A/N: As promised, here is the brand new, much longer chapter. Thank you to KitKatssie, Sparky She-Demon, Vwchick, Robin4, and Dictator Mags for the reviews, and without further ado let us begin.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors or any of the characters, Showtimes does.

...

Charles bit his lip as he wiped the tears now rolling down his face as he left the room where his son lay.

The younger Charles Brandon was gone from this world now. A victim of a particularly nasty fever.

The Duke of Suffolk could hear his son Hal crying in the other room. Though the boys had been apart for some time, what with them being placed in the twin princes' households separately, they had been rather close. It was no shock that Hal was so distraught at his younger brother's death.

Catherine exited the room where the child's body lay. Without so much as a glance at her husband, she glided down the hall, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs as she rounded the corner and disappeared.

By this point, the pair weren't even on speaking terms anymore. In fact, Charles was actually grateful to be at court while Catherine, still Princess Margery's governess, spent nearly all of her time at the princess's residence. Even when the princess came to court, Catherine seemed to make every effort that she could to avoid him. It wasn't difficult of course, as Charles had no desire to see her either.

...

"Will you be returning to Cleves soon, Princess?" Henry questioned.

He had invited the German princess to sup with him that evening. Her ladies sat nearby with his courtiers, so the two were not exactly alone together.

The king had not expected it, but Anne intrigued him in a way he could not quite understand. She was not at all traditionally beautiful, but she was still somewhat lovely.

Not unlike another Anne...

But unlike his Anne, this one was a bit more subtle and less bold. She seemed eager to please, rather than determined to have her way above others. And she appeared to have kindled friendships with his two elder daughters as well as the twins. In fact, he knew none of his children had any cause to say a word against her.

"I believe, Your Majesty, that my brother will soon insist that I do so," Anne inclined her head slightly as she spoke to him. "He does not think I should keep journeying here when he could secure a good marriage for me back home. After all, he does have to find the right match."

"Yes, I understand that such arrangements require a great deal of careful planning," Henry replied. "I myself have had much experience doing so for my daughters."

"Phillip has written to me often," Anne's face brightened. "He says your daughter is the finest wife he could have ever hoped for. I am certain it shall not be long until they sire children."

Henry visibly stiffened at the mention of children.

"Your Majesty?" Anne's smile faded. "Have I said something to offend you? If so, I am deeply sorry, it was never my intention to-"

"No, there is no need for that, Princess," Henry interrupted. "I was...just thinking of the queen. She has not been well during this latest pregnancy."

Now it was Anne's turn to grow stiff and silent. It was not proper for a king or any man to discuss such intimate details, particularly to a stranger. But, one also dared not to question or argue with a king.

"She has grown jealous," Henry continued. "Sometimes I fear she is taking leave of her senses."

"Oh, I am so sorry, Your Majesty," Anne said, unable to stop herself. Phillip had once said he suspected there were troubles in the royal marriage privately, but she had not wanted to believe such things, nor did she believe it was her concern, or his. But now, it appeared his words had been true.

When Lady Mary spoke of her stepmother, Anne noticed that she too seemed to be less than fond of the woman, which was a bit odd considering like Lady Mary herself, Queen Jane was said to be a staunch Catholic.

It was all so confusing, but Anne forced herself to smile.

"I am sure all will be well, Your Majesty," she said gently. "I do hope and pray that will soon be."

Henry smiled and took her head and planted a tender kiss upon it.

"You are a kind woman, Princess Anne," he said softly. "Whomever Duke Wilhelm find for you to marry shall be a fortunate man indeed."

...

Elizabeth hurried to her sister's chambers as the cries that had echoed through the halls leading to the inner chamber went silent.

As she entered, a horrid sight came into view; Jane was lying in the great bed, but she was lying in Dorothy's arms, weeping into her sister's shoulder as the physician took away a small bloodied bundle.

The front of was covered with blood.

"I...I lost it..." Jane gasped, her lips trembling as she laid her head against Dorothy, who stroked her sister's pale strands. "I don't know what went wrong..."

"Oh, Janey," Elizabeth sighed, hurrying over and embracing her still sobbing sister, completely disregarding the fact that her own gown was now being covered with blood as well.

"What will the king do when he learns of this?" Jane looked fearful.

