Jane sat in her new apartments all alone. She slowly let her eyes take in the new, well-furnished rooms the King had given her. He had gifted her many things over the past few months, but these rooms were a lavish show of affection - more generous than he had ever given before.
Her brother, Edward was very pleased when Henry had handed her the keys and watched as she and her family explored the rooms. Edward had never been a very expressive man, but the slight, smug smile on his face and the ambitious gleam in his eye had given his pleasure away. Jane knew what that look meant. The King was making moves to make Jane his new queen.
Her whole family seemed determined to see her on the throne, but Jane couldn't help the twinge of guilt when she thought of her predecessor. Anne had never been warm to her, but Jane couldn't really blame her for that. When Henry had extended the invitation for Jane to become one of Her Majesty's ladies in waiting, her brother did not waste any time explaining to her what he wanted. The thought of becoming a mistress, even one of a king, went against everything Jane believed. But Edward, her father, and even sweet Thomas agreed- Jane's virtue was expendable. Whatever happened was worth it if it advanced the family.
"For once in your life Jane, think! The Boleyns are the highest family in the land! How do you think they got there? Anne whored herself to the king and now you will do the same" Edwards degrading words rang through her head. They all thought she was stupid. It was her father's fault, Sir John Seymour did not find it in him to bother to educate his daughters. She might struggle with writing a letter, but she understood how the world worked. How men worked.
The King only wanted what he could not have. He tore the country apart for the first woman to say no to him and he was desperate to posses her until he did. Now his passionate, hot-headed wife enfuriated him and he hated being in her presence. He called Jane a "soothing balm to her temper" once. Jane wanted to laugh at him, but she lowered her eyes and smiled modestly, telling him she was pleased to serve him. Her brothers were insistent that she play the meek, gentle, stupid girl around him. Jane was sure it would bore him, but he continued to seek her out.
Jane didn't hate the king- far from it. There was a side to him that made her feel like a fair maiden rescued from mediocrity by a brave knight. He swept her off her feet so gallantly and when she looked up to see him observing her, she always saw absolute adoration.
But then his eyes would turn towards the queen and they would harden. The ice in his eyes terrified her. How long would his love last with her if he could look at Anne with such hatred? And then she started hearing the gossip. She assumed it would be like normal court gossip- The courtiers were always spinning their tales. But then the Queen of England was arrested for treason.
Jane stood and crossed to her window. Looking out over London she imagined she was looking right to the Tower where Anne was held. Jane knew the accusations were false. Even if she hadn't overheard Edward and Thomas talking earlier that day, she would have a hard time believing it. Her brothers exalted that Henry had found a way quicker than divorce to rid himself of his unwanted queen.
Jane had never been to the tower, but she doubted any room was comfortable. Anne always looked a haughty, regal queen and Jane tried to imagine what she looked like in a tower cell. Imagined her in a damp cold room, possibly in shackles. They wouldn't possibly do that to her, right? Not an anointed queen? Jane bit her lip as she turned on her heel and headed towards the door. She had to do something.