The Glow

The days following Mary's birthday have been....interesting to say the least. The two former rivals have tried to put their differences aside and respect each other. The concept is still a bit weird to Catherine. Of course, the entire situation is especially strange.

For one, no one shares a bed with the queen except the king and even that didn't happen often. So to wake up everyday to find another woman in your bed is quite the change of pace. Not only that, that same woman is free to flirt with Catherine's soulmate as she pleases. This outbreak had caused their initial disputes, leading to further arguments, and then what happened at the party. Catherine had also noticed the way Mary watches the two of them. She had taken after her mother when it came to persistence and observation. But what for, the queen has no clue.

Catherine's morning starts the same. Morning prayer, getting ready, Boleyn waking up and getting ready herself. The difference in her (now) morning routine is that no one makes some snarky remark at the other. They get dressed and finish their makeup and hair in silence, the Spaniard actually waiting for the French before making their way to breakfast. 

No one is in a hurry to beat the other, as they've come to a silent compromise. This new respect isn't going to stop them from trying to initiate their Glow with Henry, but it prevents them from humiliating or pestering the other.

"Thank you for waiting, your Highness."

"Of course Miss Boleyn." It's all strict and formal. If Catherine is being honest to herself, it's probably not what Mary was hoping for.

Entering the dining hall, both women are surprised to see Henry already up and dressed for the day. The king looks up from his meal, making eye contact with both Catherine and Boleyn.

"Anne! Catherine! Pleasure. Please, come sit. I'd like to talk with you." Of course, why else would you be awake? The queen thinks to herself as she, along with the mistress, silently make their way to their normal seats at the table. Catherine takes a short moment to silently say grace before eating.

"Your highness, it's a pleasure to be able to eat with you this morning." Boleyn starts, her tone clearly used to try and please the king.

"The pleasure is mine, Anne. In fact, I noticed how you've extended your stay and was thinking. How would you like to stay permanently?" The gold woman purses her lips and clenches her fists at her husband's offer. She's lucky he can be so dense at times.

"Permanently?" Catherine and Boleyn say in unison; the green's tone in surprise, where the gold's tone is in annoyance.

"Yes, you'll be a permanent lady in waiting to Catherine. How would you like that?" Catherine would not like that at all. But, sadly, she is defenseless to the king's orders. At this point, whether or not the girl stays is up to Boleyn herself; and knowing her intentions, the queen has no doubt that she'll accept the offer.

"Of course! Anything if it means I can spend more time here." That's not so bad... "Maybe with a certain someone..." The brunette tries her best to keep her composure at this. She had used that line herself at the beginning of her marriage with Henry, and she almost feels a sense of pity knowing what happened next. Although, he did ask for her consent that time, so she supposes that the green girl will be fine.

"Splendid! I will make sure of it right away. Uh, Catherine?" Feeling glad to be acknowledged, she turns towards the king, humming in response. "Be a dear and get Anne settled in would you? She'll still be staying in your chambers, but I'd like her to get settled in as an official member in court." Although Catherine still does not like the idea of sharing a bed with Boleyn, she smiles and nods, just as she always does.

"Of course. Anything for you my love." Anything. That word can mean a lot coming from your soulmate. The one who treats you the best, gives you the world, love, anything. The one that no matter what, you'll stay together. Anything. Just like anything can happen. Your Glow can happen at anytime, anywhere, however God perceives is best. 

"Then that is that. Don't worry Anne, you won't have as much to do than the others. You're.....special." As much as Catherine wants snap Henry out of it, to smack Anne on top of her head, she holds back.

And once their breakfast is finished, the queen doesn't waste much time in formally introducing Anne to Jane. Yes, Jane isn't the 'head' lady in waiting per se, however Catherine does trust her the most, and the blonde is reminded of that often. Once Henry's order is taken care of she starts walking. Through the empty halls. With no idea where she's going, as she's enveloped in her thoughts.

Once upon a time, Henry had called her special. That is why he went through a lot of trouble to marry her. Because she was special. And after all these years of waiting, their Glow still hadn't appeared. He started calling upon mistresses to fulfill his need. And Catherine did nothing. Because perhaps if she did nothing, he'd see how faithful and committed she is to him. Or maybe he would see that he was wrong. Or maybe he would just ignore her.

And that's exactly what had happened. What he's doing. Ignoring her presence. All she can do is hope. Hope and pray that when their Glow appears, she'll be noticed again. Treasured. Loved.

But all of that is going to Boleyn. Her emotions want to tell her that they'll be fine, that he'll love her once again. But being practical, she won't get her happy ever after. She knows Henry. Knows how bad his tempers get. Knows that he'll get whatever he wants. No matter the cost.

And that's that. Henry would find someway to divorce her, leaving him to marry Boleyn. Catherine doesn't know what would happen to Mary. Her sweet daughter. The girl has a bright future, she can tell. The queen wishes that somehow she'll be able to guide her. If only.

"Your Highness?" Catherine didn't notice that she was now face to face with one of Henry's courtiers. Regaining her composure, she acknowledges their presence.

"Yes? Do you need something?"

"Thomas Cromwell asks for your assistance in some matters."

"Of course. I'll be there shortly." With that, the courtier walks past the queen, as the latter starts walking once more. This time with purpose.

