24 December 1522

Queen Marguerite sat on her throne in the Great Hall watching the scene before her with some concern, Henry was once again dancing with Lady Anne Boleyn, and it gave her concerns for more than one reason. Number one his longtime mistress Bessie Blount had retired to the country, and Marguerite was certain he was looking for another, however, there were more insidious whispers around the court, that the King had finally given up on expecting a son from her after she gave birth to a third daughter earlier this year, and as a result, the King was on the lookout for a new wife.

Unaware or uncaring of his wife's turmoil, King Henry was enjoying his dance with Anne, she was a skilled and graceful dancer, and Henry couldn't help but think they made an excellent pair.

"I heard of the great news from Spain, your sister must be thrilled," said Henry,

"She is, she writes weekly on Prince Philip's progress," replied Anne,

"I cannot help but be envious," said Henry,

"Do not fear you Majesty, I'm sure god will grant you a son," said Anne smiling,

"I hope so," said Henry,

from the other side of the hall, Thomas and Catherine watched their daughter dance with the King with knowing looks on their faces, just a few weeks prior he had approached them, letting them know of his intentions to divorce Margeurite and marry Anne.

They had not informed Anne yet, not wanting her to be disappointed should the King's attempts to divorce the Queen fail.

"I hear you are deserting my court in the New Year," teased the King,

"Oh my lord you wound me, it is simply a family visit, you cannot get rid of so easily," laughed Anne

"Heaven forbid," smiled the King,

01 January 1523

Whitehall

Marguerite walked through the halls of the Palace trying hard to keep her pace steady, Henry had summoned her to his office early that morning and informed her of his intention to divorce her and marry Lady Anne Boleyn. Her worries had proven to be valid, looking up she could the french ambassador running towards her,

"Your Majesty," he said quietly in French, "I feel obliged to warn you that the Emperor has publicly announced his support for his cousin's marriage to the King,"

"What," asked Marguerite, "What grounds are they citing,"

"They are using the argument that you were originally betrothed to the King of Navarre," scowled the Ambassador

"What, but that was broken, was it not, the pope annulled the betrothal," asked Marguerite,

"Do not fear Madam, your brother the King is already sending his best lawyers to Rome," replied the Ambassador

Marguerite nodded,

Madrid

far away from the panicking Queen of England, Anne strolled through the Royal Gardens, with her sister the Holy Roman Empress and cousin Isabella of Portugal who was soon to travel back to England with her to wed George.

"Hopefully our weddings won't be too far apart," said Isabella,

"How are you feeling Bella, wedding our rogue pirate brother," giggled Mary,

Bella grinned, "I think it is so romantic,"

The girls laughed,

Charles meanwhile was staring at a letter from his french counterpart with rage, the french dog had more or less accused his cousin of being a slut and his aunt of being a witch, tearing the letter up into shreds he threw it into the fire.

"How dare he," bellowed the Emperor,

The Ambassador who had delivered the letter looked equally as outraged,

"He is a man with no morals," said the Ambassador stiffly,

"He dares accuse my favourite Aunt of being a witch and my cousin of being a whore," shouted the Emperor, "I will have his head for this insult,"

The Ambassador looked as angry as he was, summoning his secretary he said to the man,

"I want you to find the best lawyers in the Empire, and send them to aid the English lawyers in Rome," he barked,

"Straight away sir," said the man bowing and hurrying off,

01 February 1523

Whitehall

Cardinal Wolsey was a man used to receiving unusual demands from his King, it came with the job, however, when he had received the King's request for an annulment with his wife, the King of France's sister, he required several large goblets of wine to fortify himself before addressing it. The king had suggested that Queen Marguerite's first marriage contract with the King of Navarre had not been properly annulled by the pope, citing the lack of healthy sons as proof that the marriage was cursed. His intended new bride..., the identity of the King's intended new bride was Lady Anne Boleyn, daughter of the Duke of Kent and Catherine of Aragon, cousin to the Emperor and the sister of his wife, a woman who came from a fertile and powerful family.

"How did the meeting go," asked the King staring out of the windows of his study,

"The Pope has accepted the arguments from our lawyers and from those of France, furthermore the Emperor has sent his own experts to aid us," said Wolsey watching the King carefully,

"I am grateful for the Emperor's open support, I hear he was outraged by the comments Francis made about his Aunt and Cousin," replied Henry,

"He was, Majesty," said Wolsey, "I believe he openly said he would have Francis's head on a spike,"

Henry chuckled, "My french counterpart is a fool if this antagonizing the Emperor openly is a good idea,"

"I find people tend to lash out when they know they are backed into a corner," replied Wolsey, "I have had several experts look into the matter, and they have all come to the same conclusions as yourself,"

"They consider my argument valid," asked the King,

"Absolutely, in fact, one of them suggested to the Queen's refusal to admit the truth to herself might have contributed to the lack of sons, along with the curse that comes with laying with another man's wife,"

"My sons with the Queen have all died, my sons with Lady Blount have flourished and thrived," said Henry, "I knew it wasn't my fault,"