Study Room

I stood in front of his desk and took a deep breath. "Your majesty, we've known each other since childhood and we've joked about my liaisons, both past and present. However, as you know i've just returned from Bavaria. I went there to seek the hand of the lady Charlotte Rosenauer; a German lady in waiting who is caring my child." I said waiting for his reaction.

I needed a drink, I looked around the room for some wine; I poured me goblet and drank it down. "Well you see, she's a German lady, her name is Charlotte Rosenauer. She was traveling here with King Richard and the future Queen of Bavaria; Eleanor Mendoza. I was drawn to her right away. I bedded her one night and became with child. After that...." I paused and started walking around the room. "Well after that I couldn't stop thinking about her I fell in love with her majesty." I said looking at him trying to make him understand.

I sat down and looked to the side, I couldn't look him in the eye. "Well...um...you see i've already married her." I said as I felt my palms getting sweaty.

My heart felt as if it was going to leap out of my chest. "Forgive me majesty, but if you will..." I paused to gather my thoughts "I'm in love with this woman and I feared that if I didn't marry her I would lose her." I stayed seated and gulped. "I wanted to tell you first before you found out by other means." I lowered my eyes.

I lowered my eyes knowing he would give me this punishment. "Yes your majesty, I understand" I said knowing the only place my wife and I could go was back to Bavaria since I had no family here.

I knew he was only being far and couldn't play favorites. "Yes, majesty I know I was not thinking clearly I hope you can forgive me." I said with a sinking feeling, that I had let him down.

As the king's business never really sleeps, Cromwell went to the king's study to find he was with a guest in there. He waited patiently in the antechamber for the king to be available again.

He entered the room, bowing respectfully. "Majesty.. I trust you are well this day. As usual, the business of England" He produced a sheath of papers ready for the king's signature and seal, and stepped aside unassumingly. But he had to speak his mind.

"Majesty, I hope you will indulge my question, on your divorce.."

He shifted nervously. "Majesty, I beg your indulgence, but I believe you should know that those whom you set to decide on your divorce aren't doing everything they should.".

He cleared his throat but knew he had the courage he needed to speak. "I know of someone who would argue that your divorce is based on a theological issue and would debate it as such." He waited to see what the king would say.

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He took a deep breath. A colleague of mine at the university has an interesting opinion on your Great Matter: he believes it is a spiritual rather than domestic case and should be decided by the best theologians in the best universities in Europe. He found momentum, and continued his case. Unlike what the church officials are currently doing, this would ensure a swift decision because after all a king shouldn't be submissive to a foreign jurisdiction. That is exactly what Rome, and the Vatican, are to England.

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Cromwell perked up at the idea of doing such. "It will be a pleasure and an honor, Majesty." he said humbly, a smile starting to show on his lips.

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