Chapter 8

January 2, 1502

The Prince Of Wales' Bedchamber
Ludlow Castle

Arthur's mood had yet to lift.

Ever since he'd come to Ludlow a cloud formed over his head and hadn't left him alone yet.

Even going to Richmond for Christmastide had not risen his spirits. What normally would have been a perfectly fine, pleasurable holiday was spoiled.

Between Catherine flipping from incessant prayer to quiet tears and the tension in his family, it was safe to say he had not enjoyed himself.

He never thought that he would be so eager to get back to Ludlow but it meant he could escape his sin and that was enough for him.

Arthur had lived in sin for as long as he could remember. All the childhood memories he had were marred by the envy that poisoned his heart.

He coveted that which belonged to his brother. Everything spoiled Henry got and did not have the sense to appreciate filled him with ire.

The ungrateful brat had nicer governesses, lax restrictions on his play, more rigorous lessons — everything.

Sterner governesses were to ensure Arthur was steadfast, strong. They were to ensure he remained unflappable.

Arthur was kept from play deemed too dangerous lest it harm his person. It appeared that England could not risk its heir scraping his knee running around the garden with his siblings.

Barred from doing anything physical or fun Arthur had wanted to retreat to the schoolroom and pore over his hornbook.

Of course, he received the better tutors growing up but he wanted to bury himself in a large pile of books like Henry was made to do.

But no, it was not to be! Arthur had to split his time between the hornbook and living as his father's shadow.

He was often paraded around for the people to see the precious White and Red Heir, Arthur Pendragon reincarnate, or some man of myth.

When he wasn't busy doing that he had to sit in on whatever occupied his father that day to learn how to manage a kingdom.

When they grew older the pattern continued and Henry showed more prowess in things like swordsmanship and jousting — anything physical really.

Henry finally noticed the disparity once on the tiltyard during practice but had only laughed.

"Envy me while you may, brother! I have to enjoy these things now, they will all be forbidden me once I am made to take the cloth!"

And, perhaps a bit selfishly, knowing that it was true that these activities would be taken from his brother did make him feel a little better at the time.

If anything Henry was only better because he was allowed to be better.

In time he became more resigned to it. He resented his circumstances less when he came to understand that even though his father was a great warrior he did not want nor require that kind of physicality in his son and heir.

His father wanted to instill more traditional traits in him because he felt it was Arthur's divine right to rule, not right by conquest.

Knowing this kept Arthur's spirits up because it was his upper hand over his outgoing younger brother.

It did not matter than Henry was the better dancer or more superficially charming, he would not be able to showcase these things.

He would be a man of the cloth and Arthur would be king. Henry could not take that from him and therefore he could never outshine him.

Except that his Christmas he did.

They were both allowed to return to Richmond for the holiday and it was like he was a child again peering out the window to catch a glimpse of what his siblings had.

The Duke and Duchess of York were the stars of the festivities. They were everything golden and splendour, with infuriatingly contagious vivacity.

Lady Anne was a stunning dancer to begin with but alongside Henry, it was more than complimentary.

Insecurity built up in him tenfold at the sight. Katherine was a lovely dancer herself, with enough Spanish heat to bring any dull sequence of steps to life, whereas Arthur only dragged them down.

When his brother and sister-in-law weren't lighting up the hall they were sneaking mischievous glances at one another. Lo and behold shortly following a shared look they would disappear.

Henry indeed had the means to raise the House of York and because he was so selfish he probably wouldn't care about any consequences his whim would reap.

He was too young to remember but Arthur distinctly remembered how haunted their mother looked every time a pretender stepped forward or how tightly she used to clutch them to her chest while their father did whatever it took to crush any insurrection against them.

Arthur felt his leverage in their sibling rivalry slip through his fingers with every day that passed.

Every day he spent overseeing the Council of the Marches going over various business regarding the capital he expected to receive some word from his father or brother with news of the Duchess of York conceiving and detailing that he was to be disinherited as a result.

He was certain that it would be God's way of punishing him for the stain of envy on his soul.

