The Glow

Catherine didn't fully like what happened that night. By that night, of course, she's referring to when Henry asked for her presence. She had gotten used to her Glow not appearing yet after all, but she was not going to lost hope. When she got the message via Jane, Catherine received a slither of confidence for two reasons. On one, Henry wanted to see her and not Boleyn. On the other, she got more time with him, and more opportunity for her Glow.

Of course, that's not what happened. Just the regular 'helping'. This time he was a lot more aggressive. There wasn't a build up at all--as soon as she closed the door he pounced. He didn't even ask... That thought hurts Catherine. To know that her soulmate would just take her body as he pleases, without consent. It also hurts to know that other men would abuse her just as much, or more, in the event that she wasn't currently married to Henry.

Then there's the whole Boleyn situation. Catherine still doesn't like that this outsider is sharing a bed with the rightful queen. No matter what that girl said, Catherine was always, and always will be the true queen. Although, she did have to admit. She did quite enjoy messing with Boleyn during the party. Only for her mood to darken once the Glowing happened.

So, as to not put her mind to it, Catherine starts her day like any other. Her morning prayer, getting dressed, the new addition of arguing with Boleyn, then breakfast. It doesn't surprise the queen that the king isn't there with the two, as he always preferred to sleep in. Perhaps not the best thing to do when you're king, but it's not like anyone can stop you.

The gold woman had finished two days of work yesterday. Tiring, yes, but she now has today to spend with her daughter, assuming nothing came up. Which she hopes doesn't happen as today is the girl's birthday. Speaking of which, the mini queen comes running through the door so fast her mother has to stop her.

"Sorry mother. Are you finished yet?" The Spaniard swallows her food before responding.

"Yes, now I am. Are you ready to go?"

"Can Miss Boleyn come with us?" No one expects Mary to suggest such a thing. Truth be told, Mary had been trying her hardest to come up with a plan. Her primary mission of finding the hidden meaning between her mother and the mistress had been getting more difficult with all the arguing the two of them do. So, the easiest solution would to get them to be friends. Well, respect each other first, then perhaps being friends will follow.

Mary can see the reluctance in both of the women's eyes. Gosh do they hate each other that much? Hopefully, mother can see past that for my sake. 

"Please?" There's another moment of silence and thinking before the queen takes a long breath.

"Of course she can come." Catherine says this as if Mary didn't recognize the tension. I notice a lot of things mother. More than I let on. "If she's up for it." This statement is directed towards the French woman, who's now swallowing her last bite.

"Of course I will. It is your birthday if I'm correct?" The princess is genuinely surprised that Miss Boleyn remembered something as unimportant as her birthday. As she nods, the green woman bends over in her chair to pick up something. "Great. I can finally give this to you."

Mary takes the wrapped package then starts to open it. Inside is a blank notebook. A singular blue jewel is placed in the center of the cover, a sapphire if Mary remembers her studies correctly. Her eyes light up at the sight. Miss Boleyn remembered their first conversation! Off to the side, the child can feel her mother's....anger? Jealousy? Is there something more to it? Like, thankfulness or relief? 

"Thank you so much Miss Boleyn! I love it! How'd you know my Glow color is blue?"

"I have my ways. And please. Call me Anne. We are friends after all." Mary is glad that she's made another friend, as she likes to keep to herself more often and doesn't have that many. Especially with being the princess, others expect her to act certain ways. Yet, there's always something you can never tell anyone...

"Right. Thank you Anne." The two share a smile. Before the queen starts to feel left out, Mary latches onto her arm. "Can we go now mother?"

"Did you finish your studies earlier like I told you to?" The girl's eyes widen, which causes Anne to giggle quietly. Whoops. The monarch sighs. "Come on. You can do it outside." Yes! Mary then runs off to her study to gather her assignments for the day, only to stumble and fall at the large amount.

"Gosh, are you assigned this much everyday?" The smiling child shakes her head.

"No, I like learning. So I ask for extra material." Anne makes an 'O' with her mouth as she bends down to help pick up the fallen items. Mary looks up at the two women she's grown to admire as they both reach for the same book. A classic scene in the fiction novels she's read. They both pull back as their hands brush, only for Catherine to grab it not a moment later. Mary notices the slight blush on their cheeks. Or is that their makeup? It's hard to tell.

Either way, Mary hopes that forcing them to spend time together will lead them to respect and not hatred. Though, with the way both of them scrambled to pick up as much as they could, that might take a while.

After putting some warmer clothing on, the three women walk down the corridors and into the garden, greeting the several servants that are currently working there. Mary walks over to her favorite table, setting her stuff down and opening her first assignment. Seeing this, the older two silently put the other materials next to her and take a seat. Opposite each other of course. Though the princess is focused on her work, she mentally notes the tension between the two, the silence, and also how they're putting up with the other just to make her happy. Maybe I can be the final push? 

A while later, everyone's paying attention to the clever girl's French assignment when a certain 'native' speaker breaks the silence.

"You're doing great, but your accents are faced the wrong way."

"I'm sure it's not a big deal." Catherine retorts, causing Mary to fiddle with her fingers--something she always does when nervous. They're gonna start arguing again... 

