𝟷𝟻𝟸𝟹

King Reggie walked with Lady Anne Boleyn through the lush gardens of the castle. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the couple as they strolled. King Reggie was in high spirits, feeling grateful to have such a beautiful and intelligent woman by his side.

As they walked, Anne began to speak about her family. "My father's name is Thomas, and I have a brother named George," she said, smiling softly. "I also have a sister named Mary, who is some years older than me."

King Reggie listened intently, his eyes lighting up with interest. Ever since he laid eyes on her when he came to the kingdom, he wanted to know everything about her and who she was related to.

"That's very interesting." He said, nodding his head. "I had no idea you had such a noble heritage."

Anne blushed, her cheeks turning a soft pink. "Oh, it's not so noble, my lord." She said, her voice dripping with humility. "My family is simply a family of modest means, trying to make our way in the world."

Reggie chuckled, his heart swelling with love for this beautiful and kind-hearted woman. "You are too modest, my dear." He said, his voice filled with emotion. "You are a true gem, and I am honored to have met you."

As they continued to walk, King Reggie reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, exquisite box. He opened it, revealing a stunning necklace made of gleaming diamonds and rubies.

"I want you to have this, Lady Anne." He said, his voice filled with emotion. "It's a small token of my friendship with you, and I hope you will wear it always."

Anne gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. "Oh, my lord!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. "It's too much! I can't accept such a gift!"

Reggie smiled, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Nonsense," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "I want you to have it, my dear. It's a small gesture of my friendship with you, and I hope you will treasure it always."

Anne nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "Thank you, my lord." She said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I will treasure it always."

As they continued to walk, they didn't notice a small figure watching them from the window of the castle.

Princess Jennifer, King Reggie's daughter, had been secretly watching the two, her heart filled with confusion on her face.

She didn't like that this woman was taking her father's attention and didn't want that attention to go away from her mother.

As the couple continued to walk, Princess Jennifer slipped away, hoping to forget about what she has seen and that it wasn't a big issue when they come back home

~~~~~~~~~~

Thomas, the father of Anne, entered his daughter's room with a stern expression on his face. He had heard rumors that his daughter was fooling around with King Reggie of Brinudal, and he was not pleased.

"Anne, I have heard enough," Thomas said, his voice firm but controlled. "I demand that you stop your foolishness with King Reggie and focus on your duty to marry the king of England."

Anne looked up at her father with a defiant expression. "Father, I will not do as you say," she declared. "I do not wish to end up like my sister, Mary, who gave herself to the king and is now being called a whore."

Thomas's face turned red with anger. "You will do as I say, young lady." He shouted. "You are a member of this family, and you must act accordingly. Your duty is to marry the king of England and secure our family's position in the kingdom."

Anne stood her ground, her voice unwavering. "I will not marry anyone I do not love, Father," she said. "I will not be like Mary, who is struggling to find someone to marry. I will not be a pawn in your game of power and politics."

Thomas's anger boiled over, and he struck Anne across the face. "You will do as I say, or you will be cast out of this family." He shouted, his voice echoing through the room.

Anne felt a sharp pain in her cheek, but she did not flinch. She knew that she had to stand up for herself, even if it meant going against her father's wishes.

"I will not marry the king of England, Father," she said, her voice firm. "I will not be a tool for your ambition. I will find my own happiness, no matter what the cost."

Thomas's face turned white with rage, and he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Anne collapsed onto her bed, tears streaming down her face. She knew that she had made the right decision, but she also knew that her father would never forgive her.

Anne got up from her bed and put some make up on to cover the bruise. She was going to be introduced to Princess Jennifer, and she wanted to make a good impression. Let's just hope her father doesn't find her and make a scene.

~~~~~~~~~~

King Reggie was beaming with pride as he introduced his 8 year old daughter, Jennifer, to the lovely Lady Anne. He had been courting Lady Anne for some time now, and Jennifer could tell that her father was quite taken with her.

However, Jennifer was determined to make it clear to Lady Anne that her father was already married, and that she would not stand idly by if Lady Anne tried to pursue him further.

"Lady Anne, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you." Jennifer said as she looked at the woman."I must say, my father has spoken very highly of you."

Anne bowed down to her and smiled warmly. "The pleasure is all mine, Princess Jennifer." She replied. Jennifer noticed that her father was watching them closely, his eyes filled with hope and anticipation.

She knew that he wanted her to approve of Lady Anne, and she did not want to disappoint him. But she also knew that she had to be honest and direct with Lady Anne, even if it meant risking her father's happiness.

"Lady Anne, I must inform you that my father is married." Jennifer said, her voice firm but gentle. "He loves my mother dearly, and they have been together for many years. I am sure you understand the importance of respecting their marriage and not pursuing a relationship with him."

Anne's smile faltered for a moment, but then she nodded graciously. "Of course, Princess Jennifer." She replied. "I had no intention of causing any harm or disrespecting your father's marriage. I understand completely."

Jennifer breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Lady Anne had taken her words so well. She knew that her father would be disappointed, but he would also appreciate her honesty and loyalty. And she hoped that Lady Anne would respect their family's boundaries and not try to pursue a relationship with her father further.

"I am glad we understand each other. Father." She said, bowing before him and walking away to princess Mary.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Your Majesty," Anne began, her voice trembling slightly. "It seems that Princess Jennifer doesn't really like me. And she also made it very clear about your marriage."

Reggie looked at Anne with concern. "She's eight, Anne. She's just very overprotective of her mother, just let her warm up to you."

Lady Anne took a deep breath before continuing. "I understand that, Your Majesty. However, I do not want her to hate me." Reggie frowned, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"If she makes you upset I can talk to her." He said and Anne shook her head." No, it's fine." Anne said as she looked around the room and saw her father looking at her." I have to go." She said before bowing and walking away.

Reggie frowned before going to find his daughter. He looked all over the ballroom and found his daughter talking with Princess Mary.

"Princess Mary, may I have a word with my daughter princess Jennifer." He said and Mary nodded, bowing to him as Jennifer followed her father on the other side of the room.

"Yes Father." She asked nervously looking at her father as he looked at her." I don't understand why you were disrespectful to Lady Anne?" He asked and Jennifer just looked at him.

"Father, I don't understand why you're always flirting with Lady Anne." Princess Jennifer said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Mother is your wife, and you should be respecting her, not some other woman."

King Reggie's face darkened. "How dare you speak to me like that, you ungrateful child!" he shouted. "Your mother hasn't done anything to please me for the last few years.. And now, you expect me to be loyal to her alone? I will not be bound by such petty obligations!"

Princess Jennifer's eyes filled with tears as she listened to her father's words. She never wanted to disrespect her father. she looked down at her feet, trying to hide her tears.

"You're married to Mother, Father." She said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You should be loyal to her, not some other woman. Lady Anne is not even a member of our court, and she's not worthy of your attention."

King Reggie's face turned red with anger, and he leaned forward, his eyes blazing with fury. "If your mother had given me a son, I would not be looking at other women!" he shouted. "But since she failed me, I will do as I please!"

Princess Jennifer felt a sharp pain in her heart as she watched her father's face contort with anger. She knew that she could not change his mind, and she knew that she could not stay in this place any longer. Most people in the room just watched them as Princess Jennifer turned and walked away, leaving her father behind.