89 Chapter 9: Semper Eadem

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 9: Semper eadem

Henry litteraly ran into Marina's rooms and his relief was the highest possible on Earth when he saw that she was alright.

' Marina, sweetheart, are you alright? Charles has just told me about that Dereham! Did he do something to you?'

' Well, except insulting me, he did nothing. The true victim, alas, is Lady Howard.'

The king sighed before asking what insult Dereham used against her.

' The great macquerelle.' She said with a smile

' Are you not anrgy at him? He insulted you, he will pay for this, I swear!'

' I am not angry because he insulted me. I am angry since he tried to rape on of my best friends. Poor Katherine...'

Marina couldn't help starting crying. She felt so guilty!

' I promised that no one would ever do harm towards her because of her past with the Dowager Duchess... And yet, it happened... I have failed her...'

Henry hugged softly Marina. He did not know what to think about Marina and Katherine's friendship. It still amazed him that Marina was that sinceer towards her, towards everybody.

' I want that Dereham to pay for what he has done.'

' And he will, I promise. Now, sweep away your tears, my love. Think of our children to come.'

Marina nodded.

About a week later, Dereham was judged and found guilty of an assault towards a lady in waiting to Her Majesty, Marina Tudor. He was also guilty of insult towards her sacred person. Therefore, he was condemned to be beheaded with an axe. When her uncle told her that, Katherine felt nothing. She did not feel pity, sadness or anything. He watched the execution and the people insulted Francis, calling him by every insult possible on this land. And somehow, Surrey felt less and less anger towards Dereham with every insult he heard. This man dared touch his niece! He did not know her much but he loved her deeply, she was the daughter he wished he had. A few days later, Marina met him at Court. He bowed.

' My Lord Surrey. Tell me, how is your niece, Lady Katherine? Is she better?'

The queen sounded trully concerned.

' Alas, Majesty, she is still under the shock. She managed to talk a bit by now but she still fears, even if this coward is now dead.'

' Can she revcieve visitors?'

' Yes she can. Mister Culpepper comes everyday. So does Lady Bulmer.'

Marina smiled.

' With them, My Lord, and with your kindness towards her, she will feel better in no time.'

' May God hear you Your Majesty.'

Marina did not know what to do. She didn't know if a Queen could visit a lady in waiting of hers. But she couldn't stay passive. So she started to write very often to Katherine. These letters, combiend with Culpepper's undying love, Joan's friendship and Surrey's kindness, Katherine came back to Court one month later.

' Lady Howard! Welcome back to our Court!' Henry greeted, happy to see her well again

Marina did not say anything but her smile was talking for her. It warmed the young lady's heart.

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When Chapuys arrived to visit Lady Mary, she was with her sister. The little girl was admiring the dresses and jewels of her older sister. But something was bothering her, it was certain.

' Are you allowed to marry the Duke of Suffolk, Mary?' she asked

Mary seemed surprised by the question.

' Our father allowed it. Why?'

' Because I think you cannot. The Duke of Suffolk married once our aunt Margaret, did he not? And he is the father of our cousins. So, it is incest. And if you do incest... You'll end up just like my mother because of what she did... with Uncle George... And I don't want that to happen, I do'nt want to lose you, Mary!'

The young woman smiled to her sister, touched by the fact she cared for her and amazed by her intelligence.

' Our father has thought of it and he asked a great man of church to study the question. And this man allowed this marriage. Because even if the Duke of Suffolk married our aunt Margaret, he has no blood links with us. So it is not an incest. That's what he said.'

Elizabeth felt a wave of relief. Chapuys smiled to this.

' Alas for her, she is the daughter of the Great Whore. Poor child, she will have to live with this.' he thought

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Marina and Henry were eating together. The king liked to be in her company. She told him she was starting to think about names for their children. Only boys names came to her mind.

' I would like one of them to be named Henry, after my father.' Henry said

' I have thought of this name as well, but after you.' She replied with a smile

It made him happy. And what was a true relief for him was that he knew Marina would never judge him. And she would never judge her predecessors.

' I have seen our little Elizabeth today. She was wearing her ring, it seems she loves it. You had a marvellous idea.'

' I am glad she likes it and that she is better now.'

' I have a surprise for you.'

Marina looked at her husband. She did not expect that, it made her happy. Some grooms brought a golden barge.

' This is a replica of the Bucentaur of Venise. Have you heard about it?'

