Mary Tudor looked at the invitation from the queen in her hands and let her thoughts mull over. Ever since her loss of control in the gardens when she had slapped Anne she couldn't stop thinking about her father. It was remarkable how releasing all of her anger into one physical act had helped her in seeing the truth.

When Anne had first approached her and spoken to her that day, Mary had just been annoyed. It was as if the Boleyn whores were flaunting their freedom to her, persuading her guards to give her even a few feet of privacy. Something she wouldn't have gotten even if she begged for it, the harlot had achieved with a flutter of her eyelashes. Then she had spoken to her of her time at court. Knowing how miserable she had been and relishing in her discomfort. When Anne had said she would do what she could to improve Mary's station, the princess had lost it.

How dare the woman who took everything from her tease her with offering a semblance of human decency. How dare this woman act like she was doing Mary a favor. All of a sudden every wrong that had been done, every slight and every betrayal had clouded Mary's mind and her arm had acted by itself. Afterwards her hand had stung. It had hurt Mary quite a bit and she could only imagine how Anne had felt. She had only a moment of satisfaction seeing the harlot sway from the force before shame engulfed her.

What would her mother have thought about the woman she had become. A princess should never raise her voice, let alone brawl like a fishwife! And yet here she was, letting her anger get the best of her. And all for this cheap woman. As Mary had sunk into the snow, she expected Anne to have the guards drag her back to her rooms so she could run and tell her father what a disgrace she was. Yet Anne hadn't done that. She had soiled her gown sitting in the snow with her until her tears had ceased.

As her revelation about her father's involvement in her treatment had engulfed her, Anne had just sat beside her in the cold. A silent partner in misery. Even when the had eventually returned to the palace, Mary had waiting for someone to come and reprimand her for laying a hand on her, yet no one had come.

Mary would always hate the woman, but she could recognize that she had been unfair to place all the blame on her shoulders.

Mary stood and checked herself in the mirror before making her way to the queens apartments, her ever present guards on her heels. Mary had not seen Jane since that dreadful day she had been shunned by her father. She had received invitations a few times, but had consistently declined. She didn't really want to spend any additional time with either of her father's concubines. But after declining multiple invitations, and with no other distraction from her misery, Mary decided to take up her stepmothers offer of companionship.

Nostalgia overwhelmed her as she was escorted into the queens chambers. She remembered happy moments of her childhood coming to visit her grand mother in these very rooms so many years ago. The decor had been drastically changed, but the angles of the room still called to her senses-she almost expected to see Katherine of Aragon walk out of the bedchamber with a smile on her face and her arms wide open for her daughter. One of the new queens bland ladies broke her out of her memories by gesturing that she follow her into the inner chambers where the pregnant queen was in confinement.

Upon entering the chambers Mary was struck by how hot and stuffy the room was. The fire was blazing in the fireplace and all the windows were boarded up. For the briefest of moments, Mary thought that she was almost grateful that she would never be queen and be forced to succumb to such treatment. She turned to the figure laying in the bed and swept into an elegant curtsy.

"Welcome, Lady Mary" came a warm, yet weak response. Mary rose and made her way over to the bedside, looking down on the frail woman who was the queen. Jane looked exhausted. Her skin was pale covered in sweat, yet her eyes were friendly as they looked up at her. "Please, sit with me Lady Mary. I am in need of some outside companionship" Mary did as she was told and sunk into the chair by the bedside.

"Lady Mary, I am so glad you decided to join me today. I had hoped to see you earlier, but I understand your reluctance. I hope you know how much I try to plead your case with your father. I'm sure he will find the love we both know he bears towards you and help restore you to a proper position at court." Mary ground her teeth in irritation, but tried to keep it out of her expression as she gazed at the queen. Jane looked up at her and her gaze softened "I'm so sorry he is struggling to see what is right in regards to you, Lady Mary. You do not deserve this"

"His Majesty will do as he will and it is my duty to obey him in all matters that do not strain my conscience. If he wishes me to perform the duties of a servant, I will do so without complaint." her wooden, practiced reply came and Jane smiled pityingly.

"Of course you will, my lady. Tell me, have you seen your sister, the Princess Elizabeth?"

At this Mary frowned, missing the little girl. "I have been kept to my chambers. Outside of a few liberties I have stayed where I am bid."

Mary saw Jane swallow a smile and wondered how much she knew of the liberties that had allowed her to assault the Marquess.

"Would you like her to bring her to us? I know she's asked after you. She's missing her older sister" Mary felt the first genuine smile grace her features at the thought of seeing her little sister again. Elizabeth had been the only positive thing in her life since her father had declared his intentions. Mary had tried to guard her heart against the little girl that had usurped her rightful position, yet sunny Elizabeth had wormed her way into her heart.

"I would like that very much, Your Majesty" she responded with a smile.

"Dorothy?" Jane's sister appeared behind her. "Will you fetch the princess to us, please" the lady smiled and disappeared.

As Mary contemplated how to great her sister who she had missed for over a year now, she noticed Jane wince and shift herself in bed. "Are you alright, Your Majesty?" Mary was genuinely concerned.

Jane smiled through the pain she was obviously in. "Of course, my lady. Just a cramp or two"

"Your Majesty, let me fetch the midwife for you" Mary moved to stand, but her arm was caught in Jane's grip as a more powerful wave of pain washed over her. Terrified, Mary called for help. As the room filled with an army of midwives and ladies, Mary was pushed away and lost in the confusion. As she heard Jane gasp in pain she realized she would not be seeing her little sister today.