Charles's study room

Frances had heard of her fathers banishment from court and she felt like she could not stay their whilst the tiff with the King was going on. It was publicly humiliating to have her father banished from court. Everyone across the kingdoms knew who he was and what he meant to the king. News would soon reach other countries due to the gossiping Ambassadors. It was a foggy, slightly cold middle of October morning when Frances arrived in Suffolk, home to her father and stepmother. The roads had become muddy making the carriages hard to ride in. Frances ordered a servant to immediately take her to her father.

"Hello father tis I Frances. I have come to be of some company to you through these days."

"Charles was stitting on his desk. He was simply reading a book when a servant came to introduce a gust. He frowned at first. But when he saw his daughter Frances entering, he smiled happily and stood up"

Frances! Oh my sweetheart...you don't know how much I missed you. How are you? Come, sit with me...

"He came to hug her tightly, noticing that she grew up becoming a beautiful young girl"

Frances hugged her father back. It only felt like yesterday she was a little girl sitting on his knee.

"I have missed you too! We never really get to spend much time together. Maybe it is because I can look after myself better than the others."

France knew that her fathers absence during her life was not by choice. It was his duty to serve the king and traveling around with young children was not appropriate. She never held it against him as he was the perfect father to Frances.

"I hate to intrude but how is your personal life. You seem finally settled down which is what I like to see. I do worry about you father."

"Charles sat at his desk after kissing lovingly her forehead"

I know, my dear. And I'm fine...really. As you know, I'm now married with my ex pupil, lady Catherine Willoughby. And she gave me recently a son. I'm sure you'll love your little brother Henry. But tell me about yourself, sweetheart. Where have you been?

"He asked looking at her sweet face. He could now see some resemblance with himself"

"How lovely father! I am only sorry that I was not around for his arrival."

Frances was never really one to take to children. In this moment her heart had melted just a little at her fathers happiness.

"I know that soon I shall have to marry like everyone else. I wanted to distance myself from court not from you though. I just wanted time to figure out who I was as a person, a lot has happened in England I needed space to grow as a lady."

"Charles nodded with a tender smile on his face"

Yes...I understand you, my love. You and your sister Victoria grew up without me, and I regret it. I love all my children in the same way...and I'm proud to see the lovely, beautiful lady you became. But when you'll get married, I shall be there at your side, Frances. I really wish to accompany you until the altar...

"He added extending his hand to touch hers"

"The apology father, is not needed to me. You were a great father to me and if you were away it is because you had your duties with the king to attend to. Do not feel bad you worked hard to provide for us all and I appreciate that. These past few years you have changed your courtly behaviour, all I have ever wanted for you is to be happy in you're personal life."

Frances squeezed his hands back. She was feeling full of love from here father right now as it was never rarely that he showed such affection as thus.

"Oh I wouldn't have it any other way father. You shall give me away when my time comes. For now though my interests is not in men. Rather, I like to spend excessive hours studying it keeps me happy and out of trouble. Plus I have your genes I am no push over when it comes to men I am quite stern. A trait I inherited from the Brandon side I believe."

"Charles nodded, chuckling after her words"

Yes...absolutely it is. I'm so proud of you, Frances. Among my children, probably you're the one I spent few time with. But I promise that things will change, since now. I'll be at your side in every moment of your life, my darling...

"He said and touched softly her cheek"

Frances still kept her smile perfectly fixed upon her lips. Now that her father had mentioned it she started to think back to all those years where he wasn't present in her life.

"It actually hurts to have you admit it. I am very much like my mother perhaps that scares you of in some way as you are reminded of her in my very being."

Frances smoothed her dress down. All her other siblings were so needy for the attention of their father but Frances has never felt that she has just made the best out of a bad situation.

"With me I never ask for nothing from you. I never begged for your attention as you were to busy. I've never complained about who you have married because lets face facts their is no need for it. You just have to grin and bare it that is how I was brought up to be strong ans not reliable on men. So I am sorry if you expected me to come to you with some damsel in distress act. But father that is not me nor who I am."