~     ~     ~

It's after her matters are attended to that she decides to head back into her room. She doesn't want the pessimist in her to take over her thoughts. Again.

But she doesn't expect Boleyn to be there. Curled up on the bed. Crying? Catherine doesn't know how to react. Their relationship still isn't the best--just minimal interaction to avoid lashing out at one another. The tension is strong.

"....Anne?" The crying girl jumps at the sudden voice, curling in on herself even more. I really don't know what to say... "I didn't expect to see you here, I thought you were out with Mary."

"Pfff. Like you would care about my life. Don't you have more important things to do?" As the green girl speaks, Catherine recognizes the tone as her own, from back when Henry still payed attention to her. "It's not like you actually care about me." If the Spaniard is being honest, she does. Not in the way you'd think, but she cares about Boleyn in a sort of pity. Pity coming from her past experiences, the ones that showed who Henry really is. She doesn't want to think about it. Because Henry is her soulmate. And if he's not, he's Boleyn's.

"Maybe not." She huffs. But after a moment, Catherine's expression unconsciously softens. "But Henry does tend to take what he wants, despite what anyone says." This grabs the French's attention; how could it not if the queen just read your mind?

"That's one more thing we can agree on." She says with a scoff. "Why are you even talking to me?"

"Well maybe it's because I didn't think he took sex without permission from others as well." Boleyn notes the indirect confession as her eyes widen in shock. "What. You didn't think my life was easy, did you?"

"Wha--I--" The new lady in waiting stutters. "I just....didn't expect it. Any of it, to be honest." Neither woman anticipated life confessions, yet here they were. "At least when I served in France, they had asked me. When I got here, Henry was all over me, practically begging me to sleep with him. And I had told him no because, obviously, he's married to you. Then today, he told me to come to his room a-and h-he" Catherine doesn't realize that she had been slowly approaching the other until she sits on the edge of the bed. "H-he t-t-took off my clothes a-and threw me to onto the b-bed and h-he made me f-fuck him a-and h-he didn't even a-ask i-if I--"

The younger of the two starts crying again as she recalls the events of the day, while the older is reminded of the first time Henry had done that to her. The way she cried throughout all of it. How she stayed hidden in her chambers for days before finally coming out. How she was alone.

And looking at Boleyn's state reminds her of that feeling. That dread. No one to turn to. But this girl does have someone. Catherine just has to make her realize it.

"Boleyn, listen. I'm definitely not the person you want to talk to. But the reality is that I'm the only other in this palace who would even remotely understand. And the only...adult who will willingly listen to your problems." The green-eyed girl chuckles slightly at this, knowing Mary would also willingly listen--it's just a matter of her age, and the seriousness of Boleyn's current troubles.

"Well, I don't know if you noticed, but I've already told you more than I intended to." Catherine smirks. Even when she's in no condition to, Boleyn still manages to make some sarcastic remark.

"And I think you could tell me more. You still look like Henry's about to burst in the door." There's a slight pause, but the queen doesn't push on. But then out of nowhere Boleyn latches on to Catherine's side, shocking the latter.

"You don't mind, do you? I just.......it'd help." The gold woman, still slightly taken aback, just shakes her head. If it was going to help, then Catherine would let it slide. "Thanks." The two sit in that position in silence, and for quite a bit. Still feeling slightly awkward, the black-haired girl starts talking once more. "When he did it--Henry--I just felt....powerless. I didn't really want to go to France, but my father made me. I did enjoy my time there, but the French court was just...harsh. I never really had a say in my life decisions. The only real decision I could make myself was when I started to go for Henry. It's going to sound rather strange, but I had had this dream. I walked into this palace, the throne room to be specific, and then I could see my Glow right in front of me. I couldn't see who the other was, so I assume that it means the king."

Catherine breathed out a sigh. What Boleyn saw was more than a dream, it was a vision. One that foreshadowed who her soulmate was. And it does seem to be the king. Catherine's husband.

"As much as I hate to admit it, it does explain why you've been going after my husband. So, I will forfeit and leave him up to you. Just take care of Mary. She likes you."

"Aw, come on queenie! Don't give up so easily!" The two let go of each other, now looking each other straight in the eye. "What was that one thing you said in one of your meetings? You never know what they're going to throw at you, so be prepared. You made this whole ordeal fun. And that's a lot coming from Miss Uptight." The Spaniard rolls her eyes.

"Thanks." She sarcastically retorts. 

"What I'm saying is that I don't know if it's the king for sure. It's the most obvious choice, but you never know until your Glow appears. So until one of us shares a Glow with the king, I don't want you backing down."

"Is that so Boleyn? Then how, pray tell, are you proposing this? I suppose as a rival?" Boleyn shakes her head.

"As Anne. A friend. I hope you are, at least." Catherine only shrugs.

"Sure. I suppose it was going to come to this anyway. Mary's been a bit pushy lately." They both share a laugh at this. Share. Catherine never expected to share so much with this new girl. But, like she has stated before. You never know what someone will throw at you.

And just outside their bedroom, a little nosy child is celebrating. Her two favorite people in the world were now friends. The 12 year old didn't quite understand what they were talking about previously, but whatever it was, it had brought them together. And now Mary's mission should go a lot smoother.

Though, it's still hard to tell.