"This meat tastes exquisite," Mary said.

"Thank you, Isabella. It's not much but I really hope you like it."

Mary genuinely smiled. She hadn't had a proper meal for a long time. At most times, she would not be in a proper mood to eat, or there would not be enough food for everyone. The ladies-in-waiting would usually eat food when they returned home but Mary, remaining at Hatfield would get whatever was served. And there it was, a man had made Mary a home cooked meal. It had been a long time since she ate with anyone as a family and even then she never remembered a loved one cooking for her at the privacy of a home. For Mary, this moment was definitely special and she couldn't imagine it any other way.

"I honestly love it John."

The area was a quite homely place. With a moderately large wooden table and with a fire place warming the house up, Mary loved it. A candle accentuated the whole room as Mary sat in one of side of the table and John sat on the other side.

The housekeeper and Layla set at the other two sides of the table both at both ends.

Most fathers would go searching everywhere for their little girls if they weren't sure of where they were but the moment Henry heard about his dear alliance arriving at his kingdom, all his plans to bond with Mary went down the drain. Without even the guards coming back, he got up on his horse and along with Katherine Howard, he left Hatfield.

Whenever Henry was in France, King Francis would show off the beauty of his multiple French mistresses. Now that Henry Tudor had Katherine Howard, he would definitely show her off every change he got. He knew that no French mistress of Francis could beat her in terms of beauty and wit.

As the both of them arrived, holding hands, everyone made way for them and bowed on their behalf. Katherine Howard couldn't help but smile. Even if it was for a day, she did get a taste of what it was like being a queen.

Anne Boleyn at the corner of her eyes noticed her cousin with her beloved husband. Anne Boleyn knew it was bound to happen. She knew that Henry could not take his eyes off of her when she arrived. In fact, no man at court could. All the attention was on Katherine and Anne Boleyn couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

But a king could do whatever they liked whether it was wrong or right, everyone else could do nothing but accept it. Anne Boleyn knew this fact but she was in love with Henry Tudor although she'd promise herself that she wouldn't be thrown in the same trap that many women before her had been thrown into. She thought of Katherine of Aragon. Although, she celebrated her death rather than mourn it, she was afraid that one day she would be in her place. She thought about Elizabeth Blount and how she was simply cast aside when she was pregnant. Anne knew that when her turn came, unlike Katherine of Aragon's situation, nobody would fight for her. Most would think that she had coming exactly what she deserved.

Then she thought about Mary; she thought about how a daughter so beloved could be simply cast aside in order to take care of the King's next new born child. Anne Boleyn saw Mary. Anne Boleyn knew that not only was Mary of royal descent but she was also stunningly beautiful. She knew that Mary had the best education in all of England and had amazing talent in arts and music. Nobody would ever think that a beautiful girl of this much value could ever work as a servant. Although most would say that, it was Anne alone who was responsible for Mary's present condition, the truth was the only person responsible for her situation was none other than her father. A few days ago, getting intimidated by Mary, Anne wished her death but now she couldn't help but feel pity for her. She wondered what would happen to Elizabeth if she was cast aside. Anne loved Elizabeth with all her heart and not even a son could replace Anne's love for Elizabeth. Anne knew Henry loved their daughter as well, but he also once loved Mary.

"Hello brother," said King Francis as he stood up to give his cousin a hug.

Katherine Howard stood aside with the rest as King Henry gave King Francis a hug.

"Servants"

Four servants presented a tiny table with meats, vegetables, divine fruits, and two glasses of fine wine for both the kings.

"Eat brother," said Henry.

"Thank you for this is more than I asked for upon coming here."

"Anything for you brother."

Both of them started to cut the big turkey that was in front of them.

"You have a lavishing court. Almost as good as the French court"

Henry chuckled. "I must admit, the French court is breathtaking but could you really say that French women are more beautiful after you have witnessed my latest mistress, Katherine Howard."

"Isn't that the queen's cousin, brother."

"I suppose she is."

King Francis chuckled at Henry's bluntness.

"She is quite pretty, I suppose," King Francis replied looking at Katherine's long golden curls and shining blue eyes.

"Prettier than most French women, but I must admit that an English commoner won my heart today."

"Really, and who is that brother?"

"I don't know her name but she was the most beautiful creature that I have laid eyes on. Beautiful brown curls falling down her back, porcelain, smooth skin, and beautiful blue eyes. She was tall, and slender. She looked very young though. I believe she was around seventeen but I think she was married and also had a daughter. This girl had a very feisty tongue. I have never witnessed such courage, such bravery in my life. If it was anyone else talking back at me like that, I would've wanted their head."