Courtyard
Ludlow Castle

Katherine of Aragon inspected the small swath of land before her with disdain.

All the colour and life of Spain was infinitely more beautiful to her now that she was made to endure this.

She supposed Ludlow could be considered a castle, by English standards anyway. It seemed to her that what passed for a palace here was more fit for soldiers than the country's heirs.

The Alhambra had been beautiful in not only its design but its innovation. It had everything from art to running water and was filled with happiness.

From what she had seen England's castles were as dour as the people.

The second the errant thought crossed her mind she pinched herself reproachfully.

It was her duty to develop English tastes and standards herself not condescend them.

The infanta remembered her final days in her homeland and how desperately she had wanted to fight alongside her mother for the justest cause.

But her mother had quickly rebuffed any such desires in her youngest. It was Isabella's duty to spread the true faith, saving souls was her destiny.

Katherine's duty to God and her country lies in her marriage to the Prince of Wales. Her destiny was to be Queen.

England needed Spanish money and prestige just as much as Spain needed England to further fortify the true faith around Europe.

It did not matter that strategy and war made more sense to her that marriage did not, more so after she entered hers.

She and Arthur clashed more than not, be it arbitrary or important. Anything from politics to breakfast was different, nothing was cause for agreement between them.

This was not uncommon and did not bother her overmuch. Royal marriages rarely ever yielded happy couples. She neither expected nor needed a storybook romance.

What she did need however was to conceive. It was the one thing she needed more than anything.

Getting married had required nothing of her other than looking pretty and regal next to her husband while they were lauded across the country.

Being married required her to provide heirs for her husband, England, and Spain to solidify the alliance.

Thankfully an annulment was unlikely to be pursued with any success. It was a blessing to give her more time, but would only last as long as the current Pope lived since he was Aragonese and unlikely to go against her.

The idea of being cast aside plagued her daily and she was sure it had a part to play in poisoning her womb against taking in a child.

Now more than ever she needed to rein in her thoughts and feelings about this place until her place here was properly secured.

After the Christmas celebrations where she had laid witness to how pleased the Duke of York was in his marriage, she had been filled with a keen sense of urgency.

While the Tudor family as a whole had not been entirely warm to her she did like her brother-in-law and did not begrudge him this happiness.

He was the only one to show her any kindness or understanding since her arrival and the way that light seemed to pour out from his bright smile reminded her so much of home her heart ached.

Katherine was happy to call him brother and couldn't be more pleased that he had taken to his wife but neither of these sentiments took away from the danger his marriage posed to her.

Genial Harry could pose quite the threat to Gentle Arthur especially if the Duchess of York were to produce a child before Katherine.

The girl had made no overtures of friendship towards her aside from kind smiles and light conversation since anything more was Katherine's due to initiate.

The kindness was assuredly welcome but simply not trusted. There was something about Anne Boleyn that made her reluctant.

Katherine knew her to be well-travelled, cultured, educated — all good things and things she would usually look for in a friend.

Perhaps it was the look in her eyes, maybe the way she moved, or even the way she carried herself.

Whatever it was it held Katherine back from offering any friendship yet.

For now, her focus had to be making sure it was her children that would inherit England not those of the Duchess of York.

At best she had an ally and friend, at worst she had a bitter enemy and rivalry.

January 5, 1502

The Duke of York's Study
Eltham Palace

Henry sat behind his desk ready to delve into a small stack of papers he had to look over.

He was a little embarrassed that he had allowed so much work to build up over Christmastide.

The holiday had been wonderful, especially since his mother had lifted the ban on her sons so that they should be able to return to court for that time.

Every night began with an elaborately prepared feast, carried on with his weights worth in drink, and ended in his sweet wife's arms.

But now the year had turned anew and he just returned to Eltham, so too must he return to his work.

Unfortunately, soon after he started his eyes grew blurry from all the boring words melting together on the pages.

'Poor relief…unnecessary filler…soldiers…unnecessary filler…criminals…unnecessary filler…crops….unnecessary filler…supplies…unnecessary filler…taxes'

Thankfully, blessedly, Anne came in with perfect timing to rescue him from the monotony. However quick the respite, he was glad to have it.

