Breaking The Cycle

"Is it that obvious?" Hellena asks with an embarrasment blush. "Yes it is that obvious, and I can see you are unsure of yourself.". Valencia noticed. In truth Hellena was unsure, she has so many worries about the child within. 

"What if I loose it, or become a bad mother?" Hellena was afraid of becoming unworthy to raise a royal child. 

"Ease yourself child. The first thing you must do is rid yourself of all stress. Stress will put strain on your child. From now on you shall not do anything strenuous. Perform simple excersizes, eat healthy, have a lot of rest." Valencia says sincerely to Hellena. Feeling better of herself, Hellena nodded. "Thank you Valencia."

"Your welcome child, how far along are you?"

"I think I am about two months along." Hellena says excitedly. 

"That is good, I shall summons the royal physicians to confirm and make sure you are healthy."
                                      •••

Years passed and many things has changed. Prince Alexiy and Princess Hellena became Emperor Alexiy I and Empress Hellen the Great. Empress Hellena's name addition was given to her by the people because she has given Monaco twelve heirs. 

May 16, 1510 Princess Alexis•Born Healthy and Strong
Dec. 25, 1511 Princess Hellena•Born Healthy and Strong
Twins
Jan. 1, 1513 Prince Alexiy, Lex•Born Healthy and Strong
Jan. 1, 1513 Princess Valencia, Val•Born Healthy and Strong
Dec. 22,1513 Prince Christobel, Chris•Born Healthy and Strong
Nov. 15,1515 Prince Hector•Born Healthy and Strong
Apr. 2, 1517 Princess Persèus, Persi•Born Healthy and Strong
Mar. 31,1518 Prince Alexander, Alex•Born Healthy and Strong
July 3, 1520 Prince Aristottle•Born Healthy and Strong
Twins
Feb. 14, 1521 Princess Catalina, Lina•Born Healthy and Strong
Feb. 14, 1521 Princess AnnaMaria, Maria•Born Healthy and Strong
Aug. 22, 1522 Princess Annabella, Bella•Born Healthy and Strong
Emperor Alexiy and Empress Hellena were crowned on August 22, 1515. Emperor Hector had passed away due to a riding accident. According to physicians he did not suffer. 

                           •••
April 1532
Fifteen year old Princess Perseus has just honorably completed the sacret Rite of Passage. She has been fifteen for three weeks and surpressed all in her class, just like her mother did. She is a master of many fighting skills, languages, and many other things.

Once she was settled back at the Imperial Palace she was informed that she would be marrying a handsome boy named Tomei. A month later in May the two was married. Upon marriage Tomei became Prince Tomei, she loved him and he loved her. After a month of marital bliss war ranged out. Poland called themselves invading Monaco. Ofcourse King Alexiy and Queen Hellena were outraged. They devised a plan to lead the Polish army into the Hot Gates.

The Hot gates is a large hollow area in the Monacon wall. It is designed to lure in invading armies and lock them inside. Dried black oil is mixed in with the sand. A top ranking army official or the king himself throws a torch inside and burn the army alive.

A month later the entire Polish army were burned to ash, and became a collection in the King's ash collection. A month later their royal majesties sent a fleet of five thousand to sack Poland. They also sent the Princesess Alexis, Princess Hellena, and Crown Prince Alexiy to charge the mission. They were to 'capture a kingdom." Princess Perseus wanted so badly to please her father, she wanted to show them that she could be worthy of a mission also. So the night the fleet was to sail, she snuck on the ship and hid there until the fleet set sail. The two week journey was the first journey Perseus have every taken away from the empire. Once they took the Polish shores Princess Perseus revealed herself to her older siblings. After a week of convincing them to allow her to stay they eventually gave in. During the fight itself, Princess Perseus was unbelievable. On the battle field she became blood drunk and killed so many. News of her skill earned her the name of 'Angel of Death' and 'Taker of Life'. Princess Perseus fought and killed at an amazing level. Ultimatly she killed the Polish King Rodulfo. In mid August they sailed home with Polish spoils. The royal heirs returned to a large scale crowd. There were rose pedals thrown from above and all was cheering there names. When the royal herald introduced the heros Princess Perseus was last. 

"And lastly, let us welcome home a true warrior. Let us welcome back the angel of death, the taker of life, the wielder of the silver sword, the holder of the bronze shield! Let us welcome home the seventh born child of his imperial majesty Emperor Alexiy and he imperial majesty Empress Hellena the Great. Let us welcome home her imperial highness, Princess Perseus!!" The royal herald said in a powerful voice. The crowd cheered for her and their loud voices ranged in her ears. There were a feast prepared for them and they enjoyed themselves until the middle of the night.  

