I don't own Tudors.


Chapter 3

It was a lovely warm day that the King announced they would joust.

Beatriz did remember her fun time for their masquerade show.


Flashback~

Beatriz is dressed in black and wears a mask with her fellow ladies. It is an excellent theme to show charming tales about brave knights who are to rescue the damsel while the ladies in black are to hold them captive.

Influential people are there. Wolsey, More, and the Imperial ambassadors attend the pageant/masquerade. A group of young women in angelic white gowns-Kindness, Honor, Constance, Mercy, Pity, Perseverance, etc. (the Graces) are imprisoned in a castle by more unpleasant female spirits in black- Danger, Jealousy, Unkindness, Scorn, Disdain, etc. More points out to the envoys that one of the two women in the castle tower is Margaret Tudor, Henry's sister.

The King is among the masked gentlemen.

Beatriz waited until they started to throw petals, giggling and laughing at the acting. She was having so much fun.

However, she noticed.

When the young men storm the fortress, Henry climbs the tower to rescue his sister but instead finds himself caught off-guard by the Grace next to her, who stares back at him intensely through her mask. "Perseverance, you are my prisoner now."

Beatriz followed the rest of the group as she heard applause behind them.

The other ladies' giggle and talk about how the embassy of Spain loved it. Beatriz felt something familiar about that woman. It wasn't until later; her sister Anne Boleyn was there!

"What?" Beatriz was confused.

What happened to Lady Elizabeth Seymour? She could have sworn that Master Cornish would have reminded everyone that he would replace one lady or two, or another lady had stepped in.

Her answer was revealed when she came out with a different dress. Beatriz saw what she should not see.

Thomas Boleyn is seen handing a pouch of gold to Master Cornish.

"Good work."

Master Cornish left as Thomas Boleyn watched Anne keep the King's attention. Beatriz quickly fixed herself as she made herself known.

"Papa," Beatriz called to her father.

Thomas turned and smirked, "Ah, Beatriz." He kissed her forehead.

"I trust all is well?"

Beatriz made sure he did not know that she saw what he did.

"Yes." Beatriz looked back at Anne. "All is well."

Flashback end~


She kept it to herself.

No one word to anyone. Not even her lady mother.

Looks like her uncle is making her father do it again.

They are trying to make Anne a new desire for the King. Didn't they learn their lesson when Mary quickly gave herself to the King, and now, she is the shame of their house?

Mother never did forgive her brother and husband, but Mary already had a disgusting reputation back in France that she slept with King Francis as the English Mare.

Hopefully, Anne is smart enough and disobeys them.

~0~

Charles walked up to the Queen and bided Her Majesty, his wife, former princess, and dowager queen of France Mary Tudor and Beatriz a good day before he took his place on his horse.

Beatriz and Charles Brandon had been good friends since her time in court. However, she knew his infamous habit of being a womanizer and probably had bastards popping out.

Though she spoke in favor of Charles Brandon and Princess Mary over eloping and not asking Henry for their marriage.

Beatriz briefly said, "Charles Brandon is the only true friend your majesty has. Though, give him your forgiveness by paying any amount you desire." He was only saved from King Henry's anger by Wolsey and from the King's affection for both his sister and him.

Hence, the couple got off quickly and were charged only with a heavy fine of £24,000 to be paid to the King in yearly installments of £1000 and the whole of Mary's dowry from King Louis XII of £200,000, together with her plate and jewels. Nonetheless, the fine was later reduced by the King.

"His Majesty the King!" The announcer announced, and the crowd erupted with claps and shots.

Henry rode out on his horse and made his way to the Queen. He took his jousting stick and held it out. "My Queen."

With Grace, the Queen stood up and tied her pink cloth on the end of the stick. "My Lord."

William Compton rode out, being the King's challenger. Beatriz clapped at the challengers.

She couldn't deny the fact that she surrounded herself with competitive men.

"Are you ready?" William shouted.

"I was born ready, William," Henry shouted back, lowering his helm.

They took their positions and waited for the flag before they charged. Henry broke the end of his stick as he rammed it into William's side.

Beatriz flinches at the sound of the broken sticks, though relaxes when no harm comes to them.

They took their positions and waited for the flag before they charged. Henry broke the end of his stick as he rammed it into William's side.

