Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

hanks for your reviews, for some reason they don't show on fanfiction, have to send a complaint why that's happening. Anyhow this chapter was co-written ages ago with SSLE as well however I made major changes as the story has changed and added new perspectives, new scenes. Thanks SSLE however, part of the credit goes to her as well.

Chapter #30: Through your eyes

"Walk into a dream I see you
My light in darkness breathing hope of new life
Now I live through you and you trough me,
Enchanted ...
I pray in my heart this dream never ends
I see me through your eyes
breathing through life flying high
your love shines away into paradise
so I offer my life as a sacrifice
I live through your love
Teach me how to see all that is beautiful
Senses touch your world I never pictured
Now I give my hope to you,
I surrender ...
I pray in my heart this world never ends
And I see me through your eyes
breathing through life flying high
Your love shines away into paradise
so I offer my life, I offer my love for you"

~"I see you" by Leona Lewis

1558, Nonsuch Palace:

Days continued to pass and yet she could not remember anything of the incident. There were flashes, occasional triggers to it but nothing more. It remained a blur.

George meanwhile seethed with complete jealousy as he watched the King of Spain dancing with his cousin, Katherine. He looked at her possessively, drinking himself to death to forget her last words.

"Friend" "Amigo" "Amour" "Companion" "Cousin". He was nothing more than her pimp, her helper. She would never view her as something else. Damn her.

The King of Spain had moved along with the rest of the court in their procession to Nonsuch not far Greenwich. He could taste the bitter sweet her last kiss left on his cheeks. He had not washed his face for days so he could remember her scent. His family had hurt hers more than once. Why would she love him? She had every cause to hate him.

His Aunt had shouted at them when she discovered them as children laying on top of each other in her son's chambers practicing the positions they'd seen the servants engage in while making love in their quarters.

She grabbed him by the ear and returned him to his mother who boxed his ears well that day. For her sake he promised not to engage in anymore "games" with his cousin or see her ever again without their permission.

He was not true to his promise. George smirked as he remembered Katherine telling him of the many things she learned while spying Henry during his consummation with Gertrude. They resumed their practice a year after her brother's marriage, right before his son's birth. Henry had discovered them one evening and not unlike his father, he'd boxed George's ears and threatened to denounce him to Their Majesties ... until Kitty stepped forward and whispered something in his ear that brought a devious smile in his thin lips.
"I will let you resume with my sister if you promise to be gentle with her...This is the way to do it..." He showed them an illustrated copy of an oriental book his father had taken during his offense against the Turkish forces n Vienna in '29 by what he was famous for.
"My Katherine ... my sweet, sweet Katherine" His moans would cease abruptly when he was hit by reason that they were sinning but his male organ reminded him of the pleasure. He was mindful though, that during their brief encounters they could not release into each other. Her virginity had to be intact. She was a woman and had more to lose than George who despite his purity expected, could stray whenever he wanted. God would forgive him.

In less than a week Mary Stuart would come, the girl he was fated to wed, she was about their age and reputedly beautiful by the Bishop Lesley of Rus.
He sighed. He did not want to marry that French-Scottish whore. If rumors were true she had consorted with devils and learned from her former stepmother, the Queen Dowager of France, the dark arts of seduction and was trained in deception. Did his parents really wanted him to be married to a woman like that? A heartless wench.

His eyes followed the every move of his Katherine, his little cat. Even if it was just her laughter, it aroused in him feelings that did not went accord with his line of reasoning. He felt his member throb as she cast a glance at his side.

Sweet Katherine.

"Watch it, she will break your heart little brother" Anthony whispered laughing at his brother's impossible love. If you can call lust –love. Anthony Andrew Chapuys was not called his father's son for nothing, he and his sister along with their cousin and her half sibling Isabella, knew the true nature of Katherine. But his brother was a complete blunder –to everything and everyone in general. A pretty face and he was completely hooked and it didn't help she was influencing him painting a false picture of Mary Stuart.

"What do you know of love Anthony? Nothing. You sleep with the first woman you see. You and Alexei see women as a tool to satiate your members I believe in the purity of love, true love brother"

Anthony nearly spit his ale "True love? Just since when have you become a romantic Georgie boy?"

