"So I assume that you take a liking of older men."

"Are you speaking of his majesty?" asked Katherine.

"Yes, who else would I be talking about?"

"His majesty is only thirty-four. Besides, despite his age, he still has his looks."

"Well, clearly he has got way more than just looks."

Katherine turned to face this unfamiliar handsome face. "Well he's a king. Why, does he have anything that you have taken a liking of?"

"Of course he does."

"And what is that, I may ask."

"Beautiful, virginal, young girls."

"Is your name Thomas, Thomas Culpepper?"

"Yes, your grace."

"I'll definitely remember that."

With that last statement, Katherine Howard walked away stunned at the handsome man's bluntness. She was definitely intrigued by Thomas Culpepper but she will not let her desires prevent her from becoming queen one day. Thomas had been infatuated by Katherine Howard from the first day that he had met her. With her dress almost off, with her bare shoulders present along with one of her tresses clinging to Henry's tiny beard when he had caught them off guard was a vision that had stayed in his head. He wanted her, like any hot-blooded man would want a woman but he had to hide his feelings if he wanted to keep his head. Thomas knew that Katherine Howard was not only the queen's cousin but also the king's mistress. But that only made Katherine Howard even more desirable. It was as if she was the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden while he was longing to become its reckless captor.

Charles V called a council meeting right as he had read the letter that he was sent.

Surely he cared about his late Aunt's daughter and unlike her father, he wanted the best for her; he wanted her to be treated as if she were royalty especially since she was his cousin. Charles V could not believe the nerve of Henry Tudor. Not only did he divorce his late aunt and marry a harlot, he also had the nerve to punish his daughter for his mistakes. Charles V had threatened to invade England if the marriage took place with the harlot, Anne Boleyn. Now he wasn't sure, if that was just an empty threat. Unlike Henry Tudor, Charles V was always the type of person that ensured that his family is safe and happy. He cared about the members of his family and that is why he had kept in touch with his Aunt all of these years through letters.

But now it was too far, not only had Henry outraged him but so did Mary. How dare she give up her right to the throne? How dare she ruin everything that his dear Aunt had worked so hard for?

"I have called this meeting to address an important issue of mine. As you know that my Aunt Katherine has passed away recently. My cousin, the princess Mary is also residing at the Lady Anne's child's residence as a mere servant. On the same day that the princess Mary had found out about her mother's death, a courtier of her father was sent so that she could sign the documents that considered her parents' marriage unlawful and recognized the king as head of church. She was threatened with death and the king's damned courtier put his hands on her. Giving into the moment, she has run away after signing the documents claiming that she wants nothing to do with the king or his court. At the moment, she could be anywhere and I do not know whether the king knows yet or he just isn't choosing to do anything. Mary is a cousin of mine so whether or not her father knows his duties, I do. For that, I want to do something. I will not sit here in peace while my aunt's only daughter is roaming freely in the streets. Whether England believes it or not, she is royalty, she is my legitimate cousin and for that I will help her. But whatever I do, I really do not want to start a war with England. Any suggestions?"

"Your majesty, send spies to look for her and ask them to write to you of what is happening. As for the courtier, send people to beat him. Nobody should lay their hands on a woman, let alone a princess; someone who is of the Aragon bloodline. Then if Mary is found and she is living in bad conditions, write a letter to the king and if she still is treated with just as much cruelty, invade England like you promised when King Henry married Anne."

"So I guess we have come to a conclusion. I will send people to England right away. Everyone is dismissed."

It was a nice home that Mary had come to live in. Warm with the fire blazing from the fire place, enough furnished furniture to live amongst; it was a beautiful house. Mary was very nervous. She had just taken a bath with her hair fully drenched and one of her gowns nicely put on without the help of any ladies-in-waiting.

Mary had no friends. All she had was John but now even he was gone. Most of the ladies-in-waiting that she resided with were cruel to her. When she herself was a princess, everyone was friendly to her but she hadn't worked for their kindness; it was given to her for free. She had many playmates as a little girl; all of whom were paid by her parents to keep her busy. But Mary believed that she lacked any skills to make friends on her own. She couldn't imagine how long she would last here.

As she came upon the dining room, she was surprised by the generosity of her new well wishers. There was a large wooden table with all sorts of dishes. There were meat, vegetables, and fish, everything that she could possibly desire. But the best part of it all was that it was all home made. At the middle of it was a group of red candles accentuating the entire room. Part of her was reminded of John; of when he cooked her a home made meal. And the décor was similar to that of which John's dining room with a large wooden table and a large white candle complimenting it.

Mary was very hungry. She hadn't eaten for around two days and the food on the table looked delectable.

