– I will try to get well as soon as possible…" the girl began, clutching her mother's hand tightly.

– 'The King has gone away,' her mother said briefly.

– Gone? So soon? – Brigid was surprised.

– After breakfast, he and his retinue continued on their way. There was an unpleasant scene between Henry and the Queen, and he was so angry that he left the castle at once.

– Poor Catherine! – Brigid wrinkled her nose, feeling genuine pity for the Queen. – It's all because of Anne Boleyn, isn't it?

– I don't know how it started, but he suddenly rose from his seat, accused Catherine of disrespect, took this Boleyn girl under his arm and left the hall. And in an hour they were all gone… But you need not worry about the Queen: she knows Henry's temper. – Lady Guise was silent, not wanting to tell her sick daughter about the insolent smirks of the Boleyn family watching the scene. – You need to rest. So do I… Just for a little while, I promise I'll be back to you in a few hours… Alienor demanded to be allowed to care for you, but your father wouldn't let her in.

– That's a wise decision. What if she gets infected? She is in surprisingly good health, but she should pray for my soul, Mother," Brigid smiled again. She did not want to let her mother go, now that she had changed her attitude so much, but she realised that she needed rest. – Go, Mother, I feel better. If you are afraid for me, leave the maid with me for the night.

Lady Guise kissed her daughter's forehead, carefully fluffed the pillows beneath her head, and, giving Brigid another kiss in which she put all the love she had awakened in her, left the room.

Brigid closed her eyes and, trying not to think of either the Queen or William, tried to sleep, but suddenly the door opened again, and into the room, dressed in her nightdress and nightcap, came Alienor.

– Don't come near me! What if you get infected? – Brigid exclaimed with anxiety mixed with joy.

But Alienor did not listen to her friend, went to the bed, and sat down next to Brigid.

– 'The King has gone,' was the first thing the sick girl heard.

– I know. Mother has already told me," Brigid said.

– You are so pale… My poor, my good one… – Alienor wet a cloth and began to wipe her friend's face. – How you frightened us all! And I wasn't even allowed to take care of you!

– I'm sorry.

– Silly girl, how can anyone apologise for something like that?

– I think you should leave me. Your parents will be very sad if you fall ill too," Brigid smiled weakly. But how she liked her friend's concern! Alienor's voice was invigorating, enveloping her like a beautiful, cheerful song.

– I won't. My health is undefeated, as my grandmother says! And she is a wise woman, she has seen and learnt many things in her life. – Alienor continued to wipe her friend's face with a wet cloth, and then touched Brigid's forehead with the inside of her palm. – It doesn't help… You're burning up.

– But I feel so much better than I did this morning… I wish I could have had a word with Queen Catherine. She looked so sad, and it was as if the royal retinue didn't notice her at all. It was as if she had been abandoned by everyone," Brigid sighed.

– It was her own fault. If she hadn't made so many demands on Anne Boleyn, he would have played with that beauty and then traded her for another, as he usually does. My father tells me everything that goes on at court. When he is there, I get long letters from him, and when he comes home for a week or two we only talk about the court. I persuade him to take me with him and introduce me to the Queen, but he says she is now too disturbed by the behaviour of her lady in waiting, Anne, and will not take a new, younger, and prettier lady in waiting. Though, if the King insists… But he only saw a glimpse of me. He was only looking at his precious favourite, and that one, shameless girl, just devoured him with her eyes… Come on, my dear, don't be upset: the King is understandable. He's married to an old Spanish woman.

– She's only six years older than Henry.

– Six years, to think of it! – Alienor shook her head unhappily. – A woman should never be older than her husband! Never!

– But why? – Brigid wheezed in despair. Her chest was full of bitterness and pain for Catherine.

– Because when the wife is older, happens things that constantly happens to the Queen: miscarriages and constant adultery of her husband" – admonished Alienor, but seeing the tears in the eyes of her dear friend, gently added: – But all is in God's hands. Perhaps he will let the Queen bear the boy? Then the King will come to his senses and surround her with the same love that warmed her in their younger days.