"You know nothing of anything Tony. You spend your days taking women's maidenheads. I pity you"

Anthony put down his ale and stared widely at George "Pity me? You are the lovesick boy Georgie"

George hated when his brother called him that. He made it known by his next sentence "What would you know of true feelings when you've never given your heart for anyone. I pity you, living a life of emptiness, living constantly in fear of being killed by your whores' husbands. Living on emptiness, a life of simple vanity, you are a shell Tony. You know nothing" George replied hastily.

Anthony rolled his eyes. "I know more of women than you will ever know if you continue your impossible pursuit" He replied sipping his wine and giving a beautiful brunet who passed by a wink.

"You have slept with half of London by now. Imagine how many bastards you've begot. Does it not bother you knowing how many hearts you've broken? How can you sleep at night?"

"Much better than you and I can guarantee my bed is always warm" Anthony said with a wide grin

"Your soul is in peril not by how many women you bed but your treatment of them. You know nothing but pleasure. You are an empty shell" George spat smirking.

"I know more than you George, just because I slept with women does not mean I intend to hurt or use them to my advantage. Every woman I slept with has consented, you little brother are not yet prepared but you should be, Mary Stuart comes in two days' time, perhaps less, try not to embarrass yourself" Anthony said leaving George to his own thoughts, an action he would later regret.

George did not wait after the party was over, he returned to his chamber. He hated his brother for making fun of him. It was always Anthony this, Anthony that. He began to understand his poor niece's dilemma of never having siblings. He loved Annie, but she was hardly available to talk to him like before. She was Queen and had no time for him, except for Anthony and his parents.

He dismissed all of the servants and forgot to close the doors. He sighed, he was very tired he did not want to read anymore but he had to otherwise his brother would be bragging tomorrow about finishing his book first. Two hands covered his eyes.

"Guess who?"

He smirked. She took her hands away from his face and sat on his lap. "I was wondering when you would talk to me again"

"Your future husband doesn't give us time love" George said, they both stood up and walked to his bed. Just as Anthony said he had to gain experience. Katherine would be lost to him and vice verse, this would be their first and last night, his first experience ever with a woman.

She smiled with delight, poor George -she thought -so easy, so handsome, so stupid. She would miss being with him, there was no other man in the planet so easy, so lusty and handsome. She hated him so much that she loved him. She was insane with love and anger. Love -pure love. She loved him so much but she hated her family. Such a contradiction! He was her especial, personal love toy.

Wait, wait until the Scottish Queen comes, she thought wildly. He would not betray her. Even with all the charm and dark arts that that Scottish pig had learned in France no one would be her equal. George was his.

He crashed his lips on hers, "George don't you think -" she began playing hard to get pushing him away "this is all so sudden?"

He shook his head and smiled, before she could say another word, he pushed her unto the bed where his body crashed on top of hers. He took off half of her clothing and she did the same with him, by the time they were finished it was only her corset and his chemise they were wearing. "Do you consent?" He asked hoping the answer would be yes.

Her big red lips formed the perfect smile and she said in a siren voice that lured him in "Yes"

He did not need to be told twice, he kissed her again and then parted. Her hands were in his member she could feel it grow at her touch. Her hips arched, she released his member and rested her hands on his back. "I am ready" she said. He pushed their bodies closer, her release came. She screamed her name, she awaited his as he began to thrust, however their muffled screams drew attention.

Someone turned on the door knob and came in. His eyes staring unbelietvingly.

"I love you" George whispered when he felt his release was close, "I -I lov-" he did not get to finish both sentence and his release when he felt a rough hand pulling his hair.

With the strength of that push, he fell to the floor and Chapuys faced Katherine who stood there completely naked "Are you insane?" He yelled "Do you know who you are going to marry?"

"Fa-father" he said trying to catch his breath holding his hand in the air "I-I can e-explain everything"

"Uncle" Katherine said too surprised and feeling angry that her uncle had interrupted them. Hugging the sheets to cover half her nakedness she went next to George as if to protect him.

"F-father ... d-don't tell mother ... I know you are a-angry" he didn't get to finish his sentence.

