Wolsey's Private room

He leans forward and puts a hand on her arm.
' Emilie! It's almost Christmas, please tell me you'll be here and come to my Christmas Party! It will be spectacular, I promise you. Can't you go afterwards?'

He shrugs and smiles indulgent.
' Well, Campeggio is an old friend of mine and whether he wants or not, he's going to cooperate, so no worries, I will succeed, Emilie, the only question is: how long will it take?' he chuckles.

' Hmm it's obvious though that I've found myself a competitor: who is the most hated?' he smiles but also frowns.

He laughs with her and spreads his fingers. ' Oohh, if I only knew.... but no, I would never sell it, I'd give it to someone who needs it to use it well!' he speaks in earnest, looking thoughtfully in his glass. He takes a sip and turns to her.
' Yes, of course I know she has five fingers, what a ridiculous things people can say! When they don't understand you, you're evil or insane. And for people with a real deformity one should always show compassion indeed, not laughter or even berating!

He smiles at her when she confirms that the King is to be served and respect.
' Well, any woman who is willingly to do these things for the King has my respect and support! I'm glad we talked about this in the open, Emilie, you make me feel relieved! And if I were you I wouldn't be so confident that people don't gossip, my lady, for I'm planning to dance with you on the Christmas party!'

He smiles delighted when she tells him she will stay for the Christmas festivities.
' You will be the icing on the cake, Emilie, I'm so happy you'll be here!' He leans forward, his eyes glisten.
' Soon the Christmas trees will arrive, the whole castle will be richly decorated and the chef cook has promised me to prepare the most exquisite dishes! I want this year to be the best Christmas ever!' He smiles but can't hide his frown, it is important for him to have the King's full support and he will do everything to keep this support.
' Of course the King is the actual host, you should not forget to bring him a present, Emilie! '

He smiles indulgent when she tells him that people who don't show compassion don't deserve God's protection and love and sigh.
' Emilie, people who don't show compassion are often hurt themselves... we should show them compassion too and pray for them that they may find peace in their hearts. Every living soul deserves God's protection and love... they only have to ask for it! ' He nodd at her and adds ' Yes, I pray for each and everyone, even for my enemies, and also for the Reformists, I don't think they are evil, I only think they have strayed from the true faith!'

He laughs along with her and points to her.
' You'd better prepare yourself, so you will not be shocked to find out how soon your good reputation could be destroyed by just one dance! ' He shakes his head and becomes serious again.
' Don't be afraid, dear Emilie, I would never embarrass you, I will keep on distance, though I'd loved to dance with you!'

Wolsey's eyes glisten while she answers him enthusiastic.
' Yes, it will be great since it's one of the most important Christian celebrations for Our Lord! And of course you should bring Olympe with you, it's a party for everyone, young and old!' he sigh and looks regretful, thinking of Joan who can't join, of course.
' ... and I'd like to invite you and Olympe to join Joan and me on Christmas day to have a private dinner together, here in our own quarters... at least, if you want to and have no other plans, of course!'

He thinks about her idea to bring a necklace for the King and nodd.
' I think it's a wonderful idea to bring him a necklace, he loves jewelry... perhaps I can give him one of my personal rings, in the hope it's the magic one!'

His face lighten when she agrees with him to always show compassion and pray for everyone.
' I'm glad you agree with me... though it's not the easy way to show compassion, it's much easier to hate your enemies, too or anyone who treats you nasty, but I believe it's one of the most essential parts of our belief: "have love one another" like Our Lord Jesus told us himself!'

His glass is empty and he puts it on the table, nodding at a servant to refill it.
' It's one of the things I like about you, Emilie, you are a modest woman... and you're probably right, the best way to maintain yourself at court is acting unobtusive...'
Suddenly he starts to laugh again.
' Well, we'll dance here, together with Joan and Olympe, maybe you like that? '

' Yes, of course, Christmas is the time to bond and to enjoy... has Olympe ever seen the King yet or even spoke to him before? He will certainly be kind to her, he loves children.'
He touches her arm warmly when she accepts his proposal.
' Only the four of us, so we have time indeed to talk quietly, we will look forward to it and make it a happy moment!

Rubbing his eyebrows he thinks about the present he will give to the king.
' Well, I'm not sure yet, I want to give him something as a token of my loyalty to him... I'll think about it.'

He laughs a little at her words.
' Love and compassion... you need to show them, but powerful? I don't think I gained my present power by these skills... I've experienced that you need to be ruthless and haughty or you will be blown away by your rivals!'
He looks at her, shrugging.
' I imagine you can't understand, Emilie, you're far too decent to play games... though your kind and discreet attitude brought you indeed your present reputation and friends!'

