The Once Queen
A/N: hello again! I am very aware that there was quite a large time jump between Chapters 4 and 5 but, honestly, I don't enjoy writing filler chapters and that was part of the reason why I had Writer's Block with this story for so long. To get myself back into writing this, I just moved onto the more interesting, inspirational stuff. Maybe one day I'll go back and put some filler chapters in. I really hope me skipping those five or so months wasn't that much of an issue for you; all that really happened was Anne doing some charity work with donating to schools, churches and the likes and trying to better the local people's lives by being attentive to their grievances. The motivation behind that was half that Anne Boleyn was a charitable person in history and also because she's trying to constantly uplift her popularity with the public.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter :)
P.S if you notice that they spend a lot of time at Hampton Court Palace in this book it's probably because I've been there and think it's amazing… But I will try to mix it up. I used Whitehall in early chapters.
Chapter 6: Christmas at Court
21st December 1536
Hampton Court Palace, England
The day of the Duchess' arrival at Hampton Court Palace was marked with much interest. Courtiers strolled about the Courtyard with the pretence of needing fresh air, despite the chilly temperature, in hopes of seeing Anne Boleyn and her children.
Many of those eagerly awaiting her arrival were the new members of her household.
Upon leaving for Pembroke Castle, the Duchess hardly had any Ladies-In-Waiting. Most of her Ladies had abandoned her for the new Queen or had been refused permission by their families to join the household of the disfavoured woman. Not only that, but the Duchess had other concerns at the time, such as organising her daughter's household and education and her presumably high-risk pregnancy.
It was obvious, however, that the Duchess had made use of her time to make a list and invite Ladies to join her retinue for the next time she was called to Court. And, of course, some of her Ladies who she hadn't taken to Wales would be re-joining her – such as Lady Frances Howard.
There were rumours, in fact, that the Lady Elizabeth Seymour was joining the once Queen's household; being sighted helping to prepare the rooms for the Duchess of Suffolk and Pembroke. It had caused much a stir, and the Courtiers were delighted at the opportunity to gossip over this in addition to the very loud telling off that the former Lady Ughtred was reported to have had from her father.
The Duke of Suffolk, however, cared little for the events of that day. Perhaps one should be a little more bothered when their wife recently gave birth to the King's son, but their situation was not a normal one. It was only when he thought of how Henry had been towards him that he grew irritated. Why could she not have had a girl? Now, he was being all but disfavoured by the evidently envious King. And it was all her fault.
She had to be the most infuriating woman that he had ever met.
When the Duchess of Suffolk and Pembroke finally did arrive at Hampton Court, at a time when afternoon was upon them and the Courtiers had actually began to fidget with anticipation, Charles happened to be in the courtyard talking to one of the stableboy's about his stallion's recent injury.
Of course, she had to have arrived in some kind of golden carriage, he had thought to himself with a roll of his eyes as she made her entrance, the vain woman would surely want to lord her victory upon everyone. His thoughts were emphasised when the once Queen descended from the carriage with her son in her arms and her daughter, the Princess Elizabeth, at her side.
The entirety of the courtyard regarded the child with intrigue, greed and even shock, as some had yet to fully believe that the Queen whom, before now, had only a daughter and two unsuccessful pregnancies, was capable of providing an heir.
Well, what would have been an heir. Her and Henry were no longer married and, as far as Charles knew, that made the boy illegitimate regardless of when he was conceived.
The babe had raven hair, though Charles believed he could see a red sheen under the bright sun, and seemed a healthy size. The child's eyes, as his face was towards his mother, were yet to be discovered but babies' eyes were subject to change regardless. He recalled how Frances' had darkened from a blue to a greener colour in her youth.
Her dark gaze met his for a moment, and she offered him a triumphant smirk which he returned with a glower. Anne soon looked past him, however, her expression taking on a more surprised, hopeful one.
Charles turned.
She was gazing straight at the King.
King Henry had paused in his steps, mouth slightly agape in an undignified manner that the King would never normally allow, as he regarded his former wife and alleged child.
Yes, Charles thought to himself, alleged. He himself had heard some interesting rumours around the Court about who the Queen's child really belonged to. Some, when hearing of the news that she had delivered a healthy son, even suspected that she had bought the child off of some lowly peasants, or even stole the babe.
The idea of his dignified, proud wife sneaking into a dirty peasant's house to steal their child like some kind of woodswitch had brought him great amusement.
Anne appeared to take a small, hesitant step towards her former husband; a step that the King echoed. It was as if they'd blanked the rest of the world out, an idea that Charles felt most bitter about.
