William Brereton hurriedly followed the Lady Jane. They immediately began to walk the corridors together, earning some curious looks from the people who had seen them walking together, seemingly towards the Queen's chambers. He paid them no mind though, for what the Lady had said to him earlier rang to his head.

"I believe it is regarding a proposal being decided to finality."

It made William nervous— what does that mean, what does Anne mean with" a proposal being decided to finality." what does that imply? Finality? Of what?- He took a deep breath as he followed the Mistress Seymour as she leads him to Anne's chambers. Does it mean that what we had is over? He felt... numb at the thought. He knew that one way or another, what they had would surely end because of several factors: mainly because she is still married to his king and that he still is technically her enemy, for they are on opposing sides; she for reformation while William strongly campaigns for the Catholicism to be back in England. He always knew that that day will come... but he thought he had time. Time to spend helping her, comforting her, being with her. 'But,' William thought bitterly. 'If she decided that she does not want me anymore, I would not... I could never force myself to her. I would respect her decision with dignity and... and everything will go back to how it was, how it should be.'

He shook his head, willing himself to rid of such depressing thoughts; he needs to focus now because what Anne summoned him for something that seemed important, but he still felt nauseous. 'Ending treasonous acts are important' He took an inaudible deep breath. 'Whatever happens, I will be there for her.'

That was his last thoughts as he snapped out of his daze as he watched the Lady Seymour open the doors that will lead him to the Queen.


The viol's soft music was immediately heard by William and the Lady Jane. As the Lady entered, William Brereton realized that it is his first time being invited—or summoned— to the Queen's chambers. He would bet that he undoubtedly looks uncomfortable and an obvious nervous wreck. Anne seemed to notice too, for she proceeded to smile softly at him, apparently she had seen his distress and was also a bit amused with his dilemma. "Your majesty, here is Master Brereton, as you've requested." He listened and watched as Anne seemed to wait a second before thanking her. He turned his attention to the Lady, looking for a possible clue as to why Anne seemed to torment her albeit a little. 'Hmmm, this Lady was the one... that the King fancies.. which means that this is the lady that caused Anne's... I remember now.' "...I would also ask of you to also go and get my husband, tell him that I have a proposal for him, concerning his natural child, the Lady Mary." those words made William look up to Anne. They will just talk about the charade that they were playing. "I believe it is regarding a proposal being decided to finality."

It makes sense now. William fought back the urge to let out a relieved sigh. She will not end... our friendship. At least, not yet. William stood straighter.

'For she still has use of you.' A voice in his head that sounds eerily like Chapuys said. William ignored it.

"Come, Master Brereton. I have come up with the most brilliant idea while I was strolling around the gardens after our conversation this morn." William did as she had motioned, and also he stared at her, asking her with his eyes; 'What are you doing?'. She assured him with her gaze, seemingly asking him to trust her. He nodded a little, making sure that it was not seen by anyone, could not be seen by any of her ladies except that musician. He turned his head to his left as he eyed the only other man in the chamber. 'I recall that the whole court recognizes him as a dear friend of Anne...' He decided that such things like the jealous tone of his thought should be criticized at another time, and began to sit back formally, albeit stiffly. He was here for business after all.

"We had been... discussing about a possible match from someone in... Germany, if I recall correctly, my Queen?" William replied, he sounded as if it was true. He just hoped that they had the same country in mind.

Anne gave him her rare genuine smile, "Yes we were indeed talking about the possible matches from Germany," 'ahhh she thought the same then' William gladly thought. "As I was saying, I think I have found the best possible candidate for the Lady Mary's hand." She paused, as if looking at him for something, a reaction mayhaps, then continued. "I am recommending that we formally consider Philip of Bavaria as possible consort for Mary. He is unwed, owns a state in lower Bavaria, which according to my informant, was called Palatinate-Neuburg. He is a duke, therefore a rank obviously high enough for the King's Bastard." He was a little confused then, informant?

"He... sounds, well, acceptable I think. But you know that I had talked to Chapuys and he said to not make anything permanent while he visited the Lady Mary in Hatfield." William stared at her intently, willing her to see— understand that new information regarding the Spanish Ambassador.

The door opened and then he was in the Queen's chamber with the King. Brereton (and the ladies, he was a bit shocked because it escape to his attention that they were, in fact, very crowded in the chamber) rose to their feet then bowed, only rising when Henry VIII gestured for him and the ladies to sit down. The courtier watched as the King casually slump down in one of the couches. As if he had been here a thousand times, which was only natural because he is, after all, Anne Boleyn's rightful husband. He swallowed, willing himself to focus and not be blinded with irrational jealousy and envy. "You called for me, wife? Seems like you have decided on which random man to give away my daughter to." Brereton and some ladies flinched at the blatant accusation."I thought, and the Master Brereton with the backing of the Spanish Ambassador, that the Duke Philip of Bavaria, who owns a state and is a Lutheran, will be a suitable match. Although the later insists that we set nothing permanent."

