Chapter Thirteen

London, England

The Queen was dead.

Henry's beloved Jane Seymour had died giving birth to the male heir he had so longed for, leaving the king a defeated man. He spent his days in the tomb where his beloved queen lay, refusing to see any visitors.

But the news that had just arrived from the Vatican seemed too important to ignore. After much deliberation, it was decided that Charles Brandon would deliver the news to the King. After all, he was the least likely person the King would lose his temper at, being his closest friend and confidante.

Charles pushed the door to the tomb open, noting that the tray of food he had sent in a few hours ago still wasn't touched. Henry was sitting a few feet away from the body of the Queen, which was set to be buried tomorrow.

"Why have you come, Charles?" Henry asked hoarsely. "I told you was not in the mood to deal with any reports. Let the lords handle it."

"It is not a report, Your Majesty," Charles began. "It is news. Of Anne."

Henry's head snapped up and a deep frown formed on his face. "I do not wish to hear news of my unfaithful wife beside the body of my one true Queen. Leave!"

"She has married," Charles said at the same time.

At these words, Henry's eyes widened. "Married? To whom? Which Italian nobleman has she cuckolded into marrying her?"

"Juan Borgia, Your Majesty."

"The present Gonfaloniere of the papal army?" Henry scowled. "I should have had her exiled to some remote island, not to the papal city!"

Charles remained silent while Henry brooded. They both knew how much Henry grieved over the unfaithfulness of Anne Boleyn, and how much Henry had loved her - truly loved her. Charles wondered if Henry would dare visit his former wife or even acknowledge her marriage.

"Send no reply," Henry finally said. "It is what the little bitch wants: to remind me that while she has a husband, my Queen is dead. I will not give her the satisfaction of acknowledging her marriage. She is nothing to me."

But as the doors closed behind Charles, Henry put his head in his hands and wept.

Author's Note: As per request for one of my lovely anonymous reviewers. :) Thanks for reading this even though it's really short! :D