They were pulled from their little moment by the arrival of the Queen. Jane Seymour, in her elegant pale dress, ventured into the courtyard and laid a hand upon her husband's shoulder. It was not Henry who reacted to her presence though, but Anne, who took a step back from the King and regarded the other woman scornfully.
Queen Jane returned the look with one of dislike and evident fear.
Realising that the entirety of the Court was watching the spectacle, and clearly not wanting to allow a fool to be made out of her, Charles watched as Anne made her way towards the King and Queen. She offered the Queen a bow so shallow that Charles' breath caught in his throat.
The King did not blink an eye at it.
"I thank Your Majesty most humbly for your invitation to Court for Yule, Her Highness has been most eager to see you again," the Duchess of Suffolk and Pembroke spoke sweetly. Her daughter, all golden red hair and a toothy grin, curtseyed to her father too before greeting him enthusiastically with French.
Henry Tudor responded stiffly but politely to their words, his eyes never leaving the child that Anne held. When he did not say much more, Anne called a servant over to show her to her rooms, taking with her the disappointed Princess whom had clearly been expecting a warmer greeting from her father after not seeing him for months.
This, Charles knew as he made a move to go back to his own chambers before the feast that evening, would be eventful.
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Every day up until Christmas day, there would be celebratory feasts and the option of dancing. However, though Anne was overjoyed to be back at Court, and more than happy to join in the revelry, she would not be attending the feast tonight.
For starters, she needed to address her assembled household and ensure that all was in order in regards to positions, and Elizabeth, herself and Lionel were all tired from the carriage ride over. Additionally, keeping the Court in suspense about how she would conduct herself now, as a mother to the child that should have been Prince of Wales, was a something she was most eager for; it would make tomorrows celebrations all the more interesting.
Wandering down the hallways of Hampton Court, Anne gently rocked Lionel who had began to fuss. When she had begun to follow the servant, another had approached them and offered to take Lionel to the nursery, but the Duchess had swiftly refused. She didn't trust anyone in this palace bar a select few of her original ladies, so there was no chance that she would be leaving her defenceless son vulnerable to Seymour, Cromwell, Spanish or any of her other enemies' plots.
Anne frowned at the thought. She did have rather a lot, didn't she? That would have to be rectified at some point. Or, at least she would have to outnumber her adversaries with allies.
"These will be your permanent lodgings at Hampton Court Palace, Your Majesty," the servant informed her, and Anne's brows rose at the news. Permanent lodgings? Awfully presumptuous, but interesting. Looks like Henry's obsession was even more out of favour that Anne had first thought.
"Who will be staying near me?" She asked, adjusting her hold on Lionel whilst young Elizabeth let out a long yawn. The Princess, upon Anne's insistence, would be staying in chambers neighbouring her own whilst at Court.
"The King and Queen's chambers are just two corridors away, Your Majesty," Anne had already known that, considering the fact that the latter's used to be hers, "also along this hallway is the Princess Elizabeth, Sir John Seymour and Lady Margery, the Earl of Devon and," at this, the servant adopted an awkward expression before finishing, "the Duke of Suffolk."
Anne nodded, and the servant took it as a dismissal, opening her chamber door for her and her children (she would send Elizabeth to her chambers later, it was never too late for her to witness how a lady runs her household, considering that Anne aspired to make her daughter Duchess of Orleans) before he retreated to continue duties elsewhere.
Stepping through, her household was already assembled. A hint of a smile appeared upon her face when she scanned her collection of Ladies in Waiting. Queen Jane Seymour, electing to keep a modest household, had twenty Ladies. So, Anne had chosen thirty-five for herself.
After having scanned the line thrice, watching for those who fidgeted beneath her gaze. Those women she assumed were either spies or rather shy. Both would have to be rectified if they were to represent her household.
"Many of you," Anne began after a long pause, "were my Ladies whilst I was Queen, therefore you are aware of my expectations, however, there are some of you who are new, so I will be repeating such for their sakes. As my Ladies, I expect you to conduct yourselves in a well behaving manner, and piously. There will be a copy of the English bible in this outer chamber at all times, feel free to refresh yourselves at any point. Your uniforms, if have not been fully delivered by now, will have been by today. Please remember that any time you are in that uniform, you are representing the Pembroke household, the household of the mother to the King's heir."
Her lips tugged upwards when they looked between Elizabeth and Lionel, as if questioning which she was referring to. It seems that Court widely believed that she was not the harlot Cromwell and the rest of the King's dogs had painted her to be.
