August 4th, 1562

St. James' s Palace

The Scots had finally landed on English soil. Edward had purchased new gowns for Isabella, Lady Anne and Marie befitting the occasion. Marie had demanded a newer, more elaborate head dress to showcase her station as his only mistress and he had obliged her to keep peace between himself and the mother of his children. Of course, he realized that Isabella, Lady Norfolk, and the Lady Anne would cause a commotion when they saw that Marie was as well dressed as them, despite being obviously ranked beneath all three of them. His nerves were on edge ad he waited for Lady Norfolk to barge into his rooms, abusing Richard as she entered. Richard was much too loyal for him to quit, but Edward intended to provide the boy with a barony for his strength. Even Lord Norfolk quietly complained of Ruth's violent antics when she was angry. According to him, she threw things, screaming and punching him for hours before retiring and Norfolk would be left to decide whether or not he wished to follow. It was unusual for her to have so much power but Edward had encouraged his inner circle to keep their hands off of their wives. Northumberland didn't have such illusions. He instructed Norfolk to beat Ruth, not that Norfolk would ever raise a hand to his ill tempered wife. Yet, Marie flounced out of his bed chamber, twirling in her pale blue damask gown, the sapphire encrusted head dress complimented her very well, making him smile. He knew Isabella would be equally radiant in her purple gown, she was his perfect wife and Marie his perfect mistress.

"Is it not gorgeous my love?" Marie blushed when she saw the way he looked at her.

Edward nodded. "Of course Marie. When have you not been?"

Marie frowned. "Even more radiant than the Lady Anne?"

Edward hesitated, Lady Anne was extremely stunning to look at, second only to her elder sister. "Yes, more than the Lady Anne."

Marie sighed. "You are lying. You think she is more beautiful than me. Why must I always come second to your love?"

Edward heard Northumberland laughing from his own desk. "Lady Marie, do tell who said you were the second most beautiful at court?"

Marie appeared enraged. "Then tell me my lord. Who are the most beautiful women at court?"

Northumberland cleared his throat. "The Queen of course is most beautiful, the Lady Anne would come next, perhaps the Lady Margaret Denton, Lady Norfolk, perhaps...hmm Lady Northampton, Lady Sancha Neville, yourself, hmm Lady Jane Dudley, Lady Catalina, and maybe Lady Madeleine"

Marie curled her lip and glared at Edward. "Is that how you feel Edward? You believe those women are more beautiful than myself?"

Edward sighed. "What does it matter Marie?"

Her eyes began to glisten with tears and Edward felt guilty. "You have favored Lady Anne over me since she arrived to court!"

He watched her storm away, tired of dealing with her tantrums. Marie was very much a child in many ways, it was not ad if he would put her aside for Isabella's sister. Lady Anne ' s favor came from her status. Lady Anne would be created Duchess of Exeter in her own right in an hour, Isabella insisted that it happen before Queen Mary arrived. He agreed, although he'd much prefer that Anne find a husband, but that was Isabella's job and Isabella had given her younger sister to marry the man of her choice. She had spent much time with the younger son of the old Vicount Veldon of Kent, a young Robert Veldon. If Anne married him, the man who was defended from a commoner and the daughter of a baron would be the Duke of Exeter. It bothered him a bit, but he knew Isabella would never refuse her younger sister. A knock at the door interrupted his work and he scowled. He needed to fortify the city of Dover after a recent pirate raid on the coast. When Lady Anne entered the room, he smiled.

"What is that you need sister?" He was jovial despite Anne's apparent distress.

Anne twirled a piece of her hair around her finger. "I am here to ask that you do not allow the harlot to attend tonight's festivities with the family. The children are around and I do not wish for my nieces and nephews to witness the two of you together."

Edward groaned. "Sister, Lady Marie is determined to attend the festivities on my left side as my mistress. I do not wish to upset the balance between us."

Anne glared. "What of the balance between yourself and your wife? You have no respect for her anymore."

Edward narrowed his eyes. "Watch your tongue Lady Anne. You have not been created Duchess of Exeter yet."

"It matters not! If my sister must suffer for me to receive a title then I do not want it!" Anne was truly pleading with him.

Edward looked at her thoughtfully. "Anne, I will betroth you to Lord Robert if you keep out of your sister's marital affairs. She and I have come to an understanding."

Anne blushed. "Lord Robert is only a friend. He is betrothed to another."

Edward snorted. "I only wish for you to mind your own business. Between you and Lady Norfolk speaking on Isabella's behalf it is a miracle I get enough done to keep England from being invaded."

