The sun was warm on Annabelle's face as she sat in the gardens watching animals and birds. Flowers were already in bloom. The roses were especially gorgeous. As a young girl her father had taught her the meaning of many flowers. He showed her what they stood for. The deep red roses in front of her meant one thing. Unconscious beauty. But how anything in the court of Henry VIII was an unconscious beauty she didn't know. Everyone seemed to know how wonderful they looked. It irritated her deeply how people would strut around like they were the King or Queen. She hated how desperate women were for the attention of Harry and Charlie both.

They were hers. Always had been. Annabelle sighed and went to pick one of the roses. Pain shot through her finger. When she pulled it up for closer inspection blood was already trickling out of a small wound. Anna sucked on it to get the bleeding to stop. She was not like other women. She didn't pass out at the first sign of blood. If she did so how could she possibly make it through her monthly cycle? It would be impossible at most. Antagonizing at the least.

Anna walked on continuing her flower watch. Bees buzzed around annoyingly. She never liked the things since Charles had made one sting her. She chuckled quietly at the old memory. Times had changed though. They had changed. Nothing was the same because they weren't the same. An unfortunate thing but a part of life. People, like flowers, grew and bloomed into something new all the time. Her stomach grumbled as she continued along her path.

"You must be hungry."

Annabelle turned at the sound of Henry's voice. A broad smile broke out over her face. "Not really. I've been hungrier." Memories from a dark winter rose up in her mind. She pushed them away impatiently. "Congratulations Harry."

Henry looked confused for a moment. "Oh, Mary. Thank you Anna." He put his arms behind his back and kept pace with Annabelle easily.

"How have you been Harry?"

"Good. Yourself?"

It went on like this for several minutes. Both of them were avoiding what they really wanted to talk about. The proposal. Before Henry had married Katherine he had begged his mother to talk to Henry VII about letting him marry Annabelle one day. He was young and despised the thought of marrying someone he didn't know the way Arthur was having to do. His father had actually agreed. But then Arthur died and the King wanted to keep the prestige and dowry of a Spanish marriage.

"Things could have been different." Henry found himself saying.

"Pardon?" Annabelle examined a daisy carefully, not wanting to meet the King's blue eyed gaze.

"You could have been Katherine."

Anna shook her head. "I'm not though. Harry, I'm sure she is a wonderful woman. Be content."

"How can I be content when I have no sons?"

"What is with you men and your bloody sons?" Anna burst out. "Do you know how often I heard my father say, 'if I had a son.'? It drove me to the brink of insanity. An now here you are doing the same thing! You know, girls are just as (if not even more so) stronger than boys." She crossed her arms angrily.

Henry stood there beyond angry for a minute. He got over it. Anna was just being… well, Anna. She was saying what was on her mind and didn't care who she was saying it to. Typical. It was one of the things Henry admired about her but also something he hated about her. She was constantly in trouble because of the small flaw in her character. And it did no good that she was too stubborn to stop. Speaking out the way she did was going to get Anna seriously harmed one day. Realizing her folly a bit late she gasped.

"Forgive me my lord. I did not mean to speak to you in such a way."

He waved it off. "I can for give you this once Lady Johnston. Why have you not married?"

Anna shrugged. "As I told Charlie, I just haven't found the right man yet. At times it seems as though none can handle me. I find one but then he just…" She waved her hand dismissively.

"Pity." Henry replied trying to hide his victorious smile. "You won't be an old spinster forever Annie. I know it."

"Thank you Your Grace." She laughed. "Maybe Charlie will marry me. He seems to be the only man left for me."

"He's the only man who knows you." Henry corrected gently. "Other than myself of course." He took her hand and traced playful circles on it.

Anna shook her head and pulled away. A flustered smile sat on her mouth. "Shame I was never a Spanish Princess."

"You were always my Princess, Annie." Henry went to wrap his arms around her curvy waist. She danced out of his grasp.

"Harry, you're married!"

"So?"

Annabelle's mouth fell open. "What the hell do you mean so? Katherine is your wife, you have a child. Why the fuck would you need me?" She crossed her arms unhappily. "Sorry, I just get offended when-"

Henry waited for her to finish but Anna continued to remain silent. He took a calculated step forward and put a hand on her shoulder while the other tilted her face up so she had to look at him. "You get offended when what, Annabelle?"

She sniffed, fighting back the burning tears. "Do you know how many offers I've had Harry? How many propositions to be a man's official mistress? It sickens me how faithless men are to their wives."

