The Bloody Crown

Chapter 1

London

Lady Isabella's POV

I wake up in my basic room and ask my maid to brush my hair. We don't talk much my maid and I. She's my stepmothers spy and she's just waiting for me to say something 'treasonous' so my father has a valid reason to execute my mother and send me away from court.

Basically 18 years ago whilst my mother was still pregnant with me, some of the nobles believed that I should be the rightful heir to the throne as Queen Matilda had not presented the king with any children. My father agreed that if he died without any children from Matilda I should be queen upon his death.

Yet as soon as this announcement was proclaimed Queen Matilda gave birth to two children. My half-siblings Edward and Anne so parliament saw fit to instead disqualify me from the line of succession although he allowed my mother and I to live in the palace much to the chagrin of Matilda or so I'm told.

The problem was however my mother the Lady Margaret as she's referred to maintains her claim that the king and her were married before he married Matilda. She claims that I'm a legitimate child and that Edward and Anne are not, these rumours are definitely public and despite warnings that my mother will be executed, she isn't, although this is probably due to the fact that her father, my grandfather the duke of York would rise up in rebellion.

I wait until my maid finishes brushing and I leave my chamber. I'm stopped by my bodyguard Sir John. It's his job to protect me and my sister so he stands there outside our adjoining chambers just standing. "Sir John, may I be excused for a moment?" I ask
"My lady, your stepmother ordered me to protect you and the princess do unless I'm ordered to otherwise I must stay her until your sister leaves"
"Yes, 'protecting' my sister" I say under my breath. It's obvious Sir John has feelings more then friendship towards my sister.

However this could never be. Anne is a princess, it's tradition for her to marry either a high ranking noble or a foreign Prince. I feel sympathy for Sir John though, he's roughly our age and he's handsome. He needs to get over Anne, it's inappropriate for him to lust over her, if father found out he'd be banished and despite his stoicism I've come to appreciate Sir John. He's a good friend, he lets Anne and I sneak out at night and is entirely devoted to Anne.

Who wouldn't want Anne? She's beautiful, she looks like her mother albeit younger and less serious and more playful. Queen Matilda is a beautiful woman although her personality makes her look sour and sullen spoiling her once youthful looks.

I don't think Sir John's infatuation is unreciprocated however. I can see Anne's fleeting glances at him when he leaves a room, or she undresses him with her eyes leaving him red and blushing after.

"It's fine my lady, the princess usually lets you wander off so I'll allow it, just don't tell your father". That's the problem with being a bastard sometimes. Whilst you're not bothered with royal duties, you are always in the shadows of someone who is. In my case it's my sister, I'm lucky to have a sister like Anne as she's is not strict with these rules however I do still have to follow them. It could be worse, it could be my brother Edward.

Edward has been preparing to ascend to the throne his entire life. He's been educated in warfare and rulership by father and his uncle, the Earl of Warwick.

It's no secret how much the Earl of Warwick hates me and my family. He's devoted his life to making sure that Matilda retains his position and thus he maintains his power and influence over the kingdom. The York's seek to disrupt that. Whilst my grandfather has never openly said that he wanted me to be legitimised, rumours have circulated that he's leading a conspiracy to assassinate Henry and crown me as soon as possible however this is just court gossip.