"I grew up in France your highness." The normally formal title is used with a mocking tone. "It matters." As they go back and forth, the young girl covers her ears, hoping one of them would notice her discomfort. Yet they don't. This is my final assignment. Just get this done, and you can go do something else. 

"I-I don't mean to interrupt, but I can't concentrate with your arguing." At the interruption, the two apologize and quiet themselves down. Only speaking up to help fix mistakes. It's not long before Mary shuts her book, shaking her dominant hand to relax it from all the writing. "Finally!"

"I'm proud of you mi hija. Now let's head inside, it's gotten colder." Each girl picks up a third of the stuff that was brought out and carries it back into Mary's school room.

Because of the cold, the rest of Mary's birthday is spent inside. She'd somehow convinced the queen and the mistress to play some of her games with her. The entire thing makes the almost-teenager very happy. And she also notices how the gold and green girls have loosened up as well, the tension being lost. Their focus is on the game at hand, and Mary could've sworn she saw them smile at one another. Very sincerely.

Mary would consider this one of her most memorable birthdays. Actually, make that her number one, most memorable birthday. She'd never been close to her father, but her favorite birthdays are the ones where he'd actually take notice of her, spend the day with her and Catherine. As if they were a normal, happy family. And now the king is always busy, being short and cross with Mary, if he's not ignoring her. Both parents are growing impatient at the lack of a Glow. The difference is that her father started to seek out others, while her mother is patiently waiting it out.

But today, the 12 year old feels the same happiness she had felt on those better days. Perhaps it's from Miss Anne Boleyn. Her presence is definitely an interesting one. A lot of energy, but can be serious when needed. Not the most proper, but enough to get by when the king is near. Very different from her mother. Strong, regal, very formal, protective, etc. Yet Mary can't help but feel there's something connecting them together. Of course, she's felt it from the start, but it seems to be growing stronger. Unless Mary is daydreaming.

It's towards the end of the day when Catherine leads Mary and Anne to the room with the birthday cake. 12 blue candles are placed in the center of it, the last two currently being lit by Mary's favorite lady in waiting.

"Hello Miss Jane! Are you staying?" The blonde's eyes widen, looking to the queen for permission.

"If you're not busy, Jane. It seems Mary would love to have you here." A sigh is let out before Jane politely agrees.

"If you wish, Mary." The approval causes Mary to run over and hug Jane before remembering the presence of her mother and quickly regaining her composure. She clears her throat.

"Thank you Miss Jane. I really appreciate it." Everyone giggles quietly at Mary's sudden change in behavior, slowly starting to gather around the table.

The three women sing 'Happy Birthday' to the clever princess, while Mary thinks about her birthday wish. It's always changing isn't it? Well, normally i'd wish for father to notice me more. Sometimes it's for mother's Glow to finally happen. Other times it's for our family to be like everyone else's. But this year.... When she finally thinks of one, she closes her eyes and blows out the candles. 

"What'd you wish for?"

"Not to be rude Miss Boleyn, but if she tells you, it won't come true." Jane quietly reminds.

"Besides, it's up to God if it is going to come true." A classic response from the Catholic. Not that the others weren't religious, but rather they didn't focus on it as much as the queen did.

"I can tell you. It's the same thing I've been asking Him recently anyways..." Mary mutters, just loud enough that the three would hear. "I just wished that mother and Anne would get along. They don't have to be friends right now, but if they could just respect each other....that'd mean a lot to me." The child says this to no one in particular, but keeps her eyes fixed on Anne, as she is the one who asked in the first place. Jane gives the girl a quick hug.

"That's very sweet Mary. I have to go, but I'll have your things ready like usual, alright?" Mary nods as the lady in waiting exits. "Thank you your Highness, Miss Boleyn." As this interaction is happening, the gold and green women are left staring at each other, dumbfounded. This child really is something else. 

~     ~     ~

When Mary's bedtime comes, she's about to hop into bed when a knock comes from her bedroom door.

"Come in." The door opens and in walks Jane, holding a piece of paper.

"Your mother asked me to hand this to you." That's strange. She hadn't expected anything else from her mother since the queen already left her present on her bed the night before. Mary takes the note from Jane before thanking her. "You're quite welcome, Mary. Happy birthday, sweet dreams."

"Thanks again Miss Jane." The blonde nods and exits the room as Mary shuts the door behind her. The princess shuffles under her blue covers before looking at the note. 

My dearest Mary,

I'm sure you understand the pressure that comes with soulmates and the Glow. I have been married to your father for a while and a Glow has not shown. Of course, I don't want to worry you about my soulmate stuff.

Before you left for the night, I remember you saying "You shouldn't worry about your Glow, because when the time comes, God will make sure you know that that certain person is your soulmate. That's what you told me, right?"

I can't believe how clever you've gotten at only 12 years old. But my main point is this.

Miss Boleyn and I were talking, and we've decided that even though we both think Henry is our soulmate, we can put our differences aside and respect each other as humans. As we should've been doing all long. Mary, I hope you understand that neither of us think we can stop fighting for Henry. But we will try our best to give the other the respect they need.

I love you always,

Mum

It's a good start. A small step.

But that's all Mary was asking for.