As the night erupted with good cheer and the display of many perfected skills by the hands of the beautiful ladies of court, Jane remained hidden behind the cousins of her Dudley kin. In lappings of ivory, her eyelashes flush against the veil that seemed woven into her butter blonde hair, Jane cradled her patience with modesty, the gentle hazel of her gaze flickering from the ground to the passing monument of the King, who presented himself as the grand Sun God of Apollo — his look alone leaving all to stare with gaping mouths, as if history itself was taking place before them beneath the roof of Hampton Court. Jane, who had never seen someone so grand, could not help but steal glances towards the crown in the same way a sinful man could not avoid the temptation of something desired. Piercing the soft skin of her hands with crescent moons from her nails, Jane tried to look away, as if to tear herself from the King in order to look instead to her cousins who all seemed so decadent as Amphitrite, Poseidon and Selene. 

To mine dearest sister, Mary

Presently I must asketh for thy forgiveness for not being among the welcoming party at Dover, but as thee well knoweth, a Tudor must occupy the seat of Hampton Court if 't be true England is not to go to ruin. I wish that your journey wast well, that thy reunion with thy children is as joyful as one would hope and thy husband is in valorous health. At which hour the time cometh, I would embrace thee into mine arms as I didst at which hour I wast but your smallest sister all those years ago. Though Hatfield is presently kept bare but for a few people to warm the rooms, I should invite thy Majesty to mine own chambers kept at Court whilst I remain by invitation of our brother, his Majesty, upon thy returneth to Hampton whither thee wilt beest mine own honoured guest. May God see thee safe to mine door.

Though the Percy parents had hoped that Henry would grow into what they needed, Henry had not chased the friendship of William Tudor. The relationship, in fact, had come naturally. As boys they had played tennis, rode their horses and sparred in the training field with silly wooden swords. Indeed, Henry did not approach William as his King but more like his friend; perhaps even mirroring the famed friendship that had grown between Henry Tudor and Charles Brandon. 

By William’s side, Elizabeth removed her hat with care, the crescent moon of Aretemis’ diadem twinkling beneath the light, her smile then pleasantly stuck on her face. “Dear brother, have you danced yet?” She asked, leaning forward to take her own cup, gesturing for a man to fill it as she looked down the table towards their mother and her husband, the dark onyx of her stare fleeting then back to William himself. “Don’t tell me that you are in a sour mood once more? No, I won’t hear it. Have another glass and eat something sweet, then tell me of your plans.” @boleynsrex

Though she had been far from prepared by an Iberian visit to the English Court, Alice took care in the way she presented herself, with haste she read the letters sent from her niece who had been among the receiving party at Dover, preparing her fingers and neck with the jewels given to her mother by the hand of the last Queen of England — though, there was no reality where she emerged grander than Mary Tudor, who had the entirety of the country at a stand still, as if waiting with bated breath. “Your Majesty,” she greeted, when faced with the Queen, her curtsy as low as she could muster, her eyes bowed towards the floor before she was received. “You may not remember me, but my mother was a loyal Lady to Her Majesty, Queen Catherine. And I welcome you upon your home shores now, to let you know that you have been dearly missed.” @lareinamaria