of the trees and decides to take seat under the shade. Most of them were mangos and he and Isabel had been eating nothing but mangos for the past two weeks. He mostly picked the ones from the lower branches since he can't climb a tree to save his life.

At least it helps satiate their hunger.

But now though, the lower branches have no fruits anymore and they haven't eaten since yesterday morning. Fernando doesn't blame Isabel for being snappy and argumentative as well. They're both starving at this point and water from the stream can do so much in satiating their hunger. He sighs and sat back against the trunk of the tree. The afternoon weather was hot but shade provided enough to be cool for him. He looks up and sees the abundance of mangos up on the higher branches. If only he could get those. He and Isabel would have more to eat for awhile.

With hunger as his motivating factor, Fernando stands up and starts climbing up the tree. He grabs the lower branches and pulls himself up. Securing his hold first before proceeding up the next branch. He made it just enough to reach the closest mangos and he starts picking. Unfortunately, the more mangos he picked, the more weight he's putting on the branch he was standing on. Just as he was about to reach for another, the branch he was standing on suddenly gave and broke off completely. Fernando lets out a scream as he fell down from the tree and hits the ground with a painful thud. The mangos and some loose branches falling and hitting him as he went down. A sickening crack was heard when he landed on his left leg, twisting it into a painfully awkward position.  

Isabel heard her husband's scream and immediately rushed out back. "Fernando!?" she exclaimed as she went out. She lets out a horrified scream when she saw her husband lying in a heap under a tree. His leg twisted.

"¡Dios mio! Fernando!" Isabel rushes to his side. Unsure if it was wise to move him at his state.

"I-Isabel...! My leg...!" Fernando managed to say through his pain.

Isabel looked at his leg then quickly looked away from it. It was quite the horrendous sight. It was twisted and mangled and a bit of bone was sticking out from the open wound.

"Isabel...?"

"Don't look, Fernando! I'll find us some help. Don't move, mi amor. I promise to come back as soon as possible!" she said. She gave him a kiss before rushing off to find help. Once she was out of the property though, she realized that there was no help to get. They were in the middle of nowhere and the village was too far. The only house with people in it was the one they went to that refused them horses. She knew asking them for help will be impossible given the fact that they were rude to the family there.

"You have no other choice, Isabel. Just swallow your pride and go. Fernando needs you," Isabel said to herself. She took a deep breath and ran to the small farm.

Isabel reached the farm and wasted no time in banging on the gate. Calling out for help. Avelina was the one to go out of the house to see who was calling. She looks behind her first before walking over to the gate.

"Señora please! You have to help me!" Isabel said. Immediately walking in once Avelina opens the gate.

"Lo siento mucho, señora. I'm afraid I can't help you. My husband will be furious if he sees you here," she said.

"You don't understand! It's my husband. He's hurt badly!" Isabel said. Before Avelina could say anything, Lonzo exits the house and sees Isabel in his property again.

"You again? We don't want anymore trouble from you! Please leave now or we will call the constable!" he threatened. Marching over to the two women. Suddenly, Isabel threw herself at his feet. Crying as she begged for help. "Please! You have to help me! My husband is hurt and I don't want to lose him again!" she pleaded. Her tears soaking his shoes.

The sight of the once proud queen of Castile was nowhere to be seen. In her stead was this pitiful woman who pleads for help for her husband.

"Lonzo, they need help!" Avelina said. turning to her husband. Lonzo feels very conflicted by this.

"Avelina, it could be trick," he said.

"How can this be a trick? I know a desperate wife when I see one and she is very desperate to save her husband," his wife said. Gesturing to begging Isabel.

Lonzo sighs. "Get my keys to the truck and have the one of the boys come with us too," he said. Avelina nods and rushes inside. He leans down and picks Isabel up from the ground.

"As for you, you have to calm yourself, señora. Going into hysterics won't help your husband's situation. You have to be calm and collected. ¿Lo entiendes?" Isabel nodded and wiped away her tears. "¡Gracias señor!" she said.

"Don't thank me just yet," Lonzo said. Avelina comes back outside followed by her son Kortez. She hands her husband his keys. "Kortez will go with you and Hernando will stay with me," she said.

"Alright. Get in the truck and let's hurry!" Lonzo said. Kortez hops on the back of the truck while Isabel, ungracefully, gets in the passenger side after Avelina opens it for her. He starts the truck which startled the former queen a bit but immediately composed herself.

She had to be calm. For Fernando.

Lonzo drives off. Following Isabel's directions. Thankfully it was close enough. He parks the truck and him and his son follows Isabel out back where Fernando lay unconscious.

"Fernando!" Isabel exclaims as she runs to her husband. Praying to God that he was still alive.

Lonzo and Kortez runs over. The older of the two checked Fernando's injury while the younger checked for a pulse.

"He's still alive," Kortez said.

"¡Gracias a Dios!" she said in relief.

"Hijo, help me carry him to the truck," Lonzo said. His son nodded and the two men carefully picked Fernando up and carried him to the truck. Isabel follows right behind them. They carefully laid him down on the truck bed.

"Kortez, stay with him and make sure he won't jolt or move too much," Lonzo said as he went back in the driver's side. Isabel hurriedly gets in the passenger side. "Where are you taking him?" she asked as Lonzo started the truck and drives off as carefully as possible.

"To the hospital. He needs immediate care," he said.

"Hospital?" Isabel asked. "It's where you got to get treatment for illness and injuries," he explained.

The trip to the hospital took a painstakingly longtime. At least it was for Isabel. She prayed the entire time. Not stopping even as they arrived at the village hospital and Fernando was rushed inside. Lonzo told Kortez to bring Isabel to the hospital canteen and buy her something to eat.

"I want to stay here!" Isabel protested.

"I know you do but I can see that you are hungry and tired. For your husband's sake señora, please eat and rest," Lonzo said.

Isabel wanted to protest more but she knew he was right. She hadn't eaten anything since yesterday morning and a proper meal sounded good. "Please look after my Fernando," she said. Looking at Lonzo with a pleading gaze.

He nodded. "I will."

She thanked him and followed Kortez to the canteen. They took the elevator down and it freaked out the older woman a bit when it moved. Once they reached the canteen, the young man sat her down at an empty table before going to get her something to eat. The former queen sighs and lets a few tears fall down her face.

Why must they suffer like this?

Were they being punished?

What sins have they committed to deserve this?

Isabel has experienced this same conflict in faith when her grandson, Miguel de Paz, passed away at barely two years old. And that was after she lost her two eldest children, Juan and Isabella a mere three years prior.

"Why must You test me like this?" Isabel muttered.

"Señora, here. Eat," Kortez said as he placed a tray of food in front of her before sitting down across from her.

"Gracias young man," she said. Wiping her tears away. She takes the spoon and carefully started eating the broth. For the first time in her life, she appreciates the simple food given to her. Kortez quietly watched her as she ate. Making sure she won't choke on her food.

"Señora, may I ask you a question?" he asked.

"Of course," Isabel answered.

Kortez considered his question first before asking it. "Are you really Isabel of Castile?"

"I am," Came a confident reply. The young man stared at her. As if assessing her for a lie. Then he smiled. "I believe you," he said. This took Isabel by surprise. "You do?" she asked. Quite baffled since this young man's mother and father did not believe her and Fernando.

Kortez nodded.

"I am glad that you believe me but what made you believe me?" Isabel asked.

"Do you know anything about reincarnation?" she shook her head. "Reincarnation or more simply known as rebirth is a philosophical or religious belief that an individual gets reborn into a new body after the first natural death," Kortez explained.

Isabel frowns in confusion. "How does that imply of you believing me?" she asked.

"Because I think that you and your husband has been reincarnated. Notice how you two look entirely different from your previous life? And how you two think that it's still the medieval era?"

This got Isabel really thinking. They did look different and that they both woken up in an old dilapidated house with no memory of getting there. The chances of them being reincarnated into new bodies in an entirely different period is very high.

"It...It is a very possible thing but...the scriptures says nothing about being reborn after death. Only the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven," Isabel said. Looking at the young man for more answers.

"Reincarnation is actually believed by those who practice Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Christianity, as far as I know, don't believe in reincarnation," Kortez explained.

This was quite the conflict for the Catholic Monarch. Her belief was entirely different to what happened to her and her husband. The scriptures stated of the promise of everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven but then here she is. Rebirthed into a new body with a new life in a new timeline. She didn't know what to believe in anymore.

"Don't stress yourself too much about this, señora. Life is full of mysteries and we never know what comes next. What I can reassure you though is that you and your husband are not alone," Kortez said. Isabel looks at him in confusion.

She's just confused in general now.

"¿Qué?" she asked.

