Disclaimer: I do not own Reign to my great displeasure

Fear and joy struggled to reign within her as Catherine laid breathing heavily through the pain and exhaustion, awaiting the arrival of her first child. Jacques de Nostredame was instructing her to focus on pushing, but her mind was racing over the gravity and terror of what her moment of weakness may cost her. The child in her belly was not her husband's…

They had been married nearly a decade ago and, as yet, their union had failed to produce an heir. Catherine in her desperation to conceive tried everything, calling in physicians and gleaning advice from any possible source. Still, nothing worked. Her husband's heart hardened against her. He was cold and cruel, humiliating her with his many affairs. Catherine's shame was compounded when her husband's mistress announced that she was with child… Diane's pregnancy sealed her image as the worthless barren dauphine. It was her fault that her marriage remained childless. That was when Richard came to her.

Richard was a life-long friend of Henry's. As such, he had been present at court throughout all of Catherine's married life. Stories regaled by her husband revealed that he was far more outgoing when he was in his element among hunting parties. She always knew him to be quiet and reserved in her presence.

Many nights were spent celebrating the conception of Henry's bastard child. Catherine was forced to watch as Henry parade his pregnant mistress through the scores of courtiers toasting them and casting bets on the sex of the unborn child. Catherine was drinking more than usual, what did it matter? No one even remembered that she existed… Or so she thought. Richard had been watching her all night. He saw the forced smile that she had plastered on her face falter when Henry and Diane approached her.

Henry spoke as they moved closer to her, "Ah, Catherine! I wondered where you were."

Catherine said nothing, but merely surveyed him with an unreadable expression.

A hush fell over the room, "Aren't you going to congratulate me on becoming a father?"

She stared at him for a moment before flashing her practiced smile and replied softly. "Congratulations."

As she turned to go he called to her, "Wait, Catherine! You forgot to congratulate Diane."

Catherine stood frozen with rage and embarrassment. She could feel her colour rising and the surge of her pulse at her temples. She turned slowly to face her husband.

Her eyes never left his as she spoke in a low voice, "Congratulations, Diane, on carrying a royal bastard." She turned on her heel and exited the room, with nobles shrinking from her as she passed.