monarch
Chapter 66 The Pursuit
As the king expected, the "Clarendon Act" was like a spark, igniting the powder keg that had been stored under the foundation of the kingdom for 20 years.From the great halls of the Palace of Westminster to the country taverns of Yorkshire, dissidents were at war with each other, fighting among commoners increased, duels between gentlemen became commonplace, and riots broke out in many cities signs of.It is unrealistic to expect blood feuds to remain calm in the increasingly hot weather.
But let's put all that aside for a moment and look to the quiet countryside of southern Hertfordshire.Although the elegant villages in this land hidden among the woods and meadows are inevitably affected by the storm that sweeps through the kingdom, for most people, they are just a little more after dinner.
To the east of the town of Hatfield, which is only a few hours away from London, stands a huge manor, and in the center of the manor is a magnificent red brick building, which is the hermitage of Catherine Parr, the widow of the former king. land.
According to the late king's will, Catherine Parr was generously endowed with the right to use the palace, and was able to enjoy all the benefits of the four weeks and seven thousand acres of land during her lifetime.In an instant, the first queen became one of the wealthiest women in the country.
It was a balmy early summer morning, and the sun was high in the sky, shining softly over the woods and yard.The air is filled with the aroma of rhododendrons, and the leaves of the tall poplar trees rustle in the wind.
At 11:30 in the morning, a knight appeared at the end of the avenue.The handsome bay Andalusian trotted along with a merry trot, and there was a merry grunt in the bit.
The butler stood waiting in front of the arcade with a big smile, obviously a regular customer.
The knight got off his horse at the gate of the palace, and stuffed his whip and gloves into the doorman's hands, as if he had returned to his own home without restraint.
"Good morning, Your Excellency the Admiral!" The butler bowed obsequiously, "Madam is waiting for you."
The younger brother of His Excellency the Protector, the newly promoted Admiral Sir Thomas Seymour showed a somewhat smug smile, obviously very pleased with this title, "Ah, my old Travis, you are really a perfect man. housekeeper."
"I am honored to serve you." The butler smiled reservedly.
"Tell your men to take care of my horse, they know what to do?"
"As usual, my lord. First rub him with the best hay, and then feed him some barley and oats."
"Well, well, very well, old man." Sir Thomas nodded appreciatively. "Now, please take me to my lady."
"Yes, Your Excellency." The butler bent slightly and led the knight into the gate of the palace.
The butler was in the front, and the jazz was in the back. The distance between the two was half a body, and they walked through luxuriously decorated halls.
In the depths of the palace is an octagonal room, and the layout of this small hall took half a month of effort first and second.The walls of the small room are decorated with light-colored cedar paneling, and there are Sevres tapestries depicting Diana of the Huntsman and Botticelli's landscape paintings on them.The small furniture placed in the room is not gorgeous, but it looks elegant and simple.Several glass windows are open, and the breeze blows gently into the room from the outside, fluttering the beige curtains hanging in front of the windows, and bringing the fragrance of morning glory hanging in front of the windows into the room.This house is the so-called "elegant room", furnished by the owner himself, without any purpose, just a display window of her personal life interest.
The two of them passed through this elegant room and entered the small living room of the first queen.Paintings depicting pastoral scenery hang on the walls of the living room, and the wood of the furniture also looks quite old, wrapped in simple and antique silk and satin, which makes this small living room quite distinctive.
Catherine Parr was leaning on the back of the couch in a loose white dress, lazily flipping through a beautiful picture book.When Sir Thomas entered the room there was a momentary gleam in her eyes.
She put down the album, and held out a hand to Sir Thomas.
Sir Thomas took a few quick steps forward, took the hand of the first queen, bowed his head and kissed it lightly.
"You are finally here." Queen Xian pinched Jazz's palm lightly.
"I was only here a few days ago, ma'am."
"But it seems to me that several years have passed." The Queen smiled slightly, and stretched out her hand to signal Sir Thomas to sit on the armchair beside her.
