Disclaimer: Really? If I was I would already be a multi-billionaire producer and Supreme Goddess!

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed as promise another chapter! Hope you enjoy

~VXLP

"Face it you can't resisit the face of innocence when it hides under a mask of seriousness. The men and women who show a more severe is because deep inside they are weak, broken and yearn to be soft, they have been beaten so many times that in turn they beat others emotionally and physically up as they descend lower into darkness"

~"Hit me" by me

1546, October 29th

"New Hall" (Beaulieu Palace)

This had been the palace where her mother was forced to serve on her newborn sister when she been a child herserlf. It was within these palace walls that Mary had forced to grow up, where they had killed her childhood and transformed her into the cold and ambitious woman, devoid of any sentiment or empathy for others save for herself and her family.

Annie wondered how was it that her father a man as cunning and conniving as her mother was now, could have fallen for a spirit so weak and naive, but tender and loving like she'd been once before? Sometimes she wished she could turn back the clock and meet her mother when she had been a child, when her own mother was still living and been the highest lady in the land. Katherine of Aragon, a woman she was taught by her father to admire yet Annie could never find something in common with the Tratasmara brood, she found she had more in common with her Aunt's mother, save for her ambition. Annie was nowhere as ambitious, she would never go to lengths so far as to betray her own heart and soul for the love of a King and to have him place the crown of St. Edward on her head.

Princes and Princesses they led a very dangerous life, filled with intrigue and deceit. They certainly were not people to be envied, and her uncle despite being her best friend, had nothing in his life that she would want.

"Annie!" She turned and saw said uncle running down the stairs to greet her and Anthony. He asked why the youngest memeber of the Chapuys-Tudor brood had not come after he dismissed their bows reminding them that in his new royal house, they could call or act whatever and however they wanted.

"He wanted to stay with mother and father Eddie" Said Anthony calling his uncle by his nickname that he and Annie had given him. It had been over three years now since their father had began bringing his eldest children more frequently to visit, or, in some occassions such as this one, spend the weekend with him.

Eddie hugged Annie first and hesitated to release his lips when he kissed her cheek. She was no longer little and skinny Annie who was too slow to keep up with the rest of the girls her age and the boys she played with, all friends of Anthony's or Edward's. The young girl had had a growth sprout and was now as tall as her brother and only a shoulder away reach her real father's height. It put Edward and his average physique to shame, but he always forgot about that when he gazed into her eyes. Anyone could get lost in them, even the natural swimmer find himself lost or sink in those waters, her eyes after all were the same color as the River Thames as cold and unyielding.

Annie brought him back to reality when she cleared her throat. She looked at him feeling herself blush, something that caused to chuckle quickly, his nervousness taking over him as he forced himself to look the other way. Anthony could not help but notice it, and felt very bad for his sister and the Prince who must feel now very awkward. On the other hand, he could not blame Eddie for acting like an idiot in front of Annie, his sister had that effect on people, especially the boys who were beginning to fall for his sister's charm and new looks.
Those eyes of hers, could cast a spell and making anyone fall for her at first sight. Anthony did not like it however when the Prince's and his older friends' flirtations went too far.

"One of these days those eyes sister are going to backfire their spell at you" He had told Annie one day when they had been playing chess while watching over their little, estranged brother, George.

"You think they are too dangerous?" She had asked with a chuckle after she had cornered his king with her black queen and towering knight, thus winning another match. "Oh Tony you have a lot to learn ... it is all a game can't you see, and besides there is nothing wrong in flirting or returning a smile to your admirers once in a while."

His sister loved challenges, but sometimes he felt that she was playing with fire and she would end up getting hurt, beaten like the so many women who took little care for the rules, and end up disgraced that nobody would want to marry her.
"I don't need a man, and the only men I care for in my life are you and papa" Annie had snapped, her tone firm but with a hint of annoyance, at Anthony.

"Tony did you like the new wooden sword that the King sent you?" He asked going over to his oldest nephew and cousin.

Tony nodded but remarked how he would have liked it if Edward's father, the King, would have sent him an actual dagger like the many he gave his golden Prince.

Edward saw Tony's mouth twist with dislike when he mentioned this and assured him he would speak with his father the next time and convince him to get a better weapon for the boy. "But you really need to start using your toys carefully, it is no wonder your father is always mad when you ask him for toys, you always break them!"

Tony smirked folding his arms against his chest. "What can I say I have my father's strength"

"No you have the Tudors' stregnth in you little cousin. I shudder when I think how you and George will be when you get older, poor George we always try to give him a good time but never wants to play, not even with boys his age"

Annie and Tony nodded. It was true. George was even more stubborn, and surprisingly more quiet than they. Bess Tudor said he had inherited those qualities from her late uncle and his namesake, George Boleyn.

"I think he should have come though" said Edward briefly interrupting. It was rare when Anthony boasted about his brother's achievement. He was normally very self centered and showed cared only for his sister. The way they were together on everything, including their mischief, you would not think they were anything but twins.