The next day his majesty summoned Perseus to his office. Doing the previous day he was angry at her for leaving without his permission. Today he was going to set the record straight. 

"Do you have any idea what hell you put your mother and I through when you left. We had no idea where you were." He yelled. His letf temple was pulsating. 


"Then we find out that you snuck on a ship and went to war without my permission! You are only a child, you could have been murdered or captured!" Yelled the king. 

"Forgive me father, I only wanted to show you and mother that I could fight and survive outside of Monaco." She reasoned. 

"That is not the point. You disobeyed me! You failed to follow my orders. You have not been out of the Rite for a year and already you have shown me you are a FAILURE!!!"

She gasped with tears in her eyes. He continued. "You are a disgrace to me, your mother, you siblings and Monaco." She was hurt by his words. 

"But father, I killed the..."

"I did not give you permission to speak! As your punishment, you shall be confined to your rooms for two years. Your husband shall visit you once a week. Now go, I wish not to look upon your face!" 

She ran from the room in tears. All her life she felt a distance from her father and now she was sure he hated her. But that was not the case at all King Alexiy loved his daughter with every fiber of his bein. He only lashed out at her and called her a disgrace and failure to teach her a lesson. Ofcourse he did not mean any of it. Inwardly he was proud of his daughter. He was happy that she played a major role in bringing Poland to it's knees. After some thought, he decided to tell her the reason behind his actions and cut her punishment in half. However, he would not get the chance. Two months later in October she ran away. 
                                       •••
Princess Perseus used her survival skills to travel from kingdom to kingdom. She finally settled in one kingdom that she had become fond of. The Kingdom of England. Upon arriving she adopted a new name. Jane SiVad. 
 
                                 •••
One day she was out purchasing fabrics for new dresses when someone saw her and was amazed at her beauty. This gentlemen slowly made his was to her. But she paid no mind to him. He dicided to speak up. "Excuse me, but you must not know who I am." he said smiling. 

'Jane' took one look at him and took a short breath. "Ofcourse I do not know you, I have not asked your name." Jane said kindly, not wanting to upset this stranger. 

"Well, let me introduce myself. My name is Henry." He said to her. Jane could see a few men snikering behind Henry, she knew she had missed something. 

"I am pleased to meet you, Henry, I am Jane SiVad." She introduced herself. 

"I am pleased to also meet you Jane SiVad." He said almost mockingly. "Jane is a lovely name for a lovely young lady. Do you have a place in court Lady Jane?" Henry ask taking short peeks at the tops of her breast. She wore a dark blue low cut dress. Henry's eye slowly lined the curves of Jane's body when he thought she was not lookind.  


"No sir, I have no place in court." Jane replied truthfully. She was only purchasing linens for gowns. She couldn't care less about court life. She heard many rumors of it's ways. 

Henry's eyes arched in pride. "I hear the Queen is looking for ladies in waiting." He said to Jane.  Jane on the other hand knew what he was hinting at. "I would be very greatful if you  allow yourself to join her majesty's retinue." 

"I thank you Sir Henry for offering such a noble position, but I must decline." She said kindly hoping he would go away. Then she turned her back on Henry, she was not quite used to not being a princess. Henry felt insulted and grabbed Jane by her arm and swung her back facing him. Her first thought was to strike him. But she thought twice. 

"Maybe I have not made myself clear." He said as pulled her close. 

"Sir, is this how gentlemen treat ladies in this kingdom?" Jane asked appauled at Henry's behavior. 

"I did not tell you my full identity. I am Henry, KING Henry. And in this land, my word is law." Henry said in a deathly calm voice. 

Jane on the other hand had no idea the pompous fool was actually king. She knew if she declined, she would be deemed suspicious for her actions.

"Forgive me your majesty, for I did not know you were King Henry of England." She said as she curtsied low.

Henry smirked, "Ofcourse you are forgiven. I wish for you to serve my Queen, and trust me, the benefits will be...great." He said eyeing her body once again.  

"Ofcouse your majesty, I shall accept this fine offer." She said, not knowing what she has just gotten herself into. 

One month later...
March

As Jane settled in her new room. She felt as if she was trapped. The small chambers she was given was absolutely that. Small. Her bath chambers at her home in Monaco was much bigger than the room she was given here. Everything in the English court was different than that of the Moancon court. Her majesty Queen Katherine is not so different then her mother Empress Hellena. Queen Katherine is a nice and gentle woman. She and King Henry have a beautiful princess named Mary. Mary is Katherine's world, it warmed Jane's heart to see the Queen's eyes light up when Princess Mary enter the room. Within no time Jane realized that Queen Katherine loved his majesty. Jane was not so sure that he loved her. Sometimes Jane sees the longing in the Queens eyes for her husband. It hurt even more when the Queen knew of his majesty's affairs. 

