monarch

What is that woman talking about?Princess Anne of Cliffs watched the lips of the Magistrate across the table, but she couldn't understand a word.She obviously learned English on the road, she thought.She had been in England for a few days, and she knew that the person opposite her was Mrs. Rocheford, her magistrate, but she couldn't understand a word of what this lady said, and her translation could only roughly translate.This lady had obviously been in the court for a long time, and her demeanor was obviously not comparable to that of the maids around her who came from the shabby court of a small German principality.After getting along these few days, Anne's interest in this lady has increased day by day, especially after learning her name.

Jane Boleyn, wife of Anne Boleyn's brother George, the woman who guillotined her husband by her testimony.

Both her mother and brother were overjoyed by her engagement, but she was on pins and needles.Cliffs' ducal palace was dark and damp, and she couldn't sleep well every night, but when she finally fell asleep, her dreams were always filled with those women——Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane West Mount.In their dreams they just looked at her without saying a word, yet their mere presence was enough to remind oneself of the terrible fact that none of King Henry's three wives died well.She knows that she is not good-looking, and it is difficult for the king to like her. What will happen to her like this?She kept asking herself that question along the way.Everything in England is much stronger than Cliffs, the prosperous cities, the luxurious giant ships that cross the strait, and these palaces with excellent lighting and luxurious glass windows covering the exterior walls, but she only wants to Go home, go back to Cliffs's dark, damp room with a poor fire in winter...

……

Mrs. Rocheford watched the female translator across from her clumsily translate what she said into German, and couldn't help but feel depressed.Did this woman translate correctly?Why does the princess still have a silly expression?She begged the Duke of Norfolk to get her the position of magistrate, and she didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse... Ever since her husband died, her life has been getting worse day by day. Now that she is the magistrate, maybe she will Is the time turning around?The duke promised to help her find a new husband, and though she had a bad reputation, the duke had already found her several young noblemen in Spain and France, and yes, she was really going to be lucky.As long as she obeys the Duke of Norfolk's order, and the order now is to try to be the new queen's friend... However, this task is much more difficult than imagined, who knows that she can't even speak English well?Mrs. Rocheford looked at the queen. Her appearance was undoubtedly the most ordinary among the queens.The queen has a typical German appearance, a long face, and her facial features are not very delicate. She has long limbs and a tall figure. No wonder some people call her "the cow of Westphalia".She wore a German-style hood, so heavy that she seemed to have a castle on her head.God, the King would never like her, thought Lady Rochford.

Dinner was dull because the princess was so difficult to communicate with.The main course was a pigeon pie shaped like a giant swan and stuffed with pigeon meat.Those Germans showed a look of surprise, they really had never seen the world, Mrs. Rocheford barely suppressed her disdain, "Your Majesty likes swans, Your Highness, this is a gift from him."

"Sky...goose." The princess repeated awkwardly.She looked at the huge pie with some flattery, "Thank you... Your Majesty." She showed a simple smile to Mrs. Rocheford.The head butler came forward, gave a deep salute, and was about to cut open the huge pie, but there was a commotion in the corridor outside, Anne and the maids looked at each other, she turned her head to look at Mrs. Rocheford, and found that the other party was also obviously Is at a loss.

The door of the restaurant slammed open, and a group of men dressed as guards rushed into the restaurant.Mrs. Rocheford looked at the leading man and was stunned.It was the king, and the terrible memories of a few years ago flooded into her mind instantly, the interrogation at the Tower of London, the court, the testimony, the trial of her husband... She watched the fat man in the uniform of the guard walk towards Princess Anne, and then He picked her up and kissed her.

