Cardinal Thomas Wolsey´s office

Thomas walked down the sleek corridors admiring the views they give, but kept his pace up. He walked down and knocked on Wolseys door, the announcer came forward and opened the door 'Lord Thomas Cromwell' The announcer said and Thomas walked in and bowed a little before smiling 'Thomas!' He said before settling down in one of the chairs 'I thought it was time that i came and seen you' He said.

Wolsey continued his daily tasks as usual, even though he was clearly out of favor and the king didn't call for him anymore. He was diligently writing as a servant entered and announced his friend and pupil Cromwell.

He stood up immediately and nodded at him, smiling faintly and gestured him to sit down.
'Thomas! So good to see you here, I haven't seen you since the trial, I missed you there at the final verdict! Now, tell me how the king is doing, but first, can I offer you a drink? Do you fancy to share a wine with me?'

Thomas looked at his friend and waved his hand 'Some wine shall be fine, if it doesn't hassle you' He said and he nodded 'The King..is fine, but somehow distressed aswell from the final verdict, and i can see why...' He said 'Who says that Henry will do whatever he wants if it does not decide in his favor'

Wolsey smiled and gestured a servant to pour them the wine.
'You never hassle me, my friend! And forgive me for saying so, but you seem to be hungry, too! I have some bread and fruit here, please, help yourself!' he winked friendly at him.
Cromwell told him about the king and he frowned a little.
'He needs distraction, Thomas! Don't let him puzzle, he needs to go outside with his friends, hunting, sporting, just every physical exercise is good for him, especially... now!'
He was silent for a while, then asked him.
'And... lady Anne, is she still in Hever?'

Thomas shook his head 'I am not Hungry' He said with a smile and he sighed a little before frowning 'Him and the Duke....are good friends, are they not? Both married, yet one is being tied down, and the other..is continuing his..philandering ways' he said 'We need his majesty to take..another mistress, that will keep him distracted' he asid 'Indeed, from what i hear she is still in Hever, although her brother the Lord Rochfords wife is here at court'

Wolsey smiled wider and raised an eyebrow.
'' Are you sure, my friend? Well, I guess I always think you look hungry then! Just take something if you like, please...'
His smile disappeared as Cromwelll mentioned the duke and he sighed deeply.
'Yes, they are one of a kind, friends since their childhood and they share the same... hobbies.' he nodded and placed his fingertips together, thoughtful.
'So... she is still at Hever! I am surprised, to be honest with you! Perhaps he will take another mistress indeed, though I doubt it, ever after she came along he is faithfull to her!'

Thomas looked thoughtful 'I do not see why he is in need of a son, when he already has a bastard one' he said and he shook his head 'I heard from very good accounts, that he took Anne's sister as his mistress in France, lets just hope he is going to do the same with Anne, then discard her and get on with life with the Queen' he said.

Wolsey stared at him for a while and smiled faintly.
´You have no idea how many times I have spent hours on my knees before the king, to tell him the same!´

He shook his head and sighed deeply.
´... in vain, of course! So I´m afraid we already passed that station. Henry needs a lawfull male heir to secure his still unsteady reign and the Queen is not able anymore to give him this.
And Anne... though not the future queen I hoped for, is not to be underestimated, my friend! She is a highly intelligent woman and the king seeks her advice more and more. It´s a pity though she is a Boleyn and related to Norfolk!´ he spoke dismissive as he mentioned his bitter enemies.

Thomas breathed in deeply and let it out, although he didn't tell that he was displeased he his face show that he was very displeased her took a sip from his wine and put it back on the table.
'If....his majesty does not have the divorce he seeks, and i am sure he will not, then we all have to walk softly around the palace, as for if Henry is taking Anne's advice, he might take her advice to end the source of the prolonging of the divorce' he said.

