Duchess Mary Griffins nee Boleyn POV
Pomerania, Poland
December 10, 1536
Lady of the House Rooms, Griffins Manor
I cry tears of pain, exhaustion, joy and guilt as I lay on the bed. I had been living a lie for the past few years and now I have four bundles which I had to face the consequences of my deceit.
For years I had been the mistress of the knight to the and the wife of the Duke of Pomerania. William was a strong, kind and loving man, and youthful. George was a conniving and cruel man. But he was a decaying figure, who struggled to keep his title afloat, slowly becoming another pawn in Poland's turbulent political state. His own vassals had slowly divorced from him, leaving him helpless and isolated.
But despite their coldness, he was passionate and cruel towards me. He came to me often, talked of his dreams and troubles, sometimes even putting them into action. And in all of these affairs, I was his trusted confidante, weary to serve as his sounding board and unwilling partner.
And yet, I had kept this affair a secret, save for a few close confidantes who had vowed to protect me and the children. I was fearful for what would happen not only to myself but to my children, who would be branded as bastards should things go awry between us.
Therefore, I had hidden my guilt and my shame and allowed my husband, the Duke of Pomerania, to falsely believe that all my children were his. All but one of the children, the oldest of them, was given in to the duke, who had already been named Emilia.
The other three my illicit children were named by the duke. The two younger boys were called Ludwig and Johannes and the final boy was named John.
It feels strange to be a parent, especially as a Duchess. I had gone from a young woman who had been uninterested in the social and political mating game, to a married mother of four in a blink of an eye.
My guilt and shame remained though, intermingling with my newfound joy. For each of my children, I felt such a range of emotions that I sometimes found myself dazed and disorientated.
But, despite my fears and doubts, I knew that my children would be loved, provided for and nurtured, no matter what the outcome. They would know from a young age that I had sacrified my own happiness so that they could have theirs.
And in this knowledge, I found some solace, knowing that regardless of what became of my own future that I had brought these children into the world, had given them a secure home and a loving family.
Hestia Porter nee Czarny POV
Pomerania, Poland
Lady of the House Rooms, Porter Manor
December 14, 1536
I stood, trembling, in the grand Lady of the House Rooms of Porter Manor in Pomerania, Poland. It was December 14, 1536 and the greatest moment of my life was approaching. My clandestine lover, George Griffins, Duke of Pomerania and I, had created a great secret scandal by their secret affair, and, it appeared, a greater scandal was about to befall them.
I gave one last look at myself in the mirror, a look of determination and courage, before I grabbed my husband's hand, Lord Raoul Porter, who I had married nine months ago, and settled into the birthing chair. George and I had wanted to keep our affair a secret, but if the babe was born on anyone else's domain, Lord Raoul would know the truth.
I braced myself for the forthcoming labor, barely registering the presence of the midwife, Healer Sabine, and the servants that had been rallied to help prepare this momentous day.
Suddenly, after hours of labor, I screamed as I gave birth to four hearty babies. Stunned silence filled the room as I cradled them in my arms, the sight of their four little bald heads sending a wave of love and relief coursing through my body.
"Tradition must be followed." Healer Sabine declared and so, as George watched with a heavy heart, he stood as Raoul declared the babies his own - Castor, Aeneas, Hyperion and Epimetheus.
George wanted to put his own name forward and claim these boys as his own, but he knew it would ruin mine and the children's future if their shameful secret was revealed.
Suddenly realizing that I was not only the Lady of the House, but the Lady of my own new family, I hugged the babies close to my chest and promised to keep them safe, no matter the cost.
I was now a mother and a wife, two of the most important roles in my life and I meant to uphold them with all my strength. I smiled as George did the same, providing the assurance they both craved. It may have been born of scandal, but their union of love and duty was undeniable.
I kissed each of the baby's little heads and promised each a future of her own making.
It was a task I was determined to accomplish and, looking down at my beautiful little family, I knew I was up to the challenge.
Aleksandra Paszek nee Krol
Pomerania, Poland
Lady of the House Rooms, Paszek Manor
December 11, 1536
I had been married to Jakub Paszek for almost eleven years now, and it had been an ok marriage so far. We were both very busy and had a lot of responsibilities to manage in managing Paszek Manor, but we had always been affectionate with each other and never had serious arguments.
Today, things had changed drastically.
It all started earlier this morning when my sister, Dorota Nowak, wife to Aleksander Nowak, came to me with tears in her eyes. I knew something was wrong and asked her what it was. After a slight hesitation, she told me that she was pregnant, and that Jakub had cheated on me with her and left her pregnant, though Aleksander of course believed the babe to be his.
I was in shock. I couldn't believe my husband had done this to me, but it had happened. I could not bring myself to speak, but Dorota could sense that something was wrong. She tried to comfort me, saying that Jakub had done this out of love for the family and respect for our traditions.
My pain and anger quickly turned to sorrow as I realized that, even after all this, Jakub was still staying with me as my husband, and that Dorota was due to have their baby in less than three months. Despite all this, I was determined to keep the family together somehow.