"Mary, have a seat. Make yourself at home," said Rose.

Mary took a seat. "You shouldn't have went through all that trouble. This is beautiful; way more than I could've asked for. Thank you."

"There's no need to thank us. Enough with the formalities. Make yourself at home. This is your home now so it is our job to welcome you the best way that we possibly can," replied Abraham.

"If I may ask, why are you being so kind to me. This is way more than a girl like me could ask for."

"We were once in your place, that's why."

"What do you mean?"

"I came from a noble family. Abraham was the son of a simple painter while I was the daughter of a courtier. I was the only girl of a family with five boys. They wanted me to marry whoever the king wanted me to so that they could have a higher position at court. But then I met Abraham and I couldn't help it, I fell in love. We fought so hard to be together. My brothers did everything to keep us apart. But we eloped. We lived in a small home with his father but alas he also passed away. Then we had to work hard to make a living. We sold the small home, we both worked. I used to sew and he cut wood. And here we are right now."

"Didn't the king try to find you?"

"He did but then he started having problems with his wife and started seeing that Harlot who now is queen; Anne I believe. So he didn't care anymore."

"You don't like the queen?"

"I despise the Boleyns. They only crave power and wealth. That's the only reason why Anne lured in the King. Or else the rightful place of queen belongs to Katherine of Aragon and the rightful heir to the throne is Princess Mary."

Mary's eyes got watery at the mention of her mother.

"Mary, your eyes are watery. Are you okay?"

Mary's voice was soft and vulnerable; it sounded as if it would when someone would start crying. "No actually I got soap in my eyes while washing my face."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, thank you."

"So, Mary tell us your story. Why live in the streets? Where's your family?" asked Abraham.

"My mom passed away and my father abandoned me for his mistress and now I have nobody."

Rose hugged Mary. "Don't ever say that again. You have us."

"Your Majesty," Jane curtsied as low as she could so she could show the king of how much of a humble servant she was compared to him.

"Jane I hope you're doing well."

"I am your Majesty for your way too kind."

"You may leave now Jane."

Henry noticed many things about Jane; how her eyes never met his; how graceful her curtsey was; and how she glowed in her yellow dress. Her lovely curls were down her shoulders and she certainly looked lovely.

"Thomas, come here."

"Yes, your Majesty," replied Thomas Culpepper.

"Tell Jane Seymour to meet me at my chamber."

Henry walked to his chamber as he thought of Jane. She was certainly the sweetest creature that resided at court.

As Henry opened the door to his chamber, he heard a noise; a noise of something sliding to him. It was a picture frame. A picture frame that was hidden amongst the cabinets in his room. Henry picked up the frame. Inside it was a photograph of him when he was ten years younger holding a little girl. The girl had rich chestnut hair like her father and sapphire blue eyes; also like her father. It was her nose and lips which were identical to her mother's. Her hair was long and her smile was big. It was a girl that ceased to exist along with her smile that was almost non-existent.

Henry dropped it as fast as he had picked it up.

"Scares you, doesn't it?"

Who appeared in front of him was a beautiful lady; a lady which was hidden somewhere deep in his memories. She had black, long hair up to her waist. She had deep almond, hazel eyes with shaped eyebrows. Her face was free of wrinkles; only of flawless, soft, white skin. Her hair was in beautiful curls landing onto her waist; a waist that did not bear the fat of repeated childbirth. She looked like she was around eighteen but she looked more beautiful than he had ever seen her as.

"The truth scares you doesn't it. It scares you that you are running from your responsibilities of a father. You still love Mary but you can't even look at her without feeling guilt and shame and that's why you block away her memories."

"You know nothing. As your king, I command you to leave."

"Are you frightened by me, Henry? After seeing me do you feel guilt on the way you had treated my daughter and I. I'm at a better place now Henry; a way better place than you will ever be."

"Why are you here?"

"For our daughter; for you. I have come here to help you to realize your mistakes. It seemed to me that you loved Anne. You have left me for her. I remember not so long ago, you had vowed that I would always remain your queen; and your wife through better or for worse but that promise was shattered. You have changed England; fought with the pope and abandoned our daughter for her. What good is it when you will leave her when she cannot produce you a son? What good is it when you still roam around with your mistresses."

"Being a king, it is my right to take mistresses. How dare you question me?"

"Taking mistresses that are your daughter's age; who lacks every so maturity whatsoever to be with a king; and who is also Anne's cousin. Is that the love that you speak of for your queen? Now Lady Jane has caught your sight, didn't she? What will become of you? When will you ever change? Instead of worrying about your daughter, you're having a hard time staying faithful to your latest mistress? One day you're going to be done with Anne, and what will become of Elizabeth? Will you cast her aside too?" she yelled.

