Blue Dream

"The Duke of Norfolk is here, my lady."

Jane sighed. She had grown accustomed to hearing those words at least daily. He would continuously check on her progress with the King, despite the fact that she had no control or imput on the matter of the annulment, and her father probably knew more than she did. Jane supposed he was simply making sure that she hadn't ruined anything yet.

"Send him in," she said. The man bowed and turned to the door. Jane leaned into Lady Rochford's ear and whispered. "Will he ever allow me to breath on my own?"

Lady Rochford smirked. "Of course not. You are his priced jewel, the symbol of his success. If he loses you, he is nothing."

She never thought of their situation as such, that the Duke of Norfolk - her father - was dependent on her, although he acted as if the roles were reversed. It gave her a sense of power; power that, as a woman, she really didn't have.

"Jane!" her father boomed, wearing a rare smile. Jane stood to greet her father. "I have great news!"

"What is it?" Jane asked eagerly.

He put his hands on her shoulders. "The King intends to make you the Marquess of Pembroke!"

Her jaw hung open. A marquess was of equal position as an earl, perhaps even higher. She would have her own lands, her own title and her own income. Jane was dumbfounded.

"How did he... how did this..."

"He wishes to elevate you," her father stated. "Although you are already the daughter of a duke, as a marquess no one can doubt that you are fit to marry the King."

They still would, of course, both Jane and her father knew it. The nobles and commoners would find something improper about her station and ridicule her for it. But none of their petty insults would maim her, as she was to be the Queen of England.

"But a woman has never had a title granted to her before," Jane pointed out. "Not in England."

Norfolk smiled. "Then you will be the first."

Jane was on her way to the King's chambers after receiving an invitation. She supposed that he wished to speak to her about her new position as a marquess and the ceremony. For the first time in her life, she felt important. No longer would she simply be the daughter of a duke or the mistress of a king - a pawn in men's games - she would be her own mistress.

Of course, her new found independence would not last long.

She was startled when she saw a woman with olive skin, brownish-black hair and blue eyes walk towards her. Jane immediately recognised the woman as Henry's 'wife'.

Upon approaching Catherine of Aragon, Jane noticed that she expected her to curtsy, but she would not. She was to be the Queen, this woman was simply an Infanta of Aragon and Castile and Dowager Princess of Wales, as Henry insisted.

Her ladies glanced at Jane with disdain, many of them ignorant of who she was. Anyone who was seen outside the King's chambers was considered an enemy to their queen, and thus, the unlucky soul could expect to be despised by them.

Catherine's eyes widened with realisation. She spun around to face Anne Boleyn's successor. "You are my husband's new mistress," she stated accusingly.

The Dowager princess' ladies gasped and shared looks of distaste between them. Jane shuffled awkwardly. "I am his betrothed," Jane replied haughtily, raising her head. She wouldn't allow herself to be berated by a Spanish harlot and her minions.

"And I am his wife," Catherine insisted. "I do not see how you can be his betrothed if he is wed."

Jane narrowed her eyes at the wretched woman. She was old, but Jane could tell that in her youth she had been beautiful; a different kind of beauty than the one the English court desired, an exotic beauty.

"Well," she spat venomously, "that is because, your highness, he is not truly wed to you. The Pope made a mistake."

She had the grace and posture of a child, Catherine deduced. "The Pope makes no mistake," the Queen said solemnly. "My marriage to his majesty is valid."

"But weren't you married to his brother?" Jane pointed out. "And there is no proof that you never consummated the marriage except for your word-"

"Are you suggesting that I have lied?" Catherine asked with disgust. She was angry with herself that she had allowed Jane Howard to rile her up, but the woman was more insufferable than Anne Boleyn. "To my sovereign lord and husband, to my lord father, to the Pope and to God? Do you think so lowly of me, Lady Jane?"

"I think that you would anything to keep your title as queen," she accused.

Even Jane knew her statement was false. Catherine of Aragon, from what Jane had heard of her, was a pious and honest woman who was wholly devoted to her family and her country.

Catherine hid her displeasure well. "I will not allow myself to be belittled by an ignorant woman," she said. Although she would never admit it, Jane was jealous of her grace and elegance. "Come, ladies. We ought to allow the Lady Jane to commence her duties with my husband, however damning they may be."

She gaped at Catherine's implication, her cheeks reddening. The 'queen' picked up her skirts and elegantly walked away, her ladies following her. Each one of her ladies made sure to give Jane a distinctive, unpleasant glare before they followed their beloved mistress.

"Jane?"

She turned around. The King stood in the corridors.

Jane made sure to wear her most pleasant smile. "I was just coming to your chambers."

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "And you got lost?"

It would have been an incredibly stupid thing for Jane to do, considering that she visited the King's chambers regulary and the corridors never changed shapes.

