"Where is the Lady Mary," asked Henry Tudor.

"I do not know your Grace," answered Lady Breyn.

"Your grace, I know why she left," said Katherine.

"Why Katherine?"

"A few ladies-in-waiting…."

Katherine was about to tell Henry Tudor why his first daughter left Hatfield, but she didn't want the other ladies-in-waiting to detest her on the first day. But would her honesty and her care for his first daughter win the king's heart?

"What Katherine?"

"Um…"

"Katherine, look do not appall me. Her mother passed away and she does not even know. She may be my illegitimate child but she at least deserves to know if her mother is dead or alive."

"Your grace, when I arrived at Hatfield, Elizabeth was crying and the poor child stopped crying, the moment she arrived in Mary's arms. Then when the other ladies-in-waiting spotted her holding the princess in her arms, they took dear Elizabeth away and claimed how you would not like to see your 'bastard of a daughter' anywhere near Elizabeth. Then she went to her room and I believe that she was in tears. Then I saw her walk out."

Henry Tudor did not know what to say. He didn't know whether he should feel guilt or anger at the situation. It was him who lowered down his own daughter's status. Thus, it was him who caused this situation to occur to his daughter, in the first place.

"Everyone come over here now."

"From now on, if anyone of you behaves badly with the Lady Mary, you will lose your jobs. She may be a bastard but she is still a daughter of a King." roared Henry.

"Guards, go look for Mary."

"Your Grace, we do not know how the Lady Mary looks like."

"I know how she looks like, Your grace," exclaimed Katherine.

"Tell the Guards"

"It won`t be hard to spot her, she is the most beautiful woman you will ever find. Chestnut brown curls descending to her waist along with the most stunning blue eyes that I have ever seen. Actually, many of her features are after you, your majesty such as her eyes. Both father and daughter has the most stunning eyes, your majesty."

Katherine's compliments of Mary had a purpose behind it. She wanted to seem like she of all people still had some sympathy left for Mary. The truth was of course she was telling the truth, and of course she did pity Mary but unlike Anne Boleyn, she wanted to seem like the more whole-hearted cousin who would actually respect the King's union with his illegitimate daughter rather than revolt against it.

King Henry didn't know how much his very own daughter resembled him. He may have seen his daughter outraged, slamming the balcony door simply leaving a loud thud to echo, but he did not see her up close. Henry wanted to see her now that Katherine mentioned how much his daughter looked like him. He was curious to see his own creation; his own flesh and blood.

Katherine Howard definitely rose in the King's eyes. Not only was she a stunning face that he first fell in love with but in his eyes, she also was kind-hearted, honest and empathetic towards others. That was the difference between Katherine Howard and her royal cousin. While both shared the same spontaneous traits and both made Henry feel a fiery passion, in Henry's eyes, Katherine possessed innocence along with her carefree nature. This made Katherine Howard irresistible to Henry. Henry Tudor would do anything to have Katherine. Too bad, as young as Katherine Howard is, she is not willing to be fooled to become just another mistress.

What caught Mary's eyes left her stunned. As she slithered her way through the tiny path that was surrounded by the striking lime grass, she came upon a navy, wide sea with waves pulling back and forth. The sound of waves pulling in and out was a soothing noise that left Mary in sudden peace and serenity. As Mary looked at the depth of distance of the sea, she spotted the horizon in which distorted colors of red, orange, pink and blue all combined together to craft a splendid view. At the midst of it all, there stood a large wooden cabin.

