Note Well
May 1521, Tower of London
You would think that with his wife 5 months pregnant, it would show for something. Maybe he had been too abrasive, too ambitious. But did he regret any of it? No, The throne was rightfully his by birthright. That disgraceful usurper did not deserve to be on that throne, gallivanting around his whores, and signing a new treaty with the French or Spanish every other month. There was no order.
One thing that the Duke of Buckingham would admit as he stood upon the platform to die was that he was scared shitless. He was scared of death and he did not want to die. At least the crowd was sympathetic.
"Do you forgive me?" The executioner asked, but it was not as if Buckingham had a choice, it was the King that ordered his execution.
The priest approached the terrified man, "Your grace must lie down." Yet, Edward Stafford made no move to get down. So the two guards forced the sobbing man down.
As the tearful man raised his head he saw his sobbing daughters and realized that only one was married and his two youngest were still maidens. He would have his young widow set matched for them.
Since the disgraced Duke was still holding onto the block, Anthony Knivert, a King's pimp, forced Buckingham's out giving the executioner the signal to proceed.
Seconds later and the deed was done.
June, 1521
"Let's rehearse again, everybody." The main hall of Whitehall had been currently preoccupied for the past week. The Spanish envoys would be at court any day now.
Hiding behind the entrance of the main hall was a golden-haired girl with a medium sized bump protruding from her belly. The pregnant widow could tell that the court's Master of Dance was frustrated by the less noble pageantry.
In their defense, the short, flamboyant man was intimidating and scary when he was angry. This did not make the entire ordeal any less entertaining for the Duchess. It was the only form of entertainment she could get these days.
"Concentrate, please," As the director yelled, the commotion died down, "Ready, everybody? Attack!" However, no one moved as instructed, only the flute began to play. Everyone looked lost, despite this being the fifth rehearsal in three days.
So Cornish had to push them again, "Well, go on! Attack!"
The men consisting of guards, standard bearers, and other servants rushed to break the gate. One guard fell, as a result, while another shot his gun, the bullet a chair meant for an envoy.
The hidden blonde was dying of laughter.
"That's enough, everybody." The director tried to diffuse the commotion. "Stop!" Then everyone froze in their positions, "Have you any idea of the cost of this production? Do you truly imagine His Majesty will be happy to spend a small fortune on such a large shambles? Who fired that musket ball?"
"I think I did, Mr. Cornish, sir." The poor Irish guard answered truthfully.
"Will you forgive the poor man, Master Cornish?" A sweet and feathery angelic voice interrupted the confrontation and then a short but pudgy figure appeared from the shadows.
The Master of Dance found himself red and embarrassed at his outrage when he tried around to find the Duchess of Buckingham, "Your Grace," The man bowed down but not without signaling the stupefied and confused participants to do so as well.
Chastity Wolsey moved forward to be in front of the dancing master and her beauty shined throughout.
"How is the production going, Master Cornish?" The girl's eyes gleamed as she admired the entire fort. Even though she had witnessed more grand productions in her lifetime, this would be the first one she'd see in 6 months.
"Well," The man sighed and looked around hopelessly around, "I hope that with the presence of the King and other truer born nobles that the pageant will hold more grace and class than these imbeciles."
The pregnant girl giggled, "Yes, well, I must leave. I do not want to get the child too excited. Enjoy the rest of your day, Master Cornish, everyone." As the petite, pregnant duchess left the hall and the remnants of her blue-gold gown trailed behind her.
Once she was out of sight, the red-faced director turned to the awaiting audience, and yelled, "Well, again!"
"The emperor sends his best wishes to the king." Senor Mendoza told Sir Thomas Moore as him and his fellow envoy, Eustace Chapuys traveled to St. James Palace to meet with the famed Cardinal Wolsey.
"We are most grateful to you, for coming to welcome us in person." Chapuys thanked the pious man gratefully.
"No, it's my honor." Moore responded, "His Majesty regards your visit as a thing of the great moment."
"When shall we have an audience with His Majesty?" Chapuys questioned curiously.
