"The Ambassador of His Highness the Holy Roman Emperor," the herald announced. Henry seat on his throne with the men of his council around the room to witness what was going to happen. He was still outraged. He was still angry. Norfolk Anne's Uncle was one of the council members that Henry had summoned for this meeting and he could feel the anger radaring out from the King. The Ambassador of Spain was a young to a middle-aged man who was in his mid-thirties some grey was forming in his hair. He pulled off his hat from his head in respect and deeply bowed out of deference to Henry the Eighth of England, Wales, Ireland and France.
"Senor Mendonza," Henry said. "I am not pleased to see you."
Mendonza was unsure what the King was talking about. Unsure what was the problem. "Majesty?" he questioned.
"Your master has broken all of his promises. He has taken our money but used it against us," Henry rose from the throne. "He has negotiated a separate peace with the King of France and his Holiness the pope," his voice getting louder with every word. "While neglecting his friend and ally," He leant in close to the still kneeling man. "He has not kept faith!" Henry shouted in a loud whisper. "Charles has nothing but words for me! Deeds he keeps for Others!"
"The Emperor would never betray your Majesty. Never!" Mendoza tried to explain. "He regards you as his uncle he…"
"His f*cking uncle!" Henry explored screaming at the Ambassador. "How old am I?" Mendoza unable to answer looked over to Norfork as Henry turned away from the man.
"Well, your Highness must consider that you, yourself, may not always have kept to your obligations. After all, we received only half of the gold that was promised," Mendoza calmly tried to reason with Henry.
"Your accusations are false!" Henry grabbed Mendoza by the collar. "Unacceptable! I will answer for my honourable conduct, whoever contradicts me!" Pushing the ambassador away from him. Henry tried to calm down. In his mind, he saw Anne's smile and heavily seat down on his throne. "Leave," shaking his head he ordered Mendoza who rose to his feet and quickly backed out of the room his party following him closely behind him.
Outside the throne room Lord Rochford, Thomas Boleyn and his daughter Anne passed Mendoza. Mendoza stopped.
"My Lord Rochford," Mendoza said without looking at Anne.
"Yes, Your Honour," Thomas replied. Anne moved slightly out of the way of the two men but continued to listen in.
"The Emperor sends you his warmest congratulations on your elevation," Mendoza looked over at Anne. Applying that Thomas's elevation was because of his daughters. People across Europe called his daughter Mary "una grandissima ribalda, infame sopra tutte" ("a very great whore, the most infamous of all". Anne noticed this and glared at the Spanish ambassador. She knew that she had to stop this rumour-mongering but did not know how just yet.
"What does the Emperor care about my elevation?" Boleyn said a diplomatic smile on his face not showing any emotions. He had trained himself over the many years as an ambassador and working for the King and Crown not to show emotion too quickly.
"He cares to have friends at the English court and pays for the privilege," Mendoza stated.
"Does he have many friends here already?" probed Boleyn to gage Mendoza's answer.
"Several," was Mendoza's one-word answer. Both Boleyn's could guess who was spying at court for both Spain and France and other countries. Everyone seemed to be in the pay of someone. "You would know them," Anne and Mendoza noticed Norfolk watching the small gathering.
"And what does friendship pay?" Boleyn pushed the Ambassador.
Mendoza did not answer turning and leaving the hall with his party following him.
"Father?" Anne took her father's arm. "Please say you are not thinking about it?"
"Your Grace," Boleyn greeted his brother-in-law, Norfolk.
"My Lord," Norfolk grimed. "Dear Neice," he winked at Anne. Both men laughed at a silently shared joke. Norfolk turned towards the door that Mendoza and the Spanish party had left though. "So how did you find the Imperial Ambassador?"
"Stimulating," Boleyn simply stated.
"Indeed," Norfolk looked at Anne before continuing. "I find him a man of great principle," he nodded and left the father and daughter.
"Father," Anne tried again.
"Indeed," Boleyn repeated his brother-in-law's word. "Do not worry my dear girl."
Later that night Anne was reading in her bed-chamber by candlelight. Her brother George rushed into the room and grabbed up the letter that she was reading jumping onto her bed.
"George! No George!" Anne tried to take it back. "Give it back!"
"I have given you my heart now I desire," George read out loud. Anne tried and failed to get the letter back. "To dedicate my body to you."
"Don't please," Anne tried again to get the letter back. She threw a pillow at him. This did not work and George continued reading.
"Written by the hand of him who in heart, body and will is your loyal and most ensured servant. H R. Aww and look! He's drawn a little heart between the letters H and R," George mocked Henry with puppy dog eyes. Anne looked at her brother with a pained and serious look on her face telling him to stop. "Just imagine, the King of England writing to my little sister," George looked to Anne in wonder. "Promising to be her servant. It's incredible, Little Angèle."
"Give me the letter," Anne asked again.
"He's in love with you," George simply stated.
"Give me the letter!" Anne demanded. George sighed and folded up the paper before handing over the letter to his sister. Anne ran her hand softly across the paper.
"You're not in love with him are you are?" George asked kindly.
"It's hard George not to love him. You promise me not to say anything to Father or Uncle," Anne whispered.
George kissed his little sister on the forehead as a sign of brotherly affection before leaving his sister to rest alone.
Anne watched him leave before giggling and re-opened up Henry's letter. Sighing she placed his letter under her pillow and picked up one of the many medical books that were piled up beside her bed. Sitting down at her mirror table she read the books into the night. Next morning her maid found her mistress asleep head resting on an open book.