"No! You are to be silenced; I'll deal with you later. And you...Lady Katherine...I repeat, do you know who you're going to marry? Do you think that the King will be happy when he realizes that his wife is no longer a virgin? DO you know that he can annul the marriage if he wills it?"

Katherine was about to say something to him but she knew she would be ousted, so she remained silence unfortunately George was not so smart. "Don't yell at her!" He stood up and got himself in between them. Katherine seeing this was about to get worse gathered all her clothes, and muttered an apology and quickly left winking at George who smiled back. He looked back at his father.

"I-I ... I-I ... am sorry?" -he asked uncertainly, grinning madly, giving a light chuckle as if he'd done nothing wrong.

Eustace could not believe his son! He had never felt so angry and felt like hitting his son!

"Are you insane? Do you know what will happen if they find out about this? If the King finds about this? If your mother finds about this?"

He kept grinning "Come father it is not a big deal"

"It isn't? What if I'll tell Philip about this? Do you think Katherine will continue with you after knowing you've ruined her chances of being Queen?"

"You are jumping too far, you won't tell her I know you better and nobody has to know. Alright it was one day, it is not as if we are going to do it again and in any case it is not like we would be allowed. You have me marrying to a woman who is condemned by Foxe, a woman Katherine herself tells me will soon stab me in the heart than make love to me." Then he added seeing his father was about to open his mouth "Nobody will know it, do not worry everyone is safe, can I sleep now and you won't tell mother right?"

He saw no reason for his father to be so upset, it was his first time and it was not even finished thanks to him! He swore, everyone in this family didn't know anything about manners, couldn't his old man just knock?

"You are insane George. This is not to be taken lightly. If Philip finds about this..."

"If Philip finds about what?" A voice said behind him, it was Annie.

"George...why are you only in your chemise?"

His father threw him his trousers and ordered to put them on quickly. George did so grinning madly at the two stooges.
He could barely contain his laughter at their shocking expression and then the jesting smile disappeared. This was meant to be his special night, thanks to his father it had been ruined. And it didn't help that in his drunken-mad state he lunged himself n a verbal battle with his sibling and his father. He pointed his finger at Annie "There is your insanity or am I not to believe that you were so pure, you slept with both Tudors girls Jesus Christ dad you should tell me your secret how is it you got both to ..."

George fell to the ground; he looked at his father with his nose and mouth bleeding. Never in his life his father had laid a hand on him or any of his siblings. Annie gasped and looked at her father angrily. "Why did you do that for?" She screamed.

"Because George has stepped out of line." And out of pure revenge he turned to Annie and said "George has just finished having sex with Katherine, Mary's daughter and the future queen of Spain!"

"What?" Annie whispered turning her attention to her half-brother.

"I thought you should know the mess that George has put us into. Philip now has every right of refusing Katherine. The French will have a full day. Henry II has been trying to push his own daughter to marry the King. Perhaps now thanks to George he will manage to! And England will be more isolated than ever!"

"You would love that wouldn't you? Finally you have your reason to blame Mary, oh Mary this Mary that, you and mother have nothing better to do but pin all your troubles on them ... and me! You think I am stupid? I know the consequences but no one has to know if you keep your mouth shut!" George said pushing his father but being so drunk and angry he did not get far and his father gave him another slap.

"Is this how you treat your son? I bet if Anthony did anything of the sort you wouldn't be hitting him! It was always him and Annie mother loved and she was not even her child!"

"Eustace stop" Annie whispered when George raised his fist, ready to strike again and then turned to George "I'm still the Queen and if you don't learn some respect I swear to God that I'll send you the Tower and the only time you will see your precious will be when she leaves for Spain. You are an insignificant boy who because of lust has placed this country in a great peril. You are lucky to be the son of Chapuys and Bess Tudor otherwise I would have in the tower without a second thought. Do I make myself clear?"

He was going to open his mouth "And that's Your Majesty for you, for from now on you shall not address me as anything else. If you think Anthony is the favorite then you should try to consider why"

George had finally realized that he had screwed it great time

"Annie ... I mean Your Majesty whatever please don't tell my lady mother, she will be upset." He turned to his father who was squeezing his fists so hard fighting the urge to slap him for a third time, this time harder so he could finally knock some sense into George. Out of all his ancestors he had to come straight like his accursed grandfather!