Anne continued, "as to what you can expect from me, as your mistress, those of you who are unmarried may come to me and I will take responsibility for finding you a suitable match. If you have found someone on your own, you will come to me and I will grant you permission. Also, if any struggles do arise whether it be monetary or social, you are welcome to come to me about the issue. As I have already said, you are members of my household, thus I will do everything I can to help you. You are dismissed."
With low bows, her household began to file out. Before all could leave, Anne called out, "Nan, Lady Ughtred, Lady Katherine Howard, Lady Margaret Howard, Lady Elizabeth Plantagenet and Lady Bridget Plantagenet please remain behind."
The six ladies dutifully waited in the centre of the room. The latter three looked nervous, so Anne offered them a small smile whilst Lady Katherine Howard appeared to be more so excited than fearful.
Once everyone had finally filed out, Anne said, "Nan, you will be responsible for overseeing Ladies Elizabeth and Bridget Plantagenet in their settling in and duties; Lady Ughtred, you will be responsible for overseeing the same of Ladies Katherine and Margaret Howard. Are there any objections to this?"
All ladies shook their heads.
"Ladies Howard and Plantagenet, you may leave," Anne told them, and her four youngest Maids of Honour filtered out of the room. The former two were her cousins, the daughters of a younger Howard brother, and the latter two were the daughter of the Viscount of Lisle. With Jane's limited household, she had only managed to omit the oldest of the Plantagenet sisters – the illegitimate granddaughters of King Edward IV – therefore Anne had elected to take in the two younger girls, rather enjoying the prospect of having a King's granddaughters in her service.
The room now entirely cleared bar Anne, her children, and her two Ladies, she offered Lady Ughtred a tired smile, "it's good to see you, Bess. I hope Henry and Margery are well?"
"They are, Your Majesty," Elizabeth Seymour, Lady Ughtred, told her with a smile, "I am glad you are back at Court."
Looking around briefly at her grand rooms, the gold-coloured drapings that coincided with the fine furniture and ornaments, and then to the deep purple dress that was prepared for her to wear for tomorrow's feast, a small grin crept upon her lips. "So am I, Bess."
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She was all that anybody could talk about! That witch, and her son.
The talk made tears burn at the back of Queen Janes' eyes, the scornful looks from the Courtiers making her feel sick with anxiousness. Even her family looked upon her with such eyes, as if she were a failure, as if she were beneath them.
I can't cry, she told herself, balling her hand into a fist, not here. Not in front of him.
Her husband, who sat behind her, had his eyes fixated upon the door to the feast hall. A servant had come and gone long ago to inform the King that, regretfully, the twice over Duchess would not be attending tonight's feast due to fatigue from the long ride to Court. Despite that, he still waited upon her arrival, staring at the door as if doing so would will her presence. And the presence of his son.
His son.
Queen Jane closed her eyes tightly at the reminder.
This was not supposed to have happened. None of this should have happened. Not Anne Boleyn having a son; not her sister re-joining the said woman's household. Jane had known long ago that Elizabeth was by no means on her side in seducing the King, though Jane had defended herself by saying she was doing no less than what Anne herself had done to poor Katherine, but her sister had maintained her loyalty to her mistress regardless. It didn't help that Anne had helped advance the former Lord Ughtred's career.
Now, it only served to show her weakness. The weakness that she desperately needed to hide.
"Henry," Jane hissed at last, her anxiousness allowing cutting words to break through the meek front, "please stop staring at the door like that."
Her husband's cold, but surprised, as if he hadn't even realised what he was doing, eyes cut to her. Regardless, he told her, "do not presume to tell me what to do, madam."
"I am your wife."
"You are my childless wife," he harshly reminded her, and the Queen flinched both at his words and his tone. Frustration burned through her. She was trying! She wanted a son more than anything, to secure her position and to secure her place as the King's wife.
Sonless women, after all, Henry had proved to see as dispensable. If she were not careful, perhaps that unused chopping block would become wet with her own blood.
She shuddered at the thought. She needed a child, and soon.
And Anne Boleyn and her son must be dealt with. Connecting eyes with one of her brothers, Thomas, she knew she were not the only family member to understand this.
A/N: I didn't know if I'd be able to get a chapter up before the 20th buuuttt here it is! Do you guys think there's too many feasts and stuff? I just thought it was pretty characteristic of the Tudors and an excuse for everyone to interact, but I don't want to always be using it… I kinda feel like I will be though. Rip. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed and please tell me what you think in the reviews!
And some drama will definitely come of that last line… Dom dom dom.
THIS CHAPTER HAS NOT YET BEEN EDITED SO ANY SPELLING MISTAKES, I'M SORRY I WAS JUST EXCITED TO GET THIS UP.