King Henry VIII POV
King's Study, Greenwich Palace, England
January 14, 1537
I was standing in my study at Greenwich Palace mulling over a letter from my sister Mary, Queen of France. According to her, it appears that the triplets were her and her husband's brother, Henri Angouleme. The babies had arrived at the palace five months ago, when a messenger brought them from my sister with the letter, telling me they were a maid's.
At the time, I had congratulated myself on having found such a fortuitous solution for my wife's depression. Of course, I could not allow King Francis I of France to learn the truth of who these children were, and so I proceeded to name the girl and the sons French names and quietly brought them away from France.
But now I was realizing the magnitude of the deed I had undertaken, and the difficulty of keeping my sister's secret. Charles and his brother, Philippe, were showing remarkable promise, for two such small babies, and my daughter Jacqueline had grown so very fast!
I sent my wife, Anne Boleyn, upstairs to fetch the three children, now five months old. As they tumbled into the Study, toddling and gurgling, I saw once again the spark of life in their bright eyes, and I was filled with a fierce, protective love for them that I had not felt before.
Whatever grievous secrets our family bore, these three were still innocent and needing my protection and care. As I watched them scoot and explore my study, I resolved that they would have security and love for as long as I could give it to them.
Anne and I both shared the same commitment to our children, and I knew that between us, no expense would be spared in their education. They were our children, and although we might never be able to confess the truth, we would treat them as royalty, and love them as much as any legitimate heirs.
Although their mother might never receive acknowledgment, I would be sure her children were treasured and cared for. I wished with all my heart that I could tell King Francis the truth about his brother's illegitimate children, but for now they had to remain in secrecy.
Queen Anne Boleyn POV
Queen's Rooms, Greenwich Palace, England
I looked around Queen's Rooms of Greenwich Palace in awe, my gaze fixed on the 11 children who I had with my husband, King Henry VIII. I felt a profound sense of pride and joy in my heart for every single one of them, for the joy our marriage had brought me over the years.
The four-year-old Elizabeth, with her wild red hair, was the spitting image of her father. The twins, Gabriel and Brandon, had such contrasting features, making them unmistakable as siblings: Gabriel with his monolid blue eyes, heart-shaped face, and roman nose, and Brandon with his downturned blue eyes and square-shaped face.
I took particular pride in the pair of two-year-old twins, Cedric and Rickard. Cedric had the most delicate features, with his blonde hair, protruding grey eyes, heart-shaped face, and thin lips. And, Rickard, with his protruding green eyes, concave-shaped nose, thin lips, and diamond-shaped face.
The triplets, Vincent, Anne, and Rosamund were still so young, but each had their own personalities that were unmistakable. Vincent had a fiery head of hair, downturned brown eyes, and a button nose. Anne had black hair, upturned green eyes, and a triangular face. Lastly, Rosamund had auburn hair, almond blue eyes, and bow-shaped lips.
Finally, there were the adopted triplets, Charles, Phillipe, and Jacqueline. Five-month-old Charles had a head of fiery hair, downturned eyes, and an upturned nose. Phillipe had the golden blonde hair and protruding blue eyes. Jacqueline had the golden blonde hair, monolid brown eyes, and the heart-shaped face.
As I stared at my 11 children, my heart filled with joy and love. However, my stepdaughter Mary was in Poland married, and a mother, and my heart ached for her. I could not watch her grow like I did with the others, and that was the most unfortunate of all.
Lady Jane Boleyn nee Seymour
Boleyn Manor, England
February 14, 1537
I smiled down at my five sons in adoration as they all laid sleeping in the nursery. Edward, Michael, John, James and little Thomas were all now 11 months old and I now had the small bundle in my belly that held my husband, Thomas Boleyn's and my sixth child.
Thinking back to how much had changed in my life in the past year - or rather, since I had married Thomas who at first, I hadn't been sure if I would learn to love - I was filled with a mixture of joy and sadness.
It had been Samhain 1534 when I and Thomas had been married by the king at a fine castle in London. Despite the pomp and circumstance which I hadn't been used to as a Seymour, the day was tinged with sadness as it was exactly four days after the passing of my beloved mother - my beloved person in the world until Thomas had come into my life.
That day, Thomas and I had returned to Boleyn Manor hand in hand as husband and wife. The pain from the loss hadn't yet fully diminished but had been replaced by the tentative beginnings of love that had slowly grown between us.
Two years after our wedding, our sons had been born - Quints Edward, Michael - followed seconds by John, James and a minute later, Thomas.
Life was now filled with joy and bliss as watching my children grow was a source of pride for me. Despite the sadness and grief of my mother's passing still fresh in me, I was thankful for the new family I'd found in my husband, Thomas, and our five sons.
Smiling softly, I placed a hand on my small bump and was overwhelmed with a sense of love and belonging that I was sure I wouldn't have found anywhere else in the world.
Regardless of what was to come, today, on the 14th of February 1537, at Boleyn Manor, I was thankful that I had found peace - and a family - in my husband and children.
Lady Bridgette Fitzroy POV
Seymour Manor, England
February 21, 1537
I take a deep breath and take in the beauty of the moment. The sun is just coming up over the edge of the forest around Seymour Manor, and a cool breeze joins me on the balcony of the house. The roses in the garden have bloomed magnificently and a few birds are already singing their sweet tunes.
Lord Edward clears his throat and takes my hands in his. He looks at me with such intensity that I can feel my heart turn somersaults. He says the words that I have been longing to hear since we met at court. "Lady Bridgette Fitzroy, I have come to ask for your hand in marriage. Will you make me the happiest man in England and accept my proposal of marriage?"
I smile shyly at Lord Edward, my heart fluttering in my chest. His offer of marriage was sudden, yet I felt like I had known him my entire life. His gaze is warm and tender, and he reaches to brush my hair away from my face.
"Yes." I whisper after a beat. "I will be your wife."
He takes my hands in his, and his lips curl up into a smile as he brings them to his lips and presses a gentle kiss.
"We will have a wonderful life together." he says as he looks into my eyes. "I promise you that."
I nod, feeling a surge of joy flow through me. This was a dream I never thought could become possible, and now it is happening.
Though it will not be easy for the bastard daughter of Henry VII to marry a lord, I feel like we will rise to the challenge together. I can only imagine the hearts we will break in the court of Henry VIII when we announce our engagement, as well as the eyes that will roll. But none of this matters to us, as love is more powerful than rank or title.
"Okay, let us make plans for the wedding." Lord Edward says as we both rise to our feet.
We discuss the ceremony and the modest wedding celebration we would have before the eyes of the court. We both agree that privacy and discretion would be of the utmost importance, as a marriage between us could cause a great scandal to arise.
Finally, the night ends with a beautiful evening meal cooked by Lord Edward's staff. Afterwards, we walk arm in arm through the gardens of Seymour Manor as Lord Edward tells me stories of his childhood. I instantly fall in love with him all over again.
We part on a note of joy and promise, as we both look forward to the start of our new life together. We are both sure that, with love, anything is possible.