Queen Victoria
September 1st, 1518
Now in September, we draw nearer to the day I would soon give birth.
I stood with Mary in the royal nursery and smiled as I placed the bedding down.
"How much longer until the baby is here?" Mary asked as she got off the rocking horse.
"Two more months my love. The baby is still growing inside of me." I said as I grabbed one of the blankets and placed it in the cradle.
"But I want the baby to come now." She whined and I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Mary, what do we say about whining?" I asked and she huffed before turning to me.
"That it is not very princess-like." She said and I smiled as I placed a hand on my stomach.
"That is correct. Now Lectio velox tempus" (Time for a quick lesson) I began as a maid brought in a pile of white blankets.
"Ego Paratus sum mama." (I am ready mama)
I smiled at her before I took the blankets into my hand and began folding them.
"Quid color est vexillum nostrum?" (What color is our flag?)
"Nostrum vexillum rubrum et album." (Our flag is red and white) She responded and I chuckled softly.
"Your Latin is very good Mary. What other languages would you like to learn?" I asked and she stared out the window for a moment before smiling.
"I want to learn Spanish, German, and French." She listed and I nodded.
"I think we will begin with Spanish. It is your mothers first language and you should know it." I explained as I handed the blankets to a lady before the door opened and in came Emilia.
She bowed to both Mary and me before standing up.
"Is everything alright Emilia? Has Lady Morgana arrived?" I asked and Emilia nodded.
"Lady Morgana is getting a tour from Lord Julien. His Majesty requests yours and Mary's presence in his office at the moment."
I watched her for a moment before holding my hand out for Mary and we walked out of the nursery and towards the east side of the castle to Henry's office.
Charles opened the doors for us and Henry's men bowed to us before I spotted Henry. Mary and I bowed our heads as Henry stood up and strolled to us.
"There they are! My beautiful wife and daughter. You all may leave us." Henry annouced and his men filled out of the room.
"Is everything alright? Emilia said you needed us." I said and Henry nodded.
"Yes, I hear you hired another lady," Henry said as he pulled out a chair for me to sit down.
"Lady Morgana. She hails from Scotland. A gift actually from your sister." I said and Henry chuckled.
"Before we get to that, Mary how are your lessons going?"
"Wonderful papa. I get to start Spanish lessons soon. Mama just needs to find a tutor." Mary explained and I grinned.
"Her Latin is as good as mine. I believe it is time to start her Spanish lessons. She has mathematics, literature, archery, riding, history, and soon she shall start dancing." I listed and Henry clapped his hands.
"You have done very well being an active mother as well as an active Queen and I am fiercely proud," Henry uttered as he leaned forward and kissed me softly.
"Thank you, my love. Did you say something about your sister? Is Maragert alright?" I asked as Henry stood up. He grabbed a letter from his desk and handed it to me.
Dearest brother Henry,
It has been so long since I have stepped foot in England my home. I have just given birth to my son Albert, your new nephew and both James and I were wondering if we could come to England for a week.
I have yet to meet your new wife and James is not getting any younger. I want to see my niece and I want to be home for a while. My daughter Elizabeth could be very good friends with Mary.
Write to me soon,
Margaret, Queen of Scotland
I looked up at Henry who was grinning.
"Margaret is a wonderful ally. I was so upset when my father sent her to cold Scotland. My mother fought against him. My brother Arthur never liked her. I already sent a letter agreeing to Margaret and her family to come to England." Henry explained and I nodded.
"How many children does she have?" I asked and Henry smiled.
"Elizabeth, Princess Royal. James, Duke of Rothesay, and now Albert, Duke of Edinburgh. She had another son James but he died at a year old. She sent for my mother but my father would not let her go." Henry explained and I smiled.
"I cannot wait to meet her. She sounds very lovely. What of your other sister, Mary?"
"Mary is the Dowager Queen of France. Her husband was very old. She lives in Versailles now. You shall write to her and ask her to come when Margaret does." Henry annouced and I nodded.
"Of course. You were very close to your sisters?"
"Especially Mary. I named my only living daughter after her." Henry said with a laugh and I looked over to see Mary staring out the window.
"I shall write to your sister tonight. I would like to retire to my chambers now." I said and Henry nodded as he leaned forward and kissed me.
"I shall take Mary to her riding lessons. Rest my love." He said before I bowed my head and walked out of the office.
Once I got to my chambers Emilia, Lady Megan, and another woman stand up.
"You must be Lady Morgana," I said and the girl stared at me for a moment before bowing low.
"It is an honor, Your Majesty." She said and I smiled.
"Thank you for your service. If you stay long enough I can arrange a marriage to a Lord or Duke but there are rules." I said as I stepped towards her and she nodded.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
"Good. The first rule, you are loyal to me and only me. The second rule, you shall never try to seduce my husband the King. The third rule, if you wish to be dismissed from my service you may come to me. I shall never hold someone against their will. Do you understand?"
"I understand,"
"Good, welcome to my service Lady Morgana. My sister in law says you are a wonderful woman. Your first task is to write a letter to the Dowager Queen of France asking her to come to England when her sister the Queen of Scotland comes. After you write it to bring it to me to approve and sign." I instructed and Morgana bowed before turning away.
"Do you need anything, Your Majesty?" Lady Megan asked as I moved towards my bed.
"Yes, please go fetch a bowl of grapes and a goblet of water. I will be relaxing until dinner."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lady Morgana
Queen Chambers