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All her belongings had been carefully folded and cramped into large luggages. Mary wore a dark black gown signifying herself in mourning. Even though her mother had died two months ago she continued to wear black garmets.

Chapuys stood behind his lady, clearing his throat in preparance to begin a conversation.

"Do you think it wise to wear an mourning gown in front of his majesty?" he inquired.

"My father excepts a dutiful daughter and so I shall be… to my mother who has recently died and also to him by respecting his wishes in becoming apart of Elizabeth's household." Mary murmured, grasping Chapuys arm as he led her towards the carriage.

As the footman caught sight of the nobility, he immediately opened the carriage door and ushered the two inside.

Mary sat comfortably on the pillowed seat and Chapuys relaxed his straining back on the wall of their carriage ride.

"We are destined to arrive at Hampton in two nights" The ambassador claimed.

Mary took a deep breath and gazed out the carriage window, eyeing the green pastures that the carriage passed.

Chapuys noticed a shift in the atmosphere and asked "What ever is the matter?"

She sighed "I'm frightened of what is to happen. I don't believe I have the will power to face the court after all that had transpired"

Mary thought of all the humiliations she had been forced to take by her father. She was no longer titled a princess but a mere, simple lady. She had the blood of two powerful monarchs and yet Mary was a bastard. By law she was next in line to the throne but the daughter of merchant descendants was to take her place.

It was all unfair. Completely and utterly unfair.

Chapuys put on a comforting smile and replied "There is nothing to be frightened of, My lady. You mustn't waver from your beliefs."

"And I will not" Mary said "I will fight with every fibre of my body to not appear weak. I refuse to see that harlot satisfied."

Chapuys nodded, agreeing with her words "Indeed, you must remain strong."

She beamed and began to feel much more confident then earlier.

2 days later…

I'm the granddaughter of Isabella of Castille. My blood runs with Christendom's most powerful monarchs… I shall never let my weakness show in front of my enemies… I must be strong… strong…

Mary repeated those thoughts in her head over and over until she began to feel confidence grow. But the very moment she stepped out of the carriage and gazed at the red wall of Hampton she once again felt the nervous emotion overshadow her mind.

Her whole body began to shake but the man who came to greet her, mistook her shaking from the cold air.

"My lady" the courtier bowed "I'm here to welcome you back to Hampton"

Mary nodded in acknowledement, stretching her aching bones from the long journey.

Ambassador Chapuys crookedly stood upright, grabbing Mary's arm to direct her towards her chambers.

She was glad to find her chamber luxuriously decorated and located far from the gossips of court. Mary felt like a tiny pea in her vast room, her room in Hudson was much smaller.

A young woman came to greet Mary and bowed at her prescense.

"My names Catherine Bury, I'm to be your new lady-in-waiting" the dirty blonde muttered.

Mary smiled as she learned the woman's name and thanked the lady for her service.

She had almost forgotten Chapuys continued to remain in her privy chamber, Mary turned towards him and asked

"When am I to see my father?"

Chapuys looked thoughtful "His majesty has invited us to dine in tonights feast"

Mary furrowed her eyebrows "In private?" she inquired.

The ambassador shook her head and responded "No, it's to be a public event"

"Pleasant…" Mary murmured, hating her father and his whore wife by the minute.

Chapuys heaved a deep breath but before he could say anything in reassurance, an male chamberlain entered and rudely interrupted the two.

"The King seeks your audience, your excellency" he said, gazing right towards Chapuys.

The ambassador frowned and dismissed the servant.

"If you excuse me, Lady Mary. I will see you at the feast" voiced Chapuys, despising himself that he hadn't yet mentioned the Mary about her Aunt's death. She had yet to know and he foolishly kept that information hidden.

Mary understood the importance of being an Ambassador and its duties so without further ado, Chapuys swung the door open and hurriedly left.

The spanish ambassador grew weary as he wondered what the King wished of him, Chapuys neared the King's privy chamber and walked inside. King Henry like usual was surrounded by Charles Brandon and a few other campanions. Surprisingly, Anne Boleyn was not present.

"Your majesty" Chapuys stiffly bowed.

Henry turned toward him and smirked "Your excellency… it's been a while since I've last saw you. I've heard you've spent recent company with the Lady Mary"

Ambassador Chapuys responded "Yes, Your majesty I have."

"I'd prefer you to remain at court" said King Henry.

"Whatever your majesty commands…" replied Chapuys taking the moment to gaze around the chamber. Charles Brandon dressed in an dark black attire and wore a somber expression on his face. It was clear that the death of his wife was a hard blow to him.

