The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Forty-One: Awake

Queen Victoria

July 3rd, 1519

I walked beside Emilia and Morgana as we strolled through the gardens. My brother still had not woken up yet and my mother feared she would have to bury her son soon.

"Any news about my brother?" I asked as little kids ran in front of us.

"None since yesterday Vicky," Emilia said and I sighed as I stopped walking and placed my hands of my stomach.

"Why hasn't he woken up? They fixed the cut. He is breathing on his own. What is wrong?" I asked and Morgana placed her hand on my arm.

"Give him time. He shall wake." She said and I stared at her for a moment before nodding. I placed a hand on my stomach before I made my way back to the castle.

As I stepped into the corridor I looked up and saw Julian rushing towards me.

"Has something happened to Edward? To Henry?" I asked and Julian shook his head as he smiled.

"It's Liam. He is awake and asking for his sister." Julian said and I stared at him before I broke away from the three of them and began rushing towards the hospital wing.

When I got there the guards opened the doors for me and I looked to see my mother hugging Liam.

"Enfin petite sœur. Qu'est-ce qui t'a pris autant de temps?" (Finally little sister. What took you so long?) Liam asked and I smiled as I felt the tears well up in my eyes.

"Je m'excuse. Je suis tellement contente que tu sois bien réveillé." (I apologize. I am so happy you are awake and well.) I said as I stepped towards my family and brushed some of Liam's hair out of his face.

"Je vais bien Vicky. Je suis content d'avoir pris la place de Sa Majesté." (I am fine Vicky. I am glad I took His Majesty spot.) He said and I raised an eyebrow as I looked at my father who sighed.

"Henry was supposed to joust?"

"Yes, but I offered to take his spot so he may be with you instead. And I shall do it again so you may always have your husband." Liam said and I let out a sigh before I sat on the edge of the bed.

"Vous avez Toujours veillé sur moi Liam. Je te remercie." (You have always looked out for me Liam. I thank you.) I whispered and he nodded before looking at my mother who was wiping her eyes.

"Look at you. All of you together and well. Vicky tell me you did not run here." She said and Jonathan rolled his eyes as he stood up and fixed his coat.

"Vicky does as she pleases. Now if you shall all excuse me. I have a council meeting." He said as he bowed his head to me before kissing our mother's forehead and made his way out of the hospital wing.

"I must as well. I have Edward's Prince of Wales ceremony to finish planning." I said as my father helped me stand up. He kissed my cheek and I looked down at Liam who sighed.

"Reste Liam. Plus de joutes pour Vous." (Rest Liam. No more jousting for you.) I said with a wink before I walked out of the hospital wing. Waiting for me was Charles and I stepped back when I saw him.

"Charles? Are you alright?" I asked and he nodded.

"Henry told me to check on you once he heard Liam was awake." He said and I nodded as I began walking to my quarters.

"Victoria wait! We need to speak!" He said and I turned around and stared at him.

"There is nothing to speak of Charles. I have heard the rumors you secretly married Mary behind Henry's back." I hissed and he stared at me.

"I would not have married her if you would have married me." He said as he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a corridor.

"Charles, if people tell Henry of this conversation it is both of our heads," I whispered and Charles sighed.

"Then tell him! Tell him there is a chance you carry my child and not his!" He hissed and I shoved him away from me.

"This child growing inside of me is not yours! It is Henry's!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ February 1519 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I gasped as Charles pinned me against the wall and trailed kisses down my neck.

"You must be quick. Henry's meeting with the soldiers who have returned will only last an hour." I moaned out as I lifted Charles's head and kissed him softly.

"That is fine. With an hour there is much we may do." He said as he lifted me and brought me over to the bed where he gently placed me down.

"Charles. You cannot be loud this time. Morgana almost caught us." I said with a laugh before he pulled the lace off my dress and it fell off my shoulders.

"Then let them catch us. We shall run to the Pope who adores you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"There is a chance it is mine. That you bear my heir." Charles said and I wiped my eyes and stared at him.

"No there is not. We made mistakes Charles. No more. I will not risk my life and I will not risk yours either." I whispered as I went to step to him and placed both my hands on his face and stared at him.

"If Catherine had given Henry a living son maybe there could have been a chance for us Charles. But is it true you married Mary?" I whispered and he nodded.

"If I cannot have you then I shall suffer and take another." He said and I sighed as I stepped away.

"Tell Henry and maybe he shall take his anger out on Mary and not you," I said before I fixed myself and sighed.

"Leave ten minutes after me. Tell Henry, Charles."

"Only if you tell him first." He snapped and I glared at him.

"Then it shall be your head."