The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Forty-Three: Letters from the Pope

Queen Victoria of Cambridge 

August 20th, 1519 

I sat with Morgana and Emilia in my sitting room before Lady Megan entered the room and bowed softly to me. 

"Is something wrong?" I asked as she stood up. 

"No, you have a letter from the Pope." She said as she took the letter out of her pocket and handed it to me. I stared at the letter for a moment before taking it. I grabbed my letter opener and slide the letter out.

Dear Queen Victoria, 

As news reaches me of The Duke of Suffolk marrying the Dowager Queen of France, my dear girl, I could not help but wonder how that could have been you. As you know if Henry never married you, you were supposed to be arranged to marry Charles himself. 

My many sources tell me that you and Charles are very close and some raise questions if an affair is happening between you two. But those rumors have been put to rest after he married The Dowager Queen of France who many known she has loved since she was younger. 

You know if you ever needed my help all you have to do is write to me. 

Your Eminence, 

Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici

I stared at the letter in my hand before standing up and smiling. 

"Thank you, Lady Megan. Can you please go get some grapes as well as a pitcher of water?" I asked and Lady Megan nodded as she bowed her head and turned to walk out of my sitting room. 

Once I was sure she would not turn around I stepped towards the fire and threw the letter into the fire. 

"Vicky!" Emilia said and I quickly turned to her and winced softly before smiling. 

"I can throw that letter out if I so please Emilia. Nothing but His Eminence reporting lies people have written to him now." I said as I placed a hand on my stomach and felt my second child growing inside of me kicking softly. 

I cleared my throat and looked at Emilia and Morgana. Before I could say anything the door opened again and I turned to see Henry stepping inside. 

"Henry! Is something wrong?" I asked as I stepped towards him and he pressed a kiss to my forehead before sighing. 

"It shall depend on how you take this news." He said and I felt tense. 

"Lady Anne is at court is she not?" I asked and Henry nodded. 

"She has brought Isabella so the children shall meet her. I only said that shall happen if you agree." He said and I stared at him for a moment and traced my eyes over him and nodded. 

"Fine, the bastard girl shall meet her siblings," I said as I picked up the end of my dress and followed Henry out of my quarters and towards the children's quarters. Mary was sitting beside Henri trying to help him write his name before they saw me. 

"Daddy!" Mary cried out and I smiled when she stood up and rushed over to Henry. Little Henri stood up and rushed over to my leg and I brushed back his blonde hair that reminded me so much of Lady Bessie. 

"Hello, Mary! Teaching Henri to write?" Henry asked as he held Mary and kissed her forehead. 

"Trying. He can hold the quill." She said and I laughed as Lady Byron brought out Edward and I quickly held him close to my arms. I bent down as far as I could and kissed Henri's forehead as he hugged his brother. 

"You three are coming with us for a little while," I said and Mary raised an eyebrow as I stood up. 

"Why?" 

"You are to meet your, new little sister. Lady Isabella Boylen." Henry said and Mary glared at her father and pushed her way out of his arms and Henry placed her on the floor. 

"No. I am not meeting her." Mary said and I had to fight myself from smirking.

"Mary." Henry began but the little girl shook her head. 

"No. Lady Isabella is a bastard! She is not my sister." Mary stated firmly and with that, she turned and made her way back to her desk where she had left her work. 

"Well then. You heard her." I said before Henri grabbed my hand and I began to led the two boys out of the nursery and towards the throne room where Lady Anne stood with her parents. 

They all bowed to Henry and I. Little Henri stood very close to me and held onto my skirt. I brushed his hair back and smiled softly. 

"C'est bon Henri." (It's alright Henri.) I said and he nodded before hiding his face in my skirt. I looked towards my husband's mistress before I placed Edward on the floor beside his brother and stepped forward. 

The entire family tensed when I approached them. I looked down at the little girl who was now five months old. She had Anne's bright blue eyes but Henry's hair. The perfect mix of them. 

"May I?" I asked and Anne stared at me before lowering Isabella into my arms. I stared down at the little girl and couldn't help but feel jealous. Anne had her daughter as did Catherine. 

Henry had his two sons even if one is a bastard who I am caring for. I caressed my finger against Isabella's cheek and smiled at her. 

"Tu seras une beauté. Oui?" (You shall be a beauty. Yes?) I asked and she opened her eyes before grinning at me. I looked up and saw my two sons looking at me. 

"Come here, boys," I said and Henri picked up Edward before walking over to me. I bent down and I lifted Isabella up just a little for them to see. 

"This is Isabella. She is your sister." I said and Henri stared at her for a moment before sneering at her. I looked towards Edward and he stared at me before letting out a wail. 

I quickly stepped back and Henry rushed to our son and scooped him into his arms. I stood up and stepped towards Anne. 

I lowered Isabella into her arms and smiled. 

"Elle est belle. Maintenant, quitte ma cour." (She is beautiful. Now leave my court) I sneered as Anne looked up at me. 

"Il reviendra. Ils le font Toujours." (He will come back. They always do.) She said and I stared at her for a moment before smirking. 

"Et s'il le fait, Je serai Toujours reine. Et tu seras mort." (And if he does, I will still be Queen. And you will be dead.) I whispered as my hand went to my belly and Anne glared. 

"Have a good month in the country. We shall see you in two months." Henry said as he kept trying to quite a crying Edward. I smirked before turning around and making my way to my small family.