Eternal Flame

Birth of an Heir-1533

Just a few months after the secret wedding, I was made Queen of England by Thomas Cranmer, and wore a French red flowing satin gown embroidered with gold jewels, in front of a rather small and mediocre crowd, to avoid any assassination attempts. A banquet was held afterwards. I was now the Queen and wife of King Henry VIII, for Cranmer nullified Katherine and Henry's marriage and declared my marriage to him legitimate. Katherine was stripped of her title and her daughter was now known as Lady Mary.
     A week later, Thomas Wyatt came to court to visit me.
"Your Highness."
I smile. "You know what?"
"No, I do not know."
"I have had a furious craving for apples, such as I have never had before."
"Apples?"
"Yes, apples. The King told me it was a sign that I was pregnant, but I told him it was nothing of the sort."
"If you are indeed pregnant, then I am very happy for you."
"Thank you, Master Wyatt. It is good to hear a good friend be happy for someone so close to them."
Many months later, my belly grew larger and larger.
"Madame de Marquess."
I smile, turning around to see the beloved face of my older sister. "No.....Sister." We embrace, my middle touching her.
"How are you, sister?" She looks down to rub my belly gently. "How are the both of you?"
"Very well. I am confident, and I believe in my own heart....that it is a boy! The King wants to tell everybody but I told him it should be a surprise."
"Very wise choice, sister."
A month passed. I felt some kicking. "THE BABY! HE IS COMING! HE IS COMING!"
After the painful child birthing process, the midwife's face was filled with disappointment once the lusty wails of a newborn was heard.
"What? What is it?"
"Your Highness, it is not a boy. It is....a girl...."
"What?!" She hands my child to me. Indeed it was a girl. "The King....what would he say?"
The King walks in, after waiting outside my bedchamber impatiently, with a look of excitement on his face. "How is my--"
I look at him with disappointment and shake my head. "I am so sorry...."
He understood the message and sighed. "You and I are both young, and with God's grace, boys will follow." I nod and he leaves. I look down at my little princess. "I shall name you Elizabeth. My mother and your father's mother had that name." The jousting tournament was canceled and King Francis could not become a godfather.
A few days later, Elizabeth was christened by Cranmer. A party was held in honor of Elizabeth's birth and christening. I sat next to the King. "Henry, Elizabeth was brought to court and everyone admired her. I believe she will be a great beauty."
"Of course she will. Look at her mother." I smiled.