Tony shrugged. "I told him that too, but you should have seen how the little buggers started crying and crying for mama to come, I swear that is that little boy does, if our parents are not there with him he will not settle down."

"Your brother sure is full of energy" Edward sighed in relief, a smile plastered over his face as he thought how lucky he was. "That is why God made me an only child"

Annie rolled her eyes at the two laughing little men. Immature, she thought. She was the only adult in this room. The servants who passed them generally ignored them, but most were under Cromwell or the King's payroll to report anything if it seemed too suspicious or that could pose a threat for the royal family, especially the Prince.
Edward didn't realize it, but being an only child and his father's only legitimate heir had its perks. There was more pressure put on his shoulders to excel at everything, jousting, literature, music, dance, languages, you name it. It had taken a toll on his health, and Edward had never been very healthy, last year where he almost died. Thankfully he recovered from the fever. His mother, a Catholic who was forced to hide her religion from anyone, especially her husband and his protestant ministers (who were in the same position as her, hiding their beliefs from their King who despised everything Protestant more than he did everything Catholic), prayed day and night using the old rosary she had been handed down from Katherine of Aragon herself. Every day she believed more and more that her son had a special destiny, that his survival could only mean that God had great plans ahead of him and for England.

"It is fun to have brothers" she said raising her voice so they could hear her while they were still laughing like the pair of idiots they were. Men, Annie thought, strong on the outside but empty on the inside. Nothing more than big muscles and big show offs. In Edward's case a show off like her brother Anthony. George was the only man she met so far along with their father, who was not a show off, perhaps he had the same broad shoulders as their father but he was in no means presumptious or arrogance like nobles his age were starting to be.

"Perhaps for you to have people to take care for you" Anthony laughed harder when Eddie said this.

"How dare you! I can take care of myself and Tony stop laughing!"

Tony could hardly breath anymore. He threw his hands helplessly in the air and walked closer to Edward and put his arm around him. Despite being four years younger, Tony's height made him seem older.
"I am sorry sister I can't help it" Tony said. "You are so easy to make fun of, lighten up please stop taking everything seriously"

"Yes Annie have fun once in a while, you are always so grouchy" Edward commented though with a softer and more understanding tone than her brother.

His tone relaxed her and prevented her from shouting at them, it would do her no good either way since everything she said or did was going to be reported to the King of his secretary, and if either one of them found that she had yelled at their golden Prince, her parents would be the ones punished in her stead. Annie did not want to get her parents, especially her father, in more trouble than what she already got them. Last year she had "Stolen" one of Edward's horses (Cromwell's words exactly when he told her parents -as a result Mary had threatened her in secret, something she could care less since Annie never showed fear for her mother anymore since her permanent stay with her father and Aunt Bess, nonetheless she enjoyed seeing her father arrive on time before her mother did any worse to Annie, and grab her roughly by the arm and pull her to a dark corner where he whispered a threat only she could here) and took it through the forests of his old residence in Whales while he raced with his smaller and slower horse, a pony who was cross breed and nothing compared to what she had taken for a joy ride. She had taken a light scolding from her father and Aunt Bess when they reached Hatfield. She promised she would never do anything of the sort, but being who she was, she tended to forget her promises very quickly and got back to doing mischief with her brother, and dragging the poor, reluctant Prince along.

"I have fun it is you who is always saying lets not do this, do this instead, why you do that when we could be doing that. You are so boring sometimes Edward" She said haughtily.

"To my defense I am the royal heir and I have to be careful not to seem too spoiled -"

"More than what he already is?" Asked Tony with a wide smirk while raising an eyebrow.

"Excuse me weren't we suppose to be making fun of Lady know it all?"

"We will later, but it is so much making fun of the oh so privileged crown Prince" Tony replied giving a mock bow and a large grin that he copied from his sister. He would not trade these moments for everything, he lived for these moments. Edward could be the crown prince and all but Anthony was happy with the life he led and the people that were in it. He could imagine anything better.

"Would you two stop fighting and acting like little children for once?" Annie said frustrated as the two boys wrestled on the floor.

Anthony was sure he would win this time and he was not disappointed when he did, even if Edward said afterward when they were on the breakfast table that they had cheated. To Tony a win was a win, it didn't matter what rules you played by.

Edward muttered darkly "I could have won" when he drank his cup of water. He would have won if it hadn't been for Annie's voice, everytime she spoke he would easily forget what he was doing, where he was, and in the case of his petty fight with Tony, get distracted. The minute she raised her voice at them, he had loosened his grip and Tony being the advantegous type had turned the tables on him and pinned him down on the floor claiming victory.

Annie had been there by his side afterward, asking him if he was okay. He had taken her hand and whispered that he was. Though it annoyed him that Tony was making a huge deal of his latest victory, it hardly mattered to him as he landed his eyes at Annie, briefly locking his gaze with her magnificent blue eyes.

