Victoria Cambridge, the daughter of the Duke of Cambridge was brought to Hampton Court to distract the King from another miscarriage from his wife Catherine. What she didn't expect was falling in love with him.
"What makes you so scared?" Henry ask...
I held Edward's in my arms as Mary stood in front of both Henry and me. Today was Christmas Day and as protocol, we had to sit in front of our people and accept gifts from them.
I looked over at Henry who held little Henri on his hip.
"Is he my brother as well?" Mary asked earning me to nod.
"He is, he is your half brother but he will not be in the line of succession," I explained and Mary grinned at me before she faced towards the doors.
The trumpets began to play and guards opened the door. I smiled as I saw the Lords and Ladies bowed lowly as we walked past them towards our thrones. Mary sat in her miniature throne beside me.
I sat beside Henry and laid Edward down flat in my arms. I watched as he smiled at me and I turned to Henry and saw him speaking to Charles.
"Your Majesty," A voice said and I looked to my right and saw Morgana and Julian standing there.
"I thought I told you two to have today off and enjoy Christmas," I said and Julian smiled.
"We cannot take today off as you are accepting gifts from the public and we must see if the gifts are safe." He explained and I nodded.
"Very well, Morgana have you begun the task I gave you?" I asked and Morgana nodded.
"It is done already but I have not given it to the person." She said and I raised an eyebrow before turning to Henry who smiled.
"The first gift is to the Prince of Wales from the Pope," Charles stated as he looked up from the list. I turned forward and saw a wooden rosary laid in a box.
"It is similar to the one I received from the Pope after our marriage, we will accept it," I said and the Lord bowed his head before handing it to Julian.
"The next gift is to His Majesty from the Boylen family," Morgana called out with a sneer on her face. I looked as a guard placed a frame on the ground and when he turned it over it was a painting of Anne Boylen.
"Wonderful!" I hissed as I looked down at Edward whose mouth was forming a cry. I lifted him into my arms and rested his face on my shoulder and patted his back.
I shot a look at Henry who shook his head.
"We do not accept this gift, either return it or burn it." He instructed and the guard bowed his head as he lifted the frame up and carried it away.
"This gift is from me to you, Henry," I said and Henry chuckled as he smiled at me.
"I thought we were not giving presents in public?"
"You will love this, bring it forward!" I instructed and Lord Julian's brother Lord Alex turned the frame around and the portrait of myself was revealed.
"I had it started when I found out I was pregnant with Edward. He finished last week. Do you like it?" I asked as I turned to Henry and watched as he stood up. He placed Henri on his hip before walking to the portrait.
"I love it, I want it hung in my office above my desk," Henry instructed and a grin quickly found it's way onto my face.
"Now this gift if from me to you. I have noticed you only own three crowns. I do hope you love this one." Henry said as he motioned from Thomas Cromwell to step forward.
I laid Henry flat in my arms as I stood up and walked towards the crown box. Inside was a silver crown lined with emerald jewels, both large and small.
"Henry, it's beautiful! Where did you find it?" I asked as I turned to my husband.
"I began to create it with my royal jeweler halfway through your pregnancy." He said and I smiled before looking down at Edward who was smiling in his sleep.
"I love it! I shall wear it soon to court. Bring it to my chambers." I told Cromwell who bowed his head before closing the box and turning to walk away.
Henry handed little Henri to Lady Byron before spreading his arms wide. I motioned for Mary to join me who stood up straighter as she stepped beside me.
"I have very few words for you. Thank you for joining my family and I today as we publicly welcomed gifts. So have a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!" He said and everyone cheered.
He turned towards Mary, Henri, Edward, and I and spread his arms wide grinning.
"Ma famille!" (My family!) He added and everyone cheered.
"Morgana, take Edward and bring him back to his chambers, it is time for his nap," I instructed and Morgana nodded her head as I lowered Edward in her arms.
I watched as his blanket moved itself to tighten it around him. I smiled softly at Morgana as I watched her leave the throne room. I felt arms wrap around me and I turned my head to see Henry.
"I have not seen you smile at me like that since you found out you were pregnant with Edward," Henry said and I nodded as I watched Mary spin around with Lady Rose of Sussex.
"I am still very angry and very hurt about what you did to me. But it is Christmas Harry. And Christmas is for family." I said and Henry stared at me for a moment as a smile crept onto his face.
"You called me Harry. You have not called me Harry for a long time."
"As I said, Christmas is for the family."
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Portrait of Victoria made for Henry
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