Chapter 23

Westminster Palace

London, England

April 6, 1541

Anne sat on the dais next to her husband as they watched over their elder children: Francis, Henri, Charles and Elizabeth. The pope, caught dead in the middle of his plotting, helped push the French King's promotion and now Anne relished the title of Holy Roman Empress. Blasphemy in itself since she is head of a country who has broken with the Church. It did not seem to matter though, as long as Francis remained Catholic and minimally tolerant of Protestants in his own territories, the Pope did not object to his consort. She and Francis follow the policy that as long as men are God-fearing Christians, they would only be judged by their actions, not the way they pray. It has brought some quarrels, like the Pilgrimage of Grace in 1537. Her son's Catholic subjects tried to plead with her to do away with the men they concluded were filling her with heresy in the council, and to follow the rule of her husband, Emperor Francis. She had been planning on negotiating with their leaders when someone began pushing to change the cause towards the Duchess of Beja's rights to the throne. The rebels quickly disbanded, not wanting to be caught in the sinkhole that followed the charge of treason. Princess Mary and Luís were perfectly content in their home in Portugal with their children: a daughter who was born before leaving England, and a son, who arrived two years ago after a hollowing miscarriage. Mary was pregnant again, claiming this to be the easiest pregnancy she had, now that she knew she was capable of bearing a son. She had feared she would be unable to bear sons like her mother had been, and the stress ate away at her during her last two pregnancies. Despite her husband's assurances. It seems some scars never heal.

Today King Henry turned five, and was crowned as the King of England officially, in 11 years he would begin ruling on his own feet, though Anne would not truly surrender the regency until his 18th birthday. A safety belt of sorts, Anne liked to think of it as. It had been a bittersweet moment, as she watched her son grow, and the reminder her power is not permanently hers, gnawed away at her. It was a weird juxtaposition within herself, and she's thankful her maternal instincts are stronger. She smiled, recalling her son upon his throne in the abbey. He was solemn and played his part well. He had been so nervous last night sleeping in the Tower of London, but he did better than could be expected of a five-year old. She had worried waiting so long to have him coronated was a mistake, but knew she had been right watching him somewhat hold the orb and scepter on his own. Though, the crown of St. Edward was only placed over his head, for no five-year old could handle the weight. Afterwards he was given more sweetmeats than usual and was put to bed early. Now the courtiers dance and celebrate their King while he dreams the night away.

The new Archduke of Austria, Francis, and his wife Sophia were enjoying themselves on the dance floor as his brother, Henri, sulks by himself on the other side of the room. When Catherine de Medici was beheaded for treason, the foolhardy boy quickly married his long-time mistress before his father could deny him what he thought would be eternal happiness. When the new Emperor found out he was furious, but Anne convinced him to be pragmatic. He had the pope annul his son's marriage in a heartbeat and offered Diane lands in the Empire if she left and never returned. The woman never looked back. Now he was married to Anna of Cleves, who Anne tutored in French for a few months before the girl became the Duchess of Orléans. From what Anne understood was that while unhappy together they do their duty and find happiness outside of their marriage. She wished she could do more for the poor girl, but that was the way arranged marriages went sometimes.

She was elated the Duchess seemed to get along well with her own daughter Elizabeth, as well as with Francis's daughter Margaret. The only remaining girl from his first marriage after Madeline was taken by illness quickly after her marriage to the Scottish King, in 1537. He married Marie de Guise shortly afterwards, who was expecting their first child since the death of their two sons. She rubbed her own stomach, thanking God for blessing her family with so many children, and for Henry's continued health. She noticed her stepson Charles dancing with Lady Margaret Douglas, and smiled as she they burst out laughing. She then noticed Princess Elizabeth dancing with the boy her father has been lecturing her about. Robert Dudley. His father, John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, was Master of the Horse for Princess Elizabeth ,who has been residing in Wales since she was little past six. Wales had begun to grumble, and despite how much she hated to do it, Anne sent Elizabeth to Wales to fulfill her role as Princess of Wales. Anne's father went on to serve as the head of government there, and was more than concerned about her daughter's infatuation for the boy. Anne found it to be harmless for now, as Elizabeth still regularly communicates with her betrothed, Prince Erik. Her daughter is stubborn, but she knows her duty and will do it when the time comes. A little innocent fun would not harm her, as long as it remained innocent. She was thankful she had employed the daughter of her councilman William Parr as the head of her daughter's household. Catherine had the mind to match Elizabeth's, and the two adored each other: Elizabeth adopted her as another aunt almost. The lady keeps a close eye on the Princess and guards her reputation fiercely.

Francis peered over, smiling at his wife. Together they had achieved all they had set out to do. His stepson was growing up to be a strong boy, and he hoped his own heir would be giving him a grandchild upon the horizon. Together they had created peace throughout Europe, a feat that once seemed impossible, and now they had the power to protect whoever threatens them. Their daughter Louise was the Duchess of Calais. A position supported by both countries and a symbol of the peace between their countries. He loved his wife for who she was, and she learned to do the same. Infidelities and all, though he suspects that this is only due to the fact that the couple only saw each other three months out of the year, usually. Being a King and Emperor, he found himself traveling throughout the Low Countries, France, and Italy frequently. They maintained their agreement, though Anne now oversaw the care of his children in England, besides for the Dauphin, who maneuvers his time between Austria and France. He only visited England for special occasions like today. Henri went where his father did at the elder's request, and Anna has been teaching them both German.

The couple smiled at the golden world they had created. Together they had challenged the ideals for a King's widow, defeated a tyrant, and redefined Europe. They had invented a dynasty together, and nothing would tear them down.