John opened the cabinet; the same cabinet that held the one possession that John was longing to give back for a long time. It was a doll. A doll with orange hair and a crown, symbolizing the tudor dynasty. Layla would often ask to play with the doll, but John never let her. It was something close to his heart and he would never let anyone touch it. Now that he has found the one girl who was the centre of his childhood, he didn't know what to do with it.

"Johnny, come play with me."

Even as a child, she was beautiful. Long chestnut tresses with a speck of red, big blue sparkling eyes that made just about everyone listen to her every command, John remembered her clearly.

"I'm coming, Your Highness"

"Johnny what is wrong with you today, remember I told you to never to call me that."

"Yes but today your father has shown me his place."

"Whatever so do you mean, Johnny?"

"Your father said to pack up my bags and leave you. I cannot be your playmate anymore."

"But Johnny, I told him that I would rather be with you than the other king's son and he said that I could. He would never do that to me."

"I'm sorry, I have to leave."

A pretty, slender blonde woman was at the door. "Johnny, dear, we have to leave."

"But sister."

"Sorry Johnny but we have no choice; the king wants us to leave."

"Good bye Mary"

A tear fell down her rosy cheek as she watched Johnny and his sister walk out of her bedroom.

That was the last memory that he had of Mary Tudor. John used to be her playmate once and he remembered playing with her all day long. She definitely was someone close to his heart. If he wanted, he could've asked to see Mary when Mary was pretending to be "Isabella" but he just couldn't face her. After what his sister has been through, being betrayed by someone noble; someone that was related to the King himself, he just didn't find it within himself to go after her. After what the King Henry did to his former lover, he didn't want to be involved with the Tudor family ever again. He had enough of the Tudors and their relatives.

That's why when "Isabella" confessed to him, her real identity, he really didn't know how to react. His reaction was a little harsh and he knew he didn't mean half of the things that he said. At that moment, he could only think about two things, what her father did to Caroline and how his sister got betrayed by a wealthy man that thought he was better than her. He wasn't thinking straight. John wasn't thinking about why she did what she did and how Mary herself got stripped of her titles and now is working as a mare servant at Hatfield. John realized, what he did was wrong. Now Mary had lost someone else that she started deeply caring for.

"So Katherine, I see you have started flaunting your pretty self to my dear husband," said Anne Boleyn.

"Whatever so do you mean, cousin?"

"You know exactly what I mean. Don't act like the stupid little girl that you are. You're way too young to get involved in things like this. I know exactly what you're trying to do. This isn't your time Katherine. Go live your life. Go have fun with men your age. This is not the time for you to get to the King's graces."

"And what do you know? What makes you think that I'm flaunting myself to the king."

"I know when the King has interest in someone. Today, I have seen you too walking hand by hand. I think that is evidence enough. Look just because I have helped raise you when you were little, only because you're like a little sister to me, let me tell you that I have had experience. Your cousin, Mary is called "the great whore" because she has been the mistress of not one, but two kings. I know when the King has his eyes on someone. This time his eyes are on you, and he won't stop at any moment to get you to be his mistress. I suggest that you stay away."

"Anne, it isn't my fault that you cannot keep your husband satisfied or give him a healthy son for that matter; and that he has to look elsewhere for pleasure. It is also simply not my fault that your husband cannot take his eyes off of me. If there is anyone you should talk to, it should be the King, Anne, not me."

"Katherine, just because I've been spoiling you all of these years, does not mean that you talk to me like this. I may be your cousin, but I am still your queen."

"Then I shall take my leave, your majesty," said Katherine as she left after doing her finest curtsey to show off her grace in front of her cousin.

Anne could not believe the courage of that girl. She remembered changing Katherine's diapers when she was only nine years old. She remembered playing with her all night until she would fall asleep. George was always getting himself in trouble somewhere outside and Mary was always busy playing with her friends from school or playing with dolls but Anne couldn't take her eyes off the baby girl as soon as she was born. Ever since she was a little girl, Anne had motherly instincts and that's exactly why she loved Elizabeth so much despite her gender. Anne couldn't believe that this was the same little girl that she pretended to be the mother of when she was only nine. Even when Katherine got older, Anne was nothing but a sister to her. When she arrived at court, although it was her husband that couldn't take his eyes off of her, Anne gifted her with twenty expensive gowns. When Katherine arrived at court, she was glad to have her little sister back and somewhere deep inside she was hoping that Henry would also look at her as a little sister and help her get married to a noble young man.