Wolsey nodded slowly in agreement and played with his goblet, turning it around and around in his hand before he took a sip.
´Yes.... she symphatizes with the new reformistic ideas. He already told me in an angry mood that if the pope will not cooperate he will break with Rome!´ He shook his head heavily and placed his goblet with a bang on the table, looking determined into Cromwell´s eyes.
´I can´t imagine he will ever do such thing, but she is a very convincing lady, Thomas, as I have found out by now! But I won´t allow this to happen, as long as I live!´

I nod a little and look at you 'You say the king seeks advice from her, did you not?' he asked and he shifted in his chair and sighed a little 'And what of his friend, the Duke of Suffolk? does he not seek advice from him? he asked again and he sat in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

'Well, untill recently the Duke of Suffolk had not much to say, I guess they only talked about women and jousting.' Wolsey smiled grimm, sighed deeply and looked his friend into the eyes.
'I know what you mean... I know what he, Norfolk and Boleyn are after! They finally have a stick to hit me and they won't hesitate! But what can I do, Thomas, the king refuses to see me.'

'Do something... do something...' he murmured, staring at his goblet and shrugging, this one time he had no ideas how to milder the king's thoughts.
Cromwell's question about the princess Margaret woke him up from his own thoughts and he nodded.
'Yes... she is unwell indeed, and even worse than anyone can imagine!' he shook his head in compassion and bited his lips.

Thomas frowned a little and looked at the Cardinal 'Have you seen the Duchess of Suffolk to confirm this?' he asked and he shook his head 'His majesties sister being unwell, should give him cause to drop his great matter until she is fair better than what she is now' he said.

Wolsey nodded in agreement and then shrugged.
'Yes, I have seen her and she told me herself.... but she also told me that the king doesn't know about her illness.'
He rubbed his cheek and frowned deeply.
'I don't want to embarrass her and tell him, she should do herself or Brandon should tell him! I am sure he will be good for her even though she doesn't agree with him, though I think nothing can make him drop his great matter!'

Wolsey sighed deeply and shook his head.
"My friend, let me disabuse you. Henry will never stay with Katherine, he will rather throw England into the deepest abyss. You have not seen him nor heard him like I did! Shaving me each day during the trial to put pressure on Katherine and Campeggio!
You were with me when I tried to persuade Katherine to hand the matter to Henry... and shortly before the final verdict Thomas Boleyn woke me in the midst of the night, forcing me and Campeggio to go once more to Katherine, to beg her to cooperate!'

He groaned at the memory and looked sharply at Cromwell.
'I told Boleyn and I tell you again, Thomas: watch out what you put into Henry's mind, because it will never ever get out anymore! And the Boleyns are growing stronger each day, Thomas, and with them Norfolk and Suffolk and don't think for one moment they will make him forget about Anne!'

Thomas thought about his and nodded 'Indeed my friend..' he said and he stood up 'Leave matters with me, although i must be going as for i must greet my lovely wife to court and show her around' she said with a small smile.

Wolsey nodded and looked at his friend, biting his lips.
'Yes, Thomas, you should go and see your beloved wife... but please, when you see His Majesty, tell him I will hand him the benefits of the diocese Durham, one of the richest in the country.' He looked attentively at him, frowning deeply.

Thomas Nodded 'That will i do' he said and he bowed and left.

Wolsey watched him go but before he reached the door, he called him back, nervously blinking his eyes.
´And Thomas.... tell me I can trust you... to look after my interests when you speak with the king.´ He frowned deeply and looked almost begging at him.

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Wolsey was in his study, working steadily though his ears were strained. He expected the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk and was prepared for them, but his hand shook while writing and his attention was not on the document.

A sound at the door made him look up in resignation. George entered nervously to announce the dukes but they didn't wait and entered the room directly after him. He nodded slowly at George who seemed not eager to leave the room, so Wolsey stood up and put a hand on his shoulder, walking him to the door.
'... thank you, George.' he spoke softly and carefully closed the door behind him, then turned around.

'Your Graces, what can I do for you?' he stood straight and raised his eyebrows, looking into their eyes.

"Charles walked in Cardinal's office after Norfolk. He looked at him with a proud smile on his face"

Cardinal Wolsey...