"I've read and watched reports of historical figures being reincarnated in England, Germany and even Portugal. I believe there are others in other countries too but these are all I know. The government in England even implements a special ID for the reincarnates in order to easily identify them but other than that, they live fairly regular lives," he said.

"So...there are others out there just like us?" Kortez nods. "Si señora," he said.

"Dios mio..."

Isabel sat back in thought. This was so much to take in. She'll have to carefully assess this revelation before telling Fernando. She fears she might not believe her due to the conflict of religion at play here. She was about to ask more questions when Lonzo approached their table. Isabel stood up immediately upon seeing him.

"How is Fernando?" she asked.

"He was just placed in a recovery room. Follow me, I'll take you to him," Lonzo said and leads the way. Isabel and Kortez followed him out of the canteen.

They took the elevator up to the second floor where the recovery rooms were located. They walked down the quiet hallway until they reached a door with the numbers 219 engraved on it. Lonzo opens the door for Isabel and lets her in. She gasped when she saw her husband's state as he lay on a bed. Still unconscious. They had put a cast around his injured leg and even had bandages on his wounds that she didn't even know were there. Isabel walked closer to the bed and sat down on the chair next to it. She reaches over and takes his hand in hers. Gently squeezing it. She closed her eyes and did the sign of the cross before beginning her prayer. The father and son quietly watched her from the doorway.

"Let's leave them be," Lonzo said. Kortez agrees by nodding and the two left the room. Quietly closing the door behind them.

"So what were you two talking about earlier in the canteen?" Lonzo asked his son as they made their way back to the elevator.

"I'll explain once we get to the truck. I think you'll understand their situation once I tell you my theory," Kortez said. Lonzo just shrugs.

"You are your mother's son. If she managed to convince me to help them then I don't doubt you will too," his father said. Kortez just smiles at his father.

"I know I will."

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[blackdiamondwrites127]

Broken Crowns, Empty Titles (Chapter Four)

Chapter four has arrived!

Credits: Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Mentioned: Juana ‘la loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

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Isabel stood back and looked at her work in utter disappointment.

The fence was not looking sturdy at all and she's wasted a whole lot of wood for this. Not to mention the countless times she's hit her fingers with the hammer.

It's been two months since Fernando and Isabel had moved in with Lonzo and his family in their home. Fernando is doing what he can to help. Often times, he'd help Avelina and Hernando in counting the wares and placing them in boxes to be sold to the village market. Isabel, after being taught how the chores are done, helped out with the outdoor and indoor chores while taking care of Fernando. On her free times, she would go to the house she and Fernando woke up in and started fixing it up by herself.

Unfortunately, she's been unsuccessful so far.

"Having trouble, Isabel?" Lonzo asked as he came over, carrying more wood for her to work with.

"Yes I am. How is it this hard to make a fence!?" she exclaimed as she sat on the ground in defeat. Throwing the hammer at the unstable fence she made. Sending it toppling to the ground. Lonzo chuckled and took the hammer and nails. "Watch," he said before showing her how to build a fence. Isabel watched him as he built one part of it with ease.

"How?" she asked. Standing up to inspect his work after he had finished.

"Simple. Two verticals, two horizontals and one diagonal," Lonzo said. Handing back the hammer to her. Isabel looked at him in confusion and he couldn't help but chuckle. "The two verticals are the posts that you stake in the ground until it's at least above waist high. The two horizontals are the planks that act as barricades to the fence but also hold the two posts securely. Finally, the one diagonal is the one that gives support to the two horizontals to keep them from collapsing," he explains.

"I see now. Gracias for showing me," Isabel said.

"De nada but are you sure doing this by yourself is wise? I can have Hernando and Kortez help you," Lonzo said. She shook her head. "No. You and your family have helped us enough and since this place will be mine and my husband's home, I might as well dedicate my free time fixing it up while he recovers," she said. She bends down and picked up some wood before building the next part of the fence.

Lonzo watched her in silence for awhile. "Answer me truthfully, Isabel. Are you really doing this on your own because you're afraid that you might overstep boundaries with my family's kindness or that you're doing this to be independent?" he asked.

Isabel stopped hammering the post and was silent for awhile as she contemplated this.

She hadn't thought of it that way. Perhaps she is doing this to show herself and Fernando that she can do things on her own without consulting him. Back then, despite being a queen of equal power to her husband, Fernando always gets the final say in the decisions when it comes to everything. Money, royal duties, their marriage, and their children. Rarely does she get a chance in making the final say. Isabel continues hammering on the post. With a little bit more force put into it.

"Perhaps," she answered.

"Perhaps?" Lonzo repeated.

"It's just...Reading how much freedom women have in this day and age it sort of...got me thinking about my own independence. Back then, women were always second to men. Even those with power. Heck, marrying Fernando wasn't even my choice it was my father's. I got engaged to him at the age of six. The only choice I made that I could remember is that I went forward in marrying him anyways because my half brother was opposed to it. I only did it just to spite him at first but of course, I grew to love Fernando despite his flaws," Isabel explained. She had hammered in the two horizontal planks to the posts as she talked.

"So does that mean you are doing this for yourself?" Lonzo asked.

"In a way, I am. May I ask a question in return, Lonzo?" she asked. Lonzo nodded with a smile. "Go right ahead," he said.

Isabel looked at him in the eye. "Have you ever cheated on Avelina?"

Without faltering or a second thought, Lonzo gave her his answer. "No."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I don't want to. Why would I cheat on my wife when she's already perfect for me? To be honest, Avelina is way out of my league. I was lucky enough that she agreed to marry me and create a family with me. Besides, I had been cheated before and it broke me. I never want to put the love of my life through that kind of pain," Lonzo said. The smile on his face remained as his thoughts went to his wife.

Isabel hated to admit it but she felt a bit jealous of their relationship. She saw just how much love Lonzo and Avelina have for each other. She brought the hammer down hard and it buried the post she was hammering a bit deeper into the ground than she intended. Lonzo came over and pulled the post up until it was at equal height with the other posts.

"How lucky your wife is to have such a faithful husband," she said. Grabbing two planks to hammer to the posts.

"What makes you say that?" Lonzo asked. Stepping back to let her continue her work.

"Because I can say for certain that Fernando has cheated on me many times before. Back then, men of power needed to showcase their manhood by openly sleeping with prostitutes while demanding their wives to remain loyal. His excursions with the prostitutes in Segovia early on in our marriage made me feel worthless as a woman and as a wife. He even had an affair with one of my ladies in waiting just to spite during a low point in our marriage. It made me question my choices in life and whether or not I would be stuck in a loveless marriage," Isabel said. Finishing another part of the fence. She stood back up and sighed. Lonzo walks over and patted her shoulder in reassurance.

"I get what you mean. Times were hard for women back then. I guess I see now why you prefer working on the house all on your own. Although I don't acknowledge it as wise, I see where you're coming from," he said. Isabel smiled gratefully.

"Thank you for understanding, Lonzo," she said. He smiled at her. "Anytime. But I will have Kortez and Hernando help you out here sometime. Working alone, although will still get you the results you wanted, is just not ideal in this situation," he said.

"Alright fine. I guess you are right."

Meanwhile...

"I worry for Isabel," Fernando said as he carefully puts the eggs he counted on a tray. Avelina looks up from her notebook. "She's fine, Fernando. I've never seen quite a woman as tough as her," she said.

"What about abuelita?" Hernando asked as he was sealing up boxed goods with packaging tape and labeling them.

Avelina chuckled. "Your abuelita is a league of her own, mijo. What I meant is that Isabel is also in a league of her own. Perhaps it's because of her upbringing as a royal that makes her take things in a headstrong attitude," she said.  

"Isabel is quite the extraordinary woman. I'm quite lucky that she still went forward to marrying me years after our arranged betrothal.  Though...I do feel a lot of guilt," Fernando said. Carefully stacking the egg trays and tying them up.

"Why is that?" Avelina asked.

"Well I did some horrible things back then. To her and to our children. I was blinded by power and greed of ruling a great kingdom that I...I hurt my own family," he said. Sighing deeply. "If Isabel ever finds out what I did after her death, well...she'll most likely leave me," He's been keeping this conflict within him ever since waking up with his wife. He knew that being truthful to her would lead to Isabel getting furious and leaving him for good.

Why wouldn't she?

He hurt her and their children all for the sake of power.

Not to mention that they have no status in this period anymore so nothing is tying Isabel down to him. He knows that she's staying with him out of pure love and knowing this, he feels all the more guilty for his sins to her.

"You know, keeping that a secret from Isabel will only make things difficult for the both of you when this secret eventually comes out. Honesty and communication is key to a successful relationship after all. If you want her to understand your perspective of things, it's best to be honest with her," Avelina said.