Anne thought about Katherine of Aragon. She knew it, her and Elizabeth's fate were going to be worse than theirs. At least, Henry chose a simple lady-in-waiting over Katherine. Now, Henry was going to choose her own cousin over her. When the time comes that he does choose Katherine, no one is going to be with her. Everyone is going to think that she got exactly what she deserves. As for Elizabeth, she would be cast aside just like Mary was except she wouldn't have any Spanish relatives to depend on. She would just be a mare bastard of the king. Unlike Mary, people wouldn't think twice before looking at Elizabeth as a bastard for she isn't of royal descent like Mary was.

She thought about Mary. The last time that she was at Hatfield, Mary was nicely holding Elizabeth; as if Elizabeth wasn't Anne's child; as if the child was Mary's. Despite, who Elizabeth's mother was, it never made a difference to Mary. Anne witnessed exactly that when she went to Hatfield a few days ago.

"I'm sorry, it's just that nobody was holding her," said Mary.

"Its okay, Mary," Anne replied taking Elizabeth in her lap.

"Mary, I would welcome you back to court and reconcile you with your father if you would only accept me as queen."

"I recognize no queen but my mother but if the king's mistress would intercede with the king on my behalf, then I would be grateful."

Mary then curtsied gracefully and walked away.

Anne Boleyn knew that if Elizabeth was in Mary's place, she would never want her to accept any other woman as queen either. Anne Boleyn got out a piece of paper and started writing.

Dear Mary,

I write to apologize for everything that I have put you through. I am very sorry for your loss. Despite everything, I will admit it, your mother was a good woman. I do know what you think about me, Mary. I do not blame you, actually. I was an ambitious young girl with a commanding father who desired wealth. So I obeyed his instructions and in no time, when it was too late, I fell in love with your father.

Mary, I am bearing everything that I put your mother through and it is now that I too feel her pain. Mary, I am sorry for your present situation. It must not be easy to become a servant to my daughter, stripped from all of the comforts and luxuries of a princess. You may think that I alone am responsible for your condition but I assure you that I never gave your father this dreadful idea. I admit, I did not help your situation either and for that I am very sorry.

That day at Hatfield, I had told you that I would take you back to court and would also reconcile you with your father only if you accept me as queen. I realized that if Elizabeth were in your place, I would never want her to accept any other woman than myself as queen either. So Mary, I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to take you back to court and reconcile you with your father accepting nothing but your forgiveness in return.

Your well wisher,

Anne Boleyn.

Anne Boleyn put the letter in the envelope and told a lady-in-waiting to send it to Hatfield. Anne Boleyn felt at ease. It was as if a burden was taken off of her shoulders.

The thought of Mary was haunting Anne for days for she didn't know what to feel towards her. She didn't know whether to feel threatened by her or to pity her. After all, just like Anne, Mary was just a girl neglected by her father. Anne as well as all her other siblings were always used as a pawn to get what her father wanted whereas Mary was cast aside in order for her father to get what he wanted. Anne used to look at other fathers playing with their daughters or being affectionate towards them and was constantly jealous. Now that, Anne, Elizabeth, as well as Henry's mistresses stole all of Mary's share of affection, Anne could understand how she feels.

"Everyone, I have called to talk about the two documents; documents of which all of England did sign in order to recognize me as head of the church, and my marriage to Katherine of Aragon as incestuous and unlawful. Sir Thomas Moore has disobeyed me and has refused to sign these documents. For that he will be put in the tower. I would like to make a new law. Regarding my annulment to Katherine of Aragon, many are not pleased. That is why, if anyone dares to utter anything dreadful in my name or my Queen's, they will be sent to the tower as well."

"Your Majesty, all has signed the documents except for the Lady Mary."

"Then make her sign it. If she does sign it, bring her to me. Tell her that I would love to reconcile with her and give her back the rights that she deserves as my daughter only if she signs these documents."

"Your majesty, what if the Lady Mary refuses to sign?"

"Then, she will have the same fate as anyone else that refuses to sign. Now if you will excuse me. Oh and Sir Francis, it is you who will take the documents to Hatfield. I have noticed that you are quite influential," said King Henry before he left to see Katherine Howard.

Henry thought about Mary for awhile. She must've found out about the death of her mother. He knew that what he was doing was wrong but Henry knew that he has tried to reach out to her for way too long. Not forcing her to sign just because she was his daughter was wrong. He couldn't free her from her obligations to the king just because she was his daughter.

