Fanfic: The French Bride Ch 1, Tudors | FanFiction

Hello guys! English, it is not my motherly language, I'm French so I apologize if there are some mistakes. Don't hesitate to tell me where they are so that I can improve.

This is my first full length fiction, with chapters, I hope it will please you. It is a AU where Katherine Howard does not marry Henry and where Cromwell is spared. Instead of katherine, Henry marries a french noble lady, on the advice of Cromwell.

I hope my little story will please you..

Sincerely

Marina Ka-Fai

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The French Bride

Chapter 1: Where everything changes

1541.

So Anne did not put herself in his way for the divorce? Henry was quite surprised, Katherine and Anne number one were not so kind in this matter. Soon, he would be free to marry Katherine Howard.

' Well, if it is this way, I shall treat her well. She cannot be my wife since she is the wife of another man but she can be my dearest sister.'. Henry thought

' Your Majesty, my Lord Hertford is here.' a groom said, bowing

Henry looked at Edward as he entered. He had a letter in his hands. That was quite surprising, he was not waiting for any letters.

'Well, my Lord Hertford, what is this about?' He asked with a half smile

'Your Majesty, here is a letter from Her Majesty, Queen Anne.'

Queen Anne... Even if he knew from which Anne he was speaking of, Henry couldn't help thinking of the first one in his life. He sighed a bit before asking what was the letter about.

' Her Majesty asks for a favour. She also assures Your Majesty that if it is not your will to grant her this favour, she will not oppose to the divorce after.'

'A simple favor? What does she want? If it is remaining in England, it will be precise during the annulment that she can stay.'

'The Queen is beseeching Your Majesty to spare Master Cromwell.'

Henry looked at Hertford, very surprised. Why would she want Cromwell alive? He decieved him and he was the one to blame for her unhappy marriage. He took the letter from Edward's hands and read it alone, in silence. Cromwell a victim? He did not think that way before she wrote it. So, for her, this error came from her own brother, not willing to let the envoys see her face and for being so careless about their marriage. It was also her fault, she wrote, since she could not please him the way he would like her to.

But I beseech Your Majesty to forgive Master Cromwell, who is an innocent victim in this matter. I'm taking his case very seriously since it is thanks to him that our marriage was arranged and it is thanks to him that I discovered this beautiful country, England. I swear to Your Majesty that, if it is your desire that he shall die, I will not oppose myself in any way to the annulment to cause you any displeasure. My only wish is to please My Lord and King.

What to do? It was true that Cromwell always did a good work when he was at his servive. He was trustable. He could do anything he ordered him without complaining. And Anne... It was trully the first time she asked something from him and yet, it was not for her own sake. It was for another man.

'My Lord Hertford.'

'Majesty?'

'Tell Anne of Cleves that we grant her this favour, to thank her for her efforts and her good willing towards us and that we are more than happy to offer her this gift, since she is our good and loving sister. You will also send someone to the Tower, I want Cromwell released and restaured in his functions. I want to see him as quickly as possible.'

'Yes Your Majesty...'

Edward Seymour left, extremely worried. Cromwell was spared, forgiven, restaured in the King's good graces. That was not good at all.

Anne of Cleves' chambers

'Madam, my Lord Hertford is here.' Lady Rochford announced

'My Lord.' Anne greated, bowing to the man

Edward made a deep and respectuful bow.

'Your Majesty, I am here by order of the king. In his great kindness, His Majesty has decided to grant you the favor you asked for. Master Cromwell will be released from the Tower. His Majesty also thanks you for your good willing towards his person.'

Anne felt a wave of relief. She was so happy that Cromwell was forgiven. She did not want him to die for something that she was responsible for.

'My Lord. Please tell His Majesty that I'm deeply grateful for it and that I am honored by this favor. In all thing I remain his loyal subject. Forever.'

Tower of London

' Master Cromwell, in his great kindness, the king forgives you from your sins against him. It is also hisp leausre to give you back all of your titles, lands and functions. His Majesty wants you by his side as quickly as possible'

Cromwell could not believe his ears. He was so convinced that he would die! The king was forgiving him, trusting him again! He could continue to work for England, he would be able to see his family and his grandson! The guards let him go away. He decided to pay a very short visit to his son.

'Father!'

He hugged him with all his strengh.

'I'm not staying, the King wants me. I just wanted you to know that we are forgiven. Take good care of Henry.'

Cromwell smiled to his son before he prepared himself for Court.

A few hours later, in the King's rooms

Cromwell was stressed. He was forgiven but the king's mind was so changing! He gathered his courage and entered before bowing deeply before his master.

' Thomas! I'm so pleased to see you! Welcome back to our Court!' Henry greated, helping Cromwell to get up

'I must thank Your Majesty for his kindness and mercy towards the poor servant I am.'

'If you must thank someone, then thank Anne Of Cleves.'

Cromwell looked at Henry, not understanding what was going on.

'She wrote to me and took your defense. She convinced me that you have been a victim too, in the desaster of our marriage. I'm inclined to grant you a last chance. But Thomas, this time, I want you to speak to me frankly.'

'Very well Your Majesty.'

Henry nodded and sat down on a chair, his leg was hurting him again.

' In a few hours, I'll be a bachelor again. I have a new wife in mind. Miss Katherine Howard.'

' Your Majesty...' Cromwell started...

' Yes?'

' I have to obey you and I must tell you that marrying Miss Katherine Howard is not a good idea, even if this lady must be worthy of this title, since Your Majesty thought of her.'

' Why is that?'

' Well, Your Majesty, Miss Katherine was raised with the Dowager Duchess and everyone knows what kind of education young people recieve there. Moreover, Miss katherine Howard is a cousin of the traitor Anne Boleyn.'

Henry fell silent. His sweet little Katherine... Could it be possible that she was the prostitute as described in the book of Salomon? Could it be possible that she was like Anne Boleyn? If he wanted a good marriage, without any doubts in his conscience, he had to know everything.

'Very well. These are my commands. You will investigate about Katherine Howard's past when she lived with the Dowager Duchess. And if you are right, that she is not the true virgin she seems, I want uou to find me a new wife. But I warn you. I want to know everything about my future fiancée, do you hear me?'

' Yes, Your Majesty.'

Cromwell bowed and was ready to leave when Henry stopped him.

' Oh! Tom!'

' Majesty?'

' Congratulations for your grandson.' Henry said with a smile.

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