"What is there to even understand? My perspective of things is based out of greed! She won't ever forgive me once she finds out about Juana," Fernando said. Leaning back against his wheelchair and sighing in defeat. Avelina and Hernando shared a look before focusing back to the injured former king.

"Are you remorseful?" Hernando asked.

Fernando frowns in confusion. "¿Qué?" he asked.

"About your wrongdoings. Are you remorseful of them? Do you regret doing them?" the young man elaborated.

"Of course I am! After finding out that my title as king holds no meaning anymore, I've begun to think about the things I have done in the past and wonder what repercussions will I be facing for them? I have done a lot of bad things to my people but...I've wronged my family the most and once that comes to light...I will lose everything," Fernando said.

"People change, Fernando. The king that you were in the past is dead for five hundred years now. His sins has long been buried with him. You said so yourself that you are remorseful for your wrongdoings. That shows how different you are from the man in your first life," Avelina said.

"Even so. If Isabel finds out, I'm done for anyways," Fernando said. He backs his wheel chair up before wheeling away. Going to the spare room to be alone for awhile.

"He's really having trouble dealing with his feelings," Hernando said to his mother. Avelina nodded and went back to computing their wares.

"Yes. I can tell that there is a kind man in him but he's wrestling with a giant."

As the months go by, Isabel and Fernando grew in appreciation for the family. Not only because of their help and kindness but also for welcoming them and treating them like they are part of their family. The couple has been included in their traditional family activities such as drinking and singing around a bon fire at night and going to the village church together on Sundays. Lonzo even taught Fernando how to play the guitar to which the former king quickly took to learning. Avelina taught Isabel how to cook various recipes and even shared with her how to make jam out of the fruits that did not sell at the village market.  She even brought the couple with her to the village market to help her sell their wares from time to time.

Fernando has recovered quite well from his injury and is able to stand and walk around though with a considerable limp. So Kortez and Hernando made him a cane so he can go on longer walks and help around with the hard labor.

Isabel continues to help with the chores with the family while fixing up hers and Fernando's future home. Her husband, ever since he's been able to stand again, has been helping with the repairs. Lonzo and his sons would help them out and provided them tools and materials for fixing up the dilapidated home.  

This quickened the progress of the project.

Isabel handled the upper parts of the house like fixing the roof and second floor windows since she's the only one who can climb up a ladder without incident. Fernando mostly handled the work on the ground. Fixing up the back and front porch and repairing the ground floor's broken windows. He even made a porch swing from scratch after reading about it in a book. Lonzo and his sons offered to fix the old barn in their backyard and the couple agreed to the offer.

They even started planting vegetable seeds in their newly made garden and Fernando has taken a liking to gardening every morning. Toiling the soil and watering the sprouting plants. Isabel picked mangos from  the trees in their property and used Avelina's recipe in making jams. She decided to try and sell the jams at the village market and they sold out quickly which delighted the former queen.

Two months after the end of the year, their home was finally finished.

Isabel hung up their old coat of arms that she had sewn sometime ago on the top of their main entrance to put the finishing touch on their new home.

"There. Perfect," she said. Stepping back and marveling their hard work.

"Our new home," Fernando said. Wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulders. Isabel smiled and leaned against him.

More than a year of hard work has paid off and they couldn't be happier.

"Now we just need to buy furniture and it will truly be a home," Isabel said.

"About that." Lonzo and Avelina approached the former royal couple.

"Oh don't tell me that you'll be giving away your furniture to us as well," Fernando said semi lightheartedly.

Lonzo chuckled. "Yes and no. We have some old furniture just collecting dust in our attic," he said. "We've been wanting to sell them but we figured they'd benefit you more," Avelina added.

"You two have really done so much for us and we are very very thankful for your kind hearts but please you really don't have to do this," Isabel said.

"But we want to. It gives us joy to be able to help," Avelina said.

"Besides, it's only a living room set, a dining table and chairs, an old bed frame, and a cabinet. You can still buy the rest of your furniture with your own hard earned money," Lonzo said.

"Thank you, amigo! We are in your debt for life," Fernando said. Taking the couple's hands and shaking them.

"Like we said, it's the right thing to do," Avelina said as Isabel hugged her happily. "You truly are angels sent by God! Muchas gracias," Isabel said. wiping her tears away.

Lonzo called for their sons who started to carry the furniture from the truck and into the new house. Fernando and Isabel were quick to help in carrying their new furniture. They told the young men to just place them in the empty living room and they'll deal with the arrangement themselves later.  

As a last offer of kindness, Lonzo called the village priest to bless their new home. It was a small affair and the couple thanked the priest after the house blessing rites concluded. Isabel invited the family over for dinner to celebrate hers and Fernando's new home and to try out he cooking skills in her own kitchen.

The dinner was a success.

Lonzo brought his guitar and let Fernando play it while the rest happily sing songs around the dinner table. There was much singing and laughter all around. Isabel and Fernando are finally living their second lives the way they were supposed to.

This was the ultimate blessing they are forever thankful for.

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[blackdiamondwrites127]

Broken Crowns, Empty Titles (Chapter Three)

Here’s chapter three!

Credits: Isabella I of Castille and Fernando II of Aragon belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Mentioned: Juana ‘la loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

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It's been a few days since Fernando's accident.

Isabel sat by her husband's bed, holding his hand. She hadn't left his side and hadn't stopped praying for his quick recovery. Fernando had woken up the following day of his admittance in the hospital and Isabel had filled him in on what she knew about his injury, where he was, who helped them and what Kortez has told her about them being reincarnated. Fernando didn't take the last one very well as Isabel expected.

"What do you mean reincarnated!?" Fernando exclaimed.

"Fernando, calm down. I know it's very confusing and very conflicting to our core beliefs but there's no other explanation as to why we are here when we are both aware that we have died before. It makes sense that we are in a different period altogether," Isabel calmly said.

"This goes against what we believe entirely, Isabel! What we built our lives with! We are the Catholic Monarchs for God's sakes!"

"Fernando!¡Cálmate!"

Fernando pouted like a child and turned away as best as he could in his condition. Isabel sighed. Her husband is a very stubborn man. Then again, she's quite stubborn herself. Thank God their children didn't inherit their stubbornness.  

Well, except for Juana.

That girl was born stubborn and often punished for preferring to study instead of praying with the family. Though punishing her proved to just make her even more stubborn. Isabel hated to admit it but Maria was her favorite due to the girl's strong devotion to the faith. She was the most faithful out of all their children.

"What do you think does this makes us now, Isabel? Our faith to the Catholic church has shaped us who we are as monarchs. What will the people think?" Fernando asked. She looked at him and found him glaring at her as if challenging her to answer.

"Nothing," Isabel said. Her husband was quite surprised at her answer. "Nothing?"

"Sí. Nothing. Because they don't care. The people don't know who we are or that we even exist in this day and age. We're commoners now, Fernando. It loathes me to say this but our titles mean nothing anymore."

Fernando stared at his wife in shock. He went over what Isabel said in his mind over and over again.

No meaning on their titles?

No crowns or thrones to claim?

If they don't have that anymore then...what do they have?

He laid back down and stared at the ceiling in deep thought. The couple sat in silence for awhile as Fernando tried to make sense of things.

"...what now?" he asked. His voice meek and sad. It broke Isabel to hear this tone coming from him. They had a purpose as rulers of a united country. They were meant something and every decisions they made shaped the kingdom as a whole. They mattered to the people. But that was then and this is now.

Now they are...nothing.

"I don't know," Isabel said. Taking his hand in hers. Gently squeezing it as an act of reassurance. "I don't what we'll do from here on out but...but I know the Lord has brought us back for a reason and I know that He will provide us with that reason. Just have faith, Fernando." she lifted his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles.

Fernando could only nod as he hid his tears from his wife.

Lonzo and his family have been nothing but a big help to the couple. Kortez has told them about his speculations and showed proof about the other reincarnates to his parents and brother which convinced them to believe the legitimacy of the former king and queen of Spain.

It all made sense now.

Why they demanded horses and why they were desperate to go back to Segovia. They thought they were still royal monarchs in medieval Spain instead of the modern times. They were basically lost people in a foreign world they are not familiar with and this realization pushed the family to help them more.

Avelina prepared meals for Isabel and Fernando and, during her visits, taught them the basics of modern hygiene.

"Gracias, señora Avelina. Your teachings and tools have really helped us feel like actual people again," Fernando said after Isabel helped him shave off his dirty beard.

"De nada, señor Fernando. It's the least I could do. Besides, staying clean is very important to your health. Especially when you're recovering," Avelina said. Smiling at the couple.

Kortez and his brother, Hernando, brought them newly bought clothes to change into as well as books to entertain and teach them the ways of how the modern times work. The brothers mostly answered their questions like what that thing was and what does said thing do.