' People of Venise use it to celebrate their union with the sea if I am not mistaken.'

' Indeed. And you will be on this barge along the Thames, the day of your coronation.'

Her coronation. Marina couldn't believe her ears, she thought she was dreaming. She whispered a faint « My God » and Henry could feel how much she was touched.

' Thank you, Henry.'

' You are very welcome. I want everyone to look at you. I want them to see how much I love you. I want them to see you the way I see you.'

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This day was a special one, since Marina's pregnancy was now known by the whole Court. So, all the ambassadors from differents lands were here to congratulate the new parents.

' Vos Majestés, le roi François me charge de vous transmettre ses plus vives et ses plus sincères félicitations pour cette merveilleuse nouvelle.'

' Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Marillac. Dites à votre maître que ma reine et moi sommes très touchés par ses vœux de bonheur.' Henry said

It was now Chapuys' turn.

' Your Majesties, the Emperor, my master, is overjoyed by this marvellous new and send you his love and best wishes.'

' Thank you master for those kind words.'

' My master has also a message for the queen.'

Even if she was surprised, Marina managed to remain calm, no one noticed what was going on in her mind.

' My master thanks you for everything that you have done for his beloved cousin, the Lady Mary.'

' Hacerle saber que fue una gran alegria para mi porque Lady Mary es una hija que amo con todo mi corazon. Honra a Espana y a Inglaterra.' Marina answered

Henry was a bit surprised by hearing spanish in his wife's mouth, it reminded him of Catherine. But he remembered what Charles told him about Marina, about her education. It made him proud, having such a clever wife. The audience was getting very long, it finished at the very beginning of the afternoon. The queen felt tired but she had duties and she wanted to honour them, even if she was with child. She had to go outside and give money to the poor. All of them looked at her as if she was a goddess, begging for her. She took her time, speaking to everyone. After all, she was their queen, she was somehow their mother. She came back two hours later. Usrula came to speak to her. She seemed a bit ill-at-ease.

' What is wrong, Lady Bryan?'

' Alas, Your Majesty, soon, I will have to leave.'

' Do you have any problems?'

The woman looked at her.

' I am carrying my husband's child.'

' This is an excellent new! I congratulate you and your husband, Sir Francis.'

Marina's joy warmed Ursula's heart.

' I thank you, Your Majesty.'

Katherine arrived when Ursula left.

' Your Majesty, here is your son, Prince Edward.'

The little boy arrived and bowed perfectly. Marina bowed back.

' Your Majesty, i have come here to thank you for the two fine horses you sent me.' He said

' I am very happy that you like them, Your Grace.'

' I also wish to thank my noble and illoustrious father for the jewels he sent me. But I was told he was busy.'

Marina felt a wave of sadness. Those words were learnt ones, even if he meant them. And the boy was looking down, sighing.

' Your Grace, I can assure you that your father, the King, will be overjoyed by your words for there is nothing more important to him than your happiness.'

' He must love me, for if he did not love me, he would not send me those fine gifts.'

The queen felt that there was something on her stepson's heart. She asked to her ladies to go out. Being careful with her children, she kneeled to the boy.

' Your Grace. I want you to know that in any matter, you can rely on me for I desire nothing more than your happiness, just like for your sisters. So, if one day you need anything, be certain that I will help you as much as I can.'

The silence felt upon the room. Marina was cretain that Edward would say nothing but he let drop a sentence.

' I miss my father.'

He decided to go on.

' I know he loves me, that he does everything in his power to protect me. And I know that as heir to the trhone, I must submit myself to the rules. But I miss my father! Even Elizabeth sees him more than me! I would like to see him as much as he sees my sisters! For nothing in the world would please me more than spending time with my father. Or maybe... he does not wish to see me.'

Marina was shocked.

' Why do you think so? I am certain that he would spend more time with you if he could.'

' Because I killed my mother. I should not have been born. If I hadn't been born, my mother would be still alive and he would me still happy.'

It was too much for Marina. She hugged soflty the young boy.

' How could he be better without you? He is so happy that you are alive! You are very special to him and I am certain that this happiness is greater than the pain he felt when he lost your mother, Queen Jane. I beg you Your Grace, forget this awful idea. Jane Seymour's death was God's will. You are not guilty. And I promise you to talk with His Majesty and try to convince him to spend more time with you.'

The boy finally smiled.

' Thank you... Mother.'

To be continued