"I would not want to drive you mad, but when people ask how you feel about the passing of Aeronwen, just think it was me that passed on instead. The answer you give will please them."<br/><br/>Victoria told Ewan. She wanted to make sure he kept up the proper appearances when it came to the passing of his young wife. The last thing she needed was anyone prying into his life and discovering their secret. It would ruin everything she had spent so many years trying to build. She would not always just be Henry's wife, the Duchess of a boring wine country. She would be more, she deserved to be more. She didn't know how long it would take, but someday she would have her own kingdom and people would respect and fear her. She smiled at Ewan and returned his kiss. While she was not capable of returning his deep love, she could fake it well enough, she could return his passion and did so eagerly. She did genuinely love being in Ewan's arms.<br/><br/>When Ewan asked of David and her recovery, Victoria ran her fingers through his hair as she replied.<br/><br/>"I am fine. I have always been fortunate and am a fast healer."<br/><br/>All of Victoria's pregnancies had been fairly easy and while childbirth was painful, she was always able to recover well. She never experienced anything outside of what the midwives say was normal.<br/><br/>"David is well and seems happy. He does not fuss much."<br/><br/>At least she didn't hear him cry much at the manor. Eugenia saw to most of his needs. She would tell Victoria and Henry if she thought something was wrong. He appeared to be happy. Of course, he did smile and coo more at Eugenia then he did his own mother. She replied that Rebecca and Nicholas were doing well as well. If she was a better mother, she would have been able to tell Ewan that Rebecca loved fairy tales and Nicholas was obsessed with dogs. Victoria wasn't a very good mother, however, and knew neither of those things about them. If Ewan really wanted to know about her younger children, Eugenia, their true caretaker, would have been the best person to ask.<br/><br/>It also did not escape Victoria that although she was a mother of six now, her lover only asked about her youngest three. The ones born since their affair had begun. Victoria could not say for certain who was truly their father. Not that it mattered, Henry was the father of all her children as far as she was concerned. He was her husband and thus any child she bore was his. That was the way it had to be. Ewan could fantasize all he wanted in his mind, but if he spoke his desire out loud, she would gently correct him that Nicholas, Rebecca, and David all belonged to Henry.<br/><br/>"The children will all be here for the next holiday."<br/><br/>She told Ewan when he said he would like to meet them. Of course, they were young and spent most of the time with Eugenia on the trips. Victoria would not have her younger children embarrassing her in any way. She wasn't sure what caused him to have a revelation but she eagerly returned his kiss and the next with the same passion. She replied.<br/><br/>"And I love you. Let us not wait any longer."<br/><br/>--------<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Alexander quietly crept out of his room while his mother was very occupied and distracted. Every holiday since he could remember was spent in Greenmor Palace. He had spent a great deal of his younger days exploring it. Something that was paying off now, since he had a very important and special meeting to go to in the courtyard. He hoped she would be here. He had met her on the last holiday. She was so beautiful and kind. Since the teenager had met her, he could not get her out of his mind. He had sent her many letters since. No one knew of his secret love, he knew his mother would never approve. The girl that had captured his heart was not of nobility, she was a servant in the palace. It didn't matter to Alexander, however. He could not see himself without her in his life. He told her to meet him in the courtyard, after the palace began to sleep. Victoria could never find out, she would be so angry at him...<br/><br/>"Hello? Are you here?"<br/><br/>He called out quietly as he looked for her. He hoped she had been able to sneak away and meet him.