"So a car is like a carriage but it runs by itself because of something called an engine?" Isabel asked as she read a book about technology through the years.

"Sí señora. The truck, though not exactly called a car, is the same way. All vehicles have engines that help them run," Hernando explained.

"But what about the horses?" Fernando asked.

"Horses are still used as a mode of transportation but it's very rare nowadays," Kortez said.

Isabel and Fernando learned a lot thanks to the books and the brothers enjoyed explaining things to them. Lonzo mostly helped quietly and  was mostly in the sidelines.

Until now.

A week after Fernando's admittance, Isabel was in the middle of prayer and he was asleep when the door to his room opens and Lonzo walks in. She quickly did the sign of the cross to close her prayer.

"How is he?" he asked. Walking over and handing a bag of food that his wife made to the former queen. Isabel graciously thanked him before placing it on the small table to be eaten once her husband wakes up.

"The physician said that his leg is healing well but he might develop a limp and might have pain on his leg, hips and back sometimes after recovery," she said as she went back to the chair beside the bed. She reached up and gently brushed Fernando's hair with her fingers.

"Though...I worry that we are unable to pay them for the treatment. We have nothing let alone money. All we have are the clothes on our backs," she added.

"Your hospital bill has been fully paid for as well as the medication he'll be needing so no need to worry about that," Lonzo said.

Isabel looks at the farmer with great appreciation. The Lord has heard her prayers He has answered them.

"Gracias, señor Lonzo. We promise to pay you back as best as we can," she said.

"Don't worry yourselves about that. What's important is that your husband focuses on recovering," he said. Isabel nodded in agreement. They sat in silence for a few moments.

"Señor, may I ask you a question?" she asked.

"Go right ahead," Lonzo said.

Isabel faces him. Her eyes showing confusion. "Why help us to this extent? We were rude to you and your family?" she asked.

Lozo shrugged. "Why not? It pays to help others no matter the background or treatment they give you," He said. Isabel couldn't help but smile at this. He was right.

Treat others like how the good Samaritan treated the robbed man.

Now she feels immensely guilty at how she treated those below her. She'll have to work on that once she is ready. She looks back at the kind farmer and gave him a gracious smile.

"You are truly kind, señor. Muchas gracias. The Lord has sent you to save us just in time," she said.

"De nada, Isabel. It's the least I could do," Lonzo said. Smiling back at her.

"You have my word that we will do any favor you ask of us. We are in your debt."

"Well, if you really want to repay me for the help then why not help me and my family in our farm?" he suggested. Isabel gave him a determined look. "Of course! What do you need me to do? I'll even do hard labor if you need me to!" she said. Lonzo smiled at her enthusiasm.

"We'll teach you the ropes first before putting you to work. We're also thinking of helping you fix up your home," he said.

"Oh no you don't have to, señor! You've already helped us so much," Isabel said.

"Nonsense! My family and I would love to help make your house into a home. Your backyard is very spacious and I noticed an old barn there too. It has a lot of potential."

Isabel frowns and tilts her head in confusion. "What significance do those have?" she asked.

"You can grow and sell crops and care for barn animals like cows, chickens and sheep where you can sell milk, eggs and wool. It's a lot of work but it pays off in the end," Lonzo explained.

Isabel is very much a queen in her first life as she is now but she's learned that circumstances aren't with her in this day and age and working for thing such as money will have to be done by herself instead of someone else.

Might as well live her life humbly. She's already blessed enough to get a second chance of life with her husband.

"Do you think it will be enough?" Isabel asked.

"Of course. Though if it's not to your liking, both of you could apply for jobs here in the village," Lonzo said. Isabel looked at him in a bit of surprise. "Will they even hire a woman like me?" she asked.

"Yes. Women nowadays can have jobs if they want. It helps increase the income in the household. Avelina sells our wares at the village market and handles all things financial," he said.

"I'm not sure, señor. I have no experience whatsoever in working aside from leading a country."

"So I've heard. I've also heard that you are skilled in mathematics and making connections. Those skills might help you if you ask me,"

Isabel was still quite unsure but she'll have to at least try and see if she's suited for any jobs available.

"Tell you what, we'll allow you to stay with us while your husband recovers. You can make up for rent by helping around with the chores. Don't worry about food and other necessities. Avelina and I will happily provide then for you as long as you keep your end of the bargain," Lonzo said. He stood up and put his hat back on. "So? Do we have a deal?" he holds out his hand to her to seal the deal. Isabel smile gratefully at him before taking his hand in hers and shaking it.

"We have a deal, señor," Isabel said.

"Very good. And please, just call me 'Lonzo'."

She smiled and nodded. "Of course, Lonzo," she said.

"Well, I should take my leave. I'll come back tomorrow to pick you and your husband up."

"Thank you again, Lonzo."

Lonzo smiles and nods before leaving the room. Quietly closing the door behind him. Isabel smiled as tears fell down her face. Fernando reached up and wiped them away with his time.

"Why the tears, mi amor?" he asked. Now fully awake.

Isabel shook her head and gave him a soft kiss. "Nothing, my love. I'm just so happy and thankful that God sent us a good Samaritan to save us from our suffering," she said.

"Indeed He has. I'm glad you are happy," Fernando said. Gently playing with his wife's hair. Isabel smiled as she gently laid her head on his chest.

She truly is happy.

The next day, Fernando was discharged from the hospital and Lonzo picked them up in his truck. Isabel and Lonzo helped Fernando in the truck first before getting in themselves and driving off.

"Gracias for helping us, Lonzo. I do apologize for our rudeness the first time we met," Fernando said.

Lonzo shrugged and chuckled. "No worries, amigo. After my son explained your situation, everything just made sense so no hard feelings," he said.

"I don't know how much I can contribute in my condition but I will do my best," Fernando said.

"Oh no, amigo! You're still recovering. You can help around once your leg is feeling better," Lonzo said. Fernando looked at him in surprise.

"But then how am I able to pay you back for your kindness?" he asked.

"Don't worry, Fernando. I'll be helping around the farm while you rest," Isabel answered. Fernando turns to his wife in disbelief.

"¿¡Qué!? Isabel, as a man it is my duty to work hard labor not my wife!" he said. He'd rather break his leg a thousand times over than let his wife work hard labor on his behalf.

"And how exactly are you going to work hard labor, Fernando? You can barely walk!" Isabel pointed out. Lonzo chuckled in amusement. "She's right you know. Just trust her, amigo. When women work, they do it perfectly," he said. Patting the former king in the back.

"But I--" Isabel cuts him off. "Fernando, please trust me. I'll be fine. What's important is that you recover," she said. Her husband sighs. He should have known that there was no use arguing with her once she's made up her mind.

"Alright but please be careful, Isabel," he said.

She smiles and kisses him on the cheek. "You have nothing to worry about, mi amor."

Lonzo smiled. It was amusing to watch the couple bicker and reconcile in the same minute. It reminded him of him and his wife. Maybe that's why he readily helped them in their time of need?

They arrived at his farm and Avelina was there to greet them.

"Nice to see you out and about, señor Fernando," she said.

"Yes well I'm out and about in this moving chair I guess," Fernando said as Isabel helped him on his wheelchair.

"Welcome to your temporary home. Come inside. The spare room has been prepared for the two of you," Avelina said. Leading them inside the house and into the spare room which was thankfully on the ground floor of the house.

The room was spacious enough for the two of them plus a wheelchair. It had a double bed, bedside tables on either side, a small closet, a window that gives the view of the backyard and their own bathroom. Isabel and Fernando graciously thanked her for the wonderful room she had provided.

"Please, no need to thank me. It's just the right thing to do. I'll leave you two be to get settled in and I'll call you when lunch is ready," Avelina said before leaving.

Isabel closed the door after she left. "We are truly blessed, Fernando!" she happily said. Going over to Fernando and hugging him. He smiled and placed his hand on her arm.

"Indeed we are. The Lord has not given up on us. Let's make sure not to give Him a reason to give up on us," he said. His wife nodded in agreement.

"That's right. Fernando, just focus on recovering and I will work hard in order to repay these blessings He has sent to us," Isabel said. Fernando held her hands in his and squeezed them gently. Looking at her with nothing but love and adoration.

"I trust you, mi amor."

"Your trust is all I need to give me strength."

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[blackdiamondwrites127]

Mending Bridges, Meaningful Bonds

I told y'all I was gonna make a sequel!

The idea this time won't be a multi chapter one but a collection of one shots centering around Isabel and Fernando's relationship with their children.

This one is the main title and prologue of the collection!

Credit:

@spooner7308 for beta reading this and giving me handy writing tips!