"Father ... please ... please I am sorry but don't tell mother"

"Your mother won't be told." Annie exchanged a look with Chapuys "But this is the last time I will be so tolerant. Next time everyone will know."

Anne kept tightened the grip of her cane "So for the love of God, behave. You are a grown man with responsibilities, play your part. And play it somberly. That's all we ask"

Eustace interrupted his daughter grasping George's shoulder making him flinch "When the Queen of Scotland arrives I do not want to see nor hear anything of your stupidities do I make myself clear George?"

George nipped his lip.

"Do I make myself clear?" Eustace repeated with a deathlier tone.

He nodded "Yes sir"

"Go now" As George took his clothing and only put on his trousers and left hastily before they changed their minds, Chapuys turned to Annie "What are we going to do about Katherine? What if Philip finds she's no longer a virgin?"

"He won't, nobody knows and sadly unlike our dear Lord Rochford Katherine is not so stupid as to brag about it. She is a lusty girl but nothing else, she would not risk ruining herself for a silly boy" Annie answered not believing her brother had insulted her and had been this close to ruin everything she and his mother worked for so hard.

" I'm sorry Annie, but I believe if there is a man in the world who is able of making such distinctions then that man is Philip. We all know this experience with women. He surely knows how to see when a woman is or not untouchable"

"Then that will a problem I will talk with Isabella. She will not want to discuss it with her sister but it is the only way, if Katherine is like her namesake and our grandmother, she will know how to hide the truth from her husband." Annie said sitting on a vacant chair next to George's bed. She felt so disgusted by the mere sight of the bed, and incredibly angry at George. She had to rest, she put her cane next to the bed. "I always knew George was a rebel, but I never knew he would be so ... so stupid!" She snorted remembering what her aunt said "Auntie Bess used to say that he had a lot of Tudor blood in him, I never thought it went this far"

The next day she spent thinking on what to do regarding George and her sister Katherine. The alliance could not fail, regardless of their shenanigans,England had to have Spain's backup. When Edward was around they had always fought against every Catholic nation and allied themselves openly with the French Huguenots and the Protestant kingdoms of Germany. Now it was different,Spain had been growing since her defeat of the Imperial fleet –nearly five years ago- at an alarming rate. They could not afford a an arm industry that was growing by the numbers and they had –she considered- the best fleet in the world, but Spain had more ships and they would have greater backup if a "holy alliance" of all the Catholic nations came under Philip's leadership with the intention to invade.

On her way out she stepped through the garden in search of Isabella who was sitting under a tree calmly reading a book "Isabella"

She was about to stood to bow to Annie but she made her a gesture insisting for her not to. This gesture reminded Annie of Philip who would have done the same thing

"Your Majesty. I am glad to see you're much improved"

Annie smirked and tapped her cane "It has been three difficult weeks and this cane does not sit me well but please sister you can call me anything but Majesty when we are together"

Isabella smile was that of an angel, she was sweetness and she inspired trust while Katherine though beautiful and tempting to any man's eye, was otherwise.

"Father would give me an hour sermon if he heard I did not address someone properly"

Annie rolled her eyes and they both laughed as a result. "Please Isabella just Anne to you and Isabella to me"

"Fine, would Your M- Annie would you like to sit?" She asked.

Annie nodded "Better"

"How are things between you and Alexei?"

Isabella was surprised that Annie asked. Alexei -she thought longingly.

Annie noticed the hurt and longing in her eyes and apologized for asking.

"Why should you apologize? I think its nice this fantasy, you and me as loving sisters" she said casually staring off into space with her same dreamy gaze.

Annie was puzzled. She thought they were past that subject.

Isabella's eyes met the Queen's and shrugged, her expression turning for a brief period of time, serious.
"It is alright I know I was not your friend, and I am not your friend now. But I appreciate that our relationship is better than the rough start we had"

"We are not enemies Isabella, at least I thought we weren't. I consider you a friend and a mentor. You are the bravest soul I had ever met and I am sorry for my past treatment. I realize now that I was wrong and that I misjudged you based on your parentage"

"You have nothing to apologize for, I would have done the same or worse"

It seemed impossible to Annie to fathom that Isabella could be capable of so much worse. The woman was born a nun, unable to hurt a fly. She switched the subject "How are your children?"

