Mounds of red and golden cloths adorned the aging stoned walls and soft animal furs covered the cold floors. Henry and his Queen, Anne, sat in opposite velvet cushioned arm chairs, drinking wine and eating wide ranges of rare dishes prepared only for the King and Queen. Anne peered at her husband with love and much devotion. She watched as he hungrily munched on his meal while casting side way glances towards her. Before any of the two could say anything to each other, a knock interrupted their thoughts.
"Come in" called Henry, while munching on a juicy red apple. A short man wearing black robes and a red badge was pinned on his chest symbolizing him as a royal messenger. The man bowed in the company of the two powerful sovereigns.
"Your majesties" the man cleared his throat "I was asked to pass on a message that the lady Mary still refuses to sign away her legitimacy and couldn't be persuaded by the Ambassador."
Henry felt rage seep through his body "Is that all?" He growled.
The messenger gulped and hastily added "The pope and King of Spain all agree that the Queen is not your wife and all the children she will carry will be bastards"
At this phrase, King Henry jumped to his feet and rushed over to the clearly frightened messenger and threw a hard blow onto his face. The unfortunate man stumbled and fell on his buttocks and cowered as Henry continued to throw punches and kicks towards the poor, battered man. Henry ceased his rampage at the sound of the messenger's jaw breaking and the sight of his bleeding nose.
"I don't want to receive any more messages about that old, jealous man who calls himself a pope!" The Tudor temper was so frightening that the messenger could do nothing but continue to apologize and beg for forgiveness.
"Get out" he roared. The scared man hastily retreated himself out of the chamber, stumbling on his two feet as he left. The violent King poured himself more wine and chugged the whole glass down his throat without a moment hesitation.
Queen Anne sighed and rested her petite hands onto his huge ones. "Spain and Italy wish to see England with no heir. They'd rather see it fall into ruins and have it destroyed by another civil war"
Anne's wise words soothed Henry away from his temper and eased his tantrum. Henry hadn't been born during the war of the roses, the famous war between two of the strongest English forces; the York's and Tudors. Both forces fought for the English throne and of course the Tudors won. As a child, Henry heard the horrific stories from his father, Henry the 7th. That very day he vowed such a tragic event would never happen during his reign as King.
"Then what's stopping us from giving them what they least want?" he asked huskily, gently nibbling on her earlobe. Anne's laughed and the sound of her giggles deeply aroused him. Henry moved forward and began undoing the many laces that strapped her bodice together. Anne gently pushed Henry away from herself causing him to get very frustrated and slightly irritated at her unwillingness.
"Henry… we need to deal with the Lady Mary" said Anne, piercing him with a serious look.
The King sighed "What do you propose? I have done all I could to coax her to sign her bastardy. She's as stubborn as her mother"
"Tell me Your Majesty, What do you usually do to someone who goes against your wishes?" Anne sarcastically asked him, twirling her black curl with her finger.
King Henry stayed silent, considering what Anne had just inquired of him. Suddenly he understood. "You're asking me to send my daughter to the Tower?"
"I'm not asking… I'm advising you. You're the King and your decisions matter more than anyone else's. If you don't do something about her behavior she would never learn her true place" Said Queen Anne.
Henry contemplated this idea it was a welcoming thought but the notion of his only daughter locked away was unpleasant. But Henry did agree that it could most possibly work. A disobedient daughter was no daughter at all. He needed to break her pride and selfishness for the crown that a woman could never gain.
"I will arrange her transfer tomorrow but for now…" Henry stepped forward and yanked Anne's corset off exposing her creamy white breasts. "You've been the only person in thoughts for the past weeks and today I need you more than ever"
Mary Tudor did all possible to take her mind off the Kings 'great matter'. She refused to think of the betrayal her father had condemned her in and spent her days occupying herself with foolish undertakings. She began fashioning a handkerchief by stitching red roses on the thin white cloth. Mary hoped to bestow the gift to her mother that is if she ever had a chance to see her again.
"Oh mama…" Mary whimpered finally losing her calm composure. Fat tears rolled down her rosy cheeks and sobs erupted in her throat. Her hands began to quiver and shake; she hadn't even noticed when the pin had pricked her finger until she looked down and caught sight of the ruby red blood on the pure white cloth.
Gasping, Mary immediately rushed to a basin full of water and dipped the cloth in the liquid, anticipating the blood to wash out but to no avail. The red was completely stained on the cloth. Her gift was completely ruined! Mary continued to weep harder. Life was just too difficult to bear. Depression began to cave in and her anger for the new Queen increased. Mary used to be a Princess, her father's pearl and pride. Now she nothing to him, all those years they had spent joyously together, were discarded as if they were nothing but mere waste. Mary was forced to admit she never truly knew her father.