"Let me advise Your Excellencies on this there's only one way to reach the king's ear and that is through the good offices of Cardinal Wolsey," Moore warned.
"We heard some rumors, Mr. More that the cardinal advocates French interests."
"Only when he considers them to be in ours." Moore defended is peer diplomatically.
"Then why did he marry his daughter to the traitor Buckingham?" Chapuy inquired.
Moore's eyes widened and he paused for a moment, "Yes, he did. There is no denying that. The cardinal did believe that the Duke's treasonous beliefs would die by giving his daughter to him. At least now with the lady as a pregnant widow, I can assure you that the Buckinghams will not be a threat to the realm for a long time." The envoys were pleased with this reasoning.
"You have found means to put my niece before the king? Norfolk was skeptical of his brother-in-law." It was the day before the pageant, and Thomas Boleyn was invited to his brother-in-law's, Norfolk's, castle to make sure that their plans were still in motion.
"Yes, Your Grace. It's already arranged." Boleyn confirmed excitedly, "Anne is to appear in the pageant for the Spanish envoys."
"As is the king." The Duke noted
"She will find a way to draw his attention."
"Good. Once she opens her legs for him she can open her mouth and denounce Wolsey. They do say that the sharpest blades are sheathed in the softest pouches."
"But does Chasity Wolsey not have a soft pouch." If Boleyn was good for something it was his ability to question everything. "Some would say even the most charitable."
"Never mind the Wolsey bitch, Boleyn. She is pregnant, so she is no longer a virgin, no longer pure, which is his majesty wants them. Once we get Anne in front of him, he will forget about her and hopefully get rid of them all." Norfolk proceeded to follow his dogs into the woods.
"His Eminence, Cardinal Wolsey, and the Spanish ambassadors, Mendoza and Chapuys." A page announced. The group of important men descended down from the stairs into the great hall and were applauded by the court.
"My lady, are you sure we should be here?" the worried Jane whispered to her mistress, as Chastity, her sister, and herself were hiding behind a column near Thomas Boleyn. The pregnant Duchess, nodding, beamed at her worried lady-in-waiting.
However, they were not supposed to be at the pageant, Wolsey forbade it. Everyone at court was still sensitive to Buckingham's treason and parading his pregnant widow would not shine the English court in a positive light. Besides, Wolsey wanted to ensure that his youngest child could carry her child full-term.
"Sweet Jane, there is no need to worry. Our lady knows what she's doing." The older Beaufort sister fanned herself while jokingly reprimanding her sister.
The Graces now appeared and Chasity was in awe, "I wish I could be in this pageant."
"My lady you are with child," Jane laughed her young mistress.
The men came, "Which grace do you wish to be, my lady?" Catherine saw how in awe her mistress was and wanted to know what was going on in that pretty head of her's.
Cornish then appeared waving his limp sword around, he was dressed in a red cape, "Ardent Desire, I demand you release your prisoners."
"As Lady Scorn, I laugh at your desires." A brunette lady in black said haughtily.
"These men are noble lords."
"No, they're just men dressed up."
"I say it again, release these fair damsels that you keep so cruelly."
"Never."
"Then you give us no choice but to attack and breach your defenses."
"No knight shall ever breach mine." Another lady said in an implying manner.
From this altercation, Chasity knew the answer to her head lady-in-waiting's question, "Deception."
"Lady, Desire overcomes all. Attack!" The leader of the men yelled, allowing the men to pick their partners.
Both sisters looked at each other in disbelief and then to their mistress, "Who do you plan on deceiving, sweet lady?" Catherine asked Chastity with a slight giggle.
"I don't know, but when the time comes I want to be able to deceive someone before they deceive me."
"As you wish my lady," Catherine then smiled to appeased her lively mistress. Once the noble ladies and men started dancing it did not take long for the hidden trio to notice how the King had his sights on Perseverance.
"Do you think his majesty is in love?" The younger Beauford inquired.
"No, his majesty does not fall in love-"
"Lust, yes." The older Beauford cut off Chastity.
"Cat!" Jane tried to remind her sister of her place.
