October 18th, 1561

Richmond Palace

Silence. Hard, pounding silence. Ruth could hear it, felt it in the very pit of her soul. Marie had delivered another daughter, so had Isabella. The difference was that Marie was gently cradling her second daughter, Bridget, and Isabella was fighting for her life. The year prior, Isabella delivered a short lived son named George, who died a few days after his birth. Isabella's daughter was healthy, but she was laying with a fever, unconscious. Edward would enter, stare, and retreat back to his Privy chamber. Ruth could only remain at her side, covering her with cold towels and hoping that the fever would break. Sancha, Mariana, and Madeleine were all gathered around, burning candles. Ruth dressed her as if she were already dead, her deep red hair was spread across her shoulders, the coverlet was just below her bosom and she had folded it perfectly. This was exactly what she had warned Edward about, he still hadn't acknowledged his bastards and the effects had been disastrous. Prince George had died only nine days after his birth, and now Isabella was laying in God's hands while her ladies waited to see if he would carry her away or set her down, allowing her to recover. Ruth replayed the day prior in her head over and over: the babe was taken to be swaddled and as she turned to congratulate Isabella she had fallen unconscious. The panic had been sever, and the newest princess had not been named.

"You all will watch her while I go speak with the king, yes?" Ruth inquired, her eyes not leaving Isabella.

Mariana was the first to reply. "Of course, Lady Norfolk. "

Ruth nodded and found her way to Edward's Privy chamber, her nose wrinkled at the thought of it. She hadn't been there since she had confronted Edward, and she wasn't very keen on speaking to him again.

Richard was waiting at the door. "Lady Norfolk, I was specifically ordered by the king to keep you away. I cannot allow you to see His Majesty."

Ruth frowned, pushed the young boy out of her way and led herself to the king. Edward scowled when he saw her and she curtsied to try and ease his mood.

"What is it Lady Norfolk?" He mumbled.

She used her softer voice as she approached. "Your Majesty, I fear for her. She may be lost to us all, but you two have a healthy daughter, she looks exactly like Isabella."

Edward nodded, she could see a tear in his eye. "Does she? Shall we call her Isabella?"

Ruth shook her head. "Isabella told me she wished to name her next daughter Constance. So I believe we should follow her wishes and name her Constance."

Edward nodded but he said nothing. Ruth could feel tears in her own eyes, and she reached out to hug Edward. He broke down into a violent sob in her arms, she cried with him. He would lose his wife and Ruth would lose her sister, the thought of it broke her resolve. She imagined that Marie would become queen, which would have disastrous effects on everything. Even if Edward chose another foreign bride, she would be no Isabella. Eventually, Ruth pulled herself together and wiped the tears away from her eyes.

"I know I am improper, Your Majesty. I apologize for everything I have said to you, I just did not want this to happen." She turned to go.

"Ruth!" His voice was cracked with emotion.

She faced him.

Edward shook his head. "Thank you. I would like to see my daughter. Will you take me to her?"

Ruth nodded and led him to the room where she usually took Isabella's newborn children, across the hall from the four older children. The room was dark, but warm. She smiled into the cradle, looking down at Edward and Isabella's unnamed daughter. Picking her up, she set her in Edward's arms. It was the first time he had seen this daughter, they had all been too worried about Isabella to pay much attention to her.

"She does look just like Isabella." He murmured quietly.

Ruth nodded. "She-"

Northumberland entered, interrupting Ruth's statement, and looking a bit uncertain. "Your Majesty, Lady Marie requests your presence. She wants to know why you demanded that she not come to your bedside."

"I will deal with her myself." Ruth snapped.

She got up and stormed to find Marie standing outside of Edward's chambers.

"Lady Norfolk," She curtsied slightly.

Ruth slapped her. "How dare you!"

Marie held her face in shock. "Lady Norfolk, you watch yourself! As soon as Isabella stops breathing I will be taking her place as queen."

Ruth chuckled darkly. "Ah, yes. He will marry you over all of the eligible princesses in Europe? Think again Marie. You have so many women to outdo. You have no dowry, nothing. You are simply a whore, and you think he shall marry you?"

"You have not the faintest idea of what you speak about! He loves me!" Marie shot back.

Ruth rolled her eyes. "Remember what happened when your sister said the man she was impregnated by loved her? She is dead now, is she not?"

Marie curled her lip in disgust. "You are an evil person. I saw you dressed in yellow when she burned. I bet you do not even allow your husband to see his own daughter."

Ruth shook her head. "That is where you are wrong. He sees his daughters quite often. His bastard is ignored as these matters usually are."

Marie nodded. "It is true. Mother always said Catherine was underachiever, I reached for power. I have it, Isabella will die and you know it."

"You say these things, and when Isabella gets well you will be the first at her bedside. Yet, you call me wicked. Edward loves Isabella, you are nothing more than a little play thing." Ruth resisted the urge to slap Marie again, feeling her babe kick inside of her.

"I have given him two daughters, and he continues to come to my bed. He will never discard me." Marie pushed past her in search of Edward.

She heard footsteps approaching. Ruth turned to see Madeleine and Jane Grey running towards her, both of them out of breath by the time they reached her.

"Lady Norfolk, Lady Raby needs to see you immediately." Jane huffed.

Ruth was alarmed. "What is it?"

Madeleine shook her. "It is best if Sancha tells you."

Ruth ran back to the queen's chambers with Jane Grey and Madeleine, catching her breath before she entered. Sancha and Mariana were standing on either side of the bed, Charlotte was near the window sobbing, and Ruth instantly feared the worst.

"Is she..." Her voice failed her.

Sancha shook her head. "The fever has risen, I feel it best if she received her last rites, I am not sure how much longer she shall be with us. Tell His Majesty to summon Archbishop Cranmer."

Ruth nodded dumbly and turned to find Edward. As she neared his Privy Chamber she could hear him yelling, causing her to quicken her step. She saw Edward yelling at Marie. Ruth stopped to observe the two, only to take in Marie's fall from grace.

"How can you even think to ask me this?" He bellowed.

Marie retained her composure, although Ruth could see she was shaking. "I am only thinking of England, Your Majesty."

This response angered Edward further. "You are only thinking of yourself! I cannot believe you would ask me if I would marry you!"

"I can." Ruth interjected and revealed herself from behind the corner.

Edward paled when he saw her, while Marie stormed away, embarrassed.

"Lady Norfolk, how is she?" His voice quiet.

Ruth couldn't even bring herself to look him in his eyes. "She is dying Edward."