"I feel like I've gone back to a few years ago." The queen looked at Sir Thomas sitting beside her, "When my ex-husband, Lord Latimer, just passed away, you always came to see me at that time, and I look forward to it every day." Your arrival." She sighed softly, "If it wasn't for His Majesty, we..."
Sir Thomas stretched out a finger, and gently placed it on the lips of the first queen, "It's not too late."
A slight blush appeared on Queen Xian's face, like the residual sunset glow on the horizon after the sun had set.
With some embarrassment, she avoided Sir Thomas' scorching gaze, and looked at the butler who looked like a deaf and dumb stone statue.
"Travis, is lunch ready?" Queen Xian's voice trembled slightly.
"Ready, ma'am. You and the Admiral are ready to dine anytime."
"Are you already hungry?" The first queen stood up and put her hand on the admiral's arm.
"My mind is so full of joy to see you that it makes me forget what it's like to be hungry."
The first queen did not reply, but just smiled.
They walked out of the small living room door and re-entered the elegant room.
"What do you think of my new changes to this room?" Queen Xian asked casually.
Sir Thomas looked round the room, his eyes fixed on two ancient Greek clay vases on the fireplace, and the geraniums in the vases were in full bloom. "Very classical." He nodded approvingly.
A satisfied smile appeared on the queen's face.
A luncheon was already set up in the dining room. Although there were only two people eating, the kitchen still prepared a sumptuous banquet.Flowers from the garden were set on the table, and rare birds from the surrounding hunting grounds were set on silver trays, richly adorned with feathers.The plump river fish comes from the lake of the manor, and the mountains of fruits in the Chinese porcelain pots were just picked from the fruit trees of the manor this morning.
"As you can see, these are all our own products." The queen said proudly, "Of course, except for the wine." She pointed to the purple-red wine in the crystal glass decanter, which came from Bordeaux, France Vineyards, "The climate in this country is really not suitable for the cultivation of grapes."
"You have everything now." Sir took a sip of wine and nodded with satisfaction.
"His majesty the late king is very generous."
"But you deserve it, don't you? After all, you've taken care of him for so many years."
The smile on Queen Xian's face froze for a moment, but then returned to normal.She looked at Sir Thomas as if to read what he meant.But the other party just concentrated on dealing with the grouse on his plate as if nothing had happened.
So she returned to the relaxed state before.
"Won't Princess Elizabeth join us?" asked Sir Thomas, looking up.
"She went to visit a girlfriend nearby." The queen noticed that Sir Thomas looked slightly disappointed, "Is there any problem?"
"It's nothing." Sir Thomas shook his head, and quickly changed the subject, "After dinner, let's go for a horseback ride in the woods."
"I'm not sure..." Queen Xian hesitated, "I usually take a short rest after meals."
"Please don't reject me, Catherine." The first queen trembled slightly because of this address, "Please don't reject me, at least not this time."
The queen picked up the napkin and pretended to wipe her mouth, but actually covered the blush on her face, "Okay, sir, if you insist."
"I insist," said Sir Thomas without hesitation.
The first queen nodded and stopped talking.She picked up the glass at hand and drank the liquid in the glass.
When both of them finished their desserts, Jazz stood up and made an invitation gesture. The first queen also stood up, and they walked towards the garden together.
Under the porch of the garden, the two fine horses were ready, the lord still riding his Andalusian, while the first queen rode a gray Arabian horse.
Catherine Parr sat gracefully sideways on her horse, assisted by Sir Thomas.
"You don't want to straddle?" Sir asked.
Queen Xian's face turned slightly red, "That's how a man rides."
"You don't need to be cautious with me."
"Thank you for your kindness, but there is no need." The queen shook her head.
Sir Thomas gave up his insistence, and turned himself onto the horse.
The two rode their horses through the garden and into the nearby forest.
Although it is the hottest time of the day now, the refreshing breeze blowing gently through the forest does not make people feel hot at all.The magpie stood on the branch and looked curiously at the two horses galloping by, and a few deer could be seen faintly in the bushes in the distance.
