Queen Victoria of Cambridge
February 20th, 1521
I walked the corridor holding Albert on my hip. Mary, Henri, and Edward walked in front of me. In two months will be the celebration of Henry ascending the throne, for now, twelve years.
"Mama? Why are they running?" Henri asked and I looked to the courtyard to see some of Henry's advisors rushing towards the meeting rooms.
"They must be late for a council meeting. Do not worry Henri." I said and I fixed his blonde hair. As we entered the banquet hall everyone fell to their knees as we walked past them towards our thrones.
I was shocked not to see Henry there but Charles and Mary waiting at the bottom steps for us. Mary led Henri and Edward to their thrones and their guards stood beside them.
"Where is he?" I asked as they both bowed to me.
"We must speak to you privately, Your Majesty," Charles said and I inhaled softly.
"Fine, led the way," I said as I looked down at Albert before following Mary and Charles to the private chamber.
I placed Albert on the floor and he crawled over to a wooden sword one of the boys must've left there.
"Has something happened?"
"There are rumors spreading from Scotland to Spain."
"Rumors of what exactly?"
"Of Margaret and James. The rumors are that James is dead and they are planning to overthrow Margaret as regent for Little James."
"Dead? But the last we heard they were fine. No enemies or anything."
Charles and Mary shared a look before Mary looked at me.
"I know my elder sister very well. James took mistresses but kept them very discreet. She wrote saying James received a message, a death threat almost."
"Has our ambassador spoken to Margaret? Or the children? Make sure they are alright?" I asked as I felt one of the twins kick.
"Our ambassador has been banished. He is on his way back to England. In the last letter he sent, Margaret has not seen James or little Albert in over a week which is not normal. She has kept little Elizabeth and of course little Alexandra by her side. But they will not let her near the boys." Charles explained and I sighed.
"What could we do? If the rumor is true? That James has been murdered and they want to put a ten-year-old on the throne?" I asked and I felt a tug on my skirts and looked down to see Albert staring up at me.
I sighed softly as I pulled him up and held him close.
"We send our spies to get Margaret and the girls."
"And the boys? James and Albert? Albert is only two. He needs his mother!"
"Scotland cares nothing for the girls and Margaret! They hated the idea of an English Queen. I remember my sister writing letters to my father begging for a divorce! Begging for help." Mary cried out and I stared at her.
"It would cause war, wouldn't it? If we go for the boys as well?"
"It would. Henry is in meetings and Mary must join him soon to convince France to help us get Margaret, Elizabeth, and Alexandra." Charles explained as Mary fixed her cloak and sighed softly.
"Of course. Mary, please tell Henry to see me afterward please?" I asked and Mary nodded as she bowed her head before walking off. When I heard the door closed I looked to Charles.
"Would you go? To get Margaret and the girls?"
"Would you want me to?"
"I would feel more comfortable if you did. She gave birth to Alexandra three months ago. Charles, what if was me? Last year after I had Albert?" I asked and I watched as Charles froze.
"I would move heaven and earth for you two." He whispered and I sighed softly.
"Then move heaven and earth for my sister in law and my nieces," I said before I turned and left the chamber holding Albert. I handed him over to Lady Amelia and smiled when I saw Liam and Francesca.
Much like me Francesca was with child and was due hopefully within the next month. They both bowed to me before I hugged my brother.
"Francesca, how are you? Ready to give birth?"
"Very ready. My swollen belly gets lower nearly every day." She said and I smiled softly as the music began and everyone began to dance.
"I understand perfectly how you feel. I pray your first labor is shorter than mine." I said and Francesca bowed her head.
'May I have this dance sister?"
"Of course brother," I said as I offered him my hand and he led me onto the dance floor.
"I have just left the Council meeting. Henry is very disturbed about his sister."
"I would too. She has just begun to recover after giving birth to Alexandra." I said as he spun me around.
"You must not worry but a sickness, a fever, is spreading once again." He said and I sighed softly as the music stopped and I turned to clap for the musicians.
"Another one? We had one just over a year ago that took my husband's bastard child." I said as Liam offered me his hand and led me towards my throne.
"Yes, another one. Now watch who comes near you and the children. And be safe."
"It will take a lot to bring me down."