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I walked the halls with a blank expression on my face, but a thousand thoughts raced through my head. What had Anne planned exactly? Did she understand the consequences of her actions? Did she understand what she was creating? No. I don't believe she did. That's what worries me. I worry now. I never did worry before, not even with my sister but things are different now. Things have changed. Sometimes change is good, even healthy…but sometimes it destroys. I feel like someone should slap me, and then I'll wake up to realize this is just a nightmare and that we're all happy but that's a childish thought.

My hair is done perfectly today, a delicate touch of a red pendent holding it together, my red dress, the newest one. I feel like a Princess. But then, I'd be watching my back every second. Wondering if there is an assassin lingering in the shadows, a predator waiting to pounce when the prey is alone. That's how I think. I know. I observe and I understand court. My sister and brother do not but soon they will find out how cruel court really can be.

"Oh, Anne, what have you done?" I whisper to myself really, closing my eyes for a moment, completely freezing in my actions. Then inhale a large intake of air before sighing and reopening my eyes, continuing to walk down the hallway. There was no one around. Odd. Usually people are all around, gossiping and buzzing about like little insects. It's disgusting sometimes. But it's how you survive here. Court changes people…and sometimes not always for the better. Uncle is the same though. He's always been the way he is now. I remember when I was a child, I once got grass stains on my dress, Uncle took me into a room, alone except for my sister, Cara, and whipped me with his cane. Ten times until it showed welts. He told me that young girls were suppose to be proper and that I had to learn my lesson. I was only five years old then. And that was just one of many whippings I received from him and Father. One of many, many whippings.

Cara is innocent and pure, like Mary Boleyn, they are the kindest of us all. The ones that deserve happiness. But Anne and I will never truly be happy, I don't think so. I know I don't deserve happiness. I don't want to sound gloomy but it's the truth. I've done terrible things before and probably will do more in the future. If I even have a future. I really should watch my tongue as Uncle says. If I don't I'll probably lose it along side with my head. But then again probably is just probably, not a certainty.

My forehead is slightly sweating today. I hope I don't have the fever. I've known many people have died of such, it sounds like an awful way to die really. I felt eyes on me then. Watching me. I didn't know who but I knew they were close. I looked down, a crooked grin on my lips. Then…

"Lady Cornwell?" I heard the King's voice ask, from behind me. I quickly turned around and saw King Henry the Eighth there smiling, I curtsied quickly, keeping my head down and staying in that position for a few moments before coming back up. The king grinned wider. He took a few steps until he was a few inches away from me, our faces very close.

"Your majesty." I remembered them how to be polite, and speak "It is an honor to have you in my presence."

"Hmm." He looked me up and down, as if I were a horse he was going to buy, then he began to circle around me, his eyes zooming all over my body. I kept my head down, still with that crooked grin on my lips. Then after circling me for the second time he stopped in front of me, bowing, and taking my right hand, kissing it and then standing back up straight.

"As I said, Lady Marie, you are very welcomed in court." He smiled so gentle, looking kind and generous but I knew different.

"Is there something I can do for you, your grace?" I asked politely, my eyes still down then I felt a hand brush a loose strand of my hair out of my face, my eyes flickered back up quickly. Once again the King was a few inches from me, he slowly leaned forward as if to kiss me but instead he inhaled some air and smiled, closing his eyes for a split moment before backing up a few steps. Reopening his eyes, he chuckled.

"You have a sweet sugary smell to you…jasmine or something…beautiful like you." He told me, I blushed but only because he was the King, any other man I would have questioned the comment but not with him. I nodded my head once and he chuckled again.

"You aren't afraid of me, are you, Lady Marie?" I looked up when he said and quirked an eyebrow, finally taking some lead, forgetting what Uncle and Father had told me to do around the King.

"Why would I have to be afraid of you, your grace?" I said, circling around him once as he had done me, he chuckled as I moved further down the hallway and he followed.

"You are alone, your majesty." It wasn't a question but he took it as one.

"Yes. It's just me, Lady Marie. Henry Tudor." He said, coming up closer to me and quickly I turned that he nearly bumped into me but steadied himself, remaining good footing.

"And here I thought you'd be with your wife, your grace. Or are you looking for Anne again?" I asked then smiled, turning once more and quickly leaving. I knew he was staring, watching me leave but I didn't care. I turned a corner and slowed my pace, biting my lower lip to stop the laughter that so desperately wanted to come out.

I walked outside and down a few steps, I saw a few people now but only that. I walked past them into another building of the castle. I walked in and through a doorway, seeing thirty or more people. I saw George only so far away, who also saw me but I turned to the side, not heading over to him but over to Charles Brandon. I stood beside him silent but then he noticed me.

"Ah. Lady Marie, we meet again." He said with a chuckle, I looked at him and he was, I noticed, sipping wine from a golden cup. Only the best for a best friend of the King of course. I looked away and back at some people who were playing instruments. Seeing that Tallis man again. He was rather good at playing music. Hmm.

"Mr. Brandon." I wasn't going to chat up with him; I was just making small talk out of boredom.

"Someone's upset."

"I'm just fine, sir." I told him, finally looking back at him, he was smiling gently. He actually looked; dare I say it, sincere?

"It's about that Boleyn fellow, isn't it?" He asked, his eyes flashing with slight jealousy I'd presume. But why should I care? It's not like I like the man…

"Why do you find these sudden urges to ask me about my personal life, Mr. Brandon?" I quizzed him, quirking an eyebrow, snatching his cup from his hand, nearly spilling the wine out of it, and sat it beside me on a table. He chuckled even more, as if I had just told a joke. How rude.

"I'm just making small talk. Don't flatter yourself by thinking that I believe you're actually attractive." He told me, leaning back on a wall, watching me carefully, scoffing at the end.

"And don't flatter yourself, Mr. Brandon; in thinking that I actually believe that you are a handsome gentlemen. You're just a man with stallion between his legs that believes he can ride every wild mare that comes waltzing through the door. Excuse me; I'm going to leave to talk with more civilized people. Good day, Mr. Brandon." I walked off with a huff, leaving once Charles Brandon leaning against a wall wide eyed at my comment. I didn't give a darn either. He could rot for all I cared. To be quite honest, I really do hate court.

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