I Mary, Princess of England, betrothed to King Charles the anointed Holy Roman Emperor must bow so low to pick up after a silly maid. "Mother would be unhappy at this behavior", I tell myself.

She'd say this was an opportunity to be enriched by humbleness. Taking a step back maybe there is no real harm done. While working on my Latin Homework, a chambermaid had come to do whatever she was to do, but somehow she bumped one of my ladies in waiting, who tripped. Causing her to hold out her hands as she readied herself for impact of the floor. Whilst doing so, her managed to knock my ink jar over, causing ink to be plotted on my paper, desk, and dress. I was almost done too, silly servant.

But again at that instant, mother's words strike me down. Lowering my head in shame, I knew this was not the behavior of a Princess. Now, the servants are cleaning the mess, as my ladies have me behind a screen, changing me into another dress. One of them mistook my lowed head as sadness, for my dress was ruined. She reassured me that it can be mended. Soon I was at my desk restarting my homework assignment.

"Is this what it is for father?" I thought.

Everyday he has paper mountains for him to go through, than I remember. No, he has Sir, Thomas Wosley. A son of a butcher, people say, with distaste in their tone. I'm often confused, to this. The Virgin Mary was of lowly status, and yet she was to be the mother of Jesus Christ our savior. Wouldn't this be a humbling reminder to the court, that we are all God's children?

Mother prefers I stay in another palace rather than where the court is set. My father owns 54 castles.

It's than I smile in remembering. Father has assigned a new Dance instructor. A man from France, who's voice is soothing like the mandolin. Once done here I may go to my dance lessons.

He compliments me on my grace, and boldness, but isn't afraid to correct me. He explains so gently, that it only makes me want to do better and succeed.

My math tutor isn't as pleased. I do well, I get the answers, but he is an old stubborn goat. A young princess who's just as scholarly as boys intimidates him. At least that's what one of my ladies maids said.

She is the one who tried to comfort me when mistaking my shame for tears. She's the only one I like, other than Mrs. O'Brian.

Mrs. O'Brian is head lady in waiting. She overlooks to my affairs, studies, account books, and such. Making sure I'm attended to all my needs. Finally, I finish my work. Despite my aggravation, I was able to complete it faster, due to having already done most of the hard work. Once done, I was able to receive my dance lessons. It was soon a lovely day again. After dinner, Mrs. O'Brian came to my whilst tucking me in, telling me that the maid who disturbed me today, has begged for forgiveness.

"I assured her she wouldn't be sacked, but she really is shaken by the mess she made." O'Brian explained. I thought for a moment. "Tell her to not worry, all is forgiven", I responded. Calm, cool, and collected. I am bursting with pride at myself for carrying out this small matter with every grace of a Princess is to extend.

Moments later news came. Someone was at the door, a messenger, from who? My father? My Mother? Is there some riot? I've heard stories and gossip of revolts in the country.

Before long, Mrs. O'Brian came back into my room. Her calm expression reassured me of any worry.

"My lady", O'Brian said with a curtsy. "It seems your mother, the Queen has given birth to a still born child." She said

I only said, "We will pray for it's soul now". At that I pushed myself out of bed. Lady O'Brian grabbed my overcoat. Once suitable, she escorted me to my private chapel. I like my Mother and Father have one. I pray for my dear Brother's soul.

I pray so hard for father to have his son, an heir. A part of me though, I confess to myself only, that I kinda hope maybe if it's God's will I'll become Queen Of England. I, Queen Mary, who shall be as strong, and vigilant as any true servant to our Lord, Christ Jesus. Once finished, I go to sleep.

*

O'Brian flung opened the curtains that kept the warmth in, to let in the light. As it jolted me from my sleep, Mrs. O'Brian sounds off as usually. "Good morning, your Royal Highness. It's a lovely day." She's always does this. When something happens at court, she has me take morning walks to clear our heads about such things like last nights news.

I wish she didn't have to be like this. It's the Lords doing, and we must carry on. The gardens did look beautiful today. They always do, but today the roses have fully blossomed, and the morning dew make it all the more alluring.

