89 Chapter 12: Miracles

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 12: Miracles

Thanks to the Queen Marina's law, Henry had new caring and loyal subjets among the protestant faction. Alas, the Catholic's one declared that Marina was nothing more than a heretic, who bewitched the king. How could it be otherwise? She made sure this law was accepted by the Parliament and she even befriended her husband's ex whore! Henry had just one desire, to throw them all to the Tower and execute them for treason but he remembered Marina's words. And this event would make her sad.

' With your permission Father, I think I have an idea. But I would like to be allowed to speak frankly.' Mary said to him while he was speaking to her.

' Go on, Sweetheart.'

He decided to trust her. Women were not made to rule but he realized that very often, they had good ideas.

' I will write an open letter and will publish it throughout England to defend the Queen. They will listen. I'm sure of it.'

' Why is it so?'

' Because for them, I am my mother's heir. And my mother is still their queen.'

Henry hated this. But this statement was true, he knew it. Catherine was a symbol for the Catholic faction. And they saw in Mary a bit of Catherine. He allowed Mary to try. If they were so faithful to Catherine and the child of her blood, they would submit. All he wanted was to read it first before publishing it. A few days after, all over England, people were gathered to listen to a reader who had in his hands a letter from Lady Mary Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk, beloved daughter of King Henry.

To my dearest people of England

I know that some of you are more than eager to get rid of the law Queen Marina created and to continue into your persecutions towards the protestant faction. Some of them say they are acting in my name and in the name of God. This is why I command you to stop this unlawful rebellion towards a queen who is only desirous to the wellfare of this realm! I write this on my own free will and conscience. The Queen's arguments are valid. We are all God's children, we are all convinced that there is just one Jesus Christ, as long as we all love him and his heir, the way we show our love to him is a mere detail to him, since he is pleased to see that we are thinking of him. And it certainly breaks God's heart to see his children killing each other in his name. This slaughter must stop at once. The Queen wants her people to be on an equal foot. If any catholic should continue this bloody quest, saying that it is for the Lady Mary, I would be sad and displeased. Moreover, I would disknow this person. For I agree with the queen. Let us enjoy together this merciful hand that our queen proposes us.

It had a huge impact on the persecutions, it almost stopped at once.

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Henry did Marina a huge favor. She was expected to give birth at any time, so she would have entered the period of confinement, but he knew how excited she was to see Francis. And Francis told him by letters his desire to see her. So he told her she could stay. In exchange, she promised him to be very careful and he saw that she meant it. She did not dance, she made no extra on food or wine, she immediately sat or retire when she felt ill-at-ease. She did everything in her power to protect the children that were in her belly. He was eating with her as usual when he announced her he hired for her all the best physicians of England money could buy. They would be at her service day and night, discreetly of course. The birth of three royal children worthed it. And her life as well. He did not want to made the same mistake he did with Jane. He saw her shivering a bit, he guessed something was wrong. He asked the grooms and ladies to go out.

' What is wrong, my darling?' He asked softly

' I'm scared Henry... I know I should not be but it is beyond my control... I'm not fearing the pain but... What if I cannot give birth to them?'

Henry rose up and he kneeled next to her, sweeping her tears away.

' Everything will be alright, Sweetheart. We have the best physicians here. And you are very strong. Everything will go smoothly. You do not need to worry. You will give birth to our sons without any problems. And if it is God's will to send us daughters, I will be pleased as well, because he sent me the jewel of his heaven to be my wife.'

He kissed his wife who smiled.

' I'm sorry, I've been silly.'

' No. You have been thoughtful for the wellfare of our children.'

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Francis arrived about two weeks after Mary's letter was heard by the catholics. He was going to be first secreetly welcomed by the king and he would dine with the royal couple. The following day, he would be officially presented to the royal family. He was really impatient to see Marina.

' François! Bienvenue en Angleterre, cher frère!' Henry greeted him when he entered onto the king's household before heading together to Marina's appartments.

When he saw Marina, he was shocked. Then it was true! It was no dream! His little Marina was truly with child! Marina wanted to run and hug him but she acted as a queen had to be, but her joy was obvious.

' Votre Majesté.' She greeted him, bowing her head

' Ma très chère soeur!' He said

She was gorgeous, it was obvious that she was happy in England. All of them sat around a magnificent table, full of food, fruits, wine... Henry wanted his guest to be amazed by England. About two hours later, Marina retired, felling exhausted. Henry kissed her before asking Culpepper to escort Marina to her rooms. Francis kissed her on the cheek, bidding her a good night. The two kings were all alone.

' You know, Francis, I am very grateful to you. I could never thank you enough for letting Marina becoming my wife. She is what my realm and what my family needed. Thanks to her, everything gets better.' Henry confessed

' I'm glad to hear that both of you are very happy. I was told that Marina was a very loving stepmother. It did not surprise me at all. She lost her mother at a very young age. I think she wants to give to others what she did not have.' Francis replied

Henry smiled to this.

' There is something I was very eager to ask to you. What will you do if Marina gives you only daughters?'

Henry looked at Francis directly in the eyes. He saw that the king of France was serious. Ready to protect Marina if he went mad. What teh hell was he thinking of him? That he was a monster? It was true that one of his wives did not have a marvellous fate but still! He did not have her condemned because she did not bear him a son but because she betrayed him, committing treason with her body! He did not do it with a happy heart! Was it the way every prince of Europe see him? As a man who destroyed his wives when they did not gave him an heir? His marriage to Catherine was unlawful in the eye of God, Anne betrayed him, Jane was taken away by God, Anne of Cleves was not completely free from her engagement to the Duke of Lorraine's son! It was not like he wanted to be married five times! He managed to calm down before answering:

' If Marina gives me three daughters, I will be happy. I do not care about genders. I have already an heir. My only desire is to have her recovering well from childbirth. Her pregnancy is a dangerous one. All I want is her to survive. Because I love her. I do love her. I do not know how I would do without her. Of course, if she gives me one or many sons, I will be happy. But Marina is what matters to me. More than the sexs of these babies.'

