The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Thirty-Six: Preparing for the French

Queen Victoria

June 15th, 1519

Last month Henry has recieved a letter from King Francis I of France stating he wanted to visit England to strengthen our relationship.

Ever since we have to prepare for them to come in the twentieth. I sat with Mary as she helped me plan the welcome banquet.

"How do you feel about seeing you stepson again?" I asked as she went through the program one last time.

"The last I saw him was at his wedding to Claude. They left Paris for the country. I just heard Claude has had her second son and named him Henry. Their first son is named Francis. They have two older daughters Louise and Charlotte. Louise died two years ago." Mary explained and I inhaled sharply.

"What did she die from?"

"No one knows. Claude was ill she was already pregnant with Francis and she asked me to go check in on her. I went into the nursery and she was blue. Poor Claude she almost miscarried." Mary said as she closed the program.

"You have set up everything perfect. Let us just hope that Henry and Francis ego's do not cause a war." She said and I rolled my eyes as I rubbed my stomach.

"Henry is setting all of this up to arrange a marriage between Charlotte and Henri. Edward is too young for marriage proposals." I said and Mary raised an eyebrow.

"Does Francis know Henri is a bastard?"

"Yes but your brother created him The Duke of Richmond and Francis was alright with his daughter becoming a Duchess," I explained as I stood up and fixed my dress.

"I still have almost four months to go," I muttered and Mary sighed.

"I wish I could have a child. I tried to France but he was too old. Henry said I could choose who I marry next and I know who." She said as Morgana walked in with Edward.

"And who is this man that has captured your heart?" I asked as I grabbed my son from Morgana and sat down with him on my lap.

"Charles, the Duke of Suffolk. I have always had a crush on him." She said and I froze as Edward pulled on my hair.

"Charles?" I whispered thinking back to when he said he wished he had married me instead of Henry marrying me.

"He is quite handsome and his wife died over two years ago and he still hasn't married," Mary explained and I shared a look with Morgana who raised an eyebrow.

"Well, Mary if you truly wish to marry Charles you must get Henry's permission."

"Why should I?"

"He is the King of England. Every marriage in England must have his permission, if not you could be tried for treason." I said as Edward placed a kiss on my cheek.

"If I wish to marry Charles I shall do so. I was the Queen of France."

"Exactly! You were the Queen of France now you aren't. In England, you are still just Princess Mary and your brother is King and he is the law." I said as I stood up and placed Edward on my hip.

"Now if you'll excuse me I have to go make sure the guards are prepared for the salute to both Francis and Henry," I stated as I turned and began making my way out of the office and out to the courtyard.

I watched as Charles marched up and down the line of soldiers as they practiced their march holding the flags. Edward let out a little screech earning Charles to turn to us.

"Dismissed," Charles said before he made his way over to me. He bowed his head before smiling.

"Hello, Vicky." He whispered earning me to smile at him.

"Hello, Charlie. I see the soldiers almost have the march down. Is the joust set up?" I asked and Charles nodded.

"It is. If I do say so myself you planned this visit wonderfully. Better than Catherine ever planned anything." He said before he turned to Edward and brushed some of his hair back.

"I know something you do not,"

"Really? And what might that be?"

"Someone is smitten with you. They wish to marry you." I said and instead of him being happy he looked angry.

"No offense Vicky. But I do not wish to marry at the moment. Who is it?"

"Mary, Dowager Queen of France," I whispered and Charles raised an eyebrow.

"She always had a crush on me before she left for France. Are you sure?"

"Positive but she wishes to marry you with Henry's permission. She still thinks she is the Queen of France." I hissed as I bounced Edward in my arms.

"Jealous Vicky?" Charles said with a smirk and I shot him a look.

"Of Mary liking you? Never, I am a married woman. I have a wonderful son and I am happy." I said and Charles stared at me for a moment.

"How can you keep lying to yourself, Vicky? He has taken Anne Boylen and had a child with her."

"He is my husband and my King. I love him, Charles. If you wish to be tried for treason go right ahead but you are not taking me down with you." I hissed as I fixed Edward and made my way to turn.

"Vicky that is not what I meant!" Charles said and I turned to him.

"No, I did. Go back to preparing the soldiers, Your Grace." I ordered before I spun around and made my way into the corridor. I turned left up the spiral staircase and made my way to Edward's chambers. He was turning one soon and I thought he should have his own chambers.

The guards opened the door for us and I placed Edward on the floor for him to crawl around.

"Maman n'arrive pas à croire que tu as huit mois." (Momma cannot believe you are eight months old.) I whispered as I watched him crawl over to his bear and grin. He yanked it to him and I rolled my eyes.

"Et pourtant, déjà beaucoup comme ton père." (And yet so much like your father already.)