Chapter 20: Princesses of England

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

Author's note : I am sorry for the delay, I have no excuse. Except one : I had no ideas. This is my problem, I have a lot of ideas for long fictions and my inspiration leaves whenever it feels like it. But, I will try to finish this story because I love it so much, you made me love to write for The Tudors ! I'll try my best not to dissapoint you all, it would be my greatest unhappiness ! Be sure I read every review I receive and try to make my stories better thanks to them!

I wish to all of you a very happy new year.

XXXXXXXXX

The French Bride

Chapter 20 : Princesses of England

Summer was delightful this year.

The sun was present, giving warmth to everyone without making them sweat too much. A gentle breeze always accompanied those warm days.

Marina tried to enjoy it as much as she could since she would soon enter into confinement. Her baby was expected for August. She was sitting in the gardens, enjoying the company of her stepchildren. Elizabeth seemed quite absorbed by the reading of a letter she received an hour ago. A small smile was on her face, she was thoughful but happy.

' Who wrote to you, Bessie? ' Mary asked gently

The girl blushed.

' Some gentleman... ' She replied

Marina had a small laugh at her reaction, Elizabeth was blushing slightly.

' It's... From Eric... We agreed that we would write to each other.' She added after a few seconds

Mary was a bit surprised. Well, Eric had always been kind to Elizabeth, she saw that he was sincere in his friendship, but he was a young man and Elizabeth just a little girl.

' I wonder what I could send to him for his birthday. ' The red-haired princess said

' When is it? ' Mary asked

' In September, I believe. ' Her sister answered

' The nineteenth of September. Eric will turn thirteen. ' Marina completed

Mary looked at her stepmother with surprise. She was so sure Eric was older! Ambroise was the same age as his royal cousin, she assumed Eric would be around fifteen or something like that. Noticing that, Marina explained:

' It is true Eric appears a bit older than he looks. And he is not the first brother Ambroise has. There was another younger brother before Eric, but he died right after his birth. My aunt suffered two miscarriages until Eric's birth. Maybe this is why you thought he was older. '

Thanking Marina, Mary told Elizabeth that it was a good thing she had someone to write to, especially in french, it was a good exercice and a good experience.

' I really like Eric. We have a lot in common and he is so kind! ' Elizabeth said

' I am happy you like him, Elizabeth. ' Marina told her

Elizabeth, however, never told them that it was not the first letter she had by Eric and all of them were carefully hidden in a small box locked with a key. Marriage frightened Elizabeth until she saw that it could be a good thing, thanks to her stepmother. She was convinced Eric would be a gentle husband. And secretly, she hoped and dreamt that he was hers. He was the incarnation of a charming prince to her: Handsome, kind and intelligent. Handsome, that was the word. For the little princess, Eric was like an angel sent by God himself with his light blond hair, his sweet emeralds eyes and his fair complexion. He was not too tall nor too short, even if she knew that he would grow taller with the years. There was an aura of softness all around him. She would not mind being married to such a man.

She would not mind at all.

After looking at his wife and daughters through the window of his office, Henry turned to face Charles. All of their work was done. On the table, there were plans to give Catherine of Aragon a proper memorial, fitting her status. Catherine was the mother of his first living child. Catherine offered him Mary, a gift every father dreamt of. Yet, such a generous woman had been buried like a commoner. Because of him. Very often, after Anne's reburial, Henry dreamt of Catherine. He dreamt of her, dying alone, crying for Mary. He realized that he had been cruel and unfair to her, while she was good to everyone, and she had been a good regent while he was at war. She had always been a good companion. He knew that giving her a grave fitting her rank would not erase what he had done to her. But he could not stay passive. That would be his way to make amends to the first woman who shared his life. That would be an apology to his daughter he unjustly treated because of the war he led against her mother, trying to get a divorce and Anne recognized as Queen. No father had the right to treat the blood of his blood like this. And it would be also a gift for his grandchild. He would be able to say:

' Here lies my grandmother, the mother of my mother! She was a princess from Spain, she was a good woman, pious and brave, who did a lot for England! '

' Mary will be deeply touched, Your Majesty. ' Charles said to his friend

' This is the least I can do. The ceremony will be very soon, my wife wants to attend it. She thinks it is her duty since she did it for Elizabeth when Anne was reburied. '

Sighing heavily, Henry looked into Charles' eyes.