"Your Grace has denied me of your company far too long for my liking." Anne purred when she let herself into her husband's office, a smirk playing on her lips.

Henry, for his part, could not help the indulgent smile that plastered his face. They had only been apart for a few hours, about 5 or 6 at the very most.

It warmed him immeasurably that she could not get enough of him and swelled his ego to know she wanted his company as much as he wanted hers.

Though their actual courtship remained slow they were among the most passionate of couples, enough that it had been remarked upon several times while they were at court.

He had to admit while it was the King's displeasure that had brought them to Eltham he did enjoy the privacy.

"My sincerest apologies, mon Diamant. These letters needed my attention as well." He held one up for proof.

Anne leant over the desk at an angle ensuring her bosom would catch his full attention and plucked the slip of parchment from his fingers.

"How terribly important, Your Grace." She intoned. She stood and slipped herself behind her husband's chair. "This one is from the King himself!"

She slid one of her hands across his shoulder teasingly, taking note of how he wound up in response to her touch.

"What business does this King of England have with us, mon Diamant?"

"It appears we will be hosting Princess Margaret before she returns to Elsyng Palace."

"For no other reason than to ensure she is more amenable to her match, I'm sure." Henry rolled his eyes way to the back of his head. He loved his sister dearly but she could be a bit of a brat until she got what she wanted. Yet as the only surviving Tudor princess she would do well not to dig her heels in this matter.

"I have every confidence that you would make the most capable governess, Your Grace." Henry could not help but laugh. He noticed the more he got to know her that Anne would make many little barbs, varying in wit or sarcasm.

A comment that would from any other person sound callous or taken to mean insult was welcome from her.

Her sharpness appealed to him and his sense of humour in a unique way that he could not place but was glad for.

Even so, he recognized that while she jested she was well aware it would be no small task to host his younger sister.

But it was not an ignoble task and proved to be a good sign that the King had growing trust for his second son.

"Your Grace…come back to me." She chimed coaxingly. Anne wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and swung herself into her husband's lap to redirect his attention to her.

While she adored his work ethic she had not come in here to share in his affairs, though she loved that he seemed to be inclined to let her be involved.

She wanted all his attention to herself while he could still give it. They rarely had free time to spend together.

Of course, they had each other all to themselves each night, but they were always too preoccupied with other activities to enjoy the company.

"Yes, mon Diamant, I am forever happy to oblige." He leaned in and began pepper kisses along the length of her neck and relished in the giggles he elicited.

"Henry…"

"If I do not heed these as they come then I will be kept even longer from your presence." Abruptly he stopped and picked up another letter from his desk without releasing her from his grasp. He was content to hold her firmly to his lap. "Help me, sweetheart, and I shall be done much quicker. Start with that parcel."

Anne huffed dramatically and reached for the package in question. Though he had a few scattered on the desk this one was set apart.

Rather than plain brown wrapping it was wrapped nicely in a deep purple fabric and bound by gold twine. She took care to unravel it to reveal a beautifully carved wooden box.

She could not help but wonder if this was a Christmas gift he had received but yet to open or if it was some other gift of favour.

Whichever it was it was a good sign and she internally cheered for her husband.

It could mean that courtiers, landowners, and other nobles were starting to court the Duke of York for his favour.

If others were courting her husband's favour then that coupled with the missive announcing Princess Margaret's stay were all pointing to him being returned to favour himself.

Anne had tried to make amends with the King and Queen over Christmastide, apologizing for her presumptions in asking the Duke of York to petition on his bastards behalf but they had seemed unreceptive.

The blame for the unfortunate falling out lay squarely on the Duke's shoulders in his father's eyes. The Queen had assured her it was not her prodding that had gotten them sent away rather than the very conception of the bastard itself.

King Henry's new dynasty was golden and perfect and would now be marred with a bastard of direct lineage.

But with this pretty parcel perhaps they had indeed shown signs of warming to their younger son despite her misstep.

Anne opened the gold latch on the box to reveal two bottles of perfume. She picked one up slowly and upon closer inspection found her initials entwined with her husbands in a love heart.