"You always had a thing for young girls that barely reached their youth, didn't you brother."

"Who doesn't?"

"I believe Katherine Howard is young too."

"That, she is."

"Did she disrespect you?"

"She did. The moment I laid my hands on her, her husband came in front and the moment I yelled at her husband for disrespecting me, a king, she threw angry tantrums at me."

Henry chuckled. Someone finally showed the French King his place. For Henry, that deserved a good laugh.

"What did she say?"

"She said how I should take my head elsewhere for I don't rule in this land."

Henry laughed for almost two minutes.

"What is so funny, brother?"

"It's just I've never heard of someone talking back to a king, let alone a beautiful woman. I would love to meet her," Henry lied.

"If you don't mind, brother, could we go searching for her tomorrow morning."

"Sure but what if she doesn't want to come with you."

"Then, I'll seduce her, bribe her, I'll do whatever. I just have to have her. I'm a king and kings get whatever they like brother."

"Then we will go out as soon as it reaches dawn brother."

"Cheers to that," said King Francis as he raised his wine glass to meet his own cousin's.

As Mary was ready to leave for Hatfield, the sky started thundering signalling that a rain storm would await her path. Ever since Mary was a little girl, she was horrified of thunder. Whenever she would hear thunder, she would run to her mother's chamber where she would protectively tuck her in.

As Mary looked out of the window, heavy droplets started pouring down. John came from behind and said "Why don't you stay the night. I'll drop you off in the morning."

There wasn't a centimetre apart from Mary's back and John's torso and the way that he held her waist and the way he softly spoke got Mary out of guard.

"Please Isabella, stay with us" said Layla.

"Well if you're insisting, I might as well stay," replied Mary as she picked Layla up.

"Yay," Layla screeched as she squirmed down from Mary's arms, pulling Mary's hand as she led her to her father's room.

"Sometimes I sleep with the house keeper but today I'm going to sleep with you two," replied Layla as she pointed at the big bed ahead.

Mary didn't know what to say. She wasn't going to sleep in the same bed as a man she just recently met even if he made her heart race. It was just against her values. It was against what her mom taught her; how she raised her.

Sensing Mary's uneasiness, John said "Layla, how about you sleep with Isabella and I'll sleep on the ground."

"No Papa, I want to sleep with both of you together. I'll be in the middle, I promise. Please Papa."

It was clear what Layla was trying to do. She wanted a mother more than anything. She was getting attached to Mary and she definitely saw Mary as a mother figure.

Mary didn't want John to sleep on the ground in his own house but she knew that if she insisted on sleeping on the ground, Layla will argue against it. She knew, she wouldn't do anything wrong and even if both of them wanted to, nothing could happen because Layla was with them. So eventually Mary agreed and all three of them engaged in conversation as they lay in bed.

"Maria has this boy for a friend and he is mean. I don't like him."

Both John and Mary giggled.

"Why don't you like him?" asked Mary.

"Because he said that I am foolish and he said that I am a bastard. Papa, what does bastard mean?"

Mary could sense the silence. "Layla, you needn't worry about what he says. What he says are bad words and it will do you no good if you know them"

"But, Isabella, why is he so mean to me?"

"Because sweetie, he likes you."

"Eww, I don't like him. He's ugly."

Both John and Mary laughed.

"Layla you should sleep now," said John.

"Papa, Isabella, I think I'm going to sleep with Mrs. Davis today."

"Why sweetie, you don't want to sleep with us?" asked Mary.

"No, it's just that I haven't talked to her in so long. I miss her."

Layla got up and left for the house keeper's room as she left both John and Mary in silence.

"I loved how you handled her," said John.

"It was nothing honestly. She's a sweet child. Kids should not be harassing her. "

All of a sudden, thunder roared as lightening flashing could be seen through the window. Victim to her biggest fear, Mary fell into John's arms.

John held her close to him as he soothed her hair sliding his fingers back and forth. Her head was under his chin and she could feel his warm breath as he whispered "Shh, Its okay."

Her hands were clenched on his back as he held her protectively. They stayed in this position until it stopped raining. They were both awake and as John noticed that it had stopped raining, he broke the silence. "You're scared of thunder?" John asked with a smirk on his face.

"Don't ridicule me. Aren't you scared of anything?"

"Well, if there is one thing I'm scared, it is that I'm scared of losing you," John replied giving her a roguish glance.

Mary laughed. "And when did you ever have me."

