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"Lady Mary, A dispatch from Thomas More has arrived" called one of the maidservants.

Lady Mary's eyes went wide as saucers and she gazed toward Ambassador Chapuys beaming expression.

"Give me the letter" commanded Mary. Instantly the parchment was handed to her and Mary ripped open the envelope and read the contents.

"Felltern House… Never heard of it" muttered Lady Mary as she handed the letter over to Chapuys for him to scan.

"It's most definitely not one of the royal estates" replied Chapuys, furrowing his eyebrows.

"My brother's close to the border of Scotland…" Mary said, wondering how far the journey would be from Hudson.

"Thank god the Scottish and English are no longer enemies or your brother would be in immense danger." Voiced Chapuys, recalling the days when both the monarchs of Scotland and England were often in war to claim each other's lands.

"My Aunt reigns Scotland as Queen, she would never let anyone harm her home country" said Mary, convincing herself of her brother's safety. "We don't even know if the information we've been given is false. He may have gotten the wrong location or simply lied"

Ambassador Chapuys grinned at Mary's sharp wit "Thomas More is a trustworthy Englishman and a long supporter of your mother, my lady. He respects your motives."

Lady Mary didn't look very convinced; she strolled over to Chapuys side and read several of the letter's substances over his shoulder.

"Thomas says he discovered the information while interrogating a guard who was part of the crew responsible in escorting my brother north…" Mary paused her sentence, trying to distinguish what Thomas wrote as falsehood. After plenty of thorough thinking, Mary sighed and continued speaking

"I hope your right about this Thomas fellow… It will be a great disappointment if he proves to be different than expected"

Chapuys nodded "He's a good, honest man and that's saying something considering he's an Englishman"

Mary gasped and playfully hit him on the arm. "Watch your words, Ambassador… You're talking to the daughter of the King of England" she joked.

They both laughed and after their merriment died down; Chapuys proceeded to commerce

"The journey is long from here to Felltern… It's also dangerous and without the budget we would never be able to make the voyage" said Chapuys.

Biting her bottom lip in anxiety, Mary retorted "I'm not in need of some fancy, luxurious carriage and six white mares with golden reins. I can handle walking in common garbs if that's what it takes to reach my younger brother… God, I don't even know his name nor if he even has one"

Chapuys cradled his hands and tiredly answered "You will need guards to protect our latter from thieves and a skilled, experienced man to find a comfortable route to the North… It's harder and more difficult then it seems, My Lady."

Mary nodded, realising the wisdom in his words. It was a challenging journey that would take days to accomplish with loads of hard toil and effort.

"You're awfully precise, Chapuys. In addition, my father could send a chaperon to lead me back to court whenever he chooses…" Mary filled her goblet with lavender wine and took a few gulps to ease her quarreling mind.

"Especially now that his precious wife is pregnant… I bet they would all love to see my expression when my father presents his bastard son as his heir in front of my face"

Chapuys grimaced at Mary's pitiless voice and tried to sooth her "Please, My Lady, you mustn't think of such jealousies and suspicions"

Mary heaved a sigh and agreed with Chapuys "Yes, I mustn't. It's essential to focus my thoughts on my brother"

She looked out the window and eyed the white moon that shone bright in the dark night sky. Not a single star was lit in the sky, tonight the lunar moon was alone and surrounded with nothing but darkness.

Cardin Thomas Wolsey, who was often, depicted as "Alter Rex" a Latin phrase for the other King sat on a leopard fur stool with diamonds studs embedded on the corners of the smooth leather that wrapped around the foot of the chair. He was the very man who built Hampton Court and paid for its intensifying price but the young King Henry had occupied himself and his court in his home. Wolsey was allowed to remain in extensive care and continued to live as the King's right hand man.

Even through all his power and influence, Wolsey soon fell out of favour due to his failure to negotiate an annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. He had been stripped of all his government duties and the high class nobleman spoke harsh words behind his crooked back so Cardinal Wolsey retreated to York to oversee his clerical duties as Archbishop of York, a post he nominally held but never exercised during his many years in Government.

Thomas Wolsey was often convinced he had the perspicuous young Tudor King wrapped around his pinky finger like a golden rimmed ring but like all man he was due to fail and his reigning world had come crushing down faster than expected. Wolsey had served his King faithfully, yet Henry wanted more and so he punished all those who lost favour to gain him a righteous aura.

Wolsey's judgements were disturbed as one of Church's monks strode in his chambers.

"Your eminence… you have a visitor." Said the bald man, his head kneeling in submission and respect towards those in higher standing.

Cardinal Wolsey waved his hand in signifying to approve of sending his mysterious visitor inside.

The monk left and there were a couple shuffling noises made by moving feet before Sir Thomas Cromwell stepped inside, observing his unfamiliar surroundings.

Wolsey almost fell over in his chair, the least of people did he expect the new Chancellor, Cromwell to stroll in.

"Of all people, the last person I thought to ever see again was you, Lord Cromwell" sighed Wolsey.

"Is my company not welcome?" questioned Thomas Cromwell, sitting on the velvet cushioned arm chair across of Wolsey.

"I've never mentioned so. Your presence merely surprises me" replied Wolsey, curiosity overflowing inside of him as to why Thomas Cromwell had come.

"Don't be. We're on the same boat of feelings here, Cardinal." Said Cromwell, readjusting his body to a more relaxed and upright position on his seat.