"Point for His Majesty, the king!"

"Again!" William declared.

They went at it again, only to have Henry gain yet another point. Anthony called for another rematch but handed his jousting stick over. Everyone in the crowd watched him, confused about what he was doing. His eyes were filled with glee. "Bring it here, lads!"

Two servants came out, carrying a large, long, thick tree bark. William took it in one hand, and everyone cheered.

When Henry looked up, he saw William coming his way with a tree in his hands. The confusion left his face quickly as he broke out in laughter. "What's this?"

William struggled to set the tree down without it toppling him over. "Just a trick, Your Majesty, just a trick." He then rode back to his side of the joust as everyone cheered for him once more.

"His Majesty the king and Sir Anthony Knivert!" The spokesmen announced the next challenge.

Both men got ready and waited for the flag. As they charged at each other, the crowd on Henry's side began to holler with fear. Katherine was confused at their displeasure until she saw it: Henry's helm was not covering his face.

During her time with the Scots, Beatriz recalled that her father once said that one hit could prove fatal without helm covering the face.

She wasn't the only one who noticed.

Her father and uncle noticed this as well. She took a step forward, praying for one of the men to stop.

"NO!"

Henry fell off his horse with an agonizing scream of pain – he was hit in the face. Beatriz gasped and covered her mouth when she saw that.

Her father and uncle raced over as well, as Charles, William, and Anthony tried to help Henry stand. The Queen and Mary were right behind them. Her father grabbed the King by the face, repeating, "Let me see your eye" as the King fought to stand. Thomas Boleyn tilted the King's head back, inspecting his eye. When he found nothing, a smile broke across Henry's face. "See? See! I can see!"

Everyone cheered until Henry fell again, this time into Anthony's arm.

Beatriz sighs in relief.

'The king is alright.'

She fears for a moment that her heart will stop.

With a grim, fearful face, Anthony stumbled over his words. "I'm so sorry, please forgive me."

Henry grasped the back of Anthony's neck and stood. "It's alright, Anthony. It wasn't your fault; it was my fault. You didn't hurt me, and you can't hurt me." He slapped his hand against Anthony's armor. "Let's ride again!"

"What?" Anthony breathed, not expecting Henry to want to ride again.

The Queen rushed into his arms. "Henry, Henry," she said breathlessly. The Queen is worried about Henry.

"Madam, have no fear. I tend to ride again and prove to everyone here that I am well and unharmed."

Grasping onto him, the Queen looked unsure. "If you insist, but I would much rather you did not."

Henry held firmly onto the Queen's head and smiled. "My Lady." He turned back around to Anthony and commanded, "Arm yourself!" And Anthony obeyed.

Everyone went back to their spots and watched as the King mounted his horse. "People of England, your king is unharmed!"

She cheered and clapped for the King.

~0~

1525, End of September

Rumors and stories about Martin Luther going around. The Protestant Christians are growing in numbers, and the King demands to protect their catholic faith by burning their books.

Beatriz fan herself to ease her nerves since the chances are that there could be a crusade war between Catholics and Protestant religions for England. She bumps into an older gentleman, making him drop his papers.

"Oh!" Beatriz looked down as they saw the papers on the floors. "I'm so sorry, sir." She quickly kneels to help the man.

It was the new hire help for Wolsey. Thomas Cromwell is just in a hurry until this bumbling idiot of a girl bumps into him.

He figured she would sneer down on him as all the nobles would here in court. However, he was surprised that she apologized and gathered his papers. Thomas snapped himself out as he did the same to get his paperwork quickly.

"No, my lady. I was in…." Thomas gathers his last paper inside his bag. They both stood up, and Thomas saw something so heavenly and unlike all noble girls. Beatriz saw a new face, but he seemed handsome in his dark aura way.

"I was in a hurry, and I am nervous to start my work today." Thomas almost stuttered but recovered quickly.

Beatriz gave him his papers. Thomas nodded his thanks. "Again. I am sorry if there is any consolation. You can tell them my name, and I was the one who kept them waiting for you."

Yes, that could work.

Thomas Cromwell nodded stiffly. "I am Thomas Cromwell, and you are…."

"Beatriz Boleyn at your service."

Ah, a daughter of a knight.

Thomas looked at her as she held her poised and no doubt was schooled to be a proper lady.

