Chapter Text
The proceedings to annul their marriage were swift. Queen Anna and King Henry quickly come to terms with the dowers the Queen will receive after their divorce.
Queen Anna places the documents on the table with a nod, “I've read about the Richmond Palace and the Hever Castle. They are all quite fancy settlements, your Majesty.”
King Henry waves his large hand, “Oh, don't mention it. Those buildings were delivered to me from the Boleyns after the death of their Earl. But it is now yours to possess.”
Queen Anna's movements halt for a split second before she replies with an uneasy, “I see.”
Throughout England and other international kingdoms, nobles and peasants speak about the tragic fate of King Henry the Eighth's second wife: a tale that started with a rumorous relationship and ended with the swing of a sword. Queen Anna is well aware of her better turn of life. Her marriage with the Supreme King could have ended horribly like her unfortunate predecessors, but she has managed to leave the House of Tudor alive.
Seeing the German Lady becoming strangely quiet, King Henry suggests, “Are there any other requests you would like? I will satisfy it as long as you demand.”
Queen Anna snaps out of her thoughts, looking up, “Anything?”
King Henry nods graciously, “Anything. You have my words.”
“Well,” Queen Anna glances at the record papers, “You have given me so many properties throughout the land. But living alone in those enormous palaces would be such a bore. I hoped you could give me a faithful handmaiden to accompany me.”
“That will be no problem,” King Henry complies right away, “I will assign–”
“No need, your Majesty,” Queen Anna interjects politely, “I already had in mind who I would like to bring along.”
King Henry is taken aback by her already settled decision, “W-Well, that is good to hear. Who is this girl?”
Queen Anna doesn't waste another second, “Howard. I wouldn't trust any girl other than the granddaughter of the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk.”
“Katherine?” King Henry blurts out almost immediately.
“Yes,” Queen Anna smiles, playing ignorant to her ex-husband's vexatiousness, “She'd been my most trusted lady-in-waiting for quite a while. Very docile and dutiful. I'd love to have her continue serving me.”
King Henry is on the verge of protesting, but when he catches the expecting eyes of Queen Anna, all of his opposition piles up at the back of the King's throat. Anything he says will be meaningless because Queen Anna's reasons for taking Katherine with her are justifiable. His further testimony will only serve more suspicion about his intentions with his ex-wife's lady-in-waiting.
Although disgruntled at the loss of such a delicate maiden in the court, King Henry cannot go back on his words. He swallows bitterly, “If it is her whom you appointed, I will have no other say in this. She will be your attendant.”
“Lovely,” Queen Anna clasps her hands with a stretching grin, “Thank you for your generosity, my King.”
Her pretentious gratitude is half-covered, but King Henry has no right to call her out or punish her for it unless he wants to provoke the powerful House of La Marck that backs her up.
And so that is settled.