chapter 2

Princess Henrietta could not help being impressed by the Austrian palace. It was much bigger and much grander than where she had come from. She had more ladies-in-waiting to attend to her and a very comfortable apartment within the palace with the king's rooms very close by.
She was not particularly attracted to king Frederick, but she was knew she could be disowned by her family if she backed out of the wedding now. It was her duty as a woman to marry, and as part of royalty in her own country, marrying the king of Austria would encourage trade and political alliance between the two nations. It increased the status of her family. Austria was a significant European power, not like her own small realm that needed support from other nations just to survive.
Henrietta's own feelings did not matter. She did not have to love the king. She just had to lie with him, long enough to get pregnant and give birth to princes. Even if she hated him she was sure she could do that.
The wedding went ahead. It was a grand occasion. The streets of Vienna were lined with commoners wishing them well. The cathedral was decorated with flowers and vines. All the Viennese nobility were packed inside. Everyone wanted just one glimpse of this notable beauty who was to be their queen. They were not disappointed. She was as beautiful as the reports said she was. She was bound to bear strong, healthy heirs to ensure the Austrian dynasty was safe.
And so king Frederick of Austria married princess Henrietta of Bavaria. They hardly knew each other, they had spoken only a few words to each other, but they were thrust together in a union that was convenient politically, financially and privately. They both simply had to make it work, whether they liked or not.
Queen Henrietta lay in bed that night, nervously waiting for her husband. It was imperative for them to consummate the marriage. No one had told Henrietta what to expect, or what to do. She was frightened it might hurt. She resigned to at least pretend she enjoyed his touch.
Frederick arrived in her chamber after more than one glass of 'Dutch courage'. She had to turn her head away at the smell of his alcoholic breath. He was clumsy and heavy, but, the deed was done well enough to satisfy the courtiers, waiting and listening outside the room, just to make sure.
Henrietta did not enjoy the experience at all, but she was glad it was over. She was soon to learn that Frederick had only made love to her from his sense of duty. Secretly, he preferred boys. He had a veritable string of young boys visit his chambers at night. He visited her only once a week. Enough to keep the gossips quiet, enough to stop Henrietta from complaining, but not enough to improve their intimacy.