Queen Anne's receiving room

Geoffrey was told to reach other servants at Queen's chambers. Anne Boleyn decided to see them all. He had no idea about the reason of such reunion. But he remained silent waiting for Queen Anne's arrival..

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William was among servants as well. He could notice that Queen's sister, Mary Boleyn, was there too. As Anne entered the room, everyone bowed deeply before her

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As a sister and a lady to the Queen, Mary bows as her sister enters the room.

Margaret came in Queen's chambers as she heard that Anne wanted to see her. She curtsied deeply "Your Majesty..did you want to see me?" She closed slowly the door behind her

Margaret looked surprised at her and smiled "Your chief Lady? Oh..I am honoured, Your Majesty. I accept gladly. I just hope I will be worhty of such honour. Thank you, Your Majesty.." She curtsied to show gratitude

I looked at Margaret closely.

"I have been told about how worthy and loyal you are to those you serve and I do hope that serving me will be no exception. You have served me well these past months Margaret and now I think it is only fitting for you to have this position. With it comes the command over the other ladies too who answer to you if I am not there.

Margaret nodded with a quick curtsy "Again..I thank you, Your Majesty. I have never had such position until now. But I promise I will do my best to serve you well. Also..I promise having a virtuous behaviour, and I'll make sure that other ladies as well will behave in the same way.." She said lowering her eyes, because she was told that it was forbidden looking at Queen's eyes

Margaret nodded "Yes, Your Majesty. I understand. No one among your ladies will disappoint you. We are all proud to serve you. And if someone will act against virtue or court's rules, I shall tell you immediately.." She replied

I look at Margaret closely and she still had her head down.

"Thank you Margaret I am pleased to hear of your loyalty. Margaret please find out for me when the tailor arrives for the new gowns that have been ordered and I tonight join me here for an evening tea where you will learn of your duties.

Margaret nodded "As you wish, Your Majesty. I shall come back tonight with news about your tailor. With your permission.." She curtsied deeply and left her presence

I waited for Margaret to arrive at my chambers for the evening tea i had asked her to join me for and the servants had prepared everything as requested too.

Margaret entered in the Queen's chambers as she was told to bring news about tailor. She curtsied deeply "Your Majesty.."

I swallowed my pride. Though it stuck in my throat, I fought with all my might to paint a sunny smile upon my features. This woman might have displaced my beloved sister-by-law and threatened the souls of England to eternal damnation... but Henry had to be appeased. So that meant playing nicely with the Boleyn woman. Our new Queen.

A deep breath filled my lungs. I could only hope that it would keep my tongue cool and calm as now was not the time for hot headedness or a razor-sharp words. All traits I had inherited from my father and the mark of a trueborn Tudor. Another breath, the air calming my racing thoughts as my attendants and I approached the queen's apartments. I would be like water, I told myself. Quick and flowing and temperate, like my Woodville ancestors.

The steward stood ready, eyeing my approach like a watchmen surveying the waters of a port. With bow of his head, he murmured his obeisance. his lips curled up to expose his teeth as he smiled with a hint of menace. "Your Majesty." Perhaps I was imagining the threat in his smile and tone. Perhaps the breathes had not soothed my thoughts and only added to their feverishness. Though I worried my face betrayed my panicked musing, I offered my brightest smile. Any menace in his would surely be burnt away from the sunshine in mine... or at least I hoped. Mustering all the courage I could conjure, I sang.

"We wish to see..." I stumbled as the word caught in my throat. Clearly my plans to be like Woodville water and not Tudor fire would take more determination. But I refused to be defeated, or at last try to see it through. With an easy laugh, I offered the imposing steward another song-like reply. "We are here to see the Queen."

With another bow, he disappeared inside and left me stood with the writhing snakes in my stomach to wait.

I see Margaret enter and I invited her in.

"Margaret do you have news regarding the tailor?

I was talking to Margaret when the page came in to inform me that my sister in law Katherine Tudor had come to see me. I knew inside of me of how strongly opposed she was of me marrying Henry but I would receive her so I looked at the page whilst placing my newborn daughter in her cot.

"Let her in I will see her now

“The Queen will see you now, your Grace.” The steward grinned, his faux-smile the same courtly facade worn by all in the lion pit I called home. There were times I was grateful my father had sent me away. In his grief, he had spared me a life at court with all its plotting and scheming. But then I would think of the separation from my family; my beloved brother and sisters, and any such thoughts faded like early morning mist.

He turned from me back into the room and announced. “Her Majesty, the Dowager Queen of Navarre.”

Let her charm you, I told myself. It was my hope that her wit and intelligence would charm and enchant me. And as I entered the chamber, I moved with deer-like grace. Elegant but timidly watching and ready to flee at the slightest threat. My ladies swept curtsies, lowering themselves in deference. I stood. As a queen, I was her equal but out of respect and good manners, I offered a nod of my head. Mustering the full might of my majesty, offer a gracious smile.

“Sister.” I said it first. “Ma Sœur.”

It would be my word and therefore could not be used against me. Despite Henry’s split from the Pope and Rome, we were sisters in the eyes of God and the law. There was no getting away from it. What was done was done.

We shared French and France. The language of my childhood and my late husband’s realm. My time at Poissy and her time at the French court meant that we could hopefully find some common ground. Katherine had been in my life from my first breath. The new Queen and I had barely exchanged pleasantries, which meant there was much to make up for.

“I wish to apologise. I have missed so many events and I hope you can forgive me.” She was no fool, I told myself. Doubtlessly she should know of my misgivings about her and my brother’s obsession. However, Henry and I shared blood. I was his sister and my presence in his life mattered. That meant she needed this meeting as much as I did. Whether it was a pact of civility, a truce in a silent war or a deal with the Devil: we would both know my brother would be pleased by it. Thank the heavens I had made the first move, I thought. It made it easier and meant it had been on my terms.

From that my heart drew courage and I felt my body relax. My smile became easier and winning, shining like the summer sun in splendour. “I bring gifts, for you and our lovely new princess.”

Margaret nodded at Queen's question about the tailor. As she heard that Princess Katherine was there as well, she curtsied deeply once she entered the room "Your Highness.." she said lowering her eyes

I looked at Margaret and spoke to her before I would speak to Katherine.

"Margaret please take my two to be cleaned and here is a list of requirements for the tailor please makes sure he gets in and also the purse of gold required for the gowns." I say handing Margaret the things.

I smiled at Katherine as she entered and her ladies dropping into curtsies before me.

"Sister I see that your French is masterful still and I am sorry to hear the news of the passing of your husband the King of Navarre I do hope you have been treated well. I say looking towards her as I walked over to the cradle where my daughter was sleeping then turned my attention back to Katherine.

"This is my daughter Elizabeth she has her father's hair and she is everything to me please come and see her but be cautious as she is sleeping. These gifts you bring I am most honoured by your generosity Katherine and I am sure that they are of the highest quality. How long have you been here at the English Court?

Margaret took the gowns and the list and curtsied "As you wish, Your Majesty.." Looking at the Princess for a moment, she turned towards Anne again to ask permission to leave, so they could talk privately "I shall come back later, Your Majesty.." She said with another curtsy

Margaret curtsied again to Anne and Katherine and left the room in silence