Anger once again spilled forth in the King. How dare any man even consider thinking about making his Annie a mistress! But wasn't that what he wanted? No, Henry reasoned. That wasn't what he wanted. He just wanted Annabelle in any form he could get her. That didn't make him a hypocrite… just a fool. A man. Henry smiled satisfactorily when Anna leaned into his touch.

Henry rested his chin on her head. "Annie, I swear that while you are here no man will bother you."

"There are only two men I want to bother me while I am here Your Majesty." She muttered against his chest. "Would you like to know their names?"

"I believe I should."

"Well, first off there is Charlie. I was actually on my way to meet him when I was interrupted." She pulled away and gave him a playful glare. He returned it. "The other's name." Anna pulled Henry's ear close to her warm mouth. "The other's name is…" She reached around and thumped the back of his head.

Henry touched the spot as he watched Anna run off laughing loudly.

"Come get me Harry!" She called.

Henry followed her through the garden. They ran for several minutes alternating between who was doing the chasing and who was being chased. Finally, Anna collapsed in a sweaty heap at the base of a shady tree. Her breath was coming in short, ragged pants. Henry sat beside her, put his hands behind his head, and leaned against the brown trunk. He was also breathing heavily.

Anna laughed. "I think we are getting too old to be doing this." She curled up beside the King despite the May heat. "I can barely breath."

"Nonsense!" Henry wrapped his arms around Anna. "We're in perfect condition. Or at least I am unlike the old spinster I'm with." He meant it as a joke, but the words pierced Anna's heart. How could he be so callus as to call her a spinster? Did Harry really believe she would be alone forever?

With a now heavy heart Anna got up. "Excuse me Your Grace, but Mr. Brandon is expecting me." She gathered her skirts and left. Henry could simply wonder what had brought on the sudden change in Annabelle's attitude. He hadn't done anything had he?

Women. So bloody temperamental.

Later that night Charles was walking Annabelle back to her chambers. He'd had fun spending the afternoon with her. It wasn't like old times at all… better actually. Charles never knew before how many views he and Anna shared. Both of them believed in family despite not having their own. Both of them believed in the King and what an able ruler he was. Above all, both of them still believed in each other. Charles intertwined the fingers of his right hand with her left. The other was behind his back. Anna looked down, blushing furiously.

Anna smiled. "I enjoyed our time together Charlie."

"As did I." Charles stopped outside the entrance of her chambers. He brought her knuckles to his lips, brushing against them lightly. "I hope to do it again tomorrow? The King and I are going for a ride in the early morning. We won't be back until well past dusk. I would hate for you to be here all alone Annie."

"It wouldn't be much fun." Anna admitted. "I suppose I will have to tag along. Good night Charlie."

Charles smiled. "Good night Annie." Before he could lose his nerve he added, "This is for you." He pulled out a white rose he had been holding from behind his back. Anna smiled brightly when she saw it.

"Charlie?"

"Yes?"

She looked at him through her lashes. "Are you trying to say that you're loyal and worthy of me? Or perhaps that the two of us are pure and innocent?"

"I'm far from pure and innocent Annie. Besides, those are only two of the hundred things this rose could symbolize."

"Ohh, a mystery!" Anna clapped her hands together. "Tell me what it means Charlie! Please?"

He chuckled. "I'm no pushover like the king. I'm not telling." Charles let Anna's hand go reluctantly. Despite saying he simply wanted Anna, Henry, and himself to be friends again Charles couldn't deny his growing attraction to her. She was just so kind-spirited and beautiful inside as well as out. Charles wanted her. He had wanted to love her, be with her, since they were around fifteen.

Taking a deep breath Charles said, "Good night Annabelle."

"Night Charlie." She went inside and placed the rose on her bedside table. It was truly gorgeous in its simplicity. White roses had always been her favorite. She told Charles and Henry that long ago. It was amazing Charles had remembered.

He was amazing.

And handsome.

And unbelievably sweet.

Anna let out something between a laugh and a scoff. She was sounding like some star struck little girl with a first crush. A knock at the door interrupted any further thoughts. She answered it hesitantly. A tall man was standing on the other side of her door.

"Yes?" Anna half hid behind the door of her room.

The man held out an assortment of lavender and orange roses. "From the King." Anna took the flowers from his outstretched hand. He waited for no response before walking back down the corridor.

Anna shook her head as she mentally deciphered the meaning of the bouquet. Lavender meant love at first sight or enchantment. Since Henry had seen her before, Anna was guessing the latter was correct. Orange roses meant passion and excitement. Anna sat down on her bed and looked from the single flower Charles had given her to the twelve she currently held.

"Oh, my boys. My stupid, stupid boys."