March 26th, 1563

Whitehall Palace

Edward winced as Isabella let out another ear piercing shriek. It was the eighth childbirth they had gone through yet it hadn't gotten any easier. Every time Isabella went into labor he feared it would be her last. He waited outside her rooms with Marie, Northumberland, Norfolk, Pembroke, Wiltshire, Lady Mary FitzAlan, and Arundel to keep him company while he waited for news. As he paced the floor he noticed Marie's bored expression, knowing she didn't want to be anywhere nearby when the royal babe entered the world. For Marie, it was a reminder that her children were naturally inferior, that Isabella was still his wife. Not that Edward would have it any other way, Marie was rather dim-witted in the workings of foreign policy and how to be a proper queen, something Isabella had been raised for since birth. Another scream came from deep inside her chambers and he turned hard on his heel, pacing more frantically.

"Do you worry this much when I go into labor?" Marie inquired.

Lady Mary glared before speaking to Edward. "I am sure the queen will be fine, Your Majesty."

Edward smiled. "Why thank you, Lady Mary. I appreciate your concern for my wife and queen."

Mary blushed. "It is my pleasure, Your Majesty."

Edward turned his attention back to his fuming mistress, knowing that she would question him about his devotion to her and their four daughters, not that he'd answer. She wasn't his wife, he was not obligated to her and he was beginning to feel that dealing with Marie was nothing but folly. If he was to have a mistress, it needed to be a mature woman, not one that was inclined to tantrums. Reconciling with Isabella would have been his best option, but also his least likely, he knew that after all of the abuses he had put her through that she would never truly forgive him. He could try, but he knew she would only argue until he retreated back to his chambers and Marie's waiting arms.

"Lady Marie, I think it is best that you attend to your daughters." He muttered.

Marie glared at Lady Mary, something Edward didn't miss. "Your Majesty, I would prefer to be in your company, my rooms are quite lonely."

If she meant to seduce him, she had picked a terrible time to do so. He always kept vigil over Isabella while she was in labor, it was one of the few times she could capture his full attention. As Isabella emitted another scream, Edward raised a hand to dismiss Marie. She got up to leave, sending a glance to Arundel. Arundel returned the look and Edward was taken aback. What business did Arundel have with Marie?

"Northumberland, Wiltshire, would you mind joining me in my privy chamber?" Edward did not wait to see if they would follow, they'd be fools to refuse.

Richard opened the door for the three men and Edward sat at his desk to look at his most trusted adviser and one of his wife's favorites. "Do you know of anything that is happening between Lady Marie and Arundel?"

Wiltshire shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. I have noticed nothing too peculiar, perhaps a whore and her lover?"

Edward raised an eyebrow. "You believe that Lady Marie has been sleeping with Arundel?"

Northumberland interjected. "You can never trust a whore, Your Majesty."

Edward sighed. "I trust the Lady Marie has been faithful to me."

"How can you be so sure? Lady Marie had quite the reputation before she became involved with you, she was so unclean that no man wanted to take her as a wife." Northumberland stated.

Edward frowned. "Why have I never heard about this?"

"No one would want to speak ills of someone you were close to, other than the queen, Your Majesty." Wiltshire mused.

Before Edward could reply, the Countess of Wiltshire entered the room. "Your Majesty, Lady Norfolk sent me to tell you that you may now see your wife and child."

March 26th, 1563

Whitehall Palace

Ruth was carrying the new royal babe to Isabella's waiting arms after Sancha had swaddled the child. Isabella had tears in her eyes and Anne was watching eagerly as she laid eyes on her new nephew.

"He is just precious." Anne gushed as Ruth settled him in his mother's arms.

Isabella kissed the downy soft hair and smiled. "His name will be Edmund, the new Duke of Richmond."

The door opened and Edward approached with a wide grin on his face. "You have done well, my love."

Ruth scowled as she watched him kiss her sister, knowing that he would be visiting Marie's rooms when he left. Anne had a similar look of uncertainty when he took the child in his arms, and for once even Isabella seemed quite reserved.

"Are you pleased with your son?" Isabella inquired softly.

Ruth groaned inwardly, it didn't matter whether or not Edward was pleased. The child would be an undisputed, legitimate heir to the throne and deserving of a dukedom in his own right to control when he came of age. Little Edmund was not destined to be a king, but nonetheless he was more important than any child Marie could give him.

Edward chuckled. "Of course, I am pleased. You have given me three healthy boys and four beautiful daughters. What more can I ask of you?"