Characters:

Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100

Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana 'La Loca' de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing

Maria Trastámara belongs to yours truly

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"¡Papá!"

Fernando stopped speaking to his council men and turned around. He smiles at the sight of his two youngest daughters running towards him. Six year old Maria held three year old Catalina's hand as they made their way to their father. Their mother's maids and ladies were not far behind.

"María! Catalina!" he said and happily lifted his daughters in his arms. The two infantas hug their father tightly. They had missed him during his absence and hearing of his arrival got the little ones running to greet him first.

"¡Padre!" "You are back!" Príncipe Juan and Infanta Juana made their way towards their father and joined in on the hug.

"¡Mi hijo y mis hijas! How I've missed you all. Where is your mother and Isabella?" Fernando asked once his children let go of their hugs.

"Madre and Isabella are just finishing up their evening prayer," Juana said.

"Then we shall wait for them before we proceed with dinner," the king said.

"No need to wait for us," Isabel said as she and her eldest daughter, Princesa viuda Isabella, approached their family. Fernando smiled and gently set his daughters down before going to greet his wife and eldest.

"Welcome home, Fernando," the queen said as she offered her hand to her husband who took and kissed the back of it. "I am home, my queen," Fernando said. Isabel gave him a smile.

"Welcome home, padre. I am glad to see you made it home safe," Isabella said with a polite curtsy to her father. Fernando gave a nod in return.

"It is nice to see my family after a long journey," the king said.

"Well your family has missed you dearly as well, Fernando and I thank God for hearing our prayers for your safe return. Now come. Let us have our dinner together as a complete family once more," Isabel said.

Fernando nods. Together with his wife, he leads their children to the dining hall where they will share meals and stories as a completed family once more.

Fernando groans as he slowly wakes up. He opened his eyes and found himself staring at the ceiling in his and Isabel's bedroom. He sat up on the bed and looked around. He noticed that the sun was already going down by looking out the bedroom window.

How long was he out?

It also confuses him as to how he got here when he remembered being with Isabel on the front porch that afternoon. Then he remembers the group coming over to ask for help.

He remembers fixing their car that broke down.

He remembers listening in on Isabel's conversation with the group.

He remembers the joke his wife said about the group actually being their children due to them sharing their names.

Then one of them, Catalina, spoke up about it possibly being the truth.

The evidence was clear.

He knew. Isabel knew. The group knew.

Fernando reached up to touch his head. Feeling along his scalp to see if he had a bump or something due to his fainting. Thankfully there were none so he had that going for him at least. He swung his legs to the side and puts on his slippers. He notices his cane propped against the wall next to the bed and takes it.

He was not going to take his chances by testing his leg strength at the moment.

Fernando stands up with a grunt and hobbles towards the door. He exits the master bedroom and looks around for his wife.

"Isabel?" he calls.

"In the kitchen!" Isabel replies.

He hobbles over to the kitchen and found his wife cooking up a storm in there. He looked over at the dining table and found their plates and utensils laid out for dinner. "Um...do we have guests over for dinner?" he asked. Somehow hoping that the encounter earlier in the day was nothing but a fever dream and that he actually passed out from the heat while working outside.

Unfortunately for him, it wasn't a dream at all.

Isabel looks at her husband with worry. "The uh...the children will be staying with us for two weeks," she said.

Fernando felt his legs weaken again and his wife quickly caught him before he could collapse again. She sat him down on a chair at the kitchen table. "Fernando--"

"So it's real then? They're all here?" he asked. Looking at Isabel with wide eyes. The former queen was worried at how pale her husband looked. Perhaps booking an appointment to the physician this weekend might be a good idea.

"Sí, Fernando. They're all here and they'll be staying with us for a while," Isabel said.

Fernando buried his face in his hands as he took this all in. Their children are actually here. In their home and they'll be staying with them for two weeks. He suspects that it's not to spend time with them but to talk and find answers. He just knows it.

The thought scares him immensely.

"W-Where are they right now?" Fernando asked. His voice quivering. Isabel looked at her husband who was still hunched over the table.

"They're upstairs unpacking in the guest rooms," she said.

"I see..."

Isabel wanted to say something to Fernando but he cut her off. "I need some air," he said and stood up. He tried to show that he was steady on his feet but Isabel could see him wobbling a bit as he walked or limped out their back door. She watched him through the kitchen window as he sat at the back porch and just stared at their vegetable garden.

She knows that their children's presence in this house is overwhelming him and he needed time to process these things before speaking to them. Isabel is more than willing to cooperate and occupy the children to give her husband all the time he needed in two weeks to think things through.

Speaking of their children.

Isabel heard footsteps coming down the stairs and turned just in time to see all five of her children, led by her youngest, walking in the kitchen.

In any other scenario, she would have greeted them with a happy smile and hugged each of them but she knew doing such a thing will just make things more awkward than they already are.

"Buenas noches. I hope that the guest rooms will suffice during your stay. My sincerest apologies that you had to cancel your vacation," she said. She has no idea why she was acting and speaking all formal to them.

"It's quite alright um...madre," Catalina said rather awkwardly.

"I'm glad. Dinner will be served soon so you all can take your seat," Isabel said. Going back to the stove to finish what she was cooking. The five siblings took a seat at the table. They quietly talked amongst themselves while they waited for their mother to finish dinner.

"I sort of regret cancelling our vacation now," Maria whispered.

"It's either now or never, Maria. We can also go on vacation another time," Isabella replied.

"We voted on staying so there's no turning back now," Catalina reminded.

"Yeah but things are very...awkward here," Juan pointed out which Juana nodded in agreement to.

"Yes but the decision has been made. If we turn back now, we might never come back," the youngest stated. Her older siblings just nodded in silent agreement.

Isabel had listened in on her children's conversation and she wonders if making them stay in their home was a bad idea given that both parties have been awkward around each other since the revelation. The matriarch sighs and shakes her head. What's done is done. There's no use turning back now as Catalina had stated. She turns off the stove and serves tonight's dinner in large bowls and plates. Isabel brought them over to the table and placed them in the middle.

"You can start eating now. I have to go get your father," she said.

The siblings gave silent awkward nods and their mother turned to go out the back door. Isabel finds Fernando sitting in the same spot on their back porch bench. Still staring out in the distance. She approached her husband and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Fernando, dinner's ready," she said.

Fernando looked up at her and just nodded meekly. With his wife's help, he stands up with a quiet grunt. Leaning heavily on his cane.

"I'm fine, Isabel," He said. His voice just above a whisper.

"You are clearly not, Fernando. You haven't been this week since your accident years ago," Isabel argues.

"I said I am fine."

With a huff of mild annoyance, Isabel lets go of Fernando's arm and follows him back inside. Silence instantly fell upon the siblings once they heard the back door open and their parents re-entered the threshold. Fernando refused to look at any of their children and instead looked down at his feet as he limped towards the table. Isabel sat down next to him after serving food on both of their plates. Fernando started eating dinner after muttering a quick prayer. His eyes are still downcast.

The reunited family was awkwardly quiet throughout dinner.

The siblings often exchange glances to each other and Isabel glances over at Fernando with worry. When most of the food was almost finished, the matriarch decided to test the waters and start a conversation.

"So um...how are you all doing?" she asked.

The five shared glances with each other again. Quietly voting on who will answer their mother's question. The vote was unanimously given to Juan courtesy of his sisters.

It made sense because they all knew that he was their favorite child.

"We're all good," He said. Giving their mother his usual charming smile. Isabel gladly returns the smile. So far so good, she supposed.

"That's good to hear. What do you do to make a living?" she follows up. Hoping to keep a conversation going.

"Well I'm a costume designer for a theatre," Juan said. Looking at his sisters as if telling them that his tenure was done and that was all he's going to say.

"Quite an unexpected profession but as long as you're happy with it and it pays well. What about you, girls?" Isabel looked at her daughters who looked at each other to see who would answer first.

Maria took initiative this time.

"I'm a math teacher at a private school," she said. Then she gave a glance to her oldest sister.

"I-I own my own music store and sometimes play drums at a theatre," Isabel's namesake said. She passed her glance to Juana who reluctantly gave her answer.

"I'm an assistant stage manager at a theatre," she said in a whisper. That left the youngest daughter to give her answer.

"I perform in a musical," she said. Her answer was curt and short. Unfortunately for her and her older siblings, their mother pressed on. "Most of you work at a theatre. Is it the same theatre?" Isabel asked. The four gave simple nods. Their mother then looks at Catalina.

"What's the musical you perform in, if you don't mind me asking." Her youngest gave a shrug before saying, "it's nothing big really." Hoping this would make Isabel stop with holding up this awkward conversation. "What's the name of the musical?" Isabel pressed on.