Mary spent all night crying. Some ladies-in-waiting that had some pity for Mary, offered her some food and even went as far as trying to feed her but it did no help. Mary sat down, still at one corner of her room, unable to utter a word. She was still in shock over what had happened. Her mother, the most important woman in her life had passed away and she did not even get to meet her once before she died.

A whole night had passed by. She had not eaten for a whole day nor had she said anything to anyone. She was stuck in her mother's memories, reminiscing through all of the times that they've all been a family together. Now, she had nobody left in this world. If only she could have just seen her once, she would've been in ease but she had not.

Katherine of Aragon stood there looking at her daughter with sorrow in her eyes.

"Your Majesty must be reassured that the princess will be taken good care befitting her station. You will be sent regular reports of her health and accomplishments and naturally you will visit her during the course of your majesty's progresses," said a tall woman with amber hair.

"You must make sure that she practices her music, she has a great nasality for music."

Then Mary's mother walked to her and crouched down and said "Be strong, my daughter, remember who you are. The descendant of Isabella and Ferdinand of Castille, the only daughter of the King of England. Be strong and be true and one day…One day you will be queen"

"Yes Mamma," Mary replied before leaving.

A pair of tears fell down Mary's cheeks. That was one of the more meaningful memories of her mother. That was the memory that she cherished; the memory that would always give her strength and belief that if not anyone, her mother was looking over her. She was the only person who ever had her best interests at heart; the only person who believed in her to become a great queen. She fought until her death for Mary's rights; as the rightful heir to the throne and the lawful daughter of King Henry. She fought with all she had and now she was dead.

Mary knew she no longer had anyone left. Everything was over. The family that she once hoped would be restored back to the way it was once she was a child remained nothing but a dream.

For the first time, in a whole day, Mary finally got up and as she glanced in the mirror, she could see the red mark on her neck that represented her failure. Mary had failed to follow her mother's teachings and go by the upbringing that Katherine had raised her by. Her mother always taught her to give the most importance to religion. She had taught her to always stay firm in your beliefs; your morals and values. What did Mary do? The first chance that she got to freedom, change, and pleasure; she had taken it as any weak human being would do. She had lied, and she had given herself to John; letting her desires take over her.

Mary looked into the mirror. The reflection in the mirror reminded her of only one person; her father. Just like him, she believed that she was superior and strong compared to the rest of the world; but just like him, she too had let her emotions and desires divert her from what is right. Just like him, unlike what she told herself, she was just like everyone else; she was human. She was becoming him in every single way and that was what she was the most afraid of. She was afraid of becoming a proud person who lacked every trait to be proud of. Her father was a king. No body ever questions a king but why don't they? How can anybody not question a king, a king of whom unlike an honourable man that lives up to the title that he's given, runs away from his responsibilities, runs away from the true religion because his ego was bruised when the pope had not accepted his marriage to his mistress, and puts his desires and lusts before the people that loves him the most. Does he really deserve the title of a king or does he deserve the title of a coward?

Mary questioned whether this was what she would get as a punishment for her deeds. Was this really what she deserved? To have nobody left in this world to take care of her, to give her strength, to give her hope? Although fully grown, Mary still felt like a child, naïve and lost needing someone desperately to guide her.

Mary held the crucifix tightly in her hands. It was a crucifix that her mother had given her. She prayed. She prayed intently for forgiveness; for her mother who now lay in her grave; and she prayed to god to guide her; to show her what was next for her.

There was one thing that was sure to Mary. To her, John was a grave mistake. As good hearted as he was, his seductive ways proved to Mary one thing, that he did not push himself to restrain from sin. He left her because of who she was; he left her because she was a mare bastard of a king. Nobody wanted a king's bastard daughter. A king's bastard would never find her place. She cannot find a good match because she's declared illegitimate but at the same time, if a commoner were to pursue her, it would definitely be dangerous for them.

When Mary was a child, her mother would always read fairytales to her. In them, the prince would always fight for his one and only true love and eventually, they would live happily ever after. In Mary's case however, John did not fight for her and it hurt Mary. It hurt her to be grieving over her mother's death and knowing the one person that she had gotten so close to wasn't beside her right now holding her and giving her comfort. It hurt her that the man that she was so close to falling for was nothing but a coward that left the first chance that he got when he found out that she was the King's daughter.

"Lady Mary, Sir Francis Bryn is here to meet you. He wants to meet with you alone."

"Tell him to come to my chamber."

"As you wish, Mary."

Mary wiped away her tears, fixed her gown, and put a few of her tresses in front of her neck covering the one mark that could leave her defamed.

Mary did a weak curtsey when she saw Sir Francis Bryn.

