Author's Note: If you are expecting a historically and canonically accurate story/fanfic, I have to tell you right off the bat that "Our Sweet Escape" is neither of the two. I have written this story to fit my own purposes, and some of the events in "The Borgias" will be changed. But don't worry; I will do my best to keep the characters IC as possible. :) Enjoy.
Prologue
Anne's face paled as she watched the richly garbed Duke of Sussex, Charles Brandon, make his way towards her. She had been expecting this moment since the miscarriage of her son, but that didn't make her feel better.
"Lady Anne Boleyn," Charles greeted, tilting his head forward slightly.
"Your Grace," Anne said evenly, fighting to keep her emotions under control. "What is His Majesty's will? Am I to be executed?"
Anne dared to hope, but she thought she detected a glimmer of sympathy on the Duke's face.
"The King has felt grievously injured by your despicable dalliances with several persons, especially your incestuous relationship with your brother, George."
George. The very mention of his name brought jolts of pain through her heart. Anne blinked, hoping that the Duke didn't notice that it had bothered her.
If he did he made no sign of it, for he pressed on. "After an agonizing debate, the King has decided to banish you from court and from England. You will be known only as Anne Boleyn, and will stay in Italy, under the care of Baron Bonadeo and his wife, Ursula Bonadeo."
Anne felt relief wash over her, and yet she could still feel the grief over her brother's passing. Why should she be spared if her brother had died for her?
"And what of my father?" she managed to choke out.
"Your father will retain his title and remain in England, as a reminder to the king to be never be taken in by the lofty praises of a nobleman." Charles didn't bother to hide his distaste; Anne knew that the Duke loathed the idea of letting her father go with so light a sentence.
But she was spared.. spared. As much as Anne wanted to stay and give her beloved Henry a son, she knew she was extremely lucky to have escaped the chopping block.
"Your daughter, Elizabeth, will remain under the King's care, but will be stripped of her title as Princess and will be known only as Lady Elizabeth." Charles looked at her, waiting for her reply.
"I am most grateful to His Majesty for the leniency and mercy he has shown me, despite all my sins," Anne replied humbly.
"You will leave tonight. A carriage will arrive to send you to the docks. I bid you a good day, my Lady." Charles doffed his cap and exited. He stopped outside the jail cell, stared at her for a few more moments, and then left.