The Queen's Gambit tells the story of a rekindled obsession as King Henry VIII reunites with his childhood companion, the captivating Princess Eleanor, who has just returned to England from Italy. Once close, their bond now ignites into a dangerous...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Eleanor remembered the day she left court like a story she had written herself. Every movement, every word she had spoken that evening had been deliberate, calculated. Her gown of deep emerald silk flowed behind her as she walked through the grand halls, her every step echoing in the silence. The courtiers who lined the hallways watched her in awe, their whispers following her like a trail of admiration. It had been the beginning of her carefully orchestrated departure from Henry's world, a move that left him yearning and desperate for her return.
As she passed the final column before exiting the palace grounds, Eleanor's gaze fell upon Edward Seymour. He stood alone near one of the towering marble statues, dressed in dark, elegant clothing that highlighted his tall and composed figure. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, there was a spark—something unspoken that flickered between them. Edward, with his quiet intensity, had always been different from the other men at court.
"Eleanor," he greeted, stepping forward with a bow that was respectful yet filled with a personal warmth. His gaze lingered on her longer than propriety allowed. "Leaving so soon?"
She smiled softly, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "The court grows tiresome. I thought it might be better to enjoy the peace outside."
Edward's eyes softened as he watched her. "Court will be dull without you."
Eleanor tilted her head slightly, the corner of her lips curving into a knowing smile. "You flatter me, Edward. I'm sure it will carry on just fine."
Edward took a step closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "Perhaps, but not as gracefully. You leave a mark wherever you go, Eleanor. Even the king feels your absence."
There was something in the way he said her name that made Eleanor pause. She had known for some time that Edward's feelings for her ran deeper than friendship, though he had never voiced them openly. He respected her too much to be bold, and that made him different from the others. She enjoyed his company because he understood her in a way others did not. But she also knew how to keep him at a distance, how to play the game without crossing boundaries.
"You give me far too much credit," she said gently, her eyes meeting his with an innocent gleam. "But perhaps I needed a reminder of why I leave. The king's court is not the only place to find... enjoyment."
Edward's expression remained composed, but the subtle flush in his cheeks betrayed his emotions. "You'll find more than enough reasons to return, Eleanor," he said softly, his voice filled with quiet affection. "The king may not admit it, but without you, the court feels... hollow."
She smiled again, but this time, it was more teasing, her eyes twinkling with a playful light. "You speak as if the king's world revolves around me."
Edward chuckled, though there was a serious edge to his tone. "Perhaps it does more than you realize."
Before Eleanor could respond, another voice interrupted them from behind.
"Speaking of the king's world," Charles Brandon's familiar, smooth tone cut through the air as he approached, a roguish grin on his lips. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."
