Alcázar of Segovia, November 1502
She took a deep breath as she stopped outside the entrance to the throne room, and she wistfully thought
,”To think there was a time when I thought I’d never see my parents, or my homeland again.”
Still, knowing that tardiness would be rude, she made her way through with her attendants, and as she walked through the sparsely populated, yet opulent room, decorated with many red tapestries, the same color as the kingdom’s flag, she smiled a little. Once she reached the middle of the room, she got on one knee before the dual thrones,”Your majesties, I, the Infanta Catalina, am here to serve you in whatever capacity you wish.”
She looked up at her parents, as they both nodded, and got up from their thrones. The two held hands as they got down from the dais, her father ensuring that her mother did not lose her footing. Once they both stood above her, her father gave her a broad smile,”Rise Catalina, and embrace your parents!”
Catalina stood up, and embraced her father tightly, and then embraced her mother as well, and as mother and daughter held each other they cried tears of joy,”My younges
t hija, it is so good to see you!
“I am glad to see you too mother, I worried that by the time I returned it may have been too late.”
As her mother pulled away she shook her head,”No, I think I can hold on for a few more years, in any case, your being here gives me comfort, though the circumstances that led to it are all-too tragic. My condolences Catalina.”
Her father nodded,”I hope that we can help you mend your heart and move on.”
Catalina nodded,”Thank you, mama, thank you, father.”
Soon enough, after being reunited, the three retired to Catalina’s old chambers, and just short of the door, Queen Isabella gave her daughter a warm smile,”We have something for you
hija.”
As Catalina walked through the door, she noticed a sight that made her squeal in delight, an older woman, dressed in a black gown, and Catalina rushed forward to embrace her,”La Latina, my teacher! How do you fare?”
The middle-aged woman smiled,”Much better now that I know you are in good health, Catalina. I know the pain you suffer, yet God has willed that we are here to comfort one another.”
Catalina beamed at Beatriz Galindo,”Thank you, Latina, perhaps we can discuss the works of St. Augustine this Thursday?”
Beatriz nodded,”I think that would be splendid, that is if their majesties allow it.”
King Ferdinand nodded,”Of course, Catalina deserves some time for things that she enjoys.”
After a few minutes of friendly banter, her father stood up from his chair,”Oh my, I must have forgotten to have the servants bring us some drinks, I will go get some wine.”
He paused to look at look back at Catalina,”Would you come with me
hija?”
The Infanta nodded, ever eager to please her father, and rose from her chair. The walk to the wine cellar was unremarkable and soon enough her father procured a pitcher of red wine. Before leaving, however, her father gave her an anguished look,”Catalina, now that you are home, I was wondering if you could assist your mother in her role as Queen?”
Catalina nodded, without hesitation,”Of course father, but she seems in good health?”
Ferdinand shook his head,”Your return has raised her spirits, yes, but she is still sick, the physicians say it is some kind of cancer. It has been this way since Miguel died, she may have already been ill, but losing the last part of your sister Isabella pushed her over the edge.”
Tears welled up in Catalina’s blue eyes,”Is there anything that can be done for her?”
Her father shook his head again,”Other than assisting her, nothing… I doubt prayer would help her; god seems to throw our prayers back at us.”
Catalina disagreed, but she didn’t protest, her father was always less devout than her mother, and now, after all that has happened, she couldn’t bring herself to insist that God would help her mother. Instead, she gave him a solemn nod,”I promise I will do all I can to help her father, if it gives her just one more day it will be worth it.”
