Everyone knows the story of Henry VIII and his first wife: Catherine of Aragon! But...what if he secretly loved another after they wedded on June 11th 1509?
Émilie Mallory Spinner, eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Birmingham, her mother di...
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Anne's perspective Today is the day. The day when I'll face the consequences for crimes I didn't commit. Despite knowing my innocence in my heart, I stand guilty in the eyes of my ex-husband, the very person who put me in this situation.
I'm truly alone now, George was dead. Papa abandoned me. Henry divorced me for his wench. Mary was away in Greece living her life. And then...her.
Émilie.
The one who got away.
Oh Heavenly Father, I wish to be free, free and home safely with my little Elizabeth. Oh, sweet Elizabeth...
"Are you nearly ready, Madam?" One of the tower maids asked, slipping on my shoes while another tied my hair into a tight upper bun and applied my blush.
"Ready as I'll ever be, my dear maids," I declared, as the eldest maid passed me a bracelet adorned with their portraits. Émilie, Elizabeth, Camille, Carlos, Savanna, Scarlet, and Serenity - my cherished family and the essence of my only home.
"Ready to be reunited with your little boy?"
"Yes...Oh, my sweet Tony...Mama will see you soon and we shall run on the warm sands of Heaven together, watching over your older sister." I looked down, glancing at Émilie's portrait and pressed my lips to it. "I love you, Émmie. I know you're married and I'm sorry for the hurt I caused you, but I wish to make things right...If you gave me a chance to prove myself..."
"It's time, Madam! It's 8:56, you're to be executed at 9:00 AM sharp."
"Thank you, Marie." Sighing, I popped the bracelet around my wrist as the other maids popped my mantle of ermine fur. I was ready as the bell rang, and it officially hit 9 O'clock.
This is it, Anne. This is a game of Life or Death and in the end, it will be decided if you live or die...But that wench will be in your place...
"Madam,"
"Master Kingston," I greeted, bowing before the lieutenant of the Tower Of London. "I assume you're here to tell me it's time..."
To my surprise, he shook his head. "No, Madam. I'm here to inform you that you're hereby declared innocent of the charges against you, which were falsely constructed by His Majesty and Lady Jane Seymour."
"Innocent?" I stared at him in disbelief, I couldn't believe it! Someone proved me to be innocent of those charges! Oh, thank the Heavenly Father! "Does that mean I won't lose my head?"
"Yes, Madam. You may keep your head. But unfortunately, one of your Ladies decided to go in your place to make sure the King wouldn't be suspicious once he came back from Wulfhall."
"What? Which of my Ladies?"
"I can't say, Madam. But the person who bailed you out is outside now waiting to see you."
"Alright, well, let them in!"
"Yes, Madam." He turned his attention to the guards. "Let her in, gentleman. Madam Boleyn wishes to meet and thank the one whose heart was generous enough to prove her innocence."
I followed his gaze as the guards opened the door, and my eyes widened in shock when I saw who it was.
It was her.
She was there, for me...
"Émmie!!!" It was her. The woman I see as my best friend with her arms open as I ran and hugged, tears threatening to fall as we held each other. "You're here...You're really here...But I thought..."
"Shhh! It's alright, Annie. Let's forget about it, you're safe now...I won't let him hurt you again."
"Promise?"
"I swear on our Holy Father, I will not allow him to hurt you again, Annie."
"Thank you...Émmie." I looked up at her, locking eyes with her as if we were in a plunging, captivating daze, neither of us wanting to wake up. "But how did you do it? They proved me guilty and George just got executed two days ago..."
She grinned at me as my nieces walked in. "It was easy, Annie. Serenity got the evidence from Henry's office and we showed it to the jury, as it turns out, none of it connects to form proper charges."
"So you proved me innocent and came for me?"
"Well, I sacrificed a few crowns outta my dowry so the guards would tell me what room you were in, but I suppose it was worth it."
"Oh, Émmie...I thank you and your girls so much for setting me free.." I then sighed, looking at the floor. "But I don't know if I can go back to Hever anymore. Papa and Mama probably wouldn't let me back in..."
"Then come back to Greece with us, Aunt Anne."
"To Greece? Oh, I don't know, Serenity."
"No worries, Aunt. Mama spoke with Mum already, and she's allowing you to come with us back to Greece tomorrow."
"But what about my little Elizabeth? Where will she go?"
Émmie sighed, "We don't know where she is, Annie. All we know is she moved out of Hatfield yesterday afternoon after Henry annulled your marriage and Elizabeth was declared illegetiment."
"But don't worry, Lady Bryan is taking care of her and she'll write to us and tell us all about her milestones while you're in Greece, trust us."
"So, will you come? Aunt Mary is also very excited to see you again, as Catherine and Henry are."
"Well, I don't suppose I have anything left to offer to England anymore, so..." I thought about it, Elizabeth. My darling heart. But I know she's in good hands with Lady Bryan. "Alright, I'll go back to Greece with you."
"Wonderful! I'll let Angie know you're coming. But for now, let's get out of here, I don't remember the last time someone had this place properly cleaned."