"I am glad you asked" A smile spread across her face. She told him about the wonderful time they had spent together in Russia. "The winter there was to die for. But Peter the youngest he is so strong, he did not flinch, he said that this was the ideal weather. When we returned to England it was still cold and it began snowing upon our arrival to my parents' home in Woodstock but Peter had grown so used to the weather in Russia he took off his jacket and said it was too hot for him to bear"

Annie covered her mouth with one hand "Oh my" she said sharing her sister's joy "You have an energetic son, I am sure you are very proud"

"I am" She said her expression crossly as the image of her husband's latest whore came to mind.

Annie guessed her thoughts and reached for her hands. "Whatever happened between us it is in the past now. Let's start anew"

Isabella's expression remained neutral. She'd learn to trust no one but love for her sister and the desire to be loved made her vulnerable to others' pleas for help.
"Yes" Bella said in a more genuine smile. Annie knew it was not much, but at least was something. There was still hope for them and she wanted desperately to make up for her happiness at Bella's expense.

After a few moments of silence where sister were sitting comfortably, locked in a powerful embrace, they pulled apart. Annie cleared her throat and said "There is something I have to tell you"

"What?" Isabella asked with her pleasant voice.

"We found...Chapuys found, Katherine your sister...involved with George"

Isabella shook her head and gave a sad expression. She was silent for the most part of her life, whenever she said something it came to everyone as a surprise.

"It is so sad, my sister and your half br- cousin being so careless. You want me to talk to her don't you?" She asked directly, just like her namesake and their ancestor, Isabella was always straight to the point.

"Yes...Philip...I mean the King of Spain...he would know surely. We can't let that happen"

"Anne you know that Katherine can take care of herself, like all women in the Tratasmara line she is capable of lying and making everyone believing it. And if I may be blunt with all due respect I would rather be drowned in the river Stix than talk to Katherine. We have nothing in common except the same blood"

Isabella had tried talking to Katherine before but her sister was too wild and full of venom and ambition, it was impossible to be around her.

"The King is a sensible man. What happened here...it may well happen in Spain. If she betrays him I cannot even dare to think about the consequences"

"Then he should break the engagement and marry someone else"

Isabella said looking directly into her sister's eyes. Those eyes, the same that had captivated the most powerful men in the world -first the Romanov heir, then her husband the King of England and now the most powerful man in the world. "He should marry someone else" Isabella repeated.

"There is no else left for him to marry. Especially not someone who would be able to give him children"

"Oh but there is you just don't want him marrying outside our interests"

"You speak like a queen" Anne said allowing herself to laugh again. Isabella, Annie couldn't understand it why was it she did not have any man running after her. She was beautiful with her blue green eyes, her blond hair. She was milk and honey, there was not a bone of malice in her sister. She was such an oddity, intelligent, kindhearted and yet it was her sisters who got all the attention.

"I have a great sister to teach me" Isabella answered continuing to smile "I see how the King looks at you, when he is dancing with Katherine he is really dancing with you, he asks for you often. He cares ... and the Princess likes him."

She had her own pretensions. She loved her children but her older son wasn't really her, he was all Alexei and one day he would be first in line for the Russian throne. She thought about divorcing Alexei, annul her marriage. It would be as if it never existed. She'd be cured of her madness for him, her need for him, and take her youngest son Peter and spend the rest of their days in a comfortable existence in England. It would only be possible if Katherine left England to marry Philip or his mad son. She was not sure she wanted her sister as Queen of Spain, as Queen she would hold greater influence and she knew for a fact she would not let her full blooded older sister leave Russia to make a comfortable living in England.