The two stopped in a clearing in the woods.In the center of the clearing is an ancient pool covered with water lily leaves.The breeze blew gently, clear waves swayed on the water, and the lotus leaves swayed gently on the water like a boat.
Sir Thomas led the horse to the tree, and he helped the queen to the edge of the pool. The ancient marble was a little yellow, and the cracks in it were covered with moss.
"It's so beautiful, isn't it?" The first queen lowered her head, watching the fish in the pond shuttle back and forth between the stems of the water lilies.
Sir Thomas hesitated for a few seconds, then stretched out his hand, and laid it on the Queen's shoulder.
As if stabbed, the queen jumped back abruptly. "what are you doing?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am." The knight knelt in front of the queen, "but I really can't restrain my emotions."
"You... what are you talking about?" Queen Xian seemed a little hesitant.
"You know what I mean." Sir Thomas looked straight at the Queen, "but since you said it, I will say it again."
"What I want is exactly what I asked you for a few years ago, to let you be my wife. You have already agreed at that time. If it wasn't because the late king insisted on marrying you, we would already be husband and wife by now."
"This..." Queen Xian clasped her hands tightly, "I don't know..."
"No, you know." Jazz's eyes seemed to be burning with flames. "You gave an answer a few years ago, and I believe you will give the same answer today."
The first queen looked at Sir Thomas quietly, and the surroundings were extremely quiet, only the occasional chirping of birds in the distance, and even the sound of fish spitting bubbles in the water could be heard.
After more than a minute, the first queen finally sighed, "But I am the widow of the first king... I can't just remarry, I have to get the approval of the Privy Council... In other words, it is your brother, protect the country His Excellency's approval."
"I'll go ask him," the Jazz grasped Xianwanghou's hand and kissed passionately, but Xianwanghou didn't push him away. "I will tell him that I loved you in the past, and I love you even more now! If I cannot marry you, I would rather abandon this meaningless life!"
"Ah, please, don't say any more." The blush on Queen Xian's face became more obvious.
"I'm going to have a showdown with my brother tomorrow. They must agree to our marriage. In the end, what reason do they have to disagree? You are still so young. It is a crime to let a beauty like you be a widow for life."
"Okay, sir, okay." The first queen sighed, "I really can't think of a reason to reject you if you persist like this."
Sir Thomas hugged the queen and kissed her on the lips, "Thank you, madam!"
The first queen looked a little embarrassed, "Since you have finished speaking, let's go back." She said and walked towards her steed beside the tree.
Suddenly, Sir Thomas seized the first queen by the hand.The first queen turned around and looked at the Jazz in puzzlement.
"Is there anything else you need to do when you go back?"
"No, why do you ask that?" Queen Xian asked a little strangely.
"Since you're not in a hurry to go back, and there's no one here, why don't you stay a little longer?" Jazz had a slight smile on his face, looking like a teenager with some prank idea, "Besides, today's weather is just right , even if you don’t have clothes, you won’t catch a cold.”
Queen Xian was slightly stunned for a few seconds, and suddenly she seemed to react, her face flushed, "You are really crazy!"
"Don't tell me you don't think it's an interesting idea."
The queen opened her mouth halfway, as if she wanted to refute something, but she really couldn't think of a reason. She looked around in vain, "Even if there is no one, there are still two horses watching."
As if in response to her words, the horse of the first queen snorted loudly, as if in a demonstration.
Sir Thomas laughed twice. "Let them see, they can't talk, can they?"
He stretched out his hand, wrapped his arms around the waist of the first queen, and gently unbuttoned the belt.The belt flicked a few times in the air, and fell quietly in the grass.
There were a few more crisp birdsong in the distance.
But let's put all that aside for a moment and look to the quiet countryside of southern Hertfordshire.Although the elegant villages in this land hidden among the woods and meadows are inevitably affected by the storm that sweeps through the kingdom, for most people, they are just a little more after dinner.