Anne smiled. "I guess that makes you a great king."

Flattery. Anne's favorite weapon when he was upset with her, not that he minded the compliments.

"Nan..." He chuffed affectionately.

"Brother, my sister cries and it breaks me emotionally. " Anne looked near tears.

Edward grumbled inaudibly and sighed. "Anne get ready for your ceremony."

August 4th, 1562

St. James' s Palace

Isabella glanced at the mirror, Edward had purchased yet another expensive gown that she didn't want or need. Although it made her stand out, she knew it was his way to "apologize" for his affair. He had been coming to her bed recently but when he tried to spend his nights with her, she asked him to leave. He would try to stay but she kept her back to him until his frustration sent him back into the harlot's arms. If she could not have all of him she would rather take her love away from him than allow him to hurt her again. It was Anne's idea of course, not that Isabella was opposed. She hated what he was doing to her. If he could just put her aside she would love him again, yet he treated her as if she were the mistress and Marie, the queen. Anne, the newly named Duchess of Exeter, entered the chamber dressed in a dark green dress with lighter green sleeves. She had her silky black hair tucked underneath a hood, rouge highlighted her delicate cheekbones.

"You are beautiful Nan." Isabella offered a smile.

Anne frowned. "Sister you are not happy."

Isabella waved her off. "It matters not. When Ruth is ready we shall head to the grand hall."

Ruth poked her head out of the door adjoining their rooms. "I am nearly ready. I just cannot get my hood to fit. It is a bit too small."

Anne laughed. "Come here Ruth! I shall assist you."

Ruth emerged, clad in a beautiful red satin gown. "I must cut my hair to fit this pitiful thing."

Isabella cackled. "Ruth, I do believe that is Elizabeth's cap."

Ruth held the cap up and shook her head. "Oh dear, Lady Northampton dressed Elizabeth."

Ruth disappeared back into her rooms and return with Elizabeth giggling. The bright red hood hung loosely to Elizabeth's head, which was much too small for her mother's cap.

Anne laughed loudly. "Ruth you must never let your sister dress the girl again!"

Ruth took her hoof and placed it on her head before fixing her daughter's clothes. Lady Rebecca toddler with her father walking closely behind.

Ruth sighed in exasperation. "Thomas, carry Rebecca. She is too young to be walking so much."

Thomas raised an eyebrow. "My love she is three years-"

Ruth shot him a glare and soon Lady Rebecca was in her father's arms. The small party began their walk to the grand hall when they were met by Edward, Northumberland, and Marie. When Isabella saw that Marie's dress was covered in beading, jewels and her sapphire encrusted hood she felt her blood boil.

Edward approached her to kiss her but she turned her head. "What is it my dear?"

Isabella snorted. "Do not play innocent with me Edward. If you want to parade your whore and treat her as if she is my equal then stay away from my apartments. If she means so much to you than I beseech you to annul this marriage. Marry the one you truly love!"

She stormed down the hall, leaving her companions dumbfounded. She could almost feel Marie's malicious smile following her down the hall. She shook her head to fight back the tears in order to remain dignified. She would be meeting Mary, Queen of Scots. Although Mary had been disdainful at their first meeting, the two began exchanging letters and had quite the rapport. Isabella stopped to catch her breath and groaned when she noticed Edward had followed her.

His eyes were unreadable as he approached. "Isabella this is no way for a queen to behave!"

Isabella turned away. "You blame me for being angry with you, yet you do nothing to show your love that you have declared to me."

Edward wrinkled his nose. "Is the dress you're wearing now not a gift from me?"

"That is not the point!" She shrieked, her heart fluttering in her chest. "You never listen to me anymore! You never visit me just to be in my presence. You have taken my children from me because that witch asked you to. You have locked me away in the tower..."

She shook with the severity of her emotions. How had Edward broken her so badly when all she ever did was love him?

He put his hand to her cheek but she shoved him away. She didn't want to be near him, she wanted him to go back to Marie. She wanted certainty. If Edward never loved her again she could accept that, but she could not accept how he declared he loved her yet kept Marie at his side.

"Isabella, I -"

She shook her head. "Do not speak it. Do not speak what you do not feel into existence. "

He reached for her again but she slapped his hand away.

"Izzy, I truly-"

It was too much for her. "You take everything from me!"

The hot tears began to race down her cheek and ran to disappear down the corridor.

Yet she heard his voice. "Isabella I have made a decision! "

She made no effort to turn back, she just decided to disappear into one of the many rooms inside of St. James ' s Palace.