Everyone in the restaurant was stunned. The English people in the room barely kept calm because of the king's previous convictions, while the expressions of the German maids looked as if they had been struck by lightning.Princess Anne looked dazed, she seemed to be frightened, but a few seconds later, her face was full of anger, she spit on the face of the man opposite, and then started yelling at him in German, Rocheford Madam couldn't understand, but it was obvious from the princess' expression that it was not a good word.The king's face had already turned green at this time, and Mrs. Rocheford suddenly felt extremely terrified.Everyone in the palace knew the king's performance, and everyone cooperated with him, but Princess Anne didn't know... "Mrs. Rocheford, the princess demands that this madman be arrested immediately." The German female translator said clumsily in English , the atmosphere in the room became even more gloomy.Mrs. Rocheford noticed that the king's gaze had shifted to herself, and she was dumbfounded and sweated all over her body.It's over, she thought, no one in the house can escape today, she doesn't want to go into the Tower of London... Traitor's Gate, the guillotine under the Tower Green, George... her mind is in a mess, she's almost passed out up.

Princess Anne noticed Mrs. Rocheford's performance and felt a little strange.She calmed down her emotions a little, and found that the English courtiers around her were all looking at her with strange eyes, which made her feel a little uncomfortable.Did she miss something?He looked at the fat man opposite who dared to offend her. He didn't look scared at all. Instead, he stared at himself with unpredictable eyes. She had never seen such gloomy eyes.Who is he?The man stared at her coldly for a while, then turned around and left the restaurant, and those who followed him followed like a gust of wind.Everything happened so quickly, as if nothing had happened, only Princess Anne and her German maids were left looking at each other in the room.

"Mrs. Rocheford..." She turned to the female officer who was already slumped on the ground, "What is...what's going on? Who is that...man...?" There was a little panic in her tone unconsciously , apparently she also started to realize that something was wrong.Mrs. Rocheford opened her mouth, but found that she couldn't utter a word. She tried to calm herself down, and tried to force a smile, but her smile looked a little distorted: "That person is the king, Your Highness. "

Princess Anne seemed a little overwhelmed, and after a few seconds, the blankness on her face was finally replaced by fear.She began to tremble, as if suffering from malaria, and several German maids hurried forward to support her, "King?" She said to herself in horror, and turned to Mrs. Rocheford in disbelief, and asked again, "King ?”.

"Yes, Your Highness." The Duke must be informed, Madame Rochford thought.The woman is finished, her mission must be over, she will leave here, marry in France or Spain, and leave this nightmare forever.And this woman may be lucky enough to return to her hometown, but she is likely to die in England... The ship is going to sink, although it has only been in the water for a few days.

……

Edward waited on the carriage for a long time, and several people were a little groggy. He felt that the carriage started to move while he was half asleep, but the moving time was much longer than expected.When Mrs. Bryan opened the door to wake him up and carried him out of the carriage, he realized that he was not in the vestibule of Richmond Palace, but in...Greenwich Palace?He couldn't believe his eyes. "Ma'am, why are we here? This is Greenwich Palace."

Mrs Bryan said solemnly: 'Your Majesty's order, Your Highness.After returning from Richmond Palace, His Majesty ordered to turn back and move to Greenwich Palace. "

Edward felt confused, what happened?He thought, something big must have happened in Richmond Palace, but he really didn't have the energy to think about it, this body that was not yet four years old was already very tired, his mind was a mess, and in Mrs. Bryan's arms fell asleep.

……

Mrs. Bryan settled down the sleeping Crown Prince, walked out of the bedroom, and found that Sir Peggy was drinking Madeira by the fireplace outside. "Ma'am." Sir Peggy stood up and saluted, and Mrs. Brian nodded in return. "Please sit down, ma'am," said Sir Peggy. "Would you like a glass of wine? I don't think you are in the mood to go to sleep on a night like this." He had a smile on his face, but it was a smile that was a little cheerful. No feeling at all.Mrs. Bryan pulled up an armchair and sat opposite Sir Peggy. Sir Peggy poured her a glass of wine, "I don't think anyone in the court wants to sleep tonight." She said coldly.Those who had followed the king to Richmond Palace returned with chilling silence, and the few words they revealed filled those who heard them with terror.Most of the people in this palace have experienced the terrible storm more than three years ago, and now, it seems that the terrible atmosphere back then has returned.The two sat like this in front of the fire, not saying a word, but there was obvious anxiety on each other's faces, and there were many people like them in the court.