William watched, fascinated, while the King and Queen of England, squabble; very unlike how two adults should act, like they should be acting. 'Here are the two most intelligent people he knows, and yet fighting over a thing so trivial' He was fascinated and drawn at their interaction because while they were arguing, he had seen Anne smile as if it made her happy. And the King even let out an insult in the Spanish Ambassador's expense; seemingly not caring or not even noticing that he is here. 'Its probably only her that can draw such emotions from the King'. He stole a glance to Jane Seymour and guessed that the plain lady could never stand a chance and could only hope to banter with the King and make him... happy. William wondered if they, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, still love each other, and what went wrong.. because even after all this time, even he could see that they still had a spark between then; potential to fix things and be back to what they should be. The most powerful and united royals England would've ever seen; equals in everything, and would fight for their love and their country.

William wondered if things were different; What if the Queen Katherine mayhaps died earlier; from miscarriage or whatnot, leaving no issue with the King remarrying, would he have supported the Queen earlier if he had seen the genuine love she had for his King? What would have happened if he saw Anne as she truly is, and not the evil concubine he once thought of her? Would he gladly campaign for her as a new queen? Would he defy his pope and the ambassador? Would he have to, or would they also support Anne?

And what if he had known that the Royals still had a chance to fix everything, Would he, a courtier, still would have fallen for her, would he be in this situation?

He watched, contemplating, as the banter between the royals turn to a more serious and problematic tone. William was then reminded of the things that causes a mix-up between them. The lack of a crown prince and the Princess Mary's existence, for one, he thought.

He looked at the Lady Seymour once more and thought, 'And of course, the existence of his Majesty's mistress is not helping.'

Brereton decided that he should remove himself, before things got more intense. "I will prepare a report, to give to you my king, and to the ambassador." Henry looked at him critically, as if deciding if he was... a threat, then smiled at him. "Oh of course, of course my good friend. Do so immediately. I would like to review the plans with my Queen and Cromwell soon." Brereton immediately got up, bowed respectfully to the two royals, then immediately left the room, as was proper.

After being dismissed, he immediately ran to find the Spanish Ambassador to inform him of the development regarding the Lady Mary's possible husband. He just hoped that he reached Chapuys on time and that he was not already travelling to Hatfield.


"What did you want to talk about, dearest Husband?" Anne nervously joined her hands. Henry dismissing Mark and all her ladies means that he wants to talk about something crucial or that he wants to fight her over something. Either does not sound good to her.

"I heard from a friend that you were seen with Brereton then Seymour this morning." Anne wanted to curse Charles Brandon to hell and back. How dare he report her every move to her husband-

"Whatever lies did Brandon fed you, again?" She snapped at her husband. One of the reasons, Anne thinks, of why their marriage was quite going down now was because Henry listens to his friend's opinions of her too much, not realizing that they are lying because they are her enemies. "What-?" Henry actually seemed confused as he asked her.

She stood to her feet while glaring at her Husband. "Don't act like that, my love, it does not suit you. Surely the Duke of Suffolk would only be the one-"

"You have seen Brandon too? Earlier?" Anne was confused. Was Charles not the one who went to him? Who would, then? Her confusion was met with her husband's angry eyes becoming a colder, darker blue.

"You mean he wasn't the one who informed you?" She said, voice filled with uncertainty and shock.

"I was informed by Seymour." Henry paused glaring at Anne. Anne had not expected that and it showed with her dark eyes that expressed her shock at his words. "Why were you with three different men in one morning? Four if I count Smeaton.."

"What? Did you hear your own question? Do you understand the absurd implications of what you said? Do you?" Anne felt hysterical and began to pace back and forth. She began to laugh maliciously then stood her ground again, facing her husband and looking at him right at his blue blue eyes. "You think... You think me wanton because I was seen with four different men? You act as if I was caught doing unimaginable things with them!"

"You said so yourself, you were with Brereton, then you were with Edward, I knew this because his brother told me so... then apparently you were also with Brandon. The first two I already know your connection with them: collaborating with Brereton to find a suitable match for my daughter, Edward asked you about how it was going on... but why were you with Charles?" He came closer to Anne.

"The Duke of Suffolk's has the same reason as why the Seymour approach me. He asked just what I was doing with Brereton. Your friends are clearly so interested in putting their noses on my business. Tell them that I do not need them to watch my every move, for I will report it to you simply, husband." She spat those words dripping with venom at his face. Her irritation at her situation making her throw all the caution she so practiced lately out of the window. She would not hold back from her emotions now, not when she is as pissed as she could be.

She wondered if this is her boiling point, if it is the last of her patience.