"Six the Musical," Catalina said. Their mother was about to ask more about it when their father suddenly stood up and started hobbling towards the back door.

"Fernando, where are you going?" Isabel asked. Standing up from her chair.

"I'm going to work outside," he said. He grabs his work jacket and puts it on. "No you are not. It's late and dark outside," she said sternly. Walking over to stop her husband.

"I'll be fine, Isabel. I can use the porch light to see the garden."

"Fernando!"

Fernando ignores her and walks out back. Isabel sighs and walks back to the table. She knows there's no stopping him now and she prays he won't work himself to death. Isabel picks up both hers and her husband's plates to put in the kitchen sink to be cleaned later.

"Um...madre," she looks up to see who called her. It was her son.

"Yes?" Isabel asked.

"How...why was padre limping? What happened to his leg?" Juan asked.

Isabel puts down the empty plates and sits back down on her chair. "He fell off a tree and broke his leg back when we first woke up here. We were on the verge of starving and the mangoes on the lower branches have all but gone. So your padre took it upon himself to climb a tree to get more. Unfortunately, the branch he was standing on snapped and he fell," she recounted. That particular memory still ingrained in her mind as if it happened yesterday instead of a few years ago.

"When...when did you two arrive in this life?" Isabella asked.

"A few years ago. We woke up in this very house. It was abandoned and dilapidated back then," their mother answered. Isabel sighs and stands up once more. "Perhaps it's best that we retire and gather our thoughts on the matter for now. We all know that this situation isn't exactly one we wanted when it comes to reunions," she said. Her children nodded in agreement and stood up from their seats as well.

"No need to pick up your plates. I've got it. You all should go and rest. The journey here must 've been exhausting," she said.

The five siblings reluctantly left the table and went upstairs to the two guestrooms they were provided with. Isabel lets out an exhaustive sigh and puts the dirty dishes in the sink to be cleaned. She looked out the kitchen window and could hardly make out Fernando's silhouette. She knew that he was working to keep his mind away from his thoughts. He's done it before when Isabel first found out about what he did to their daughters.

"This is your chance to mend your bridges, Fernando. I pray that you overcome that giant within you and reconcile with your children."

[blackdiamondwrites127]

Broken Crowns, Empty Titles (Chapter Six)

Finally! Here is the final chapter! Up next will be the epilogue!

Credits: Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100 

Credits for the names of the kittens: @spooner7308, @lexartsstuff, @vanessaseymour and @ellielovesdrawing

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It's been two weeks since that day.

Tow weeks that Fernando has been waking up alone on the bed.

Two weeks that he's been living alone in an empty house.

All he's been doing since Isabel left was work. He'd work non stop all day. Only stopping to eat or take a thirty minute break before going back to work again. He needed someway to forget about his worries and working constantly helps at least a bit. He even skipped going to church on Sundays in fear of seeing her there and disappointing her even more.

On the day that Isabel left in fury, Lonzo came over to talk to him.

"Isabel is at our place. She was crying and had a bag of her belongings with her when she arrived. What happened?" he asked. Walking over to a miserable looking Fernando who was hunched over as he sat alone on the front porch steps. His head in his hands.

"I messed up...that's what happened..." he said meekly. Not even looking up at Lonzo.

Lonzo went to go sit next to him and the two men sat in silence for a while. Fernando was the first one to break the silence.

"She hates me," he said. Lonzo turned to him.

"You think so?" he asked.

"You be the judge." Fernando lifted his head up and showed his friend the angry red hand print on his cheek curtesy of the former queen of Castile. Lonzo winced at the sight.

Isabel really did a number on him.

"Caramba...," he muttered

Fernando sighed and bowed his head in shame once again. "Avelina was right. Keeping such a huge thing a secret from Isabel was a very bad idea. Now she's gone. She won't ever come back to me now," he said.

"And on the day you were planning to propose too," Lonzo said. Fernando sighs again and nodded. He reached into his pocket and pulls out the custom ring he had bought. "I deserve this. I deserved to be left after all I've done to her and our children," he said.

"Don't give up hope yet, amigo. Give her time to stew over this then you can make your move in apologizing to her," Lonzo said.

"Even if I become king again and apologize to her with a grand gesture she will never forgive me! And she shouldn't. I'll work to earn enough money for a place before moving out," Fernando said. Lonzo looked at him in surprise. "Move out? Why?" he asked.

"Isabel built this house on her own. It's hers by right. I don't deserve to live in a place she's worked hard on."

"You shouldn't make decisions so impulsively, Fernando. You need time to think things over and talk to Isabel eventually."

Fernando said nothing and just sighed once again. What is there to say anyways? It was very clear that the woman he loves hates him now for his misdeeds in the past. He has no one and nowhere to go now.

This is his punishment from God and he willingly accepts it.

He has no choice but to accept it.

"Look," Lonzo stood up and faced him. "Think things through, amigo. We'll take care of Isabel for you while you gather yourself. I'll give you both two weeks. Then you two should talk things out. See what comes up from it," he said.

Fernando nodded. "Alright. I'll think about it," he said.

"Muy bien. I'll see you around, amigo." Lonzo patted his back before heading home. Leaving Fernando alone again.

That was two weeks ago. Fernando was out of time. Isabel is coming back home today to talk but he's not ready yet. He might never be ready.

What stings the most about today is that it's their wedding anniversary.

Fernando looked up at the sky when he heard thunder rolling in the distance. It was going to rain soon. How fitting of the current mood. He should finish up barn work before it starts pouring on him though. He goes back in the barn to finish cleaning up the sheep pen. He starts putting away his tools when he heard faint mewling coming from somewhere in the barn. He stopped what he was doing and went looking for the mewling sounds. He goes to the cow pen and found a mother cat with three small mewling newborn kittens hiding in the corner.

"Oh, hello there," Fernando said as he gently kneels down to take a good look at kittens. The mother cat hisses at him.

"Feisty one aren't you, señora?" he commented. chuckling a bit. He puts on his work gloves and slowly reached over to test the cat's temperament. The mother cat hisses and slapped at his gloved hand but didn't bring out her claws.

"Hmm..." Fernando hums as he thought of a way to move the queen and her litter to a warmer and cleaner place. He grunts as he stood back up. Perhaps a box or a crate might suffice in carrying them to the house.

"Wait here," he said before rushing out of the barn. He made his way to the house to look for something to move the mother cat and her kittens with. He opens one of the kitchen cabinets and finds Isabel's handmade wooden container. It was close to being finished and it was the right depth for the queen and her litter.

"I'll only be using this temporarily, Isabel." Fernando said to himself. He goes about the house, looking for old, clean cloths and placing them in the container.

He heads back to the barn to retrieve the mother cat and her kittens. He gently grabbed the mother cat and placed her in first. Opening a can of tuna helped in keeping the mother cat in the container. While she ate, Fernando took off his coat and gently wrapped it around the kittens to keep them warm before placing them in the crate with their mother. It was starting to rain by the time he hobbled/jogged back into the house with the container in his arms. Fernando went to the kitchen and set the container down on the kitchen table. He grabs a hand towel and soaked it in warm water. Gently, he cleaned the mother cat with it while she was still busy eating.

"There we go. It's warmer and safer in here now instead of the barn," he said to the mother cat. She meows in reply and lays down to let her kittens feed. Fernando sits on a chair and watched them quietly. All four cats were orange with white stripes in color. The three kittens varying in shades of orange.

The sight itself sort of reminds him of his children's births. He was so proud of Isabel's efforts in bringing their children into the world and he still is to be honest. The only contribution he did was bless them with their names and titles.

At the thought of naming his children, he looked at the three small kittens.

"Hmmm...Marmalade." He points to the darker orange one.

"Cheddar." He points at the middle kitten.

"and...Purrito. Like burrito but instead of a letter B it's a letter P and forms the word 'purr'. What do you think?" Fernando asked as he pointed to the last kitten which was more white than orange. The queen meows in approval. Closing her eyes to take a nap. He chuckles and gently scratched her chin.

"Glad you like the names. Now as for your name...Isabel. Because you remind me of a strong woman who birthed five beautiful children while ruling a great kingdom."

"Fernando."

Fernando froze in his seat. He looks toward the kitchen door way and found Isabel standing there. Her expression unreadable. He stood up from his seat. His eyes never leaving the woman who he married five hundred some years ago.

"Isabel..."

"Let's talk, Fernando," Isabel said.

Fernando nodded and follows her to the living room. Both of them sat on opposite ends of the couch. Not really ready to sit close to each other yet. Isabel looks at Fernando with a frown while he looks at his feet. Not having the courage to look her in the eye.

They sat in awkward silence for awhile. The only sounds that were heard through the silence were the pitter patter of the rain pouring outside and the occasional rumble of thunder. But the silence between Fernando and Isabel was more deafening.