Annie couldn't believe her words "You're not suggesting that I marry Philip!" She said. Isabella said nothing and Annie realized she was speaking the truth "Philip is betrothed to Katherine and furthermore that would imply be leaving England to go to Spain and that's most certainly not my wish especially while William is so little"

"He has his Lord Protector and a wise and cunning governess who would soon die than to let England perish." She pointed out arching an eyebrow. "Are you so afraid to love another? You could take Diana, she needs to be as far from my parents and our sister as possible. William and Margaret would be well watched, voila! Simple as that" She said looking up at the sky. "I always found the clouds to be good counselors, when I am sad or feel lost I watch the skies, they give me peace of mind and put my thoughts in orders. Life does not have to be so hard Anne. Philip needs children, you have proven yourself fertile and the love between you two is mutual aren't I right?" She said seriously returning her gaze to Anne.

"I wouldn't say" Annie remarked "That I love Philip...and I have no idea about his feelings regarding me" She said and Isabella noticed she had stopped thinking like a Queen and had started thinking like a woman. A woman with feelings

Isabella laughed very hard, it was rare to see her laugh and when it happened it was always for a special occasion such as pointing the obvious. "Anne it surprises me that you can't see what stands in front of you. He obviously loves you, notice I did not say lust but loves you. He was the first besides" she lowered her voice and leaned closer "your father and little Diana to visit you. He has been inquiring after you ever since, what is so hard to see here? An alliance would still be secure, England's interests would be kept safe because you would not unlike some others dare to harm your own two children and it would be the opportunity for Diana to have a strong influence in her life."

"I... I don't know. How can I leave my children here? William...and Margaret?"

"They will be well watched and who knows what the future will bring us, if God wills it you will see them again"

Isabella put her hand on her sister's good knee. "You don't have to think this hard, allow yourself to feel, get to see your children and look at how the Lord protector and the Lady Governor look at your son when they hold him. They love and cherish him with every fiber of their being, you do not have to worry. Every once in a while we have to give ourselves some time to worry about ourselves otherwise no one will" Said she knowingly.

Annie was thoughtful "Mary would kill me...if she knew that Philip has feelings for me and that I..." She stopped "I somehow...have feelings for him as well"

"So? It has never stopped making our mother mad before. Grow some backbone and take Diana away from her once and for all, be happy for once Anne. You grew to love Edward and you two were quite a pair! You can be so much more with Philip, perhaps he will never replace Edward but he is more experienced and he has many years ahead of him"

"Philip is different." Annie confessed "I have never met him anyone like him…especially not a King"

"Good things come all the time but great things come once in a lifetime you can't miss them" Isabella said moving her hand to Anne's. "You like any other woman deserve to be loved and feel loved"

Isabella smiled as she saw a figure approaching "Speaking of the Devil" She whispered as Annie looked in front and saw the King of Spain himself, alone taking a stroll through the gardens.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty, Your grace" He said bowing "I thought about taking a stroll since it has been raining in the last few days"

He turned to Isabella and took another bow for the younger sister. "My Lady you look as sweet as ever"

Isabella smiled and stood up bowing to Philip "Your Majesty is far too kind, I think I need to see His Grace Alexei for something, might I am sorry to leave" before Anne could ask her to stay Isabella was already on her way to see Alexei. She knew Alexei did not love her, but both were committed to the well being of their countries, they were willing to sacrifice happiness for duty and they did not mind, unlike Katherine and George they did not lust for each other but sought each others' companion because they cared for one another. Love was not an art to them, it was life to them.

Annie reminded herself of who she was and who Philip was, more importantly he was Katherine's betrothed.

"Good afternoon to you too. You should get used to if you are going to stay more days with us" she said feeling more confident "England is nothing without rain. I could use a good stroll myself, reason why I am here being in bed for too long has made me weak and I just hate using this cane, doctors -they know nothing" She said standing up holding her cane lightly.

Philip stepped forward and helped her. "All better now?" He asked more impressed for her audacity. Nobody had ever spoke to him like that, she had her flaws, her arrogance for one and the stubbornness that cursed through all Tudor veins was visibly shown every time she refused to heed her physician's advice.

"Thanks" Annie said smiling idly looking at the surrounding nature. She admired her own handiwork, Philip praised her for it. "You have a true woman's touch" he said.