"Lady Mary, I have seen that you have grown."

"Forgive me your grace, but what brings you here?"

"I heard about your mother's death. I am very sorry but I'm afraid I'm not here to offer you my kindness. Your majesty urges you to sign this"

Mary took the documents from his hands.

"What is this?"

"A list of articles recognizing the king as the head of the church and your mother's marriage as incestuous and unlawful. You must also preannounce Rome and freely acknowledge your illegitimacy. If you would not sign, I'm afraid Mister Secretary Cromwell cannot guarantee your safety."

"Forgive me, but I will not risk my immortal self for the favour of an earthly king."

"You are a terrible daughter. Since you may not submit to your father, he may have to proceed against you for treason."

With watery eyes, she asked him a question that Mary herself knew the answer to "Would he really do that?"

Sir Francis Bryan came close to Mary and moved her hair away from her face. He said "Listen to me, Mary. If you were my daughter, I would smash your head against the wall 'till it is soft as a boiled apple. You understand?"

"I don't care what you think about me; just keep your filthy hands off me."

"You shameless whore. How dare you speak to me like that when I see the mark on your neck. You've been with someone."

Mary was defenceless. She didn't know what to say or do. She stepped back and pulled her hair back in front of her shoulders.

"Now I wonder when I should tell the king that his little girl has grown up."

Sir Francis Bryn got closer and whispered "How about you tell me, when I should?"

"Please, why are you doing this? Why are you treating me like this?"

"Because you're a terrible daughter and whatever brings sorrow unto the king, brings sorrow unto me."

"Sir Francis, I also have heard rumours; rumours about you and Edward Seymour's wife? Now is that true? Now would you like me to expose this piece of information to Edward Seymour or to my father? Sir Francis, if I get charged with treason, I have nothing to neither lose nor fear. I would be able to embrace death but the question is whether you and your little harlot would be able to embrace death or not?"

Sir Francis Bryn was furious. A girl had never talked to him like that before. A girl had never been this ruthless towards him before. Giving into his anger, he slapped Mary hard until she hit the ground.

Mary's face had turned bright red with tears marking her face. She looked at Sir Francis Bryn. She couldn't believe that he just had slapped her.

Sir Francis Bryn couldn't believe what he had done. Looking at Mary on the floor, he actually felt some form of sympathy. He crouched and pulled Mary up.

"Get your hands off of me. Leave me alone."

"I apologize Mary"

"Please leave, I will decide whether to sign these documents or not by tomorrow morning. Just give me one day. If they are signed, you can come and take them tomorrow. By the way, I will not tell your secret to anyone, but now please leave."

"Goodbye Mary."

Without even saying goodbye, Mary turned around and waited for Sir Francis Bryn to leave before she broke into tears.

Before Sir Francis Bryn left, he took one last glance at Mary and saw the distress that he had just caused. He felt guilt over what he had just done. However, there was nothing left to help Mary's cause. Sir Francis Bryn always had a way of bullying people into doing what he wanted. His intentions were simply to influence Mary into signing the documents. He thought that it was for her own good. Everyone knew Henry's temper and if Mary angered him even more than she had already done, it was hard to tell whether he would want to shed his own blood or not. If Mary were to die, not only would Henry become more ruthless, then he already is, but it would be inviting another war with Spain.

Sir Francis Bryn was a smart man and most of the time, he didn't let his emotions get in the way but when Mary talked about his own beheading and called the woman that he had been seeing a harlot, he couldn't help but be angry. At first he was using Anne Stanhope for sex for he hadn't bedded a woman in so long. But even he must admit to himself, that he truly cared for her.

However, he believed he had been a little too harsh on Mary. He realized that Mary had just found out about the death of her mother and acknowledging her illegitimacy was a little too difficult for her. Sir Francis Bryn was definitely ashamed of himself. He had put his hands on not just anyone but a princess. The look on Mary's face when she hit the ground stayed in his head for he had never seen such a beautiful girl in so much distress. He didn't know how to make it up to her but he knew that he wouldn't utter a word of this to King Henry.

For the first time, Mary lay in her bed. She lay there for a whole hour, deep in thought. However, this time she wasn't reminiscing over the memories; nor was she looking at the past to see how much things have changed. Mary was thinking about what to do next; she was thinking about what would be next for her from now on.

