Lady Bryan ushered Lady Mary into the household quietly. "Where is she?" asked the ex-Princess the minute the door closed.
Lady Bryan looked into the eyes of Lady Mary, making sure that she indeed wanted the best for her little sister. All she could see was love and devotion. "The Lady Elizabeth is in her bedroom. She has a terrible fever. I'm worried she could die," cried the Lady Bryan. A flash of anger flickered through Mary's eyes at the thought of her father letting this happen.
"You said that the Lady Elizabeth was starting to feel unwell and his majesty would not send any medicine?" asked the Lady Mary. Lady Bryan nodded as the pair started walking to Elizabeth's bedroom.
Her sister was just a toddler! She could not imagine why her father did not have it in his heart to give her some money to pay for doctor and some medicine. When Lady Bryan finally opened a door to reveal her little sister, the Lady Mary almost fainted.
The poor child was ashen white, covered with sweat and barely breathing. Lady Mary might have hated the dead Queen Anne, but she loved this little girl more than anything in this world. She wished to bring this child into the King's good graces like Queen Jane had done with her.
She could see that her sister would not make it without proper medical treatment. There was only one plan in the book and it could go badly. Mary prayed it would not.
She ran over to her sister's bed quickly. Lady Mary wrapped the toddler in as many blankets as possible and picked her up. Lady Bryan ran to her.
"What on earth are you doing, my Lady?" asked the Bryan, her arms ready to grasp the child out of her sister's grip.
Lady Mary just gripped her little sister harder. She was not going to allow some glorified nurse-maid lead her dear sister to death.
"I'm going to take Lady Elizabeth to court and beg for her life. Her only hope is for me, and hopefully Queen Jane, to confront the King with his dying daughter," yelled Lady Mary as she swiftly made her way through the house. The winding halls seemed to never end now she that she needed to run for her little sister's life.
"She is too sick too travel." calls out Lady Bryan as she follows her ward's older sister.
"Elizabeth will die without treatment. I'm most displeased that you did not send the letter sooner about my baby sister's illness," retorted the Lady Mary.
Finally thought Lady Mary as she went through the doors that led outside.
"Pack up Lady Elizabeth's things and meet us in court," ordered the Lady Mary when both her and Lady Bryan were standing outside.
"Lady Elizabeth and I are going to ride out to court tonight. Hopefully we will be let in and will be able to see the Queen before meeting with the King," she continued. Lady Bryan nodded and slowly walked back inside.
"Good luck," she whispered as she watched Lady Mary's maids help her and Lady Elizabeth inside the carriage.
The minute they were in the carriage, Lady Mary said calmly, "Head out to the place."
The carriage went as fast as possible through the night. They hit the place in about four days, which was considered a record that had been unbroken before this.
Lady Mary kissed the Lady Elizabeth's head before exiting the carriage. She took a big breath before marching up to the palace guards.
"Lady Elizabeth and I wish to see the Queen," regally requested Mary.
The guards looked at each other. They seemed confused. Mary sighed with frustration.
"LET US IN!" shouted Lady Mary. She was fighting for Elizabeth's life and was willing to forget her manners to save her.
The guards quickly let her in. Lady Mary marched through the halls of the Place quickly before reaching the Queen's chambers.
One of her ladies in waiting was exiting the chambers at that very moment.
"I would like to see the Queen privately," Lady Mary told the lady.
The lady looked down at Lady Elizabeth for a second then quickly went into the bedroom.
A few minutes later all of the ladies in waiting exited the room. Lady Mary confidently entered the bedroom.
Lady Mary bowed down to the Queen who looked as panicked as she felt.
"Your majesty," greeted Lady Mary. The Queen looked down at Lady Elizabeth. She gasped.
"Is that…the Lady Elizabeth?" asked the Queen Jane.
"Yes, your majesty. Father refused to send any money or doctors. The Lady Bryan was unable to pay for treatment." Lady Mary exited the room before crying.
Queen Jane pulled her two stepdaughters to her with a solemn look on her face.
"You are here to show the King what he has done to his youngest daughter. And beg for his mercy." whispered the Queen in Mary's ear.
"Yes." Mary answered obediently.
Queen Jane kissed Mary on the forehead before letting go. She carefully removed Lady Elizabeth from her sister's grasp.
She pulled the child closer to her.
"Mary...don't go," mumbled the delirious child. Lady Mary cried for she could not stand to see her child like this. She kissed her sister's cheek.
"I'm not going anywhere, Bethie. I'm right here. Go back to sleep." Lady Mary cooed.
Queen Jane smoothed hair out of the toddler's face. "And I am here now," sing-songed Queen Jane.
Lady Elizabeth quieted relaxing at the words of her sister and her step-mother who she does not know.
"We must go to the King now." Queen Jane said.
Lady Mary smiled. " Lead the way." She choked out.
The Queen calmly exited her chamber with the Lady Mary following her. They were about to do something risky and dangerous. If the King was displeased with being confronted by Elizabeth, then they could all be dead. It was a risk they were both willing to take.
The Queen took them to the dinning room where the King was having a meeting with his advisor.
They glided through the doors to the King hoping for the best.
King Henry looked up in shock to see his wive, eldest daughter enter. He was more shocked when he saw what Jane was holding.
"Your majesty," greeted both the Queen and Lady Mary as they bowed with respect.
"We don't mean to bother you, but your daughter, the Lady Elizabeth, will die soon without proper treatment. Which your majesty refused to give her," softly murmured the Queen Jane. She held the shivering Elizabeth for emphasis of her statement.
The King rose out of his chair and walked to where his women were bowing. He looked down at Lady Elizabeth and all his anger left him. How on earth could he doubt that this was his daughter? He could see so much of himself in this dying child. Then his heart quickened.
Was it too late to save her?
He grabbed his daughter out of his wife's hands. King Henry could see the fear on his daughter and wife's faces as they look at him holding his baby daughter.
"Somebody get a doctor!" ordered the King.