Chapter 3: An astonishing new queen

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 3: An astonishing new Queen

Charles came back just one week after his meeting with Marina de Champagne. He found his king daydreaming in front of her portrait.

'She looks so pure, and yet I can read that she is wise just by looking at her face. Quickly Charles! Tell me about your conversation with her.'

Henry looked like a little boy, excited at the idea of a new toy.

' I can tell Your Majesty that Lady Marina is exactly like the portrait you have. And she is wise indeed. She is pretty, intelligent, calm and she is almost fluent in English.'

' What is her opinion of our possible marriage?'

' She is in favor of this, since she took a liking in England when she saw Your Majesty in Calais in 1532.'

Henry smiled before realizing she had therefore seen Anne Boleyn. He was praying that this witch did not poisoned Marina's mind at that time. Since she was a witch, she must had known that this little girl was going to be his Queen.

' In 1532? So she has seen the whore. What are her opinions about her?'

Charles decided to tell the whole truth. So he told him the words she told him. Henry's eyes softened. Wise indeed.

' What are her talents and virtues?'

' She does not like to spend too much money, she likes to sew, to draw, to paint and to dance. She is a very calm woman, I do not think that Your Majesty will have to say something against her if she becomes your wife.'

' Physically, how is she?'

' Trully beautiful. I would describe her as a sweet and delicate mix of Queen Jane and Anne Boleyn.'

Even if he loathed Anne by now, he could never say that she was ugly. A mix of Jane and Anne, huh? He smiled. Cromwell trully found him a jewel.

'And as for my children?'

' She knows about them and their past. I believe she will be a good mother. You can see that in her eyes, she is unable of direct and willing harm.'

'Religion?'

'Ready to follow yours. I quote « I let all those important matters to people who are here to do decide truthfully what is right and what is wrong »'

Charles had never seen Henry so happy in years. And a few days later, the marriage between King Henry VIII and Marina de Champagne was announced. The king's children were going to be present during the ceremony, even little Prince Edward, and then, introduced to Marina under the eyes of the whole court before lunch.

14 August of 1541

Henry and the whole court had been stunned and amazed by the new queen of England. Charles was right. Marina Tudor, née de Champagne, was very regal looking. The softness of Jane Seymour in her actions, the exotic beauty of Anne Boleyn. Mary was a bit reluctant when she saw her at the chapel but all that dissapeared when Marina opened her mouth to say her wedding vows. A sweet and warm voice, speaking English without searching her words, without any french accent. And to Marina, there was no most beautiful man that her husband. She fell in love with him at the moment she saw him.

'Our new mother seems great, does not she Mary?' Elizabeth said to her sister

'I agree.'

Mary just hoped that his father would not make her cry. Marina let a good impression on her.

A few hours after, Henry presented Marina to his children.

'This is my son, Prince Edward.'

The child came and bowed to Marina, who bowed back.

' Hello Your Majesty!'

The new queen smiled sinceerly and kneeled to her new son.

' Good day to you, Your Highness, it is an honour for me being presented to you.'

The boy smiled and took his place, next to Mary.

'My daughter, the Lady Mary.'

Mary bowed, so did Marina.

'Your Majesty.'

'Lady Mary. I have heard great things about you and I hope with all my heart that we can become friends.'

Mary looked at Marina and she saw no intentions of plot or anything. The new queen was younger than her. So what? Mary knew that Marina was no gossip girl.

Finally, it was Elizabeth's turn.

'My other daughter, the Lady Elizabeth.'

Elizabeth bowed before giving Marina a bouquet of white roses.

'Votre Majesté, je suis enchantée de faire votre connaissance et je vous souhaite un très grand bonheur.' The young girl said in a very good french with a little english accent

'Lady Elizabeth, je suis également ravie de faire votre connaissance. J'ai entendu beaucoup de bonnes choses à votre sujet et j'espère pourvoir devenir votre amie. Je vous remercie infiniment pour vos fleurs, elles sont magnifiques.'

