Her Majesty’s Secret Service

027. A New Trade Route? The Anglican Church? Felipe?

Three weeks had passed since the coronation.

While ambassadors from other countries had all returned to their nations, the Spanish ambassador Simon and the French ambassador Antoine were still growling at each other, remaining in London.

“Are you still in London? At your age, wouldn’t it be better to return home and rest? Isn’t the weather here a bit too harsh for an elderly man?”

“What a disheartening thing to say. You’re prancing around London just like me. And to speak of old age when there’s only a nine-year gap between us, don’t you find that amusing?”

While the French ambassador was unaware, the Spanish ambassador’s continued presence was naturally to ensure the success of the marriage negotiations. Until Felipe arrived, it was Ambassador Simon’s responsibility to handle the negotiations.

The French ambassador remained to monitor what schemes the Spanish ambassador might be plotting and to immediately inform his homeland if Spain and England showed signs of growing closer. Ever since the Battle of Pavia, where the king was taken prisoner, France had been at a disadvantage against Spain. If England were to turn into a confirmed enemy, the already difficult situation would become even more challenging.

Indeed, the Queen had unilaterally accepted the marriage proposal.

—

The details of the conditions, the amount of the dowry, and the rights permitted between the spouses were to be decided after Queen and Felipe met in person. But what use was that?

In the end, I couldn’t prevent the marriage to Felipe.

Only the Queen and I knew of this, aside from the Spanish ambassador. Even Anne, who served the Queen most closely, could only vaguely guess without certainty.

The Queen moved cautiously. Even Bishop Steve was unaware that the ambassador was meeting with the Queen.

“I’m counting on you today as well.”

“Hehe… Leave it to me, Count Simon.”

The reason this was possible was that I had become the liaison between the Queen and the ambassador.

If the ambassador were to meet the Queen directly, he couldn’t avoid the eyes hidden all over the court, so I would go to the ambassador’s residence to receive the negotiation details and deliver them to the Queen during meal times.

After the coronation, the Queen urged me to suggest a plan, and I, who had only thought of ways to prevent her marriage to Felipe, could not answer her question.

The Queen seemed disappointed in me, and not wanting to lose the trust I had finally gained from her, I volunteered to be the liaison between her and the Spanish ambassador, Simon.

‘If I can’t prevent the Queen’s marriage, nor lose her trust, then I must side with Spain. Hmm.’

The marriage between the Queen and Felipe was not yet confirmed, but it was almost certain.

If the Queen and Felipe were to marry as in the original history, the likelihood of the Queen meeting a similar fate as in history would increase.

Unless the Queen really had a child, I had to hold onto at least one lifeline for a change, given there was no certainty she would have one.

That new lifeline was ‘Spain.’

‘If the Queen dies as in history, I’ll have to go to Spain. Simon, this man, is a trusted confidant of the Emperor, right? If I just say I know about the Eastern trade route…’

I didn’t expect to gain the trust of the highest power in Spain as I had in England. The fact that I could work as a royal chef was truly a stroke of luck. But if I started to build a rapport with Simon now, there might be a chance.

Of course, I’m not planning to betray the Queen immediately.

I plan to live as a loyal servant to the Queen until her death, fulfilling her wishes as much as possible.

The hope of returning to the 21st century I lived in had long since faded.

—

Since I’ve fallen into the 16th century, my goal was to make a place for myself, to sit in a high position if possible.

‘I wish the Queen would change her mind. Ah… Is there really no way?’

Hoping the Queen would change her mind, today too, I returned to the palace with a letter from the Spanish ambassador, Simon.

* * *

Simon’s eyes sparkled as he watched the retreating figure of the self-proclaimed ‘cook’ who had taken the letter.

When he first saw the cook, he was struck by his distinctly non-European appearance.

When asked where he was from, the cook introduced himself as coming from a country in the East.

‘A person from the East trusted enough to carry the Queen’s secret message… What is the Queen trying to say? Has she discovered a new route to the East? And why tell me?’