At least he knows he is an undeserving husband. If he cannot remain faithful to the most fair of wives, how can he even deserve to be rewarded with another son for his dynasty? Surely, God cannot condone such a weak man to rule England and pass along his blood through so many children.

Ruth decided to leave Edward with Isabella so that she could find her husband. Thomas was waiting outside, as per usual and she jerked her head in the direction of their rooms.

"What is it, Ruth?" Thomas asked.

Ruth giggled before she answered. "I am with child again."

He pulled her into a kiss. "You may have just made me the happiest man in England."

Ruth raised an eyebrow. "Even the king?"

"To hell with the king!" He pulled her into another embrace.

Ruth giggled again. "Thomas, be careful. However, I have to talk to you about things."

The light in Thomas's eyes died. "Ruth, can we just celebrate tonight? I do not want to deal with the snakes of this court right now."

"You know we can never let our guard down. Your family has fallen once, I do not wish it to happen again."

Thomas sighed. "All of this stress will hurt the child."

Ruth folded her arms. "Elizabeth, Rebecca, and Thomas are just fine."

Thomas pulled her into his arms. "Most women would crack under the pressure-"

Ruth put her hand over his mouth. "You and I both know I am not most women. I handle my obligations better than most."

Thomas nodded. "I know you do, I just worry about you sometimes."

Ruth ignored the comment. "I hear the Earl of Arundel may be incurring the king's wrath."

"How do you hear of things so quickly?"

Ruth smirked. "I have my sources."

Thomas sighed in defeat. "Wiltshire and Northumberland planted a seed of doubt in His Majesty's mind about the fidelity of his whore."

Ruth cackled. "Oh the irony. He expects his whore to be faithful. So Wiltshire and Northumberland let Arundel take the fall? Such a stroke of genius!"

Thomas gave her a warning glance. "Marie will convince him otherwise."

"Unless her ladies contradict her. Lady Mary is gaining more of Edward's attention and since she is Arundel's daughter, Edward will be inclined to believe her. Then he will bed her for revenge against Marie and it'll end this damned affair." Ruth rubbed her hands together at the thought.

March 26th, 1563

Whitehall Palace

Isabella watched as Edward rocked Edmund in his arms. The newborn had fallen asleep an hour ago and normally Edward would have left her to rest, but instead he remained. It was their ninth child, and Isabella had never seen Edward this doting since Jane was born. He held the boy close to his chest, murmuring quietly into the boy's ear.

"You are not going to leave?" she inquired coldly.

Edward looked stung. "I cannot spend time with my wife and new son?"

Isabella rubbed her temple. "Your son is asleep and I am tired. Do you not have whores to attend to?"

Edward groaned. "Can we get along just once?"

Isabella shook her head. "I am not married to you for love, not anymore. I am married to you out of duty."

"Surely, you do not mean that?"

Isabella chuckled. "I do. Unlike some people, I do not say things that I do not mean. I do not love you and you do not love me. You have your whore and I have my children."

Edward set Edmund down in his crib gently before coming to Isabella's side. "Isabella, Marie is nothing to me."

She was bored with this argument. "If she meant nothing, she would not have kept your attention this long. She would have never caught your attention at all."

He narrowed his eyes. "It is not my fault you fail to light the same passion in me that you used to."

"What do you mean by that?" Isabella's interest had been peaked. "I have given you sons, I have been the perfect queen for you!"

He balled his fists until Isabella could see them turn white. "That is it! You have been nothing else! All you care about is the children and what the court thinks of you!Just a shell of who I married! "

"I grew up! When I married you I was not a mother! I focused on my children like I was supposed to do!" she hissed.

Edward's eyes grew cold. "That is all you care about. What about me? You have given me no attention since the twins were born."

Isabella's eyes widened. "How dare you stand there and tell lies? I have lain with you and we have had conversations. I was always available to you!"

"It was always about the children! 'Jane did this, Arthur did that, Anne and Constance are learning some subject or another. Philippa learned to walk..'" He paused to catch his breath.

Isabella grew quiet. "You mean to say you do not love our children?"

"Of course I love them, but they changed you. You do not ride as much anymore, your conversations have grown exclusive, and as such, my interest faded. If you could be more like the woman I married, I would remain faithful unto you."

Isabella pulled the coverlet closer to her body, trying to suppress the cold feeling that crept in her body. "Go, just go."

"Madam." He nodded before walking out of the door.