But their lady did not mind, "It is alright, Jane. His majesty falls in lust. We'll just have to wait and see how long this affair lasts."
"Well, the longer it lasts the less famished is the king," Jane spoke out.
By this time, the pageant was done, but for some reason, Master Cornish came to Thomas Boleyn.
"Thank you, Master Cornish." The ambitious courtier gave the Master of Dance what seemed to be a pouch full of coin.
"I'm very grateful to you, Sir Thomas." The shorter man bowed his head and then left feeling pleased with himself.
"My lady, we must go now." Jane began to pull Chastity away. Sir Thomas Boleyn turned to meet the eyes of a hooded figure which was sure Chastity Wolsey. She and her ladies left in a hurry, and even if Thomas Boleyn was happy about getting his daughter noticed by the King, was more fearful of the Wolsey. He knew that they had to get rid of her more than ever now.
"How is the child?" With her heavy Spanish accent, the Queen asked. This was a rare occasion for both of the women sitting across each other. Queen Katherine of Aragon and Chastity Wolsey each dinner for leisure. Just because Chastity was Katherine's lady-in-waiting does not mean that they enjoyed their time together.
When Katherine could, she would have the girl away her from at all cost. The Queen believed that Chastity was a plant for her father and when she came of age she would be a mistress for the King, obviously, not all of that was true. Now that the girl was pregnant, with no husband and no permission to roam around the court as freely as she once did, you could say that the English Queen felt sympathy for the Wolsey.
"Good, your majesty. The baby gets quite excited during the early morning and sometimes towards the evening, which is nice because I have an excuse to stay up. It is quite strong though. Now I have the strongest affinity for salmon and potatoes." The golden blonde was glowing as she spoke about the child in her womb. Katherine couldn't help to reminisce about the times she carried Mary and even her first-born.
Chastity noticing the Queen's solemn eyes attempted to lighten the mood, "Is your majesty happy that the Spanish envoys have come. I know you haven't been home in a long time, so having the opportunity to get a bit of it is always nice. Especially with all the French influence."
Katherine grinned, "Yes, I am very happy. I cannot wait to see my nephew, the Emperor. I only wish that he wrote more often."
"I'm sure his majesty is a very busy man. I mean he has his new states to look over, the Germans with Lutherans, and the French..." Chastity cheeks reddened.
Katherine smiled, admiring the girl's intelligence with politics, "Yes, exactly."
Before the pair could delve further into their conversation, Anne a lady-in-waiting stepped into the chambers and curtsied, "Madam, the King is here."
Katherine's eyes widened, "Oh, of course." She stood as the regal and graceful queen she was.
Chastity stilled, to say her relationship with Henry had become awkward was an understatement. Ever since Buckingham's execution, for Chastity's sake, Wolsey had kept the King busy and so the pair had not met in a month.
"Husband." Katherine greeted.
"Wife," Henry was going to continue his conversation with his wife when he caught wind of the billowing golden locks of his favorite, but recently estranged, Wolsey, "My lady Buckingham, I trust you are well?"
Chastity curtsied and avoided his eyes by looking towards his chest, "Yes your majesty, my child and I are well." With the mention of the child in her womb, Henry couldn't help but look at the medium-sized but protruding belly of his dear friend and something in him moved.
"Good," He turned to Katherine's awaiting expression, "I will leave you to continue, please." Henry slightly nodded his head and with his small entourage of servants left.
As Thomas Boleyn bowed to his Majesty, a noticeably pregnant Chastity Wolsey went out further into the courtyard.
"Ah, Chastity, there you are."
The duchess curtsied, "Yes, here I am," Then she turned to the now stone-faced Boleyn, "Sir Thomas."
"Your Grace." Thomas Boleyn slightly bowed in respect of the King.
"Sir Thomas, we shall speak later. You may go." Now with his beloved friend in his presence, the King did not mind the ambitious white-haired courtier.
"What has your majesty in such a happy mood?" Chastity asked bluntly.
"Am I not allowed to be happy, dear Chas?" Henry laughed.
"You are allowed to, your Majesty, but you never are, at least not in recent times."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, you did execute the father of my child."
