"You are not looking for a husband for the Lady Mary."

"What makes you say that, Mr. Seymour?"

Edward Seymour internally sighed, 'Might as well make the most out of this conversation,' He miserably thought as he prepares himself to look as composed as he should be. It was exhausting to try and think while experiencing the beginning signs of a tremendous headache. 'I also had to come up with possible smart retorts of my own, to make it seem like I could also retort the way she does, to make it seem like I still had even an ounce of control in this conversation.'

He knew that he was undoubtedly amazed and obviously left speechless with her retort-disguised-as-a-question, so he decided to not further make himself seem like a simpering fool by sputtering nonsense that he did not think about, instead, Edward let the question hang over them, taking time with focusing on what route of action he should take. 'Hmmm should I be passive, aggressive, or simply assertive?'

He decided to be the former.

"You have been spending too much time with Brereton to simply be arranging a marriage." He said, making sure that he appears as unaffected as he want. He saw Anne Boleyn smirk a little, which made him irritated a little bit more. Her smirk clearly means that she had expected him to say something just like what he did.

"It has been not long at all, I have only just began talking about the possibilities with Sir Brereton. We had only started talking a little over a week ago

You are lying. I know for a fact that you have been... seeing him longer, talking to him longer than you claim to do." Edward cut her off. Anne paused, coming up with the most logical and closest to the truth response.

"How come you see yourself privy of such information?" Anne paused, making it seem like she had just come to a realization. "Have you been spying on me, my lord?" She asked then made her eyes widen for good measure. She hoped that she looked like a scandalized and bewildered lady, and not just like Elizabeth; when she does her cute little shocked expression.

She wonders what her father would say if he knew that her inspiration for acting like she did was based on what she saw her child do. (He would probably think along the lines of 'I raised you to be cunning and smart; and the most creative reaction you came up with was mimicking a child no older than three?!' She chuckled inwardly at her imagined father's expression. How clearly disappointing I am)

Edward just blinked at her expression and question. 'Is she always that obvious?' He wondered. "I am simply paying attention, my queen. I noticed that you have been looking at each other more often during the feast. You two are also more civil towards each other, seemed to no longer be after each other's throats when you happen to accidentally look at one another," he paused. "Although now that I think about it, those times where indeed rare." Edward then eyed her critically. "It was like you are no longer hiding from each other now, for more or less three weeks now."

"How observant of you, although the way you said it seems to imply that you think I was previously avoiding the courtier like the plague." Her joke was met with a serious expression that plainly communicates to her that what she said was true. She let out a huff at his expression. 'I was certainly not like a child! Avoiding enemies like that, like I was afraid of them! Brereton was the one who was avoiding me, not the other way around!'. She glared at him then decided to not let 'her impression' in his view distract her so, she will deal with later. 'But that Seymour thinks I'm childish

"Well, you are not wrong. I had been talking with him approximately for three weeks. The first two weeks was quite difficult because he kept on pushing for a Spanish match— even a royal one for my husband's bastard. Which we both now that his majesty the King will surely not agree with. It took time but I convinced him that a match with another country would be best; for all our sakes."

The eldest Seymour raised his eyebrow at her. "And which is this another country, per se?" The question made Anne pause a little but decided to settle with the most logical answer: What her answer would truly be if she was truly only talking about marriages with William.

"You, Mister, are in no position to ask things of me, but since you seem to die of curiosity, I will answer you. The country we are considering is Germany. We had been keeping an eye for the Earls, Marquesses, Viscounts and even Dukes that would be most suitable for the Lady Mary. The fact that the gentleman chosen would be certainly be a Lutheran caused an issue but I have no doubt that I will see an appropriate arrangement through." Anne confidently said, lying to Edward-stoic-Seymour's face while looking at him right at the eyes. She was proud that her excuse was quite plausible. So believable in fact, that she was actually considering the possibility of sharing this excuse to William and see if she could pull it through. If she succeeded, she didn't just made a reality out of her excuse—making their heads a bit more safer but she also succeeded in sealing Mary Tudor's faith as a woman wedded to a protestant husband of another country, certainly not a fit for her envisioned husband to steal England with.

Although she would also make sure that the Lady Mary would not be harmed. No daughter of Henry—of any one deserves to be hurt by the man that was supposed to protect her, love and cherish her. Mary would find comfort, security, stabilityand hopefully, love. Anne would make sure of it, just like she would make sure that even if she died, Elizabeth's throne wouldn't be stolen from her; not by her half-sister or not by any other brat Henry would sire out of that meek lady Jane or some other lady.

