May 20, 1536 (Night)
Watch your back...
Watch your neck...
Anne Boleyn awoke with a start. Who was that above her? She squinted to see her brother's wife- no, his widow. Jane Boleyn stood over her with a grimace, her long, thin fingers drumming on the side of the bed. "Aren't you"- Anne narrowed her eyes. "You! You conspired against me and George." Her rage at all that she had suffered in the past few weeks rose the surface. Henry couldn't feel her wrath... but Jane could. "You knave! You villain! You wretched creature! Get out of my sight!"
Tears began to gleam in the woman's eyes, but Anne only laughed. "Save the crocodile tears!" "I'm s-sorry," Jane began to whimper. "Why?! Why did you fabricate all those lies?!" "Because of you! You and your dratted brother!" Jane drew herself up to her full height, and Anne became conscious of the darkness that lurked in that bitter woman's heart. "How dare you speak of the man you condemned to an unjust death so?!" Anne lurched forward, hindered by her swollen belly. "His adultery! He made a fool of me!" Jane began to tremble, though Anne could not identify whether it was from misery or anger. "The whole court laughed at me. 'Look at her', they said. 'The unwanted bride!'" "And he was right not to want you! You killed him!" Anne was screaming now, and she never wanted to stop. "You committed adultery too! And why me? Was I just a casualty of your unbridled viciousness?" "George was close to you. He loved you more than me!"
"And why shouldn't he? What in the world is lovable about you? You cheated on him, you betrayed him, then you killed him! You nearly killed me!" Anne reached out and shoved that hated woman away from her. "You are hereby dismissed from my service!" "Will your husband allow that?" A cruel smirk formed on Jane's lips. "Of course, he will. You see, Jane, your schemes failed. I am back in power. And I will do everything that power enables me to do in order to crush you." Anne lifted her chin, poison dripping from her words. Jane paled. "You- you wouldn't dare. I'm a noblewoman"- "Henry wants you gone! I know he does!" Henry would surely want to get rid of everyone that had been involved in Anne's almost-execution. He wanted to erase the whole thing from existence.
Anne wouldn't allow that. But she wanted Jane gone, and she wanted her gone now.
"Get out!" Anne shrieked, descending on the woman like a banshee or a Greek Fury. "Out!" She practically shoved Jane out of the Queen's quarters. "You will be the first to fall," Anne growled, "But not the last. I'll have my revenge- for all the accused, but especially my poor brother. Damn it, I'll have revenge for myself."
A mousy figure peeked in- that milky pale skin, those blue eyes. Anne wanted to tear her blonde hair from her scalp. She wanted to break that too-big nose to pieces. She wanted Jane Seymour to feel every ounce of the pain that she had. "Oh, hi," Anne said. Her anger hardened into something ugly and cold, lying in wait. "How are you?" A bead of sweat slipped down Jane's forehead, but she released a tight breath, as if relieved. "I am fine, Your Majesty." "Still carrying on that affair with my husband like the simple strumpet you are?" Anne asked, her red lips like a smear of blood across her face. "I- no." Jane had the grace to look abashed, and her fingers went to her neck. Anne recalled with satisfaction the way she'd torn Jane's locket from her skin. It had cut her fingers, but the pain had been worth it. Anne understood sacrifice better than anyone.
"Did he break it off, then?" Jane's eyes began to sparkle with tears. Anne had seen too many tears that day, all fake, and had no patience for it. "Don't give me that look. You have no right to hate me. I have every right to beat you bloody and bruised right here, you know; any mistress of servants does. You are a piece of dirt beneath my shoe." "But will you?" Jane's blue eyes were clouded with anxiety. Anne felt no remorse for her, not a twinge of mercy or pity. After all, Jane had had none for her.
"No. I think I'd rather have you disgraced publicly, then dismissed. But don't worry, I won't have your family suffer for it. Only you like to condemn innocent family members." Jane winced, then looked to the ground. "I sincerely thought- I wasn't involved, I"- "Sure, sure you weren't. The King's little mouse of a mistress, setting herself up to take my place. You were excited to be Queen, weren't you? Are you sad your plans have been spoiled?" Jane twitched nervously. "I"-
"Leave," Anne said darkly. "And never forget, falcons eat mice."