Finally- the day had come. Mary had been ecstatic to receive the royal summons to court. Her father had finally come to his senses. Mary knew that King Henry had missed her. She remembered so often throughout her happy childhood being swept up into his arms and showered with affection. His Pearl. The Pearl of all England he had called her. Mary was delighted to hear that he was finally free of the witches grasp and was now inviting her back to court. She had worried so when she had received Chapuys' letter but now she was relieved. She was so sure that if she held her ground, her father would welcome her back- and see! Everything would be fine as soon as she talked to her father. He would see how she had grown into a fine, proud princess he could show off to the world. She would be restored to her rightful position and be a star at court.
Mary bit her lip as she considered that she wouldn't be the first woman at court. She didn't really know what to think of this new Queen Jane. Chapuys had sung her praises, claiming she was an ally, but Mary was not so sure. The woman had apparently snagged her father's attention while her beloved mother was still alive. The woman should have pressured him to return to his true wife, but instead had stolen him from Anne and now sat the throne. They were both pretenders. Jane wasn't this pure angel that the Spanish ambassador had made her out to be. She was little better than the whore, Anne Boleyn. But Mary also knew that Jane had always tried to influence her father towards her well treatment. She would have to make her judgement after meeting the lady.
Mary dressed warmly on her trip back to Whitehall Palace. She had packed all her gowns and furs- whatever was left of them- and she had already discussed with her maids about ordering new. Christmas time was coming and Mary didn't want to look lowly in front of her father's court. As she was led into the palace she was surprised to see them taking her through what seemed to be the servants quarters. She supposed the King didn't want anyone to see her quite yet, but her confusion grew when they led her to some basic rooms. They were fit for royalty compared to the shabby room she had resided in at Hatfield, but they were not suitable for housing the Princess of Wales.
They must not have rooms quite ready for me yet- Mary thought as her maids dressed her for her introduction. -Or perhaps he'd like to escort me to my new chambers and be there to witness my gratitude! Mary smiled at the thought and was determined to respond enthusiastically to his surprise. Whatever hardships she had faced were the witches fault and she must not blame her father. He was making things right now and she would forgive all his past mistakes. Well...most of them. He'd have to work in order to earn her forgiveness on how he had treated her mother. How he had pushed her out of her home. How he had denied their marriage-calling her a whore in no certain terms. How he had let her die without a word from her daughter. Mary shook the thoughts out of her head, willing her anger towards her father to subside. That was Anne's doing-that wicked woman. She had to find it within her to look past her father's wrong doings and focus on her future with him.
Her maids laced her into her finest gowns, one of deep black velvet. It would still look dowdy in comparison to the fine ladies at court, but it was all she had. She picked out a simple gold cross necklace, one of the few possessions of her mother she had left, and surveyed herself in the mirror. She had not seen her father in so many years and she had truly blossomed into a woman. She wondered if her father would see her face and be hurt by the fact that he would barely be able to recognize her. It was his fault for staying away. But she would smile at him and melt his heart and he would welcome her back. Everything would be fine now.
Mary was led through the corridors, but they did not direct her to the main hall where normal court introductions were usually held. She suppressed her confusion as she followed the usher into a basic, smaller room only adorned by a large table. In the room stood a priest, a finely dressed blonde woman, her little sister, her father, and that whore.
Mary stared at Anne Boleyn and then met the stern eyes of the father she had not seen in years. The breath went out of her at his firm glare and she looked fearfully back at Anne. To her credit, the woman looked like she would have liked to be anywhere but in this room, she clung to her daughter who stood before her. Elizabeth seemed the only one happy to see her as she beamed up at her older sister. Mary turned to the blonde woman, knowing that this was the Queen she had heard so much about. Queen Jane was frowning and looking at her with concern, but Mary took a moment to take her in. She didn't understand her father's choice. Her mother, Queen Katherine, had been a regal, graceful beauty, a true queen. Anne had at least been beautiful and even with all her faults, Mary couldn't deny her charm. This Queen Jane was plain in comparison. Mary guessed she was lovely in the pale, English way, but what convinced her father to marry her was a mystery. There were 50 women just like Jane Seymour at court-what made this one special. She met eyes again with her father and blanched at the look in his eyes.
"Lady Mary", he greeted her coldly. All of the ideas of her title being restored to her came crashing down with that simple greeting. "I wish for you to take the oath" He gestured towards the priest who held a bible. "It is my wish and you have been remiss in following my order for too long. You will swear on this bible that my marriage to Katherine was invalid, that my marriage to the Marquess was a true one with it's issue the only rightful heirs to the throne of England" He fixed his daughter with a hard stare, willing her to give in. Mary had to fight to stop tears from filling her eyes and spilling over. How could she have been so stupid?! Anne was standing right there! Her power had hardly diminished. And Jane couldn't do anything to help her either. She was a weak woman who could do nothing to influence her husband. Mary glanced over to her little sister, who seemed to finally realize that something was amiss. Her smile had faded and now she looked from Henry to Mary with concern in her eyes. She glanced up to her mother and Mary followed her gaze. What she saw made her back straighten and the tears dry. That witch, the harlot who had stolen her mother's happiness had the daring to look at her with fake pity in her eyes. How dare she look at Mary like that? Like all of this wasn't her doing?
Mary turned to her father and stood straight and looked him in the eyes. She saw anger cloud his gaze, but she held fast. "My mother, Queen Katherine was the rightful Queen of England until the day she died. I am the true Princess of Wales..."she saw her father gritting his teeth and Anne and Jane look on fearfully, she looked down at little Elizabeth and almost faltered before continuing "...Your only LEGITIMATE daughter and child. The pope declared your union valid under God and no earthly creature can judge otherwise. Papa please.." she moved toward him at this moment, trying to appeal to the love that she knew he must still feel towards her, but he held up his hand to halt her movement and she could see the fury raging in this eyes.
"No, Lady Mary. What you have said is treason! Men have DIED for saying less!" he growled.
"Henry, please" Jane murmured behind him, placing a calming hand on her shoulder, but he violently shook it off before advancing before Mary.
He raised his arm and Mary flinched, thinking he would strike her. She opened her eyes to see his finger inches away from her and his roaring face screaming at her. "You are nothing but an ungrateful, willful bastard! You are just as stubborn as your Spanish mother" he spat the word as if it disgusted him. "Your time in your sister's household has clearly done nothing to correct your sinful pride! So now you will be here, under my watch, waiting on whoever I decide! I can put you in the kitchens or scrubbing the floors if I like and it'll still be too good for you! Boy!" he gestured towards the usher "Take her out of my sight" he whirled away from her and she took a moment to gasp for air.
She refused to let him see how much his words had shaken her as she swept into a regal curtsey. She heard him curse under his breath and storm out of the room, ignoring the protestations of his wife, who followed him out. As Mary rose, she met eyes with the enemy. Anne had been comforting Elizabeth, who had started crying at her fathers outburst, but she took a moment to look at Mary. The women stared at each other and Mary couldn't decipher her thoughts before she turned to follow the usher. As she was led through the hallways back to the tiny room that would be her home at court, Mary shook violently. It took everything in her not to break down right there over her father's harsh words. As soon as they reached her chambers, she slammed the door, threw herself on the bed, and burst into tears.