AUTHOR'S NOTE: I will not always update this quickly, but right now the chapters are just flowing. Please enjoy!
Anne paced wildly in her cramped apartment. The conversation with Henry kept replaying again and again in her mind. Was it enough? Could she really save herself? She had tried to read his expressions as he had listened to her, but he remained blank. What had prompted him to finally listen to her? She had sent him many letters begging for the chance, but she wondered what had finally brought him to the Tower. She had been weeping and nervous before his visit, but now her anxiety was palpable. When the door lock clicked again, she visibly jumped and instead of watching from the shadows as before, she leapt up and went to greet whoever was coming to her.
Her mouth dropped open as she saw her unexpected guest.
"George!" she cried and she jumped into her brother's arms. His familiar embrace tightened around her and for the first time since Brandon had come to her chambers to take her, she felt safe.
"Anne," his voice sounded strained and weak. She prayed that his treatment in the tower wouldn't scar him. "I don't have much time. The king came to see me. He's waiting to see you, but I need to talk to you first" George pulled away from her embrace and led her to the desk. Master Kingston closed the door to give them their privacy and they sat down opposite each other. Anne held fast to his hand, refusing to break the first friendly contact she'd had in weeks.
"The king said he spoke with you," George began. "I don't know what you said to him, Anne, but he is releasing you, me, and the rest of the men." Anne gasped and immediately sent her thanks to God for saving her. George hushed her tears and continued. "Anne he wants something in return. He will not kill you, but he doesn't want you returning to court as his queen. He wants you to sign divorce papers. Your marriage to the king is over."
George was clearly trying to gently break this news to her. Anne wanted to scoff. She'd leave. Gladly. Her marriage had brought her nothing but pain...that and...
"What of Elizabeth? My daughter has done nothing wrong. I will not see her declared a bastard" Anne said fiercely. She didn't care what Henry did to her, she would fight for her daughter.
"The king agrees. She is the rightful princess and will not lose that title. Henry will even be granting her the title of Princess Royal-naming her as his oldest legitimate daughter. She will be placed ahead of any-' he faltered' "other daughters he has." So he was marrying the Seymour slut. "But she will be protected, and you will keep your title as Marquess of Pembroke. Anne this is the best deal you will get."
Anne knew he was right. Elizabeth a princess and her a Marquess. There had to be a catch. "What does he want in return?" she asked suspiciously. George sighed.
"You must sign the papers and publicly declare that you did so of your own free will. You must never incite the public against the king or try to denounce him in any way. You must seem grateful for your time as queen and grateful to him for all he's given to you." Anne nodded-this was an easy concession to make. "And you will return to court as lady in waiting to the new queen until a new match can be made for you" George delivered Henry's final demand.
Anne stared ahead blankly for a moment, processing what she just heard. Lady in waiting to the new queen. Having to serve that husband stealer in her own rooms?! Why on earth would Henry think that that was going to work for anyone? She wondered if Jane knew that she'd have to preside over a household including her rival. And a new match? Henry would be marrying her off to whatever pawn he decided. She bit her lip.
"Fine." She made her choice. She couldn't pass up this opportunity for her daughter. Henry was being generous to Elizabeth and Anne didn't want to see what would happen if she refused.
George released the breath he was holding at her silence. He knew this wasn't going to be easy for her, but he knew she was making the right choice. "Come," he helped her to her feet and guided her towards the door. "The king is waiting."