Princess Mary Tudor's BedChamber

Emma knocked at the door "Your Highness? Are you in?"

Mary was saying her prayers holding her rosary within her hands when she heard a kind voice come from the otherside of the door.

Yes please do come in I am just saying my prayers

Finishing them of Mary crossed herself and arose waiting for her visitor.

Emma entered her chamber and she bowed deeply "Your Highness.. I hope I am not disturbing you.."

Mary clasped her hands together holding them firmly making sure this lady had risen from her bow.

Not at all any news from court is welcomed news to me either Chapguys or one of my farthers privy gentlemen come to see me so this is a delightful pleasure. Anyway how can I help you.

Mary smiled the young lady seemed her age casting her mind to court life Mary wondered exactly what was going on their. Her farther had completely forgotten about her like this was her punishment in exile for being a girl.

Are you allowed to tell me what has been going on at court and what of my beloved mother the Queen.

Emma watched Princess Mary. She was alone, but a strong girl even away from her mother.. She would be a very powerful queen just like her mother.
Emma smiled and shook her hand.
"I'm sorry Your Highness. Let me to introduce myself. My name is Emma. I'm the lady-in-waiting of your mother, Queen Catherine"

It is nice to meet you Emma and welcome I hope you will find your stay here comfortable enough for you.

A glimmer of hope rose in Mary when Emma mentioned her mother but she tried not to let it show but deep down she was excited to see what news she brought her.

I am comforted that my lady mother has a nice lady as yourself in her household are you allowed to tell me any news of her

Poor Mary.. Emma was so sorry for her because she was innocent just like her mother..

"Queen Catherine is very upset, Your Highness. She spends all day reading the Bible.. and she spends the day with embroider.."

Mary fell to her knees feeling practically choked by Emmas word bit it was not her fault and Mary was not going to take this out on her.

My own mother has had to succumb to this because of those scheming Boleyns. I am at an age where I need my mother.

Tears came streaming down her face the reality was becoming clearer and clearer she was to be kept from her Mother and now her farther had lost interest in her.

I will not let any of them get to me they can take my title a title means nothing it is the person behind the title and how she conducts herself and I choose to conduct myself with grace and dignity starting from now. I always hoped that my farther would keep loving my Mother and stand by her side until she passed and to just keep Anne as his concubine. They will have to bleed me dry to take away my Royalty.

Emma had panicked for a moment. Princess was kneeling in front of her with tears. Emma quickly ran up to her and held her hands. She tenderly stroked her cheek and looked into her eyes.

My beautiful Princess.. Queen Katherine is not crying.. She always thinking of you. But she is standing strong. You must to stand strong, because you are Queen Katherine's daughter. You are Princess Mary. Heir to the throne. If you fall, it would be Boleyns victory. I know it's very hard but you have to stand strong against them. King will get tired of that whore and he will understand his mistake.

Mary knew she had to stand tall against them all she also knew that she had to be cruel to be kind and this was exactly what she was going to do. Emma here would always be allowed to see a weaker side to Mary as in Emma she saw a sisterly side which numbed some of the pain.

Forgive me Emma It just makes me sad when I think about my mother as her only punishment is loving the king. When I see the concubine I am going to be kind inside I shall be angry but the best revenge is to be kind to your enemy a smile can confuse people after all she is just a tiny person in a much larger scale being moved about by the men of her family she has been given her own taste of power time will only tell if she can do it alone

Emma was nothing but a humble servant. She was always with Queen Katherine and Princess Mary. She would always support them. She would always be a friend of Princess Mary.

Your Highness.. These dark days will pass. Anne Boleyn is a witch! Your father will understand it and you are the only heir of England. You're the legitimate child. For this reason, you must stand strong against that witch. I'm sure, she will want to get rid of you. If you want, I can talk with your father to see your mother.

Mary was hoping that her Farther would like to see her himself or at least even write a letter to her but she would take up Emma's offer as it was shown to Mary as a kind gesture.

You are most kind Emma I would be grateful for that indeed. I pray that you will catch my Farther on a good day where he is in such joly spirits to receive you.

Mary stood up and went over to her window looking out to the grey sky.

And when you come back you can tell me all about court and the weddings and births that have taken place I would like to be kept updated. God speed you Emma I shall miss you presence around here you are the light in these dark times.

Emma smiled internally.

I will talk with your father and I will make observations at court. I will bring you news.

She curtsied and she headed toward the door. Then she hesitated a moment. She turned and looked at her once again with a bittersweet smile. And she left.

Elizabeth stood in front of the door. She took a deep breath and she licked her lips. She was so excited. This would be her first meeting with the princess. She was at the same age with Mary. This would be her first experience as a lady-in-waiting. She knocked at the door and entered. She bowed and smiled.

Your Highness. My name is Elizabeth Hervey. I am at your service.

Mary turned from the window and smiled she had heard of this ladies name before as she was refused to even serve me long ago what had changed the mind of her farther the concubine.!

Welcome to ludow Elizabeth I hope your time here shall be pleasant enough for you. I like to know about the ladies in my service it helps to form more of a mutual understanding of one another. It's such a nice day out let's go for a walk and you can tell me all about yourself.

Mary started to make her way to the door hoping Elizabeth would follow she stopped and waited.

Lady Mary was very kind and beautiful. Elizabeth watched her for a while. She was still very exited. Her mother had taught her everything about being lady-in-waiting.
It was a good idea to walk together. She smiled and curtsied.

I'm coming, Your Highness

She followed her.

Elizabeth knocked at door and she waited for an answer to come in.

Mary had been feeling rather alone here lately. For some reason the sun never shined liked the beautiful sunset at Hampton court. She was reading from a book of Latin when a knock appeared at her door. Placing her book down, she rose angelic straightening out her gown.

Come in.

Bess walked in and she curtsied to Mary. She was very beautiful as usual.
Bess was smiling.

Your Highness.. I hope I did not disturb you. I brought you news from your mother, Queen Katherine and from the court

Mary was delighted to see Bess again. She didn't want constant strangers attending to her. She needed some stability in her life thanks to the concubine.

Bess it is always lovely to see you. Come in and tell me everything.

Bess slowly approached the princess. Castle was again very quiet today. Birds were singing and the dried leaves were leaving the tree branches.

Your Highness, I talked with Lady Emma. She informed me about the Queen's health. She is very healthy. She pays attention to nutrition and praying to be reunited with you..

Mary was enjoying time with Bess. She was one of the very few people that cared.

Bess I enjoy your company it is the only thing I look forward too.

Mary knew that she would not be welcomed at court. Her father had disowned her and saw her as a potential threat.

My mother is a tough woman Bess! Am I still the princess of England or is my father trying to strip me of my last shred of dignity. My father will never be rid of me. Try as hard as Anne Boleyn likes I will always be in my fathers life. Even from afar I shall be in his mind. So if Anne wants a fight then I shall never back down.

Bess was preparing tea in the teapot. She poured the tea to teacups and she served it to Mary. She took hers own teacup and sat down opposite her.

You are still Princess of England. You are only Princess and the sole heir to the throne. Also you are still indispensable for the King. Everyone says that she is, I mean Anne Boleyn, a sorcerer or a witch. But no matter what she did, you are the daughter of the king and Princess of England.

Graciously Mary took the teacup swirling the spoon around and around.

If people say that she is a witch than why isn't she held before a jury and tried. I don't really like talking about the forbidden arts but I am going to be so nice to her that it confuses her. The most famous saying is smile it confuses people.