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"Anne" her father's voice interrupted Anne's thought and she turned to gazed towards her father.
"Father? What a pleasant surprise" said Anne, faking her enthusiasm. She was not in the mood to be lectured and her father often did, especially since she had become Queen.
"I see you are still not with child" Thomas stated, glaring at her empty belly.
Anne sighed and sarcastically responded "Indeed, I am not. How did you figure out something so personal?"
Thomas Boleyn turned to glower at his daughter and snapped "I don't have time for your smart comments, daughter. Catherine has given birth to a son and people are beginning to question the bastard's true lineage. You must provide the King with an heir so the marriage between the Boleyn's and Tudor's could be protected"
Queen Anne countered back "It's 'your majesty' to you, father. You will never speak so impolitely to me ever again. I am your Queen and wife to the King, show me some respect" she hissed.
Thomas Boleyn swallowed his pride "And you must remember how you got there, daught-, your majesty" he quickly corrected himself, hating to do so "Anne, You need to realise the dire situation we have been placed under. You most secure the throne"
"I will, father. It takes time; don't expect it all to happen overnight. Be patient, the King loves me and he will do nothing to harm me"
"The King once loved Catherine" Thomas retorted back.
"When she had been young and beautiful! She is no longer of any threat and the bastard boy is well taken care of, don't fret father." Anne Boleyn turned her head away from her father, hoping he would choose the right decision and leave her presence.
Thomas sighed, contemplating his next move towards his perspicuous daughter. He decided to change the subject to something merrier. "Me and your uncle have a secured a good marriage for George"
Anne beamed "Who do you have in mind?"
"Lady Jane Parker" Thomas replied proudly.
Queen Anne's smile fell "Her? She's too pompous and seems quite immature for her age"
Thomas Boleyn rolled his eyes "Her family's extremely rich and cousins twice removed to the King. She's a perfect match for your brother, George"
Anne Boleyn shook her head "George despises her. He can't stand being in the same room as her"
"He ought to quit acting so stubborn! She's a fine lady with a well-connected family."
"He won't. He loathes Jane Parker. George had told me hateful rumors about Jane Parker many times." countered Anne, picking up a marvelous pearled mirror and inspecting her appearance.
"Why am I cursed with such tenacious children? Mary goes off marrying some low born knight and my only son refuses to be married!" Thomas took a deep breath and heaved in disappointment.
"Mary brought shame to this family by marrying a man below her station. Don't compare George and Mary together. George would never bring such dishonour to our family." Said Queen Anne, anger seeping in her voice. Her sister had greatly angered herself and her husband by marrying William Stafford. Her shameful action had resulted in Mary's banishment from court.
"Yes, yes. It's much better for her to remain in the country. Mary can be quite troublesome, talking about Mary's… I have heard Mary Tudor had finally agreed to accept your marriage to the King as lawful." Smirked Thomas Boleyn, greatly happy to have such a difficult task achieved.
"Indeed, Lady Mary has finally decided to give her right to the throne up. It took some time but sending her to the tower was most definitely worthwhile" muttered Anne, brushing her dark curls in swift motions.
Thomas Boleyn couldn't hide the shock from his expression "That was you?! You had her sent to the tower?" he gasped.
Queen Anne frowned "Most definitely not! But with a little persuasion to the King, he had sent Mary to the tower."
The new Earl sighed and scratched his white beard "You mustn't do such trivialities, Anne. Making new enemies is the least of our needs"
"I know father" she beamed, wanting the subject to close to an erupt end.
Anne kissed her father on his wrinkled forehead. "Oh, I must show you my new jewels the King has sent me! Come this way father…" she took her father by his hand and pulled him towards her private chamber to present her newly acquired treasures.
Rain thumped on the roof of the shaking, unsteady wooden carriage. Water pelted on the sides of the carriage as if hard rocks were being hailed on the walls. The mud stuck harshly onto the large, rounded wheels and it had almost made it impossible to pull but the four large horses had managed to pull the heavy carriage as if it was a mere cart.
