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

Thought It Over

The court convened for a special announcement from the King. Rumour had it, Henry was formally announcing which son would follow him to the throne after his death. Although, Prince Alexander was noted as the future King of England since the day the twins were born, he'd recently fallen from favor for his arrogance towards his brother. Despite being the same age, the princes were still seperate ranking because one was born first. Anne sat with her sons and daughter standing behind her throne as Henry walked from his audience chamber, flanked by his guards.

Everyone bowed at the sight of the king then rose once he sat down on his throne. "Lords and Ladies of England, as you might have heard, I've brought us together to formally present you a crown prince, who will be set above all others for my throne once I've entered the next life." Henry wasn't partically old, but he wasn't young anymore either. His last duties as king is to ensure a easy transition for his country. With this formal presentation of the crown prince no one will argue he wanted otherwise. "As of today and until my last day, my throne is kept for safe for Prince James, Duke of York."

As the words left his mouth fire sparked amongst the people. How could the King displace his eldest son? Everyone adored Prince Alexander and accepted him as their crown prince. "Silence....Silence! To question my will is to question the crown. To do such is treason and treasonous behavior will be answered with death!" As every went into a nervous silence, Prince Alexander stepped forward, kneeling before his parents. "Father, I beseech you. Rethink your decision. I've been groomed for the throne of England since birth. To take the throne from me, is to take away my birthright." Henry jumped from his throne, rage covered around his face, causing Alexander to stumble over. "You of the throne as if you are entitled to it!"

Alexander rose to his feet, standing face-to-face with his Father. "Because I am. I am your firsborn prince. I am Prince Alexander Tudor of Wales. I am first in line to the throne, simply because of who I am. Some decree of a piece of paper isn't going to change that, your majesty."  The venom in his voice did not go unnoticed by everyone close enough to hear it. "You are my Lord father & my King. I dare not challenge you." The angry prince bowed his head in respect to his parent, but then lifted it, looking directly to his younger twin. "But if you think I won't fight for my birthright, then you're a bigger fool than I thought." James glared at his upset sibling as their older sister watched in disappointment. "Enough! Alex that's enough! Father has made his decision. Pull yourself together before you say anything more. This isn't how someone of your rank considers appropiate behaves is it, or did you forget our mother is sitting right in front of you!"

The eldest prince faced his mother with an ashamed expression on his face as she gestured for him to fall in line. With his head lowered, Alexander walked backwards to his original postion, behind her throne. Henry rolled his eyes, sighing before dismissing everyone. Anne attempted to get his attention, but Henry stormed back to his chamber before she could. With a swift swing of her dress Anne turnt to her children. Before her son knew what was happening her hand collided with his cheek. "How dare you speak to your father like that in front of his court. Is that how you behave when things do not go your way? You throw a tantrum as if you were still four speaking to a servant at Hatfield. You forget yourself, Alexander. You threaten your brother in front of everyone and challenge your Father's decree." The prince held his cheek, listening to his mother's lecture, wishing he did handle things differently. "Your mistake may cost you your life!"

Her words sank in like a knife. Henry killed people for less, but he was the King's son. His threat, unlike others, could be fulfilled easily. He could raise an army in Wales with a snap of his fingers. They would think twice about putting him on the thorne. But why was it he had that kind of power? It was because they, like all other english commoners, saw Alexander for what he knew himself to be - the next king of england. His brows furrowed as his thoughts came together. He was the the eldest prince and groomed for the throne. James was nothing more than a spare, barely Kingly material. As Anne continued to lecture, Alexander raise his hand in a halting gesture. His mother stopped midsentence, ataken back that he stopped her.

But Alexander was wearing a smile on his face to everyone's surprise as his hand dropped from his face to his side. "What do I have to be sorry for, mother? I would fear for my life if what I said was not truth, but it is. Every word that came from my mouth is the truth. I am the eldest son and the English throne belongs to me, not James." He smirked, facing his twin. "My brother may fight for the throne after father is gone, if he wishes to do so. But he will fail. I have the backing of the majority of the English people, all of Scotland and Wales. What does James have? York and the small army of Denmark. I will ascend to the throne after Father dies, and anyone he wishes to support James may do so, but they will die. So enjoy borrowing my title of crown prince, James. It won't be for too long."

The eldest prince strolled away leaving his family in utter shock. Alexander laughed to himself. Go ahead and pass your decree Father, it won't matter once your dead. Nothing will stop be from having my birthright, especially not some scrap of paper. It'll be burned, along with everything you built. It'll all burn and from the ashes, I'll create a New England.