King's Reception Room

The doors are opened before me as I stand there, waiting nervously. I take my daughter from the wetnurse and carry her on my hip. Taking a deep breath before I enter, the nerves spread throughout my body; Reaching into the depths of my soul. Carrying Lizzie with me, I enter, followed by two of my entourage. As I stand at the end of the room, I see my brother and his fool. Once again, I take a deep breath as one of my Lady's announced me: "Her Majesty the dowager Queen of Navarre." Both the ladies behind me curtsey and bow their heads, as I walk forward towards my brother. I curtsey as elegantly as I can holding my daughter and cast my eyes downwards. "Your Majesty."...I rise slowly and once I am stood, I announce. "Laissez-nous." The two women in black at the back of the room curtsey again before leaving the chamber.
Looking at my brother and trying not to cry. "Henry...."

Sitting, I look at my brother and rest Lizzy on my lap. It takes a moment for me to form the words but they come..as horrible as they are. "Francis is dead, Henry...."
I readjust my daughter, making her more comfortable before I recant the tale to my brother. "It was a fever, he had been fine...only complaining of headaches and feeling terribly hot. And then, one day he collapsed. Just collapsed during a council meeting and was rushed to his chambers." Swallowing back my tears, I carry on. "I stayed with him...I did my best, keeping courtiers and councillors out but he didn't get any better."
With a sigh. "He was peaceful, barely awake...he was buried in the crypt with his family. I was escorted to the widow's cloister in the palace. And now, I am here. Returned to my family and to my King, as widow's are."
I stand and bound Lizzie gently. "I am your's again Henry, I am your's to give away and grant to whomever you wish. And that is something I wish to discuss with you."

"I'm afraid we have to worry about it." I release a sigh. "Henry, Francis did not name Elizabeth as his heir...She is not the Queen of Navarre. Juana is." Growing angry, I stand and begin pacing. "And in his wisdom, Henry, he named me as her Regent! I have to rule Navarre and displace my daughter...so I do need to consider marrying again; to protect my adopted nation and to give my daughter a place." I continue pacing the room.

I look at him, upset but knowing deep in my heart that he was right. I sigh. "You're right...I just worry and worry about everything." Sighing again, I smile faintly at my dearest brother. "At least I am returned to you Henry...I'm home."

Smiling faintly, I look at him through my tear glazed eyes. "Of course Henry, I would love to."
Gently bouncing Lizzie on my hip, she giggles as I look at my brother. "Thank you, your Majesty."

Thomas had been summoned to the king's reception room, and did so with a smirk as he walked past the guards. He waited in the ante chamber to be announced.

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Thomas was waiting outside King's Reception Room. It was time to let him know about his decision to resign as Chancellor. He felt very nervous. The Secretary Cromwell entered to announce him

"Sir Thomas More.."

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Thomas saw the door opening in front of him. He could see Henry sitting on his throne

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He gulped and kept on walking with slow steps towards him

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Once he was in front of him he stopped. He took a breath and bowed lowering his head and his eyes

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Thomas knelt in front of the king

Your Majesty, I came to resign from my tasks as Chancellor..

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He raised up his glance and looked at him

I ask to Your Highness the permission to retire myself from public life, in order to spend the time I have left to feed my soul, and at God's service..

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He showed him the bag in his hands

In this bag I have the great seal of my office...that I find now too heavy for me..

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After he spoke, he left his bag in Cromwell's hands

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Henry listened him carefully. Thomas was his friend.. He was trusting him a lot.. But some things were changing at the court. Thomas was no longer on the side of Henry and he knew it.
He smiled a bit and motion for him to stand up.

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I am discharging you from your position with my best wishes.

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Everything you have done for me in both state of affairs and in our personal relationship was always very good and worthy of commendation.

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Thomas felt relieved that Henry accepted his request. He slowly stood up and looked at him

Your Majesty, I promise on my honour that I will never talk publicly about Your Majest's great matter..

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He cleared his throat and continued to talk

But now, in private, I must confess to you, as a person who once received Your Majesty's trust and friendship..

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He stopped for a second and went on

My deep conviction that, if Your Majesty would consider appropriate to reconcile with Queen Katherine..

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He knew that probably Henry could have a reaction hearing him mentioning Katherine, but he had to do it. So he went ahead

If only you did this, divisions and wounds in your Kingdom would heal instantly!

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Thomas took a breath

Here...I have told it. Now my lips will be sealed forever..

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Then he kept on walking slowly towards door taking his leaving, never leaving his eyes from Henry

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Henry listened him without any comment.

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Thomas was his friend, confidant, mentor.. He was more than a chancellor.. But Thomas's words disappointed him..

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He clearly reveals his side. He was loyal to Katherine, not Henry. He was the enemy of Anne and against their marriage. And so he was no longer a friend of Henry and he was against to him and his decisions and he was a danger.
Henry gave his decision at that moment and he called him.

Thomas..

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I will ensure to keep your promise..

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Thomas looked at him in silence. He knew how much this promise was important for him. But at least, now he could be totally sincere with Henry

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He bowed at him and left the Room

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"Alexandrina Duarte the Marquess of Fronteira to see you your majesty." The servant said. As Alexandrina entered the room and curtesy low to the king."Thank you for seeing me your Majesty. And greetings from Portugal."She said softly to the king.

"I am here to met you and met the people in the court before I go back to Fronteira." She said with a smile a upon her face.

"I am traveling the courts before I head home to Portugal. And seeing how much the courts are different and heard I should come to this court and met it's king."She said softly looking at him.