One night, Queen Katherine was praying in the chapel when King Henry visited her bedchamber. King Henry looked about and decided not to wait for her. 

"Tell her majesty that her true and loving husband was here and she was not." Henry turned to leave, he winked at his attendant and left. The attendant went to the other lady preparing the Queen's bed. He whispered in her ear and she followed him from the room. 

Five minutes later...
Jane
The Queen walked into her chambers. I curtsied at her presence. She had on a white chemise, her coal black hair was loose down her back. She had olive skin which suited her well. A brilliant smile graced her Spanish face. Her smile left her face once she looked around.  

"Has his majesty been here." She asked me and another lady in waiting. 

"His majesty has come and gone, my Lady." I answered truthfully. I immediately saw sadness in her eyes. I felt sorry for her. She looked around again and noticed one of her ladies in waiting was not present.

"Where is Lady Barren? " She asked, I kept my eyes trained on the ground. I heard her take a short breath. 

"I said where is Lady Barren?" She said again. 

"Forgive me your majesty,  Lady Barren....the king took her." I could hear the Queen's gasp. "Forgive me your majesty." I appologised for my words had hurt her. She looked at me with her clear water eyes. 

"Why should you appologies Lady SiVad, you have not hurt me." 

"I would never hurt you, but I unintentionally hurt you with my words, and for that I am sorry." I said with my head bowed. When the Queen motioned for us to leave she stopped me. 

"Will you stay for a moment Lady SiVad." she asked me. I nodded and sat in the chair she offered me. 

As she sat, she begins to tell me of her children she lost. She mentioned that she knew the king blamed her. She could not see how he could ignore his beautiful daughter. She puts her hand over her eyes and cried. I, being only 15 (according to them, I am 20), got up from my seat and sat next to her. I gently took her in my arms. Surprisingly she did not stop me. 

"It is alright your majesty, the world is not good enough for some babies." I say softly. She reminds me so much of my mother. "My mother lost a child due to stress. She was sad but she was also strong, and needed to be strong for her people, and her country. Most women would have given up in that situation, but you did not. You continue to be strong." I said sincerely. The Queen looked up to me. 


"Thank you for comforting Lady SiVad." She says softly. 


"Your welcome my Lady. I hope that I have not over stepped my bounderies."


"No, you have not." She wore a soft smile. "You speak of your mother as it she is of great importance." She inquired. That is when I realized it. I had slipped. I had the look of uncertainty and her majesty saw it, so I acted fast. 

"I...uh... my mother is very important to my family that is all I meant." I said hoping she would drop the subject. My stomach was in knots. Lucky for me she changed the subject. 

"How old are you Lady SiVad?" She asked me. 


"I will be turning 20 next month." I lied. I hated lieing to her. But I could not tell her I am really a fifteen year old runaway princess. We stayed up talking for ten minutes, then she dismissed me for bed.  


The next Morning...
This morning I awakened not knowing where I was. Until I realized I was still in the tiny room in the Queens' chambers. After I had awakened I did some excercizes and drills. Then I bathed and put on a lite green dress, one similar to my fellows ladies. Once I was dressed a knock came on my door, a messenger informed me that the king summoned me to his office. I dreaded going to his majesty. Two weeks after I came to White Hall Palace, I noticed the king staring at me at times. Other times he would send me gifts. Each gift he sent me I gave to someone less fortunate than myself. As much as I try to stay out of his way, we are bound to see each other. I took my sweet time as I make my way to his office. Once I got there his attendant announced me. 


The king was sitting at the long table and got up as I curtsied to him. "You look beautiful today my Lady." He says as he nodds for me to rise. Then he motioned for his attendant to leave. The king wasted no time closing the distance between us and kissed me. I was so shocked I almost slapped him. I pulled away from him quickly. I took a deep breath, "Please, I am not that kind of woman." But that did not stop him from cornering me to the wall and sliding his hand up my thigh. "I love my husband." My voice was shaking. Then I felt him touch my private area. I felt foolish for moistening at his touch. "Stop." I whispered, I was pushing at his chest. "Please, I do not want this." My words did not do me justice.


"Shhh, that is what they all say. But you will end up wanting me anyway." He said as he tried to kiss me again. His finger was inside of me. I began breathing hard. King Henry began to undo his breeches and press his hips againt mine.  