To the east of the town of Hatfield, which is only a few hours away from London, stands a huge manor, and in the center of the manor is a magnificent red brick building, which is the hermitage of Catherine Parr, the widow of the former king. land.
According to the late king's will, Catherine Parr was generously endowed with the right to use the palace, and was able to enjoy all the benefits of the four weeks and seven thousand acres of land during her lifetime.In an instant, the first queen became one of the wealthiest women in the country.
It was a balmy early summer morning, and the sun was high in the sky, shining softly over the woods and yard.The air is filled with the aroma of rhododendrons, and the leaves of the tall poplar trees rustle in the wind.
At 11:30 in the morning, a knight appeared at the end of the avenue.The handsome bay Andalusian trotted along with a merry trot, and there was a merry grunt in the bit.
The butler stood waiting in front of the arcade with a big smile, obviously a regular customer.
The knight got off his horse at the gate of the palace, and stuffed his whip and gloves into the doorman's hands, as if he had returned to his own home without restraint.
"Good morning, Your Excellency the Admiral!" The butler bowed obsequiously, "Madam is waiting for you."
The younger brother of His Excellency the Protector, the newly promoted Admiral Sir Thomas Seymour showed a somewhat smug smile, obviously very pleased with this title, "Ah, my old Travis, you are really a perfect man. housekeeper."
"I am honored to serve you." The butler smiled reservedly.
"Tell your men to take care of my horse, they know what to do?"
"As usual, my lord. First rub him with the best hay, and then feed him some barley and oats."
"Well, well, very well, old man." Sir Thomas nodded appreciatively. "Now, please take me to my lady."
"Yes, Your Excellency." The butler bent slightly and led the knight into the gate of the palace.
The butler was in the front, and the jazz was in the back. The distance between the two was half a body, and they walked through luxuriously decorated halls.
In the depths of the palace is an octagonal room, and the layout of this small hall took half a month of effort first and second.The walls of the small room are decorated with light-colored cedar paneling, and there are Sevres tapestries depicting Diana of the Huntsman and Botticelli's landscape paintings on them.The small furniture placed in the room is not gorgeous, but it looks elegant and simple.Several glass windows are open, and the breeze blows gently into the room from the outside, fluttering the beige curtains hanging in front of the windows, and bringing the fragrance of morning glory hanging in front of the windows into the room.This house is the so-called "elegant room", furnished by the owner himself, without any purpose, just a display window of her personal life interest.
The two of them passed through this elegant room and entered the small living room of the first queen.Paintings depicting pastoral scenery hang on the walls of the living room, and the wood of the furniture also looks quite old, wrapped in simple and antique silk and satin, which makes this small living room quite distinctive.
Catherine Parr was leaning on the back of the couch in a loose white dress, lazily flipping through a beautiful picture book.When Sir Thomas entered the room there was a momentary gleam in her eyes.
She put down the album, and held out a hand to Sir Thomas.
Sir Thomas took a few quick steps forward, took the hand of the first queen, bowed his head and kissed it lightly.
"You are finally here." Queen Xian pinched Jazz's palm lightly.
"I was only here a few days ago, ma'am."
"But it seems to me that several years have passed." The Queen smiled slightly, and stretched out her hand to signal Sir Thomas to sit on the armchair beside her.
"I feel like I've gone back to a few years ago." The queen looked at Sir Thomas sitting beside her, "When my ex-husband, Lord Latimer, just passed away, you always came to see me at that time, and I look forward to it every day." Your arrival." She sighed softly, "If it wasn't for His Majesty, we..."
Sir Thomas stretched out a finger, and gently placed it on the lips of the first queen, "It's not too late."
A slight blush appeared on Queen Xian's face, like the residual sunset glow on the horizon after the sun had set.
With some embarrassment, she avoided Sir Thomas' scorching gaze, and looked at the butler who looked like a deaf and dumb stone statue.
"Travis, is lunch ready?" Queen Xian's voice trembled slightly.
"Ready, ma'am. You and the Admiral are ready to dine anytime."
