Mary Jane ran to the Queen's room and restlessly tapped on the door until someone let her in. Another of the maids was still lighting the candles as the queen herself gently rose from bed, mindful of her condition. Catherine had just swung her legs down her bed when Jane fell to her feet, crying in her friend's lap.

"I couldn't! I can't! I couldn't let him touch me! I couldn't... I couldn't betray you."

Queen Catherine motherly stroked Jane's hair, calming the young girl. She then sent out the rest of her maids, leaving only herself and Mary Jane in the room.

"You are safe here, my darling. Why don't you tell me all that has happened?"

Jane sniffled, regaining her sense and pulled away from the queen's lap, but remained on the floor.

"When the King had visited our land, he fell off his ride and I tended to him. I told him I was engaged to William. But my father and uncle sold me for the king's favor. Like I'm nothing more than a token of pleasure!"

There was silence for a while, only sometimes broken by Jane's sobs.

"Jane?" Catherine called her friend.

The young girl looked up to the queen from her spot on the ground.

"I admire, and appreciate, your loyalty to me. Not many of my other hand maidens could be said the same for. I will reward you handsomely for it."

"Anything, your majesty."

"If only you wouldn't think so terribly of me after."

"Believe me, I couldn't feel more terrible than right now."

Queen Catherine sighed and cupped her friend's face.

"Mary Jane. Would you do it, for me?"

Mary Jane blinked, not understanding what was said to her.

"Do what for you?"

"What you wouldn't do for your father."

Jane gasped in shock of the queen's words.

"You would send me, to be your husband's mistress?"

The queen rose from the bed and walked to the front table, getting her own glass of water.

"Do you know what a mistress is, Jane?"

"A... lover?" Jane answered innocently.

"It is so much more than that, my dear. It is a political position. Fathers and Uncles and brothers present their girls to the king. And when the king is smitten by them, or begets a son from them, he is willing to give her whatever in the world she desires. And her desires are scripted by her men."

"So she is, just a pawn?"

"A mistress, can be much more powerful than the queen, Jane. And if you were to be his mistress..."

"I could ask of him whatever you would ask of me to."

"You are a quick study."

"But, that would mean I would have to give him..."

"Pleasure. Ease his tensions when he comes back from court. You don't have to offer him your body. Not all the time, at least."

"I... am untouched, my queen." Mary Jane revealed, blushing.

"Yes, but you have been to French court with your sister, have you not?"

"Y...yes your majesty."

"You may be untouched, but not ignorantly innocent. Am I wrong?"

"N...no, ma'am."

Catherine came over to her unsettled friend.

"I know what I ask of you is heavy, but I could not trust any other to be my husband's mistress, than you." She stoked Jane's cheek.

Jane grabbed the queen's hand and kissed her palm

"I won't disappoint you, my queen. But I have already refused the king. He won't be so eager to take me back."

"You leave that to me, my dear."

***

The next morning, King Henry was again in his office, listening over some deal or strategy. There was a knock on the door, announcing the arrival of breakfast which he didn't really care for, except when the trolley girl came in. The other men paid her no mind, but the King of England tuned them out as he watched Mary Jane ready his breakfast table.

There was silence as Henry got off his throne, hands behind his back as he made over to the table with the food. He waved one hand behind his back, ushering the lords out of his room. Jane didn't see them bow and leave, as she was busy carefully pouring the wine in his chalice.

"I didn't think you'd be back here so soon," Henry said behind her ear and she jumped, spilling some of the wine.

Henry laughed as he sat at his chair, biting on his thumb as he watched the nervous girl.

Jane fretted about dabbing at the spilt liquid. Henry reached out and traced his finger down her temple, and she flinched. Henry, amused by her reaction, leaned forward.

"Are you afraid of me, Mary Jane?"

Mary flashed her eyes to him for a second before lowering them again.

"N-no, your majesty."

"Of course. If you did fear me, you wouldn't be back to me. Not after last night."

"I... I couldn't have been of use to you, last night, sir."

Henry raised a curious brow.

"No?"

"No. I was... afflicted... as women are sometimes, you see. But you didn't give me much room to deny you."

Jane couldn't believe she was talking about this with the KING of England!

Henry sighed.

"I see. Well, thank you for your honesty, I suppose. You may go."

Jane bowed and was desperate to leave the king's room; but then, she remembered her promise.

Henry would have bet his crown that the young girl would run out of his room, but was surprised that she didn't.

The girl took a breath and looked to the ceiling.

"I lied."

This was the highlight of the king's day.

"You would admit to lying to the king? You could be charged with treason."

Jane turned back towards him.

"I'd sleep better headless than with a lie on my tongue."

"Well then, let's have the truth."

"You were right. I was afraid of you. I'd had quite the day, with you canceling my engagement and all. And the fact that... that I'm... that..."

"You're a virgin," the king finished for her, and Jane nodded.

Henry scoffed and called her to him, sitting her on his lap.

"You wouldn't give yourself to me?"

"I have self respect," Jane said without thinking, then remembered who she was talking to.

To her relief, he only laughed.

"The king of the English empire is beneath you?"

"No, sir!" Jane said, her heart in her throat.

"Then?"

"My body is not for sale for my uncle's benefit."

"You would expose them?"

"What care do I for blood relations who would sell me to the highest bidder. And what should it matter? Isn't the code of England King over country?"

Henry smiled, then leaned in to kiss her, but she shied away. Henry's brows knotted in worry.

"You really would not be with me?"

"How could I, when I do not love you?"

Henry drew a finger down her face.

"And if you loved me?"

"If you respected me, you could have me."

Henry sighed and rested his head.

"What use do I have for you, Mary Jane?"

"I no longer have any loyalty to my father or uncle. I could advise you before hand what they ask of you."

"You would do that? For me?"

"They expect it of me, anyway. And if they found out I'd failed them, they'd..."

Henry sat erect, finishing her sentence. If she'd failed them, they would hurt Jane. His Jane. Henry's hand snapped to the girl's head, and he pulled her to him, pressing his lips to her head.

"I'll let no one harm you, Jane.

You are mine."