With surprise he learns she is not a good dancer.
' Well, I can't imagine you missing this talent. We'll see about this, or I will teach you personally!'

'Ahhh... she will please him, like the princess Mary... he adores her, she is also a lovely girl! And she'll probably never forget this honour!'

He is thoughtful for a while, reflecting about her words about life at court and the risks.
'Yes... life at court is certainly different for everyone... it's why my own household is that large, many people stay at court without real position and find a protector. Many think I'm ruthless and harsh and probably... I am' he smiles and shrugs.
'... but every person who comes to me for help, I do my best to find him or her a decent position. Only people who just enter and shout at me, blame me without asking me an explanation first and call me names... I'm sorry, I have no patience with them. You know, I like good manners and respect, and people who don't show me any of these... well I sort of throw them out.'

He smiles at her, apologetic and holds his hands up.
'After all, I'm only human... though I'm aware of the fact that it delivers me even more enemies. And you're right, it is a kind of fight to defend your position and I know my whole position depends on the benevolence of the King. As long as I serve him as I always have done, I maintain my position. I can't imagine losing it all...' he shakes his head, frowning.

'... and if I ever should lose it, well, I'd rather not think about that. Serving him is my life, Emilie, I have no other ambitions. If I can't serve him anymore, I think I will die!'

He is silent for a while, rubbing his chin but suddenly he smiles mischievously at her.
'I think... we will dance, Emilie, right here and now! I'll ask the servant to get a musician so you can practice! How about that?'

'She is very important indeed! ... though I fear for her position if the King will get his annullment, remarry and has new children if it pleases God... perhaps, better said: hopely, a son!' But she is a sweet and devout girl indeed!'
He smiles though frowns at the same time.

'Well... I'm not sure if they don't deserve my help, but they don't seem to want it! I try to be patient and listen to them, but one way or the other I lose my patience when I find out they love to hate me and go against me, if they think in advance I'll be harsh on them and treat me alike, well, let's have it their way, than!'

He sigh and nodd at her words about her own experiences with her students.
'You are right to require absolute respect! It would be a complete disorder if you didn't! It's a good thing to punish them first and give them a chance to behave better and if they won't you're right to send them home. I'm glad to learn this method works for you, Emilie!'

He sigh again after her words she hopes for him he'll never lose the benevolance of the King.
'You know, Emilie, I was with him when his father died... I held him in my arms to comfort him and that very moment I made myself the promise to serve him as well as possible! I'll never break this promise, whatever happens!'

Suddenly he feels tired. He smiles faintly at her.
'Of course I'm sure, though...' he looks around the room, frowning.'... perhaps we should wait for Joan and Olympe, who are still outside, aren't they away too long?'

Emilie De Fontanay wrote:

Emilie reflect to his words for a while, feeling in them that he love the princess very much, what put him in a rather weird situation since he have to obtain the king's marriage annulement, she reflect, them answer him.
Indeed Mary's situation will change if the king get his annulement ... and he will get it earlier or later. But if her mother obey to the king's decision and retreat in a household, both of them should keep a comfortable and respectable position, maybe they could live in the same household, choiced by the Catherine.
She frown for a while and add.
Aside if ... Catherine privilegie her proudness over their interests and refuse to obey to the king's decision ... then she will be the only responsable for the consequences of her choices and acts and she will have to assume them. Anyway, I hope that the things will go well for them.
She nodd to his words about theses people don't wanting his help, then she smile when he talk about the efficacity of her methods.
Fortunately, until now, I never yet had to send home any girl, the punishment and the menace has been enough, it isn't even a menace in fact, even if I could have to do it, it just that I really consider that a girl who hadn't any respect for her headmistress and teachers, nor envy to work nor volonty to improve herself, have better to return her home because she isn't desirable in my school.
Emilie take a sip of her juice and smile.
I don't doubt of your devotion in your work for the king, I can feel that it's really all your life.
She notice that he seem tired and not very well, then she get a bit worried for her daughter after his words because she realize that it's a long time her daughter is left with Joan, fearing that she could have get cold, she frown and nodd.
Yes, they are indded, it's cold and my daughter is a very little girl, she can't stay outdoor a too long time, so I hope that they will be back soon.

She enters in the room holding the girl's hand "how are you both?" smiles warmly. the little girl is eating an apple "she was hungry" joan says

Wolsey nodd and agrees.
'Yes, it would be for the best if the Queen obeys to the King's wishes and enter a nunnery... though I think she will refuse, I know her stubbornness and her feelings for him. I do feel sorry for Princess Mary though, she is only a child and her mother determines her fate too by her decision.'

