King's Reception Room

I am practically dragged to the King as I try to conceal my face-my only luck is that the oafish guards take me up and down the servant's corridors-free from the ears of gossips. I finally arrive after what seems like an age and moreover I am merely in my nightdress and robe...how serious could this be that I am summoned with such urgency.

I am pushed into the room and I all but collapse in a heap. Instead I dip into a reverent curtsey, with my knee firmly on the cold floor and my eyes only looking at his feet do I whisper gravely,"Your most gracious Majesty."

"No!"I immediately protest and then quickly bow my head again,"Forgive me, Your Majesty,. No I have not as the marriage is not valid and has not yet been...consummated. I have committed no crime against my husband."

I sigh as I feel a rush of colour run to my cheeks,"The marriage was not one of love...we...I was with child and as such it was not safe thus the marriage was never validated. My crime which I confess and do ask Your merciful Majesty's forgiveness for is that...my son is not my husbands."

"Your Majesty will know it is not safe for a woman to be with her husband when they are carrying a child and after the birth it is only right to have a month of isolation. As my son is six months old my husband has not been denied his conjugal rights for a laborious amount of time-he has certainly spent it in enough brothels."

I glance up at the mention of William. I feel a deep churning in my belly, an urge to escape, to run, to hide but I stay on bended knee as a chill spreads over my slender body,"Your most gracious Majesty, I am only too aware of my sins for which I will surely be judged but my husband is a cruel man who has beat me and tormented me, even during my pregnancy...surely my infidelity can be understood."

I whisper,"...and my son?"

After getting word of Elizabeth's interrogation, I run to her rescue almost taking down the guards. I bow on bended knee "Your most gracious majesty, forgive me! I beg you to spare this woman any hardships...and to hear me plea" I said knowing what I was about to say could take away my status.

I can barely breathe as I kneel. My head feels light and my stomach churns with the promise of chaos. How my life -which was so intricately and perfectly woven- is now unravelling with such speed that I cannot stitch it back together. My son, my own love William, my family, my reputation-all ruined. I place a slender hand on my heaving chest as I try for a breathe,"My son?"I breathe and place my other hand on the ground to keep my balance. All I can think of is my son, my own child who I love more than my own life-I cannot let him come to harm.

I hear a commotion outside and am suddenly again aware of the indecency of this. I cannot believe my King is seeing me like this, my hair braided for the evening and my trailing nightgown barely concealing what little decency I have left. All of a sudden I hear a voice that sends a ripple of hope through me-it's William.

I glance up and see him bound in. I cannot speak of love for him and feel my eyes fill full with tears of both joy and terror. Suddenly after his words I cannot see, I cannot breathe, I cannot think. All is black, all is night and the stars from my life are gone.

Elizabeth lay on a heap on the ground after she fainted. Her slender and beautiful body lay still and vulnerable on the cold floor. Her golden hair cascading around her like a crown, she slipped out of consciousness...

I saw Elizabeth collapse to the ground. I immediately go to her aid, not even hearing what Henry just said. I kneel down and gently raise her head on my lap. "Beth, my love can you hear me?" I say as I hold her hand. "SOMEONE GET THIS WOMAN A DOCTOR, A NURSE, AN APOTHECARY SHE IS UNWELL" I shouted.

Breathing, gasping, struggling for air; Elizabeth awakened...

I cannot see at first-everything is black. Then the black turns to colour and colour turns to shapes, shapes then gain detail. Now I can breathe.
William, William,"Where is my son?"I whisper. I open my eyes and remember where I am. Oh God.
I struggle to stand but I am too weak,"I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness and pity on a wretch such as I,"I say pathetically as I wrap my robe around me to conceal my modesty...

Only after The King walked out of the room did I clutch at William until I kneeled by him, I embraced his face with my slender hands.

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"Be careful, my love. Do not anger him,"I whisper as I kiss his soft lips,"I need my prince."

I am then tugged from the floor by a guard and ushered away.

"Do not fret my love, his majesty and I are kin. Although, that never seems to matter in these cases" I gave her a small kiss to reassure her I would alright. "I'll see you soon my love" I gave a faint smile.

She dressed quickly after I heard what happened to Margaret. Then she came to the King's reception room.

"Alfonsina Garcia , Duchess of Genoa."

She said and started to wait to be accepted.

Alfonsina came into room and saw the king. He was handsome as usual. She bowed deeply.

"Your majesty.."

She smiled after his warm words.

"Thank you , your majesty. I am really happy to see you are well."

Then she sighed.

"I am here to say that I am really uncomfortable from one person's behaviours in the court. Henry Bosworth.."

She nodded by looking down.

"I know your majesty. But I am ashamed of it."

Then she sighed deeply and started to explain.

"Firstly.. I am so sorry to say this but I heard that he pinched a woman behind. Secondly.. He tried to rape my lady in waiting , Margaret. He thinks that he can have any woman he wants."