It smelled of vanilla and honey and was in a beautiful stained glass bottle.

"I wanted to give it to you at Christmas but the French aren't exactly known for their punctuality." Henry did not take her silence as an insult because he knew she would love it.

"You gave me a diamond rosary for Christmas!" Anne exclaimed, suddenly insecure that her gift to him had only been a pair of gold-tipped hunting spears. She did not like being outdone.

"Yes, well I would have gifted you this as well had it arrived on time."

"It is too much, Your Grace."

"It is hardly enough. I will regard it to be a good start." His tone made it clear that he would not accept no for an answer.

Thankfully she did not think herself strong enough to part with the gift and settled for spraying a small sample on her wrist.

"How could I possibly show thanks for something so lovely?"

"You know how," he pinched her thigh gently.

"Hmm," Anne hopped from his lap with pursed lips trying to hide the forming smirk. "do I?"

"You do." Henry's eyes were trained on her every movement.

"Ah, I do." Anne knelt before him and laced her fingers into his doublet and took firm hold. "I love you, Henry."

A soft kiss punctuated every I love you that escaped her lips.

His head swarmed and his thoughts were immediately muddied by the intoxicating haze she cast over him. Whoever knew the words 'I love you' had the effect of a witch's spell?

He almost forgot the task at hand being getting through his work for the day so that he may spend the rest of the week in her arms without guilt.

Anne seemed to recall too and with one hand caressing his cheek stood up, breaking the spell.

She brought his hand to her lips for one last kiss and sat across from him once more.

Together they flicked through the rest of the papers that required his attention, very few requiring his signature and seal to be sent off.

The imposingly large stack had dwindled to just two more and the couple each took one.

Henry's was another from the King, listing the Lords nearest to him and that Henry was to make surprise visits to them to ensure that no private armies were being kept.

Any private armies found or suspected were to be immediately disassembled on pain of death for it was treasonous to the crown.

It was Henry's hope that there were none so that his visits to these would be short.

The stupidity one would need to have to not acknowledge the futility of keeping a private army was great.

King Henry VII was a warrior king, who fought for his right to rule and with a strong fist had held onto that right unlike the kings before him.

His namesake was sure he could crush a private army in his sleep. However, the king was more interested in politic than warfare nowadays.

He was more likely to execute the head of the offending families and strip them of their wealth to be transferred to the crown rather than engage in a fight.

Henry pondered this list trying to decide which order to visit them in, who to bring, and what to pack while Anne read, then reread, then reread again the message in her hands.

Her blood silently boiled as she tried to make sense of the words, though they made perfect sense and she just did not want to understand them.

"You plan to house and sponsor your harlot?" her voice surprised was a surprise to her own ears in how soft it sounded.

"Excuse me, sweetheart?" Henry looked over to his wife, who was clenching the letter in her hand tightly.

"You plan to house and sponsor your harlot!" She stood with a burst of energy and threw the paper at his face accusingly. "And at the hunting lodge we were at no less!"

Henry's heart dropped into his stomach as the pieces fell to place. The message Anne read must have been from Thomas More.

He had been awaiting his former tutor's response eagerly. The sooner he received it the sooner he could finalize which house to send her and have it made ready for Jane and his child.

"I was under the impression that you would continue to encourage my decision to support my child."

"Of course! Your child, not your whore!" Anne sneered in disbelief.

"Anne, she's pregnant." He said calmly, hoping that his tone would be contagious and cease her yelling. "I'm afraid I cannot have one without the other for now."

"Would you?" she took a few steps back when he attempted to approach her. She did not want his hands anywhere near her right now.

"Would I what, mon Diamant?"

"You're not stupid, Your Grace, do not play stupid. Would you have her once more? I am not stupid, this would give you unfettered and unquestioned access to her!"

"I thought we were growing closer, Anne. How little you trust me!" He finally lost his temper. He couldn't help it! All the work they had put into getting to know each other felt pointless if she did not know by now that this was not his intention.

"Trust you? I hardly know you! Forgive me, Lord Percy, for my reluctance to freely give to you that which is usually hard-earned!"