' How comes I feel so horrible, full of regrets? '

' It is because you are now having a happy marriage with a family in peace with itself and with its past. Everything has calmed down. You are now able to think with a clear head. '

Henry could hear Mary's happy laugh outside. He still had troubles to realize that inside of his baby girl, ther was a baby growing up slowly.

' When will the baby arrive, Charles? '

' In January. '

' Have you thought about names? '

' As a matter of fact, yes. '

The duke told his friend about the names Mary and him thought about. In fact, Charles let the choice to his wife.

' Well, for a girl, I knew that it would be an option but I must say that I would have never guessed the name for a a baby boy. I guess he could not be named after me, since your son is already named Henry.' The king said with a small laugh

Henry looked again through the window.

Edward had joined his stepmother and his half-sisters. By what he could hear, Edward was showing them how much he improved his french.

' It's very good! I am very proud of you! ' Marina said with her usual enthousiasm.

' I'll try to be good in spanish as well! So that I can honour my sister Mary! ' The boy said

Yes, everything was good in the kingdom of England.

XXXXX

By the end of June, Catherine of Aragon was reburied in Westminster Abbey as the mother of Princess Mary Tudor, the first living child of Henry VIII. The ceremony was long and in latin, since Catherine was known for being a catholic. During this mass, Henry spoke to the crowd and admitted that he unjustly treated her, who bore him the pearl of his world, his beloved Mary. He recognized all the goods she did for England. The new memorial was inaugurated.

' The Dowager Princess was a remarkable woman, a hero of our kingdom. She protected the realm during her regency while we were at war with France. She loved and cared for each subject in our lands. She was a true princess. Therefore, it is only natural to celebrate her memory. As it is only natural that her daughter should bear the title of Princess as well. '

Already touched by the gift her father made to her dead mother, Mary looked into her father's eyes.

' We have decided to recognize the Lady Mary Tudor as legitimate. The Lady Mary was, is and always will be my very first legitimate daughter. '

No word came into Mary's mouth but, despite her condition, she bowed as deeply as she could.

The nightmare was truly over. Her mother's final wish was granted. She could finally dedicate herself completely to happiness, relieved to know that her mother's fight was over, to know that her mother could finally rest in peace.

A few hours after the mass, Elizabeth went to see her sister.

' I am so happy for you, Mary! You truly deserve it! '

' But I took you place in the line of succession. '

' I do not mind at all! You too are a king's daughter! It is natural that you are above me! I'm so happy, people will finally call you by the title you deserve! '

Mary kissed the girl on the cheek then hugged her.

' You too Elizabeth are worthy of the title of Princess. '

XXXXX

14 of August 1543

Screams of pain could be heard. Henry was excited. One year ago, on the same day, he married Marina. Now, he was going to be a father again. Marina and him chose Edward to be the godfather of this new child. The godmother was Thomas Seymour's fiancée, Lady Catherine Parr, who befriended Marina after the ceremony in memory of Catherine of Aragon. A message was ready to leave for France as soon as the queen was delivered to tell Francis about the new.

In the queen's room, Katherine was supporting Marina, telling her that she was doing very well. Mary could not be here because of her pregnancy, she feared the stress and the emotions would be too much for her baby. She was saddened about it but Marina told her that it was only natural to think about the welfare of her child. With her stepmother's agreement, Elizabeth replaced Mary. The little princess really wanted to witness a birth and she wanted to help Marina. It was spectacular for her but fascinating at the same time.

Finally, at the very beginning of the night, Marina gave birth to her child. The baby's screams were loud.

Katherine ran as fast as she could to tell the king about his new baby. Her hair was a mess, but who cared? The Tudor's dynasty had a new member.

' Well? ' Henry said

' Her Majesty the queen is safely delivered, with no risks of childbed fever. '

' And the child? '

' It is a healthy baby girl, Your Majesty. '

Henry went as fast as he could to his wife's chambers. She looked tired but radiant, with their baby girl in her arms. Her features were already neat and delicate. He kissed his queen of her forehead, then he kissed his daughter.

' How would you like to call her? ' He asked

' I'd like to name her after my mother, but I'm not sure the name would be welcomed... '

' Just say her name, we shall see afterwards. '

' My mother's name was Anne. '

To be continued