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Hampton Court Palace, in the morning
Henry wake up in his bed with a slight headache, still a bit sleepy, thinking that he have too much drink wine last night and no enough sleep, had too much sexe that leave him exhausted and without joy.
He rub his reddish eyes, wipe his sweaty forehead while concentrating for go out of the blacks marshlands of the death night and sleep, he reflect a moment for recall of the date of the day.
Yesterday it was .. 6 september, so today it's 7 september, the date in first appear to him dull, unsignifiant, nothing of important projected this day, a day as another one.
Then something occur in his mind, Elizabeth, his second daughter, it's her birthday, how old is she now ? 7 years ! god the time fly ! it's already 4 years he hadn't seen her.
He try to imagine her as a 7 years little girl, her hairs are surely longer, her face and body thinner, but in spite of his effort, in his mind he can only see the frozen image of her as he seen her for the last time, a 3 years old small girl with strawberry hairs.
Even this image is vague, he can hardly recall of her, he don't often seen her at this period and he have no idea of how she look like now, now her face features and hairs must be more apparent, do she look like a lot like her mother or more like him ?
What about her personality ? it's must be apparent also now at her age, is she obediant or rebel ?, calm or energic ? wise or naughty ?, do she like dance and music like her mother ?
The questions follow each others in his mind, they become obsessings, he sigh heavely in thinking to her, conscious that it's only because of a huge resentment that he had got toward Anne Boleyn, that he hadn't see his daughter while all this time.
He feel that whatever happened with his second wife, for make his love turn in hate toward her, he know that it isn't fair to treat this way their daughter who never did anything for deserve it, he had associate her to her mother's lot without wondering if it was fair.
He think to his poor fragile son, death of illness one year ago, he began to give up hope to ever have a male heir, though he must to have a son for his dynastie's existance, but he know that he would have to count on his daughters if he don't get another childs.
There is Mary of course, she is much older than Elizabeth, is yet in age for rule and have got a queen blood and stature, but she have become a so bitter, austerous and insensible young woman.
She openly dream of retablishing the old catholic roman religion whatever will be the price for it, she wouldn't hesitate to burn every reformer, protestants that there is in this country for get it, she consider her religion more important than England fate.
She could lead the country to civil war, he feel it, while all his rule he have fight for avoid civil war and there is huge risks that it happen if she suceed to him, he get more and more feared about her but he know that he could not have another choice.
And what about Elizabeth ? what's her mother influence's result ? raised by a mother so different of Mary's mother, she must be very different of her sister for sure, probably rather by reformer's side for sure.
He have accept to let her with her mother because Anne, at his huge surprise have obey to his decision of annulement and banishment without rebellion, without saying anything, so he has been able to fastly marry Jane Seymour, the woman that he lusted after since some time.
She hadn't try to ask him anything, hadn't make people talk about her, he had nearly forget her existance, and Anne being english and not involved with any foreign or rebel people, he have estimate that she don't risked to plot with her daughter so there wasn't harm to let them live together.
Since his decision to annule the marriage has been taken, he have relegate both Anne and Elizabeth to oubliettes in his mind, so he don't cared at all of where they lived and in which conditions, together or not, nor to anything about them.
So Anne would be content to have her daughter with her, wouldn't ask him anything of more and allow him to forget them again and she would be useful to something in caring of their daughter's education.
Even if he tryed to convince himself that only these reasons have decide him to allow her to have her daughter with her, the little part of paternal fiber that he was still have toward Elizabeth make him feel a bit reassured and happy for her.
Because he knowed that Anne sincerely loved Elizabeth, it's the only good thing about her that he couldn't deny, so with her mother, his daughter would probably be loved, treated with consideration, educated properly and happy to have her mother with her.
He sigh, realize that after the disaster of his marriage with Jane Seymour, while all this time, his rancour toward Anne have weaken and his feeling softened toward Elizabeth.
Jane Seymour who was all the time in his thoughts when he was married to Anne had fastly stop to interest him after their marriage, a woman without culture, conversation and so austerous, she have go until make rules about the quantity of jewelry that another women of court can wear !