Annie confessed that half of the flowers here had been watered and planted by her daughter. Philip eyes went wide "Your husband let her play in the mud?"

"Edward encouraged it, he wanted the best for our daughter, and it is not like Diana could be stopped, she wants to be everywhere and know everything. She is my little huntress"

Philip laughed. "That reminds me of Ruy and myself" He chuckled "There was once when I was younger that we left the Palace to search for a little fun. I was going alone but he insisted on coming with me. We ended up in the river of Valladolid because he was drunk and I had to wake him up in some manner."

Anne covered her mouth to cover her laughter "God you were two great scoundrels I can't put it any better." she could not hide her laughter and decided to show it "My husband would never have done that, he was all so proper and followed the rules like crazy, it drove me mad sometimes but I told him if you ever impose it on me I will castrate you, I think we balanced each other out good. It was the only way we could keep Diana in line, he was the rules I was ... well I was too but I like to think myself of more loose and less strict. But when he did disregard them it was all because of Diana" She said picturing past memories of Edward running down in spite of his health to play with their daughter. His life had been wholly devoted to them.

"I bet your father must have thought oh god what a son I have" Anne dared to say.

"My father did not know. I did follow the rules. I did my duty. I woke at 8 and only stopped working at 8 in the night. But there is nothing more stimulant than wandering in a street alone, and having people facing and treating you like they would treat any other, because they have no idea of you who are."

Anne felt red, she had gone too far. "My apologies to His dutiful Majesty" she said grinning.

"No offense taken, it is so good to see you smile again, your smile brings life to the plants, and they seem to flourish every time you smile" He said showing her a different kind of smile. He raised his fingers and gently they touched her cheek.

If only -he thought.

"You flatter. Is that how you used to make your conquests?" She asked him coyly though softly, her heart beating faster because of the proximity of his body

She felt the muscles in her fingers falter and she could have dropped her cane to the floor had it not been for his other hand landing on top.

"Only those that matter " such as you "I never chose poorly"

She smiled "I bet you don't"

"You should not fall into such legends, Your Majesty"

"Who are you to judge me ... Philip" what made her do it, she didn't know but it felt right to call him by his Christian name.

"I'm not judging you. You are. You as all others" He whispered "Think that I'm some kind of libertine ... but in all reality, that's not true. During all my life, I've loved only one woman" And perhaps two, he thought to himself gazing into her eyes

She felt him so close, what was so bad in loving someone who loved her back? For a moment she pretended she was his Katherine and he her husband and loosing herself into the illusion she openly kissed him.

Philip held her close; placing both his hands on her face, with his tongue, making her open her mouth and their tongues met, and Annie couldn't avoid a moan. She wasn't able to think of anything, she could think of him. His lips were the most addictive thing she had ever tasted.

The cane fell to the grass and her hands traveled to his chest where they stayed, going up a little caressing his beard

The next thing she knew he was leading her to her own chambers holding her hand. Every route they took to the palace was deserted, night had come and everyone was asleep or minding their own business.

He let another caress on her face when he moved his hands to her back undoing the laces of her dress. It was costing her great trouble to stand up, besides her bad leg it was the weakness in her body as she focused on Philip. Annie's fingers were on his neck taking off his white ruff, his coat and all other parts of his clothing that fell on the floor.

His pale chest was revealed to her, and she thought that he looked nothing like a Spaniard. His skin was pale, almost paler than his, and his chest was hairless, though very well defined. What she liked most was his broad chest and shoulders, sign of someone who ride a horse a lot. Philip, then seeing the difficulty she had in standing, bent down and picked her up, gathering her in his arms.

He didn't let her fall, her knight in shining armor set her on the bed where he was careful not to let his weight cause her any trouble. Annie felt him worship every bit of her body, his lips were soft and he was gentle with her the whole time. She felt the source of her desire being released when she his fingers reach her womanhood. "Ah" she moaned louder than usual. She always wanted to engage in other practices, there were other positions she'd known from her ladies' conversations that she wanted to do with Edward. But Edward being a very devoted man to their country and their daughter was more interested in politics than sex.

