The Belle of Birmingham (The Tudors x Shera)

~Death...~

October 24th 1538
Hampton Court Palace
England

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Henry strode briskly through the corridors of Hampton Court Palace, the physician trailing closely behind, with a retinue of servants in tow. "What do you mean she won't last long?"

"The Queen's health is deteriorating rapidly, Your Majesty." The physician answered, trying to keep up. "Yesterday evening, she had a loosening of her bowels and we felt for sure we could save her!" He then sighed, "Unfortunately, as the night wore on, her fever only grew worse."

"..."

"We've tried everything we could think of, but Her Majesty's health only continues to plummet deeper."

As Henry entered Jane's bed chamber, his heart sank at the sight of his beloved, Sweet Jane looking so weak, fragile, and ill as she lay in the comfort of her bed. Beside her was a vacant cradle, the one where their supposed daughter should have been peacefully sleeping. Instead, she was pronounced dead four days ago, having only lived for one night.

"It's childbed fever..." Henry whispered, his heart heavy with sorrow as he looked at Jane's dull, creamy complexion. "I know because that's what killed my Mother when she brought my little sister, Princess Katherine Tudor, into this world, only for her to die the same day." He then glanced at the cradle beside Jane's bed. "Where is it? Where's our child and why is the cradle empty?"

Everyone went dead quiet, none wishing to inform the King of the news of the tragic fate that befell the young Princess, none wanting to find out how he'd react to losing 9 of 12 legitimate children.

"Well, OUT with it!"

Finally, after minutes crawled by, Lady Rochford came forward. "Your Majesty. I'm afraid I must inform you that your child, a beautiful Princess, has been pronounced dead from unknown causes for four days now."

"What...?"

"It's true, Your Majesty." Lady Missledon stepped in. "The Princess was healthy and alive when she was born, but the next morning was declared dead and unresponsive...The rest, only Madam's sister, Dorothy knows."

"Dorothy?"

Ursula nodded, "Yes, she was the last one to see Jane and the little Princess before the news of the girl's sudden death had reached our attention."

So, Jane's little sister knows where my daughter is? "Where is she, where's that sweet sister-in-law of mine? I need to get some answers from her."

"Unfortunately, Your Majesty. The Lady Dorothy Seymour was spotted leaving the castle yesterday, back to Wulfhall or some other estate, we don't know."

Henry let out a heavy sigh. First, he lost his daughter from his marriage with Jane, and now he faced the possibility of losing his beloved third wife to the same illness that took his Mother. He was desperate for answers, feeling betrayed for not being informed in time. Now, the only person who could provide closure was no longer in court.

"Get out...The lot of you. Leave."

Everyone bowed as they ushered each other out one by one. Leaving the heartbroken King alone with his ailing Queen. The only woman who he loved dearly and provided him with England's Prince Of Wales. Their son, Edward.

His heart lurched with pain and grief as he approached the bed, leaning in to kiss Jane's pale bluish-pink lips for what would be the final time. Holding her hand, he couldn't help but notice the glint of the carte-cut diamond tied into her dusty golden ring, catching whatever light the room could muster.

"Don't go..." He whispered, glancing at Jane. "Please, don't go...Just because you did what you promised, please don't leave me." He begged for he knew all too well what was happening. "You are the milk of human kindness...The light in my dark, dark world." The sorrow continued to creep in, threatening water to plunge from the irises of crystal blue. "Without you, Sweet Jane, life is a desert...a howling wilderness."

Looking out the window, Henry could only think to pray to the Holy Lord himself. "Please, God. In your grandest mercy, don't take her away from me..." Sniffling, he proceeded to beg. "My son needs his Mother...and I need my Queen." He sighed, stroking Jane's mousy blonde locks while still holding her hand.

He begged her to stay, but it was already too late.

On this day, October 24th 1538, at 12:02 PM, at Hampton Court Palace, the remarkable life of Jane Margery Seymour, Queen Consort of England and the precious 3rd wife of King Henry VIII, came to an end at the age of 30. Her legacy lives on through their son, Prince Edward Henry Tudor, and their cherished daughter who was believed dead.

But what they didn't know, was that their daughter was alive, saved by Greek and Scottish Royals who now raise as their own...Away from her Mother and her family.

As Princess Ayleen Emilia Rose Callis, Princess Royale Of England, Greece and Scotland.