The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chspter Seventeen: A True Queen

Queen Victoria of England

September 20th, 1518

I walked down the halls with Mary beside me as we prepared for the Queen and King of Scotland to come. I had now two months left in pregnancy and word has spread of Mary Boylen.

"Your Majesty!" A voice cried out and I turned to see Charles Brandon walking towards me.

"Charles, what can I do for you?" I asked as Mary reached up and held my hand.

"We have been searching for you, Your Majesty."

"Has something happened to my husband?"

"No, Your Majesty a letter has come for you from the Pope. News has reached him that Henry took another." Charles said and I glared at him.

"Yes, Mary Boylen. If I remember correctly when I was first brought to court she was presented to him but he said no because he had his eyes set on me."

"That is correct Your Majesty," Charles said as he bowed his head.

"Have the letter in my chambers. Mary and I have to prepare for Margaret to come." I said as we heard barking and I looked to see Lord Julien coming towards me running with Dash.

"Dash, heel!" I ordered and my dog stopped running and sat in front of me. I let Mary bend down and scoop Dash into her arms and hand her to me.

"Please Victoria, Henry wants to know what the Pope has addressed to you," Charles begged and I let out a laugh.

"Tell him the Pope has written to a True Queen. Henry knows the Pope sides with me alone. He wants to know what the Pope has said to me then he better remember who his true queen is." I began as I turned and led everyone towards the throne room where we would greet the Scottish royalty.

"I was thinking for you to be with us when your Aunt and Uncle come," I said and Mary grinned as she sat in front of the thrones with Dash.

"Can I wear a crown?"

"Of course, that same crown you wore when I came to court," I said as Emilia handed me a scroll of parchment.

"Alright, are the bouquets of thistles ready?"

"Yes, the florist is preparing them now."

"Wonderful, I want at least five here when they arrive and them some in Margaret's chambers," I said as I looked down the list.

"Then for lunch, we will be surviving which is Haggis-" I began as the door opened and in came Henry holding a letter in his hand.

"Leave! Now!" Henry yelled and Mary jumped before Emilia rushed to Mary and led her out the room.

"Your Majesty?" Julien asked as I handed him the scroll.

"Stand outside the door, Julien," I ordered and he nodded as he walked past us.

"If I remember correctly when we married you swore you would not take another." I hissed and Henry glared at me.

"I have needs! And you are pregnant!"

"Yes! I am pregnant with your child Henry!" I sneered and he stared at me.

"Someone told the Pope I have a mistress and he has written to you and I want to know what he says." He said and I snatched the letter out of Henry's hands and broke it open.

"Dear Queen Victoria of England,

It has been stated that your husband King Henry VIII has taken another. My dear girl, I know people have warned you of him and how he would not do this to you but he always has.

If Henry decided to take another wife, my dear girl, you will be protected along with your unborn child. But we will go to war with Henry.

Your Eminence,

The Holy Pope." I read as I folded the letter and looked at Henry.

"What have you said to him?" Henry hissed and I rolled my eyes.

"Henry people have waited for a true Queen to sit beside you since your mother died. The Pope granted you divorce after people said he would go to war with you." I began as my hands traveled to my stomach.

"I am carrying your heir, Henry. Your son and instead of patiently waiting for me to give birth you take another." I finished as I placed the letter back into his hands.

"I am a true Queen and as a true Queen, I have the Pope on my side and unlike Catherine who was always scared to use that force. I won't."

Henry stared at me before I bowed softly.

"Have a wonderful day, Your Majesty. I must finish preparing for your sister to arrive."