He would let Tony enjoy his victory for now, Annie's smile and the concern she showed him when she saw him pinned down, was worth the defeat.

"I believe in truth, freedom and above all things: LOVE"

~Christian (played by: Ewan McGregor) in Moulin Rouge (2001)

1547, January 7th.

The bells were ringing in Westminster Abbey. "Long live the king" the crowds cheered. An old life had ended, a new one had began. The thirteen year old had stepped in the chair of St. Edward's, once belonging to his father, now it belonged to his. The Archbishop of Canterbury and York were present and so where other officials of the Anglican church that was now under his command. Thomas Cranmer had placed the jeweled crown on their newly annointed king. The holy oils were still fresh on his forehead when he abandoned the scepter and only his crown remained on his royal regalia, as he passed all of London for a second time, waving at his new subjects.

He promised he would be a king different from his father. He would be a king for the people, and parliament he assured them would never be so privileged as with Edward. "Edward VI your new King tells you a new era has began" he proclaimed standing from one of the balconies of Greenwich.

The day had been long, and through the cheers and joys of Edward and his subjects he had failed to notice until now a beautiful twelve year old sitting in one of the tables below, busy, in conversation with her family. He smiled at her and she seemed to know that he was smiling for she instantly looked back at him and gave him the famous trademark Chapuys grin followed by a wink. As her father gripped her shoulder she returned her attention to him and the rest of their family, slightly regretting that they were not alone so they could talk for old time's sake.

He felt the weight of his crown as he realized that as King now he would never be a normal person, but then again when had he ever been normal? Not once he'd known what normal really meant, and he envied Annie and her family for a while, thinking they were lucky that they had loving parents who would never put them in harm's way for their ambition. His mother had been the only true parent he'd come to know, and his tutors had been there for him when his father wasn't, he owed more to them than to his father. Yet, out of respect for her mother sitting next to him, he had agreed to bury his father with the greatest honors England had seen yet for a monarch.

His tomb was greater than anyone else's, and on it were the jewels that had once formed part of his father's royal ring he had taken from the traitor, Thomas Beckett's tomb, "the regal of France". It was a beauty to behold and it became to replace the relics that people once went in the famous pilgramages sites that his father had still allowed. Things were going to change, he decided, from now on people would not be worshipping false idols or being led by pagan imagery and false promises of salvation. From now it would be schools and the true religion that would dominate this country, this purifying it from the evils of his father and the Catholic Church.

Jane noticed how lost her son was in his thoughts and when she looked down it finally hit her. After all these years he was still infatuated with his niece. Her hand slid across the table and reached for his fingers. Edward had always yearned for affection but the years of knowing nothing but lessons and a cold father, had turned him in turn cold and he hardly showed emotion, except for his mother and another person that he was currently thinking of along with the many plans he had in store for his country. No doubt, he knew the Lord Protector his father left for him and his namesake, Edward Seymour his uncle along with Cranmer would help him achieve all of this. He would go down in history as the true reformer, the King who purified England and restored it to its true greatness.

He turned to his mother upon feeling her soft fingers interwine with his. "What's wrong?" He asked, he knew that look, his mother had something serious to say.

Instead of giving him a concreet answer, she replied with another question"What were you looking at?"

There was a twinkle in her son's eyes and she wasn't sure whether to feel happy, that he had fallen for a girl who befriended him not based on his background, but for the person he was; or scared that he was taking the same path that led her husband to become the tyrant that he'd been in life after meeting Anne Boleyn, albeit his ministers were glorifying him by rewriting history for the future generations to appreciate their "misunderstood" king.

"Nothing really, just enjoying the view. So many people here" Edward said dully.

His words were like a heavy blow to her heart, they were the same words his father had pronounced when she caught him looking at other women. She was now more afraid when he turned back to look at the red haired girl, and give a deep and regretful sigh.

"It is a marvelous view son" She commented dully as well and withdrew her fingers. "Be careful, when you stare too long at the sun's rays your eyes get burned" she said cautiously.

"I am not staring at the sun's rays mother, I am staring at the sun" He said his smile broadening when the music changed to a more lively tune, and every courtier including Annie who was paired up with her brother, began to dance. She was lovely, with her scarlet gown and her simple French hood. He couldn't help but imagine her in more lavish fashions, with pearls instead of cheap imitations adorning her hair, a crown instead of a hood on top of her flaming head.

"Why long for things that are not meant to be ours Edward?" His mother asked and he became very annoyed with her by now.

"I am King mother, I can have whatever I want, the kingdom is mine for the taking"

"You are going to get burned then" She said shaking her head in dismay, looking down at the dancing couple of Annie and her brother Anthony Andrew Chapuys. She was a real peach that one, and if Edward was so serious about her as he said he was, she shuddered when she saw that would bring to the Tudor house and England.