……

"You said that Princess Anne spat on the king and scolded him?" Edward looked at the boy opposite in surprise.The news brought by Robert Dudley was so shocking that the prince who had just woken up thought he was still dreaming.

"It's normal, Your Highness." Robert said with a smile, "Princess Anne... After all, she is not familiar with these things in the court. She doesn't know that she is the king." When a 50-year-old fat man who did not know rushed forward There isn't any lady who doesn't get irritated when kissing you forcefully, right?

"I understand." Edward said, no wonder the king ordered the convoy to turn back after returning. He really couldn't imagine how embarrassing everything would be if the entire palace went to Richmond Palace last night as planned.

"It is said that His Majesty was furious last night." Cousin Lord Thomas added, "Even Culpeper was killed." He found last night that his grandfather, who had always been in front of Mount Tai without changing his face, was a little frightened and disturbed. aroused his curiosity.Before dawn, he went out to ask the guards and servants he knew for news.This young master spends a lot of money and has no airs, so many people are willing to share their secrets with him, of course at a reasonable price. "His Majesty was heard cursing Cromwell, and saying that he would never marry this woman."

"But things have progressed to this point. Your Majesty can't pack up and stuff this princess back." John Seymour said with some doubts.

"Why not? It is said that the princess had an engagement with the Duke of Lorraine before, but it was canceled after His Majesty proposed marriage. Now as long as His Majesty wants to get rid of her, there are many legal loopholes that people can find to argue that this marriage is unreasonable." .” Lord Brandon didn’t seem to care, how often does this kind of thing happen?

"In short, the future of this princess is not good." Robert made a final decision, "Mr. Cromwell really made a bad move." No one refuted him. After all, all the families were waiting to see Cromwell suffer, and this The day seemed to be at hand.

……

"I will never marry this cow!" King Henry, who seemed to have lost his mind, roared at the Lord Seal in front of him, "This is all your idea, Cromwell, you go and take this It's settled!"

Mr. Cromwell was pale, and his aquiline nose was covered with tiny beads of sweat. "Your Majesty, the marriage contract has been signed. You must consider the international influence. Those Protestant princes in Germany will not be happy. Besides, the princess has already arrived." At this time, there is no way out. The wedding must be held, otherwise he will be finished. up.Mr. Cromwell was determined to fight with his back. "What happened yesterday was a misunderstanding, Your Majesty. I believe that the official audience ceremony will be different tomorrow." Anyway, it can't be worse, can it?

"She looks like my horse." King Henry stared sullenly at Cromwell. "You're the director of it all, aren't you? You want me to marry her, and thus strengthen your position. You want those Germans The Protestant lords can be your foreign aid, can you, Cromwell? How dare you betray me, even after I have given you so much? Do you forget what a low fellow you were before I promoted you? "

Mr. Cromwell turned pale with fright, "No... no... I have absolutely no intention of doing so, Your Majesty, I have always been your most loyal servant..."

"Do you think those German princes can help you? I am the king of England! Even if I pack up this mare tomorrow and throw it back to that palm-sized ghost principality in Germany, those princes will not dare to say a word !" The king rarely lost his composure like this, "You think they can change my mind? Do you think they can be your backer? In front of me, the king of England?" He glanced at Cromwell with disdain. It is a useful dog, but now this dog has a mind of its own, and even started to find a second master.Maybe it's time for a new dog, maybe not as good as this one, but the most important thing is loyalty, isn't it?

"I am very disappointed in you, Mr. Cromwell." The king seemed to have calmed down his anger, and regained that cold tone, "I don't want to have a second time."

"I agreed to hold the wedding and I hope this princess will not let me down again."