Sorry for the slow updates, reasons are long and unnecessary, anyway here it is
Character List;
Mary Boleyn, Aged 1499
Henry Boleyn, Born 1501
William Boleyn, Born 1502
Margaret Boleyn, Born 1504
Catherine Boleyn, Born 1504
George Boleyn, Born 1507
Anne Boleyn, Born 1508
1518 3rd June
Mary shuddered inwardly as Henry wrapped his arms around her. She did like him a lot but honestly he acted like a child not a King, still though it was not her place to reprimand him.
"Your Majesty, To what do I owe this" Mary paused contemplating which word she ought to use, "Pleasure…" she decided smiling at him wickedly.
Henry laughed pressing his lips to the her temple. "Dance with me," he commanded letting go of her.
Mary gazed back at him fearlessly. "What in front of the Queen, I shouldn't. After all what will all the people think."
Henry's face darkened dramatically "I care not what they think, and as for the Queen…" His voice trailed off "Care not for her my love, Come dance. I command you"
And so Mary took his hand practically floating by his side as they moved to the center of the dance floor. As they danced she made sure to keep her eyes fixed on his. It had the effect that he was unable to look away without seeming rude and she knew he would never be rude, at least not to her.
It was when the dance finished and Henry did not let go of her that she realized that she had managed to do it, Henry was completely and utterly in love with her.
"Good evening Your Majesty," she whispered before attempting to slip away. She was prevented by his hand catching her forearm and pulling her towards him.
"Come to bed with me, Mary" He said gazing at her with eyes that burned with such passion that she might have said yes if not for the images of her siblings shaking their heads at her.
"No, I can not Your Majesty, my virginity belongs to my husband and you are no such man, even if that wasn't the case, I wouldn't sleep with a married man for all the jewels in Christendom." With those final hasty words Mary spun on her heel and left the Grand Hall. As soon as Mary turned the corner she ran as fast as she could. She had to get as far away as possible before she gave in.
By the time she had reached her Family chambers, which were far finer that they would usually be for a Viscount. she was gasping for breath and she had tears pouring down her face. She was right by the door and yet she couldn't bring herself to open it. Mary sank to her knees in front of it and let herself cry her body wracked with sobs. She didn't know how long she had been crying when her father found her.
"Mary, Child what on earth are you doing." He exclaimed clearly surprised at her behavior.
"The King…" she blurted, trying desperately to regain her composure "Oh Papa, the King. He…he…he asked me to" she was inhaling rapidly and her breath was coming out in sharp gasps.
"Inside. Quickly girl." Thomas ordered, "I expect better than this from you… God, I expect better than this from Anne" he was restraining himself but Mary could hear the fury in his voice.
"Now tell me what happened, is the King angry" he probed cautiously. Not out of concern for her. No more because he didn't want to have to put up with another load of hysterics.
"No, at least…I don't think so." Mary gulped " He asked me to be his mistress, Papa" she revealed trying to hide her distress.
"I see, Did you say yes?" he questioned.
"NO, No. I could never father, never." She replied vehemently
"Well then, it's simple are plan can continue as before we need make no changes." Thomas sighed with exasperation " Stop fretting girl, you worry for nothing. The King is not angry don't you understand." Thomas shook his head "Anyhow, your siblings have written to you. There on my desk, yes the pile tied by a pink ribbon. Honestly Child, your just like your mother." He said before departing.
Mary however paid him no heed instead she eagerly untied the ribbon. Allowing the first letter to fall onto her knee.
Mary,
I hope you are well in England, from what you have mentioned in your letters it sounds rather dull. I think I should prefer France but then again if you have a King paying you attention…
Sorry for that Mary this is Cathy, Maggie has been awful recently. Personally I think that she is jealous but still it's no excuse. Anyway England sounds wonderful. What is the Queen like, people here have very different opinions. Yeah. Renee, you know the Queens sister, thinks that Catherine is the 'Paragon of Female Virtue' And the King thinks...
Mary paused to laugh at her sisters. It was clear they were snatching the pen from each other. Catherine had clearly managed to grab it of Margaret and scribbled out the remainder of the sentence
Well, lets just say that he thinks something rather different. Anyway on the subject of Kings, I was just wondering if She wants to ask you if the King of England is as handsome as they all say or if Francis is better looking. No I don't Yes you do. Anyway, the King is paying quite a lot of attention to our dearest little Cathy at the moment.
Mary stared at the words in shock. Francis… Paying attention to Cathy. It was preposterous, for God's sake she was fourteen. No they must be mistaken.
No, not that kind of attention. He just talks to me sometimes, usually about art or music. He calls me his Petite Fleur. Honestly, he asked me to dance more than once and half the court has gone mad. He has told me that I am the little sister he never had. You see it is innocent, don't fret most especially about me.