She stormed out, not bothering to spare him a second glance.

January 7, 1502

The Duchess Of York's Sitting Room
Eltham Palace

Anne was still seething at her husband's insensitivity. she understood wanting to provide for his coming child, and that while the little mouse was pregnant that included her.

but what Henry failed to see was that in housing her in such a way he was gaining access to her while also allowing her access to him.

it would be much easier for the harlot to claim his attentions, and affections, while the Duke of York sponsored her and her bastard.

he could claim that it was only for the duration of her pregnancy all he liked but she knew better.

Anne was certain he had made no plans for what to do with his former lover once the baby was free from her womb just as she was certain Mistress Jane would not initiate any such plans that would cleave her from his life.

now stretched on a chaise lounge in her innermost sitting room she pulled the rosary he'd given her from her sleeve, whether to pray for fortitude or throw it across the room in anger she did not know.

"Your Grace," Lady Sarah interrupted her mistress gently. "Mister Brandon is here to see you."

Anne waved for the Lady to allow him entry and sat up to receive him properly. Charles bowed to her and awaited her approval to come any closer towards her.

He'd been on the receiving end of many female moods and was aware that even if she didn't have something in her hands primed to throw she could very well slap him about in anger if he got too close.

Women were like lions, beautiful creatures that did better with serenity than anger.

"Did my husband send you?" Anne asked miserably unable to keep the harshness from her tone. She let out a small sigh when he shook his head.

"Do I have Your Grace's permission to speak freely lest I unintentionally offend you and earn your ire? I could not go on should you lose even a sliver of fondness for me." He flashed a sincere but infuriatingly charming smile at her.

"You may always speak plainly to me, Charles."

"I have come to plead the case of my own accord for my own selfish reasons, Your Grace." He took a seat by her on a small cushioned stool. "His Grace is going to continue to be in a foul mood until you are reconciled."

Anne had avoided her husband at all costs since their argument and he had done the same, even taking to eating meals in his office.

"She took something from me, Charles. Something that cannot be recovered. I don't know that I can reconcile myself to the lady being in his life. I know he was not unfaithful to me but I fear that with her so close he could do." A few traitorous tears escaped her eyes to make its way down her cheek. "A lover like her is meant to be a passing fancy not to be installed and pensioned."

Charles' better senses were overridden but his compassion for Anne. He forsook propriety to cup her face and wipe her tears away with his thumbs.

He felt badly for her and wanted to be able to reassure her so that she would hurt no more but that was not his reassurance to give.

It was up to Henry to absolve her of her worries and jealousy. All he could offer her was hollow comfort and so he squeezed her hand gently to give her what reassurance he could which was just that he was here.

Charles liked the Duchess, finding her to be a most gracious Lady. As far as wives went she was hardly a shrew, though she was not exempt from the womanly flaw of harbouring jealousies.

Anne was not bitter or hard and indulged their bawdiness. She hardly ever interfered in their fun and if she did it was to join in not to mother hen them.

Henry could be insufferable when he was unhappy, case in point, so he appreciated that she seemed to make Henry happy.

"Come, let us find your new secret place before dinnertime." Charles stood and offered his arm to her. She took it and smiled.

"This may be our main residence away from court, I will most certainly need a secret place here."

After her ladies had bundled her up to the point of heat exhaustion Anne found herself and Charles, along with Emma and Nell, wandering the edges of the land.

The best spots were the forgotten, furthest away from the more obvious enjoyments.

Soon they found themselves a short ways from the gardens where a crumbling pile of stones that once might have been called a house stood.

"This must've been the groundskeepers home before they were moved to the general servants quarters."

"It's perfect!" Anne tried to step closer to inspect it but was stopped by Charles, who pulled her back by holding her hand captive in his arm.

"No, Your Grace. It's too dangerous."

"Where is the danger?"

"In the stones that could easily collapse and kill you, especially now while they're slickened by snow." He shot her a wry look. "We will find you another."

A little more tugging and he got her to abandon her starry-eyed lust for danger and follow him back to the castle.