While his new wife was saying that, Henry was looking at her. She seemed trully interested in becoming his children's friends. The Court clapped their hands at the new Queen and the royal family took their seat for lunch. But suddenly Henry got up and Marina looked at him. Was he unwell? Was it his leg? He soflty took her hand and said:

'Before we eat, I wanted to thank God. He has sent an angel of beauty and purity to be my new wife and it seems incredible to have such a jewel of womanhood who promises me a perfect and eternal love.'

Marina was trully touched and letting her heart speak, she kissed her husband, who was a bit but happily surprised.

'Now let's eat! I am starving!'

Dances started. Katherine Howard was here. Even if she was not Henry's mistress anymore, he let her the right to be at Court but when he saw her, he felt a wave of regret. She could have never been Queen but she was so beautiful! He realized that he never stopped loving her, no matter how beautiful Marina was. And his new wife noticed it. She understood. So did Mary. But the princess would have never imagined that Marina was going to have this reaction. She did not look sad. On the contrary.

'Lady Mary?' she asked

'Majesty.'

'Who is this young lady in a blue gown?'

' Katherine Howard, Majesty, she is dancing with her uncle, the Earl of Surrey. She... She was here to bring... happiness to the King.'

Marina looked at Mary and the princess saw no despair or sorrow. Was it because she knew how her father was? Or was it because, like Jane Seymour, she thought that the king had to do as he will?

'I thank you Lady Mary.'

' You are very welcome Majesty. If Your Majesty needs help with the english court.'

' Thank you.'

Then Marina turned to her husband, still looking at Katherine.

' She dances very well, does she not Husband?' She tried

' Indeed.'

' I have just learnt that Miss Katherine Howard was a friend of yours.'

Henry looked at his wife, a bit dissappointed. This marriage was starting so well! But when he saw there was no harm or anything else in his wife's eyes, he did not understand. All of his wives were like furies when he had a mistress.

'With Your Majesty's permission, I would like to befriend her and make her a lady in waiting of mine.'

The whole royal lunch table fell silent. Charles was impressed. Very clever. By doing so, she was just saying to Henry that she would never blame him for having an affair and therfore she was protecting herself. Mary was stunned but she was waiting for Marina's reason to make any mental note. Henry was thinking deeply. He was certain that Marina knew, he heard Mary. First he was very surprised that his daughter did not say anything bad to Marina about Katherine. But he was certain that she understood very well what kind of happiness Kitty brought him.

'Is that so? May I ask why?'

'Since Miss Katherine is a friend of yours, it means that she must have virtues Your Majesty worship. And since I am now your wife, I must know my husband's friends and honour them. Miss Katherine Howard must be a very sweet lady since Your Majesty likes her and it is just normal to honour her for the virtues you recognized in her.'

Mary understood. She did not blame her husband neither she blamed Katherine. She respected her since she had made Henry happy. She understood that in Marina's opinion, Katherine was not guilty, neither was Henry. And because they loved the same man, for Marina, Katherine could be just great and they could become true friends. Mary did not agree with that but she did understand her. And she respected Marina more. Henry did not know what to think. It was trully the first time that something like that was happening to him. Techincally, she was saying:

'I know that she has been your mistress. I know you are falling in love with her again. But I don't blame you because I love you. And since she is your mistress, she must be a great person. She and I love the same man, so we have a lot in common, so why can't I become friend with her? And I mean that.'

She was no jewel, she was trully an angel sent by God to ease his pains!

' Your request touches me deeply and I am very happy that you do not consider Katherine as an ennemy. I shall make the necessary. Would you mind having Jane Boleyn among your ladies? She was here with Queen Anne of Cleves and Queen Jane Seymour.'

' On the contrary Husband, I will be very happy. She must be very skilled.'

Henry could not help thinking Marina was beautiful, everything in her was beautiful.

' May I kiss you Marina?'

' I desire nothing more.'

He could feel all her love. The wedding night was going to be interesting. And at the moment when Henry and Marina was left alone in their room, Katherine Howard was told that she was going to be a lady in waiting, in Marina's request.