Where John and Layla resided was indeed marvellous. They were away from the chaos of the city, just alone enjoying nothing but the stunning view and the soothing sounds. There were so many moments in Mary's life when she wished she would've had a getaway, away from the life of a princess; to a place where no one would know her and she wouldn't be always expected to act as a lady. But those whims were long gone as she was bastardized. The moment Mary was bastardized, she immediately wanted the life back; the life where she mattered; the life where she was loved by all. But now it seemed like maybe those whims were coming true, and more importantly they were teaching Mary a lesson altogether. Life was teaching Mary that, it doesn't matter how many people you matter to, it matters how much you matter to the ones you matter to. Slowly, Mary will soon learn that if a person loves themselves and if others love them for them, and looks past the reputation, status, gender, beauty, and all that is superficial, then that is when you truly matter. If someone can look past all your flaws and still love you that is when you are truly loved.

"This is beautiful."

"Not even slightly as beautiful as you, Isabella."

"How so?"

"Well the colour of your sapphire blue eyes is simply incomparable to the color of the sea or the sky above. With a speck of bright green, it holds even a deeper mystery; a mystery any man would be honoured to cave into. You're luxuriant, chestnut tresses…"

"Alright John, you've already flattered me for one day. By the way, you are far by the worst poet I have ever met. Just so you know, you don't need to win a girl's heart by sweet poetry at least not this one."

John chuckled at Mary's remark. Layla was asleep in her father's shoulder. The cool breeze swayed her golden locks, cooling her down and relaxing her making her to get into an even deeper sleep.

"Is that so? Well then what can I win your heart over by, Isabella?"

"Simply by your actions and of how you treat me. That is all I need. Is that a task that you're willing to take on?"

"Even if it takes a whole eternity."

"John, that is a beautiful cabin. Did you build it?"

"Yes, indeed, I did. I am a wood cutter. I don't earn too much money for I am only but a commoner. But I take pride in my honest living."

"That's really good, John."

"You're different, Isabella."

"How so?"

"Well for one, you don't seem like the kind to be after fame and fortune as other women are."

"Well, life has taught me many things, John. Fame and Fortune corrupts people, it takes away their innocence. It keeps them aiming for more, and the more they get, it is never enough. It comes to a point where nothing else matters."

"I must say, I am impressed, you are wise beyond your age."

"So I've heard."

Intrigued by the rustling waves, Mary rushed to the water as the cool breeze swept her tresses back. With a wide smile on her face, she threw a pebble as it bounced right across the water. Easily tired of throwing pebbles, Mary, at a new excited state of mind, rushed into the water.

"This place is so beautiful. You're so lucky!

John was a little held back by her spontaneous manner. It was like one moment, she was trying hard to keep her retained composure and the next moment, she was the best thing, John had laid eyes on.

"Papa, I want to go in the water." Speechless John put his little niece down as she ran to Mary.

Layla threw water at Mary. As Mary laughed after what seemed like an eternity, Layla yelled "Ha ha, you're wet now."

"I'll show you who's wet after I deal with you." Mary splashed water at Layla as the little girl giggled in delight.

John was watching intently as they splashed water back and forth. Mary looked more beautiful than ever. With her chestnut hair drenched and with water droplets pouring over her porcelain face, not a single person could say that she did not look irresistible. John watched her like a love-stricken man. Although, she always looked stunning, there was something different about her. She had a glow on her face, a smile on her face and her walls were finally falling down. That just made her all the more desirable to John. John needed to know her, both outside and in. There was something mysterious about her, something about her that was deeper than of that she portrays.

Mary noticed John's gaze upon her. Both Mary and Layla took water in their hands and walked to John. He didn't take his eyes off of Mary but at the same time, he wasn't aware of they were going to do. Mary and Layla splashed water on John as the three of them burst into laughter.

"I will get you two for this."

As Mary and Layla ran, John took his linen shirt off and went after them. With the peek of an eye, Mary noticed John's exposed chest. She wasn't going to lie to herself, she was attracted to him. His sun-touched, sculpted torso reminded Mary of a Greek god, not to mention it got her heart rate up. That smirk on his face and that squint on his eyes determined a game that Mary was willing to play.

"We'll see about that won't we?"