The unbearable silence was finally broken by Fernando.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I truly am. I was...so afraid of losing you if I had told you everything that happened after your death. So I...I foolishly thought I could keep it. I figured what's the harm in keeping the secret with me to the grave? Well...I had my answer when you found out anyways and...left me." He fiddles with his thumbs as he tried not to cry. Not because it'll be a show of weakness but because he'll be too choked up to speak.

Isabel closed her eyes and sighed. Fernando knew that sigh to well. It meant she was very disappointed without vocally indicating it.

"I am hurt. Hurt that you would keep such things a secret especially when it involves our children, Fernando," she said. Pausing a bit to calm herself and not explode in anger. "What you did is unforgivable. As a mother, I tried so desperately to give my children the life they deserved. I did not want them to live in suffering and I did my very best to give it to them until my very last moments. It hurts so badly to know that my efforts were in vain. It stung even more to know the cause of this was my husband."

Fernando nodded. Still not having the courage to look her in the eye.

"I know...I know you did your best, Isabel. I admit that I ruined those efforts despite me promising you. I know that you will never forgive me for what I have done and I understand. I...I don't deserve your forgiveness nor your love, Isabel," he said. Tears pouring down his face now.

Isabel looked up to prevent her own tears from falling. She spoke up again once she had composed herself.

"Fernando...let me just ask you one question. Why? Why did you do what you did? To your own flesh and blood no less," She asked. Her voice cracking a bit but she forced herself to stay calm.

"Greed for power. That's all the reason I had. I know no excuses can ever justify my actions," Fernando answered straight. Not faltering since he knew it was the truth. No matter how much he tries to justify his actions with pathetic excuses, he knew that the main reason was greed. Nothing else.

And he is forever ashamed that he let it get the best of him to the point where he actively contributed in their children's suffering.

Isabel looks at him intently. Examining his body language for any hint of a lie.

She found none.

Fernando is truly remorseful of his actions in the past. Why else would he admit it so readily like that?

"Fernando, I--" Isabel was cut off by the sound of a dull thump. Fernando had fallen to his knees and sobbing fully. Unable to hold back his tears of remorse any longer.

Here was a man who was once a king of a great nation, who fought many wars and conquered territories, pathetically crawling on the floor towards the feet of the woman he so loves.

"I am sorry, Isabel! I am truly sorry! I know you will never forgive me and I desperately want to prove it to you that I am truly a changed man. However, I fully understand that you never want to see me again but please give me time. Time to collect enough money to move out," he begged as he clung to her feet.

Isabel stopped holding back her tears now as she looked at Fernando who was holding tightly to her skirt as he cried. He truly is remorseful of his actions and his wish to prove it to her is all she needed. She made him look up at her by gently placing her hands on either side of his face. He looks up at her. His eyes were red and cheeks puffy and tear stained.

"I don't want you to go away, Fernando," she said. Wiping his tears with her thumbs. "As much as I hate what you did in the past, you're all I have in this life and I don't want you to leave me alone. If God has pardoned you of your sins enough to bring you back with me for a second chance then who am I to judge His judgement? He clearly has brought you back with me for a purpose, Fernando, and that is to find forgiveness for our sins," she continued.

"I don't deserve your forgiveness nor the forgiveness of our children's but I promise, for real this time, I promise to work on earning back your trust again. I love you too much to not have you in my life, Isabel," Fernando said. Looking into her eyes with a glimmer of hope.

This is a promise he truly intends to keep.

Isabel pulls him up and hugs him tightly. Fernando held her tightly in his arms, crying onto her shoulder. "Te amo, Fernando," she said.

"Yo también te amo, Isabel," he replied. Kissing her cheek.

"Isabel," Fernando said. Pulling away a bit. He reached into his pocket and pulls out the ring he had been keeping. "I was planning on proposing to you two weeks ago and maybe we could have gotten married on our anniversary but plans changed as you noticed. I'm not proposing since I lost that right two weeks ago but I want you to keep this. It's yours now and it's up to you on whether or not I'm worthy to marry you again. I'm willing to wait for you."

"Oh Fernando..." Isabel took the ring. Examining it then smiled at him. "I'll be sure to tell you when I'm ready," she said. Fernando smiled back. She puts the ring on her right ring finger before pulling him in for a kiss. He happily reciprocates it.

All may not be well yet but it's a start with their new perspective in life.

"So, what were you doing with my jar container in the kitchen?" Isabel asked after awhile of comfortable silence.

"Oh well, I found a mother cat and her newborn kittens in the barn earlier and I thought it would be best to move them indoors since it was cold out there.  I can move them into a box if you want to," Fernando said.

"No no! It's alright. My jars can go without the container for awhile. May I see them though?" Fernando smiled. "Wait here," he said before getting up with a grunt and going to the kitchen to get the wooden container with the cats. He comes back and sits next to Isabel. Placing the container on her lap. The mother cat meows at her.

"Oh! Look at the little darlings," she gushed. "And here I thought you didn't want a farm cat?"

"Yes well, I couldn't just leave them in the barn," Fernando said.

"Have you named them yet?" Isabel asked. Gently petting the mother cat.

"I have," he said.

"What are their names?" she asked.

"The kittens are Marmalade, Cheddar and Purrito."

Isabel couldn't help but burst out laughing at the ridiculous names. Here was a father who had named a crown prince and four queens giving such silly names to the three kittens he had adopted.  

"What? The names fit them!" Fernando defended.

"¡Lo siento! I just couldn't but laugh at you naming them such silly names. But they really do fit them though. Adorable names for adorable kittens," Isabel said.

"I know. That's why I named them as such," Fernando proudly said.

"What about the mother cat?" she asked. Fernando looked at her. "Isabel. I named her Isabel," he answered. Isabel looked at him in surprise.

"You...You named the mother cat after me?" she asked. Fernando nodded. "I did. She reminds me of you so I thought naming after you would make sense," he said.

"Oh Fernando." Isabel kisses him lovingly. "Gracias," she said.

"De nada. And Isabel." He takes her hand in his own. Gently squeezing it.

"Hm?" She looks up at him.

"Happy anniversary."

Isabel smiled wide.

"Happy anniversary, Fernando."

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[blackdiamondwrites127]

Broken Crowns, Empty Titles (Chapter Five)

Chapter five is here! One last chapter to go plus the epilogue!

Credits: Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Juan Trastámara belongs to @weirdbutdecentart100 

Mentioned: Isabella Trastámara belongs to @lexartsstuff

Juana ‘la loca’ de Castile belongs to @ellielovesdrawing --------------------------------------------------

A year later.

Everything in the Trastámara Farm was going great.

The couple had a routine down pat. They wake up early in the morning and take care of the outdoor chores such as tending to their vegetable garden and feeding the barn animals. After the morning chores, Fernando and Isabel will have breakfast together before going to the village market to sell their vegetables, eggs, milk, and homemade mango jam. By noon they head on home and have lunch then laze about together either on the front or back porch for a few hours. Fernando even bought his own guitar and often serenades his wife during those lazy afternoon hours. They then start up on their chores again. This time doing their own thing until it was time for dinner. After dinner, they'll watch telenovelas on their newly bought T.V. until it was time for bed.

Fernando and Isabel have also been more involved in the village since their home was completed. They have their own stand in the market where they sell their wares and are active in the village's church community. People know and appreciate them for their contribution which made the couple happy.

Of course, they also spend time with their neighbors and dear friends, Lonzo, Avelina and their sons. Every Sunday after last morning mass, the couple would join the family for lunch and just spend the day talking and relaxing with them. They would also readily help each other if need be and Fernando and Isabel are always happy to repay the family's kindness through their acts of service.

Earlier in the year, they bought a second hand truck from a good friend of Lonzo's and Fernando had made it his personal project in fixing it up on his own.

Isabel's own personal project as of late is a hand made wooden container where she can safely store the jars she uses for her mango jam in.

Life was simple and full of bliss.

Isabel got dressed, tied her hair back and fetched her notepad and pencil. She puts them in her bag with her wallet before going downstairs to notify her husband of her departure.

"Fernando! I'm off to the library! I'll be back in a couple hours!" she said to her husband who was currently out back, fixing their truck. She goes to their coat rack and puts on her coat and hat.

"Alright! Be careful on your way!" Fernando shouts from outside.

"I will!"

With that, Isabel departed. Commuting to the nearby village to access their public library.

Fernando checked to make sure his wife had departed and wasn't going to come back anytime soon before putting his plan in motion. He goes to move the dining table outside and start his preparations for the perfect romantic date night for Isabel.

He's planning on proposing to her tonight.