"Charles listened her carefully. His daughter was simply telling him the thruth. Or what she felt inside her during these years. He felt guilty even more but he tried to smile and shook his head"

My dear...you and Victoria remind me your mother, yes. But this never pulled me away from you. On the contrary...I loved your mother. I was so young that time...we were both young. I was just 17. I...learned about you few months after your birth. And your mother even...she never told me about Victoria. I know this is hard to believe, Frances...but I learned about your sister when she came to court...

"He took a breath and looked lovingly at her"

I did some mistakes...I admit it. But I accept you as you are...simply because I love you. You don't have to be different, because I'm proud of you as you are, my darling...

Frances was not impressed with her so called father. Clearly he liked to blame his mistakes on others.

"No you went of with that whore Anna Stafford and that is why my mother never told you anything. So don't you dare try and speak evil of my mother. If you were half the man you are meant to be then nothing would be kept secret from you."

"Charles looked at her with shocked eyes and frowned deeply"

I'm not blaming your mother, Frances. I just told you that I loved her. She gave me two beautiful daughters...God rest her soul. About Lady Anna...she became my mistress but I was young that time. I admit that I was...pretty unable to be faithful to a woman. But she gave me children too. They're your siblings. So...I would love that you talk with much respect about her...

"He replied, feeling that his daughter was still obviously hurted by his relationship with Anna"

"You have so much love for your children yet I always feel so left to the sideline. In a way it has made me less dependable on people and a bit headstrong."

Their were very few people of whom Frances liked she liked lady Catherine though.

"I think I might go and see princess Mary if we still call her that."

"Charles shrugged shooking his head"

You're very welcome here, Frances. You may stay as long as you wish. You know...I would like to be involved more in your life, since now. I love all my children in the same way, and I just hope you believe my words...

"He sighed deeply"

About Princess Mary...I fear that the King doesn't recognize this rank to his daughter anymore. He clearly wants people to call her simply Lady Mary...

Welcome. I feel very Un-welcomed. I would rather go to court.

With that Frances stood up.

I'll send the king your regards hopefully I shall see you at court in the near future.

"Charles stood up after her, rather perplexed by her words"

Frances...I don't know what you're talking about. But I can assure you that you're wrong. You're my daughter...and everyone respect you for that. By the way...hope to come back to court soon, yes. Don't you hug me? I want to give you my fatherly blessing...

"He said still confused. But he tried to smile to reassure her"

Faith walked into her brother's study looking threw the stuff he had. She was there to met her brother. He had something for her or was it to tell her she couldn't remember.

"Charles was sitting at his desk with a book in his hands. When he saw his sister entering, he closed the book and smiled"

Oh...Faith! Please come. Hope you feel better. May I offer you something to drink?

"He asked"

"I am fine thank you. But what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"She asked her brother.

"Charles smiled at her, motioning her to sit down"

Well...I have made some researches about your mother's originis. I thought deeply about what you told me. And...I think you're right wanting to know where you come from...

"He answered"

Faith sat down on the couch."Yes brother please tell me."She said to her brother.

"Charles opened another book showing her a map"

Well...after consulting many books about araldic and ancient royal families, I came to the conclusion that your mother could come from the old Kingdom of the Suebi, in the Iberian Peninsula. And then...a direct descendant of King Hemeric...

"He paused to see her reaction and then he went on with his explaination"

King Hermeric died in 441. He was the Suevic King of Galicia from perhaps as early as 406 and certainly no later than 419 until his retirement in 438. He was a pagan, and an enemy of the Roman Empire throughout his life. He is given a reign of thirty two years in most manuscripts of Isidore of Seville's Historia Suevorum, but fourteen years in one manuscript...

Faith looked at her brother."Is that kingdom still around. I mean what am I?"She asked her brother.

"Charles shook his head"

No...this Kingdom is not around. But...according with my research, you should be a Princess...or something like that...

"He answered"