She laughed. "Of course not. I just..." She was about to tell him about her confrontation with Catherine, but something stopped her. Perhaps it was pity for the woman who immediately hated her, but Jane didn't want to put her in a worse position that she was already in. "I thought I saw someone. I must be losing my mind."

Henry smirked. "There are many people in the castle. I assure you, you are not going insane." He gave her a kind smile. "Come, we have many things to discuss."

He led her to his chambers. The guards stationed outside the King's door seemed uninterested or ignorant of the people who went in or out of his majesty's chambers. Jane supposed that with a adequate price, they would suddenly remember.

The King sat her down on his couch before sitting next to her. "I have great news."

He was going to tell her about her new title, and Jane would have to pretend to be excited. "What is it?" Jane asked eagerly. It frightened her how adept she had become at lying.

"I have decided to give you a title," he said. Suddenly, he got on his knees on the floor, holding her hand in his. "My lady, Marquess of Pembroke."

Jane's face broke out into a large smile. She leaped up with joy and wrapped her arms around the King.

"You will receive a sizable amount of money yearly," Henry informed her. "And the title will pass to any sons you may have."

She pulled away from his embrace, still smiling foolishly. She placed her hands on his face. "Thank you. I do not deserve any of this," she replied humbly.

Henry smiled. "Of course you do. I wanted to show you that you are not merely a passing infatuation to me. You will be my wife and the mother of my sons. You will be my queen."

She pressed her lips to Henry's. Her arms found their way around his neck yet again, pressing her body against his. Jane began to blush when she felt his manhood against her skin. Despite her childishness on the subject, she enjoyed the power she had over the King. It made feel like less of a pawn and more like a player.

The situation was all too similar to the one she had with Henry only weeks ago. This time, however, she knew that she wanted it.

She wrapped her legs around his torso. In one quick motion, he pinned her against the bed and slid up her skirts.

Her father would chide her for being so foolish. The court would judge her mercilessly, but Jane no longer cared.

She managed to escape the next morning without any servants or courtiers noticing. The guards were an exception.

Only Lady Jane Rochford noticed her absence in her chambers, as she was on duty that night. Jane told her what had happened. Lady Rochford was very disapproving, but Jane swiftly reminded her that it was not her place to judge a future queen.

A week later, the ceremony was about to proceed. Jane was clad in a surcoat of crimson velvet, furred with ermines, and a brown, extravagant dress. The Duke of Suffolk, Jane's father, the ambassador of France and the ambassador of Spain along with other noblemen watched Jane as she walked up towards the King.

Jane didn't pay attention to the words being said by the Bishop of Winchester, neither was the King, whose attention was set firmly on his kneeling mistress. Her hair was worn loose. She allowed it roam freely along her back and her front. She glowed to Henry. Jane looked every bit the queen she was going to be.

When Winchester was finished, the King stood, as did Jane. Thomas Cromwell leaned in to whisper into the Duke of Suffolk's ear. "I am sure your grace is reconsidering your refusal to manipulate the Lady Jane."

The muscles on Charles' arms, legs and even his face tightened. "No, I am not, as I will not manipulate a child."

"She is not a child," Cromwell argued. "The King does not think so."

"His majesty is blinded by lust," he corrected firmly.

"Whatever has influenced his majesty's judgement or whether he is morally right or wrong, as courtiers it is our duty to sway our beliefs to suit the King's," the secretary stated.

Charles turned to face him. "And that is why the King trusts me, but not you."

Cromwell smirked. "I assure your grace, his majesty trusts me with much more things than you may think."

The King led his mistress down the hallway. It was intelligent and rather pragmatic how his majesty was acting. He had rose the Lady Jane so high that no one could deny that she was fit to marry a king. It was only a matter of time before they wed.

Jane Howard wore a fake coat of innocence. Charles was beginning to realise that as she clung onto the King's arm. At least everyone knew that Anne Boleyn was ambitious, the harlot made no secret of it, many were ignorant of the fact that the Lady Jane was as well.

"He will be thankful of my role in his Great Matter," the conniving man continued. "Unlike many at court, I did not try to dissuade him."

"But you agree," Charles said. "You believe that he is setting the country up for ruin. All for a woman."

Cromwell pressed his lips into a thin line, indicating his silence on the matter. "It is not my place to hold an opinion of his majesty's doings."

It seemed only Henry was blind to his mistake.

"She is not leaving!"

"Why not?"

Despite their previous intimacy, they were once again in an argument. This time, it was about Catherine of Aragon.

Henry sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Because she is needed here," he argued. "The annulment will happen sooner if we can persuade her, and it is time consuming to send nobles to and fro to try and persuade Catherine."

Jane scoffed. "She won't be persuaded, Henry," she replied. "You have been trying for years. Catherine is adamant that she is your rightful wife, and she is too stubborn and proud to forsake her position as Queen of England and retire to a life of disgrace."