Quickly he kissed her hand and swiftly left her there.

That was their first encounter with these social climbers.

~0~

Beatriz is not sure if this was good news or not. It has been days since that incident about Anne's proposed marriage. She is crying her eyes out and never leaving her room had put both George, herself, and their lady mother to urge her to eat something to know that she lives even in her isolation.

They all make sure they send up warm baths and food left in front of her doors. Then one of them would check if she ate some of it at least.

George would sit there and talk to her through the door.

Then sometimes, Beatriz would take a turn and read her folklores and poems from Scotland.

Finally, the Boleyn's Matriarch would sit there and read the scriptures from the bible. She insisted that Anne could start believing that they couldn't get through to Anne, and perhaps God's words would.

It shows progress, and Beatriz wonders if this could help Anne in court, followed by other wealthy and beautiful aristocrat ladies as Catherine's ladies-in-waiting. 'Perhaps,' She thought to herself. 'I should not have shown the letter to mother about the Queen's reply.'

Elizabeth Boleyn once served queen Elizabeth of York and Catherine of Aragon during her years of youth and court.

Their mother insisted that Anne go along with Beatriz to serve the Queen. No doubt her mother is now putting pressure on both Anne and Beatriz to find proposals and status in the hand of marriage since Elizabeth is ashamed with her older daughter Mary whose reputation is putting the Boleyn's name in question.

Thomas is already teaching George about being his heir and thinking about arranging his marriage.

Beatriz was worried for Anne a moment, but her worries were unfounded.

Anne, her older sister, seems to change a lot these days, and men already flock to her like sheep to their shepherds. Among the beautiful fair and blonde women, they prefer the dark-haired of a witty Anne.

Anne had been helping and decided to be Queen Catherine's lady-in-waiting. Beatriz replies to the letters to their families and how Anne strived to be a perfect lady to please their family.

She noticed that Anne kept receiving letters and gifts from the page boy. Curiosity was Beatriz's greatest weakness.

Beatriz did peek at her sister's gifts and saw such beautiful crafts jewels that she had ever seen.

At first, she thought Anne caught the attention of a higher rank nobleman, but slowly days went by when the letters and gifts were refused from page boy that he announced, "My lady, a gift from the king."

Beatriz feared Anne would be repeating the mistakes that Mary made to them. She confronted her nights ago.


Flashback~

Beatriz told Anne a few nights ago.

"What is going on?" Beatriz came to her late at night and demanded what was going on?

Anne replies, "Father and uncle wanted me to keep the King's attention now that Mary is nonexistence."

"Anne pleased desist at their orders. The King could ruin you and your reputation. Mother wants us…."

"What our lady mother doesn't realize is that I will not be their tool as the King's mistress."

Beatriz is shocked and scared. What could she mean that she won't be the King's mistress?

Anne smiled and waved her off. "Now go away and let me sleep for the night."

Flashback end~


That was nights ago.

Beatriz fears that if Anne became the mistress to the King, then Anne could ruin chances of her happiness and marriage for her.

She prays that Anne would stop before she reaches too high to go down hard.

It was a typical ordinary day when princess Mary was here with her mother, the Queen, and a few ladies were writing poems, sewing, and silent reading.

Here in court, Beatriz is playing the Lute for the Queen and her fellow ladies. If anyone would ask Beatriz, 'What music instrument would she play?'

She would answer, 'I prefer the lute if nothing else.'

Catherine is pleased with her favorite as she feels her soul is being refreshed with the youngest Boleyn girl lute playing. The once infanta of Spain wished that Catherine wish she would solve all her problems by this moment.

Though, already her eyes and ears heard something about her husband's whereabouts.

King Henry the VIII has been acting strange lately. She wasn't sure if anyone noticed, but Mary had already lost the King's interest.

Yet another Boleyn girl had caught his interest.

Anne Boleyn has made herself scarce from being Henry's mistress. Anyone would say, 'She did not want nor wished to be a mistress to the king of England.' Or 'Perhaps she is a pious and virtuous woman that wished to be married and not a mistress.'

They are wrong.

Catherine of Aragon knew Anne's game. Feign disinterest to keep a man interested in the woman's refusal, but she knew he would not keep Anne for long.

No matter how many mistresses he had, he will always come back to her.