Mary ran with all of the strength that she had for this was a game she didn't want to lose. She wasn't willing to be tamed any time soon. Although, the day started off badly for her, Mary had to admit that she hadn't felt this amount of excitement in the longest time. And the truth was the credit went to only one person; the same person who seemed to have been fighting for the centre of Mary's life now.

With John's ability to run, he finally won his conquest as he lightly grabbed Mary's waist. Mary started giggling as she couldn't hold in the excitement that she was feeling. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she felt his touch. The combination of excitement and butterflies left her feeling a way she had never felt before. It was a feeling which was indescribable. Staying a princess could not bring as much happiness to her as she was feeling now. She felt a sense of freedom with John that she most certainly did not feel with anyone, not even her own mother.

"Not so fast."

Mary escaped from his grasp and ran. John, having spotted a bucket near by ran to it.

"Isabella, Daddy's gunna catch me, could you help me run."

Mary put the little girl in her arms and she was light as a feather. John managed to fill his bucket up with water. John, after a while as he caught his niece and Mary off guard, he caught up to them. He splashed the water at them both.

Before running off, John managed to say "You look pretty with drenched hair; I should splash more often," as he chuckled.

"Daddy, we are going to get you for this."

"We sure are," said Mary.

They kept playing this game for at least for another hour or so. The three of them splashed each other back and forth with water, letting go of every single worry and every single fear. They looked like the loveliest family, as they got lost simply in each other not giving a care about the world around them. A little aspect of it definitely reminded Mary of the times when she was the little girl and a time when her parents loved each other. But even she had to admit, this was much better for they were much closer and the love they had for each other was not the slightest bit for show.

Unfortunately, Mary heard thumbing, the same thumbing of her father's horses. The sound was getting closer and there was no escape. Mary was so lost in her affairs that she didn't even realize how careful she had to be. She was Mary, a royal bastard with many enemies, and a former princess. Being careful was her role. How could she let her guard down so easily? She could not only put her life in danger but also John's in danger if her father takes their associations otherwise. After all, her father was trying to get rid of her and what better way than to accuse her of treason. She might be charged of treason; treason of disobeying the king for she was not on her duty to take care of the Princess Elizabeth and having physical relations with a commoner. This probably would not be the worst scenario if King Henry did see her here. However, Mary being conditioned to think the worst could not think of anything else.

John, on the other hand was reminded of Caroline. He knew that the relationship between Mary and the King was nothing like of that of Caroline. Believing in Mary's lies, he thought that Mary was nothing but the King's friend's daughter. Thus, the King would never take her as mistress but he couldn't help but fear losing her just like he did, Caroline.

As the horses came near, Mary was surprised at who she saw.

"King Francis," Mary whispered under her breath.

As the herd of horses stopped at their destination, King Francis got off.

Mary curtsied, "Your Majesty."

John followed.

Layla just stood there as she said "You are not King Henry. Why should I call you Your Majesty and curtsey on your behalf?"

King Francis chuckled. He was amused by the young girl. "I am King Francis, the King of France. King Henry is the king of England, sweetheart," he said as he bent down to reach Layla's height.

Layla curtsied. "In this case, Your Majesty."

Mary and John both could not hold in their laughter.

King Francis stood back up facing towards Mary. "This little girl is lovely. She's going to be beautiful one day just like her mother," King Francis said as he touched Mary's face with his thumb.

"God heavens, beauty like this doesn't even exist in France."

Mary flinched at his touch. John moved in front of Mary at an attempt to protect her from yet another lustful king. "I apologize your majesty, but you are making her feel uncomfortable."

"How dare you talk to me like that? You can get charged with treason. Stay within your limits or I will tell King Henry."

Mary was furious at what this man was capable of while he was in her country. She moved forward. "Your Majesty, this is not your country. I suggest you take this head of yours else where because I am definitely not going to tolerate this foolishness. By the way, go ahead tell the king all you may, but if he should charge anyone with treason, it should be me. Tell the King whatever you please. He can send me to the damn tower, execute me, and punish me all he wants. I have nothing to lose. Now if you'll excuse me, we may not be busy like Kings always seem to be but we have some work to finish up. Good bye."

