Chapter 4: A devoted and caring mother

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 4: A devoted and caring mother

The following morning, Charles found his king more than happy, with a huge smile on his face. He guessed that his wedding night was good.

' I feel almost like a new man Charles! She was virgin, I'm sure of it because of the blood in the sheets but I could feel how much she loved me, she tried to please me as much as she could. And for the first time since Jane died... I felt that I was loved for what I am not for what I represent. I must thank Cromwell! I want to make him a duke.'

' As Your Majesty wishes. How is the Queen today?'

' She is very well. She is introduced to her ladies in waiting. I named Jane Boleyn and Ursula Missledon to help her. Both of them have been great when they served Queen Jane and I am certain that they will be able to help Marina in her new status.'

The ladies in waiting... Katherine Howard was among them. By order of the new Queen. Charles did not know what to think. Was it because she wanted to keep an eye on her or was she trully sinceer when she said she wanted to befriend her?

' How is your wife? Does she love you more?' Henry asked

' Alas, only for the sake of appearances.'

The king sighed. Poor Brandon. He did not deserved that.

' What can I do to help you Charles?'

' Well, when she consents to make love to me again, strike a medal to commemorate it!'

The king laughed.

Marina Tudor's room

A servant was naming all the ladies in waiting to her queen.

' Lady Jane Rochford.'

Jane bowed to her queen.

' Lady Rochford, I am very happy that you are here with us. I was told you were a true help to my predecessors.'

' Your Majesty is too kind.'

Marina smiled.

' Lady Ursula Missledon.'

Ursula bowed, a bit impressed. It was the first time in three years that she came to court.

' Lady Missledon. The king told me you served Queen Jane before. He also assured me of your skills and abilities. I am very happy to have you among my ladies, with Lady Rochford.'

' Thank you, Your Majesty.'

Then, it was Katherine's turn.

'Please, come Lady Howard.'

Marina took Katherine with her, so that she could speak to her without being heard.

' Lady Howard, I know you are new to court and its manners. So I want to assure you that if you are a bit clumsy at the beginning, I will be not mad at you. You need time to adjust yourself to your new life. I'll ask the Lady Rochford and the Lady Missledon to be your tutors. Just do your best. I am certain that you will be a skilled lady in waiting.'

Katherine looked at the queen. She seemed sinceer, her kindness was not faked. She did not understand. She had been her husband's mistress! Why was she so kind? And why this honour?

' May I ask something to Your Majesty?'

' Of course.'

' Why did Your Majesty want me as your lady in waiting? Surely you know about my past affair with the King.'

Marina sighed, still smiling.

' Lady Howard. You did not choose to be my husband's mistress. Neither my husband did not choose to fall for you for a time. It was fate. You have loved my husband, you brought him a bit of happiness and I thank you for that. And in my opinion, since we both love the same man, we can become friends. If my husband had loved you, it must mean that you are a great lady.'

Katherine felt a wave of relief. She was somehow afraid of the queen. Marina returned to her ladies.

' Lady Rochford, Lady Missledon. Lady Howard is a newcomer at court, she is not used yet to all of its manners. I would like both of you to be her tutors, so that she can learn about court and about her duties. Do you accept this task?'

' Yes Your Majesty.' both Jane and Ursula said

' Thank you Ladies.'

Marian started to walk a bit.

' I would like to send a gift to my children. One to thank Lady Mary for her help during the banquet. One for Lady Elizabeth to thank her for those beautiful roses. And one for Prince Edward for being so kind to me.'

Lady Rochford saw, just for a few seconds, Jane Seymour instead of Marina. This kindness, this concern...

' I wonder what I can send them. I don't know about their likings. Can you help me Lady Rochford?'

' Well, the Lady Mary is a very religious woman and she loves Spain. The Lady Elizabeth loves to learn and Prince Edward is still a young child.'

' I have a spanish brooch, some french books and french jewels as well... But what for Prince Edward? Do you think a french book will please him? A book for children of course.'

' I think they will be thrilled.'

Marina smiled, imagining their reactions. It was a good idea.

Lady Mary's rooms

Lady Mary was chating with Eustache Chapuys when one of her ladies came. They were speaking of Marina and Mary was saying that the new queen was very respectful. Then, she noticed her lady.

' What is it Margaret?'

' My Lady, here is a message and a gift from the queen.'

Mary was very surprised. A gift? But why? She read the note and smiled a bit. She thought that Marina was too kind. Then she opened her gift and she felt silent, admiring the jewel Marina sent her. It was brooch make of gold. At the top, there was a small but beautiful pearl. At the center was a ruby.

' It looks like... One of my mother's jewels...' she said with emotion

Eustache looked at Mary, smiling a bit. The new queen was very generous indeed.

' I shall visit the queen to thank her. This is trully beautiful.'

Mary went to see the queen one hour after, when Chapuys left her. She was greeted by Katherine Howard, who felt ill-at-ease when she saw Henry's eldest daughter. She bowed deepfully.

' I wish to see the queen.'

' As you wish Lady Mary.'

Katherine went to see Marina and announced Mary's arrival.

' Lady Mary! What a lovely surprise to see you! Please, come and sit! Would you like something to eat or to drink?'

' Only if Your Majesty drinks or eats.'