Catherine is his wife, and no one can hold his heart as Catherine did.

Beatriz's music ended before a page boy announced, "All rise to King Henry!"

Everyone quickly put things down, and everyone rise and curtsy before the King. Beatriz kept her head down as Henry came before all the ladies and greeted his wife, Catherine, with a kiss on her cheek.

"My queen."

"My king," Catherine replies as Princess Mary looks at her father with so much adoration.

Beatriz pities the princess and the Queen.

Catherine lost all her children, both sons and perhaps daughters that didn't make it out of their cribs and womb.

They only had Mary for a healthy daughter, but she is not England, so she desperately needs a son.

The princess is more educated and royal than her half-brother, Henry FitzRoy.

Though, no one could blame princess Mary that she was born a girl and is the only living child of Henry the VIII and Catherine of Aragon.

The King does love Mary. I mean what father could not love his daughter, though part of him was disappointed that Mary is only a girl and not the boy to be King of England.

Yet his mind had been plagued by Anne Boleyn.

He doesn't know why, but she isn't like any woman he has ever met before. He had this need for her presence.

Her attention.

Devotion and love for him.

His eyes would wander around as he saw the beautiful Anne Boleyn. Every poem he sent and every jewel he would present, she would send those jewels back to him.

Her words were, "Your majesty, these jewels are far too valuable to be given to me. For that, I am unworthy to wear such things as these gifts were made for a queen and not I the daughter of a humble background."

Henry can't take it anymore.

If she isn't his mistress, he will have her by any means necessary.

"You all may leave us. I wished to speak with the Queen."

Beatriz and all the others bid as the King says, but one made her heart stop.

"Except the Lady Anne Boleyn. You may stay."

All looked at Anne as she was gracious smile and said, "As your majesty commands."

Beatriz left with all the others. They all are whispering about Anne Boleyn and the King along with Queen.

Jane questioned Beatriz. "What do you think is going on?"

"I'm not sure."

"Any chance that your sister will be the real mistress and Queen Catherine will have to accept her position?" Jane asked again.

Beatriz leans to whisper what Anne told her nights ago. Jane was confused as well. How can you be the beloved one if not becoming the mistress to the King of England?

"Princess Mary," Beatriz called upon the princess. Jane followed since she didn't want to be near the room.

Beatriz decided to take princess Mary and others out in the garden to get away from possible talks.

Though the whole halls were buzzing around with something, Beatriz is nervous and tells one of the older ladies-in-waiting, "Take princess Mary to her rooms now."

Beatriz followed by Jane as she saw Anne kiss the King.

A wailing and crying sound came inside the Queen's private room. Many other ladies ran to tend the Queen, except Beatriz went towards the King and Anne who walked to the halls.

"Your grace, may I speak with my sister?" Beatriz curtsy before the King and quickly stood up. Anne smiled charmingly at the King and said, "I wished to clear things with my sister, if by your permission."

King Henry looked at her so devoted and loving. He kneeled before her and kissed her hands. "My love."

Beatriz looked disgusted on the inside but kept calm in the face.

The King left, and Anne looked at her undisturbed.

"Anne, what is going on?"

Anne smirked and said, "You are looking at a replacement."

Boleyn sisters stood quietly.

"Replacement? Replacement of whom exactly?"

She said the words, "Catherine of Aragon could no longer bear him sons. Henry wished to devote himself to me, and I promised to give him a son. A son who will not be called a bastard like Mary's children and all the other children. Sister, you are looking at the new Queen of England."

Beatriz is shocked and surprised at her words.

What she was doing was treason.

"What had you done?"

Anne shrugged at her, "What do you mean?" Anne walked away from her.

"I am giving England its heir."

Anne gave her last words to Beatriz as she stood there.

'Anne. You had done more harm than good.'

News spread that Henry the VIII wished to divorce his wife of 23 years to marry the infamous Anne Boleyn.

The real battle for power is up to grabs once Anne marries and gives the King a son.


Reviews are welcome.

Anne Boleyn did not realize that her position was not easy to grab. Now Beatriz is stuck on who she should be loyal to.

Her family or the Queen Catherine of Aragon.

She should only seek her answer is either a priest, God or…. Thomas Cromwell?!

Next Chapter: Catherine of Aragon trials and the Boleyn's rising status into a powerful position.