Henry was left stunned. He did not have anything to say.

"I just want you to know, whether you're a good father to Mary or not, she will always have people watching over her like myself. Princess or not, she will have a good life. I will make sure that she does. I had just come here to make you realize your mistakes. Now my job here is done. In a count of three you will wake up"

"One, Two, Three."

"Your Majesty, it is four in the afternoon and yet you're still asleep," said Anne.

A day had passed and John was hopelessly looking for Mary. He had kept Layla with the housekeeper and he had gone in hopes that he would find her. But alas, she was nowhere to be found.

John had decided to go to court. That was the last place that he could look for her in. He would handle King Henry somehow but he just needed to get to Mary. He needed to know that she was safe and happy. And most of all, he needed to apologize.

John snuck inside the court, he stole a few clothes and wore them and he walked to a man with a dark brown beard.

"Hello, I didn't quite catch what has happened to the Lady Mary. Everywhere I go, all I hear is her name."

"Haven't you heard, she has signed the documents and she has run away and the king seems like he doesn't care."

"Where is she? Do you have any idea?"

"How would I know? Probably somewhere roaming around in the streets."

Hearing the rude remark, John started walked out of court when suddenly he spotted Caroline. She was still beautiful. She looked stunning in blue. Her brown hair fell like a curtain of silk to the top of her waist and her green eyes twinkled reflecting the light of the chandeliers as she talked to another beautiful blonde girl beside her. But John only took one look for nobody could compete with Mary or the passion that he felt for her.

The court was truly surrounded with lavishing gardens. The grass was a fine healthy green along with the finest rose bushes amidst it. There were a variety of flowers ranging from lilies, tulips, violets and amaryllis. The puffy clouds provided shade from the sun but not enough to block all of the sunlight. It was a beautiful day.

Henry was walking amidst his gardens. The fresh air and the beautiful scenery made him calmer and more relaxed. After the dream he had, he needed this walk. But now that the dream was over, "It's just a dream" was what he told himself.

Without watching where John was going, he bumped into King Henry.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," John said as he did a soft curtsey.

"You are that man who was with Caroline, aren't you?"

"Yes I am."

"You love her. Don't you? I saw her crying one day. I asked her why and she said it was because she had lost you forever. I would love it for the two of you to marry. I think you two would make the best couple.

"Your Majesty, thank you but I do not love her anymore."

"Really? She is beautiful. Any man would go mad for her. After bedding her for one night, I came back to her, the next night and she was crying. She had refused me that night. She loves you. Yes, every man wants a wife that is untouched and virginal but I assure you that she is a good lady. Now if you consent, I will allow you two to get married at court in a few days. I will proceed with the arrangements."

"I am sorry your majesty. I do not want to marry her. If you will excuse me, I am looking for someone."

"As you wish but think about my offer. I can unite you with your lover. She is safe here at court. She is a lady-in-waiting to the queen."

"I wish she stays safe. Now if you may excuse me, I will take my leave."

John did one last curtsey and he walked away.

John didn't want Caroline. There was a time when he was in love with her but ever since he saw Mary, Caroline ceased in comparison. Mary was the most beautiful woman that he had ever met both inside and out. She was of royalty; yet she was humble and she did not strive for wealth or power. That was something that made Mary even more beautiful than she already was. John didn't know what the future held but if Mary had the least bit of love for him, he would fight for her; he would fight for her 'till the end.

Sir Francis was kissing a woman. She had frizzy amber hair. Her skin was pale and she had stern blue eyes. She was fairly pretty but she lacked youthfulness. She had rough patches and wrinkles underneath her eyes.

A few men entered the bar and spotted Sir Francis.

"I think this is him."

A man with stern brown eyes and shaggy blonde hair went forward and clenched his hair tightly away from the woman and punched Sir Francis in the eye. Sir Francis moaned in pain but just as he was about to get relief from the pain that he was in, another tall man kicked him on his lower back as he dropped to the floor. The woman that he was with stood their stunned but the moment that she also sensed danger, she ran off. Another man took a wine bottle that lay on the table and hit his head. Blood rushed from his wound and he didn't even have time to moan from pain before another man punched him directly on the stomach.

"Next time think about whom you lay your hands on, bastard."

Before the men left, a large, aggressive man broke a bottle on his head.

Okay so this was a short chapter but I wanted to make a last update before school started. Now that I have school, I might not be able to update as frequently and I may not even update unless I am in a holiday. Anyways I really hope that all of you enjoyed this chapter. So review and tell me what you think.