Empire of Dreams

*4*

What we knew was the possibility of Edward not liking our little dress-up. What we did not know was the royal court members who were in attendance for the dinner. The silence that fell over the dinner table the moment we entered the room made my stomach drop but Elizabeth's grip on our arms tightened in a defiant manner.

"Good evening" Mary greeted everyone with a smile which could probably convince anyone that everything was just like it was supposed to be.

The courtiers all stood up and bowed to us.

"What have you done" Aunt Catherine said vaguely.

The dinner was spent in friendly chatter though people would glance at us every now and then.

"Little ward boy, not so kingly now, is he? 10 year old still running with his thumb in mouth and asking to be called the king! England would do well with a Queen" Mary venomously whispered under her breath.

That night Catherine both scolded and appreciated us for this creative venture. We then spent the night together chatting, just the four of us. My mother returned, her excuse being exhaustion when we all knew about her argument with Edward.

I couldn't shake the feeling of seeing myself in the regal dress up. It had looked strikingly similar to my expression in the dream. I was still to tell Catherine about it and was in no hurry.

"So Mary, how's life? Has any man, peasant or royal, sweeped you off your feet?" Catherine questioned with a girlish excitement.

"Well... There is the young duke of Galicia. He is extremely handsome and is a proper king for when the time comes." Mary smiled conspicuously.

"He is not just there though, he is set to propose Mary soon! With his clever sister on the throne back home, he is sure to enjoy a life without restrictions" Elizabeth nudged her sister playfully.

"I hope this visit will reconnect us Mary, for I have missed you" Catherine said, hugging Mary close.

As the sun rose in the pink skies, I wondered how life changed with each little moment. In my abnormally long dream, Mary was this cruel and cold woman who only had sympathy for the crown and had imprisoned me because I was a former queen, no matter how brief my reign and eventually led me to my beheading. I did not even know Elizabeth well. But today because of little Mary, I was here and I had found sisters.

As our carriages prepared to take us back to the Sudeley Castle, it was unexpectedly Mary who came to embrace me first.

"I know you are not bad, but don't think I am making a mistake when I say that uncle of yours is. Be safe and be guarded around him. I shall be honoured to call you my sister."

"Come to meet us at Sudeley sometime" I implored at which Mary grinned, her face brightening with that pageant smile.

"I shall, but it would involve sending away your uncle, which I hope you do as soon as possible"

Next was Elizabeth, wrapping her arms around my neck lovingly. She was just as tall as me, both of us atleast a few inches over Mary, who looked like a teenager though already in the third decade of her life.

"Here, take this" Elizabeth handed me a breifcase.

"What is this?" I asked, surprised at the odd present.

"It's a part of the old queens each of us would like to keep" she winked mischievously. Edward and I shared a friendly smile and hand shake before he kissed mine and I curtsied.

The journey back was just me playing with little Mary while Catherine slept for most of the hours. It was late in the night when we arrived at Sudeley and were welcomed by my mother, Katherine and Mary.

Little Mary jumped up and down in excitement of meeting another namesake of hers while Katherine had other important news to share.

"I have convinced mother and father to let me train as a midwife!"

"That is marvellous indeed! You will become a doctor in no time, if you aim for the sky, but midwife is a good start"

"Yes, but that would take a lot of convincing. So, when is your debut ball?"

"Oh, I had not given it a single thought until now..."

"Well you should, because Father plans on using his connections to find you a proper match as soon as you come of age"

"But I will come of age in a few months!"

"Then soon will be your debut ball"

"Go to bed girls, it's late!" Mother started to shout as usual but Uncle Thomas pulled out his lute.

"Come on, let the girls have some fun! Let the music flow" he excitedly cheered and we all sat in a circle around the music room fireplace as he began to play soothing but interesting tunes.

His idea worked and I was the first to fall asleep in Aunt Catherine's lap.

After breakfast, mother informed me I was to go to Dussindale on my birthday, where a famous war had been fought a few years ago. I could get someone to accompany me if I wished so.

"But why mother?" I protested.

"Because your father says so. That is enough, Jane. We are funding this trip and you will find the carriage on the front gates here at dusk on that. No further arguments if you please"

"But what am I to do there, mother?"

"Your father has received an invitation from the former queen Anne of Cleves! I did not want to tell you but fine, now you know! She requests your presence and that you will give" mother let out a shaky breath, her anger and annoyance beyond her own control.

"Is anyone else-"

"I do not know, Jane. I am left in the dark though I am the reason our family has all these royal connections!"

She stormed out of the room in anger and for the first time, I could see her helplessness. She was a woman whose potential had been wasted because of a controlling husband. That was something which infuriated ger day and night, but she had never been able to express it.

That was when I began to understand people.

Another chapter down. In the next few chapters, there may be significant time skips, but I assure you I will try to make it as worth it as possible. I request you not to let it stop you from reading and enjoying the story, don't be sceptic, maybe I'll do an alright job of it.... ;)