Anne sat in the chair in her daughters room, reading a book outloud. She loved this time with Elizabeth and was so grateful that she still was able to have it. She couldn't help her mind drifting to her time in the tower. She had been so sure that she would never be able to see her precious child again. She knew that she owed Jane for speaking for her. Anne would not have done the same had their positions been reversed, that was for sure. The woman she used to be would have let her rival die and not waited until her throne was cool before taking her place. She was lucky that Jane was a better person than she.

She was shocked out of her reminiscing when her daughter leapt out of lap suddenly.

"Mary!" the girl cried, running to her sister, who had entered quietly.

Anne watched the sisters embrace and felt a stab of guilt in her heart. Her little daughter loved her sister dearly, and if the amount of time spent together was any indication, her feelings were returned. Anne had done everything possible to belittle Katherine's daughter in her time as a newly anointed queen, without even thinking about the repercussions. Her treatment of Mary could have led to hatred between the sisters. Mary could have easily let her resentment and anger towards Anne filter into her relationship with Elizabeth. She was so glad to see that there was no sign of that between the girls. Anne rose from her seat and made her way closer to the pair, smiling as Elizabeth chattered on about some nonsense. Mary glanced up at her and almost looked embarrassed.

"Forgive me, I wasn't aware Elizabeth had company..."

Anne was about to wave away her apologies, when a sharp voice came out behind her.

"Princess Elizabeth! You had best remember how to address your betters, Lady Mary!" Mistress Bryan, Elizabeth's stern governess corrected as she came forward. She sent a look of pride towards Anne as she chastised Mary, as if she was doing exactly what the marquess wanted.

Anne could see the change in Mary with Mistress Bryan's words. Her eyes blazed angrily as she glared at the older woman, and her features sharpened-aging her well beyond her young years. She looked ready to devour the governess, and Anne was sure a fight would ensue. Heading off Mary's response, Anne spoke sharply to Bryan.

"Thank you, Mistress Bryan. You are dismissed." Unknowingly quoting her little girls words just days before. The older woman looked shocked at first, but did not hesitate to obey, leaving them alone. Anne turned back to Mary and watched her glare after the woman.

"I'm sorry, Mary. Won't you come sit with us?" The girl looked like she was about to refuse before Elizabeth tugged her hand towards the sitting area. Unable to say no to her sister, Mary joined them and Anne returned to reading. A few stories later, Elizabeth began yawning and Anne gestured to a maid to put her down for her nap. The little girl was led off and Mary moved to leave before Anne stopped her.

"Stay for just a moment, Mary." Anne had long learned that tacking on the honorific 'Lady' would only work to push her old step daughter further from her. However she never balked at just her Christian name. Mary hesitated slightly before returning to the opposite chair, looking at her warily.

"Mary, I can't help but notice that while your position and your relationship with your father has improved, it's still a far cry from a good one." she spoke gently, half expecting Mary to reject her. She was pleasantly surprised when Mary just sighed and leaned back in the chair. She seemed thoughtful before responding.

"I feel as if I'm in purgatory," she almost whispered. "As if I don't belong anywhere. The courtiers shun me for fear of angering the king, the queen is kind, but busy with her ladies who all look at me as a pariah, and my father..." she trailed off and Anne could see her eyes shining with tears she knew Mary wouldn't let fall. Her fingers tightened around the silk of her skirts and she took a moment to collect herself. "Elizabeth is the only good thing that I have in my life. I don't know what I'd do if the king suddenly remembers he's supposed to be punishing me."

Anne smiled sympathetically, touched to see the affection between the girls. "He'd never keep you from your sister" she soothed, but Mary just shook her head.

"Of course he would! He'd do anything to make me miserable. He hates me." Anne's heart broke.

"No, Mary." She let her fingers brush against Mary's white knuckles, urging her to relax. "No he does not hate you. He loves you. He's just a stubborn ass"

Mary choked a laugh and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"He's used to getting his way and for you to refuse him infuriates him."

"But I can't give in!" Mary cried passionately and Anne inspected her thoughtfully. She could see the desparation and panic in her wild eyes, but she could also see the prideful rigidness of her back. Anne took in the ragged hem of her dress and the hollow of her cheek and knew this had gone on far too long. If Mary continued to be neglected in such a way, she would go mad.

So Anne fixed her with a determined glare. "Why not?"

Mary's mouth fell open for a moment before she angrily spat "Because my parents marriage was lawful. I refuse to call my mother a whore! I am the only legitimate daughter of the king and am therefore Princess of Wales. Unless his majesty has a living son, I will be the queen!"

"Do you honestly think that will ever happen? That Henry will let it happen? That the country even wants it to happen?"

Mary faltered slightly, but remained firm. "My mother-"

"Your mother was a strong, admirable, determined woman. She was a good queen for this country in all ways but one. The only one that your father cared about."

"He never cared until you came along to seduce him away!" Mary cried, tears now running down her face.

"Mary...if it hadn't been me, it would have been another. Just as I'm sure if our current queen fails to deliver, we'll see another in her place. Henry is determined and your mother fought him until she last drew breath and he punished her for it. Her and you."

"Exactly! She died defending MY rights to the throne. How can I possibly give in when she risked everything for me!"

"Do you think your mother wanted this for you, Mary? To suffer so? You were the most important person in her life. She would have wanted you to be happy and loved and cared for. If it was Elizabeth, I wouldn't care what she had to say about me. What she had to do to stay safe and protected. Do you think your mother loved you less than I love Elizabeth?"

Mary was now crying openly and Anne took her hand.

"You will not be queen, Mary. It will not happen. Henry will do whatever it takes to have a male heir. And it's not like you have to treat the woman who caused all your pain as queen" Mary snorted dryly at that.

"That does help"

Anne smiled and continued. "Literally the only thing you'll have to actively do is treat Elizabeth as a princess, which you already pretty much do. I know you love her, and she loves you. Would it be so hard?"

"I'd have to sign the oath" Mary's nose wrinkled at the thought.

"Mary you would not be the first person to do so without meaning it. Sign it and forget about it. Be welcomed back into the royal family. Be honored at court. You deserve that."

Mary looked down at her shoes before nodding almost imperceptibly.