The Lady Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy

Author's Note: I wanted to introduce some of Henry VIII's mistresses in this chapter and add Mary Boleyn and the princess Mary in this chapter as well. And thank you Gamgee Girl for pointing out that fact, I might use it later in the story. And Elaine Blaine and Eleanor Blaine are both my creations. I also put back a year when Henry VIII affections for Mary Boleyn started, when it originally started on 1522.

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I was usually one of the first ladies to wake up early in the morning. I wanted to avoid all the other women attending the queen, as many liked to tease and bother me. I slipped out of the chamber that we all sleep in since we needed our own room as we were eleven ladies-in-waiting. The sun had already risen from the horizon as I walked down the empty halls of the palace.

For the distant corner of the palace I could make out the slim figure of my sister, Mary walking down my way. My eyes narrowed suspiciously as I never saw her rise this early. Mary was the perfect image of beauty as she grew to be a blonde blue-eyed beauty. Mary was also the king's newest mistress. I wondered how the queen put up with her husband's constant unfaithfulness. I had heard from word of mouth of two previous mistresses, Elizabeth Bryan and Elizabeth Blount, who had given birth to the king's first son last year. It was peculiar how the king's former mistress had been capable to give birth to a male while the queen only gave birth to a healthy daughter, which was a miracle since the queen had a record of giving birth to stillborn children.

I did not want to face my sister; even though she is flesh and blood of mine I still loathe her. She always brags and boasts of how the king loves more than he does to the queen, of the gifts she receives from him and such. Mary was very close to me now and she smiled at me. Not a kind smile, but a mocking smile. "I wonder why you are up so early." I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. Mary rolled her eyes and then said, "I just left the king's private chambers, I did a little nighttime visit after the feast last night." She said and winked at me, as I guessed what had most likely happened during her "nighttime trip".

Disgusted, I turned away from her and retraced my steps back to the queen's chambers. When I arrived, I was welcomed by the sight of the ladies-in- waiting bustling around, holding wooden buckets filled with steaming water and dumping them into the large tub that was being prepared for the queen. I hesitantly approached Her Majesty and helping remove her bits of clothing and guide her to the royal bathroom.

Queen Catherine liked to spend her time in the bath, seeing as her last bath had been two weeks ago and she desperately needed some private time for herself, as she was always with her ladies-in-waiting or surrounded by nobles that come to visit every day or so. Anamaria was sitting in a corner surrounded by the rest of the Spanish handmaidens, while I was sitting with the English handmaidens, which consisted of only three. Eleanor Blaine and Elaine Blaine, who are both sisters, Eleanor is the eldest with blonde hair and green eyes while Elaine has light brown hair with grayish eyes.

Though I do not immensely enjoy their company, they are among one of the best gossipers in the palace and have the newest gossips and rumors. The newest one is that the king has not ceased his visits to Jericho were Elizabeth Blount and her son reside. Won't Mary be anxious to hear that piece of information?

Elizabeth Blount's son is Henry Fitzroy, who is barely yet a year. So far, the king only has two children, Henry Fitzroy and the Princess Mary, who will no doubt end up being Catholic under her mother's influence. The princess is not yet four years old, but even so she has inherited her father's fiery red hair and his skin. The child is very lovable and is constantly surrounded by her nursemaids but she will be free from them in a matter of years.

The conversation Elaine and Eleanor didn't include me so I just sat back and relaxed for a few moments. I was going to visit my mother and father today to see what details of my marriage they were working out. After the queen was dressed, she dismissed us as she was going to spend time with her husband for the day. I gathered a few belongings and was on my way to my parent's home.

They had already sent a carriage to pick me up and I was on my way. The ride was long and weary but I finally arrived. My lady mother Elizabeth was waiting for me patiently outside the large mansion, her hair tangled with the wind. I stepped out the carriage and walked in a slow but graceful gait that was expected of ladies. I formally greeted my mother and we both entered the mansion.

She led me into my father's large office. "My lord father, it is a pleasure to see you once again." He murmured a greeting to me and looked up from his papers. "Anne, we have decided that you shall become the wife to the heir of Ormonde, who is quite wealthy." He said bluntly and then he dismissed me.

It was a very brief meeting and I was exhausted for the long ride and excused myself to retire for the night. The heir of Ormonde, I thought, I wonder what his personality is. I slowly slipped into a fitful dreamless sleep, my last thoughts on my marriage.

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Hope you enjoyed that. I don't know when the next chapter will be up, as I have to work on my project for school. Read and Review!