Thankfully the kings' attendant enterupted us and the king stopped what he was doing. I quickly ran from the room. I made my way back to the Queens' chambers and locked myself in my small room. I had to clean myself, I felt so ashamed. A few minutes later Lady Darrel came to get me. As I did my duties, I could not even look Queen Katherine in the eye. 


Over the next month the kings advances was starting to get out of hand. I was begining to get distracted and a couple of the ladies looked at me differently. I was trained to work under pressure and observe my surrounding. To have control over every situation and king Henry was making it very difficult. I thought the kings advances were taking it's toll on me, but it took another turn for the worst.


A page boy came and got me from my room and brought me to a stairwell near the Queens' appartment. The only thing separating us from the Queen was a vacant appartment. The page boy left the stairwell and the king stepped in. I was speachless. This man has a beautiful wife who loves him and yet he wants me. 

"My Lady Jane, you look breath taking." He commented. I only looked at him, no words was comming from my lips. 


"I am not a whore." I flat out told him. He snorted and advanced on me. 

KOA
I was in that mood again. I knew he was allowing someone else to manipulate him. It could not be Anne Boleyn. She was angry at Henry and left for Hever. Thank God. I walked from my bedchambers to my outer chamber. All my ladies curtsied low. All except one. 


"Where is Lady SiVad." I asked the other ladies. They all hesitated and I grew impatient. Lady Ashley spoke up. "The kings' page boy came for her." She said keeping her head low. I immediately left my appartments. I searched for her a few moments. Surely she was not like the others. I would be truely hurt if she turned out like other women. Women who only want the experience of slepping with my husband. 


Jane 
"I am not that kind of woman." I struggled to say as he was ravishing me, his hands was everywhere on my body. "Please. I am happily married, and I do not want to betray the Queen." I said as his hands were pushing up my skirts. He was trying to get my under linen. I was was about the shove him away when the door to the stairwell opened. My heart sanked to my womb. The Queen looked at me, and where the kings hands were on my body. The Queen looked so betrayed. 

"What are you doing with my husband!" She fumed at me. My mouth hung open a moment before I found words. 

"Your majesty, I resisted. I did not want it. I promise." I said as I pushed the King off me. The king kept his eyes his eyes on his wife. 

"Katherine, my love. Forgive me I was weak..." She did not let him finish. She turned her back on us both and left for her chambers. I quickly fixed my dress and followed her. When we entered her bedchamber, she dismissed her ladies and ordered me to stay behind. 

"How long have you been with my husband." I was hesitant but chose me words carefully. 

"You majesty, I did not want his affection. I did not know what to do. I have not been in this situation before." I said to her. She said nothing. She only turned her back on me. 


"Continue your duties." Was all she said. 


Over the next month the Queen was cold towards me. The king showered her with gifts and had the audacity to continue his sexual advances to me. The Queen knew and I knew she knew. It really hurt one day when she summoned me to her chambers and told me I will never have his heart and called me a disgrace. Just like my father did. I was crushed, her words cut right through me. Suddenly I found I could not be in the same room with her. When it was time to retire, I packed  what ever I could in a shoulder bag. I left the Queen a note and a one million crown coin piece. When I knew for sure everyone was sleeping I snuck out of her majesty's appartments. My stealth skills came in handy as I made my way from the palace. I went to the stables and quietly saddled a horse and I rode south to my home I purchased once I came to England. Brookfield was two hours south of London. 

Brookfield is a independant community that England's richest resided. It is not like other communities. According to an old law no one is supposed to enter Brookfield without invitaion. Not even kings or queens can enter without a residents invite. Brookfield even have it's own court. It was much different than that of White Halls. There were not any serpents, backstabbers or betrayers. 


Queen Katherine awoke early and had her ladies dress her. She went in her dinning room and noticed one of her ladies were not in attendance. 

"Where is Lady SiVad." She asked. No one knew their fellow ladies where abouts. The Queen sent Lady Darrel to her room, she returned to the Queen with a note. Lady Darrel hesitantly gave her the note. She opened it and a coin came out. She put the coin asside and read the note to herself. 

Her Majesty the Queen, Katherine of Aragon

   Forgive me your majesty. I decided to leave your retinue on the grounds that his majesty forced his affections upon me. Also the coldness you have shown me was unable to bare.  I am a happily married woman and my love and affection belongs to that of my husband. My answer to the king was always no. I have no intention to know the king sexually. I hope you can accept this gift of appology. 

                You loyal servant 
                 Jane SiVad 

   
Queen Katherine could not believe it. Jane SiVad had run away.