"Right this moment," John replied as he got up and before taking the next step to kiss her, he waited a second to gain her approval. The look in Mary's eyes gave her consent as he joined his lips with Mary's. For the next moment, their bodies did the talking as his hand tightened around Mary's.

Mary had no other choice but to give into John for she craved his body on top of her from the moment Layla left them alone. Mary knew what she was doing was utterly wrong and that she would regret it in the morning but just for the moment, all she wanted to do was give into her desires. Ironically, just for the night, it seemed more right than it did wrong.

John moved on to her neck. He started kissing her slowly but roughly as Mary closed her eyes and gave into the sensation. Her heart started racing and she quickly craved more of his body. But John was in control as he securely tightened his hand on Mary's hand and kept her in place. John was slow and rough at the same time because he wanted to seduce her first. He wanted to make her want him.

Before John could continue, he had to know for sure if she consented to the sin they both were about to commit. So before continuing to leave his mark on her, he slowly crouched up as he moved his fingers to move away her tresses from her face. Mary looked stunning. Her rosy red and dilated pupils symbolized an innocence that all men would crave to take away.

John simply chuckled at how he made her feel; chuckled at how lovely Mary looked.

"You're beautiful, you know that. Do you consent, Isabella? Because your one consent means everything to me," John whispered.

Giving into her desires, Mary just nodded. Mary knew that it wasn't right. What she was doing was completely wrong. God would never forgive her. She might as well become protestant like the rest of them because she was no better than anyone. Just like everyone else, she also gave into her desires and her lusts. Like everyone else, she too lied to get what she wanted. She wasn't her mother's daughter anymore, she was her father's.

John took his linen shirt off and when observing Mary's beautiful face, he noticed her doubtful look. "Isabella, tell me what's going through that beautiful head of yours. You look like you don't want to do this. Are you having second thoughts?"

"John, I have something to tell you."

"What is it beautiful?"

"John, I'm not who you think I am."

"What do you mean?" John asked as his voice got a little rougher.

Mary's eyes got watery but that didn't stop her from confessing the truth.

"Um, I'm not Isabella. I am the Lady Mary; the king's daughter. I only lied about my identity because…"

John got off from his bed and stood looking outside the window.

Mary got up. "John, I'm sorry."

"You should go. I don't know what to say."

"John, please let me explain."

"There's nothing left to explain, Isabell, I mean Mary, do you know the way back to Hatfield?"

"Yes I do, John why are you doing this? I had no choice to lie. I just wanted to forget the past and start over."

"You know what Mary; you could've put my life in danger. If your father ever finds out, it would have been the end of me. You had no right to put my life in danger. Besides, I would never want a wretched man like your father to be a part of my family. So if you ever thought that I would've married you, you thought wrong. Now you should leave," John yelled.

Mary was in tears. Not even when she was declared a bastard, was she this humiliated. Before she left, Mary still managed to say "If that's what you want. Goodbye your grace."

As she walked back to Hatfield, she was in tears. Mary didn't know what to think. The only other man she let in her life, broke her heart into pieces just the moment he found out who she was. Was something wrong with her? Why did everyone that she ever love, leave her? She knew it was her fault. It was her fault that she had lied. It was her fault that she let John get that close; almost let him possess the one thing that she still had left; her innocence. But then again, she was just a girl; a sixteen year old girl. Why didn't anyone just let her be just a girl?

When she arrived at Hatfield, she found out that Lady Breyn was gone. In her place there was a new lady-in-waiting named Lady Anna Belle. She was a middle-aged tall woman with brown hair. She looked like she was beautiful once in her lifetime and as she aged that beauty had faded away although it didn't stop her from doing whatever it took to preserve it.

"Where is Lady Breyn?"

"She quit. Her mother…is that? You are the Lady Mary, aren't you?"

"I am Lady Mary, your grace."

"You've been with a man, haven't you?" Lady Anna Belle said moving her hair away from shoulders, trying to get a closer look at her neck where John left his mark.

"If your mother was alive, she would've been so ashamed. What a pity."

"What do you mean, if my mother was alive," asked Mary as another pair of tears was threatening to fall.

"Don't you know? Your mother, Katherine of Aragon died yesterday night."

Everyone, please review. The more reviews I get, the faster I will update. Sorry I was a little late. This time, I actually got discouraged because not a single person reviewed on my last chapter. But then I saw the number of follows I had on this story and I was like to myself What the heck, I don't write for other people; I write for myself so I ended up writing anyways. I don't want to sound desperate but please review and tell me what you think because your opinion really means a lot to me.