Francis could feel how sincere Henry was.

' I am very happy and relieved to hear you saying that. I gave you one of France's greatest jewels. Treasure it. No, excuse me, I should have said: Continue to treasure it.'

Henry had a smile.

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' His Majesty, Francis the First, King of France!'

Everyone bowed to the king as he walked through the hall to join Marina. She looked regal, she was made to be queen. Her gown was sober but beautiful.

' Votre Majesté, c'est un honneur pour moi que de pouvoir fouler la terre anglaise.' Francis said, bowing.

' Vous êtes le bienvenu parmi nous, cher François! Permettez moi de vous présenter à mes enfants!'

She took him to her stepchildren.

' Laissez moi vous présenter mon fils, le prince Edward.'

The boy bowed to the king of France.

' Votre Majesté, je vous souhaite la bienvenue en Angleterre et à la cour du roi, mon père. Je prie Dieu que votre séjour vous apporte joie et profit.' Edward said in an almost perfect French

' Your Highness is very kind to me and I thank you for your warm welcoming. Your French is admirable.' Francis replied, smiling, thinking that Edward was cute.

' I have been practicing.' the child confessed with a smile.

Then, Marina took him to Mary. Francis did not recognize her at first. He met her only once, when she was a child. He had a woman in front of him, a very beautiful woman, full of grace and dignity.

' Voici ma fille, Lady Mary.'

' Votre Majesté.' Mary greeted

Francis smiled to her.

' Lady Mary. You have grown to be a very beautiful woman. Just like your mother. I was told many good things about you. I am very happy to see you again.'

' Your Majesty is too kind.'

Francis noticed a ring on her finger. He knew that she was married. To the duke of Suffolk. He liked him. As far as he could remember, he was a polite man, very funny and clever. And trustable. Henry could not have chosen a better husband for her. Finally, Marina took him to Elizabeth. And the child looked painfully like her poor mother.

' Puis-je vous présenter ma seconde fille, Lady Elizabeth?'

' Votre Majesté. C'est un très grand honneur pour moi que de vous rencontrer et j'en remercie Dieu.' Elizabeth said fluently.

' You are very kind Lady Elizabeth. Like your sister, I have heard good things about you. It is a pleasure for me to meet you as well.'

Then, Francis turned to Marina.

' Votre Majesté a une famille merveilleuse et des enfants formidables. Je souhaite à la lignée des Tudors de prospérer car quand on voit les vertus de ses héritiers, l'on sait que l'Angleterre ne saurait être en de meilleures mains.'

Everyone applaused to this. After this, Henry planned magnificient parties, with music, singers, plays... And when he saw Mary dancing with Charles, Edward speaking with Francis in an almost perfect French, he felt proud. And incredibly happy. A united family. That was what he was searching for. He took Marina's hand and kissed it. He noticed that Elizabeth was watching the dances and he saw how much she was eager to join the dancers.

' My daughter, would you grant me the favor of having your hand for this dance?' He asked with a smile.

The little girl happily agreed and the court could see its king having fun with his precious Bessie. It was just sweet and lovely. Until the queen's waters broke.

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Everything went fast. The queen was taken to her chambers where her ladies and the physicians attended her. Mary was with her, she wanted to be a comfort to her. And she was amazed by Marina's courage. She never gave up.

' Push Your Majesty! You are doing very well!'

Marina felt a wave of pain and let a cry going out of her throat.

' The pain is nothing! It is for England! For my children! For Henry!'

She could not gave up. She was a Tudor. A Tudor never gave up.

Henry was in his room, Francis by his side. The French was silently praying for Marina's health. They both knew it was going to be a long time before the babies came.

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September, the tenth of 1542

Katherine ran as fast as she could to get her king. When she entered, Henry immediately got up. You could read on his face how much he was worried.

' Well, Lady Howard?'

' Your Majesty, the Queen is safely delivered and the physicians are certain of a full and safe recovery.'

Henry sighed in relief. It was a miracle!

' Thank you God!' He whispered

' Her Majesty the Queen has blessed England with two princes and a princess who are all healthy.'

' I have three sons and three daughters now?'

' Yes Your Majesty. You have three sons and three daughters!'

Henry burst into laugh. With Francis and Katherine, he went to see Marina. She looked exhausted but she was smiling. He kissed her on the lips. Then, the babies were introduced to their father.

' The Queen's firstborn.'

It was a strong little boy.

' I name thee Henry, Duke of York. May God bless you my sweet little boy.' Henry said, kissing the bay on his forehead.

Then, he was given Marina's second child. A daughter, who was quite stron for a girl.

' Our little princess Harmony. May you have your mother's virtues, child.'

He kissed her as well before having in his arms the third and last one. A son. He was the smallest of them.

' Our little Duke of Pembroke, my son, prince Lloyd.'

He kissed him.

' May you all enjoy a long healthy life.'

Then he took his wife's hand.

' It is the most beautiful gift you offered me, Sweetheart. I could never thank you enough.'

Marina saw that Henry was sincere. She had his heart and love. All over England, bells rang. Its people knew that the queen was safely delivered and that she gave to them a new princess and two princes to love.