Thank you all for the reviews! I'm glad you like my story!
To answer a couple of questions...
You know, I haven't really pinpointed a specific person for Amelie. The actress Holliday Grainger and her character from Borgias has been brought up from time to time.
And yes, Jane Seymour will not be in this story.
Hope you enjoy this chapter! And pretty please review! They motivate me to write! :)
Once Amelie gathered herself together, she made her way to the aviary sans her brother's escort. She had already been to the aviary and alas knew its location but still being new to the English court and being an unwed beautiful teenager a part of her missed walking with her brother.
As Amelie was making her way through the English palace, she walked through the same corridor as Charles Brandon who was walking from the opposite direction.
Brandon was making his way back to the King after running an errand for him and he was delighted to see Amelie. There was no denying her beauty was stare worthy and knowing sleeping with her would never happen, the next best thing was to be in her presence. Yet something seemed off about Amelie, her eyes did not hold their usual sparkle.
"Lady Amelie?" Charles started to say as he attempted to get her attention.
Amelie being in her own world, questioning her own existence was not aware of Charles. Both of Amelie's lady in waiting quickly noticed Charles' presence and their eyes went to him quickly. Brandon being the fine looking man he is, it was not unusual for women to stare at his good looks. Yet neither said anything to Amelie as they both felt the change in personality from their lady as well.
"Lady Amelie de Saint-Remy?" Charles said again, this time in his best French accent as he purposely placed himself right in front of Amelie.
"Qu'est ce que c'est?!" Amelie quickly said as she was just a foot away from walking into Charles. Anger splashed right across her face, which Charles was not expecting and he subconsciously took a step back.
Once Amelie recognized that the man in front of her was Charles Brandon, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and her eyes became soft once again. Charles noticed that her eyes were red and her cheeks looked tear stained. He was curious as to what caused her sadness.
"I'm sorry your Grace," Amelie quickly said as she curtsied for Sir Brandon. Amelie had to pull herself away from her own mind and sadness which was not easy.
Not wanting to see a sad Amelie, Charles offered her a comforting smile.
"It's alright my lady," he said in his best cheery voice.
Amelie gave him a weak smile the only thing she could welcomingly give him at the moment.
"Is everything okay?" Charles asked, he didn't want to stick his nose too far into her business, but his curiosity got the better of him.
Amelie hesitated in responding right away and this allowed Charles to change the subject.
"Where are you heading? May I escort you?" Charles quickly stammered out.
A small smile appeared on Amelie's face. Although her mind longed for solitude she knew being escorted by Charles would take her out of the funk she found herself in.
"To the aviary." Amelie replied, "But you're going the other direction, I'll be fine on my own." Amelie said with a gentle nod.
A gentle chuckle left Charles' lips. "I'm just going back to the King, he wouldn't want you walking alone in the palace anyways," he quickly replied as he gently shook his head.
A weak smile appeared on Amelie's face as Charles mentioned the King. There was no chance of Amelie escaping the presence of the King as long as she stayed in the English court. "You shouldn't keep King Henry waiting. I'll be okay, your Grace."
A smile appeared on Charles' face as Amelie's voice echoed in his ears. Since Charles received his title there was nothing better than hearing his title leave the lips of a beautiful young woman.
Charles protested Amelie's rejection, "As I mentioned, the King would not want you walking alone. I'm sure if he was here, he would personally escort you to the aviary."
Instinctively a gentle sigh left Amelie's lips. "D'accord, if it pleases your Grace, I would be honored to have you escort me to the aviary,"Amelie said attempting to make her voice sound pleasant.
Charles beamed and he quickly stood next to Amelie and offered her his arm. Amelie reciprocated and placed her hand on top of his arm.
"So to the aviary?" Charles said as the two started walking together.
"Oui" Amelie replied, she at once regretted her decision to allow Charles to escort her around the Palace.
"Checking on your falcons?" Charles asked hoping to ignite the conversation.
"Oui," Amelie replied again. Her voice was back to being dull and cold.
"You truly are a talented young woman, aren't you?" Charles said with a genuine smile, hoping that complimenting her would change her mood.
