La Reine Des Coeurs

'And, girl, you must know that you are lovely,

You're kind and you're beautiful too,

And I feel in some way I do love you,

But, babe, I'm not in love with you,

But, babe, I'm not in love with you'

Lying to You by Keaton Henson

29th January 1536, Palace Of Placentia, Greenwich, London,

She strolled genially through the spacious halls of the palace, stopping every so often to admire this painting or that sculpture. She loved the history of the gallery, seeing all the Kings and Queens that came before herself. She paused, her slim hands resting upon her large bump, rubbing it slightly. She couldn't wait until her babe came, there was only a month or two left. Her beloved Henry had ordered Hans Holbein to commission a family portrait to celebrate the birth of his heir once he arrived.

She found herself in front of a rather grand portrait of a beautiful woman with hair that looked as though it was spun gold itself and large knowing eyes. A grin crept across Anne's face as she looked upon her husband's grandmother. Elizabeth Woodville was the focus of this painting and it was said to be a remarkable look-a-like. Elizabeth Woodville often mixed with Anne's name. Both were non-royal women who captivated the heart of passionate kings. It warmed Anne to hear that some people saw Henry and herself like Elizabeth and her King, Edward. Everyone knew Elizabeth and Edward was a love story. Like me and Henry, Anne smiled again, her fingers brushing the textured canvas.

She continued her walk, her favourite ladies; Nan and Madge, trailing behind her, their cream gowns rustling as they wandered. They were almost at Anne's destination now. She was excited to see her husband, to ask him to bring their darling daughter, Elizabeth to court again and to suggest to him that they had an amble in the beautiful snowy gardens. She was desperate to spend as much time with him as possible before her laying-in began.

She reached the heavy and ornately carved oak door to her husband's outer chambers, her dark eyes looking at the two foreboding guards at the door, who were studiously avoiding her piercing gaze.

"Nan, Madge, please remain her" commanded Anne, ruffling Urian's fur. Urian yipped loudly, tail wagging, no doubt excited about his upcoming walk. Turning back to the guards, Anne gestured for them to move away and then she entered the room.

XX

"If you would only allow me to serve you as your Sir Lancelot, then I would be forever happy" murmured Henry, his arms wrapping around Jane's slim waist.

Her pale blue eyes fluttered down to her lap, playing with the embroidered lace of her cream dress. Henry's deft fingers brushed the temples of her pale face before removing her French hood and allowing her blonde curls to tumble down, framing her thin face with their ringlets. He ran his hands through her locks.

"You are an angel" sighed Henry, his eyes roaming over her. She was everything he wanted. A soothing balm to his wife's fire. The light in the dark. He knew Jane was perfect, so alike his beloved mother. Should his bad-tempered and jealous wife fail to deliver him an heir then Henry knew Jane would make the flawless wife, queen and mother.

"Your majesty" breathed Jane, her hands enclosing his, "I would be honoured to be your Guinevere". Henry smiled, his hands cupped her angelic face, their breath fanning across each other's faces before his lips crashed against hers in a moment of longing.

Neither of them heard the door opening but they heard the slamming of it and the shriek of fury and upset that left his wife's mouth.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. What is this?!", the voice made both Henry and Jane spring apart. Jane's eyes widened as she saw the heavily pregnant queen wailing and she fled behind the throne, hoping Henry would be able to contain his jealous wife's anger.

"Just when my belly is doing its business, I find you wenching with Mistress Seymour" hissed Anne, stalking towards Jane, her eyes burning with unshed tears. Henry jumped up, anxiety evident on his face and he ran towards his wife, arms encircling her like restraints.

"Jane, go" he commanded, giving her a pointed look as he held his wife. As soon as Jane had fled, he felt Anne stop fighting against him, and then she began sobbing hysterically.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you doing this to me" she cried pitifully, tears streaming down her redden face. Henry kissed the top of her raven locks, shushing her as he rocked her in his strong arms.

"No, no, no" whimpered Anne, her quiet words falling out of her mouth between heavy breaths. For a moment, Henry felt awful, he had seen her angry many a time and jealous even more. But he had never heard her cry so pathetically. But then his anger kicked in, his fury at her interrupting his peaceful afternoon with Jane. She would be better served to act like a queen, to ignore his comings and goings like her betters did. He moved his hand to her bulging stomach, trying to calm his wife for their unborn child's sake.

"Anne, oh Anne" he muttered, pulling them both to the floor gently and holding her shaking form to his body.

He heard her cries louden again and he looked at her sharply, ready to reprimand her for endangering their son with her ridiculous hysterics when his eyes encountered her shaking and bloodied hand.

XX

Notes: Please note that although I do try to historically accurate, this is an AU, so things will deviate from history. I tend to make a note at the beginning of each chapter with the correct details if I am including a historical event in an AU.

I have changed the gestational length of Anne's pregnancy to make it fit better within my story. According to letters from the Imperial Ambassador, Chapuys, Anne Boleyn suffered a devastating miscarriage of a male child, aged around 15 weeks of gestation.

I've been listening to the very lovely Keaton Henson for inspiration and it's helped me write this chapter. I do hope you like it. Please review, I always appreciate it and I love hearing how I can improve.

Disclaimer: I do not own British history, nor do I own Showtime's The Tudors.

This story outline was the idea of 'I Love Kol Mikaelson' who approached me to ask me to write her story for her.

If you have any questions, please feel free to message me, I will always do my best to answer!