"Mama!"
Eleven year-old Mary ran the hall and to her waiting mother, who wrapped her in her arms.
"Hi, baby! How were your lessons?"
"They were okay. I'm glad they're over, though."
"Well, I was thinking, it'd be a shame to waste such a beautiful day inside. How would you like to take a walk with me?"
"Okay! Can Dad come with us?"
"I'm sorry, honey." Catherine said sadly, running her hand through her daughter's hair. "I haven't seen your father all day. He must be busy."
"Oh...alright. That's fine!" Mary responded as she slacked her shoulders.
The two walked together down the hall towards the entrance to the gardens, talking pleasantly until they reached the King's closed bedroom doors.
One of the heavy doors strained open. Anne Boleyn sheepishly poked her head out, her face turning cherry red when she noticed the Queen and Princess. She stepped out into the hall, one of her sleeves slacking and revealing her bare shoulder.
"Your Majesty, Princess...how do you do?"
Mary opened her mouth and made a noise of protest, but Catherine placed her hand on the younger girl's shoulder and interrupted.
"We're fine, thank you. We were just leaving."
"A-alright." Anne responded with an anxious nod as they passed by.
"You can go back in, for all I care." Catherine called back, clasping Mary's hand with an iron grip. "No use in hiding anymore."
Anne shrunk back into the bedroom in shame, the door latching softly as Catherine stormed away to her quarters.
She shut the door behind her and Mary as she sank to her bed in defeat, burying her head in her hands. For Mary's sake, she took a deep breath and looked back up. Her daughter refused to meet her eyes.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, Mary."
"It doesn't matter. I figured that's what Father was spending all his time in there for, anyway."
Catherine shook her head.
"You shouldn't have to worry about things like that."
"Well, when I'm Queen, I'll have more important things to worry about than romantic affairs. I'll be a better leader than father ever was." Mary looked at her mother with a renewed zeal.
"I...I'm sure you would be, sweetheart. But you know, none of these things are certain."
"I know. But if the new baby does turn out to be an heir, we could make some kind of arrangement..."
"I'd like nothing more than to do that for you, Mary. But we'll just have to wait and see, okay?"
The Princess sighed discontentedly. "Alright."
Catherine brushed a lock of hair off of Mary's shoulder and traced her finger gently across her jaw. "Hey. How about we go have that walk? I'm free for the rest of the day, and no one else will be out in the gardens. You can talk to me about whatever you want."
A smile played on Mary's lips.
"Okay."
As they went to head out, Mary grabbed her mother's hand.
"Hey Mom?"
"Yes dear?"
She wrapped her arms around Catherine's waist.
"Thank you."