The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Twenty-One: Rest

Queen Victoria

October 3rd, 1518

I sat beside Edward's crib and watched as he slept. It still amazed me how I gave birth two days ago and his christening was this morning. I named Morgana and Charles his godparents and he was christened by the Archbishop of Sussex.

The door opened and I turned to see Henry walking inside.

"I thought you were resting?" He asked as he closed the door and moved towards me.

"I am. The physician says I may not horse ride, engage in sex, or play archer. I can walk around though." I stated as I turned to Edward who was smiling.

"Has Mary seen him yet?"

"Yes, this morning your sister brought her by. She said he was so handsome." I stated with a smile.

"You have given me a son I have waited for. How shall I ever repay you?" Henry whispered as he went to touch me but I moved away.

"Every time you touched me. I imagine you with your whores." I whispered as I stood up. Before Henry could say anything Edward let out a cry and I reached down and scooped him out of the cradle.

"Vicky, what can I do to prove to you I won't?"

"How will I know you will not lie and do it again?" I snapped earning him to turned to me.

"You are the King of England. I was the daughter of the Duke of Cambridge. You have risen me up and by your command, I may fall once again. You may do as you please Henry. I love you. More than Catherine ever did." I began as I felt the tears building up in my eyes.

"I have given you everything. Your son you have waited for from the moment you became King. What must I do for you to stay loyal to only me?" I whispered as I rocked Edward gently in my arms.

"You have done enough Vicky. It is I who has to prove to you how much I love and adore you." Henry said as he walked towards me.

"I heard the rumor. Your whore Anne Boylen might be carrying your child." I stated and Henry looked at me.

"First was Bessie Blout. Who gave you, your first bastard son. Now her." I said with a laugh before I laid Edward back down. I leaned forward and fixed his blanket before I felt Henry standing next to me.

"What do you want me to do? Say it and it will happen."

"Invite Bessie and your son to court. If he is your child I will be a dutiful step-mother and Queen and welcome him. But he will be under my care and not hers."

"You want to rip him from his mother? He is not even a year old Victoria!"

"You said it would be anything and you would do it! Bessie is a whore and she will not be welcomed in our court." I hissed before I placed my hand on my stomach and sighed.

"What is it? What is wrong?" Henry asked as he eased me into the rocking chair.

"Nothing, just a pain in my stomach," I stated as I rubbed it softly.

"Should I fetch the physician?"

"No, my stomach has to get used to not having a child inside of it. The physician says I just have to walk around." I explained and Henry nodded.

"Then come take a walk with me. We can walk around the courtyard" He offered and I stared at him.

"I do not want to leave Edward just yet," I said but Henry smiled softly.

"We will be gone for half an hour the most. Lady Amelia can watch him. We picked her just for him." He said and I stared at him before looking at Edward.

"I don't want him to be raised by ladies who aren't his mother. I want him to know me and not just as the Queen but his mother." I whispered and Henry smiled as he reached for my hand and I allowed him to kiss it.

"You are his mother. And he will always know his Lady Mother. But for now, you must walk to ease the pain. Now come." He said and I smiled softly before standing up and following him out into the sitting room.

"Lady Amelia, you are to stay with Edward until I return for you. You will not leave him alone." I ordered and the older woman nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty." She said before I followed Henry outside. I wrapped my shawl around me and let the warm air hit my face.

"All Hallows Eve comes soon," Henry said and I nodded.

"I already ordered the cooks to start making sweets and cookies," I said and he smiled as he wrapped my around him and we turned towards the water fountain.

"May I ask why you want Bessie to bring my son?"

"He is your bastard son Henry! And if you recognize him publicly.." I began but Henry chuckled.

"I will not. People have already begun to send gifts for Edward."

"I want him here to be raised with his brother. I hated not having children around my age. I only had my brothers." I explained before we got to a bench and I sat down.

"Do you wish to write a letter to her?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yes, I'll write it when I get back to my chambers," I informed him and he nodded.

"Tell me what to do Vicky and I will."

"I love you Henry but I don't know if you love me. So you must prove to me you love me." I said as I stood up and looked around.

"I am going to my chambers to write to Bessie and then getting my child," I stated before I bowed my head to him and made my way inside the castle.

When I got my chambers I motioned for Megan to give me parchment and a quill.

"Who are you writing to?" She asked and I glared at her.

"I am your Queen and you are my servant. You wait on my hand and serve me alone. You do not ask me what I do and why. You serve with your mouth shut and be happy about it! Leave!" I ordered and she bowed her head before sitting back down.

Dear Lady Bessie,

You must wonder why I of all people am writing to you. You bore my husband a child. And now we are pulling rank. You will bring your son to court and spend your last day with him before he is in Henry and I care.

He will be raised alongside his brother Prince Edward Jonathan Tudor. He will be loved and cared for and you may seem him during the holidays.

Your Queen,

Victoria.

I looked over the letter before signing it and handing it to a maid.

"This is to be sent to Lady Bessie Blout. Only her." I said and she nodded before bowing her head and walking out of the room.