The cook, who introduced himself as Logan, spoke fluent English. Someone from the East had to have stayed for quite some time to speak English so proficiently.

The Queen must have found a new route to the East, unbeknownst to even her own people.

‘The reasons to ensure this marriage negotiation succeeds have increased. England knows of a new route to the East… Ah, I see! The Queen is also favorably considering this marriage. So… the new route is the marriage gift.’

The Queen wouldn’t have sent a secret message through a foreigner from the East without reason. Surely, it was an indirect way of revealing the existence of the new route.

Though the destination of this new route prepared by the Queen as a gift was still unknown, if England had indeed pioneered a new route to the unknown East, it could breathe new life into the faltering finances.

‘The Queen seems quite pleased with this marriage negotiation, a new route… It’s more than enough for a dowry.’

Muttering that there was one more reason to ensure the marriage negotiation’s success, he entered his room and picked up a pen. He had to inform the Emperor of this fact as soon as possible.

* * *

Three weeks had passed since Mary ascended to the throne as Queen.

For the first time since suppressing John Dudley’s rebellion in July, Mary accepted the demands of the ‘House of Commons’.

The members of the House of Commons, who had incessantly wished for the Queen’s attendance, welcomed her with applause as she attended Parliament for the first time since officially taking her seat.

“Her Majesty the Queen enters! Please rise, everyone.”

As Mary moved from Whitehall Palace to the Palace of Westminster, where Parliament was held, she entered the assembly with a satisfied face, feeling the warmth of her undiminished popularity.

“Why has the queen, who was nowhere to be seen, suddenly declared the opening of Parliament?”

“Well… Ever since she moved her main residence from Westminster to Whitehall, it’s been hard to know what she’s up to.”

“I’ve heard that she goes on a procession to the suburbs at least once a week. Remember what happened last time in Dartford? Since then, I’ve heard that the peasants blindly follow the queen…”

“It’s giving me a headache, too. Those fools stirred up a hornet’s nest… Everyone’s looking out for themselves. The procession must have been intended to pressure us. Haven’t we talked about the Enclosure before?”

“Hmph, it’s obvious. The queen is just a puppet of that Steve Gardener. It’s clear she wants to repeal the religious reform laws enacted during the reign of His Majesty Edward. Have you forgotten that the queen is a Catholic?”

Speculation was rife as to why Mary had opened Parliament.

Despite the commotion, Mary seemed unfazed. Seated at the highest seat in Parliament, she quietly watched the members until the noise subsided.

Only when the murmuring ceased and the silence was so profound that one could hear a pin drop did the queen open her mouth.

The words that flowed from the queen’s lips were enough to astonish the members.

“Today, there are three main issues to discuss. The first is to correct the mistakes of my brother, the former king Edward.”

The first item was within everyone’s expectations.

Of course, Queen Mary, a devout Roman Catholic, would not look favorably upon the Protestant Reformation laws.

“Secondly… it is to maintain the ‘Supremacy of the Crown.'”

The second item was also anticipated by some members.

There had been concerns that Queen Mary, acknowledging the Supremacy of the Crown, might wish to control the Anglican congregation by becoming the head of the Church of England, ever since she ousted Jane Grey, or rather, the Duke of Northumberland, John Dudley, from the throne.

However, the third item was something that no member of Parliament had anticipated.

“Lastly, while maintaining the Supremacy of the Crown, I, Mary Tudor, wish to become the protector of the Anglican congregation. But remember, this is conditional upon your loyalty to me.”

As soon as the queen finished her last words, Parliament erupted into chaos.

* * *

“Your Majesty! What am I misunderstanding? That you would become the protector of these detestable heretics!”

“Bishop Steve, calm yourself and listen to me. I have my reasons.”

Bishop Steve rushed to the Whitehall Palace where the Queen was staying as soon as he heard about the incident in the council.

The Queen and he had discussed recognizing the royal prerogative and controlling the heretics, not becoming their protector.

“Your Majesty, I am aware of how impertinent I am. I shall seek forgiveness for my rudeness later. Reasons, you say! Can you seriously be in your right mind to protect these heretics!”

