The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Forty-Nine: Confinement

Queen Victoria of Cambridge

October 20th, 1519

I stood in the doorway and watched as Morgana, Emilia, and Megan along with my mother prepared the room.

The started the fire but closed the windows and curtains.

"Leave that one alone," I told Emilia as she went to close the curtains closest to my bed.

"Vicky?"

"It will snow soon and if I am to be locked in this room, I shall watch the snowfall," I said as I looked at her. She stared at me for a moment before nodding her head.

Once they had finished with that my mother walked over to the bed and pushed back the covers and nodded.

"It is time for you to start your confinement." She said and I inhaled deeply before I climbed into the bed. I shook my robe off and relaxed into the pillows.

"Do you want me to get you anything before I go back to my quarters?" Mother asked and I smiled at her.

"Can you get me my bible and prayer beads from the sitting room?" I asked and my mother smiled as she brushed off her skirt and nodded. I watched as Morgana pushed an armchair closer to my bed and sat down.

"Are you alright?" She asked and I nodded as I patted the bed cover.

"Do I have to stay in bed until the baby comes? Can I at least walk around the room?" I asked and Morgana sighed.

"From the bed to this chair only. That is why I moved it so close." She explained and I stared at her for a moment before nodding.

"Alright then," I whispered before I leaned back and stared out the window. My mother came back in with my bible and prayer beads. I thanked her as she placed them beside me before leaning down and pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"I shall be back tomorrow with your father to come to visit you alright?"

"Okay, mother. I shall see you then." I said as I opened my bible to the book of Judges and began reading.

From the corner of my eye, I could see my mother looking at me. She sighed softly before walking out of the room.

"Must you be so rude Vicky? Your mother is only trying to help." Emilia questioned as she sat down and began to start her stitching.

"Emilia, I believe you forget Victoria is the Queen of England," Megan said cooly and I smirked softly.

"I do not forget Lady Megan."

"You do. For you do not speak to your Queen like that. Yes, you two might have known each other since you were younger but she is your Queen and you shall treat her with respect." Megan said as she sat down to my right and began sorting through her letters.

I stared at Emilia for a moment as she watched me.

"I am going to be finding a new lady after I give birth," I announced and all for the girls looked at me.

"Another girl?"

"Yes, I was thinking of adding my brother's new wife but I do not think my brother would enjoy that. I have found another girl.

"Her name is Lady Oliva D'Amencourt and she is a gift from the King of France," I explained and they all raised an eyebrow at me.

"A gift?" Morgana asked and I smiled softly at her.

"Yes, a gift. She will be coming a week after I am due to give birth." I explained as I rubbed my belly as my baby kicked.

"What will she be for?" Emilia asked and I smiled.

"I have not figured that out yet. But when I do I will let you all know."

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As the sun went down I sighed softly wondering how the woman did this all the time.

I heard the door opened and I looked to see Henry coming in with a tray of my dinner.

"Hello, my love." He said and I smiled when I saw him

"Henry! I thought you had meetings!" I said as he sat beside me and kissed me softly.

"I pushed them until tomorrow. I wanted to have dinner with you and see how you are doing." He said as he took the lid off our food and I grinned when I saw the brown rice and glazed ham.

"Yum, my favorite," I said as Henry handed me my forks and knife and I began eating.

"Vicky, may I ask you something?" He asked and when I heard how nervous he sounded I turned to him.

"Of course darling. Are you alright?"

"I am fine. I was just wondering about your friendship with Charles. For it not to happen any longer." He said and I had to stop myself from freezing up or looking panicked.

"He is your best friend."

"He is but I believe his actions and feeling towards you are more than a friend." He added and I smiled at him for a moment before nodding.

"Of course my love. If it shall make you happy." I whispered and Henry nodded as he ate a piece of chicken.

"Thank you, Vicky. Truly, thank you."