Truthfully, the queen didn't know which situation would have been worse; if the king became enraged and blamed her for the loss of their new child, or if he didn't care one way or the other. He had been so affectionate when he had believed she carried his son, only to become disappointed when she bore Margery. Then, he had been excited when Edward was conceived, and while he was affectionate to the boy, he was not nearly as much as he was with Harry and Geoffrey. Then, with this last pregnancy, he didn't seem at all interested in it.

But she would not truly know, until he learned of it.

...

"It seems Princess Anne has become quite fond of England," Jane murmured, watching her husband for any kind of reaction.

Henry nodded absently.

"I have also noticed you have truly taken the effort to make her feel welcome," Jane frowned as she noticed that her husband was paying no attention.

At this, Henry's eyes flickered and he glanced at her.

"Jane," his tone brooked a warning.

"Another Anne," Jane's words tumbled from her lips before she could stop them. "And how long until I am forsaken and forgotten, just as Katherine was?"

Henry's hands slammed upon the table as he hurried over to her, and for one horrible moment Jane was afraid he would strike her or seize her shoulders and shake her violently. But instead, his anger seemed to cool as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and his hand came to rest on her hair while the other gently placed upon her stomach.

"You are only saying such things because of your condition," he said softly. "You are imagining evil where there is none. And it will harm our child if you continue to do this."

It was then that he realized her great belly had grown smaller.

"Your Majesty, I-" Jane tried to speak, but he held up a hand to silence her.

"We will not speak of it," he said softly, but his gaze had hardened. "The loss is too great."

Without another word, the king turned on his heel and walked away.

A sob escaped Jane's throat as she sank to her knees and watched her husband leave her behind, abandoning her to her grief and loneliness.

...

"You wished to see us, Your Majesty?" Elizabeth curtsied, as did Margery, as they entered the room.

"Yes, my little loves," Henry answered with a smile. "But I want your brothers to be here before I state the reason for this."

They did not have to wait long until Harry and Geoffrey entered, followed shortly by Edward.

"Now, I know Mary would have wanted to write and tell each of you herself, but such news cannot stay hidden for long," he looked to each of them, his expression unreadable.

"Papa?" Harry looked puzzled, and then worried. "Has something happened to Mary?"

"No, no," Henry answered quickly. "She is alright, my son. This is not bad news that her letter brings, it is very good news."

Elizabeth's eyes widened. Could it be-?

"Your sister is with child," Henry said, now smiling.

"Thanks be to God!" Margery gasped. "Oh, Father! Mary must be so happy!"

"She is," Henry nodded. "Very much so."

Henry was happy as well. He had finally managed to secure a future for his eldest daughter. She might have been a bastard, but she was a royal bastard.

But in truth, a part of him was secretly troubled; should the child she now carried be a boy, would those who privately still supported her so-called claim to the English throne seek to rebel once more as they had with the Pilgrimmage of Grace and attempt to place her son on the throne over Harry?

Surely, Mary had seen the error of her ways and those of her mother by now. But even then, it wasn't unheard of for unwilling pawns to be placed in power to be used and manipulated as the schemers that placed them there saw fit.

He did not wish his daughter to lose what would be his first grandchild, but he dreaded the day he received another letter, announcing the birth of a son...

...

"I have just lost any patience I have left with you, you stupid wretched wench!"

Edward Seymour glared murderously at Jane, who stood cowering against the wall.

"Do you realize this pregnancy might have been your last chance to regain the king's love?" he growled, advancing on her. "I warned you to take care of how you expressed your true feelings, and now your foolishness has killed the child inside of you."

"Silence!" Jane's lips trembled, but she glared back at him just as fiercely as he did her. "I will not be spoken to like this, I am the Queen of England, and-"

The rest of her words were lost, for at that moment Edward's palm connected with her cheek, followed by another slap. Before she could regain her senses, he struck her again, this time knocking her to the floor.

"And you should remember how you got there!" Edward snarled. "You impudent little wretch! Do you honestly think a meek and timid little milk-faced thing like you could have possibly captured the king's attention without help? You are fortunate that the king did not tire of you years ago!"

...

"Elizabeth," Jane's tone was cool as she lifted a jeweled necklace from one of the boxes before her.

"Yes, sister?" Elizabeth was concerned.

Jane held out the trinket to her.

"Take this," she said. "I want to know if there is anyone who can...see to the king's bastards," she said softly.

Elizabeth smiled slightly.

"As you wish," she said just as softly. "Your Majesty."

...

...

And that was chapter 29, I do hope you lovely reader all thoroughly enjoyed it. And things will just become more intense from here. And the next chapter will be out on Friday, August 7th. Until then, everyone.