Maria pulled the third wool blanket tightly around her shaking, stiff body. She had made sure to keep young Arty close to her warm bosom so the young babe would not catch fever. Maria was deeply glad the babe was sound asleep as she did not want to deal with a crying child in her hands. The unidentified escorts had not fully told her where in the country they were being sent to just the simple word "North" was the only identification she got of the place her captors were taking her.
The only company she had been allowed to take with her was the wet nurse. No maids, servants, cooks or any other were permitted to accompany her on the journey. At first it had been disastrous to think of how she would be able to survive in the company of only a wet nurse but she had remembered of the gold that the man who called himself Charles gave her and for the first time was glad of the money that had been gifted to her by the handsome nobleman. It had been a kind generosity that would benefit both Arthur and her. She had planned to hire a few maids to help her with the cleanliness and purchase a few new clothes for little Arty.
Maria peered through the tiny window and gazed at the dark woods covered in wet, dripping rain. It was extremely soggy outside the carriage and she could see tiny beads of water dripping for the corners of timber walls. The wet nurse across from her was sleeping soundly but not too long ago she had been hysterical about traveling at night through the forest. She had claimed wild beasts would attack us in the mid of night and witches prowled through the dark woods, looking for young children to eat for immortality. Maria had laughed at the fright of the woman and reassured her that they were quite safe and the only trouble we'll be facing is from the man escorting us to felltern castle. But strangely, Maria had become frightened of the dark and as she slept, dreams of cackling witches and large wolves preyed through her mind. It seemed in both worlds she had been living a nightmare.
"Ambassador Chapuys, There is some information I wish to acquire" stated Mary, as she gripped Chapuys arm. The two friends strode comfortable through the tiny garden of Hudson house. The lush green maple trees over towered the two small humans clad in expensive dark, black clothes in mourning for the late Queen, Catherine of Aragon.
"What do you wish to know, Lady Mary?" acquired Chapuys, curious what the young girl wished to know.
"Where is my… younger brother residing?" she inquired, shuffling through the turf grass while slightly holding her dark black silky gown so it would not get grass or dirt stains.
Ambassador Chapuys frowned, creasing his eyebrows. "The King had recently transferred the young boy away from Kimbolton. He had not stated the exact location but the King was known to have mentioned the north."
Lady Mary stopped in her tracks "The North? That is no place for a youngling."
Chapuys sighed "Yes, not for a royal blood but many children grow up in the North"
The young lady Mary scowled "That witch, Boleyn, has convinced him with her witch craft. My father would never..." she trailed, lost in her thoughts.
Ambassador Chapuys knew the hatred that Mary had felt for Anne Boleyn for replacing her mother as Queen but he recognized that Anne was not responsible for the young boy's disposal. Everyone in the council was witness to the King's words and proclamation.
"Anne Boleyn wasn't the one who signed for your brother to be transferred from Kimbolton."
Mary looked thoroughly shocked by his words "What are you trying to say, Chapuys?"
Inhaling, The Ambassador began "Your father clearly pronounced his intention to send the young boy to the North without Anne present. I hate to discourage you but Anne had certainly not been there to persuade him"
Lady Mary closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of fresh maple "It's hard to believe your father would be the one to put such cruelty in their own child."
Ambassador Chapuys placed a reassuring hand on her thin shoulders. "Your father is most certainly not a saint, my lady. He's simply a man in dire need of an legitimate, male heir."
"My fathers far from a saint. He refuses to have me attend mother's funeral! Her burial! The last chance for me to say good bye" cried Mary, she refused the let tears drops from her eyes and had promised herself to not show any more weakness to her allies but some days were deemed too hard to bear.
After a few moments of silence Mary muttered "Oh why am I such an emotional wreck?"
Chapuys tried to give an uplifting smile "Don't agonise yourself, my lady. You have many supporters within court. I could easily obtain the information for your younger brother whereabouts"
Mary felt a small tingle of confidence seep through her bones "Thank you, Chapuys. I would not have any self-control without you."
Ugh, boring chapter... sorry next chapter is going to have much more drama!
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