The Queen That Split History [Story of Anne Boleyn]

Chapter Thirteen: A New Beginning

Katherine's POV:

It had been a few days since me and Charles met with the King, he told us we would help him get Anne's forgiveness. I was furious for being pulled into helping Henry, It felt like a betrayal to Anne in some way. I don't really understand why he think's it is so difficult, Anne never stopped loving him. Anne was just hurt and rightfully so. Any woman would be hurt after enduring what Anne did. Henry was Anne's epic love, a love so great it would make history one day for the future generations to come. That I was certain of.

I stood in front of my mirror holding onto the sides as my maid tied my corset, lost in thought of my current situation and thinking of what my next steps would be as I stared at my reflection trying to prepare myself for what I would say to Anne to get her to forgive him. I knew I shouldn't be helping him but he gave us a deal we couldn't refuse...

Flashback Third POV:

"Why on earth would I help you?" Katherine asked annoyed, Charles stood by her confused on how he could be of any help to his King. Henry was a good friend of Charles so he was more than happy to help his friend but of course Katherine would need more convincing than that. It was a trait he admired about Katherine, he always admired her honesty no matter how harsh it may be.

"Because if you help me, I will grant you your freedom. I will annul your marriage to Charles and give you a good title so you can start fresh...then you can leave and never have to return if that's what you wish." Henry spoke leaning back in his chair, Katherine's expression softened, Charles saw something in her flicker. The strong cold Katherine that Charles thought he knew seemed to be conflicted, however she did not show it long as she straightened her posture and held her head up high.

"Deal" Katherine spoke, Charles eyes widened surprised by Katherine's choice to accept his deal, was it really that bad being married to him?

Henry smiled at his success which Katherine could see clear as day, Katherine looked at him her brown eyes met his "I want it in writing. I'm smarter to just take your word for it." Katherine spoke, Henry nodded "That can be arranged." he spoke "is that all?" he arched a brow, Katherine nodded.

"Good, then you're dismissed...for now." he spoke

Charles POV:

I entered the room to find Katherine getting dressed, her maid tying her corset behind her as she stood in front of the mirror staring at her reflection. Katherine's eyes met mine through the mirror as she felt my presence, she sighed as she looked at her maid dismissing her with a nod, the maid would curtsey before taking her leave. Leaving it with just the two of us in the room alone, I walked over helping her with her corset.

"You do not have to do this you know..." I spoke, Katherine looked back at me through the mirror once again, her gaze meeting mine. "I know." she spoke, I chuckled as I tied her corset tight, her body tensing as I did "Is being married to me that bad?" I ask, Katherine's gaze dropped from mine. Did she just?

I wrapped my arm around her waist turning her around to face me as I grabbed her chin forcing her to look up at me as I held her chin in my hand, her brown eyes meeting mine as an angry expression on that pretty face of hers appeared. "Answer me." I demanded, she blinked a few times not giving me an answer, I tightened my grip around her waist. "What are you doing?" Katherine asked, I looked at her not loosening my grip. "Trying to understand you better." I replied, her expression softened.

"Understand me better?" she asked, I nod "You are a big mystery. No one seems to know your story, you have no family and don't share anything about your childhood or past. You come across as cold, you give off no warmth and when it comes to you, you are incredibly selfish. Why?" I asked searching her eyes for some sort of explanation. Katherine was clearly thrown off guard by my actions and my sudden questions. "A story that no one needs to know your grace" she spoke, I scoffed at her reply.

"Bullshit." she looked at me "Excuse me?" she asked confused by my statement, I sigh before explaining "You think I don see you? I see you. I see your sad eyes, your loneliness and the fight's you have with yourself. You feel stuck. What I don't understand is what happened to you to be so bad that you can't let your guard down for one minute? You are manipulative, cunning, cold and selfish but something tells me that isn't really who you are. So who are you Katherine? What's your story?" I asked. Katherine pushed against my chest "I do what I have to do to survive." she sighed moving away from me, Indicating I pressed a button.

"I look after myself your grace, I have been doing it for a decade. I don't need to change that now all because you can't understand me. I am everything you said, do not waste our time trying to see beneath the surface because I promise you, you will just be disappointed." Katherine walked away grabbing the other parts of her dress to finish getting ready.

"We need to be united Katherine for this to work. I need you with me not against me" I followed behind her, she let out another sigh. "I am not against you." she spoke, I move a strand of her hair away from her neck. "Can I trust you?" I ask, she looked up and tensed "Can I trust you?" she asked. I nod "Yes.". "Then you can trust me." she looked back down. "Then show me..."

Katherine's POV:

I placed my necklace on my neck as Charles stood behind me while I hovered over my dressing room table, trying to finish getting ready. I was growing tired of his sudden need to know about my life and past, he was right that we needed to work together but why did that need to include my past? Maybe the girl I used to be was still there somewhere but I could barely see her when I looked in the mirror now. I didn't have time to feel guilty about who I was now. I did what I had to and that wasn't something a MAN was going to understand. He has no idea what it is like to be a woman in this life.

"Katerina..." I whispered, Charles perked up behind me his expression softened as he stepped closer. "What?" he asked, "My real name is Katerina Petrova" I repeated, he looked at me as I turned back to face him, his grey blue eyes meeting mine as he looked down at me confused as I filled him with more questions. "Katerina..." He spoke, I nodded. "Is that good enough?" I ask watching him process what I just told him. I could see he had more questions but he didn't seem to push further than that, he nodded giving me a soft smile.

"Yes." He spoke and kissed my hand while keeping his eyes on mine, my heart raced for a moment, a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time. I kept my head held high to hide my surprise from his response. He let go of my hand and walked towards the door my eyes on his back the whole time, he stopped before opening the door and looked at me over his shoulder. "I much prefer Katerina..." he spoke before turning the door handle and making a swift exit.

I stared at the now closed door where he made his exit, I placed a hand over my chest as I felt my heart racing. I took a deep breath and looked at the hand he had just placed kiss on, my wedding ring catching my attention. I let out a sigh as I think of that interaction we just had. Why was he asking all these questions now? why was my heart racing like this? I didn't even think it were possible for a man to have that effect now. The way he looked...

I quickly shake my head as an attempt to push those thoughts out my head, I take another breath and pour myself a glass of water. I remind myself to stay focused and not let a man like Charles distract me with his want to understand me better. I take a look in the mirror and take a minute to try find that girl Charles claims he saw a glimpse of, was she really still in there?

I tilt my head at my reflection hoping I may see her, even if she was here. It has been so long that I am not even sure I remember what she looks like....