"Oui," Amelie said out of habit, she had not paid attention to what Charles just said and when the words Charles just said finally registered her face turned red and she pressed her lips together.
"I mean, mais non," Amelie said attempting to string words together.
"Mais oui, mademoiselle," Charles said with a smile. Amelie turned her head to properly see Charles' smile and she herself couldn't help but smile as well.
She was just about to say something witty when from the corner of her eye she saw Anne Boleyn walking in their direction. Anne was intrigued to see Charles and Amelie together. Charles never liked Anne and the feeling was mutual. Charles was sure Anne did have an affair with Thomas Wyatt despite her contradiction to the King. Anne never understood the close bond King Henry shared with Charles, a man who has no noble blood.
Anne hoped that by seeing Charles and Amelie together this meant that Henry had given up on Amelie and allowed his best friend to court her as he pleased.
"Lady Amelie de Saint-Remy," Anne said in her best French accent as she walked over to Amelie.
"Lady Anne Boleyn," Amelie said with her French accent heavy on Anne's name.
"Lady Anne," Charles said uneasily as he gave her a formal smile.
"Charles, I mean Your Grace," Anne quickly muttered. She wanted Charles to see that she was at least making the effort to be cordial with him.
"I've always heard about you in the French court but never saw you there," Anne said to Amelie, "Its quite ironic I meet you here, isn't?"
Anne said trying to sound cheerful. But her words had a double meaning, she wanted Amelie to know that Amelie was clueless when it came to life at a royal court and that it would be best for her to stay in the background.
Amelie had no desire to speak to Anne and had no witty remark up her sleeve which is what Amelie desired.
"Not really, my mother was English," Amelie replied unsure of how else to respond.
"Ah, yes I heard you come from the Plantagenet family," Anne said with a sly smile.
"Yes, I do," Amelie said with a nod. She knew where Anne was going with this but she did not want to act afraid, she was proud of her family's roots.
"I hope your brother isn't a traitor like the late Duke of Buckingham," Anne said nonchalantly, pretending to talk in a whisper. Anne was referring to the death of Edward Stafford, the 3rd Duke of Buckingham. Anne also made sure to look at Charles as she said his name as she had heard about Charles' encounter with his daughter.
A fire sparked in Amelie, even if her brother frustrated and triggered the depression she felt, she would not allow anyone to make erroneous accusations against him.
"Well if you had any evidence I'm sure you would have brought it to the King already and my innocent brother would already be executed. Or attend (wait)," Amelie said the last word in French, she pressed her lips together and the spark Charles had not seen earlier in Amelie was back, "I guess that's not a really good post coital topic," Amelie said nonchalantly as she gently raised her right eyebrow. Amelie knew she had crossed a fine line but Anne Boleyn threatened her brother. He was one of the few remaining memories of her mother and she would not allow a King's mistress to spread vicious rumors.
Both Charles and Anne were surprised to hear the words Amelie had just said. Many of the English court were already aware of the relationship between Lady Anne and King Henry, but for a lady like Amelie to make a comment about it, especially in such a menacing way was not expected.
Anne tried to hide her embarrassment yet felt the heat from her cheeks. Her eyes were furious and her lips curled.
"I would be careful with your words Lady Amelie," Anne said trying to keep her composure yet menace was filled in her voice.
Amelie pursed her lips and a slight smirk appeared on her face. She then playfully shrugged her shoulders, "I'm so sorry if my words hurt you, Lady Boleyn" Amelie said with a noncommittal curtsy. "But as I said, I would be careful in making erroneous accusations about my family" Amelie's voice was harsh and she made sure her French accent was sparse.
"Unlike your family, my family has deep roots in both France and England," Amelie added referring to the fact Anne's family only started rising when Anne's sister Mary occupied the role of King Henry's mistress which was then passed down to Anne herself.
Anne glared at Amelie and a loud scoff left her lips. Unsure of what else to say to Amelie she quickly walked away from her and Charles, fuming her distaste for Amelie greater than ever.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
This chapter was influenced by a review by LegendsofTime- so thanks for the idea :)
Pretty please review! They motivate me to keep writing!
xoxo