"Well then, you have certainly got a feisty tongue, milady. I would've been furious but I'm going to let you go for this one. I am quite fond of your courage. Keep me in mind. I will be coming back for you."

With his closing statement, King Francis got up on his horse turned around and left.

"Wow, I'm impressed."

"Impressed by what?"

"Impressed by how you stood up for yourself. Most girls I know would never have the courage to stand up to a king and even if they do most would rather want to be in a king's good graces rather than on his bad side."

"Well, did he really think he could just say whatever he wants to you and I would just stand there saying nothing? This isn't his country and he shouldn't think that he still rules in this land."

What made Mary the angriest was the fact that she remembered King Francis clearly. He was always an uncle figure to Mary. After all he was a cousin of her father. There was a time when he rode horses with both Mary and his son; the son which Mary was supposed to marry. Mary thought that he was an honorable man. But now her views about him has changed. To Mary, he was nothing but an old, lustful king.

John closed the distance between them. "Well you were wrong."

Mary shot John a surprised look.

"Wrong about what?"

"That you have nothing to lose."

"What do you mean?"

"You have me."

Mary was stunned by his reply. John always had the cleverest ways of making her heart race.

"Good god, it is so hard being in your company."

"Why is that, John?"

"Because everywhere I go, men just cannot stop chasing after you."

Mary giggled.

Mary, holding a bucket of water in her arms spilled it on John as she ran and replied "Are you sure you are not one of them yourself John."

Unable to resist the blonde nymph in front of him, King Henry took his young mistress out for a walk although his guards did not come back yet.

"Katherine, look how splendid this place is."

"It is very kind of your majesty to take me to a garden so grand."

The place that they were in was indeed beautiful. There were two fields of flowers and in between lay a concrete path.

"You Majesty," said a plump, short woman with a ripped gown. This woman looked like she had not been eating for days.

"What do you want?" said King Henry.

"If you may, could you please lend me a few coins for I am starving? I will read your fortune in return, your majesty."

If you read me my future, how would I know that you are telling the truth?"

"Your majesty, I will read your palm and if I find anything I'll tell you. I will not say that everything I tell you is of complete accuracy but I will try my best."

"I respect your honesty. Yes I would love it if you read my fortune."

"Thank you, your majesty."

The plump woman led King Henry and Katherine onto a table where she started observing Henry's palm looking for some of the answers to his questions.

"Will I have a son?"

"Umm, let me see"

After some observations, the woman answered "Yes, you will have a son."

"I see here that you already have three children. You will have another child and this child will be a son."

Henry was happier than ever for he had been longing for a son for way too long.

"Will he have a happy life and rule my kingdom."

"He will have a happy life but the child of yours that will be the happiest in her lifetime will be your eldest daughter. Her name is Mary, I believe. He will rule your kingdom but your other daughter will become one of the greatest rulers in history. I do not quite know her name. Oh wait, it also says here that very soon, you will learn the biggest lesson…"

Henry was quite offended and even more than that he found it ridiculous when she said that one of his daughters will become the greatest rulers in history. Of course, it somehow hurt his ego that the greatest ruler in history was not him but he also possibly could not believe that the greatest rulers in history would be a woman.

"This is ridiculous. Katherine, get up."

As they were walking away, the plump woman asked, "Your majesty, you said that you will give me some coins. Your majesty, I am very hungry."

"Maybe if your predictions weren't so ridiculous, I would offer to you my kindness. Go away from here now. Get out of my sight."

I'm sorry everyone, I know I said that I would finish this chapter by next week but I just hadn't got the time since I have work this summer. But I hope you enjoyed. Tune in for the last chapter. It will be the best chapter yet. ;)