If she did not sign her father's documents, she would be true to her mother and of what she wanted for her. But if she is charged with treason, is it really worth it. For a chance to become queen and receive all of the rights of a King's daughter; is that really worth death? Even if her father gave her what she wanted and she received back her title of a princess, how would her life have turned out? In two short years, she would have married a man for her father's political purposes; perhaps a prince but later in her life what would happen? When her husband would become king or someone of significance, like her own father, would he too take mistresses and be too busy to spend time with her and their children? When she too fails to produce a son, would her daughter be in a similar situation that she is in right now? Mary knew that her mother endured it, but she knew that if she was in her position, she never could.

If Mary does sign it, she would be restored back in her father's favour, would find a place in court, her ladies-in-waiting will be returned to her and she would get a beautiful chamber unlike the one she had right now. But did Mary really want to be restored in her father's favour after everything that he had put her through? Did Mary want to witness her father and his mistress celebrating her own mother's death? How could Mary possibly look at her own father in the eyes after he had threatened to kill her; separated her from her mother and had one of his people slap her to the ground? Why would Mary want a place in court? What good will it really do her?

"Lady Mary, I believe this is for you."

Mary took the envelope in her hand and saw that it was from Anne Boleyn. She ripped it open. As she read the letter, she didn't know what to think. It was clear that Anne Boleyn meant every single word that she had written but Mary just wasn't in the proper state to see Anne Boleyn at a positive light. It just only made Mary sadder when she found out that Anne Boleyn did not influence her father's decision's like she had thought.

Mary had to make a decision for herself. What did she want? Now that her mother had passed away, all that Mary wanted was freedom. She wanted nothing to do with her father and she did not wish to have a place at court.

Mary found a pen on her table, took it and without thinking too much, she signed the documents. A part of her knew that she was betraying her mother but Mary knew that if her mother was still alive, she would want Mary's safety more than anything else. Once again, Mary had failed her religion but Mary promised herself that now that she was going to get freedom from an "earthly king," she will do whatever it takes to practice her faith with as much obedience as possible.

Mary got a small bag. In it, she packed a few gowns, and some jewellery that she had gotten when she still held the title of a princess. The two possessions that she knew that she would keep forever was her golden locket consisting of her mother's photograph and her mother's crucifix. She wasn't going to lose it no matter what.

As she walked out of her room, she went into the kitchen and for the first time in one and a half day, she drank a glass of water. Afterwards, when nobody was looking, Mary approached Elizabeth's crib. Mary picked her up.

"Forgive me, princess but I have to go now. But always remember that I will always love you with all of my heart. Now, be good and be strong and I am sure of it that one day you will make a great queen."

As Mary tried to put Elizabeth back on her crib, Elizabeth clenched on to Mary's gown and would not let go.

"Elizabeth I promise, I will come to visit you. But now I have to go."

With that remark, Mary put Elizabeth back on her crib where she started crying. Mary quietly went out of her chamber as other ladies-in-waiting came to Elizabeth's aid.

Along with Mary's bag full of her possessions, she approached Lady Anna Belle.

"Lady Anna Belle, I beseech that when Sir Francis Bryn arrives at Hatfield give him these documents. I have finally signed them."

"Where are you going Mary?"

"I have signed these documents…"

"So you decide to leave, Mary where are you going? Once the King finds out that you have listened to his request, he will want you back to court and you will be restored back in his favour."

"Lady Anna Belle, forgive me but that's not what I want."

"Mary, are you going with that man that left his mark?"

"Lady Anna Belle, I don't know where I am going. The man who left this mark broke off all relations with me the moment he found out that I am the king's bastard. Lady Anna Belle, you are an elder to me and thus, I respect you so it is important for me to fix the misunderstandings between us. I have not given up my maidenhood to him. I swear upon my mother."

"Mary, I am sorry about yesterday. I am sorry that he left you, and I am sorry about your mother. You don't deserve any of this. Just so you know Mary, I have great respect for your mother. Don't tell anyone but Mary, I don't believe you are illegitimate and I strongly believe that you are the rightful heir to your father's throne so it saddens me to watch you stop fighting for your rights."

"Lady Anna Belle, Thank you. That means a lot to me but over time, I have realized a life as a royal is not the life that I would like for myself. Now that I have a choice to freedom, I would love to take it. But Lady Anna Belle, what you said really means a lot to me and I will try to visit you and my sister as much as I can. Take care of Elizabeth because I can sense that one day, she will make a beautiful queen."

"I wish you all the best Mary."

Mary and Lady Anna Belle embraced each other and finally Mary took the first steps to the rest of her life.

Everyone, thank you so much for the reviews. It really meant a lot. That's why I have updated early this time. So everyone review and tell me what you think.