The Belle of Birmingham (The Tudors x Shera)

~Henry's Rose~

August 5th 1540
Nonesuch Palace
England

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After marrying his fifth wife, Queen Kathryn Joyce Howard of England, and Cromwell's execution, Henry took them to the newest Palace of England, Nonesuch Palace, just days later.

Now inside that very Palace, Kathryn was to be greeted and introduced to her step-children.

"His Royal Highness, The Prince Of Wales, Prince Edward Henry Tudor! Son of King Henry VIII and Queen Jane Seymour."

Then came Lady Bryan holding the little Prince's hand. Her curly mousy blonde hair framed his crystal blue eyes, a mere replica of his late Mother.

"Hello, Your Majesty."

Kathryn smiled at the little 3-year-old boy. "Hello, your Grace. I'm delighted to be in the presence of England's future King."

"Hmm, is he well, Lady Bryan? Eating well? That is the heat effective, even though it's so hot, he must always be wrapped up against any sudden change."

"He's very well and healthy. Every care that could be taken is taken for his better comfort."

"Hmm, on the other hand, don't spoil him too much!" Henry playfully stated, lifting Edward off his feet, and spinning him around before setting him down. "Go on, be a good boy, do you hear?"

"Yes, thank you, Sir. Good day, Madam." Edward gives them a low bow before walking out while holding Lady Bryan's hand.

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Elizabeth Anne Tudor! Daughter of King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn!" As Elizabeth entered the room with her Ladies following behind. A lush fiery red hair curled and braided, trailing down to her mid-back.

"Welcome, Elizabeth." Henry greeted her, taking her hands in his. "This is my daughter, Elizabeth."

"Your Majesty. I am honoured to be presented to you, and I wish you every joy and happiness."

Kathryn chuckled at the 7-year-old girl. "It is also an honour for me to meet you, Elizabeth. You are a very pretty young Lady."

"Thank you, Madam."

"Ah! I also want to give you this." Reaching behind her neck, Kathryn pulled off the stunning pearls that adorned her neck and handed them to Elizabeth. "They're not much of value but they will remind you of me."

"Hmm, your Majesty is very generous. I will always cherish it. Your Majesty."

Henry watched as Elizabeth bowed and left, she may bear an appearance similar to him, but deep inside, she bore her Mother's personality.

Anne...

"Darling, you said you had three more daughters?"

"Hmm? Oh! Yes, I do, one from my first marriage and older twin girls from a Mistress."

"I see, so when shall I meet them?"

"Well, I'm afraid Lady Mary is quite busy with her studies, and her older sisters, Lady Serenity and Lady Scarlet are busy with their own lives," He kissed her hand, smiling affectionately at her. "But I will try and arrange a meeting for you to meet them."

"Very well, I look forward to it."

"As do I, my dear Rose."

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August 8th 1540
Paraquat Palace
Greece

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"Are you excited?" Émilie asked one morning, as she laid her head on Anne's bare chest after a long and passionate twilight of intimacy together.

"Excited for what, exactly?"

Émilie rolled her eyes playfully. "Come on, it's going to be our wedding day in 3 months. How can you not be excited about that, Annie?!"

"Hmm, I'm only teasing, love. Of course, I'm excited! I'll finally be allowed to call you my Wife and Mother of my children!" Her gaze turned sad. "It's a pity you became infertile though. I was looking forward to sensing the little kicks of the tiny infant that would one day thrive inside your womb..."

"I know, Annie...But we have enough children now, and Angie and I agreed to stop trying for children after I penetrated my late twenties."

"Hmm, well, with the hope of the Holy Lord, and maybe enough prayers, we can have more babies together...The three of us..."

"We'll see...Annie. But maybe one day..."

"One day."