“I am well aware of your hatred for the Anglican followers. As for the impertinence you are now committing… this time only, I shall let it pass. But should you be rude again, no matter who you are, you will be punished.”

Mary spoke in a low and quiet voice. It was a warning to the bishop that she would not tolerate more.

The bishop, perhaps understanding Mary’s warning, continued in a somewhat softened tone.

“I beg your pardon. But Your Majesty, truly, this matter is…”

“Did I not tell you to listen to my story?”

Bishop Steve swallowed the words that rose to his throat and sighed softly, murmuring under his breath.

Mary began to speak in a soothing tone.

“It’s not that I am unaware of the hardships you’ve endured, I promise to avenge your grudge.”

“It is not because of my grudge that I speak.”

“Well, let’s assume that’s the case.”

A brief silence lingered between Mary and the bishop. In their gazes, a faint light of distrust flickered.

Mary doubted the bishop’s reasons for loyalty to her, and the bishop doubted his expectations of the Queen.

“I learned something during the procession before the coronation. It’s not that those who believe in the Anglican Church are disloyal to me, nor that those who believe in Catholicism are loyal to me. Why did I not realize this simple fact until now?”

“Your Majesty. How can you not know that it is your duty to repent the heretics loyal to you and bring them back to the faith?”

“Is that so? Then what should be done with those who remain loyal but do not repent?”

“You ask of the obvious. Does Your Majesty not know?”

“Purify their souls with fire? Is that what you wish to say? Even those who are loyal to me?”

“Your Majesty knows well. It is the duty bestowed upon you by God. Your Majesty has the duty to set England right again. My counsel to recognize your divine right to rule was a means to bring those heretics to repentance more effectively, not to protect them.”

“You do not serve me, then.”

“I serve Your Majesty. And after death, only the Lord. I am fulfilling my duty. To assist Your Majesty in walking the righteous path.”

Mary realized as she watched Bishop Steve passionately plead.

Steve was undoubtedly a loyalist. A loyalist of faith.

In fact, she was doubtful if he truly served faith to speak such words.

The Bishop Steve she knew was a man of strong pride. Whether he acted out of vengeance for the humiliation he suffered at the hands of the Anglicans, or out of true faith, was unclear.

Mary hoped it was the latter, not the former.

“No matter what you say, I do not wish to burn my loyalists with my own hands. Especially not the innocent peasants. You may leave now.”

Bishop Steve sensed the conversation was heating up unfavorably.

Further religious talk would only break the trust between monarch and subject, and it was clear the discussion would not progress but only go in circles.

“…Understood, Your Majesty. May I ask one more thing before I take my leave?”

What Bishop Steve wished to inquire about was Mary’s marriage. The situation was heated due to religious issues, so he brought it up hoping to lighten the mood.

Moreover, she was 37 this year, turning 38 the next. Perhaps, her marriage was an even more pressing issue than religion.

“If it’s not about religion, you may ask freely.”

The Queen granted permission.

The Bishop, trying to shift the atmosphere, asked the Queen with utmost caution and politeness, so much so that it was hard to believe he was the same person who had just been impolite.

“There are rumors that Edward Courtenay will marry Your Majesty. Have you given him any indication?”

—

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, they say, and recently, Edward Courtney has been openly declaring that he will soon become a duke, which started the rumors.

Before, when he had made such claims, people dismissed them as jokes and laughed them off.

But on the day of the coronation, Edward Courtney, who held no significant power, was given the honorable role of presenting the sword to the queen, and the rumors that the joke was true began to spread rapidly.

Upon hearing Bishop Steve’s question, Mary responded calmly.

“I am aware of such rumors spreading, a marriage proposal… Yes, I suppose it’s time I told you.”

“And what is that?”

“Karl, he asked me if I would marry his son.”

A name Steve could not have imagined flowed from Mary’s lips.

Faced with an unexpected answer, Bishop Steve could only look at Mary with a look of astonishment.