"At first, I just wanted to confront you of your plans. You were seen talking to not just one but two of your known enemies. But now that I know that Charles was also with you... He would never turn on me but why.." She turned her back on him, not wanting to hear anymore, tired of always defending herself even with her husband; the man who should have always always have her back. "I... just don't know what to think anymore, Anne. What are you doing, are you making them turn on me?" He said asked softly, as if he was tired too.

Anne felt like crying once more, what had happened to them? They were happy once— so happy. At one moment in time, it seemed so long ago now, Henry had made her the most happy, in all of England, but now... She put both her hands on her face and breath deeply. "I am tired, and I know that you are tired too your Majesty. Let's.. Let us talk about this another time. When we're both feeling better." She sat down again then looked at him, her dark dark eyes hiding the tears she would shed later.

Henry let out an aggravated sigh then, "You know that we would not resolve our problems if you kept on being secretive, but—" He seemed to not want to reprehend her anymore for he stopped. He just looked back at her coldly then took his leave.


The ladies of Anne immediately began to gossip to themselves as when they had left the Queen's chambers, leaving the King and Queen to their business. Unfortunately, their whispers weren't exactly quiet and by late noon, rumors about what the royals talked about was spread all thorough the court.

"I heard she tried to betrothed Mary to a monarch from Germany—" William looked back at the group of courtiers, he had even heard some of them gasp. Curious to what they think about the Queens decision, and amazed at how fast the news had spread, he decided that he would come closer and listen discretely. "Betrothing a Spanish Infanta's child to a Heretic monarch!" One of the courtiers exclaimed, clearly scandalized. "I have heard more alarming news, I tell you, some claimed that the man she saw fit was barely a monarch, a Baron they say, a Baron!"

William Brereton frowned and decided that he should correct them, for he does not want Anne's reputation to be damaged, and the Pope will have his head if he let false gossip to make it seem like he, and therefore the Spanish ambassador, had let Anne betrothed Mary to an undeserving man. "Excuse me, Madam, and to you, dear lords, for I can not help myself but correct you for you are clearly misinformed. I should introduce myself to not seem.. rude," He said then critically looked at the now seemingly embarrassed courtiers. "I am William Brereton, perhaps some of you know me as the Spanish Ambassadors' ally and the one that Queen Anne was communicating with the subject of the Lady Mary's marriage prospects. The King would probably make a court announcement sooner rather than later but I can not let you spread anymore false things. I was there when the Queen set our case to the King, and we had set up for the King's... natural daughter with a Duke from Germany."

The faces of the courtiers were priceless. He did not know if they were more surprised to his revelations or more shocked at what he just referred the Lady Mary, although he did not have a single care for such thoughts. "Nothing is set, of course, but the Spanish Ambassador and I would never set the Lady with a low monarch." He said while glaring fiercely to the lady who had claimed that they planned to give Mary's hand to a baron.

"I... We apologize, my lord. We were simply just talking about what we heard—"

"Then please start talking about what I told you madam, for one must spread the truth." He looked at them once more then decided to proceed to his rooms. He was tired, he just managed to talk with Chapuys right before the Ambassador left for Hatfield. William had delayed his travel by approximately two hours but it was worth it. The Ambassador had seen no problem for nothing was permanent and it was a good start for the Lady Mary to be considering a Duke for a husband, granted the said Duke was a heretic but all is good for the Philip of Bavaria is a Duke, nonetheless. He was tired and just wanted to sleep. This day was indeed taxing for him, to say the least.

As he walked away, he did not see that the said courtiers had looked at each other, with eyes wide filled with the knowledge they had just got, then they all broke away. The courtiers decided that they should go and begin to do what the Brereton had said (even if William did not explicitly said to spread the truth; as he called it, the courtiers would have spread it anyway, for it was an exciting development of things.)

By night time, the whole court knows that the Queen was setting up the bastard Lady Mary Tudor to a high Duke of Germany. The court was filled with buzzling excitement and speculation, the whole court was also loud, for each of the courtiers had different opinions on the matter. "... and I certainly did not expect that the Queen Anne would care about the Prin— the Lady Mary like that!" "A duke for a bastard, a duke!" "I wonder who she would betrothed to her daughter then, surely a King! For she wanted a duke for her Husband's other daughter!" "She is not as bad as they said, I guess" "For the first time, she seemed to have done well with her influences."


Author's Note:

I originally planned to update on December 17—coz thats exactly one month after I started this fanfic, but I was distracted with all the celebrations going on because Catriona Gray, the representative of (my country) Philippines won the Miss Universe *insert heart emoji* also I was a bit feeling lazy because its the holidays.. And I was busy fangirling because my other favorite Tudors fan fics, Black Heart and House of Fools, both updated! I'm so happy! Anyways sorry if there are errors (I did not thoroughly reread it for my eyes are hurting I wasn't wearing my glasses while writing—) annddddddd don't forget to review and recommend!