Philip was learned. It was obvious why, but still his fingers worked on her more sensible points with a skill she had never seen. As she closed her eyes, she lost any sense of space, of time. As his fingers massaged her womanhood she found herself moaning his name, first as a whisper, then louder. His lips bend to her breasts and he conquered another part of her body. Annie's hands traveled to his hair as she whispered "Philip...I need you"

He took his fingers and re-positioned himself, she swallowed. She closed her eyes and asked herself why she was nervous? She had done this before many times with Edward ... but he is not Edward -a dark voice whispered in her head. He would never grant me this-she contested.

Philip pushed all doubt from her mind when he leaned to whisper in her ears "I won't hurt you" he said in a very low voice that she'd almost not heard. "I would never dream of hurting you" He wished to be more firm in his statement, but even in private his words came as a reproach.

Anne opened her eyes, she didn't want to miss a thing, and her screams as he penetrated her were silenced by a hungry kiss. His tongue turned those silent screams to moans, and her moans became frequent when she felt his hot seed pass over to her expecting womb.

She was in heaven, she thought. Her nails were clawed to his back insisting for more. He gave all of himself to her in one last thrust that made her chest heave up and she forgot completely the pain in her right leg when she tightened the hold around his waist.

She pulled him more and more to inside of her. "Philip!" She half yelled, half whispered inside his ear. Philip made an effort after releasing not to fall on her knowing she would hurt her. He held himself in his arms, breathing heavily, still for a moment inside of her, until he opened his eyes and saw her, behind him her hair disheveled, her brow sweaty

With a slight push he rid himself from her, yet the feeling of being one wasn't gone. She winced when she felt him pull himself from her and she winced twice when he rolled next to her his legs hitting her right one by accident. Philip raised his fingers for a second time to scan her delicate features. She was damp in cold sweat but she still looked beautiful.

"I'm sorry" He whispered, his hand passing through her face

She smiled taking his fingers to her lips where she kissed them "Don't be ... You gave me life again" she said getting closer. "I think I've fallen in love with you"

He didn't answer. How could he? This was the kind of thing that a King couldn't say. He wanted to say, God he wanted to. "I.." He started "I think I am too" He whispered in such a low tone that Philip was afraid she hadn't heard.

She buried her head in his chest and took refuge in his strong arms whispering inaudible phrases that because he was so entranced by the admiration he had of her beauty did not heard.

The dowager queen did not hear any of Philip's worries or the doubtful tone that sparked when he answered her, his chest was better than any soft pillow, she had no trouble in falling asleep.

Philip stayed awake for only a little bit more staring at her. He knew he had put himself in a great mess but he couldn't honestly say that he regretted. it. She was his angel and he had never met a woman as strong as her

Eventually however he couldn't take the tiredness he felt, and closing his eyes, he fell asleep as well.

Anne enjoyed a dreamless sleep. Their arms were carefully wrapped against one another.

"Mama"

Annie began to stir. She opened her eyes, she thought she heard her daughter but the King's kiss on her forehead made her fall asleep again.

"Mama"

Diana had ran to the gardens in search for her mother, Aunt Katherine had kept saying her mother was too busy to pay attention to her, everything was for the king and her annoying sibling Margaret. That child never stopped crying, Anne's heart had been warming to her lately thanks to the King's friend who on one rainy day where he came to visit her grandmother and had to wait for her to show up. He told her how to calm her sibling, since then she had grown more tolerant.

But there were times that it was impossible to tolerant to the crying infant. Today was one of those days. Seeing her mother's cane abandoned in the garden her parents used to play with her, she decided to visit her private chambers to check if she was alright.

She thought it was strange when she found it was unlocked and she was able to go easily. It was night so she crept silently holding her mother's cane.

"Mama?" She asked again. Her eyes went wide and the cane fell from her hands when she opened the door to her bedroom. Besides her mother was another sleeping body covered by the silken sheets of her bed.

Philip, a light sleeper, due to the last years of hearing his son's cries at night, opened his eyes immediately. He was faced with Diana's big blue eyes staring at him -'oh damn it' -he thought to himself.

Annie didn't awake a very strong sleeper but Diana didn't give her the opportunity to wake up for she turned around and prepared to run.

"Harlot!" She screamed as she started to run.