Mary sighed in relief. Her sisters always managed to worry her. Margaret always said things just to make an impact. It was a trait Mary doubted she could afford, she had not the titles or power for it.
Yes no doubt you need to worry more about your own prospects. After all you have the King of England chasing you and I somehow doubt he wants you to be his little sister. After all, he already has one. So Sister dearest, do tell. Me and Cathy. That is Cathy and I shall go mad if you don't. Mad as Juanna la Loca in Spain.
Maggie, Sorry Mary that was in bad taste. Still you better tell me everything or I shall simply write to Father and he will certainly tell me.
Mary took back her judgment. Margaret may not have power yet but with that pure determination she would go far maybe even to the point where she had the power to say what she wanted.
Anyhow, you should get a letter from Annie as well. I made her promise to write to you. She does really love you its just, well she is awfully lonely in Austria. She wrote in French, I hope you don't mind but she hasn't spoken English much for over three years now. She says that they usually speak French or Spanish there but that she is near fluent in Flemish and Portuguese as well. Then again Anne has always been awfully clever. And I'd think sharing lessons with the Princess of Portugal and the future King of Spain might have helped. Maggie darling, don't be so jealous. I have translated Anne's letter for you. Write back soon Or else,
Sincerely
Your two favorite sisters, Margaret and Catherine
Mary smiled as she turned to the next letter. What Cathy had said about Anne worried her. She had assumed Anne just didn't have time for letters but to hear that she seemed to be writing to everyone but Mary made her feel awful. Mary quickly tossed Catherine's translation to the side. She had no need for it she had lived in France for nearly nine years. A fact everyone seemed to forget now she was in England. Her French was excellent and that was not just boasting
Dear Sister,
As you no doubt know Catherine prevailed upon me to write to you, she said that she thought it was cruel that I didn't. Do not fear you are not the only one I prefer to not to write to. If you wish to know I only write to Cathy, George and Mother. I suppose you might include Maggie as well.
My Studies have gone well recently. I can speak French and Flemish fluently and with ease. I proficient and well practiced in Spanish as well and I expect to reach this level with my Portuguese as well. On the academic side I can say that I am well versed in Latin, Isabella is still better that me but I suppose it is to be expected as she is two years older than me.
I also enjoy dancing a great deal and Lady Marguerite says I might preform in the up coming Masquerades. This is a great honor as I am the youngest girl at court. Isabella allowed me to sit in on her music lessons and her teacher taught me a piece on the virginal and Lady Marguerite said it was very good.
In my free time when the weather is good Lady Marguerite often takes Isabella and I out riding which we both enjoy a great deal. We especially love to race as fast as we can back to the Palace on the way back, all three of us including Lady Marguerite. I won the last time but I nearly fell of. Don't tell anyone it's my secret and if Papa found out he would be very angry. When Charles comes with us he always wins, Isabella says it's because he is a boy but I think he is just the best rider of all of us.
Sincerely
Anne, plurimus felix
Mary bit her lip as she looked over the letter. She could tell that Anne hadn't wanted to tell her anything, the letter was all easily translatable, excepting the last two words which she assumed were Latin. Mary regretted not paying attention to her Father when he tried to teach her, she could only guess they were Anne's motto. Still Anne hadn't really told Mary anything about how she actually was. Anne only spoke of her achievements and Mary got the sense that Anne was showing off in some way. Flaunting her accomplishments to make Mary feel bad. Mary pushed it to the side, it was a silly jealous feeling. How foolish was it to be jealous of a child nearly ten years younger than her.
Mary folded up the letters. There were two others she realized from her mother and youngest brother.
Dear Mary,
I cannot wait to see you again, George is missing you a lot darling. He said he would write you a letter but I somehow doubt it will ever appear. He's working on his Latin and its coming along wonderfully. Unfortunately he is like all other little boys and running around and climbing trees…
Mary skimmed through the letter it was wonderfully mundane and comforting. By the end of it Mary felt like she knew everything that went on at home. In all it was a wonderfully charming letter more so for the letter that accompanied it. The letter was short to say the least but it was sweet and full of Georgness.
Mary
Hope your well, I am. Master Broderick took me riding again today and we had a jolly wonderful time. Honestly, I swear the man is a genius. Anyway I hope everything is going well at court. It sounds marvelous anyway I just wanted to remind you that it was my birthday a month ago and I still have no present from you. Just joking Mary don't worry.
Loads of love George
Mary smiled properly for the first time in days. A large unrestrained open marvelous smile. Perhaps she would have fallen without them, but with her siblings at her side she knew there was no way she could fail.
She would be Queen.