"Are you already hungry?" The first queen stood up and put her hand on the admiral's arm.
"My mind is so full of joy to see you that it makes me forget what it's like to be hungry."
The first queen did not reply, but just smiled.
They walked out of the small living room door and re-entered the elegant room.
"What do you think of my new changes to this room?" Queen Xian asked casually.
Sir Thomas looked round the room, his eyes fixed on two ancient Greek clay vases on the fireplace, and the geraniums in the vases were in full bloom. "Very classical." He nodded approvingly.
A satisfied smile appeared on the queen's face.
A luncheon was already set up in the dining room. Although there were only two people eating, the kitchen still prepared a sumptuous banquet.Flowers from the garden were set on the table, and rare birds from the surrounding hunting grounds were set on silver trays, richly adorned with feathers.The plump river fish comes from the lake of the manor, and the mountains of fruits in the Chinese porcelain pots were just picked from the fruit trees of the manor this morning.
"As you can see, these are all our own products." The queen said proudly, "Of course, except for the wine." She pointed to the purple-red wine in the crystal glass decanter, which came from Bordeaux, France Vineyards, "The climate in this country is really not suitable for the cultivation of grapes."
"You have everything now." Sir took a sip of wine and nodded with satisfaction.
"His majesty the late king is very generous."
"But you deserve it, don't you? After all, you've taken care of him for so many years."
The smile on Queen Xian's face froze for a moment, but then returned to normal.She looked at Sir Thomas as if to read what he meant.But the other party just concentrated on dealing with the grouse on his plate as if nothing had happened.
So she returned to the relaxed state before.
"Won't Princess Elizabeth join us?" asked Sir Thomas, looking up.
"She went to visit a girlfriend nearby." The queen noticed that Sir Thomas looked slightly disappointed, "Is there any problem?"
"It's nothing." Sir Thomas shook his head, and quickly changed the subject, "After dinner, let's go for a horseback ride in the woods."
"I'm not sure..." Queen Xian hesitated, "I usually take a short rest after meals."
"Please don't reject me, Catherine." The first queen trembled slightly because of this address, "Please don't reject me, at least not this time."
The queen picked up the napkin and pretended to wipe her mouth, but actually covered the blush on her face, "Okay, sir, if you insist."
"I insist," said Sir Thomas without hesitation.
The first queen nodded and stopped talking.She picked up the glass at hand and drank the liquid in the glass.
When both of them finished their desserts, Jazz stood up and made an invitation gesture. The first queen also stood up, and they walked towards the garden together.
Under the porch of the garden, the two fine horses were ready, the lord still riding his Andalusian, while the first queen rode a gray Arabian horse.
Catherine Parr sat gracefully sideways on her horse, assisted by Sir Thomas.
"You don't want to straddle?" Sir asked.
Queen Xian's face turned slightly red, "That's how a man rides."
"You don't need to be cautious with me."
"Thank you for your kindness, but there is no need." The queen shook her head.
Sir Thomas gave up his insistence, and turned himself onto the horse.
The two rode their horses through the garden and into the nearby forest.
Although it is the hottest time of the day now, the refreshing breeze blowing gently through the forest does not make people feel hot at all.The magpie stood on the branch and looked curiously at the two horses galloping by, and a few deer could be seen faintly in the bushes in the distance.
The two stopped in a clearing in the woods.In the center of the clearing is an ancient pool covered with water lily leaves.The breeze blew gently, clear waves swayed on the water, and the lotus leaves swayed gently on the water like a boat.
Sir Thomas led the horse to the tree, and he helped the queen to the edge of the pool. The ancient marble was a little yellow, and the cracks in it were covered with moss.
"It's so beautiful, isn't it?" The first queen lowered her head, watching the fish in the pond shuttle back and forth between the stems of the water lilies.
Sir Thomas hesitated for a few seconds, then stretched out his hand, and laid it on the Queen's shoulder.
As if stabbed, the queen jumped back abruptly. "what are you doing?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am." The knight knelt in front of the queen, "but I really can't restrain my emotions."
