[A/N: Not my best I know but I do hope you like it, I feel so accomplished updating this many chapters in one day though :) hope you like it, not my best as said but still; WARNING: Includes some abuse from Marie's dear old Uncle, so if you don't like it...oh well, sorry but still I'm warning you all :) enjoy*]
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"Tell me, Marie, why is it when you get in trouble that I also get in trouble as well." Cara commented as I dragged her down the steps, I giggled and grinned wide. The lanterns that hung on the wall were all lit and shining bright. It dazzled in the moonlight as we run down the hallway like we would do as children. Then we turned a corner we nearly bumped into Uncle, who just chuckled at our nervous behavior…well more like Cara's nervous behavior.
"My nieces. Out so late again." He spoke mostly to himself really as he began to circle us, stopping Cara and I from backing up and leaving. It wasn't intimating to me but probably it was to my sister. I rolled my eyes and then Uncle stopped his circling. His eyes burning in the back of my head, why me? Really? What ever did I do to him that—Oh never mind.
"Only a sick twisted man like you would watch your nieces like this, Uncle." I commented, once again making a comment that should have not been made.
That's when I felt a stinging feeling in my left cheek. He hit me…Uncle had just struck me. A lady. My breathing shook but I stayed firmly in place, Cara gasped, covering her mouth with her right hand quickly, staring at me wide eyed. I looked back up at my Uncle who stared at me blankly, no emotion readable on his face, coldness only present.
"I will not show you an ounce of leniency, Marie." He told me, that's when I saw him slowly take out his cane that was hooked on his side, hidden underneath his jacket. I backed up quickly, Cara clinging to me in worry and protectively. I kept my head up in a mocking matter as I stared at him. Inside I was absolutely terrified on what he planned to do to us…to me.
He moved quick as lightening and before I knew it there was a painful vibration of stinging zipping throughout my right leg. I screamed in pain and nearly fell to the floor but Cara held onto me and we backed up before he could hit me again, we moved quickly down the hallway, Uncle luckily did not follow…but I knew he'd be back later…when there was no one around. I'd just have to take more care when around him. Be more careful.
Cara and I finally got around a corner and another until we stopped, I lifted my dress slightly only to see a large bruise on my right leg, black and purple…ugly looking. I let my dress fall back down to my feet and shut my eyes, ignoring the pain that was now surging up and down my leg. That hurt…it really did. Uncle had never done that before…and in public…well there was no one around but still. Uncle had never done that in full view where anyone could have come in and seen. He was a monster. Possibly worst than Thomas Boleyn or even Anne's Uncle. My Uncle was a cold brute.
"Mar—Marie?" Cara stuttered out, holding onto both of my forearms, her hands trembling in fear "Are you alright?"
What kind of stupid question is that? Of course I'm not alright!
I reopened my eyes, glaring my sister, I shoved her away quickly and she stumbled back quickly in confusion.
"Do not treat me like a child, Cara." I told her in a low voice, snapping my eyes back over to her with a glare before storming off down the hallway and around a corner, leaving Cara behind. Perhaps I did snap at her harshly but I did not need a beating from Uncle…well he did only hit me with the cane once but still it hurt. Now, it is official…my whole day has been horrible.
I walked into the tents where I was with the other ladies in waiting but slowly I left when seeing Charles Brandon there. But I wasn't quick enough as he saw me, I quickly ran but he caught me from behind, picking me up and then pulling me off over to a tree, pinning me against it. His shirt was un-buttoned and his trousers nearly falling down. Disgusting.
"Lady Marie, we never finished our conversation—" He told me with a grin, my hands against his chest but attempting to shove him away, we fell to the ground, him quickly on top of me, hovering like a buzzard would.
He slid his hand up my dress and I gasped, finally slipping an arm out of his grip and slapped him across the face, he chuckled lowering his head to kiss at my neck.
"Oh, you disgusting brute!" I shoved him away finally getting enough strength and quickly getting up and away from him. Running across the gardens, past the tents with the Ladies in Waiting, and back into the castle. Heading towards where my parents lived. I now felt bad for snapping at Cara but I couldn't think of that.
I walked in, carefully pacing myself, my head once again back up and I quickly tucked some of loose strands of hair behind my right ear before walking completely in. Looking around only to see Uncle beside the fireplace. I sighed and shook my head, I was beyond annoyed now.
"How on earth did you get here so soon?" I asked, breathing evenly now, much better than before.
"It's called walking, my dear, you should try it some time." He told me sarcastically, walking away from the fire place back over to me. I stepped back but he grabbed me quickly, his right hand cupping my face in it. His fingers digging into my skin again.
"Now, we don't need you running off again, do we?" The question was once again rhetorical, he pulled me over to the fire place where he reached for a fire poker. My god he was sadistic…a mad man.
"Charles." My mother spoke from behind, quickly he stopped and sighed, letting go of me and walking off to somewhere. But I was happy that he was gone.
"Mother I—" I began to say but then, just as before, I was slapped across the face by my own mother. She had a cold look on her face, one of hate.
"Don't you ever do that again, Marie. Ever." She warned me before walking off, leaving me behind. I stared after where she had left moments before and slowly looked back at the fire place. I resisted the urge to fall to my knees and cry. I was not weak. I was strong. After all, I *am* Marie Cornwell. It's to be expected of me.
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