John raced to his beloved niece but stopped instantly as his breath was taken away with what he saw. He simply did not want to interrupt the most beautiful thing that lay before his eyes. His little girl was curled up amongst a beautiful young woman's arms. The beautiful woman simply comforted her, wiping her tears away. "Don't cry. We'll find your father. Now wipe your tears away, sweetie. Your father wouldn't want you crying. Besides you look prettier when you smile," she said.

"You really think so. You think I'm pretty," replied the little girl in a high pitched voice.

"Of course I think you are, you're the most beautiful girl, Layla," Mary replied. Now, memories of her father reminisced through her head.

Her smile rose at the sight of her father. She stood there waiting patiently for him to pick her up and call her his little pearl. Her father picked his little pearl up. He twirled her around and the little girl lightly giggled. "Aren't you the most beautiful girl in the world?" her beloved father asked.

Timidly, she replied "I don't know" This little girl truly felt special. And the truth was that she was special. She was the luckiest, most adorable, little girl in all of England. She was her mother's angel and her father's pearl. She could never be happier. She wanted to stay in her father's arms forever. She never wanted to live with that prince who refused to kiss her. The poor girl didn't even remember his name. She wanted to stay with her father and mother forever and always.

"Yes you are, my little pearl" her father replied. Now her father was putting her down and the beautiful smile on his little pearl was wiped away.

John approached them and just one sight of the young woman which had comforted his little girl amazed him. He was taken back by her beauty. She had sapphire, blue eyes, with chestnut brown waves descending down to her waist. Her features looked as if they were sculpted by an artist. But it was her eyes which captivated him. They were so beautiful but they were more than just that. Her almond-shaped blue eyes had a certain kind of mystery in them. John didn't know what it was about her but there was something other than her beauty that intrigued him. He knew very well that he had to know her. Although, John was poor, if there was something he really wanted, nothing could stop him from getting it. This time his target was Mary.

"Papa, Papa" Layla shrieked at the sight of her father. Her father took her out of Mary's lap and gazed at his little girl. He was so blessed to have this little girl in his life. She always cheered him up. Layla was his reason to live and he didn't know what he would do if he ever lost her.

"Papa Papa, I missed you. You should meet my new friend. Her name is. What's your name?" Mary and John both chuckled at the little girl's remark.

"Ma…Isabella" Mary replied as she smiled at the little girl.

"Yes, Isabella" Layla said. John simply flashed a roguish smile at her as she started blushing and attempted to look into his eyes. The strangest part was that she remembered this man from somewhere. The same brown curls and the same hazel eyes which did wonders to her making her heart race ten beats faster. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember him. She noticed that he had a firm upper body and a light tan. Mary instantly started getting nervous by his presence. She's never been around men much in her lifetime let alone around a good-looking young man.

"That's a really pretty name, Isabella" John said as he smirked. Layla was now playing with his hair.

Her nervousness didn't stop her from answering and trying to make conversation. Although she was scared of her feelings, she knew she had to get used to this new life…this new identity.

"Thank you, your grace. I must say that your daughter is the most beautiful child I have ever seen." Mary answered.

"Thank you, you're too kind for I am not an adequate man for you to be referring me as 'Your Grace,'" John said.

"Forgive me, your grace but what can be more important than to be a father to such a lovely child," Mary said as she gazed into his eyes.

"I must agree with you for this little angel is the most precious thing in my world," he replied. Layla giggled at his remark and kissed her father's cheek. John just smiled at the little girl.

"Yeah she truly is an angel," Mary said as she flashed the little girl a smile which just made the little girl blush.

"She never talks to anyone. She's really shy but you were so good to her," John said.

"Of course she talked. She had to find her precious papa, didn't she? And I was good to her because I love children. Besides, we both can agree that she's a precious child" Mary answered.

John chuckled. "I suppose you're right"

"You seem like a good father," Mary said.

"How can you tell? We just met," John said as he sent her a surprised look.

"Trust me, I can just tell these things," Mary said.

Suddenly, there was an awkward silence between the two as both were trying to think of things to say to break the awkwardness.

With nothing to say, Mary said "I should get going. It's getting pretty dark."

"No, don't leave Isabella. Papa, tell her that I want her to stay," Layla demanded.

"I shall escort you to your home. Besides at this time of day, it's not safe for pretty girls like you to be out here all alone," John said as he shot her a smile and took a glimpse at her knowing that 'pretty' was definitely an understatement.

Mary, not used to this type of attention just avoided his gaze. She was beyond shy and she thought that if she would put up with this any longer, she'd either say something stupid or it would just get awkward between the two. But he was right; it wasn't safe for her to be here on her own especially during sun set.

"Okay, but I know the way back. It's not too far," Mary said.

"There's no harm in escorting you, is there?" John answered.

"I suppose there isn't," Mary said.

They started walking at the same pace. John was looking for ways to crash the barrier that the timid young woman had put up there. She was one the shyest girl, he'd ever met.

"So you're new around here?" John asked.

"Yes, I moved here around two weeks ago. How'd you know I was new?"

"I know everyone around here. Besides, no girl living here had been lucky enough to take my breath away" John claimed flashing one of his charming smiles.

Now, Mary's cheeks were a rosy red. Mary was blushing and she was speechless. Nobody had flirted with her before. The innocent girl didn't even know how to react to flirting. Mary just avoided his gaze, as she started getting uneasy.