Mary sat next to Marina.

' I have come here to thank you in person for the marvellous gift you sent me.'

' I am very happy that you like it. I was a bit afraid, since I do not know you very well.'

' Even if it touches me and honours me deeply, I do not deserve such a wonderful gift.'

' Why not? I wanted to thank you for what you did for me. I have just recieved a letter from Prince Edward. He may be very young but he writes very well.'

' Did Your Majesty send a goft to all of the royal children?'

' I did. All of you have been very good to me, I cannot be more happy than now.'

Marina remained thoughtful and Mary noticed it. She asked her stepmother if something was wrong, if she felt unwell.

' I was thinking of Elizabeth. Yesterday, I found her a bit strange during the banquet. She almost looked sad.'

A true devoted mother. Even if they were not related by blood, she immediately felt concerned for them and for their happiness.

' Was she unwell? Did she hurt herself? Or did I do something wrong?'

' Your Majesty, I think that Elizabeth was just thinking. I saw her today and she is perfectly well and healthy.'

Marina sighed of relief. But suddenly, another idea came in her mind.

' Lady Elizbaeth is going to be eight years old, am I correct? I remember she was born on September. The seventh if I am not mistaken. She has come to an age when you ask questions. Maybe... She was thinking of her own mother.'

Mary remained silent. She hated Anne Boleyn with her life. But it was not Elizabeth's fault to be born of her. And it was trully in Marina's honour to make sure she was okay.

' My sister does not speak very often of her feelings and she never asked about her mother. But I am certain that she has heard of her. In a bad way. Anne Boleyn was a witch, she made England suffer but, even if it hurts me to recognize it, she trully loved her daughter, she would have died for her. She cared for her and she took care of her.'

' I'm sorry...'

' Majesty?'

' Because of me, you are now remembering a hurtful part of your past. I did not mean it, I'm trully sorry.'

'Your Majesty should not worry about it, it is behind me now.'

Katherine came back to announce Elizabeth's arrival.

'Votre Majesté. Sister.' She said bowing to Marina and Mary

Mary smiled, Elizabeth was a true sweetheart.

' Lady Elizabeth! Welcome! I'm very happy to see you.'

' I must thank Your Majesty for the book you sent me.'

' Is it not to difficult to read for you?'

' A bit but the effort will be wothwhile. And I'll translate it in english and I will dedicate it to you.'

' This is very kind of you, thank you. Come and sit with us.'

The young girl sat between Marina and Mary. The queen found both Henry's daughters lovely. She was happy that she knew them. She noticed that Elizabeth seemed a bit unwell. That was strange, since Mary assured her that she had no problems with her health. Was she afraid of her? Then she remembered who Elizabeth was. If she was Elizabeth, she would have had the same reaction.

' Lady Elizabeth. I noticed you were a bit unwell yesterday. Do you feel better today? You seemed in a deep thought.'

Elizabeth blushed a bit, she was ashamed she noticed.

' My lady, please, be assured that I am not angry or anything. It is just I don't like the idea of you saddened by something.'

' Your Majesty is very kind to think about my comfort but I assure you that there was nothing, really. It is just that...'

'Yes?'

' It always feels a bit strange to have a new mother.'

' Were you thinking about yours?'

Elizabeth looked at the queen, there were fear in her eyes.

' No, of course not! She was a traitor, she made everyone suffer in this country!'

' I am not mad at you. You can think of her, it is only natural. I lost my mother when I was nine, and even nowadays, I still think of her. I want you to know that you can tell me anything.'

' I can't speak of her. It will make Mary and Father sad.'

Mary took her sister on her knees and she kissed her cheek. There was a conflict in her heart. Shen ever liked when the subject of a conversation was Anne Boleyn. But now, Elizabeth was suffering. And her love for her half-sister was stronger than her hate for the Harlot.

' Listen to me, sweet Bessie. It is true that your mother made me suffer. But if the queen says that you can speak of her with her, you don't have to lock your desire just because I am here.'

' But you don't like my mother Mary.'

' It is true but I love you, and my love for you is stronger than what I endured with her.'

The little girl felt better and she decided to allow her heart to speak. It was true. She missed her mother. Even if she knew that she betrayed England and its king. She did not remember her very well, only her voice but she could not see in her mind her features. She wondered if she loved her the way Mary's mother loved her daughter. She was wondering if her father loved her even if she was the daughter of a traitor, if Mary and her father would not be better without her presence. It made Mary cry. She assured Elizabeth she never regretted that she was alive. She did not see Anne Boleyn in her, but just her beloved little sister. And Marina did something that surprised Mary and the ladies in waiting. The new queen of England hugged the little Lady Elizabeth.

' How could your father or your sister be better without you my sweet Elizabeth? You are not guilty of what your mother did. And I am certain that your family is very happy to have you.'

She smiled to Elizabeth.

'And do you know why I am saying that? Because, even if I have known you for only one day, I already love you.'

The little princess finally smiled. A few minutes after, Mary and Elizabeth left. Marina felt that she had a mission to do. She could not let Elizabeth suffering like that. Her husband had to knew about it. She knew that Anne Boleyn was now a forbidden subject at court but she did not fear her husband's wrath. Because it was about their daughter. A mother never fear when it comes to her child.