Henry have soon fall out of love with her, realizing that he have maybe do a mistake in marrying her so fastly after his divorce of Anne and was openly projecting to divorce if she don't fastly give him a son .
His desire for her weakened more and more, he don't felt often the envy to visit her bedroom and had to force himself, fortunately she have finally fall pregnant and give him the son long-awaited and he have thank her for it by numerous gifts.
But with time, their relationship have become more and more dull, he was deadly bored when he had to spend time with her and deserted her bed, she wasn't good at it, she was cold as death fish while Anne was stunning for it, though Jane wasn't virgin when they made love for the first while Anne was virgin when they he had his first time with her, this unforgettable moment in the forest, her cry when he entered her and after, when they have get up, pulling up their clothes, he have see blood on the forest's black ground, as black as her glowing raven hairs floating on her naked body as white as snow ... In spite of himself he still get ardent each time he think to this moment.
He have began to think again to Anne Boleyn, especially at night, feeling in spite of himself missing her body, her beautiful breasts, her thin legs, her hot blood and her cunning caresses all over his body.
He have let her appear sometimes in his nocturn fantasies, but have refuse to let her have another place than in there, especially not in his heart, because she have fail in giving him the sons many time promised while Jane have give him the son expected and so Jane was his only rightful wife.
But a short time after his son's second birthday, he have discover that his daughter Mary, whom Jane have fastly make come back at court and fully support, had secret get engaged with the prince Philip of Spain with Jane's support and allowance, herself being suspected to have plot with the embassador of Spain.
It have make him realize that it wasn't Anne boleyn who pretended to being someone that she wasn't but Jane who have manipulate him with her false sweetness and double-faced personality, who have always encourage him to neglect Elizabeth, a innocent and harmless small girl while favorizing Mary who have end up by betray him with her help.
He have immediatly chase Mary and Jane of the court, waiting for take a decision about them, very angry and hurted to has been manipulate this way by this woman and he have began to think, to admit to himself that he have maybe be injust with Elizabeth and her mother.
Because yes Anne Boleyn always speak out her opinions and dared to beg to him, to tell him no, provocate him and she had an influence on him, but after she had always serve their commun interests, his interests and now he realize that he have fastly juge her, blinded by his hasteness to have a male heir and his lust for Jane Seymour .
The huge matter was that that he don't wanted that his only son's legitimity could be contested and Jane was the only one to gave him a male heir, it's made him reflect twices time before to take a decision.
A few weeks after this grave affair happened, he have learn that his son had get ill and that his state is getting grave and make the physician fear for his life, he join his son's household with his better physician, but the little boy's state get worse and worse and he have end by pass away without the physician could do anything.
His pain was immense, it have convince him that in fact Jane wasn't the one who would give him a male hair, that she gave one to him only for see him pass away as small child, praying for hours in his bedroom, he have longely wonder if it was maybe god's punishment for have divorce a good queen and marry this hypocritical woman and for have neglect his second daughter.
He have get a divorce a little while after his son's death and banish Jane from court, send her back to her family, he don't really wanted to remarry, but he still needed a son, he hadn't any girl for become his queen in his mind and he had decide to being very careful about his choice.
In spite of himself, he have think to Anne, this woman who had remain so beautiful while these long years that they have spend together, who hadn't lost her charms with age as many other ones, and she wasn't yet too old, she was surely still beautiful .
She hadn't give him any male child but after all they has been married only 3 years and she gave him a strong girl, so maybe if he did have let her more time, visit more often her bedroom, has been more discreet with his mistress when she was pregnant for don't upset her, rather than divorce ...
He have fastly chase away this idea, not her ! she had to give him a son, she promised and she have fail he don't wanted to hear otherwise, even from his own mind, anyway she had too much influence on him and was unable to hold her tongue when she should had, and she wasn't enough young anymore anyway, he must had get mad for had think to her !