Even though they were married in their past lives, they are technically not married in this life. So Fernando plans to propose and marry her again. No strings attached or political purpose. Just pure love.

It feels good to be like a young man proposing to the woman he loves.

Isabel arrives at the village and she makes her way to the public library. Happily greeting the people she knows along the way.

"¡Buenas tardes, Isabel! Came here without Fernando today?" the librarian, an older woman in her early sixties, greets as Isabel approached the librarian's desk. The former queen smiled kindly at the older woman.

She and Fernando frequents this library to read books for leisure and for looking up information on things they wanted to learn about. So the librarian knows them well.

It's never too late to learn new things as she says.

"¡Buenas tardes, señora! Fernando is currently back home, fixing up our truck. I'm actually here to look for new recipes to try. Our anniversary is coming up in two weeks and I want to cook a special meal for him. Are there any new cook books that came in recently?" she asked. Rummaging through her bag for her library card.

"Oh, that is so sweet! We don't have any new cook books coming in until next month, unfortunately, but you can try out our new computers. They just came in the other day and had been installed since yesterday! You can use them to search up recipes and other things instantly." the librarian excitedly said.

"That sounds nice, señora. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge on how to use these new technologies. I only know how to read books and take down notes," Isabel said rather shyly.

"Oh no worries! Come with me and I'll show you how to use them."

The librarian leads Isabel to the computer room and set her up to the one nearest to the door. She proceeds to show Isabel the basics on how to work a computer and the former queen listened and watched intently.

She found it quite fascinating that technologies like the computer makes things a lot easier nowadays.

If these existed back in her time, royal duties would have been a thousand times easier.

Isabel found herself smiling at the thought of her sitting on her throne, crown and all, with a computer right in front of her.

Quite the ridiculous image really.

"Just type it in the search bar, click 'search' and then you'll get your results. Unfortunately, we have yet to have the funds to order some printers so you'll just have to jot it down," the librarian explained.

"It's quite alright, señora. Gracias for teaching me," Isabela said. Already typing in 'new recipes' in the search bar and clicking 'search'.

"De nada, Isabel. Just tell me when you're done and I'll shut the computer for you."

She nodded and the librarian left her be to her search. Isabel pulled out her notepad and pencil and jotted down recipes that piqued her interest. She managed to write down five new recipes before deciding it was enough.

"This should be perfect for the anniversary dinner," she said.

She puts away her note pad and pencil and stood up to go get the librarian when she remembered what the librarian said about computers.

You can use them to search up recipes and other things instantly.

Isabel sat back down. She stared at the screen nervously as her hands hovered over the keyboard.

Perhaps starting with the youngest is best.

She then types in 'Catalina de Aragon'.

Clicking on 'search', she is brought to a page where her youngest's entire life was presented to her instantly in a list of links. She moves the cursor to the first link and clicks it.

Once the page loaded, she starts to read.

Isabel is filled with these memories of her youngest as she read. A smile of pride was on her face as she reads the Wikipedia page. Then her smile drops starts to drop as she reads further.

Stranded in England and lived in poverty for seven years?

Fernando's refusal to take her back due to dowry issues?

Marriage annulled after twenty four years due to the lack of a male heir?

Separated from her only daughter?

Died alone in a castle?

Isabel sat in shock after reading her youngest daughter's life. She was appalled at the hardships Catalina had to go through only to die all alone in a castle. What stung the most was that of Fernando's refusal to take their daughter back until the dowry was paid in full.

Fernando promised her.

He promised her that he'll take care of their daughters once she's gone.

He promised.

Regaining composure for at least a little bit, Isabel went back to the search bar where she typed in 'Maria de Aragon'. She clicked the first link and started reading her fourth child's life. What she read wasn't as appalling as Catalina's but what Maria went through still disturbed her.

Ten pregnancies. Two miscarriages and eight children reaching adulthood.

Constantly pregnant with only a few months apart.

Experienced mental and physical fatigues from the labors.

Died at age thirty nine from exhaustion after giving birth to the tenth child.

Tears were now pouring down her face.

With an almost intense vigor, she types in a new search.

'Juana de Castile'

Isabel prayed that Fernando stayed true to his word in taking care of their heir to the throne of Castile and Aragon. Unfortunately, her prayers were not answered as soon as she read the moniker that history has given to her third eldest.

Juana la loca

Joanna the Mad

"...no...Fernando, you promised me..."

She clicks the first link and started reading. What she read broke her even more.

Returned to Spain after the death of her husband.

Fernando locked her up after declaring himself as regent of Castile. Ruling under her name.

Prevented Juana from seeing her children.

Him re marrying in order to secure his position by trying to have a son.

Juana remaining locked up until her death at age seventy five.

Isabel sat back and started sobbing quietly. Thank god she was alone in the computer room. She is in no mental headspace whatsoever to deal with people asking her what was wrong.

Why?

Why must her daughters go through these hardships?

Experiencing the loss of her two eldest children and a grand son during her life was bad enough but finding out that her husband went back on his promise for the sake of power and greed broke her entirely. Isabel furiously wiped her tears away and composed herself. She exits the computer room and thanks the librarian before heading back home.

She has a lot of anger boiling within her and she needed to release it on someone.

Preferably Fernando.

Fernando put the finishing touches on the table. The meal was prepared, he reminded himself to thank Avelina for the help, and there were tea candles lit up on the table alongside a bottle of wine that he bought yesterday. He plans on proposing to her today so they can get married two weeks alter on their anniversary.

He feels like a child giddy with excitement.

Fernando hears the front door open and closed as Isabel came home. Grinning excitedly, he checked to make sure the ring he bought was in his pocket before heading inside to greet his wife. To his utter surprise, instead of a cheery greeting, a hug and kiss, he was met with a literal slap on the face.

A really hard slap.

"I-Isabel what--" he was cut off by Isabel

"How could you!? You promised me, Fernando! You promised to take care of our daughters!"

Isabel shouts. Angry tears falling down her face as she glares at him. Fernando was stunned into silence. He knew exactly what she was talking about and he could find no words to make excuses on the things he had done in the past after his wife's death.

Isabel started hitting his chest as she continues her shouting. He stood there, just taking all her hits.

He deserved it after all.

"You let Catalina suffer in poverty for seven years! You allowed Maria to endure ten pregnancies on her own! You imprisoned Juana and took the crown of Castile for yourself! How could you!? I trusted you Fernando! I trusted you!"

"Isabel...I--"

Fernando reached towards Isabel but she slapped his hand away and pushed him back. He stumbled a little but managed to get his footing and balance. Isabel continues on with her tirade.

"No! I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses! I risked my life time and time again for you and our children, Fernando!" Fernando bowed his head in shame but Isabel was far from done with her rant.

"I supported Isabella's wish to remain unmarried after the loss of her husband but you insisted on her marrying Manuel just to remain connected to Portugal. I risked my life travelling back to Sevilla with Juan when he almost died of cold fever while you stayed behind with your troops to fight a war. I gave Juana the best life I could before my death but you ruined her even more because you wanted to keep the crown of Castile for yourself. I almost died giving birth to Maria and you allowed her to share the same fate as I during her birth but she died unlike I did. I almost lost Catalina when she was merely sixteen and you sent her to England too soon because of your desperation for that damned dowry! I forgave you for cheating on me countless times and how did you repay me? By just casting your very own children aside like dogs when they serve you no purpose anymore!?" she harshly shoved and poked his chest as she listed down the things she's done for him and their children. The volume of her voice getting louder by each sentence.

Fernando remained quiet as he took in the shoving and poking. He has nothing to say nor does he have the right to say anything at this moment. Back then, he would have retaliated to her with a backhanded slap and a scream for disrespecting the king but he's not that abusive man anymore.

He's just Fernando. A farmer with an old past full of sins.

All he could do is stand silently, bow his head in shame and take his punishment like the sinner that he is.

"When were you even planning on telling me this, Fernando? Never? You make me sick. I can't even stand seeing you right now!"

Isabel slaps him hard again before she marched upstairs to their bedroom and pack up her things. Fernando stood in the middle of the living room. Just frozen in place with his cheek stinging red from Isabel's hard slap. He had no will nor energy to move with all the weight of his guilt on his shoulders.

He shouldn't have kept it from her. Avelina was right. Keeping secrets from each other will cause things to explode once it comes out.

He should have listened and confessed his sins to his wife but he was a coward.

A coward who deserved this.

Isabel came back downstairs carrying a bag with her things inside. She didn't even look at him as she walked out of the house. Slamming the door on her way out. The slam rattled the walls and it caused the framed photo of them together to fall to the floor. The glass and the frame itself breaking upon impact.

It was over now. She's gone and will most likely never ever come back to him.

Fernando is now alone in the house they had built.

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