On The Edge Of A Golden World: Anne Boleyn Lives On

Family Drama

Jane's P.O.V

All the courtiers and ladies are split onto two side of the throneroom as Henry and I sit upon our thrones waiting the annoucement of Elizabeth's and Annebelle's arrival. Anne is already standing in the crowd, right below Henry's throne. The herald stomps his staff and calls to make way for the princesses. "Make way for her highness, Princess Royal Elizabeth, make way. Make way for her highness, Princess Annebelle, make way." The entire crowd behind to bow and curtsey as Elizabeth walks in. Her governess, Lady Kat a few strides behind her. Elizabeth never allows her head to faulter or her back to lose posture as she walks to our throne. Once reaches the bottom of the dais which our thrones are settled upon, Elizabeth curtseys to us. "I ask for your majesties permission." Henry rises from his throne and steps down the dais. "My beloved jewel." He guides back into a standing position, then kisses her cheeks. "Happy birthday, my dear." She gives him a classic tudor smile. "Thank you, Papa."

I rise from my throne, prepared for him to formally present her to me, but he turns her in Anne's direction. "Did you greet your beloved mother?" The court goes into a whispering uproar as Anne's steps forwards, and curtseys then rises. "Happy birthday, my dazzling jewel." Elizabeth hugs her mother. "Thank you, Mama." Anne gestures for Elizabeth to sit down, and the little brat follows her mother's directions blindly. My brothers' eyes me and then I eye Henry who pays me no mind as he returns to his throne. I follow suit, not willing to cause a scene as Annebelle is carried into the throneroom by Lady Bryan. Before Henry can rise to greet them first, I do. Lady Bryan surprised, curtseys lowly to me but send worried glances to my husband. "Welcome Lady Bryan back to court." She rises with the Annebelle in her arms. I lean down to the baby's level. "And you too, little Annebelle."

Without a warning a take Annebelle from Lady Bryan's hold and into my own. Annebelle looks me over once with her icy blue eyes and her bottom lip beins to quiver. Everyone is an awe with our lovable scene, excluding Anne, until Annebelle breaks in out crying. Lady Bryan looks between myself, a upset Anne and a panicked Henry, unsure if she should intervene. I begin to rock the small child to no avail. Henry rises from his throne, forcing a smile on his face as he rips the little girl from my arms. "Our little Princess does not seem to favor being held by strangers." Henry hands Annebelle over to Anne, who moves from the crowd to the dais to take her child. "Lady Anne, take Princess Annebelle to the royal nursey for a nap. She obviously needs one." Anne scowls at me, but curtseys and leaves to the nursey. The courtiers did not take notice of the tension between of us, instead were too enticed by Henry's disapproving looks he was sending me.

He takes a large sigh, before forcing a smile on his face. "Lords and Ladies, please help me in granting our beloved Princess Elizabeth a wonderful birthday." Everyone applauds the King's toast and Elizabeth kicks her feet and claps her hands. I however wish for the entire cermony to end.
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Henry's P.O.V

Anne grumbles out more as she watches our eldest child play. I taker her hand in mine , but she pulls away. "Anne, I apologize for Jane's behavior today." Her dark locks swing as her entire head faces my direction. "One day, Henry. I have not even been here an entire day and Jane has decided to turn my life into hell. She dares to command me what to do with my child, our daughter, and you say nothing to her." I smirk. "What happened to I can't rescue you all the time?" She rolls her eyes. "Jane is your wife. I cannot openly disregard her commands. I am a mere Duchess." I take her hand once more. "You are the mother of my Princesses. She have somewhat equal ranking to Jane. All I ask is that you do go looking for trouble with her." Anne throws her head, giggling. "If anyone is searching for trouble it's Jane. It's like she has kind of vindetta against our children, which I do not understand. She is the mother of the Prince of Wales, the next King of England." It's my turn to pull away now. Anne give me a questionable look. "Unless something else has happened?"

I glance down at my hands. "Edward is always getting sick. His immune system is weak. I have to keep him locked away from the outside world for fear he might catch even the slightest cold and die. I've had him examined by more than three phycians and they all reach the same conclusion." Anne grabs my hand. "And, what did they say?" I face to her. "He will not survive to adulthood. This is why Jane is on edge with Elizabeth at court. She knows that with that Edward can die at any moment and Elizabeth will become heir apparent once again." Anne's grip tightens. "Have another son, Henry. She did it once, surely another will follow." Tears weld in my eyes. "Edward's birth left her unable to carry another full term, according to midwives and royal physician. She may fall pregnant, but chances are the baby will be born a stillborn or deformed. The only soulution to her carrying a healty child is to have it cut out prematurely, which risk the lives of both Jane and the child." Anne remains silent, unsure what to say next. "I'm once again trapped in marriage with a barren wife."