It was then that Jakub arrived at Paszek Manor. I reluctantly greeted him, barely able to look him in the eye. He apologized for his indiscretion and begged me to forgive him.
A part of me wanted to throw Jakub out of our house and never see him again, while the other part of me still wanted to keep the family together. Trying to maintain my composure, I asked him why he had done this and if he still intended to stay with me. Jakub assured me that he wanted to stay with me and that he wanted to be a father to the child that was on its way.
We decided to put the past behind us and move forward. While I didn't like what had happened, I knew this was the only way to keep our family together.
At that moment, something shifted in me and I made a promise to myself that, no matter what else happened, I would do whatever it took to keep my family together.
Aleksandra Paszek nee Krol
Pomerania, Poland
Lady of the House Rooms, Paszek Manor
December 24, 1536
It was a joyous and yet heart-wrenching December 24th, 1536, as I, Aleksandra Paszek nee Krol, Lady of the House Rooms, held the hands of my newborn triplets, Casimir, Cezary, and Jakub. I thought of the five children I had with my lover, William Stafford, Casimir, Cezary, and Jakub, ten-year-old twins Jadzia and Apolonia and the fifteen I had with my husband, Jakub Paszek, nine-year-old Antonina, seven-year-old Benedykta, seven-year-old Danuta, five-year-old Elżbieta, five-year-old Estera, four-year-old Aurelian, four-year-old Gabryjel, three year old Cyprian, three-year-old Kamil and three-year-old Ambrozy, two-year-old Selene, two-year-old Cecylia, one-year-old Celestyna, one-year-old Dosia, and one-year-old Dagmara before he was tragically murdered three days ago. I could still feel the warmth from my husband's touch, as I kissed my children's faces and whispered my love into their ears.
It was a bittersweet sight, as I watched my youngest, Jakub, sleep in my arms. I knew that after the death of my husband, our fates had shifted drastically. It was a miracle that I had this moment to cuddle these sweet children, yet a piece of me would always feel an agonizing emptiness in his absence. No matter how much I wanted to, I could never let them forget him. He was the foundation of our family—the beacon of hope that had guided us during the dark days. Though I mourned his absence every day of my life, I was thankful for his legacy and our ever-growing family.
My triplets stared up at me, eyes wide and curious when one of them would giggle and look away, distracting me from my mourning. I couldn't help but smile and hug them closer, feeling their warmth radiating against me. Everything I had to look forward to being contained in the wriggling bodies of my children. Together, we'd get through this difficult time, and start a new chapter in our story.
And with that, I looked out of my bedroom window and admired the view of my beloved Paszek Manor - a place where I could give my kids the love and warmth they deserved, and a place where we could make wonderful memories together. With every passing day I felt myself slowly beginning to heal, and I counted myself blessed to have all these beautiful children in my life.
As I kissed each of my youngest precious triplets and watched them drift off to a peaceful sleep, I thanked God and my beloved husband for all the blessings I had in my life, and the strength and courage I needed to survive.
Hestia Porter nee Czarny POV
Pomerania, Poland
Lady of the House Rooms, Porter Manor
January 2, 1537
I slumped against the cold, hard stone wall of the Porter Manor and let the news of my husband's death crash over me like waves. Tears stung my cheeks as I remembered that fateful evening; my husband exposed me and my lover to the entire court and unleashed a torrent of shame and confusion as his accusations hung in the air.
My heart ached for the child, for the little life that was now carried within my womb. I knew not if the soul I hold in my body belonged to the man I pledged my life to or the one I loved. I could never know and would now never know the answer.
I rested my hand on my belly and slowly began to stand. I forced my feet forward, breaking away from the wall. I needed to secure my future and must make sure that the child I carried would be taken care of and loved, no matter the father.
I walked through the silent hallways of the Porter Manor and gently opened the door to the Lady of the House room with trembling hands. Once inside, I allowed my tears to flow freely as I fingered the old brass key. It was a sign of my independence, of my power as the new Lady of the House. I knew that I could make a difference, not just for myself and my unborn child, but for all of those under my care. Whatever I decided to do, I had to make sure that they were better off than I.
With renewed vigor, I wiped my tears away and walked up to the front desk of my rooms. With quivering lips, I wrote the date on a piece of parchment; I scribbled the words, "January 2, 1537." I took a deep breath and in a voice that barely reached above a whisper, I said, "Let us begin."
Queen Catherine Oldenburg nee Seymour POV
Pomerania, Poland
January 10, 1537
Queen of Norway Guestroom, Griffins Manor
I scream in pain and fear as I deliver my King's children. Even though I had given birth before, it never ceased to amaze me how my body reacted to yet another birth.
My husband, King Christian III, is the ruler of Norway and our respective home, Pomerania. He was standing beside my bed as our babies were born. Our guest rooms at Griffins Manor had been ready for us and was now making history.
We had been married for nearly 4 months when we discovered in the late spring that I was expecting - our first pregnancy. We had hoped for sons, as was tradition, but two were beyond what we had imagined.
