The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Twenty-Two: Lady Bessie

Queen Victoria

October 10th, 1518

I sat in the courtyard with Henry as I held Edward who was tightly wrapped in his blankets. Bessie had responded to my letter saying she knew this moment would come and would bring her child to court.

"Did she name him?" I asked and Henry shrugged.

"I only knew she gave birth when Charles informed us both." He said before we heard footsteps and I looked to see a blonde woman holding a child in her arms walking with Charles and Julien.

"Morgana, come take Edward please," I called out and my lady nodded as I laid my child in her arms. I stood up when Henry did as they stopped in front of us. They all bowed and I watched when Bessie stood up.

"Lady Bessie Blout, welcome back to court," I said and she turned to me.

"When my Queen calls I shall answer. Congratulations on the birth of your son. In my villiage, it was widely celebrated." She said and I smiled.

"Thank you. His name is Edward Jonathan. What is this lovely child's name?" I asked as I looked at the little blonde boy in front of me.

"Henri FitzRoy." She said and I raised an eyebrow.

"You gave him your husband's last name."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I was instructed to do so."

"By Wolsey, I bet?" Henry asked and I smirked at his tone.

"May I?" I asked and she nodded as she turned Henri towards me. I lifted the little boy and smiled.

"Hola pequeño. Bienvenido a la corte." (Hello little one. Welcome to court) I whispered as I placed him on my hip. He grinned toothlessly at me before nestling into my neck.

"He likes you," Bessie said as her voice cracked.

"You will always be his mother. But Vicky and I agree he should be raised at court where we can keep an eye on him. Our enemies know of him and might use him against me." Henry said and Bessie nodded.

"I carried him inside of me for nine months. Was in labor for two days. I have had wonderful months with him. Please take care of him."

"With my life. He is my son's brother. He will be raised as the brother of a prince." I informed and Bessie nodded.

She looked over at little Henri and smiled.

"Momma loves you, Henri. You will grow big and strong and be brilliant beyond compare. You are the son of a King. Remember that always." She said and it took every fiber in me not to smack her across the face.

"Is it true? That your former mistress Anne Boylen is pregnant?"

"Wonderful! Now others know!" I hissed as Lord Julien took Henri out of my arms.

"It is true. But she has been with others so we do not know if it is my child." Henry said as he glared at Bessie.

"I believe it is yours. You will never change Henry. Countless times when Queen Catherine was pregnant you took mistresses and shoved it in her face."

"She is not the Queen! I am!" I hissed as I stepped towards her.

"No, you are not! You are the daughter of a powerful Duke but nothing more than what I was! I came here today by your order to hand my son over. My boy! I did that before you could." She hissed and I glared at her.

"I will have your head!"

"So be it! I come speaking the truth and you know it Victoria! Henry will never change! Anne Boylen is carrying his child and more will. You have the power of the Pope! Use it!" She said before a guard grabbed her.

"Thank the heavens your son will never hear your lies. I will be a better mother than you will ever be." I hissed and Bessie sneered at me.

"Take her to the tower and have her await executions tomorrow at noon!" Henry ordered and the guards nodded before dragging Bessie away.

"He will never change!" I heard Bessie called out and I glared at her before turning around.

"Vicky?" Henry began but I held my hand up.

"Leave me alone, please. Just for right now." I whispered as I stepped away from him.

"No!"

"I beg your pardon?"

"No, I will not leave you alone. I have left you alone from the moment you gave birth and it has pushed you far away from me. You will push me away no more." Henry said and I felt the anger build up inside of me.

I looked around and saw people beginning to stare at us.

"I have every right to push you away. You have humiliated me! I have climbed my way up and became Queen! I speak for my people and now they all believe me as a joke!" I hissed and Henry stared at me.

"I am humiliated! I do not care if you flirt with women Henry. I flirt. But when you take them to bed it is when I draw the line!" I said as I stepped towards him.

"You want my love back, stop treating me like you treated Catherine! Because I swear you abuse my love anymore I will use my power of the Pope against you." I said before I turned and took Edward out of Morgana's arms and we began our way back inside the castle.

All you could hear was our footsteps before I stopped at a window.

"Your Majesty?" Morgana asked and I took a deep breathe as I turned to her.

"I know what you are," I said and I watched as she froze.

"Your Majesty, I beg of you." She began but I held my hand up.

"I do not care if you are a witch Morgana. You are still my servant so you serve at my hand."

"Of course, Your Majesty. I serve at your pleasure."

"You do. And now I want you to use your powers. Or whatever you call them." I instructed and Morgana stared at me.

"Against who?"

"Anne Boylen, if she is truly pregnant get rid of it. And leave no trace of it." I said and Morgana stared at me for a moment before bowing her head.

"I serve at the pleasure of the Queen Majesty."

"Damn right you do."