"Don't hide your face when you're blushing. The rosy red just enhances your beauty" John said as he examined the contrast between her porcelain, pale skin to the rosy red which was glowing amidst her cheeks.

"Stop this" Mary burst out.

"Stop what, Isabella?" John asked as he flashed one of his roguish smiles again.

"You know what I'm talking about. Don't play dumb." Mary replied.

"Stop what, Isabella? Stop making you blush?" John teased with a smirk on his face.

"My house is here. I'll see you around" Mary said avoiding his question.

"Guess, I'll be seeing you more of you soon Milady" John said as he took Mary's hand and kissed it.

"You think you're so charming don't you?"

"Well, I must be otherwise I wouldn't get the pleasure of seeing you blush now, would I" John replied.

"Layla's sleeping?" Mary asked.

"Yes, It's been a long day. She'd be upset when she realizes that she hadn't said bye to you. Would you like me to wake her up?"

"No, that won't be necessary. She's sleeping so beautifully, there is no need to wake her," Mary replied.

"She'll be upset to see you gone. She gets attached to people too often. She seems to really like you," John said.

Mary smiled at his remark. Layla was just like her when she was little; too attached to everyone that was good to her.

"If she wishes to see me, you know where to find me," Mary responded.

"I suppose I do. Goodbye Isabella."

"Goodbye John. Goodbye Layla" Mary said as she stroked Layla's hair and kissed her cheek.

John simply smiled at her gesture and waved to her as she got going.

As Mary entered the house, all that was on her mind was John. Mary had completely made up her mind about him. He was a good father, kind-hearted, a little bit of a flirt but definitely kind-hearted. Her mind still wandered on his witty remarks. He made her feel in a way nobody else had before. Maybe she would be happy here after all. Him and his daughter was just what she needed to assure her that starting over wouldn't be too bad.

"Where have you been, Lady Mary? I've got some news for you." Lady Breyn said.

"I've been around," Mary replied mischievously as she giggled.

"Your mother, the Lady Katherine is very ill. She's getting worse by the day. The King informed me as he came to see the Princess Elizabeth."

Just when Mary finally had a glimpse of happiness after so long, it always seemed to get ruined. Mary was devastated. She needed to see her mother. She was all she had when everything had been taken away from her. But then, her wretched father took that away from her too just like he took away everything else. But Mary wouldn't let death keep her from ever meeting her mother again. She had to go to her. She had to take care of her. And Mary had to convince her father somehow or the other to let her.

"Surely, the king will allow me to see her. Will he not, Lady Breyn?" Mary asked desperately.

"Sorry Lady Mary for I do not know. You can however, send a letter to him to inform him of your desire to see your mother," Lady Breyn replied.

"I shall do just that," Mary replied miserably.

With that remark, Mary went to her room and started writing to her father.

Your Majesty,

The Lady Breyn informed me of my mother's illness and I utterly desire to meet her just this once. I know that you have prohibited me from meeting with my mother but I strongly request you to not separate a daughter from her mother. If she passes away, god forbid, I will be all alone in this world and will no longer have anyone which I can call my own. Your majesty, I promise you that I will never ask for anything from you ever again. If you fulfill this one request of mine, you will never hear from me again. I will never keep you from living your life. I assure you that I will never again keep you from your duties as a king, a husband and a father. I will always be your obedient and loyal subject, forever and always.

Lady Mary.

After finishing her letter, she put it on the table. Mary was going to write "Your daughter, Lady Mary" instead of "Lady Mary" but she no longer looked at the king as her father. They may be bounded together by blood but he didn't treat her like a father should treat a daughter. Then why should she act like he's her father let alone acknowledge him and love him like a daughter should. If he considers her illegitimate, she doesn't have to acknowledge him as her father. If he regrets having her, then she also detests the fact that she has the blood of a tyrant ruler running through her veins. And if Henry had the slightest bit of love and sympathy left for his first-born, not only would he let her meet her mother but his daughter acknowledging him as only her king would be just as severe punishment for him as it was for her.

Because of him, she can no longer entirely trust somebody. If a father can do this to his very own flesh and blood, then why wouldn't anyone else betray her trust? Because of him, she was way more mature than she should be for her age. She knew the way the world worked. Everyone would be respecting you and pampering you with compliments one moment simply because of your title. When it's all gone, the people are also gone with it even if they were the ones you thought cared for you. Now since Mary had fallen for something that wasn't even her fault, not only was she a servant attending her little half-sister, but as the days went by she got treated worse by the ladies-in-waiting. She can hear the ladies talking about how "she's illegitimate" and how "it serves her right for she's not fit to become queen." They keep Elizabeth away from her and treat her as if she is not good enough to attend her. So Mary just isolates herself from the ladies inside her room.

That is why she lied to John that her name was Isabella. She had learnt from experience that if you have no title, wealth, or status, people will treat you badly. However if you fall hard from having a certain title, wealth, or status, people will treat you even worse. Some will give you sympathy. Others will treat you badly because you once had something that they envied. At that time they didn't have the power to treat you badly and express their true feelings towards you. Now that they do, they will do whatever they can to keep you down and treat you like you are below them.

For once, Mary wanted to be a regular person who could make people love and respect her without a title. She no longer wanted to be a "princess" or "the daughter of a king." Now all she wanted to be was Isabella. Besides, she loved the name that she had chosen for herself.