Edward seemed to process the information she had given him greedily. "Hmmm, I believe you, your Majesty. I ask for your forgiveness for my uncalled for behavior but if you would be so kind to please let me ask another question though?" Edward said with a straight face, but his eye twitch was quite apparent for Anne Boleyn. She took it as a victory. Even he seem to see no flaws with her supposed plans for Mary.

"Ask away."

"What does his grace, the Spanish Ambassador thinks?" Edward Seymour's eyes had a glimmer of satisfaction when he looked at her face, clearly not missing the twitch of her eyes; the only visible sign of irritation.

(It was weird that they had the same quirks, he thinks)

"Actually, I am not sure if he was informed of our conversation or not. But you and I both know for a fact that the Spanish Ambassador trusts his grace's intuition, so I would not worry much. I had no doubt that he will be— if he wasn't already informed with everything regarding our talks. Do you have any other questions, Master Seymour?" Anne asked, her voice laced with false sweetness; just to make him more aggravated.

Edward knew that her question was again disguised as a retort and also a dismissal. He furrowed his brows at her before bowing. "That is all, your majesty. I am sorry for taking much of your time

"Oh it is alright, no trouble at all. It was quite refreshing to talk with you, Master Seymour. I wouldn't mind talking some more with you, but I am sure that you are also quite busy, with May Day coming up." Edward nodded and looked at her. He furrowed his brows again and seemed to be in concentration then he decided to say what he wanted.

"Please call me by my name, your Majesty. Edward, Edward Seymour, my queen. Master Seymour is my father. It is quite... uncomfortable to be addressed like that."

Anne gave a heartily laugh at that, apparently very aware of his irritation when linked to his Father. "Very well then, Edward. I hope I could see you and talk to you soon." She then gave him her signature half-smile, half-smirk. Edward looked her in the eyes then proceeded to walk out of the garden, leaving the Queen alone.

Or so he thought.


Anne Boleyn watched as Edward Seymour took his leave using the other exits of the gardens, the one leading to what she guessed as the one nearest to his family's chambers in the castle. He undoubtedly would immediately share what happened here in the gardens to his siblings. Anne externally sighed when she is sure that he is out of sight.

The Queen admits that living in the court and experiencing the thrill of the courtly life was indeed very exciting, but it was also very exhausting especially when all she did was fight for her place here. She likes being in power and on top but it was getting too draining to always stay on her guard in order to not be called weak and undeserving. She admits that a quarrel with an intelligent courtier was a little refreshing but it is still fighting, nonetheless. She feels like all she had ever done in her almost 10 years here at the English court— seven years as a pseudo queen and three for being an actual oneis try to keep her throne and her place in Henry's side. She wonders if all the fighting had been worth it, or at least worth something after all.

Anne looked at her hands then decided that she could possibly stroll around some more, to relax her mind and possibly indulge in her rare self-reflection also self-relaxation routine, then go back and attend to her queenly duties with her ladies, but when she looked up then turned around, she was looking right at the eyes of someone that was responsible for making the majority of her life in court difficult.

Oh god, of all the people you decided to confront me again today, why is it Charles Brandon?


"Well I didn't know that you're well acquainted with a Seymour." Charles Brandon said as he approached the queen. A smirk still occupying his face.

Anne rolled her eyes at the man. "And what do you presume to know about me, your grace?" She replied, voice filled with spite and irritation.

Brandon only smirked more, which Anne thought was impossible—, he seemed pleased that he had manage to get a reaction out of her. Anne glared as she thought 'What a nuisance—' " I know for a fact that you were not well acquainted with Brereton until about a few weeks ago." He put his hand close to his mouth, mimicking some statue who was supposed to be thinking. "I think I see a pattern, your Majesty. Hmmm, first Brereton, and then Seymour. Care to enlighten me, your majesty? Just what are you doing?" He asked, his incredibly infuriating expression still lighting up his face. 'He must think he's so clever, that son of a—' Although when Anne paused, readying herself for a snarky retort, she looked directly at her enemy's eyes then noticed that when she looked more closely, there is clear intense anger in his eyes, which made Anne confused and curious.

'Why was he feeling so much anger?'

Anne snapped out of her thoughts and notice that there is minimal distance between their person. She stepped back. Wanting to be far from him.

"I do not need to report to you, your grace. I only share my business with my husband.. and that is only when he asked." She wore a confident smirk as she replied, then proceeded to turn around, preparing to walk away from him.

She didn't see the vexed expression that graced his face when she dared to turn her back on him.

Charles felt a weird urged that made him want to pull her close to him and remind her of her place. He ignored it and settled in crossing his arms then saying, "If you are trying to earn favor, you are wasting your time. No matter what favors you probably asked the courtiers to say.. Henry doesn't love you. Not anymore." So he will get rid of you was left unsaid.