He sigh and frowns.
'Perhaps Campeggio can persuade her on behalf of the Pope... I tried to but she will not listen at me! Well, I just try again!'

He feels very uncomfortable when he events that he and Emilie have chatted for quite a while and he is concerned about Joan and little Olympe. He gestures at a servant to give him orders to look for them, while all of a sudden the door opens and there they are!
'My love, we were getting worried about the two of you!' He stands up and walks over to Joan, kissing her cheek.
'Have you been in the gardens whole the time? Or did you go to our own kitchen, I see you have provided for Olympe. Please, sit with us, we were just talking about the Christmas celebration and I have asked Emilie and Olympe to come and dine with us, I hope you like it too, I have not asked you first, I just.... asked them, hoping you will enjoy it, too.'
He takes her hand and let her sit next to him. He smiles warmly at her, then turns to Olympe.
'Did you have a good time, Olympe?'

Olympe de fontanay wrote:

Olympe,her cheeks pinked by both the coldness of the air of outdoor and the warmess of the fire, snuggling against her mother, turn to Wolsey and look at him with bright eyes as he talk to her
Yes, I had a good walk with Joan and she told me a story ! with a princess in it !

Goes and sits down next to her beloved...Oh yes, ofcourse I'd like they spend Christmas with us, we all have to be together in Christmas time, and no, we weren't outside all time, we also go to our kitchen because the little Olympe was hungry my dear, plk

Wolsey smiles widely while looking at the three ladies around him.
'I'm glad you had such a good time together, meanwhile Emilie and I just talked about the latest developments here at court.'
He gestures to a servant to bring fresh drinks for Joan and Olympe and leans backwards, still holding Joan's hand.
'Well, we'll have an intimite and informal meeting here... do you want to cook yourself, my love? Or we just order our servants to make a dinner for us, so you can relax yourself and just enjoy our guests.'

He turns to Emilie, smiling proudly.
'Joan is a great cook, she spoils me with delicious dishes, as you can see probably...' he chuckles and rubs his stomach.
'Do you prepare food yourself at times, Emilie? At Eastnor, I mean?' he asks curious.

*smiles at them and puts her hands in Wolsey's shoulder rubbing them "well I think I am not too good cooker as my love says " giggles "but I love cooking for him and for the people I love, like you and your wonderful daughter , and is for that reason that I'll coock for you three in Christmas " kisses Thomas' head

'Ahhh... that's wonderful, my dear, perhaps I can help you so we can give our servants some free time to be with their families as well!' He looks lovingly at her and winks at her.
'And not so modest, you're an excellent cook, though I hope you will not get tired and can't enjoy just being together, I want you to have a good time as you deserve, my love.' he takes her hand which is still on his shoulder and kisses it softly.

He turns to Emilie and Olympe.
'Perhaps we all can help her, if you want to cover the table, for example? And afterwards, we'll dance!'
He smiles mischievously.
'Joan! Just a few seconds before you came back, Emilie confessed that she can't dance very well and I offered her to learn it myself! I learned you to dance, too, maybe we can teach Emilie and Olympe together.'

Wolsey notices the perplexed expression on Joan's face and let her sit down again. He squeezes her hand sofly.
'My love, I know you never want help when we invite personal guests...'he speaks, caressing her cheek.
'... but it's Christmas, I want you to have a good time and not do all the work yourself, though I admit I don't think I could be of any use in our kitchen. Well, I can assist you, can't I, you just give me orders, darling!'
He smiles at her and turns to Olympe.
'Sweet child, if I can help, you most certainly can! You and your mother will cover the table and make it beautiful. '

He looks at Emilie and smiles reassuring, aware that she feels uncomfortable.
'Well, there are different dances we could do, do you want to dance the Pavane or the Gailliard, Emilie, or shall we dance the... Volt? 'His eyes glisten and he looks at Joan with a look of understanding, then looks at little Olympe and frowns.
'... hmmm perhaps the Volt is not quite suitable to teach Olympe yet.'

she smiles and sits down next to her love Thomas... 'well my darling if you all want you can help me , it would be funny cook with friends and the love of my life' squeezs Thomas hand as she kisses it and puts it in her heart 'We can make christmas bread, turkey, and fruit mermelade...you all can help me
Then she looks at the little Olympe 'you too dolly... and we'll be happy to teach you and your mommy how to dance, e love dance 'looks at Thomas and blushes smiling resting her head in his shoulder