Nesciamema – Anne is an exceptional Frenchwoman for an Englishwoman.
ManhattanACMxoxo – Tbh I don't really remember what happened in the chapter and I overall don't remember where this story was headed…but I can promise to at least try to get some more Henry/Anne interaction in!
WolfMoon20045 – Thank you! Double thank you! I hope so too & triple thank you!
Jomomayheart – A fellow klaroliner! Hi there, ship buddy!
Authoress24 – I'm really digging your username. I hope you haven't died from anticipation between this and the last update!
HermioneandMarcus – Excellent review! Thanks for reading and enjoying!
Complicated
Chapter 10
The dining hall was packed. There was a crowd of people around, all in their seats that were designated by their social standing. They were all clapping and laughing, smiling and gossiping away. This woman hated the other for she had stolen away her courtier and become the new mistress. This man hated that man, he did not deserve the woman for a mistress, oh no. He could use her as a wife! Why not? His had recently died in childbirth – and to a daughter no less! Gambling debts one man grouched, stablehands and unfaithful wives another. Men, women, sports. It was all the same. Always.
Away from all their mindless dramatizations of the meaningless events in their lives, the events they would very soon move past, were the more dangerous gossipers. Among them: the Seymour's – naturally, Cromwell, and everyone still loyal to Katherine of Aragon. My name was constantly moving easily past their lips in a hushed ghostly whisper.
I spun my finger round the golden goblet before me. I'd hardly eaten anything all night. Henry sat beside me, his plates completely empty, as he spoke with Charles Brandon. He'd been attempting to entice me to dance, to hold his hand, to kiss him, to talk since we arrived. I complained of achy feet, kept my hands under the table fiddling with my dress, and avoided eye contact. He acted as though nothing I had said a few days prior to this feast mattered. As if I hadn't said it at all really. If he would not listen to me when I spoke of something that truly mattered then he would not hear me talk at all. After all wasn't that what he ever sought in Jane Seymour? A quiet, docile, and obedient woman?
My heart ached. I'd always love Henry. Always. Despite everything he's put me through I love him and all his faults. Yet, he would not dream to think of loving me for who I am. When I was just a maiden in his wife's service, perhaps. But now?
Brandon saved me from further torture or irritation by striking up a conversation with His Majesty, sending a subtle glance my way. You're welcome, it read. I thanked him silently before returning my attentions to the tumultuous court before me.
The festivities came to a halt as Princess Mary entered the hall. She curtsied, more to her father than to me, and joined the sea of people. I sat a bit more upright. Finally. I had been awaiting her arrival; I was beginning to wonder if she'd even be joining us at all. I searched the crowd briefly, standing only when I saw the face I was searching for. Duke Phillip of Bavaria. A perfect fit for Mary. He was rumored to be every bit as Catholic as Mary. I suppose since Mary had given the portrait of the Duke of Orléans to Elizabeth it meant that she refused to marry him, so I took it into my own hands to introduce her to someone who'd be at least remotely suitable for a woman such as herself. I attached myself to the unsuspecting Duke, who jumped.
"Ah, tis only you, Queen Anne. So I take this to mean that you intend to keep good on your promise?" I sent him a dark glare.
"Of course. Do you believe that since I am not Catholic I could not possibly be a woman of my word? I am a Queen and I made a promise." I was slightly appalled at the accidental insult. My record is impeccable. I promised Henry a son, promised Katherine that I'd have Henry, promised my father I would attract Henry, and promised Wolsey his demise. I kept good on all accounts.
A few hours later the hall began to clear out, dwindlers and drunkards being the only ones in company. Henry had retired to his chambers a half hour ago, complaining of his leg again. I had bid him goodnight, chastely pecking him on the corner of his mouth. He grunted at the lack of actual affection and swiftly left, well as swift as his growing girth would allow.
"So, how did you find her?" I stepped forward from behind a small pillar and towards the foreign Duke. He jumped slightly and turned to face me defensively, but relaxed upon recognizing me.
