The Mistress of King Henry VIII

Chapter Fifty-Three: Christmas

Queen Victoria of Cambridge

December 25th, 1519

I held little Albert in my arms as we walked the corridors towards the banquet hall where we would be receiving the people of our court.

Mary walked beside me holding both of her little brother's hands as Henry walked in front of us. As we got to the doors we heard the trumpet play and the banquet doors were thrown open. As we stepped inside all of the court people bowed and curstied to us.

I smiled softly at everyone as Henry stepped to the thrones first. He waited for the children and I. Mary led the boys first and when I reached my seat we all sat down.

"Merry Christmas!" Henry yelled out and everyone cheered! Beside me sat Henri on his small throne and in the middle was Mary. Sitting to the left of Henry was Edward who was looking at his father with such fascination.

"This Christmas we have another member joining our family. Please welcome, softly, Prince Albert!" Henry said and everyone clapped as I lifted Albert so everyone could see him. Once they stopped I lowered my son into my arms and looked down at him.

Charles and Julian began to form the line of the court members wanting to gift us presents. Henry and the children normally kept their gifts but I normally gave the gifts away to the women in need or the orphanage near the castle.

The first was an older couple who bowed to us.

"Merry Christmas Your Majesties! Merry Christmas Your Royal Highnesses. Our gift to you is a beautiful black mare that the Duke of Suffolk has taken." The older woman said and I raised an eyebrow as I looked at Henry.

"A horse? Is it young?"

"Only a year of age, Your Majesty. We have not yet named him and wished to leave it to you." The man said and I smiled at them.

"Well, that is a very generous gift. I thank you for it." I said and Henry nodded his head as well before Julian helped them down and the next person came up.

It was a young girl and it pained me to see Henry look her up and down.

"These are gifts for the children. For little Prince Albert a rattle, for Sir Henri and Prince Edward, wooden swords and for Princess mary, a dolly that resembles her." She explained and Mary grinned when she saw the dolly.

"That is very kind of you. Lord Julian will take the gift from you." Henry said and the young girl smirked as she bowed lowly to show her breast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Three Hours Later ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It took three hours for everyone who wished to give us presents to be done. I stood up and gave Lady Bryon, Albert so she may bathe him and feed him.

"Edward, you must go with Lady Byron as well," I said my eldest son pouted before bowing his head and following his governess out of the hall and towards the nursery.

I felt Henri reached for my hand and I smiled as I rubbed the back of it.

"Shall we go outside to see the snow?" I asked and both of them grinned.

"Alright, let us get our cloaks from Lady Megan," I explained as I led them towards Megan. I took my cloak from her and watched as she helped Mary and Henri to put their cloaks on. Before Henry could find us I quickly grabbed the children's hand and led them outside.

Waiting were both Morgana and Emilia.

"Come little ones. I will show you the fun you may have in the snow." She said and both of the children squealed as they ran to go follow her. I stopped when I stepped near Morgana who raised an eyebrow at me.

"Where is His Majesty?"

"Seeing his bastard daughter across the courtyard," I stated as I nodded across from us. Lady Anne Boylen stood holding I believe her now one-year-old daughter Lady Isabella Boylen.

Behind Anne stood her father Sir Thomas who I knew was trying to convince Henry to sleep with her again.

I watched as they both bowed to Henry and my husband nodded to them. Lady Isabella grinned when she saw her father but Henry refused to acknowledge her.

"Why is he so cold with that young girl?"

"I believe because she is a bastard girl and not a bastard boy. I said the same thing to him and he acted as if nothing was wrong."

"Men, all they care about is their own. Women could rule better than they ever could. We would not rule with our little head. " She said and I smirked softly as I saw the snow beginning to fall again.

"I want her gone."

"Who?"

"Anne Boylen. She is banned from the court unless Henry invites her but still. My husband laid with her and impregnated her." I hissed before I inhaled softly and frowned.

"You are still hurt."

"Very. I want Anne Boylen gone." I repeated as I looked at Morgana. She stared at me for a moment before sighing.

"Using my powers for death has consequences, Vicky."

"I know. I am just saying what I wish for. I am not asking you to do anything." I replied as I watched my husband bow his head and left Anne and her father standing there. Anne looked hurt and broken before holding onto her daughter for dear life.

Her eyes traveled to me and they widen softly. I smirked softly as I lifted a hand and waved to her. She turned to her father who quickly rushed her away.

"Poor girl. She will always be marked as the mistress of King Henry VIII."

"Is that how you see me, Morgana?" I snapped and Morgana smirked softy at me.

"Not at all. You are the Queen to him. There is a difference."