Dogmersfield palace in Hampshire 1501 - I impatiently go to see what I have bought from the Spanish, wanting to make sure they haven't cheated me with a deformed or ugly Princess. I eagerly go up the many stairs that lead to the bedchambers of Princess Catherine of Aragon at the Dogmersfield palace in Hampshire. When I get to the door, I instantly begin to pound on it with my leather gloved fist. This seems to cause a stir with in the room, as I begin to hear a bird squawking, hush whispers, and rustling just beyond the wood.

“Open the door” I command, before pounding my fist against the door aggressively again. “This is the King. Open the door.”

“The infanta, she is sleeping, Your Grace.” I hear a woman from beyond the door address me. Her voice carried a Spanish lilt. Making me believe it it must be one of the Princess’ ladies-in-waiting.

“Well, kindly ask her to rouse herself and let me in.” I ordered her as I try to stay calm but, I couldn’t help but be annoyed. I was the King of England for Christ sake, and I was being forced to wait like some dog.

“I will do no such thing.” The woman from before denies my ”request”. “The Infanta has been brought up modesty, Your Grace.”

“And willfully.” I add. The longer I stood outside this door, the one thing keeping me from seeing the Princess, the more irritated and impatient I was becoming. “Considering what has been done to get her here, you’ll kindly pay us the courtesy of—“

“You speak of courtesy while you bang your fist upon her door.” The woman quickly retorts.

“I swear by my crown,” Taking a deep breath, my temper was as its breaking point as I began to threaten all who were beyond this door before me. “I will summon my soldiers to remove this bloody door at it’s hinges if you do not open it!”

Suddenly the door opens, and I see a dark woman standing before me as she curtseys. I then look further into the room, seeing another lady-in-waiting standing beside who I assume is the Princess, because of the mantilla she wears. They politely curtsey to me as well.

“Forgive me, I merely wished to lay my eyes upon what we have waited a half a year to see.” Taking a deep breath, I could feel my heart pounding within my chest as I begin to approach the Princess. “Please remove your veil.”

I watch the Princess look to her lady-in-waiting standing behind me. It was like she was looking to her to give her direction. To give her the answer she should give me before replying. “I wear my veil until I am married.” The Princess’ voice was so angelic with her Spanish lilt. It made my desire to see her grow even more.

“Here, our customs are different.” I smiled at her with raised eyebrows, trying to make her feel comfortable. I look between her ladies-in-waiting. “Leave us.” I ordered, and even though she wore a mantilla, I could sense that the Princess was uncomfortable with the idea of being left alone with me. Her body tensed, her hands began to fiddle down in front of her nervously. Once the ladies left, I make a hand gesture for the princess to lift her mantilla. I watch in anticipation as she hesitantly lifts the veil from her face. I’m instantly taken back by her beauty but quickly realize. “You are not Princess Catherine…”