Thanks for all the reviews everyone. All your questions will be answered in due time. This chapter takes a rather large time jump. The Great Matter has started but Katherine and Mary still have their official titles even though they're not being honored as such by Henry. Also Kathryn Shelton is a fictional character.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Tudors.
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1527
"The King has informed us of his intent to visit next month in honor of the Princesses birthday." Lady Salisbury announced to Princess Mary and the few ladies that were still here. Mary was impassive, concealing her emotions from all as she had been taught but Salisbury knew she was fighting a storm of emotions.
Some of Mary's more loyal ladies, however, could not hide their irritation. She even thought she saw Jane Seymour, who was one of the sweetest girls, exchange a furious look with Anne Boleyn who's dark eyes were dancing with fire. Salisbury watched them carefully. They were closest to the Princess and she was sure to explode later in private when she was sure she was alone.
Salisbury could see that they were unhappy and rightly so. An unasked question hung in the air. Would she be there? The most despicable of women who was their Princess's biggest enemy.
Three years ago a woman had caught the King's fancy. However she did not submit to be his mistress, wanting more. The king desperately wanting a son, listened to her poison against the Queen and then one year later the King asked for an annulment. Everyone knew it was the fault of that hateful witch, Kathryn Shelton. An annulment would rob Katherine of her rightful title as queen and Mary of being Princess.
Salisbury sighed sending up a silent prayer for the queen. Her nephew was interfering on her behalf but the King seemed to forget everything he had once loved about her. She turned her attention back to her young charge and her faithful ladies. She allowed herself a small smile. If Mary had such loyal and true friends such as Jane Seymour and Anne Boleyn, Kathryn Shelton would have much more troubles to worry about.
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Henry banged his fist on the table. Kathryn, his love, watched him with seductive green eyes. He spared a smile in her direction, forced though it was. He had expected the annulment to have taken less time than it had. He had wanted to be married to Kathryn and expecting their first son by now. But Katherine could not see reason.
Kathryn shook her head. "If it were not for Katherine and the pope defying you then you would have your son by now." He nodded stormily at her words. "I heard you are planning to visit Mary soon and you do not want me to accompany you." She masked it well but there was a challenge in her silky voice.
"I will persuade her to see things the way they are and not to allow her mother to turn her against me. I am only taking some of my household not the whole court." He had not seen his daughter in many years and wished to see how she had grown. He tried to forget the hurt on Katherine's face when she learned she would not see their daughter as well.
"You know as long you treat Mary as your heir no one will think that you are serious. Why do you allow her to remain at Ludlow where the King's heir usually resides if she is illegitimate?" Kathryn purred allowing her fingers to drift along Henry's arm.
Henry thought for a moment of the daughter he had once cherished and loved and that had adored him. It pained him to think she was illegitimate but it was the truth nonetheless. He would be prepared to provide for her lavishly if only she and her mother were not so stubborn. He pushed these thoughts away as Kathryn leaned in for a kiss.
"You are right sweetheart." Kathryn smiled triumphantly and leaned in to press their lips together.
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This was supposed to be a lot longer but oh well. Hope you liked it. R+R please. Thanks for reading.