"Never have I predicted this outcome, but I'm in dreadful need of resources to improve the Royal treasuries…" sustained Thomas, his eyes plastered directly at Wolsey's aqua blue irises.

Wolsey couldn't sustain the satisfactory in knowing that the council were struggling to control the King's assets.

"Oh? And what has caused such a horrible incident to occur?" asked Wolsey, desperately trying to hide his mirth behind his grief-stricken disguise.

Cromwell's appearance was distorted in irritation "The King spends constantly on pathetic festivities in court and our currency has gone downhill. The taxation is already excessively high for the common folks, if this continues the silent majority would not have any means to purchase their next meal"

Wolsey creased his forehead "What do you expect me to do at this matter, Cromwell? I may be a rich man but my wealth would do nothing to increase the livelihood of the common people"

At Cardinal Wolsey's words, Cromwell smirked and responded "Actually, there is something you can do…"

Wolsey leaned back in his extensive chair to ease his aching back, waiting for Lord Cromwell to continue. Thomas Cromwell reached over to his back pocket and pulled out a thin, miniature paper but the Royal Tudor Seal was enough to keep Wolsey from questioning what the peculiar parchment was for.

"The King, who is the Supreme head of the Church, has decreed the Dissolution of the Monasteries. King Henry the 8th has disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries to dispose of their money and properties."

Cardinal Wolsey felt a great weight fall upon his back as Thomas Crowell spoke. How could this come to be?

Wolsey refused to let his emotions out of his mask "Tell me, Lord Cromwell… What must I do with such information?"

Thomas Cromwell smirked and said simply "Nothing… you must do nothing as the King's soldiers distort your wealth, belongings and properties."

Cardinal Wolsey stood upright, anger swelling in his bosom. "Get out, Thomas… Before I throw you out"

Lord Cromwell remained motionless; his smirk remained plastered on his face "Now that's a sight I'd love to see an old man undertake…"

Wolsey began to furiously shake at Cromwell's vile words. The Cardinal opened his mouth to speak but Cromwell beat him to it.

"I will leave your presence, your eminence. May god protect you" mocked Cromwell as he strode out of the chamber.

Cardinal Wolsey could do nothing but watch as the man left. He was no longer the "Alter Rex" instead he was a pathetic old man whose wealth was to be taken away from him due to the King's orders.

The milk brown horse beneath him swayed as Charles pushed his mare to ride faster. The King's hunt had currently ended as Henry had speared a large elk that he planned to present to tonight's feast. Every day at court was a celebration one after another. Charles Brandon often wondered what would the late King's reaction would be if he saw how lavishly his son was spending on everyday entertainment.

Charles Brandon had noticed how separate Margaret had become, she no longer kept contact with her brother and the two siblings were often cold and distant. Charles knew Margaret despised Anne because of her rise in power and usurping of Catherine of Aragon and he had thought Margaret was acting in vain and idiotically. Anne's child would be the heir and Margaret ought to remember that.

There were days when Charles thought of the young little Arthur. He wondered if the little infant was still alive or simply in good health. Honestly, Charles himself doubted the child legitimacy, he hoped to once again see the child and search for any similarities with the young boy and Henry's but no one knew of the baby's location and Charles didn't search for the information. He didn't think it as necessary at the moment.

After he had placed his horse back in to the stables, Charles strode through Hampton and caught sight of Margaret outside in the palace gardens picking flowers. Smiling, he silently tip toed from her behind and as she busied herself, Charles grasped her into a hard embrace from behind and he enjoyed hearing her frightened gasp.

"Jesus Christ, Charles! Don't ever do that again" cried Margaret, her eyes twinkling.

"Whatever her royal highness commands" obediently replied Charles, his eyes downcast in submission.

Margaret rolled her eyes and handed the banquet of flower to her husband. "I want to return to our home in the country. I can't stand living at court."

Charles Brandon sighed "You know the King won't allow us to leave Hampton."

"Then I will leave without his permission" proclaimed Margaret.

Charles laughed and took hold of her small hand "I'd love to see how that transpires"

"I will" snapped Margaret. "Tonight"

Charles Brandon was a taken back by her sudden change of emotion "Don't act rash, Margaret. Stay at Hampton and continue to gain your brothers favour."

She remained silent, tiredly closing her olive green eyes. As the two pair walked through the gardens, Margaret abruptly stopped and began to struggle breathing.

Charles stopped his tracks and whispered "Margaret… are you alright?"

"I'm fine…" breathed Margaret, swallowing a deep pant. "I just need… some rest"

Nodding, Charles carefully walked Margaret to her chambers and sat her down.

"Are you sure you're all right? Your health seems weak and dismal" asked Charles, filling a glass cup with water.

"I simply need some rest" coughed Margaret, sullenly grabbing a hold of the cup Charles was offering her.

Frowning Charles Brandon didn't seem so convinced. "I'll send for the royal physician"

"No need" she muttered, after finishing drinking her water.

She gazed at her husband's face and saw he was not thoroughly persuaded.

"Honestly, Charles… I've been quite stressed lately. The only remedy is rest and quiet"

Accepting her words, Charles smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "Then rest, your highness"

Margaret glared at her husband as he continued to laugh.

I just got back from vacation and I was so happy to find all the reviews I've been getting! Thank you guys so much. Next chapter will hopefully be posted tomorrow.

Thank you guys so much and please continue to review!