Anne paused for a few moments then slowly looked back at him, he expected to see an angry expression or even a pained one which meant that he had struck a nerve. Instead, he saw her looked at him blankly, with no emotion at all. Almost as if she was not affected or had realized that fact long before he did.

Perhaps she did. Henry is not really shy in showering the Lady Jane with his attentions that Anne previously held.

Charles held his breath as he waited for Anne to say something, anything. Instead, she seemed to be looking at him; like she was trying to uncover every thing about him, every deepest, darkest secret. Her eyes seem to devour him while searching for everything that made him him. It made Brandon feel uncomfortable.

'What a beautiful set of eyes,' He thought. 'Such a shame that they belong to her.' If it was any other woman, he would openly admit that it was the most stunning set of eyes he had seen. 'Truly dark eyes to hook the soul...'

"I am doing no such thing, your grace. I am not trying to survive. Not anymore." She said sadly, and a bit shakily, shocking Charles to the core and making him feel guilty... and concerned. She sounded like she has done everything and was done with everything, and would only be living for a short amount of time.

(Perhaps that was true.)

"You sound so melancholic, your majesty. It doesn't suit you." His neutral reply made her smile a little.

"If you were the one in my shoes, would you feel otherwise?" After that, Anne began to turn around and she continued to exit the garden.

Charles Brandon was left standing there. Confused to what Anne was implying. The words 'If you were the one in my shoes, would you feel otherwise?' seemed to be repeated over and over again in his mind.

It followed him for the rest of the day, everywhere he go.

It was unsettling. Truly. What she said seem to shake his world.

She sounded like how a depressed and lost soul would. It was unnerving because Anne Boleyn wasn't like that, never like that. She was strong, determined and full of fire.

What he saw though, was like a glimpse of a broken woman.


Anne fought back the urge to cry. The nerve of that man.. to dare and say to her face that her husband no longer loves her.

What he said may be correct but that does not make it okay to say that right to her face. He doesn't have the right to say it, proclaim it out loud, even if they're alone. He does not have the privilege of saying truths to her face, truths that she does not want to hear. Only her father and her uncle and her husband have the right to do that to her. Only their criticisms should matter to her.

So why was she feeling so emotional when that... that jerk stated his opinion that nobody absolutely asked for!

Anne walked through the corridors in a more furious speed compared to her usual absentminded strolls or purposeful walks, wanting—needing to get to her chambers soon.

As she continued her tiring journey to reach the comforts of her rooms, she absentmindedly remembered the Duke of Suffolk's words. His words ringing in her ears.

' You sound so melancholic, your majesty. It doesn't suit you.'

Anne scoffed at the memory. As if Brandon to see anything else but her distressed expression. If he truly, whole-heartedly, think that her melancholic mood does not suit her at all, then he should have not caused about a third of my distress!

"Your majesty—uffff!" Anne was as absentminded as she could probably be, that is why when Mark Smeaton tried to greet her, she walked straight to him. Starling them both of their senses.

"Oh, I am sorry Mark! I did not notice you, I was too focused on my thoughts I did not pay attention to my surroundings." Anne apologized repeatedly, obviously embarrassed of her behavior.

Mark Smeaton scratched the back of his neck and laughed softly. His laugh was like bells and oddly sounded a little more feminine and lovely. Anne felt a bit envious, she thought that her laugh either sounded like she was mocking someone or like she was faking them. "Anyways my Queen, I heard from your brother, the Viscount of Rochford, that you've been busy lately and was constantly in need of a little entertainment. He recommended that I should try and see if you are free of duties for a while and try to relax you with a song or half a dozen. Whichever you'd want." Smeaton softly said as he gave her his trademark beautiful sleepy smile.

Anne felt extreme gratefulness for having a thoughtful brother and a kind-hearted musician for a friend. "Alright. But can you also ask a lady of mine to send for William Brereton?"

Mark Smeaton looked stunned, and he tried to hide the worry from his features. After all, Anne did not know just how much he knew of her situation. "Are you sure, my Queen Anne? What would the King say—"

"Oh it is alright. I will have to talk to him a little then I would also send for my Husband. I think I have came up with the best suitor for the Lady Mary."

Anne was determined to not let what Charles Brandon said to her deter her so. She had to focus on making her brilliant albeit new plan come to fruitition. She can not waste any time for people like the Seymours—particularly Edward— already doubts the credibility of her meetings with the right-hand man of the Spanish Ambassador. She would focus on things that matter: mainly preparing for Elizabeth's life after she left this world.


Author's Note:

Y'aaaaaaall I just want to share that its our Christmas Break, so I'll either be updating more frequently or I'm gonna be busy celebrating the holidays and all that jazz then probably forget about this fic till next year. Please don't forget to leave a review and some recommendations!