The air, itself was as if a refreshing drink. O'Brian never really cared for walks. She'd have me walk about with my ladies, as she fallowed respectfully behind with her own umbrella, as I have my own as well. The others either share or don't have the one.

I don't care for an umbrella but O'Brian doesn't risk anything, and has herself and I readied in case of a sudden drizzle. The gardens were lovely as always. Roses, Lilies, Cowslip, Daffodils, Hollyhock, more. It was all willfully free, and abundant.

I hear in France they imprison their flowers to display, like some sort of flower show. They display it like their dances. Strict and graceful. Honestly I'm a little curious to this style, but I've often heard my Father say; "My Cousin is a strange fellow. Instead of displaying his army, he's too busy displaying flowers."

*

Now at Hampton Court, I've been sent to grieve with my mother father over the news. Coming into court characteristically the court was still relatively bright, despite the gloom and recent disappointment. I coming to court, is reminding the country that they have an heir, and all hope is not lost.

All the fellows of the court are always laughing, and having a wonderful time it seems. Even the women despite lack of morals also shine with joy, and act as if without a care in the world. The only two I see who display anything but joy is my Lady Mother, the Queen, and Cardinal Wolsey. Wolsey is a strange fellow, but he's always aiming to please. A true servant, but my Lady Mother doesn't seem to like him. I can't think why, he displays every inch of loyalty as one would expect. Mother is always putting on a smile. Especially around me. I remember coming into her chambers after saying my prayers. It's clear she had been crying, she took me by the hand and led me to her babies she's lost. She has little tomb stones to represent each child for her to pray for their souls.

"Someday, I will give you a brother to protect you, my War Lion",she said. Coming down to her knees, looking to me, she says as always in her Native tongue.

"Don't ever forget, you are the Granddaughter of Queen Isabella. Princess of England, and someday Queen."

I always understood she's been preparing me for the possible change I shall inherit my father's crown. How can she be sure though? "My Lady, please we must go back inside", Mrs. O'Brian said.

The wind has picked up, and I hadn't even noticed. We made our way in, had our breakfast, before I moved onto my daily studies.

*

It's been two years sense my mother's still birth, and my father has rumored to visit her less and less. However he has bequeathed me special form of education. I've been sent to Ludlow in Wales to learn to govern. He has told the world that I am worthy contender to his throne.

Now at Ludlow, Wales. My studies over for the day, I'm back on my knees praying to the saints. For a while I couldn't help but examine my own strengths and accomplishments. The Latin is second nature to me. I'm becoming more accustomed to the rule of governship. I am the pearl of my father; the King. So much so, that I am here being schooled and bread for ruling.

It's my job daily to look over the progress, troubles, and accounts for my lands, with the local landlords appointed and assigned along with my professors. Only nine, with the possibility I'll be married off to a foreign prince, the minute I'm at marriageable age of twelve. I am also still the only heir to the English throne. So it's a bit uncertain. I pray God will guide me, his faithful servant.

My thoughts than turn to Christmas. I'll be able to join and marry make with my parents. I haven't seen my Mother for months. She writes to me often, but I still miss her.

My ladies are dutiful and fair. Unlike much of the ladies in court, they're pious. Still they do like to chat, among each other, gossiping. It hurts when they're telling each other about their unfaithful husbands. About three of my five ladies in waiting have, husband's who've already fathered a child or two, and don't even care.

Everyone knows, but turns a blind eye, to these pathetic acts, I wish Jesus would come from the church's windows, confront everyone is court turning them away from their sins. Make this country something of the legendary court of King Arthur, after the Romans left these shores.

Often these are powerful men, and aren't answerable to their actions, sometimes I imagine God laughing and crying on his throne hearing these acts on men who have been blessed by birth right.

Looking back I remember hearing Mother confined to her head lady in waiting. She wasn't aware I was listening, as they were walking in the garden, and I had managed to hide a small hedge bush, while the ladies and I had been playing hide and seek. She was sharing a story of her mother, the Great Isabella of Castile, had to deal with her husband's infidelity. It shocked me to hear the unthinkable. My Grandparents are said to be the most Christian Princes of Europe, how can King Fernando do such a thing? My Grandmother fought bravely like any man would. Drove the Turks and barbaric ungodly people away. Sent them to face the one true God. Yet he paid her with faithless love.

