𝐇𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 (CLOSED IM GOING TO REWRITE THE STORY)

Chapter 5-a dangerous mission

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over Hampton Court. The palace was shrouded in an unsettling silence, broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind. In the shadowed corridors, three figures moved stealthily, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and determination.

Katherine Howard, her eleven-year-old sister Jane, and her loyal lady-in-waiting Maria Hatt were on a mission that could spell the difference between life and death. Lady Margaret had confided in Katherine earlier that day, warning her of damning papers in King Henry VIII's possession—papers that could lead to her arrest and downfall.

"Are you sure about this, Katherine?" Maria whispered, her eyes reflecting the flickering light of the torch she carried.

Katherine nodded, her expression resolute. "We have no choice. If those papers exist, we must find them. It's the only way to protect myself."

Jane clutched her sister's hand tightly, her young face set with determination. "We can do this, Katherine. We have to."

The three of them moved silently through the palace, avoiding the patrolling guards with practiced ease. As they approached the King's private chambers, Katherine's heart hammered in her chest. They had planned meticulously, but the risks were immense. If they were caught, the consequences would be dire.

Maria took a deep breath and approached the heavy wooden door of Henry's chambers. She produced a small, slender tool from her sleeve and began to work on the lock. Katherine and Jane kept watch, their eyes darting nervously down the corridor.

After what felt like an eternity, the lock clicked open. Maria pushed the door ajar, and they slipped inside, closing it softly behind them. The room was grand, filled with rich tapestries and ornate furnishings, but their eyes were drawn to the massive oak desk that dominated the space.

Katherine moved swiftly to the desk, her hands trembling slightly as she began to search through the papers scattered across its surface. Maria and Jane stood guard, their ears straining for any sound of approaching footsteps.

"Here," Katherine whispered, pulling out a stack of documents tied with a ribbon. Her eyes scanned the top sheet, and her blood ran cold. It was a detailed account of accusations against her, compiled by those who sought her downfall.

Jane stepped closer, her young face pale. "What does it say?"

Katherine's voice was barely a whisper. "It's everything—rumors, lies, all designed to turn the King against me."

Maria's eyes flashed with anger. "We need to take these. They can't be used against you if they're gone."

Katherine nodded, quickly bundling the papers together. "We must hurry."

As they turned to leave, the door creaked open, and a figure stepped into the room. It was Lady Margaret, her face etched with urgency.

"Hurry, someone is coming," she hissed.

The four women moved swiftly, slipping out of the room and down the corridor. They took a circuitous route back to Katherine's chambers, avoiding the main pathways. By the time they reached the safety of Katherine's rooms, their nerves were frayed, but they had the incriminating papers in hand.

Katherine sank into a chair, clutching the documents to her chest. "Thank you, Margaret. Without your warning, I would never have known."

Lady Margaret nodded, her expression grim. "We are not safe yet, Katherine. Those who plotted against you will not give up easily."

Katherine looked at Maria and Jane, drawing strength from their unwavering support. "We will destroy these papers, and we will find a way to expose those who seek to harm me."