Tudor Roses & Romance

Chapter 15: Buried

War is hell. When it comes to war, there is a hard and fast rule, never retreat and never surrender. But whoever said that must not have realized enemies come in all sizes and disguises. Clothes may make a statement, but costumes tell the story. And there are people who look just like everyone else on the outside because that's their costume of choice. Except, really, they're complete maniacs underneath.

A disguise is a huge part of playing a character. It's almost as if your body soaks in what you're wearing. Little by little, you turn into something else entirely. You become the part you're portraying, consuming you, your time, life, and money. And at some point, you have to wonder, is it pretending, or is it for real?

People are like chameleons. They adapt to their surroundings or color of preference to either blend in or manipulate others into liking them or doing their dirty work. But in time, just like the season changes from summer to fall and the leaves turn their magnificent hues, the true colors are revealed in everyone. The importance of paying attention and not being colorblind becomes significant.

That's why it's been said a person should always sleep with one eye open and never take anything for granted. You never know, your best friends might be your enemies in disguise. From comrades to combat, anything is possible, especially in love and war. The road to evil is lined with many good intentions, especially from family.

Family is fascinating, even more so when there's a king at the head of it. You see, it becomes difficult to determine if you're speaking with His Majesty or just plain Father. Who is who? Which is which? And sometimes, the two become one. It's a perfect defense mechanism and a very cunning disguise. King Henry likes to do that often. It's one thing for him to give orders to a country or small children. It's entirely another to deliver them to grown family members. That is the easiest way to destroy any authority and erode respect. The moment Henry commanded his son-in-law, his oldest friend, to obey him set in motion events that no one could see coming.

It began with Henry demanding respect. All the way home to Suffolk, Charles brewed over that line. No matter how Mary tried to ease his tension (she tried very hard with her fingers kneading his neck muscles), the lingering irritation wouldn't leave. His wife even attempted a trail of kisses from his neck to his mouth. But that didn't work until they ended up in the spacious Westhrope Hall bedroom.

Only then did Mary's kisses perform their magic, and Charles's mind deflected elsewhere. He relished in her affection and let the wildfire in his heart spread. After connecting his lips with hers, Charles linked their fingers above her head and told her, "You're like bacon, Babe. You make everything better."

Then he traded her smile for a kiss but reflected her adoration in his eyes. The wildfire that started with a spark from her kisses and touches grew into a reckless burning blaze. That's fine because he's a man that doesn't mind playing with fire, and his wife is the perfect ignition for a firestorm. They both know that having an ideal flame is unusual and rare. Finding it brings wild freedom. This kind of love is uncharted, like those places not found on any map, ancient or new. Getting lost in their love is easy and exhilarating--- embers and echoes of the same heart on the same page.

With their hearts beat, beating out of their chests, "Life with you feels limitless," Mary whispered, basking in the glow of their passion.

As her head rested above his heart, Charles ran his fingers through his wife's lush hair, smiling. Life is like that with the one you love. He'd always believed that anything was possible regarding love and devotion, especially with the right person by your side. Any obstacle could be overcome. Yet that's a truth nearly everyone takes for granted.

Life is limitless, and anything is possible until it isn't. Early the following day, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, a television production crew arrived at the manor, making all kinds of racket. It was a complete intrusion of the peace the countryside delivers, and Charles was reminded how life now had limits. It was as welcome as an outhouse breeze and as mindnumbing as an entire month of Mondays could ever think of being. All in all, it served to make His Grace as ill as a hornet and madder than a cat in a rainstorm.