"Chastity," Henry groaned, as he believed that she had forgotten the whole ordeal.
"But it is no worry," The pregnant girl moved to sit on the ground, "Come sit." She patted the spot next to her left.
The King relented and laid down on the girl's lap, "Is the child well?"
"Why does everyone continue to ask?" Chastity huffed.
"Because the first pregnancy for a woman is very dangerous, you should be very careful. Trust me, I should know."
The allusion of losing children to which the King was talking about made Chastity more sympathetic, "I hope I did not offend your majesty?"
"No, never. But are you hungry?" Henry sat up.
"Starving."
"Alright," Henry signaled to the closest servant to prepare a picnic, "James!"
It was a late night, and Joan Wolsey had finally got to spend some quality time with her partner and express to Thomas her fears, "I'm worried about you, my love. You work too hard." She stressed as she massaged his back.
"I know that." The cardinal claimed.
"It will kill you." She threatened to force emotion.
"I know that too."
"And if you're not careful you bring our children down with you."
This caused Wolsey to paused and moment and look back at the mother of his children, "What am I supposed to do?"
"Stay alive."
"Do you notice something, Cat?"
"Mhhmmm, what?" Since Chastity was spending some time with her mother and sister, the two Beauford were given the free will to roam around court. They chose to watch the arrival of the Queen's new ladies-in-waiting.
"Look to the brunette at the end of the line, not dressed like as other ladies." Jane pointed out to her sister from the balcony.
"Yes, what of it?"
"Doesn't she look familiar? She was Perseverance at the pageant. The King's partner."
This notice caused the elder sister to look on a bit harder and brows frowned at the realization that her sister was right, "Yes, Jane, that is her. The question is who is she and why has she become a ladies maid to the Queen?"
In a month, much had occurred: the Spanish Emperor came to court, Princess Mary became engaged to the Emperor, Princess Mary's, the King's sister, engagement to the King of Portugal was announced, and most importantly the relationships between the King and Duchess of Buckingham had been repaired. They would spend at least an hour of the day together.
So it would make sense why on this rather hot and humid day that Henry would prefer to spend his time with Chastity.
Henry couldn't take this heat any longer, so he poured water on himself, "Damn this weather."
Chastity smiled and shook her head, "At least you could do that, all I can do is loosen my garments."
"You're right," Henry laid back in his chair, at the table of his chambers, while Chastity sat on the table.
While the pair continued to enjoy each other's presence, Sir Williams Hey's the King's jeweler appeared in the room with a pouch, "Mr. Heys, do you have those pieces I asked for?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." The older man then places the cloth on the table, before his majesty. Chastity carefully slid off the table and besides the King's chair to inspect the exquisite jewels.
"One, rubies set in circlets of gold. A second, a precious stone upon a bed of gold and pearl. Third, small and large drops of pearl, with gold and purple and the detail of a lion's head. And lastly, feathers of silver, gold, and amber. Jewels fit for a queen, Your Majesty." Mr. Hey's described the jewels—and they were.
These jewels were fit for a Queen, which puzzled Chastity even further because the Queen would have been parading the gifts given to her by the Ling and Henry would just let Chastity pick out her own gifts, which garnered the question, "Who are these for?"
Henry was about to answer when he remembered that it was not only the two of them, "Thank you for your service, Mr. Heys, you are free to leave."
Once the jeweler left, Henry turned to Chastity and responded, "Anne Boleyn."
"Anne Boleyn?" Chastity had to think for a moment, "Mary Boleyn's sister and Thomas Boleyn's daughter?" She couldn't hide her disbelief.
"Yes, yes, yes." Henry just sighed, doing nothing to ease the pregnant girl's worries.
"Those Boleyn's sure are ambitious." Chastity rubbed her belly and murmured.
The King only stood up to Chastity's side, since he was in such a happy mood he let the comment go, "She's just a girl." Henry pressed his lips to Chastity forehead, and carried her to his bed, with her squealing, "You need to rest, my lady."
Hey you guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and you haven't already, check out my other x OC fic Fiat Lux!
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