He'd already dispatched one of her ladies to tell Henry that the Duchess wished to dine with him tonight in the hopes of seeing his friends mood lifted.

A/N: Thank you guys for reading! Do y'all ever get sick of how much I say thank you? Too bad! I love u guise.

So not sure how I feel about this micro chapter but I really wanted to get something out!

Remember Spongebob trying to write his essay "The" and that's all? That's literally how I felt writing this.

I hope everyone is well and your loved ones too, please stay safe and stay well!

Lindsayr28: You left a review at each chapter! I love it thank you! I think I'm gonna tackle them in order? and they were incredibly thoughtful and conversational* is that the right word? idts

1- Anne and her family are humanists they're no strangers to illegal religious practices wink wink.

2- So in this AU Elizabeth was the sole (direct non-diluted) inheritor of the Howard title and lands, and we all know how Thomas Boleyn is. as for the names, I think the best way to explain it is using the ex: Frances Brandon was the eldest surviving child of Charles and Mary. Lady Brandon, Duchess of Suffolk then Lady Grey, Duchess of Suffolk. Her husband styled himself 1st Duke of Suffolk long story short their daughter Jane got her head chopped off. Norfolk is the title, not the name, it's traditionally Howard but the last pure Howard married a Boleyn.

3- I like to look at it as they were trying to preemptively kiss up and Anne saw through the BS but good eye! Thank u again bc I like reading banter so it's fun to throw in.

4- Yeah but think about it Henry's not overly concerned with alliances. Those are made and broken and blah blah plus he's already got superpower Spain on his side. He's thinking imports, riches, prestige for being able to negotiate his way into those far places! But lol you're right bc, in the end, he's still a careful man who wants to see how well Portugal does with them before he does anything. & yea! I think I touch on it more in this chapter too King Henry wanted a strong uncontested royal family. Bastards had nothing to lose everything to gain bc royal blood can be legitimized at will.

5- You and a few other readers must either be reading my outlines or I must be predictable as hell bc you hit it on the head dammit.

6- Love the feedback bc I find writing guys a little harder! Someone needs to give Harry that wake-up call bc he's a little slow to the uptake himself! Lol, it's like everyone's thinking ahead and planning (plotting) and he's just over there tryna have fun.

7- I love u and appreciate the binge! it's not the most binge-worthy bc its so short and I don't really update a lot but I really do appreciate the binge! and also the blitz reviews lol. I take ur two cents and raise you a dollar I write it cause I like it I post it bc readers/reviewers seem to like it too

ej101: Hi! Thank you, I'm glad! And yes sorry about that I put that info in an apparently now deleted rewrite announcement/prologue chapter No clue what happened to it, kinda sad. I aged them up because while I do like keeping it accurate as far as AUs go medieval marriageable age is a little gross. So, Anne: 16, Henry: 19, Arthur: 21, Katherine: 22. Still young but less gross for me.

addine995: Knock on wood I hope you're still busy but in a good way! Seriously, life can be super nuts but now with everything going on yikes I just hope you're well.

Thank you! I love that you love it and that it's well-received! I did really love the show and they did such a good job and it would be a crime not to slip pieces of it in IMO.

I wish supported emojis bc I wanna insert so many of the puppy face double heart ones.

Thank you! I literally have been trying to do better on my dialogue, the rule is show don't tell but it's hard! it's hard to portray the vibe and make sure each character is a character, not a caricature. Especially with Jane bc you already know how I don't like her and struggle with making her a multi-dimensional girl, not just a stupid, baddie, rival to Anne! It was my aim! that was my aim and y'all held up the target. Lol, remember when Charles got caught with Buckingham's daughter? he was always cheeky I loved that.

OlicityxSkyeWard: two words, love you? you rock? thank you? all three. so six words! Okay, so your review gave me extra food for thought, coupled with a few reviews from previous chapters I really was! I was gonna stick to the OG death dates, meaning Arthur's current Ludlow residence sets up his death, but idk I think I'm leaning more towards keeping the date and changing the year a little? for no other reason than added drama. Drop thoughts!