"I have a question for you but we must speak in private" Henry gazed at the man who sat around him on the long table, without needing to be told twice the councilman disappeared out the door. Chapuys noted that Charles left more quicker then the others, most likely due to his grief and mourning.

After they had all left, Henry cleared his throat "My daughter is to be apart of the Princess Elizabeth household"

"The Lady Mary is aware of that, your majesty" the ambassador responded.

"Good, there is more… I've received many proposals to the Lady Mary including to the dauphin of France"

Chapuys almost chocked on his own tongue, their proposal had long ago being exterminated but Chapuy's still remembered how the Lady Mary had pushed the young prince after he refused to kiss her. It was a joyful sight to the Spanish who greatly despised the French.

"But when I asked King Francis for his son to take Elizabeth's hand in marriage, the man bluntly refused… tell me why is that?" Henry inquired, his expression calm but his eyes shining in fury.

"Lady Mary is of closer age to the dauphin…" Chapuys responded, praying those words were enough to cool down the soon-to-be-coming Tudor temper.

"Unfortunately, that is not what the King said… he claimed Elizabeth was an bastard and a descendant of mere commoners" Henry fumed, his expression contorted in anger.

Chapuys felt like hot oil was being spilled down his ears, the ambassador did not know how to respond back except for apologize.

"I don't need your apologizes, Ambassador!" King Henry snapped "But I require your assistance in keeping watch of Mary… she's a troubled, stubborn girl who may plan something extraordinary reckless against the crown and me! I simply ask is for you to keep my daughter on close watch. Any suspicious behaviour will immediately be reported to me"

Chapuys head was spinning with questions. The King had just requested of him to spy on the Lady Mary! It was absolutely berserk for the Ambassador to do such a sinful, trival task. He knew that if Chapuys openly disregarded the King, he would officially be branded an supporter of the papal regime and openly disobey the King.

The Spanish Ambassador dipped his head in obedience and responded "Yes, your majesty. I will keep an open eye on your daughter"

Henry smirked and gently patted him on the cheek "Good! You are dismissed"

Chapuys bowed and hurried out of the chamber. He had to warn the Lady Mary but also make sure that she would not bluntly keep contact with any of her Catholic supporters or she would find herself in great danger.

Mary observed her appearance in the large mirror before her. She wore a black and red dress, symbolic to the Tudor colours and her lady servant, Catherine, had combed her hair in an tight bun. Taking a deep breath, Mary played her most calm expression but her exterior quickly fell as the bundle of butterflies once again danced in her belly.

Mary was beyond nervous. How must she act when she is reunited with her father? Cry and embrace the man who caused her such grief?

The worst of all, she did not want to see the smug, victorious Queen Anne or her harlot daughter.

Mary smoothed the crinkles on her silk dress, wondering what took Chapuys so long.

She continued to gaze at her appearance until someone finally had arrived to escort her to the feast.

Mary turned at the stranger and beamed as she caught sight of Eustace Chapuys.

"Thank the lord, you've arrived. I would not be able to survive this ordeal without you" she cried.

The ambassador looked quire grim but Mary's relief to have Chapuys at her side had her forget of his odd demeanor.

"I will be escorting you to the feast" Chapuys smiled, offering his arm to Mary.

Mary felt frightened and a tad bit sick, but she nether the less grasped his arm.

As the two companions paced through the corridors, Mary held her head high like a true Princess would behave. None had noticed her prescence in the hallways until they both were close to the entryway of the court room. Immediately all the courtiers were bowing and muttering her title

"Lady Mary"

Mary forced a smile on her face as she entered the enormous and familiar court room. Taking deep breaths, she reminded herself who she was, an daughter of the King of England. Mary gazed up towards the throne and stared straight into her fathers brown eyes, her eyes. Beside him, his whore wife sat but Mary refused the recognize her.

"Your majesty" she curtisesed.

"Welcome back to court, Mary. It has been a long time since I last saw you, you've grown into a fine, young lady" her father beamed but all Mary felt was numb from her toes to her neck.

"I thank you, father." responded Mary, her eyes wandering at her father's unshaved beard.

She could feel the leering eyes of Anne Boleyn inspecting her but she continued to not pay attention to the King's whore. If that witch truly expected her to bow at her feet, she was very, very mistaken.

"I hope you find your accommodations well?" the King questioned.

Mary nodded and once again thanked her father for her marvellous chambers at court, keeping note to appear joyful and happy.

Henry continued "Come sit, Mary. It's time for the feast"

She beamed and walked toward the empty chair next to her father seat, bluntly ignoring Anne who sat a couple feet away. Thankfully, Her father did not note the rudeness and continued drinking liquor.