A timid, quiet knock erupted on the wooden door. As quick as lightning, Mary stood up and hurriedly rubbed her wet cheeks and fixed the loose strands peeking out of her hair net. The door creaked and Mary turned to observe her unwanted visitor. She was quite shocked to see her handmaiden awkwardly standing at the entry way holding some sort of parchment paper.
"Milady, a young peasant gal had came by and had pestered me to deliver this letter to you" said her handmaiden.
Curiously, Mary grabbed hold of the parchment and immediately recognised the seal. After dismissing the servant, she hesitantly opened the letter. The King had forbidden the two from communicating and Mary was deeply shocked her mother would disobey the King. But she knew her mother wouldn't sit still and watch as her only child suffered. The young lady scanned the contents in the letter and gasped allowed as she read the most bizarre sentence. Mary stood and paced the room as she reread the letter.
'Mama's pregnant!' Mary thought, her heart beating hard against her chest. Relief filled the young girl and for the first time in weeks, she had felt strong. Her mother had written the child was the King's but he would never claim the child due to his marriage with Anne Boleyn.
'Of course Mary thought bitterly that evil harlot still stood in the way'.
It was unbelievable to think her mother had become pregnant under the circumstances. A part of her would have deemed it impossible but her mother's words were most likely true. It was her mother's very own writing.
'But how could it have happened?' She thought.
But right now it hardly mattered how her mother had managed to conceive. The major issue was that it was the King's child! It could also be his most wanted son. Mary couldn't understand why her mother did not want her to speak a word of her new found secret. This was the only chance to get back their fathers love and devotion. There were so many questions Mary wished to ask her mother at this very moment. Mary sat down by the window and gazed towards the cloudy skies. Clearing her thoughts was much difficult then she had thought. Her mind kept on bouncing back to the idea of having a sibling she could mentor and take absolute care of. She was forced out of her day dream at the sight of the Kings banners swaying through the wind. Mary stood up, alarmed and wondered if they had come to take her back to court. But there were more guards then needed. That was very peculiar. Unless…
'They know about mother's letter! They've come to arrest me"
The need to dispose of the letter was vibrant. Mary turned toward the fire hearth and threw the letter into the orange flames, not fully satisfied until the letters turned to nothing but cinders. A sharp knock came from the door and Mary turned into her innocent girl-like expression.
"Whatever is the matter?" she asked.
"It's the King's man. They've come for you, milady" gasped the same handmaiden who had delivered her the letter.
Reaching over to one of her jewelry boxes, Mary pulled out a jeweled bracelet and handed it to the young girl.
"If they ask, do not mention anything about the letter. Understand?" she said, peering right into the girls mossy green eyes.
She nodded feverishly, slipping the wristlet into her plain grey gowns pocket.
As Mary walked down the staircase, a dozen soldiers stood by the entrance preparing to meet her.
"What is this?" she cried, glaring daggers at the man standing before her.
"You are arrested for treason and disobeying the King!" said an unfamiliar voice. Mary turned her head and stood befuddled as she watched the wretched Thomas Boleyn approach her.
Regaining her composure, Mary sneered at the spiteful man who had not bothered to show respect for someone of higher status then him.
"And who presses charges?" she asked, her voice laced in venom.
"The King himself" replied Thomas Boleyn, looking very proud and haughty.
"I wish to speak to my father!" Mary declared, staying as calm as she possible could.
"He does not wish to speak with you" said Boleyn an smirk playing on his tanned face.
Those were enough words to get Mary striking the cocky man. But she refrained herself, remembering her mother who was currently lying pregnant. The silence given by Mary gave Thomas a chance to continue talking.
"You are to be sent to the tower" Thomas waited for the girl to reply but she continued to keep silent, her dark brown eyes an emotionless mask.
"But the King is generous. If you sign your illegitimacy and therefore giving away your right to the throne, King Henry and Queen Anne would surely forgive your transgressions"
Mary noted how he slowed down when he had said 'Queen Anne' as if mocking her.
"It's unfortunate that you shall find me hard to sway from my judgments. I am not a bastard and nor shall I ever be" Mary loudly proclaimed.
"Take her into custody" Boleyn told the armed man, clearly annoyed.
As the soldiers advanced, Mary didn't know if she should be glad that they had not discovered her mother's letter or terrified that she was being sent to the tower by her very one father.
Oh no! Mary is being sent to the tower!
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