Author's Note:
I just wanted to take this moment to thank you for reading this story this far, and thank you to every who has helped me by reviewing the story so far. It's greatly appreciated and I'll continue to read every comment that's posted. Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy the newest chapter.
Mary looked down at the cross she held that was now coated in a layer of tears. Her prayers had been interrupted by the sudden sign of emotion over the death of her father. Henry had taken her mother away from her, yet he was still her father. Despite what anyone said her mother was still Queen, and she was still Henry's daughter. She had been raised never to hate someone because forgiveness was a highly taught Christian value, yet she hated Anne. The hope of having her father show her the love he once had for her disappeared the day he loved Anne. She had bewitched him by her charms and promises of a son, yet she had a daughter to show for all her promises.
When Mary heard about her father's death she lost all hope of seeing his love again. The reality of that hope destroyed had made her devotion to God stronger. Mary could only hope that God's will prevail now that Anne was considered Queen. Ending her morning prayers Mary went to writing station and took out one of her mother's letters. She kissed it softly knowing it spoke of her mother's love towards the King even after he had banished her from his sight. Finding comfort in this gesture Mary began to write a letter to Anne. She found no reason as to why she should be separated from her mother further. Knowing Anne however, she'd no doubt deny her the privilege of seeing her own mother.
Mary had grown into a beautiful woman now, yet was banished from even finding a friend to confide in. Anne had seen to that the day Mary was removed from the succession. The fact Mary may never be Queen someday didn't bother her. The fact she may spend her days never having anyone to confide in however did. The cross around Mary's neck became wrapped in her fingers as she began to cry again. No one thought she would cry over the loss of a father she had hardly seen. Even though Mary had no memories of her father wishing to see her lately, she did have memories growing up and feeling his love. She was his first living child and Mary thought that perhaps he would have still had a place in his heart left to love her. Now with his death however, Mary realized her memories would be the only ones left for her to remember.
Brandon looked up at the door to the house debating on if he was prepared to do this. He shook his head before turning back ready to leave when the door opened. Fate it seemed wished him to be here, and so he announced himself to the woman that had seen him. She nodded and then hesitantly announced his visit to the Lady Mary. He was worried if Mary would even accept his visit, but she did. They sat down by a small fireplace and Brandon tried to engage in small talk. The gesture seemed to help Mary; her eyes seemed to glow from having someone to simply talk to. He noticed she had been crying shortly before his visit, and Brandon suddenly understood why she would need someone to talk to. Brandon thought how wrong it was that he had known Henry better than his own daughter knew him.
Mary studied Brandon both curious and perplexed as to why he'd visit her. Brandon's reputation had reached her ears before she had even seen him. Brandon had been her father's friend throughout childhood, and so there was no denying he could tell her more about him. Mary was slightly shocked to find Brandon's visit seemed to be more of a personal visit than any ordered one he could have had. Brandon seemed to relax around her the more they talked, perhaps it was simply they hadn't talked much to anyone since Henry's death. The fact remained however, that Brandon wasn't the type of man Mary should be talked about for being around. It pained her to delight in company she probably shouldn't be keeping at all.
Brandon pulled out a letter and set it on the table in front of Mary. He explained to her that Catherine had written it for her. Mary displayed a slight shock at hearing Brandon had visited her mother, but he could see she hid it well from him all considering. He smiled at her and tried to explain how he felt as to his own loyalty. Surprisingly, Mary understood it and seemed to generally care for his well being. She asked him how her mother was doing and it shocked him. It was odd how she used the word mother when talking about Catherine. He had never heard her referred to simply as mother before, and it seemed to reflect Catherine's caring personality. He watched Mary pick up the letter, but she didn't even open it in front of him. Her strong will to control her emotions for her a girl her age surprised him, yet reminded him of Henry. Brandon had often seen Henry lose his temper, but his other emotions hid beneath the surface.
Mary held the letter close to her treasuring what Brandon had done. Catherine was forbidden to write to her, and Brandon had allowed them a way to communicate. She also noticed that the letter didn't even contain wrinkles in it; he had brought it right to her. This simple gesture of kindness touched Mary's heart and much like her mother it showed through her own kindness and warmth. Brandon smiled seeing how Mary's eyes had more of the glow to them. He knew that fate had been right in making him deliver the letter now instead of later. Mary's own smile returned his own and the room seemed a bit brighter to both of them. Brandon made his way to leave, when Mary noticed his rosary still around his neck. Mary wished him all of God's blessings, and Brandon truly felt he may very well have started receiving them.