Even my Mother sent the Scottish King to meet his Lord, for daring to invade our lands, while my father was on a diplomatic mission in France. The battle of Flodden, where all that could be found of the king was his armor. My mother, daughter of Spain, Queen Of England.

Unfortunately soon after, my mother suffered a miscarriage. It's here the ladies start to speak in a whisper, saying how my father wasn't happy to have his wife fight a glorious battle, as he's the king, and it is his job. I love my father, he's a great, kind, and godly man. Despite the whispers of a mistress, he still has love in his heart. He still is very kind forgiving to even the lowest of servants.

Once a servant carrying a newly filled jar of liquor, was on his way to the table when he tripped during at a banquet. Falling onto the hem of a ladies skirt, spilling some whine in the process, my father near by got up from his seat helped the lade up, and jokingly said: "Wait, we've got the whole night to be drunk, don't beat us to it." The whole room heartedly laughed and all was forgiven. I was so proud and humbled by this. Jesus washed his disciples feet, showing humbleness, I remember thinking. "This is a true King of England." He regularly visits the sick and prays for them to be well, giving them money to help them get through.

Despite these unbearable stories, my father is always fair and kind. Everyone admires him. He never hesitates to give to the churches, and go on pilgrimage.

He barley raises his voice even when he's visibly upset. He's always stating how proud he is of me, sending random gifts, attached to letters. Telling me how proud he is of my work. He's slept with two ladies so far, but often he sleeps with my Mother. That's a lot more than I can say for half the English court. My mother would scold me, scold my ladies for letting me hear horrible things. Perhaps she's right. Besides, it seems to only put a glum on my ladies faces.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I continue to listen to the priest and pray. Feeling a bit ashamed, I think I'll continue my prayers for another hour.

*

Getting back in time for dinner, a messenger has come, giving my caretaker the letter to read, before it would be given to me. My caretaker and his wife's face lit up, before giving me my letter. Taking into my hands, I remark "Sense you've read MY letter, would you like to tell me what it says?" Their smiles disappeared, then the caretaker of the house was about the say something when I looked down to read my letter. I may be a child, but I was here to learn to govern, a remarkable achievement of any noble birth. By this fact I am more than entitled to read my own letters first if anything.

My mother writes that she will be sending me a new teacher, to further push my abilities In arithmetics. I have no problems with mathematics, but as future ruler I shouldn't waste time and effort while their room for improvement.

*

Brushing my hair before bed, Lady O'Brian sends my ladies maids out, as she'll put me to bed. Really I'm too old for a governess. She should have been sent away when coming here. Given I am here to learn to govern my own province. I am nine years old, I'm not a baby anymore.

I would have spoken against this back at court to my mother, but Lady O'Brian is so kind, and has always been good to me. To be honest I'm grateful she hasn't been sent away. It's only my pride that makes me feel a tad embarrassed. That I believe I got from my father.

*

Mornings I wake, eat breakfast, than off to lessons.

Daily Studies: Mathematics,

Science,

Latin,

French,

Prayer, than

Break for lunch.

Than we go over the province discuss current discussions, me with veto rights, and learn if I make a mistake, how to go about it, and such. This normally I meet with the lord of the land for two hours. Than it's

Music lessons,

Dance lessons,

English,

Reading,

Philosophy, Riding, Lessons on Governance.

Than I am allowed a few hours to read, play or whatever I want to do before dinner. After dinner, me and the ladies go to the chapel and pray before we settle for the night.

*

My mother's gifts have come in. A beautiful leather embroidered book of prayer. It's small, to nicely lay in your lap. Embroidered personally by my mother, I am truly grateful and blessed. I immediately write her a letter, thanking her for her gift, especially thanking her for the reminder.

She is reminding me that even though I am here to learn to govern my on my own, I can't lose sight and know that it is God's will that puts me here, and it is God's will that will lead the way.