Other aristocrats and their wives dressed up for the royal weddings of two divorcees who had already been married several times, at most, to gain more land, wealth, and political prestige from the ruling groom. Isabel Walton, who was also invited to the wedding and came from a noble family in the north, was only to express her blessings to her good friend, the bride Catherine Parr. Although the groom is not the bride's favorite and is not the person the bride wants to live with.

Whatever her purpose for coming to Hampton Court Palace, where the wedding ceremony took place, the bride who received her blessing would naturally not ignore her enthusiasm, and the bride intended to further use the power in her hands to create some superior living conditions and material conditions for her. After all, she is just an aristocratic woman who is a vassal male nobleman, and the bride can only allow her to play her feminine characteristics.

After the grand and lavish court banquet, a large court ball was announced by the bridegroom, Henry VIII, to celebrate the arrival of another happy and peaceful queen. The Whitehall at Hampton Court Palace, unlike the main political and living quarters of the King and members of the royal family in the City of London, was a hall specially used by Henry VIII to entertain nobles, hold banquets and balls. At this moment, he was surrounded by a melodious music from various court instruments.

While the nobles and ladies dressed in sumptuous gowns danced to the music, Her Majesty's northern companion stood in the corner of the hall enjoying a rare silence with a glass of Henry VIII's favorite French wine. However, this silence was soon broken by an old nobleman who was on the rise.

William Parr, Earl of Essex, the younger brother of Her Majesty Queen Catherine of the Tudor dynasty, also came to her with a glass of pleasant wine, and after gracefully performing a chivalrous man's courtesy, he looked at her with a smile, "Isabel, we meet again." ”

Isabel glanced at the Queen, who was happily dancing in the hall, and then turned her gaze to the Queen's brother, "Your Excellency, you should be there at this time, not with a noble lady who can't dance. ”

William Parr took two steps forward, walked over to Isabel and turned to stand side by side with her, looking at the dancing nobles and noblewomen, "But not being able to dance doesn't mean you're just an inconspicuous lady of the North. ”

Wearing a leotard dress that matched her title, status, and status, Isabel gently pulled down the hem of her skirt that had touched the ground with her free right hand, and glanced at William, who was standing on the right, "Okay, then, what does your queen sister want me to do for her?" ”

"Enter the Queen's court and serve as Her Majesty's unmarried lady-in-waiting."

"Your Excellency, it seems that this is not the first time we have met. It looks as if you've forgotten what I did in northern society. ”

William Parr raised his chin slightly and took a sip of wine, and when he turned his head to look at her, he suddenly showed a silly smile, "Isabel, of course I'm familiar with your life in Yorkshire. It's just that my sister wants you to know that she wants to shelter you. ”

Isabel smiled reservedly, "I am very grateful to Her Majesty the Queen for providing me with the protection of the court. However, I have more important business to attend to. With that, she gracefully turned and walked towards the south side of the hall, wanting to admire the various religious paintings and portraits of Tudor royals hanging on the walls of the hall.

William's eyes moved with her movements, and he quietly followed her pace and nodded, "Isabel, the important thing you said was to stay at the royal shipyard in Plymouth and build a naval ship for the Duke of Richmond??" ”

Isabel could clearly sense an incredulous attitude from his tone and words. It's nothing, because no one can understand what she's doing and what she's thinking. After glancing at a portrait of Jesus Christ conversing happily with several women, he turned his face to look at each other's expressions, "Sir, I think there must be words like 'heretic' or 'witch' in your mind to describe me, right?" ”

William lowered his head slightly to look at the ground, raised his chin to look at the religious painting on the wall, and his tone became calm again, "No, the days I spent with you in the past have convinced me that you are very different from other noble ladies. ”

Isabel didn't say any more, believing that what she did would not allow her to be branded an "evil witch". As long as she does not get involved in politics, power, and relies on her future aristocratic husband to enter the political arena, she will not end up as miserable as Anne Boleyn. Her life, her story, is neither a living Renaissance tragedy, nor a Greek tragedy.

"Well, I won't blame you for whatever you want to do. For I believe that no nobleman in this worldly world will love you more than I do. William looked at the side of her face with a determined gaze and said what he wanted to say most.

"Perhaps, Your Excellency, your wife is just an innocent woman, and I don't want to abuse her because of me." While acquiescing to the Earl of Essex's statement, Isabel still hopes that the count's wife will not have a bleak fate.

"Isabel, so you're here." Behind the two of them came a burst of voices that they were all very familiar with. Turning their heads to look behind them, the Duke of Richmond, dressed in a splendid duke's gown, strode towards them.

William Parr first turned around and greeted politely, "Good day, Your Highness." ”

The Duke of Richmond glanced at him, "Good day, Lord Essex." ”

After the two male nobles had spoken a few words, William immediately left Isabel's side. The Duke of Richmond looked at William's departing back and whispered, "Isabel, what did he say to you?" ”

Isabel smiled lightly, "It's nothing, Lord Essex is asking me about my trip to Plymouth." ”

"Oh...? How do you answer? ”

"I said, I'm dealing with naval affairs for Your Highness."

The Duke of Richmond didn't see any expression on his face, just nodded. Then he glanced at Henry VIII, who was seated on the king's seat on the right side of the hall, and after a moment's thought, said, "I have informed Your Majesty of your opinion on the Treaty of Greenwich a few days ago. His Majesty only said that if the Scots dare to tear up the treaty, we will not allow their nobles and knights to return home safely. ”

Isabel nodded, "Your Majesty didn't say anything else?" ”