"You... what are you talking about?" Queen Xian seemed a little hesitant.
"You know what I mean." Sir Thomas looked straight at the Queen, "but since you said it, I will say it again."
"What I want is exactly what I asked you for a few years ago, to let you be my wife. You have already agreed at that time. If it wasn't because the late king insisted on marrying you, we would already be husband and wife by now."
"This..." Queen Xian clasped her hands tightly, "I don't know..."
"No, you know." Jazz's eyes seemed to be burning with flames. "You gave an answer a few years ago, and I believe you will give the same answer today."
The first queen looked at Sir Thomas quietly, and the surroundings were extremely quiet, only the occasional chirping of birds in the distance, and even the sound of fish spitting bubbles in the water could be heard.
After more than a minute, the first queen finally sighed, "But I am the widow of the first king... I can't just remarry, I have to get the approval of the Privy Council... In other words, it is your brother, protect the country His Excellency's approval."
"I'll go ask him," the Jazz grasped Xianwanghou's hand and kissed passionately, but Xianwanghou didn't push him away. "I will tell him that I loved you in the past, and I love you even more now! If I cannot marry you, I would rather abandon this meaningless life!"
"Ah, please, don't say any more." The blush on Queen Xian's face became more obvious.
"I'm going to have a showdown with my brother tomorrow. They must agree to our marriage. In the end, what reason do they have to disagree? You are still so young. It is a crime to let a beauty like you be a widow for life."
"Okay, sir, okay." The first queen sighed, "I really can't think of a reason to reject you if you persist like this."
Sir Thomas hugged the queen and kissed her on the lips, "Thank you, madam!"
The first queen looked a little embarrassed, "Since you have finished speaking, let's go back." She said and walked towards her steed beside the tree.
Suddenly, Sir Thomas seized the first queen by the hand.The first queen turned around and looked at the Jazz in puzzlement.
"Is there anything else you need to do when you go back?"
"No, why do you ask that?" Queen Xian asked a little strangely.
"Since you're not in a hurry to go back, and there's no one here, why don't you stay a little longer?" Jazz had a slight smile on his face, looking like a teenager with some prank idea, "Besides, today's weather is just right , even if you don’t have clothes, you won’t catch a cold.”
Queen Xian was slightly stunned for a few seconds, and suddenly she seemed to react, her face flushed, "You are really crazy!"
"Don't tell me you don't think it's an interesting idea."
The queen opened her mouth halfway, as if she wanted to refute something, but she really couldn't think of a reason. She looked around in vain, "Even if there is no one, there are still two horses watching."
As if in response to her words, the horse of the first queen snorted loudly, as if in a demonstration.
Sir Thomas laughed twice. "Let them see, they can't talk, can they?"
He stretched out his hand, wrapped his arms around the waist of the first queen, and gently unbuttoned the belt.The belt flicked a few times in the air, and fell quietly in the grass.
There were a few more crisp birdsong in the distance.
You'll Also Like
-
Destined Villain: Choose to threaten the beautiful master at the beginning
Chapter 89 3 hours ago -
Blue Prison: Get a full-level pass at the start
Chapter 129 3 hours ago -
Journey to the West: A Insight Against Heaven, Understanding the Heavenly Gangs and Earthly Evils
Chapter 205 3 hours ago -
Football: Rejecting the Chinese national football team, I won the European Cup
Chapter 135 3 hours ago -
After leaving home, they regretted it.
Chapter 220 3 hours ago -
Marvel: Friendship System, Deadpool is my best friend
Chapter 252 3 hours ago -
Pirate collector, obtains the Conqueror's Haki talent at the beginning
Chapter 103 3 hours ago -
Listen to the advice: Why did I, Sasuke, defect from Konoha?
Chapter 228 3 hours ago -
No kidding, even Rocks had to pass me a cigarette!
Chapter 179 3 hours ago -
Six years of family affection has been wasted. Don't regret it if you dare.
Chapter 228 3 hours ago