Empire of Dreams

*32*

There was a reason England had never had a queen. They were afraid of how much would change.

Edward was growing weaker by the day and though I refused to join the court, I accompanied him to the palace a week after that surprise breakfast. Aunt Catherine and Little Mary had stayed behind, not wishing to abandon the peace and quiet so fast. She had been disappointed at my departure but she wished me luck nonetheless. After all, the king was still her beloved stepson. She wanted the best for him and if not a long life, she wished atleast a peaceful death for him.

Edward could still walk around but he was very sick. He would vomit everytime after he ate and some blood would accompany the vomit. Then he would keep coughing and bleeding the rest of the day. He couldn't sleep well, partially due to all the major decisions he was going to need to take and partially because he was in physical pain.

I had taken over the office work completely. Any document that came was thoroughly read and signed by me before a signature from the king. He would lie on his bed and narrate letters which I copied fast to the best of my abilities. I had learnt a lot now and the documents were my strength. What I was bad at was rejecting odd and definitely high expectation that people set on me for no reason at all.

I still had hope that everything would work out due to just one thing--

The day after the breakfast, I had visited Elizabeth and Mary and told them all that was happening.

"That ward boy! Never imagined that he would grow up to be exactly like his father!" Mary shouted in anger.

Elizabeth had a quieter rage in comparison. Anger was what had bonded these two for such a long time, but still both expressed it contrastingly. Mary couldn't easliy be provoked, but once she was, she shout and smash thing and start crying sometimes. Elizabeth was short tempered, but just like her mother, she preferred to be isolated. She schemed in anger and dreamed of revenge. She didn't shout or react. She planned so that the other person would be shouting for mercy and forgiveness even from their graves.

They had both taken Edward in and brought him up, Mary more than Elizabeth because she was older and hence more capable. Once Edward had the crown though, he changed a lot. He never hated Elizabeth or Mary but he wasn't ready to give them what was rightfully theirs too and no matter how much he changed, he was still his father's son.

There was a lot of screaming, shouting and crying but finally all three calmed down and discussed the issue.

"I get it that he wants you to have the throne and Jane, as your sister, I support you wholeheartedly. I know you will be able to do this. But as the oldest daughter of Catherine of Aragon and King Henry VIII, it is my birthright to inherit the crown unless he has a male offspring and he didn't. So I may fight for my right and believe me, I won't go easy, but remember that we're just pawns in this game and there really isn't much I can help with in this situation. I can promise you nothing" Mary said.

"I think you can promise me something. Promise that you'll not get blind and lost chasing the crown. Be the Mary I always looked up to. And promise me this- you will not become a pawn in this game. Act like you're the player and every piece on the board is at your diposal. Play, don't get played" I told her.

Elizabeth hugged me tightly. "You'll make a wonderful Queen, sister. I still remember the day Catherine brought you to meet us. We have come a long way since then. We're nearing the end and I hope that will become a beautiful new beginning".

Elizabeth had given me hope and Hope was a very dangerous gift.