The feast went smoothly and not a single soul bothered her. After a half an hour, Mary became comfortable and cheerfully chatted with one of the Queen's lady in waiting. She was also invited to dance by many courtiers and accepted each and every one of them.

Mary once again felt confident and remained beaming at every single person she cast eyes upon.

After Mary had observed every figure in the large room, she began to wonder where her father's most trusted companion, Charles Brandon had gone. She had heard from Chapuys that he was the last man her mother had conversed with and he most likely had seen her brother. Mary was very interested in having a lengthy conversation with the man.

"Your majesty…" murmured Mary, turning a crimson red as Henry pried his attentions to his daughter.

"Thank you for arranging this marvelous banquet and for also inviting me back to court!" Mary beamed, showering flatteries to her father so he would continue to believe Mary was an obedient, dutiful daughter.

Her father grinned and responded "It's a pleasure to have you back, daughter."

Mary nodded, leaving an awkward silence between the two. After a moment of quiet, Mary cleared her throat and asked "Father, I do not meant to pry but I've been wondering why Charles Brandon has yet to appear?"

Henry's face turned sullen and Anne stiffened as the King slammed his goblet on the table.

The noise was loud but not loud enough to get the attention of the whole court.

Immediately regretting her word, Mary apologized.

Henry shook his head and muttered "I'm not angry, Mary. But I'm surprised you haven't heard about your Aunt Margaret demise"

Mary furrowed her eye brows and replied "No I have not…" suddenly panic overcame her and she enquired "Is she well?"

Her father sighed "Your Aunt's dead, Mary."

Mary was frozen with shock. Her Aunt Margaret, another important family figure was dead.

"God bless her soul…" Mary breathed, her body grew warm and she began to feel out of place. A nagging emotion begged her to leave and she followed her instinct.

"Apologies, your majesty… I do not feel well…" without wasting anymore time, Mary hurried out of the chamber. The noble men and woman alike watched her leave. She did not let her emotion fall from her facade. Until the second she stepped inside her private chamber and Mary weeped an rainstorm.

King Henry watched his daughter's departure feeling sick to the gut. She must be in total denial to behave so suddenly. Guilt stabbed him in the heart but like always, he pushed the weak feelings away and drank another goblet of wine to fuse his quarrelling thoughts.

His country despised Anne, referring to the woman as a Witch who had seduced the King. All of Christendom called his wife the King's concubine and his daughter, Elizabeth a bastard. But it no longer was once again pregnant and this time, Henry was convinced it would be his long awaited son and heir! By god, he deserved a male heir and yet he had been deprived of one for so long. Why of all King's was he so cursed?

There were days when he would lie in his large canopy bed and think of the boy Catherine had birthed. Henry doubted the child was his but there were days when he might've believed the boy was his own flesh and blood.

But it was impossible! Catherine was an old, aging woman who had been barren for years. There was no way she would be able to carry a child full-term. During those sleepless night's, Henry would find himself drinking heavy amounts of liquor until he felt the wooziness to pass out.

Anne who sat delicately and straight-spines beside her husband smirked at Mary's fleeing figure. The girl was a nuicanse and could one day be the subject to her ruin! Paranoia continued to build inside Anne every day as she would play with her young and most beautiful daughter. Mary was an most likeable candidate for the English throne and Queen Anne was frightened of Mary's spanish influence.

By god, that Spanish offspring could be the doom of her! Anne tried to reassure her paranoia by reminding herself the girl was proclaimed illegitimate and yet Anne still worried.

Elizabeth was nothing but a mere, fragile babe and Mary could easily overpower her own daughter's claim to the throne. Mary's Spanish allies would most likely back up her claim and Anne had no powerful supporters. She had tried to ally with the French but they had bluntly and cruelly refused.

But Anne was currently with child and this infant would most definitely be the King's son. She could feel it in her bones. Her son will have the strength of a thousand man and the wisdom of an Physician! Queen Anne took a gulp of the sweet goat milk that would help her boy grow strong while silently celebrating with herself.

Her son would be King and if not him, then her only hope would be Elizabeth. Anne Boleyn knew deep in her heart that her daughter was meant for greatness.

If only Elizabeth was a boy. A son.

First of all, I want to apologize for the very, very late chapter. I have no good excuse except for my laziness.

Also, I have a few grammar errors in this chapter so I apologize for that also if you happen to spot one or a couple.

Thanks for all the reviews! It's great to hear all of your insights and idea.

You guys are awesome. :)