As the midwife placed each baby in my arms, I could feel the emotion that seems to come with childbirth.
The midwife cleaned each of my children and handed them off to my loving husband. As he held each one, I could see in his eyes the same conviction I had when carrying them. Our children were an extension of our souls, and King Christian III and I could not have been prouder.
The room was filled with amazement and joy, not just for the birth of the babies, but for the fact that our family would now have five healthy siblings. Each of them was named for our respective families, Wilhelm, Gustav, Franz, Elisabeth, and Eliana, and when we say them together, we knew that each of them had a special destiny that only family can bring.
We looked into each other's eyes and felt the future of our family, not just for the five newborn babies but for our family for generations to come.
Our royal union had been prosperous, so far producing seven children in total. With each addition, we cheered with the thought of legacy, tradition, and endless possibility.
My labor pains had subsided, and I was finally able to sleep peacefully. I can only guess at how much these five bundles of joy will bring to our future and that of Pomerania.
The children, our little princes and princesses, will soon enter a new world with all the promise it holds. We are blessed, and I thank God every day for our family and the opportunity he has provided us.
My husband and I were now Queen Catherine and King Christian III of Norway: together, our family of seven had fashioned an incredible new future for our loved ones.
No matter what life had in store for us, it was sure to be a journey that we could all share.
Duchess Mary Griffins nee Boleyn POV
Pomerania, Poland
Griffins Manor
January 14, 1537
My heart felt heavy in my chest, believing the news to be true. It wasn't the first time that Duke George had been in a fight with William, but this time it seemed like it had gone too far.
I tried to stay calm as I readied myself for the evening meal. I could feel the eyes of the other nobles in the room, judging me on my decision to take a lover while married to the duke. But I cared no more for what they thought of me at this moment. All I wanted to know was how far from William had been hurt.
I had to enter the grand dining hall, which I had become accustomed to by now. I was the Duchess of Pomerania after all. But as I reached the doors, I noticed a group of men huddled together talking. I could hear George's gruff laughter from the group and my heart sunk.
He had come back from the fight unscathed, while William was left behind. I refused to look at him, lest the sadness and anger in my eyes show. I walked to my place at the far end of the grand table and waited for the meal to begin. I scarcely ate and barely tasted the food in front of me.
For what felt like eternity, I sat there, unable to move, and simply stared ahead of me. I could feel George's eye on me, but I refused to look his way despite my feeling of dread and fear I was experiencing. I knew he was going to be the one to tell me what had happened.
Eventually, he walked across the room. He sat down beside me, and I noticed that his eyes were filled with a deep sadness. He hated what he was about to do, and I felt a tiny bit of sympathy for him. He told me that William had been badly injured and that he was not expected to make it.
At first, I couldn't believe it. It was like my whole world had come crashing down. All I could feel was pain in my chest and despair in my heart. I had loved William with all my soul, and I never wanted him to be hurt, but here I was, hearing the news that he was gravely ill but had miraculous recovered.
I cried in my husband's arms as I heard the news and as I composed myself, I silently thanked him for being able to tell me. I knew it must have been hard for him to say, but he had done it, out of love and respect for me.
The only thing that brought me solace was knowing that William had miraculously recovered from his injuries. I knew that he would never be able to take the place of George in my heart, but I also knew that he had a special place there.
But despite his miraculous recovery, I had heard another disturbing piece of news. My husband had forbidden me from ever seeing William Stafford again. I knew that if I followed his orders, our love would never be able to fully blossom. I was torn between my duty and my love, and I was completely unsure what to do.
All I knew was that I had to figure out a way to see William again, no matter what the cost. So that's what I did. I wrote to William, and I told him everything that had happened.
And, finally, I got a response from him. William said that he loved me and that he would be willing to risk anything to be with me. So, despite my husband's orders, I found a way to sneak out of the manor and go see William.
I had to be careful. I was aware of the dangers at every turn, but my love for William was stronger than anything else. I was determined to make this rendezvous happen, no matter what.
I made my way through the snow-covered forests of Pomerania, getting ever closer to my destination. My heart was pounding with each step I took, but I pushed my fear aside and kept going. I was almost there.
When I arrived at the Garganey River, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I had made it. I was now standing in front of Stafford Manor, the place where William and I were meant to meet.
It was early in the morning on January 14, 1537 when I opened the front door of the manor and stepped inside. Everything was even more beautiful than I had remembered. All the years we had spent here had formed a bond between us that could never be broken.
As I walked through the familiar halls, I thought back to all the times we had shared here. All the laughter and the tears.
Suddenly, William appeared in the doorway of the study. He was just as handsome as ever, and my heart overflowed with love. We embraced, and he kissed me with a passion that I had never felt before.
For the next few hours, we lingered in each other's arms, knowing that this might be the last time we'd ever see one another. We did not speak. We simply enjoyed being in each other's presence until I had to leave.
And so, with a heavy heart, I returned to my home and my husband, knowing that I had done the right thing. William and I were apart, but our love would continue to endure.