He groaned, remembering a similar situation with Anne. He had thought that Jane, his sweet, pure Jane, would be more acceptable of Catherine's prescence, but it looked as though all women despised women they deemed as threats.

"And I know she sews your shirts," Jane said. Henry's gaze snapped over towards her. "Which is an activity that a husband's wife should do."

"They're only shirts," Henry insisted tiredly.

"To you, they might be, but to me they are an obstacle," she said. "An obstacle to everything we want." Jane stood up and walked towards Henry. She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "If I am to be your wife, then you must send her away. You can't have three people in a marriage, Henry."

The King let out a low sigh. "She will be sent away within the week."

Due to the King's anger and frustration with Charles, he assigned him the task of delivering the shattering news to Catherine. That was what his majesty wanted the court to think. He assigned Charles the task because he knew that the Queen liked him, much more than other courtiers such as the Duke of Norfolk and Sir Francis Bryan.

One of the Queen's few remaining ladies introduced Charles. He bowed to the Queen, taking in her changed appearance. She looked tired, as if burdened with all the troubles in the world.

But despite her fatigue, Catherine of Aragon didn't fail to warmly greet him with a smile.

"Your grace," she said, getting onto her feet. "What brings you to my chambers? It is not often a man of your station visits me, and when he does, it is usually to serve as a carrier of bad news."

Even courtly captivity could not wane the Queen's intelligence. "Your majesty is correct." He was being bold, and bold men were put in the Tower. "I bear bad news."

"Please, do tell me," Catherine urged. "I fear the worst."

"His majesty wishes for you to hand over your crown jewels," he told her, his voice steeped in regret and pity.

Although the Queen was never a materialistic woman, she was moral and stubborn. Charles respected that about her, but he also realised that the traits that made her great would be her downfall.

She sunk into her chair, resting her head in her hands. It was a depressing sight for Charles, to see a woman once so revered and powerful being suppressed by a man blinded by his lust for another woman.

"No," she finally said, shaking her head. "I will not give up what is rightfully mine to adorn a woman who is the Scandal of Christendom! That girl is worse that Anne Boleyn ever was!"

For the first time, Charles saw the Queen lose her temper.

"It would be wise to agree to the King's demands," Charles advised. "He is not... stable as of late."

Immediately, Catherine was concerned. "He is not well?"

"His majesty has become obsessed with getting an annulment," he informed her. "Especially in the past fortnight. It would be in your majesty's best interest to comply to his demands."

The Queen sighed. "As my husband and sovereign, it is my duty to serve and obey him, but I cannot, as by obeying his majesty I would be betraying both God and my conscience. There is nothing more to say on the matter."

Charles inhaled deeply and bowed. "Your majesty."

Sometimes being righteous and moral was not the best option.

Author's Note: Quick update! I've gotten back my inspiration and I intend to make the most of it!

So, lots of Catherine of Aragon! She's actually fun to write. She's very moral and stubborn. I also love writing Charles Brandon. He's simply an observer of the turmoil going on at court and he's trying his best to prevent everything from falling apart.

Anne Boleyn became Marquess of Pembroke in 1532, but due to my intention to speed up the wedding, I made a little change. As I said before, the events of 1531 and 1532 have merged.

Do you guys prefer more politics or simple conversations? I'm trying to balance both of them as I know many people like the intrigue of court, but many also like the relationships. Which would you want more of? And is there anything you would like to see in future chapters?

Fairydaisy777: Yes, she can be hateful. Especially if that person is Anne! Thanks for your review!

QueenAnneTudor: I'm not going to defend Jane, because I wrote her to be controversial. She hates Anne because she poses a threat. Hope you like the story, though, even if you hate the protagonist!

Kittenallie: I like the diverse opinions on Jane, because it means she's not a Mary-Sue. I didn't write her to be a lovable, sickeningly sweet character who does all the right things. I have a good plot for Anne Boleyn, though, even if she is absent from the next few chapters.

quinnofhearts: Hi! Hope you liked the chapter and the little pieces of Henry and Jane! Some people love Jane and some people hate her, just like the rest of Henry's wives. Thanks for your review!

The Dreamer: Only time will tell, my friend. :)

IOU1882: *gives you imaginary sword.* Here you go! Jane is like a slightly more intelligent version of Katherine Howard, and I always say it. It's fun playing around with characters and making them grow. I think that before the end of this story, Jane will have learned that beauty won't get you too far. It's also fun describing Henry's insanity! There's something about writing insane characters that gives me some sort of an adrenaline rush... Anne and Jane, along with Henry's other wives, were all victims of their relatives ambitions. Anne was simply a woman trying to gain power when she originally had none. That makes her admirable in my eyes.

And thanks to RHatch89 and HermioneandMarcus for their reviews!