April 30th, 1563

Windsor Castle

Lady Mary FitzAlan crept through the corridors of the palace, praying that no one would see her. She was already ashamed and if anyone were to see her, she felt that she would die of embarrassment.

"Mary!"

It was not her lucky day.

Elizabeth Boleyn, the eldest daughter of the Earl of Wiltshire was waving at her, her younger sister tugging at her dress. Mary returned the wave, although she groaned inwardly when Anne failed to restrain her elder sister and Elizabeth hurried to meet her.

"Elizabeth!" Anne called after her, clutching the basket of linens in her hands.

Elizabeth paid her sister no mind. "Where are you heading to, Mary? Surely, the concubine needs you to help her get ready for the marriage between the Duchess of Exeter and the Earl of Winchester."

Mary waved her hand. "Susan and Margaret are handling that."

Mary pointedly avoided the subject of where she was going, but Elizabeth pressed her. "Then where are you heading?"

Anne had finally made her way over to Elizabeth, appearing very annoyed. "Elizabeth! You must come back with me to Lady Exeter's rooms immediately. She already under much stress, we will make it worse if we are late from bringing the linens!"

Elizabeth sighed. "I know, I know. Soon as Mary tells me where she is heading, we can leave."

Elizabeth watched Mary eagerly, making the heiress very uncomfortable. Anne was glaring at her. Although Anne was usually a nice person, she took herself very seriously at times.

Mary sighed. "The king has requested my presence."

Anne's eyes widened. "The king? What could he want with you?"

Mary faltered. "I...I have not even thought of it. What could he want?"

Elizabeth was quiet for a moment. "I hope he does not intend to take you as a mistress."

Mary laughed. "Me? A mistress? Absolutely not, I am not the king's type."

Anne leaned in. "What is his type?"

"Spoiled!"

The girls laughed at this for a moment before Anne seized Elizabeth's arm. "You know where she is going, now let us be off before Lady Exeter dismisses us!"

Mary watched the Boleyn sisters hurry away before continuing her journey to the king's apartments. Richard, the king's loyal page boy nodded to her and opened the chamber door, waving Mary in. She nodded thanks before entering, Queen Isabella had told her it would be soon when she would be invited to his chambers and she knew it was her duty to seduce him if she were to keep her end of the deal. It was the only thing between her and becoming the Duchess of Pembroke. The king was sitting behind his desk, sifting through a large amount of papers, but he looked up when he heard her approach.

She dropped into a curtsy. "Your Majesty."

"Lady Mary FitzAlan, you may stand." His voice indicated that it was more of an order than an offer.

She stood, feeling intimidated by the six and twenty year old king that stood over six feet tall, with green eyes that seemed to burn into her.

He smiled at her. "No need to be afraid, I am not as evil as the Queen says I am."

"The Queen speaks no ills of you." That was the truth, though the same could not be said about his mistress.

"That is a surprise to me. She seems to loathe my very existence."

Mary shook her head. "She is hurt, Your Majesty."

Edward nodded. "As am I. She was always there for me physically, officially, and spiritually, but she was never there emotionally or intellectually. She just died after the boy we lost. The twins were a blessing from God, but after they were born she seemed to forget that she was my wife. I hoped that it was just because they were new, I had felt the same way when they were born, but by the time Princess Anne was born it was quite clear that she would remain that way. I admired her devotion to our children initially, but they absorbed every part of her. She is obsessed with them."

Mary nodded. "I see, Your Majesty. Perhaps, you two can reconcile?"

Edward sighed. "I have tried."

Mary smirked. "Perhaps, after you dismiss Lady Marie, Your Majesty."

Edward shook his head. "I cannot dismiss Marie until I am sure that Isabella will be my wife in more than name."

Mary frowned. "Your Majesty, I doubt the Queen will be willing to open herself to until you dismiss Lady Marie."

Mary wondered if the king had summoned her to talk about his marital problems, if so, she felt that he should have sent for a married woman, such as Lady Norfolk, Lady Northampton, or Lady Raby.

"I fear that if I dismiss Lady Marie, I will be tempted to take another mistress." He looked directly in her eyes, making her shiver.

"Are you cold, Lady Mary?"

She jumped, startled. "No, Your Majesty."

He rose and put one of his cloaks around her shoulders and looked deeply in her eyes. "Lady Mary, would you be my mistress?"

Mary pulled away. "Your Majesty, I..."

He laughed. "Do not worry, I will make sure that you still marry Cecil's son."

She knew that this was the moment that they had all waited for. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will be your mistress."

He smiled. "Excellent,"

He stepped forward and pulled her close to him before undoing her stays. He kissed her, passionately, making her melt in his arms. She had never felt so alive, and yet so vulnerable. Suddenly her dress fell from her body, creating a pool around her. He stepped back, making her whimper. She watched him admire her body and he pulled her to him, crushing his mouth into hers. He pulled away again and pulled her into his inner chambers. He laid her on his bed before removing his shirt and hose.

Mary took in his naked body, admiring the rippling muscles and smooth white skin as he laid beside her. His hand cupped one breast, slowly sliding down to the place that held her virtue, something her mother said should only be for her husband. He smiled as she moaned and kissed her again. Mary kissed him back, pulling him closer to her. She was aching with passion, and only he could quench the fire in that moment. He positioned himself above her, still kissing her lips and neck.

"Edward!"

Mary was staring directly into Marie de Meluen's eyes. She knew that Marie would be furious when she returned to her rooms to serve her. Edward seemed to have no remorse and turned his attentions back to Mary.

"What have I done for you to treat me in such away?" She demanded.

Edward scowled. "Marie, get out!"

Mary watched as Marie ran off, tears in her eyes. She then turned back to Edward, who was looking at her in wonder. She resigned herself to her fate as a royal mistress and smiled at him invitingly. She winced as he entered her, and internally she wasn't sure if she entirely wanted it. He moved slowly inside of her and she was grateful for it. It was as painfully as she had been told but it soon faded. He grunted his release and then pulled away from her, panting. She curled up beside him, tears in her eyes. He wiped them away and pulled her into his arms.

"Thank you, Lady Mary. Hopefully, you have learned from your predecessor's example." He murmured.

She nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Looks like the beginning of the end for Marie