Then he have decide that maybe the wiser was to what he never waited to do until now, a arranged mariage with a rich, pretty and obedient young girl and after had recieve propositions, he have choice Anne of Cleves from her beautiful portrait, but the matter was that the portrait wasn't realiste.
Though this girl is very kind, soft and clever, she have fastly ask about his daughters, suggest him to enter in contact with the little Elizabeth, seemed to sincerely want to form a united a family around him.
But he don't find attractive at all and she hadn't a good hygiene and it's disgusted him, he have feel immediatly that he would never be able to make love with her, concieve a son.
So in spite of her human qualities and good intentions, he have decide to divorce again but this time he did it fairly, he gave a comfortable pension, a castle, have go to visit her in there and they have become friends, she is like his sister now.
Six months earlier, his own reflections and his conversation with Anne of Cleves about Elizabeth have push him to decide of send a pension and some goods for his daughter to Anne Boleyn, it have calm the feeling of guilty that he did feel about his second daughter.
He know that he should go to see her, but he feel nervous at the idea to go to visit her, the girl couldn't be able to recognize him nor even to recall of him, she was so small when she saw him for the last time.
But he have to see her for began to assure his succession in the case where he wouldn't get any son, make sure that she is educated properly, that her mother teach her obediance and love toward him rather than rebellion or resentment.
As he finish to get ready for the day, thoughtful, he decide on leaving for Pembroke marquisate's castle soon, join his servent and ask him to get everything ready for his visit up there.
Annette castle, at midday
In the diningroom, Elizabeth, gracious in her thin white diaphanous dress that make her look like a angel, her long copper red hairs floating freely under a pearl tiara, is sat with her mother and oncle around the table and they eat in a relaxed athmosphere.
Then the servents bring on the table a magnificant all white birthday cake, with a white icing and little swans and roses in almond paste, Elizabeth's eyes bright with joy, her face light with a big smile and she applaud happily and she exclaim.
"It's magnificent ! I never see such a beautiful cake"
She feel very touched, knowing that it's her mother's idea, she turn to her and embrace her tenderly, glide her head on her shoulder, then kiss her cheek and she tell her with softness and emotion.
"Thank you mama"
Anne embrace her back and kiss her hairs, moved by her daughter's happiness before the cake that she have specially make realize for her, then she answer her softly.
"Nothing is too beautiful for you, my Ellie"
She lean her mouth to her daughter's ear and wisper in a devoted tone the forbidden word that she can't always refrain .
"My princess"
Elizabeth shiver then she smile happily in hearing this word, her rightful statut that she have lost at her parent's divorce, that she dream to see retablished as she is convinced to have the right to have it.
Elizabeth get a swan delicately between her fingers and make it swim in the air toward her mother, smiling happily, Anne get the another swan and make it swim near of her daughter's, they do their swans kiss each other, they swim toward George who giggle, amused and kiss their swans, then they eat them.
The servent cut the cake and serve it, Elizabeth and Anne release each others and taste the cake with yums of pleasure since it's as delicious as beautiful, then they savour slowly their slice in a serene silence.
Elizabeth, knowing that it's time for the gifts, recalling of the big gift hidden in her mother's bedroom jump from her chair and turn to her mother and ask her with enthousiasm.
"Can I see my gifts now ?"
Anne giggle, get up and put her hands on her daughter's shoulders and answer her softly.
"Yes, my Ellie, come with me in your bedroom, the servent have put it in your bedroom"
George turn to them and say.
"I have something for you too, before"
Elizabeth look at her oncle with curiousity, then he get a little gift and bring it to her, she open it and discover a cute rag doll with wool blond hairs, she smile, hug her oncle and tell him kindly .
"Thank you, it's so pretty !"
George, endeared, kiss her forehead tenderly, then Elizabeth cuddle her doll, Anne, smiling stroke the doll's little dress, then George say to them.
"And now, we can go to see this big gift !"
Elizabeth, excited, holding her doll in her arms, rush upstair until her bedroom followed by Anne and George who can hardly follow her rythm, she put delicately her doll on her bed and turn to the big package.