"I was told before that she was charming, intelligent, well-read, gracious, a true heir of Katherine of Aragon, a true Princess, but nothing could have prepared me for her beauty, Your Majesty. Her beauty radiates, it comes from the inside as well as out, to me she's the most beautiful creature on God's earth." I clasped my hands together gleefully and tried to contain my smile. He was absolutely smitten.
"And were you discreet?"
"I know not." The Duke's cheeks burned bright. "When in her company all else faded away. That and I may have pulled her away from the hall for a bit."
"How long is a bit?"
"Until the hall was cleared." I narrowed my eyes at the young man before me. Foolish Duke.
For God's sake if Henry noticed he'd have half a mind to send him away. The fact that Princess Mary allowed for him to drag her away for so long, or at all really, meant that Duke Philip is in her good graces. Henry wouldn't even stop to think that he'd be sending away the first suitor to earn Mary's favor.
I didn't even bother bidding the young Duke farewell before turning on my heel and making my way towards Mary's chambers. I hadn't wanted her to know of my hand in bringing the Duke of Bavaria to court, it would have tainted her opinion of him, but now I had no choice. Henry would ruin something I was trying so hard to right.
Since Henry refused to broach the subject with me I had virtually no idea how the plans for Seymour's supporters were coming along, if Henry had paid them any mind. But if the mousy little rats did manage to succeed and find a viable argument for Lady Jane, who was about as regal as a broom, replacing me as Queen I had a limited amount of time to make my mark.
I'd need to help Mary. I know she said she didn't want to be married off politically, thus Duke Philip's arrival. I'd need to box Henry's ears and ask just what the hell he thought when proposing my darling sweet Elizabeth marry an old man. I'd need to secure titles and estates and guarantee enviable suitors for Charles and Charlotte. I need to do my best to secure their happiness, for any chance of restoring mine has long vanished. Seeing my children happy is the last bit of comfort I can possibly welcome. It's the closest thing that would bring me any happiness at all.
Mary's ladies obediently announced me into her chambers, although it had taken a moment for them to do so. I am sure Princess Mary declined my entrance a few times before the maids got her to relent. I was still Queen, for now, and I outranked her and therefore could enter the room as I pleased.
I curtsied unnecessarily low to the Princess. She stood before me proud and tall, reminding me very much of her mother. The presence she carried in the room was every bit as heavy and strong as Katherine's. I gestured for Mary to sit.
"Mistress Anne. To what do I owe this displeasure?" her face stony and unforgiving. I knelt in front of her, my gown fanning around me gently.
"Princess Mary, I fear His Majesty may have noticed your absence tonight." Mary scoffed.
"Please, Mistress Anne, we are both aware that neither of us is foolish. For one, my father, the King, notices not my general presence. Also, who is to say that I was absent at all? I retired early."
"I am well aware that you are not a fool Mary, do not mistake me for one. I know the game of courting very well." Princess Mary shot me a hard glare. "Duke Philip did the same to you as Hal Percy once did to me."
"I highly doubt it, Mistress Anne. For you see, I am not in complete disarray and was therefore not on my back for him." I do wonder why its so hard for everyone to accept that I was a virgin until I married Henry. I had always been one for high standards, obviously, and Hal and I were only betrothed. That was hardly grounds for consummation of any sort.
"Nor was I when Hal stole me away for sweet kisses and even sweeter words." I stood abruptly. "Your eyes hold a sparkle and your lips are bruised beyond belief, Princess Mary."
"You have overstayed your welcome, I'm afraid." Mary stood as well, blatantly pointing towards the door.
"Perhaps."
"The Duke was quite flattering and an exceptional dancer, Mistress Boleyn, but I', sorry to report that nothing else happened." Mary glared me down.
"You are indeed your mother's child. If only I hadn't made an enemy of you. You'd be quite the formidable ally." Mary looked smug. I took that as my cue and finally made a move to leave.
Sorry this chapter is the poo. I just really wanted to get something out! Y'all are all wonderful :) I promise the next chapter will be better. I think.