The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Depression

Queen Victoria

March 1st, 1519

I sat beside the window looking out as the snow began to melt. Hampton court got boring after a while and I slowly could feel myself not wanting to do anything.

"Vicky?" A voice called out and I looked to see Mary standing in my doorway.

"Sorry, darling. Is something wrong?"

"I came to visit you. I do not have any lessons today." She said as she walked over to me and sat beside me.

"No lessons? What happened?" I asked as I pulled her close to me.

"Lady Byron is sick and Chancellor Sergio is in meetings." She explained and I smiled.

"You can keep me company today. I was just going to go visit Edward and Henri." I stated and Mary grinned.

"May I come with you to see my brothers?"

"Of course you can," I said as I stood up and fixed my dress. I held my hand out for her and she laced our hands together before walking out of my quarters and towards the nursery.

The guards opened the door for me and the maids bowed to me before I saw Lady Marie holding Edward.

"There is mummy's little prince!" I called out and Marie bowed her head.

"Your Majesty, Princess Mary." She said before I took Edward out of her arms. Edward was now five months old and learning how to sit up and slowly call out.

"How is my baby boy?" I whispered as I kissed his forehead.

"He is a very healthly baby boy. Would you like Lord Henri as well?"

"Yes, bring him over," I said as I lowered myself to the ground and Mary sat beside me. I placed Edward on her lap and she snuggled close to his face.

I looked up and saw Henri holding Lady Marie's hand as he tried to walk with her towards me. In less than a month Henri would turn one year old and Henry has already named him Lord Henri FitzRoy of Richmond.

"Bonjour petit. Avez-Vous été bon?" (Hello little one. Have you been good?) I asked as I held him close to me. He giggled when he saw me and pressed a kiss to my chin.

"Hi!" He said and I stared at him with wide eyes.

"You said hi! You said your first word, Henri!" I said and Mary cheered softly. He looked around shocked before clapping his hands. He broke away from me and sat in front of Edward. I let out a sigh before looking down at my hands.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty?" Lady Marie asked and I nodded.

"Yes. Having Edward was difficult. I was fine after he was born but now." I began and Lady Marie nodded.

"You have been trapped inside the castle since giving birth. Maybe you should suggest to His Majesty of a trip to get out for a while." She suggested and I sighed.

"I don't want to leave the children-" I began but Marie smiled.

"They will be in wonderful care, Your Majesty. No need to worry."

"A mother shall always worry," I said as I took a deep breath.

"Is something wrong?" Lady Marie asked and I nodded as I closed my eyes.

"I've been feeling very ill and sad for the past month or so," I said and Lady Marie smiled.

"When was the last time you felt like this?"

"The last time I have felt like this I was-" I began before I froze as I turned to her.

"You were?"

"Pregnant with Edward?" I whispered and Lady Marie smiled.

"I shall handle all three children. You should go see the physician and then go see His Majesty." Lady Marie said and I nodded as I looked at Mary who grinned.

"If you do have another let us pray it is a girl!" She said and I chuckled as I kissed her forehead.

"If God will's it. I know you want a little sister Mary. Listen to Lady Marie and help her with your brothers." I stated and Mary nodded. I took a deep breath before picking up a piece of my skirt and walking out of the nursery.

The physician tower was on the other side of court and by the time I got there the doors opened and a nurse stepped out.

"Is the Physician in?" I asked as the woman bowed.

"Yes Your Majesty. Are you alright?"

"Yes, I've been feeling ill lately and wanted the physician to see me," I explained and the nurse bowed her head before opening the door and leading me inside.

"Ah! Queen Victoria! How may I help you today?" The physician said as he stood up and kissed my hand.

"I have been feeling very ill lately. The last time I've felt like this I was pregnant with my son." I explained and the physician smiled.

"You would like me to check if you are with child again?"

"Please, His Majesty has been stressed lately and I believe this would be wonderful news for him," I stated as he led me over to a bed and laid me down.

"When was your last monthly?"

"A week before my birthday," I said as he pressed his hands on my stomach.

For twenty minutes while he conducted his exam he had a small smile on his face. He offered me his hand as he helped me up before smiling.

"You are with child, Your Majesty. One month along almost two. The babe is fine I just do not understand why you got your monthly."

"I did not miscarry?"

"Not at all. I pressed my ear to your stomach and felt a beat! The babe is fine!" He said and I let out a breathe.

"When shall we expect the baby?"

"I would say a month before Christmas! Now go tell his Majesty such wonderful news!" He said and I grinned before rushing out of the tower and towards Henry's office.

His doors were opened and his guards bowed to me before announcing me. As I stepped inside I saw my portrait above Henry's desk and couldn't help but smile.

"Darling? Is everything alright?" Henry asked and I nodded as I stepped towards his desk.

"Yes, I just came from seeing the physician. I have been feeling ill lately and asked him before an exam."

"And?" Henry asked and I couldn't help but smile at the excitement in his voice.

"A month before Christmas another child shall be born," I whispered and Henry quickly stood up and brought me into a hug.

"You're with child?"

"Yes, another one. Mary has been hoping for a sister." I said and Henry chuckled as he spun me around before pulling me into a kiss.

"You have given me a healthly son already. So if it is a girl then we shall be happy."

"I am so happy you are excited."

"Of course I am! Another Prince or Princess for our growing family."