Anne, feeling very excited at the idea to reveal the gift to her daughter, catch her daughter before she can reach the package, wrapp her arms around her shoulder and ask her playfully.
"Are you ready Ellie ?"
Elizabeth answer her with ardour
"Yes mama !"
She laugh in hearing excitement in her daughter's voice and she ask her
"Are you sure ?"
In her mother's arms Elizabeth jump up and down of joy
"Yes I am sure !"
In a kidding tone, Anne ask her
"Really sure ?"
Elizabeth giggle and answer
" Yes mama !"
Anne laugh and release her daughter.
"You can go !"
Elizabeth jump over the package with her mother and oncle, they help her to open it, her eyes get very bright and her mouth wide open in amazment, for a instant she remain silent, as frozen, hardly daring to touch it, as fearing to see it disappear as a mirage.
Then she caress the wooden walls and turn to Anne who look at her, tears of joy filling her eyes as she see the air on her daughter face, she jump in her arms and huge tightly, then exclaim, moved.
"Thank you mama ! it's so so beautiful ! I wouldn't had even dream to have something of so great !"
Anne hug her back tenderly and answer her.
"I am happy to make you pleasure, I love you darling"
George look at the dollhouse with a stunned air and exclaim.
"Oh look at that Elizabeth ! it's the most beautiful dollhouse I ever seen"
Elizabeth kiss her mother's cheek.
"I love you too, mama, you are the better mama in earth !"
Anne wipe her eyes and tell her in a kidding tone.
"It's not only for you ! me too I want to play with it !"
Elizabeth giggle and answer her.
"Great ! so I will have you for play with me ! it's will be better like that !"
George take a falsetto voice, sat near to them on the wooden floor and tell them in a kidding tone.
"Eh ! me too ! Can I play with you, girls ?"
Elizabeth and Anne laugh, then Elizabeth answer him.
"Yes, but be a good boy !"
"Yes ! I promess !"
The three of them began to play together to the doll house, exploring all the little topics and equipement, then they get each a doll and make them talk and interact together joyfully a long moment.
Annette Castle, in the late afternoon
While Elizabeth is still playing with her dollhouse, George get ready for leave, Anne, getting melancolical and worried to the idea to being again alone with her daughter, look at him in silence as he pack his luggages, tears fill her eyes.
George turn and see the air on his sister's face, moved he come closer to her and put his arms around her in a protective way and tell her in a tender tone.
"Oh, Anne, you aren't gonna cry"
Anne lean her head to his shoulder and whisper him in a pleading and soft tone.
"Don't leave, George, please"
"Why ?, what is it ?, Anne"
Anne can't refrain her tears that flow along her face, don't really knowing herself why she cry, feeling a familiar huge sadness, she embrace her brother tightly, try to recover, then answer.
"I don't know ... I am sorry"
George stroke her back in attempt to reassure her, kiss her forehead and answer her softly.
"Shh don't apologize, Annette, you have to tell me when you aren't ok, I can stay here tonight, you know that I am always here for you and Elizabeth."
Anne, reassured, feeling a bit better, release George slowly and answer him.
"Thank you George, I know, it's ok, I am just sad tonight, I don't know why"
George look in her eyes and caress her cheek.
"Yes, you know why, it's because of always alone with your daughter, even if you adore her I guess sometimes you need something of more and it's also because of what he did to you"
Anne shiver in hearing the last words of his sentence, amazed that he guess so well what she have in her mind, then she nodd slowly, and answer him.
"I love to live here alone with her, I feel quiet and in peace here, but sometimes I also feel alone in earth"
"I promess to come more often"
Anne wipe her eyes, kiss his cheek tenderly and answer him
"Thank you George, it will be ok, I feel better now, you can go"
"Sure ?"
She nodd, he kiss her forehead and leave, Anne sat on a sofa in the salon and look to the carriage rolling out of her domain through the window with a melancolical air, then she join her daughter's bedroom, sat by her side and began to play with her, feeling happiness come back in her Elizabeth's company.